Chapter Summaries

Ling impressed his classmates with his precise reflexes when he saved Ino during dodgeball, bringing them closer as she began spending more time with him. After agreeing to visit Ino’s flower shop, Ling sensed a Root watcher following them and considered warning the shadowy observers to keep their distance.

• Ling effortlessly dodged the dodgeballs and tapped one away just before it struck Ino, impressing the class and earning Iruka’s praise.
• Ino thanked Ling and began spending more time with him, while Sasuke added him to his list of rivals and Naruto complained that he had stolen the spotlight.
• Ling built friendly connections with Tenten, Hinata, and Sakura as Shino and Kiba remarked on his popularity.
• Ino invited Ling to visit her flower shop when new aromatic herbs arrived, and Ling agreed.
• Ling sensed a concealed Root watcher following them after they parted and considered giving Root a warning.

Ling bought medicinal herbs and incense ingredients from Ino's family, then used a precise attack to frighten the Root ninja who had been following him. Back at the Hatake Residence, he prepared stronger incense and resolved to keep growing stronger amid the village's growing attention.

• Ling visited the Yamanaka Flower Shop, where Ino explained the effects of Mind-Calming Grass and Tranquility Incense, and he bought herbs and medicinal ingredients.
• Tobirama told Ling how to refine the ingredients into stronger incense to support his training.
• Ling sensed that a Root ninja was following him and pierced a wall beside the watcher with a nearly invisible water droplet as a warning.
• The Root ninja fled, and Ling continued to the Hatake Residence, where Kakashi remarked on Ino's liveliness.
• Ling prepared enhanced Tranquility Incense under Tobirama's guidance and used it that night while reaffirming his determination to grow stronger.

Ling carefully staged a narrow victory over Sasuke in the Academy combat assessment, earning praise while concealing his true ability. His performance drew the attention of both the Hokage and Danzo, leaving him more firmly established as a top student and under closer scrutiny.

• Ling followed Tobirama’s plan to evade Sasuke’s attacks, then cut Sasuke’s arm with a precisely timed counterattack.
• Sasuke used the Great Fireball Technique, and Ling countered with a restrained Water Release technique before defeating him in the steam.
• Iruka declared Ling the winner, while Sasuke left frustrated and more eager to fight him again.
• Naruto lost to Kiba, Ino defeated Sakura, and Hinata surrendered after showing determination against her opponent.
• Ino, Tenten, and Hinata congratulated Ling, while Naruto reflected on his tactics.
• The Hokage praised Ling’s performance, and Danzo ordered a subordinate to keep watching him and prepare a detailed assessment.

Ling drew Sasuke Uchiha’s increasingly hostile attention after defeating him, while Root surveillance and Kakashi’s warnings made Ling’s secret training more dangerous. He improved his techniques, tightened his precautions, and resolved to become strong enough to control his own fate.

• Sasuke fixated on Ling after losing the assessment, while Ino, Tenten, Hinata, Sakura, and Naruto reacted to the rivalry in different ways.
• Ling advanced his Rending Space practice, strengthened his Water Release constructs, and refined his Ice-Breath Concealment Technique.
• Ling sensed Root surveillance again and detected a powerful presence searching the Hatake Residence; Tobirama identified it as Aburame Ryoma and told Ling to use at least three isolation barriers.
• Kakashi gave Ling a Chunin-level chakra control scroll and warned him to avoid going out at night.
• Ling skipped risky training that night and studied the scroll’s basic control exercises while resolving to grow stronger amid the watching eyes around him.

Ling intensified his chakra-control training and gave Kakashi a plausible explanation for his sudden progress, while Kakashi subtly warned him about the surveillance. The chapter ended with Hiruzen observing Ling and Danzo ordering Root to keep watching him.

• Ling focused on Kakashi's chakra-control exercises, suppressing his chakra fluctuations while improving his precision.
• Kakashi watched Ling practice Still Water Surface and questioned whether his intense training was driven only by Sasuke.
• Ling explained that he feared Sasuke might awaken the Sharingan, and Kakashi advised him to control his fear and train steadily.
• Ling understood Kakashi's warning about surveillance and resolved to keep training advanced techniques with Tobirama in the spiritual space.
• Hiruzen watched Ling train through his crystal ball, while Aburame Ryoma reported Ling's changed behavior to Danzo.
• Danzo ordered Root to continue surveillance without approaching Ling.

After the Uchiha Clan was massacred, Tobirama raged at the political conspiracy and urged Ling to grow strong enough to change Konoha. Ling returned to the Academy, where Sasuke’s grief and the village’s fear left him more determined as graduation approached.

• Ling sensed the news that the Uchiha Clan had been wiped out and told Tobirama.
• Tobirama blamed Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi for allowing the massacre, then urged Ling to become strong enough to change Konoha.
• Root tightened its covert surveillance of Ling while classes were suspended.
• Sasuke returned to the Ninja Academy withdrawn and consumed by hatred, while Naruto and Sakura kept their distance.
• Ino sat with Ling at lunch, and he offered her calming tea as they shared their worries.
• Ling resolved to pursue power as he anticipated graduation and the harsher life of a ninja.

As graduation approached, Ling Hatake concealed his full abilities while Danzo’s Root and Hiruzen watched him, and the class took the Clone Technique exam. Ling passed while Naruto failed, and Ling sensed a suspicious chakra near Naruto’s usual swing that night.

• After the Uchiha massacre, Sasuke withdrew from his classmates and trained obsessively as Ling and Tobirama discussed keeping Ling’s abilities hidden from Danzo.
• Ling practiced the Clone Technique at a carefully limited level while Ino praised him, and Danzo, Hiruzen, and Kakashi observed his progress.
• Ling passed the graduation exam with two solid clones, while Sasuke and Sakura also passed and Naruto failed.
• That night, Ling detected a brief, concealed chakra trace near the swing Naruto frequented, and Tobirama warned him to stay alert.

Ling and Tobirama inferred that Mizuki’s theft plot and Naruto’s brief Nine-Tails chakra flare were part of a scheme tolerated by Hiruzen. The next day, Ling joined Team 7 under Kakashi’s supervision and began training to develop a defensive Water Release technique.

• Ling sensed Mizuki heading toward the Classified Documents Room and a brief surge of Naruto’s Nine-Tails chakra, while Tobirama deduced that the events were being orchestrated.
• Tobirama advised Ling to stay hidden as Iruka confronted Mizuki and returned with Naruto after Mizuki’s chakra vanished.
• At the graduation briefing, Iruka announced that Ling would temporarily join Team 7 under Kakashi’s supervision for tailored instruction.
• Ling accepted his Konoha forehead protector as Naruto showed off the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
• Tobirama ordered Ling to develop an Absolute Defense form of Water Release: Water Formation Wall within three days.

Ling met Kakashi and Team 7, learned that their survival exercise would determine whether they remained genin, and kept his own strength hidden. He spent the afternoon training with Tobirama to stabilize the Water Mirror Barrier before recovering chakra for the next morning’s test.

• Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Ling waited three hours at Training Ground Three before Kakashi arrived and asked them to introduce themselves.
• Kakashi announced that the next morning’s survival exercise was an elimination test, and Tobirama told Ling to participate only as an observer while concealing his true strength.
• Ling trained at a secluded waterfall, repeatedly attempting the Water Mirror Barrier until he could keep it stable for over ten seconds.
• Tobirama instructed Ling to use the barrier to disrupt Kakashi’s judgment and then begin chakra recovery training.
• Ling returned home exhausted and replenished his chakra in preparation for the survival exercise.

Ling joined Kakashi’s bell test and demonstrated careful tactical support and a more powerful Water Release while keeping his deeper abilities hidden. Kakashi declared that no one had passed, then set up the lunch dilemma and watched to see how Ling would respond.

• Ling arrived at Training Ground Three before Naruto, and Kakashi explained the bell test rules while telling Ling to show how he worked within the team.
• Naruto charged Kakashi first and was quickly sent flying, after which Kakashi pressured Sasuke while Ling supported him with shuriken.
• Ling used Water Release: Water Formation Wall to block Kakashi’s attack and Sasuke’s Great Fireball, creating steam that let Sasuke retreat.
• Ling kept his performance within the limits of an exceptionally talented genin as Kakashi tested him, following Tobirama’s advice to conceal his trump cards.
• Kakashi confiscated everyone’s weapons, declared that no one had passed, and brought out lunch while presenting the team with a choice over who would eat.

Ling revealed that Kakashi’s bell test was meant to teach teamwork, and Team 7 passed when they chose to share rather than let anyone go hungry. Kakashi then arranged for Ling to train more independently while requiring him to trust his teammates when acting as part of the team.

• Ling explained that the test was about valuing teammates and proposed earning Kakashi’s approval instead of fighting over the two bells.
• Naruto offered Sakura food, Sasuke shielded them from Kakashi, and Sakura refused to eat unless they could eat together.
• Kakashi untied Naruto and Sasuke, let Team 7 share the lunch, and declared that they had passed.
• Kakashi praised Ling’s insight but pointed out that he had remained an observer, then offered to request greater freedom for Ling’s training.
• Ling agreed to trust his teammates, while Tobirama planned to begin training in the Flying Thunder God’s basic runes the next day.

After completing a series of D-rank missions, Ling began independent training at Training Ground Seven and learned the foundations of the Flying Thunder God Technique from Tobirama. He barely managed to form an unstable formula before a Root ninja watching him withdrew, leaving Ling aware that his training remained under surveillance.

• Ling efficiently used water techniques to complete the team's D-rank missions while Kakashi observed his chakra control.
• Kakashi sent Ling to train alone at Training Ground Seven with a preliminary plan approved by Lord Hokage.
• After Ling completed the exercises, Tobirama taught him the basics of Flying Thunder God formula construction and Spatial Perception.
• Ling repeatedly failed to form the formula, then held an unstable water-chakra version together for just over three seconds.
• Tobirama sensed a Root ninja spying on Ling, who disguised his practice until the watcher withdrew.
• Ling began refining his chakra and reviewing the formula as he prepared to continue training under surveillance.

Ling trained to construct the Flying Thunder God Formula while concealing his progress from a Root observer. He planted a faint spatial imprint during a mission and sensed it from afar that night, while Danzo received a report that Ling showed no obvious abnormalities.

• Ling practiced the Flying Thunder God Formula under Tobirama’s criticism, steadily holding the unstable formula for longer.
• Ling concealed his training whenever Tobirama alerted him to a Root observer watching from the woods.
• During a D-Rank mission, Ling secretly planted a faint chakra imprint beneath a boulder while draining a farmer’s flooded fields.
• Ling sensed the distant imprint for an instant that night, and Tobirama told him to practice sensing it regularly.
• Danzo heard a subordinate report that Ling trained his chakra control daily and showed no obvious abnormalities.

Team 7 began escorting Tazuna to the Land of Waves, where Ling thwarted an ambush by the Demon Brothers and learned the mission was more dangerous than Tazuna had claimed. After Kakashi chose to continue despite Tazuna’s deception, the team sailed into the Land of Waves through dense fog, bracing for another attack.

• Tobirama warned Ling that Tazuna’s supposed C-Rank escort mission carried much greater risks and might serve Konoha’s political interests.
• The Demon Brothers ambushed Team 7, but Ling used Water Release: Water Wave Hand to deflect their chain away from Naruto, and Kakashi knocked them unconscious.
• Tazuna confessed that Gato was terrorizing the Land of Waves, then tried to guilt Team 7 into continuing the mission; Kakashi agreed to proceed because the threat was clear.
• Team 7 boarded a boat for the Land of Waves, where Ling and Tobirama anticipated an assassination attempt in the heavy fog.

Kakashi, Ling, and the Team 7 genin fought Zabuza in the Hidden Mist, with Naruto and Sasuke wounding him and Ling shielding them from his counterattack. A masked Kirigakure Anbu interrupted Kakashi’s killing blow and carried Zabuza away, leaving Kakashi suspicious and the battle unresolved.

• Zabuza ambushed Kakashi, Ling, Tazuna, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura with the Hidden Mist Technique, and Sasuke discovered Kakashi’s Sharingan.
• Kakashi and Zabuza clashed with Water Release techniques, exhausting Kakashi as he copied Zabuza’s lengthy hand seals.
• Naruto and Sasuke tricked Zabuza with a transformed Fūma Shuriken and a Shadow Clone, cutting his chest.
• Ling blocked Zabuza’s sword strike with Water Release: Water Mirror Barrier, giving Kakashi time to attack with the Lightning Blade.
• A masked Kirigakure Anbu struck Zabuza with senbon before Kakashi’s attack landed, then claimed to be a Pursuit Unit member and carried Zabuza away.
• Kakashi suspected the Anbu had staged Zabuza’s apparent death, but, exhausted, he led the group toward Tazuna’s house to recover.

After reaching Tazuna’s cottage, the exhausted team recovered while Ling discussed the coming battle with Tobirama. Ling learned that Zabuza and Haku were nearby and prepared to face Haku, explore his own Ice Release, and help secure the mission’s wider goals.

• Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura collapsed from exhaustion at Tazuna’s cottage, while Inari scorned the ninja and ran off.
• Ling checked the area for threats, then spoke with Tobirama as he began recovering.
• Tobirama revealed that Zabuza had survived and that Haku was treating him nearby, and urged Ling to study Haku’s Ice Release because Ling’s mother was from the Yuki Clan.
• Tobirama reasoned that Hiruzen had allowed the mission to train Naruto and Sasuke, defeat Gato’s forces, and test Ling and Tobirama’s existence.
• Tobirama told Ling to help Tazuna and the bridge succeed, prepare to fight Haku, and gather information on Ice Release while looking for a chance to reach him.
• Ling accepted the plan and began restoring his strength for the next battle.

While Kakashi recovered, Ling trained to improve his Water Mirror Barrier and sensory skills in preparation for Haku’s ice-mirror techniques. Kakashi assigned Ling perimeter watch and asked him to keep Haku occupied if he appeared, and Ling later sensed Haku spying near the house.

• While Naruto and Sasuke practiced tree climbing and Sakura kept up her basic exercises, Ling trained alone with Tobirama, refining his Water Mirror Barrier and practicing shuriken attacks by sensing targets through mental interference.
• By sunset, Ling had raised his hit rate above eighty percent under Tobirama’s interference and returned to find Kakashi awake and recovering.
• After dinner, Kakashi warned that Zabuza was alive and would return with Haku, then planned special training for Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
• Kakashi assigned Ling more perimeter watch and reconnaissance, and asked him to keep Haku occupied if the boy appeared.
• That night, Ling sensed a faint trace of Haku’s cold chakra nearby, and Tobirama told him to remain quiet and remember the sensation.

Haku trapped Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura inside Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals while Zabuza attacked Kakashi, leaving Ling outside the main formation. As the senbon barrage wounded the trapped team, Ling followed Tobirama’s instructions and studied the mirrors for a weakness.

• Tazuna left for the bridge through unusually thick fog as Kakashi led the group in an alert formation.
• Haku appeared ahead of the group, then used Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals to trap Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura while leaving Kakashi, Ling, and Tazuna outside.
• Haku attacked the three trapped genin with senbon from the mirrors, while Naruto’s clones were quickly destroyed and Sasuke struggled to track the barrage.
• Zabuza ambushed Kakashi with Kubikiribōchō and forced him into combat, preventing him from helping the others.
• Ice mirrors blocked Ling’s path, and he focused on analyzing their chakra flow and Haku’s movement for a possible opening.

Naruto took Haku’s senbon meant for Sasuke, and the shock awakened a second tomoe in Sasuke’s left Sharingan. Ling and Tobirama exploited Haku’s disrupted control of the ice mirrors, giving Kakashi an opening against Zabuza.

• Haku’s senbon wounded Sasuke and Naruto as they struggled to track him inside the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.
• Naruto knocked Sasuke out of the path of Haku’s lethal attack and took multiple senbon in his back and shoulders.
• Naruto collapsed, and Sasuke’s fear and fury triggered an incomplete Sharingan evolution in his left eye, which gained a second tomoe.
• Sasuke tracked Haku through the mirrors and attacked him with shuriken as Ling followed Tobirama’s instructions to strike a chakra node with Water Severing Wave.
• Ling’s attack cracked an ice mirror and disrupted Haku’s control, allowing Kakashi to seize an opening and use Lightning Blade against Zabuza.

Sasuke and Ling broke Haku’s Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals formation, allowing Sakura to get Naruto and Tazuna out, but Naruto’s injuries triggered a leak of Nine-Tails chakra. As Ling prepared to strike Haku, Haku seized Tazuna and forced everyone to stop.

• Sasuke struck the cracked ice mirror with a Great Fireball Technique and shattered Haku’s formation.
• Sakura carried the unconscious Naruto through the opening with Tazuna, while Ling raised a Water Formation Wall to block Haku.
• Naruto’s injuries loosened his seal, and dark red Nine-Tails chakra began transforming and healing him.
• Tobirama urged Ling to take advantage of Haku’s distraction and attack him with Water Severing Wave.
• Haku used the chaos to seize Tazuna and held a kunai to his throat, demanding that everyone put down their weapons.