Chapter Summaries

Ye Chen assessed Hidden Jun Village’s player strength, which had grown to 156 Genin, forty-eight Chunin, and six Jonin, while considering how much the world line had changed. After Tsunade reported that the Chunin Tournament had begun, Ye Chen opened it to Hidden Jun Village’s players and offered battle merit rewards for casualties.

• Ye Chen reviewed the fifth closed-beta players’ progress, noting that many had advanced while Old Mr. Yu and life-skill players focused on other pursuits.
• Ye Chen used the system to confirm Hidden Jun Village had 156 Genin, forty-eight Chunin, and six Jonin.
• Ye Chen considered the growth of the six Jonin players and the steep chakra costs that made further advancement difficult.
• Ye Chen reflected on the unexplained absence of Kusagakure’s research institution and Hozuki Castle, concluding that world-line changes were connected to Hidden Jun Village and himself.
• Tsunade notified Ye Chen that the Chunin Tournament had begun, and Ye Chen announced that players could enter for battle merit and exchange rewards.

The six Jonin players from Hidden Jun Village entered the Forest of Death to maintain order, while Ye Chen hesitated over whether to warn Tsunade about Orochimaru. Hidden Jun Village's squads seemed strong enough to dominate the exam, but Master of Open Stratagems had underestimated the number of exceptional competitors.

• Master of Open Stratagems complained that the forest blocked legion chat, and the six Jonin players discussed their duty to maintain order rather than compete.
• Master of Open Stratagems guessed that their Village Chief would also oversee the exam and chose to relax, while Bullfighting Master insisted they should take their mission seriously.
• Ye Chen debated warning Tsunade that Orochimaru was hiding among the participants, but stayed silent because Konoha's turmoil could benefit Hidden Jun Village.
• Tsunade noticed Ye Chen's unease, warned him against acting underhandedly, and headed into the forest with him following.
• Hidden Jun Village sent squads led by one Chunin and supported by two Genin, but Master of Open Stratagems had not expected so many exceptional competitors.

Emperor of Sinking and two followers ambushed a squad of three young ninjas in the dense forest, but the Byakugan boy had already spotted them. The two squads began clashing, with the girl and Emperor of Sinking exchanging volleys of ninja tools as the other two boys prepared to fight.

• Emperor of Sinking hid in the forest with two trusted followers, waiting to ambush an unsuspecting squad.
• The squad of three— a Byakugan boy, a bowl-cut boy wearing leg weights, and a girl with hair buns—approached, and the Byakugan boy noticed the ambushers.
• Emperor of Sinking and his followers launched a surprise attack, but the Byakugan boy warned his companions and threw a Kunai at Emperor of Sinking.
• The girl used Twin Rising Dragons to summon long scrolls and countered Emperor of Sinking's barrage with a denser storm of ninja tools.
• The bowl-cut boy took a horse stance as green currents of air surged around him, while the Byakugan boy formed an invisible shield of air around his body.

Corpse Bearer and Bullfighting Master watched Emperor of Sinking’s team battle Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji Hyuga, marveling at the trio’s different taijutsu styles. Raijin identified the youths as future taijutsu prodigies, inspiring the two players to pursue taijutsu more seriously.

• Corpse Bearer and Bullfighting Master found Emperor of Sinking locked in battle with three youths and watched because Jonin players were forbidden from interfering.
• The two players analyzed Tenten’s weapons, Rock Lee’s green aura, and Neji Hyuga’s fighting style as examples of varied taijutsu.
• Raijin arrived after detecting chakra fluctuations and recognized the youths as Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji Hyuga.
• Raijin explained that the trio were exceptionally talented taijutsu prodigies whose future achievements could match the other future Five Kage.
• Corpse Bearer and Bullfighting Master grew eager to train in taijutsu after hearing Raijin describe its potential.

Emperor of Sinking and his two confidants unleashed Rasengan together against Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji Hyuga, leaving a crater and forcing the youngsters to reassess the danger. Emperor of Sinking then equipped powerful ninja tools and charged at them with his Death-Substitution Puppet.

• Emperor of Sinking struggled against the three youngsters and was especially astonished by Tenten's huge supply of ninja tools and seemingly boundless chakra.
• Emperor of Sinking called for his confidants to use Rasengan, and all three attackers formed the A-rank technique in their palms.
• Tenten launched herself away, Rock Lee sped out of the battlefield, and Neji Hyuga expanded his chakra defense as the Rasengan attack exploded.
• Neji Hyuga remained standing inside the crater left by the combined Rasengan, while Tenten and her companions stared at the damage in alarm.
• Emperor of Sinking donned his Dark Day rattan armor, summoned his Death-Substitution Puppet, and charged the three youngsters with the puppet at his side.

Emperor of Sinking fought Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji Hyuga in the Forest of Death, using his Rasengan and other weapons against the three youths’ coordinated attacks. As the battle intensified, he threw out a barrage of Five Elements Talismans to drive them back.

• Emperor of Sinking attacked the three youths with a Rasengan as Tenten summoned a pillar of fire and Rock Lee charged toward him.
• Neji Hyuga used Rotation to block Emperor of Sinking’s Rasengan while Tenten and Rock Lee pulled back from the clash.
• Emperor of Sinking closed in and prepared another Rasengan as Rock Lee circled him and Neji continued fighting.
• A chain-bound black ball forced Emperor of Sinking to dodge, allowing Rock Lee to unleash a rapid barrage and Neji to strike at gaps in his vine armor.
• Emperor of Sinking threw out numerous Five Elements Talismans to force the three youths back.

Emperor of Sinking detonated his Five Elements Talismans at close range, but the three young genin pressed their attack through the ensuing chakra vortex. Neji Hyuga disabled Emperor of Sinking's chakra with Eight Trigrams Palm: Sixty-Four Palms, leaving Sinking fleeing as the spectators praised the technique.

• Emperor of Sinking detonated his prepared Five Elements Talismans while relying on his Dark Day Vine Armor and Death-Substitution Puppet to withstand the blast.
• The girl with the hair buns unleashed powerful flames through a special ninja tool, intensifying the chakra explosion as the boy in the green training suit leaped above it.
• Neji Hyuga charged into the chakra vortex, expanded his invisible shield of air, and struck Emperor of Sinking with precise palm and finger attacks.
• Emperor of Sinking lost his chakra connection at the points Neji Hyuga struck and fled rather than risk further attacks.
• Corpse Bearer, Bullfighting Master, and Raijin recognized Neji Hyuga's technique as Eight Trigrams Palm: Sixty-Four Palms and praised his ingenuity.

Emperor of Sinking was overwhelmed by three young Genin and, unable to use most of his ninjutsu, activated the Five Elements Talismans covering his body. The resulting explosion blasted the youths out of the forest, leaving Emperor of Sinking’s fate uncertain.

• The boy in the green training outfit sent the Death-Substitution Puppet flying with a devastating kick as Emperor of Sinking fled.
• The Byakugan boy and the girl with buns pursued Emperor of Sinking, while his blocked chakra channels stopped him from using Rasenshuriken.
• Emperor of Sinking realized the three youths were far stronger than he expected and gave up trying to escape.
• Emperor of Sinking covered himself with Five Elements Talismans and released chakra through his pores to activate them.
• The talismans unleashed a powerful explosion that blasted the three youths out of the forest.

Emperor of Sinking revived in Hidden Jun Village after his injuries left him unable to fight, while Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee were left badly wounded in the forest. Kakashi Hatake and Asuma Sarutobi came to help them, as Ye Chen deflected Tsunade’s questions about Hidden Jun Village’s Rasengan users by hinting at family ties to the Fourth Hokage.

• Emperor of Sinking ended his life and returned to Hidden Jun Village, disqualifying himself from the competition.
• Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee survived the chakra tide but were too injured to continue fighting safely.
• Tsunade tried to go help the trio, but Ye Chen stopped her and pointed out that Kakashi Hatake and Asuma Sarutobi were already approaching.
• Kakashi Hatake and Asuma Sarutobi bandaged the wounded youths, reassuring Tsunade.
• Tsunade questioned Ye Chen about his team’s Rasengan training and possible ties to Minato Namikaze or Jiraiya.
• Ye Chen vaguely claimed that his family had ties to the Fourth Hokage, prompting Tsunade to warn him against lying.

Ye Chen left Tsunade to follow him toward another fight during the Chunin Tournament, where Dai Xiaomei’s Hidden Jun Village team encountered three Konoha youngsters. Dai Xiaomei baited her livestream viewers into betting before the Konoha team attacked, and she put on enchanted chain mail for protection.

• Ye Chen argued that Tsunade should not interfere too much in the tournament, then headed toward another battlefield; Tsunade sighed and followed him.
• Dai Xiaomei’s Hidden Jun Village team met a Konoha team made up of a plump boy, a thin boy, and a pale-blond girl.
• Dai Xiaomei bragged to her livestream viewers and wagered that her team would win, promising to accept a punishment if she lost.
• The three Konoha youngsters coordinated an attack, with the plump boy charging forward as the other two circled around.
• Dai Xiaomei, whose fighting skills were limited, put on enchanted chain mail to strengthen her defense.

Raijin explained the Ino-Shika-Cho trio’s secret techniques while Corpse Bearer and Bullfighting Master watched, hoping to learn them. Dai Xiaomei prepared a modified cooperation ninjutsu with her two companions, and the chapter ended as she summoned Wood Release: Wood Thorn Dragon against Choji’s charging Human Bullet Tank.

• Raijin identified Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino as the Ino-Shika-Cho formation and described their family techniques.
• Corpse Bearer and Bullfighting Master watched Choji’s Human Bullet Tank and asked Raijin about the trio’s secret techniques.
• Raijin noticed Dai Xiaomei standing motionless and wondered why she was not reacting to the attack.
• Dai Xiaomei emptied her mind to serve as the focal point for a modified cooperation ninjutsu with her two companions.
• Dai Xiaomei and her companions formed a chakra link, and she called out Wood Release: Wood Thorn Dragon, rise!

Dai Xiaomei fought Choji and Shikamaru with her teammates, but Shikamaru caught her with an advanced form of Shadow Possession Jutsu. Raijin explained the technique's limitations as Corpse Bearer and Bullfighting Master considered its danger.

• Dai Xiaomei's Wood Thorn Dragon whipped Choji's enlarged body and sent him flying backward.
• Dai Xiaomei's Wood Thorn Dragon missed Shikamaru, who dodged and charged toward her.
• Shikamaru used his shadow to bind Dai Xiaomei and force her to mirror his movements.
• Corpse Bearer asked whether Dai Xiaomei would imitate Shikamaru if he hurt himself, and Raijin said she would in theory.
• Raijin explained that Shadow Possession had limits involving its targets, casting range, and the caster's Chakra reserves.

Shikamaru used Shadow Possession Jutsu to drag Dai Xiaomei away from the battlefield, while Ino attacked Dai Xiaomei’s remaining companions. The fight descended into a chaotic brawl among the three women as Raijin and his companions watched.

• Raijin explained that Shikamaru’s Shadow Possession Jutsu would likely last only five minutes, easing Corpse Bearer and his companion’s concerns.
• Shikamaru ran off the field while holding Dai Xiaomei with his jutsu, forcing her to chase him in heavy chain mail and leaving her exhausted.
• Ino used Mind Body Switch Technique on one of Dai Xiaomei’s companions and attacked the other with taijutsu.
• The two women began brawling, and Ino joined the struggle after one of them grabbed her ponytail.
• Raijin and his two companions watched as Ino and the two female players tangled together in a chaotic fight.

Choji healed his injury by eating, then helped Shikamaru knock Dai Xiaomei away before heading to assist Ino. Dai Xiaomei played dead while Shikamaru recovered with a secret pill, and Raijin questioned why she was not using her chakra advantage to defeat the others.

• Ino and Shikamaru called for Choji’s help while Choji ate snacks to heal the welt on his belly.
• Choji charged Dai Xiaomei as the Human Bullet Tank, and Shikamaru released his Shadow Possession so Choji could strike her.
• Dai Xiaomei’s chain mail protected her from serious injury, and she lay still while Shikamaru recovered.
• Choji gave Shikamaru a red pill with a special use and went to help Ino.
• Raijin said Dai Xiaomei could defeat the three young ninjas with her chakra reserves and wondered why she was playing dead.

Corpse Bearer and Bullfighting Master revealed to Raijin that Hidden Jun Ninja’s in-game movement commands could produce beneficial physical effects in real life, and they asked him to keep the discovery secret. Raijin agreed and received their findings, while they decided to wait and see whether Dai Xiaomei noticed her exhaustion.

• Corpse Bearer explained that Dai Xiaomei had become exhausted in real life because the game’s realistic combat could affect players’ bodies.
• Corpse Bearer told Raijin that he and Bullfighting Master had tested the game’s hidden motion-controlled effects and found that some in-game movements transferred to reality beneficially.
• Raijin asked whether he could use ninjutsu or Summoning Technique in real life, and Corpse Bearer said they could not be sure but offered to share their experience if Raijin kept the secret.
• Raijin agreed to keep the discovery confidential, and Corpse Bearer promised to tell him everything they knew.
• Bullfighting Master explained that they trusted Raijin because they had entered the game together and were grateful for his help.
• Corpse Bearer said they would wait to see whether Dai Xiaomei noticed the effects and would involve her if she did.

Bullfighting Master convinced Raijin that recruiting Dai Xiaomei was unlikely to expose their secret, while Dai Xiaomei rested and argued with her viewers. Shikamaru took Choji's red pill to boost his speed, dodged Dai Xiaomei's Rasengan, and she prepared to use Five Elements Talismans.

• Bullfighting Master explained that Dai Xiaomei's livestream showed the VR gameplay rather than her body, and argued she would probably keep the secret for long-term profit.
• Raijin accepted Corpse Bearer and Bullfighting Master's reasoning as the three watched Dai Xiaomei.
• Dai Xiaomei recovered her stamina, snapped at viewers who criticized her, and got back up.
• Shikamaru, with only thirty percent of his chakra recovered and Shadow Possession Jutsu on cooldown, swallowed Choji's red pill.
• The pill surrounded Shikamaru with red vapor and greatly increased his speed, though the boost would leave him unable to move after it wore off.
• Dai Xiaomei fired a Rasengan, but Shikamaru dodged it at high speed, so she pulled out Five Elements Talismans.

Dai Xiaomei held off Shikamaru with a barrage of tools and ninjutsu, but Choji and Ino joined the fight and turned it into a three-on-one chase. The battle ended in a stalemate, with Shikamaru’s pill weakening and Choji and Ino running low on chakra.

• Dai Xiaomei bombarded Shikamaru with talismans and Lightning Release: Thunder Strike, keeping him at a distance while his pill was active.
• Choji rescued Ino and helped her separate the three women, then defeated the two Hidden Jun Village players with Expansion.
• Ino used the Mind Body Switch Technique on Dai Xiaomei as Choji charged her with Human Bullet Tank.
• Dai Xiaomei recalled a guide to breaking genjutsu and disrupted her chakra flow, freeing herself from Ino’s control.
• Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino coordinated their attacks against Dai Xiaomei, who fought back with her tools as the battle settled into a stalemate.

Dai Xiaomei nearly turned the battle around with her Chakra reserves, but Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji coordinated a desperate attack that caught her with Shadow Possession Jutsu. With Shikamaru’s Speed Pill wearing off and the trio exhausted, the fight remained unresolved but Dai Xiaomei was close to breaking free.

• Shikamaru charged Dai Xiaomei as Ino used the Mind Body Switch Technique to restrain her again.
• Choji expanded his belly to shield Shikamaru from Dai Xiaomei’s Rasengan, suffering a severe injury but giving Shikamaru time to ensnare her shadow.
• Dai Xiaomei froze at Choji’s sacrifice, allowing Shikamaru’s Shadow Possession Jutsu to take hold.
• Raijin, Corpse Bearer, and Bullfighting Master discussed Dai Xiaomei’s impending defeat as Daoist Master Sanfeng joined them.
• Shikamaru’s Speed Pill wore off, and he urged Ino and Choji to attack before he lost the ability to maintain the jutsu.
• Ino lunged at Dai Xiaomei while Choji ate snacks to recover, and Shikamaru began suffering the pill’s side effects.

Choji and Ino defeated Dai Xiaomei after Shikamaru collapsed, but the Ino-Shika-Cho trio were left badly weakened and Konoha intervened to protect them. Meanwhile, Tsunade questioned Ye Chen about Hidden Jun Village's use of Wood Release, and the chapter ended with her remarking that the village seemed increasingly mysterious.

• Shikamaru passed out, and Choji struck Dai Xiaomei with an electrically charged Expansion attack as Ino continued fighting.
• Dai Xiaomei tried to retreat, but Choji swallowed another blue pill and, with Ino, defeated her.
• Shikamaru and Choji lost their ability to move after their pills wore off, while Ino was left with no chakra; Ebisu and Kurenai Yuhi took the trio away to recover.
• Tsunade asked Ye Chen why Hidden Jun Village's fighters knew Wood Release Ninjutsu, and Ye Chen blamed Kusagakure's leadership for the techniques he had learned.
• Tsunade said she had only recently returned from abroad, and Ye Chen let her explanation pass without challenging it.
• Tsunade watched the battlefield and told Ye Chen that Hidden Jun Village seemed more and more mysterious.

After the battles in the Forest of Death, Ye Chen tried to return to Hidden Jun Village to investigate Orochimaru's missing trio and check the system's influence report. Tsunade suspected he had a scheme and insisted on following him, leaving Ye Chen unable to depart unnoticed.

• Dai Xiaomei was defeated, and Ebisu and Kurenai Yuhi took the Ino-Shika-Cho trio away as Raijin's trio and Daoist Master Sanfeng moved to another battlefield.
• Ye Chen left Tsunade in charge of the tournament and headed toward Hidden Jun Village, but Tsunade caught up and challenged him to fight.
• Ye Chen refused to spar before the Chunin Tournament ended because he was worried about Orochimaru's trio lurking in the Forest of Death.
• Ye Chen decided to return to Hidden Jun Village to search for Orochimaru's trio and verify the system's report that Open World's influence was only 0.01%.
• Ye Chen suspected Orochimaru's trio might be waiting for him and Tsunade to leave before attacking the original protagonists' team, but he chose not to warn Tsunade because the resulting chaos could benefit Hidden Jun Village.
• Tsunade grew suspicious of Ye Chen's haste and insisted on following him to make sure he was not scheming against the tournament.