Chapter Summaries

Shuofang Si used true dragon blood and the Nine Revolutions True Dragon Alchemy Manual to force open his second-order gene lock. With his body’s instincts now under his control, he began using the dragon blood’s energy to refine his innate apertures.

• Shuofang Si exchanged a C-rank side plot and 800 reward points for the Nine Revolutions True Dragon Alchemy Manual, then bought another NZT-48 pill.
• Shuofang Si studied the manual and exchanged his remaining resources for true dragon blood, intending to temper his body and open his second-order gene lock.
• Shuofang Si endured the dragon blood’s destructive power and mastered the manual’s basics as his true qi collided with the blood’s energy.
• Shuofang Si broke the shackle and opened his second-order gene lock, gaining control over his muscles, heartbeat, and true qi.
• Shuofang Si used his heightened instincts and the dragon blood’s abundant energy to begin refining the acupoints associated with his ear apertures.

Shuofang Si opened his ear apertures, completed his secluded cultivation, and returned to Konoha under a changed appearance to pursue a new side plot. After entering the village peacefully, he went to Ichiraku Ramen and was startled by someone inside.

• Shuofang Si used dragon blood to open his ear apertures, bringing the total number of opened innate apertures to four.
• The Main God treated Shuofang Si's injuries, and he stabilized his cultivation and gained an initial grasp of the Nine Revolutions True Dragon Core Scripture.
• Shuofang Si changed his appearance and exchanged points for ten days in the Naruto World, arriving in the woods outside Konoha.
• Shuofang Si passed Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki at the gate by claiming he was a merchant from the Land of Fire Capital.
• Shuofang Si entered Ichiraku Ramen and was shocked to find someone there.

Shuofang Si encountered Kazahana Koyuki and Asama Sandayu at Ichiraku, then kicked Koyuki and fought off her guards after she accidentally splashed broth on him. The dispute brought them before Tsunade, who learned that both parties had come to Konoha to commission missions.

• Shuofang Si saw Kazahana Koyuki and Asama Sandayu at Ichiraku and wondered why they had arrived after Sasuke's defection.
• Koyuki mistook Shuofang Si's staring for fan behavior, splashed broth on him, and tried to leave without apologizing.
• Shuofang Si kicked Koyuki to the floor and defeated the guards Sandayu called in.
• Konoha's patrol ninja brought Shuofang Si, Koyuki, and Sandayu to Tsunade's office.
• Tsunade asked whether both sides had come to Konoha to commission missions.

After hearing testimony about Shuofang Si’s fight with Kazahana Koyuki, Tsunade assigned Kakashi to lead a combined team on two missions: killing Raiga Kurosuki and escorting Fujikaze Yukie to the Land of Snow. The clients reluctantly accepted the arrangement, and Kakashi sent the team to prepare for the journey.

• Teuchi testified that Kazahana Koyuki flicked broth onto Shuofang Si and kept walking, after which Shuofang Si kicked her and beat her guards.
• Shuofang Si commissioned Konoha to kill Raiga Kurosuki, a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and offered gold as payment.
• Asama Sandayu requested an escort for Fujikaze Yukie’s trip to the Land of Snow for filming.
• Tsunade combined the missions because Konoha lacked available ninja and assigned Kakashi to lead Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten.
• Kazahana Koyuki objected to traveling with Shuofang Si but agreed after Sandayu reminded her of the schedule and the situation in the Land of Snow.
• Kakashi told Naruto, Sakura, Neji, and Tenten to meet at the village gate after preparing for a journey expected to last at least ten days.

After finding Naruto being mocked by Kazahana Koyuki at an izakaya, Shuofang Si challenged her to face the troubles she was avoiding. Koyuki threw a cup at him, and Shuofang Si pinned her against the wall while Naruto watched.

• Shuofang Si finished dinner at Ichiraku Ramen and heard Kazahana Koyuki berating Naruto at an izakaya.
• Naruto told Koyuki that her movies had helped him, but she mocked him for admiring Princess Gale without knowing her personally.
• Shuofang Si entered, criticized Koyuki for insulting Naruto while avoiding her own problems, and urged her to face them.
• Koyuki threw her cup at Shuofang Si, but he dodged it and lifted her by the collar, pinning her against the wall.
• Naruto considered intervening but stopped when he remembered Shuofang Si was standing up for him.

Shuofang Si knocked Kazahana Koyuki unconscious after she demanded Naruto attack him, and the group continued its escort mission into the Land of Rivers. They reached Wood Sorrel Gold Mine Mountain, where Raiga Kurosuki was believed to be hiding, and spotted a small curry shop nearby.

• Shuofang Si rebuked Kazahana Koyuki, then struck her with a bottle when she threw a glass at Naruto.
• Naruto refused to attack Shuofang Si and carried the unconscious Kazahana Koyuki back to her attendant.
• Kazahana Koyuki woke in the carriage as the group traveled through the Land of Rivers and angrily asked how much farther they had to go.
• Kakashi pointed out Wood Sorrel Gold Mine Mountain and warned the group that Raiga Kurosuki was believed to be hiding there.
• Neji surveyed the area with his Byakugan, and Tenten spotted a small roadside cabin marked with the word curry.

Kakashi’s team stopped at Granny Sansho’s curry shop, where they learned that the Kurosuki gang had taken over Mine Mountain Village and Keshi wanted to join them. Neji warned Keshi that Konoha had accepted a mission to eliminate the gang, while Shuofang Si failed to persuade Kakashi to let him spar with their leader.

• Naruto and the others entered Granny Sansho’s shop, where Keshi argued with his mother about joining Lord Kurosuki’s gang.
• Granny Sansho explained that the gang had seized Mine Mountain Village and buried people alive in a punishment called Funeral Burial.
• Shuofang Si asked Kakashi to help him fight Kurosuki, but Kakashi refused, even when Shuofang Si offered to upgrade the mission to S-Rank.
• Neji told Keshi that Konoha had accepted a mission to eliminate the rogue ninja, and Keshi went upstairs without replying.
• Granny Sansho thanked the group and worried aloud that Keshi was as stubborn as his father.

Granny Sansho revealed that her son Keshi had gone to find the Kurosuki clan, and Kakashi agreed to bring him back after learning Keshi had once saved Rock Lee. As Team Kakashi kept watch at the curry house, Ranmaru used his Red Eye to fool Neji’s Byakugan, allowing Raiga Kurosuki and his rogue ninja to launch a night raid.

• Granny Sansho discovered that Keshi had sneaked out to join the Kurosuki clan and begged the Konoha ninja not to kill him.
• Granny Sansho explained that Keshi had saved Rock Lee with Life Curry, and Kakashi promised to bring him back to the right path.
• Neji scanned the area with his Byakugan while Team Kakashi rested at the curry house, but Shuofang Si stayed alert.
• Ranmaru used his Red Eye to deceive Neji’s Byakugan and reported that the Konoha ninja were unaware of Raiga’s group.
• Raiga drew his Thunder Sword and led the rogue ninja toward the curry house for a night raid.

Kakuzu and Sasuke were separately sent to Wood Sorrel Gold Mine Mountain, where Raiga Kurosuki and Ranmaru had drawn the attention of several powerful parties. As enemies approached Shuofang Si’s lodging, an unfamiliar voice confronted the two Rogue Ninja outside his window.

• Shuofang Si had asked for help killing Raiga Kurosuki and offered a lump of gold in Konoha’s Hokage Tower.
• Kakuzu received Zetsu’s order to recruit Raiga at Wood Sorrel Gold Mine Mountain and set off for the Land of Rivers.
• Orochimaru sent Sasuke to capture Ranmaru, whose red-eyed kekkei genkai interested him, and told Sasuke to take Raiga’s Thunder Sword if he could.
• Kakashi noticed a warning trap had been triggered and woke Naruto and the others to prepare for enemies.
• Two Rogue Ninja planned to seize Shuofang Si and use him against Kakashi, but an unfamiliar voice appeared behind them.

Shuofang Si discovered that the Naruto mission had begun early at maximum difficulty and killed two Rogue Ninjas for reward points. As Kakashi and Raiga Kurosuki prepared to fight, Kakuzu arrived and threatened them, while Shuofang Si stayed hidden and assessed the danger.

• The Main God announced doubled rewards and targets including Raiga Kurosuki, Ranmaru, Kakuzu, Sasuke Uchiha, and Rogue Ninjas; Shuofang Si killed two Rogue Ninjas and earned 100 reward points.
• Shuofang Si hid in the trees, listened to the battlefield, and considered the risks posed by Sasuke Uchiha, Kakuzu, and Naruto.
• Raiga Kurosuki attacked with his Thunder Swords, and Kakashi revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan as they faced off.
• Kakuzu arrived, recognized Kakashi's bounty, and invited Raiga Kurosuki to join Akatsuki, threatening to kill him and Kakashi if he refused.
• Raiga Kurosuki declared that he and Ranmaru were the strongest team, then used the Hidden Mist Technique to engulf the battlefield.

Sasuke spotted Kakuzu and considered capturing him to learn Itachi’s whereabouts while Kakashi, Naruto, and Raiga Kurosuki fought through Kakuzu’s powerful attacks. The battle ended with Shuofang Si closing in on Raiga, ready to attack.

• Sasuke learned Kakuzu was an isolated Akatsuki member and set his sights on capturing him for information about Itachi.
• Kakuzu dispersed Raiga Kurosuki’s Hidden Mist with a wind attack, exposing Raiga as he tried to strike Naruto.
• Naruto used a shadow clone and transformation to evade Raiga’s attack, then countered with an uppercut before Raiga unleashed lightning across the battlefield.
• Kakuzu knocked Kakashi aside with a black tendril and attacked the group with fire, water, and lightning techniques.
• Kakuzu’s combined water-and-lightning attack sent Raiga flying, and Shuofang Si rushed toward him after Ranmaru warned him of the danger.

Shuofang Si unlocked his second-order gene lock and nearly killed Raiga Kurosuki in close combat, then slaughtered eight rogue ninja. Raiga cauterized his wounds and activated Lightning Armor to face Shuofang Si again.

• Shuofang Si struck Raiga Kurosuki's wrist with Heart-Destroying Palm, disarming him, then charged through Raiga's Lightning Ball attack and clawed open his chest.
• Raiga Kurosuki retreated to his rogue ninja and ordered them to delay Shuofang Si while he cauterized his wounds with lightning.
• Ranmaru told Raiga Kurosuki that Shuofang Si had no chakra, and Raiga handed Ranmaru to Keshi before preparing to fight again.
• Shuofang Si killed all eight attacking rogue ninja with Nine Yin White Bone Claw and Heart-Destroying Palm, earning 400 reward points.
• Raiga Kurosuki activated his ultimate Lightning Release technique, Lightning Armor, and challenged Shuofang Si to close-quarters combat.

Shuofang Si defeated Raiga Kurosuki with a Heart-Destroying Palm, but both fighters were left incapacitated. Raiga then summoned a lightning strike intended to bury them together.

• Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, Tenten, and Neji watched Shuofang Si fight Raiga Kurosuki, and Neji revealed that Shuofang Si had no chakra.
• Raiga Kurosuki unleashed Thunder Dragon Tornado as Shuofang Si charged forward and used the Soul-Transferring Great Method to disrupt him.
• Shuofang Si exploited Raiga Kurosuki’s momentary hesitation and struck his wounded chest with Heart-Destroying Palm, shattering his heart.
• Raiga Kurosuki and Shuofang Si collapsed, both badly injured, while Shuofang Si’s techniques began slowly repairing his body.
• Raiga Kurosuki used Thunder Burial to call down a massive lightning bolt that engulfed him and Shuofang Si.

Shuofang Si survived Raiga Kurosuki’s Thunder Burial, claimed the Thunder Swords, and turned his attention to the battle where Sasuke had attacked Kakuzu. Sasuke and Konoha’s team fought Kakuzu together, leaving Shuofang Si watching as his two side plots collided.

• Shuofang Si forced open his second-order gene lock, burrowed underground to escape Thunder Burial, and dragged himself from the scorched earth.
• Shuofang Si collected the Thunder Swords Kiba after Raiga Kurosuki’s death and received two C-rank side plots and four thousand reward points from the Main God.
• Sasuke appeared and pierced Kakuzu’s chest with Chidori, demanding information about Itachi before Kakuzu’s threads threw him back.
• Sasuke activated his cursed seal’s second form, used Chidori Stream to sever Kakuzu’s hand, and charged again as Naruto and the others joined the fight.
• Kakuzu prepared to collect the bounties on Sasuke, Naruto, and the Konoha Technician while Shuofang Si watched and healed himself.

Shuofang Si’s Golden Bell Shield reached major completion, and he slaughtered the attacking Sound Ninja. On the other battlefield, Neji uncovered the secret of Kakuzu’s masks and helped Kakashi and Naruto set up an attack, but Kakashi realized Naruto was in danger.

• Shuofang Si’s Golden Bell Shield broke through to major completion, and he evaded a wind blade before facing more than twenty Sound Ninja.
• Shuofang Si charged through the Sound Ninja’s weapons and ninjutsu, killing them with his martial arts while his Golden Bell Shield protected him.
• Neji spotted chakra in Kakuzu’s severed hand and shoved Tenten out of its path, taking a wound to his left shoulder.
• Neji told Kakashi that Kakuzu’s floating masks were his weak points, and Kakashi devised a plan with Naruto.
• Naruto attacked one of Kakuzu’s masks with a Spiraling Bullet Barrage, but Kakashi noticed Kakuzu’s smirk and shouted for Naruto to stop.

Shuofang Si finished off the Sound Ninja and joined Kakashi’s desperate fight against Kakuzu, where his exposed face revealed his identity as Arasaka Si. Kakashi recognized him as the villager who had exposed the Third Hokage’s crimes, and Naruto learned who their client really was.

• Kakuzu struck Naruto with a Water Gun, leaving him badly injured as Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke attacked in response.
• Shuofang Si killed the last of twenty-six Sound Ninja, collected his reward points, and headed toward the main battle.
• Kakashi and the others were left exhausted and injured after destroying three of Kakuzu’s hearts, while Manda abandoned Sasuke and returned to Ryūchi Cave.
• Shuofang Si appeared before Kakuzu and mocked his claim that he had fought the First Hokage.
• Kakashi recognized Shuofang Si as their client Arasaka Si and identified him as the villager who exposed the Third Hokage’s crimes.
• Naruto learned that their client was Shuofang Si, the man who had driven the Third Hokage from power.

Shuofang Si confronted Naruto with the claim that the Third Hokage had allowed villagers to ostracize him so he would depend on the Hokage, then revealed that Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage and his wife. Naruto and the Konoha ninja reeled from the revelation as Kakashi struggled to respond and Kakuzu condemned the village’s leaders.

• Naruto charged at Shuofang Si for insulting the Third Hokage, but Shuofang Si punched him down and challenged him to question why the village had mistreated him.
• Shuofang Si argued that the Third Hokage could have protected Naruto and suggested that Naruto’s hardship made him rely on the Hokage.
• Naruto insisted that the Third Hokage had helped him, while Shuofang Si mocked his meager allowance and asked Kakashi about Naruto’s parents.
• Naruto asked Kakashi whether he knew who his parents were, but Shuofang Si revealed that they were the Fourth Hokage and his wife.
• Sakura, Neji, and Sasuke were stunned by the revelation, and Kakuzu criticized the village for making Naruto a jinchūriki as Kakashi angrily told him to shut up.

Kakuzu sealed Naruto’s Nine-Tails chakra, then overpowered Sasuke and Kakashi as Shuofang Si set up a lightning strike with Sasuke. Sasuke summoned a giant snake to swallow himself and Shuofang Si, leaving Kakuzu beneath the descending bolt.

• Kakuzu used a sealing jutsu to make Naruto lose consciousness and stop the Nine-Tails’ chakra from spreading.
• Sasuke attacked Kakuzu with Chidori Sharp Spear, but Kakuzu bound him with black threads and threatened to take his Sharingan.
• Kakuzu’s Fire Release forced Kakashi to retreat, while his Earth Spear-reinforced body withstood Shuofang Si’s Heart-Destroying Palm.
• Pinned near Sasuke, Shuofang Si connected Kiba’s lightning to Sasuke’s Chidori Stream and called the resulting technique Kirin Blade.
• Sasuke freed his hands and summoned a giant snake, which swallowed him and Shuofang Si before the lightning struck toward Kakuzu.

Shuofang Si and Sasuke escaped the charred serpent after defeating Kakuzu, and Sasuke fled into the night while Kakashi led the exhausted group back toward the curry house. Shuofang Si counted his rewards and reached the Life Curry House, where Kakashi identified him to Sandayu before the party rested and continued its escort mission.

• Shuofang Si pulled the Thunder Swords from Kakuzu's remains and received a B-rank side plot and six thousand reward points from the Main God.
• Sasuke crawled out of the serpent, saw Kakuzu's remains and the swords, then ran into the night despite Sakura calling after him.
• Kakashi warned Shuofang Si against returning to Konoha and asked how he had deduced Naruto's parentage; Shuofang Si explained the clues, prompting Kakashi to resolve to take Naruto seriously.
• Shuofang Si tallied one B-rank side plot, two C-rank side plots, and eleven thousand eight hundred reward points, then headed to the Life Curry House to recover.
• Sandayu mistook Shuofang Si for a threat, but Kakashi arrived and identified him as Mr. Arasaka Si before telling everyone to rest.

Keshi begged the Konoha ninja to rescue Ranmaru, but Shuofang Si condemned them for ignoring Keshi’s betrayal and Ranmaru’s victims. After Kazahana Koyuki challenged him to show compassion, Shuofang Si knocked her unconscious, and she woke at noon furious with him.

• Keshi returned and asked the Konoha ninja to save Ranmaru, explaining that a black-haired ninja with red, tomoe-marked eyes had taken him.
• Sakura and Naruto identified the ninja as Sasuke, and Naruto argued that they needed to stop him.
• Shuofang Si knocked Keshi aside and accused him of selling information to the Kurosuki clan, pointing out that rogue ninja had died because of the betrayal.
• Shuofang Si challenged Naruto’s wish to save Ranmaru by reminding him of the innocent people Ranmaru had helped Raiga Kurosuki kill.
• Kazahana Koyuki defended Ranmaru, so Shuofang Si struck her unconscious; she woke in the carriage at noon and shouted his name in anger.