Chapter Summaries

Lin Ze unexpectedly reunited with Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma, and Rei Uesugi after their missions and shared a meal with Kurenai. After walking her home, he continued on to visit Night Owl and Gray Wolf.

• Lin Ze left the Orphanage intending to check on Night Owl and White Tiger, but encountered Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma, and Rei Uesugi.
• Rei Uesugi teased Kurenai Yuhi about wanting to see Lin Ze, and Asuma invited everyone to eat together before leaving with Rei.
• Lin Ze accepted Kurenai Yuhi's invitation to Ichiraku Ramen, where she paid for his thirty bowls of tonkotsu ramen.
• Lin Ze walked Kurenai Yuhi home, and they exchanged reminders to stay safe on their missions.
• After Kurenai Yuhi went inside, Lin Ze headed to Night Owl and Gray Wolf's home.

Lin Ze visited Night Owl and Gray Wolf, learned that White Tiger had grown to near Jōnin-level strength, and heard about a Root squad’s deadly attack in the Land of Fire. He concealed his role in the attack as Night Owl warned him to stay cautious.

• Lin Ze visited Night Owl and Gray Wolf and brought them fruit and nutritional supplements.
• Night Owl reported that White Tiger had grown rapidly and helped her defeat an Iwagakure Special Jōnin by smashing his Earth-Style Wall.
• Night Owl told Lin Ze that a Root squad had been attacked in the Land of Fire, leaving a Jōnin and two Chunin dead and one child survivor.
• Night Owl said the attacker had dragon-claw-like abilities, but her squad found no useful clues beyond faint claw marks.
• Lin Ze thanked Night Owl for the warning, hid his amusement at Danzo’s losses, and left after chatting with the couple.

Lin Ze received an S-rank mission to investigate and sabotage Kumogakure, but traveled to the Land of Whirlpools to establish a hidden laboratory for his Kekkei Mōra Project. He left the chapter with five pieces of sea dragon jade secured from the deep sea.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Lin Ze an S-rank mission to infiltrate the Land of Lightning and disrupt Kumogakure's deployments and supplies within two months.
• Lin Ze traveled to the Land of Whirlpools and chose an uninhabited island near its main island as the site of his laboratory.
• Lin Ze named the island Ascension to Godhood, excavated a large underground base, installed advanced equipment, and concealed it with sealing jutsu.
• Lin Ze studied Orochimaru's scroll and learned that sea dragon jade could be found in deep-sea trenches southeast of the Land of Whirlpools.
• Lin Ze transformed into the Azure Dragon, searched the deep sea for three days, and found five pieces of sea dragon jade.

Lin Ze gathered enough sea dragon jade and successfully created an egg-shaped artificial tailed beast shell, leaving it ready for the Ryūmyaku’s power. He ordered weighted leg and foot equipment from a smith and then set off for the Land of Lightning, with a month remaining on his mission.

• Lin Ze found seven more pieces of sea dragon jade, bringing his total to twelve, and returned to Ascension Island.
• Lin Ze practiced inscribing the complex sealing formula until his eighteenth attempt succeeded.
• Lin Ze used eight pieces of sea dragon jade to create an egg-shaped energy shell for the artificial tailed beast.
• Lin Ze commissioned a blacksmith to forge star-pattern iron weights for his lower legs and feet.
• Lin Ze checked the laboratory’s sealing barrier and headed north toward the Land of Lightning.

Lin Ze gathered intelligence on Kumogakure while disguised in the Land of Lightning, then realized a powerful force was tracking him. The chapter ended with Kumogakure’s forces, including the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, closing in to surround him.

• Lin Ze infiltrated the Land of Lightning and spent five days gathering intelligence about Kumogakure’s weakened defenses and reinforced “Thunderstorm” unit.
• Lin Ze left a tavern to visit a Bounty Station, but sensed five powerful chakra signatures racing toward town and changed course to avoid them.
• After the five signatures appeared near the tavern and later tracked him through the forest, Lin Ze concluded that someone could pinpoint his location.
• Lin Ze sensed five more chakra signatures forming an encirclement, including the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and realized Kumogakure had set a trap for him.

Lin Ze was cornered by Killer B and ten Kumogakure elites while trying to discover how they had tracked him. Dodai revealed that Orochimaru had supplied a blood sample and information about Lin Ze’s arrival, leaving Lin Ze to face the betrayal and the trap.

• Killer B and ten Kumogakure elites closed off Lin Ze’s escape routes, forcing him to stop in a forest clearing.
• Lin Ze opened the first three gates of the Eight Gates Released Formation and prepared to flee by flying if necessary.
• Dodai recognized Lin Ze as Konoha’s “Aoda” and revealed that Kumogakure had deliberately lured him into a trap.
• Dodai showed Lin Ze a Bloodline Tracking Device made using a sample of Lin Ze’s blood.
• Dodai explained that Orochimaru had provided the blood sample and Lin Ze’s likely arrival time in exchange for half of Lin Ze’s body if he was captured alive.

Lin Ze learned that Dodai had allied with Orochimaru to capture him, then prepared to escape from the Kumogakure force. He opened the fifth gate and partially transformed into an Azure Dragon as the breakout began.

• Dodai told Lin Ze that Kumogakure had lost Jōnin while pursuing him and Might Duy, and revealed that Orochimaru had offered a deal to capture Lin Ze.
• Lin Ze concluded that Orochimaru had betrayed him and resolved to rely less on Orochimaru’s technology and make him pay.
• Lin Ze recognized that the tracking device was losing power and decided to create chaos before escaping by flight.
• Lin Ze pretended to surrender, then opened the fifth gate and unleashed his Azure Dragon power.
• Lin Ze partially transformed into an Azure Dragon, startling the Kumogakure Jōnin and drawing the attention of Killer B and Gyuki.

Lin Ze fought Killer B, Dodai, and seven Kumogakure jōnin, killing one and wounding another before realizing they were stalling for reinforcements. He nearly broke through their encirclement, but Dodai announced that the Third Raikage had left the Eastern Front and would arrive shortly.

• Lin Ze killed one Kumogakure jōnin and gravely wounded another with his partially beastified Azure Dragon Form.
• Killer B activated his Tailed Beast Cloak while Dodai used Lava Release to help the remaining jōnin contain Lin Ze.
• Lin Ze recognized that the coordinated Kumogakure forces were stalling and suspected the Third Raikage was coming after him.
• Lin Ze unleashed his abilities to break through the encirclement, but Killer B and Dodai’s attacks blocked his escape.
• Dodai ordered the Kumogakure forces to focus on restraint and announced that the Third Raikage had come from the Eastern Front and would arrive any moment.

Lin Ze forced open the Sixth Gate and used shadow clones to break through Kumogakure’s encirclement as the Third Raikage arrived. He narrowly escaped the Raikage’s attack and Killer B’s Tailed Beast Bomb, flying toward the southern coast of the Land of Lightning.

• Lin Ze opened the Sixth Gate despite the pain and killed a Kumogakure jōnin with a single punch.
• Lin Ze clashed with Killer B, then created five shadow clones to distract Killer B, Dodai, and the other jōnin.
• Lin Ze used the confusion to fly upward, and Killer B fired a Tailed Beast Bomb after him.
• The Third Raikage A arrived and pursued Lin Ze with One-Finger Nukite, but Lin Ze evaded the strike and escaped into the sky.
• Lin Ze raced toward the coast while the Kumogakure forces watched him flee and began to regard him as the Azure Dragon.

Lin Ze rushed toward the coast to reach Might Duy before he opened the Gate of Death, while Orochimaru waited for Lin Ze to return and assumed Kumogakure had killed him. The chapter left Lin Ze racing toward the coming battle and Orochimaru unaware that he was still alive.

• Lin Ze realized Orochimaru had sold his blood sample and mission information to Kumogakure, deepening his distrust of Konoha and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Lin Ze realized that the Third Raikage’s survival might mean Might Duy’s battle against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was imminent.
• Lin Ze pushed his injured, depleted body to fly faster toward the coast, determined to reach Might Duy before he opened the Gate of Death.
• Orochimaru waited on an island near the Land of Lightning, using snakes to watch the coastline for Lin Ze.
• After several days without a sighting, Orochimaru concluded that Lin Ze had died in Kumogakure’s trap.

Might Guy and Ryota Uchiha were overwhelmed by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and Might Duy arrived just as the enemies prepared to kill them. Duy shielded his son and his comrades, confronting the swordsmen with murderous resolve.

• Might Guy fought Munashi Jinpachi while Ryota Uchiha tried to defend himself from Jinin Akebino, and both Konoha ninja were badly wounded.
• The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist mocked Guy and Ryota as Genma Shiranui lay unconscious nearby.
• Jinin Akebino stomped on Ryota's hand and stabbed him, threatening to take his Sharingan.
• Guy unleashed his prototype Morning Peacock to save Ryota, but Munashi Jinpachi's attack badly wounded him and forced his Eight Gates technique to end.
• As Munashi Jinpachi and Jinin Akebino prepared to kill the two boys, Might Duy arrived, stood between them and the swordsmen, and demanded to know who had hurt his son and comrades.

Might Duy opened the Seventh Gate and fought the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to protect Might Guy and Ryota Uchiha, but their coordinated attacks overwhelmed him. As he began opening the Gate of Death, Lin Ze arrived and offered to take over the fight.

• Might Duy opened the Seventh Gate and used Daytime Tiger to blast the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, then fought them while defending his wounded son and Ryota Uchiha.
• The Seven Ninja Swordsmen coordinated their attacks, injuring Might Duy and draining his strength until he fell to one knee.
• Might Duy told Might Guy to watch as he prepared to sacrifice his life by opening the Eighth Gate.
• Lin Ze crashed into the battlefield between Might Duy and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, stopping Duy from opening the Gate of Death and promising to handle the rest.

Lin Ze arrived to protect Might Duy, Might Guy, and Ryota Uchiha, revealing his Azure Dragon form and killing three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The battle continued as Might Duy held off Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki while Lin Ze fought the remaining swordsmen.

• Lin Ze transformed into his Azure Dragon form, opened the Sixth Gate, and killed Munashi Jinpachi with a single attack.
• Lin Ze evaded attacks from Juzo Biwa, Raiga Kurosuki, and Hōzuki Chiba, then used Bolo Breath to drive Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki back.
• Lin Ze countered Jinin Akebino and Kushimaru Kuriarare, destroyed Kushimaru Kuriarare’s wires, and killed him with a claw through the chest.
• Lin Ze asked Might Duy to hold off Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki, and Might Duy attacked them with Daytime Tiger: Remnant.
• Lin Ze turned Hōzuki Chiba’s Water Dragon Bullet Technique into ice senbon, then struck him with Chakra Enhanced Strength: Dragon Fang, leaving him badly wounded.

Lin Ze forced the remaining Mist swordsmen to flee, sealed Samehada, and prepared to pursue them. Uchiha Onibi arrived to rescue his wounded brother Ryota and chased after the fugitives, while Lin Ze suspected Onibi might awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan and decided he needed to ensure no one escaped with knowledge of his Azure Dragon Form.

• Suikazan Fuguki threw Samehada at Lin Ze and fled, prompting Juzo Biwa, Raiga Kurosuki, and Jinin Akebino to scatter as well.
• Might Duy used his last strength to hinder Raiga and Jinin, then collapsed from exhaustion.
• Lin Ze sealed Samehada with the Four Symbols Seal, tore it away, and prepared to pursue the fleeing Mist swordsmen.
• Uchiha Onibi arrived, stabilized his grievously wounded brother Ryota, and set off after Juzo, vowing to kill the fugitives.
• Lin Ze sensed Onibi's violent chakra and ocular power might signal an imminent Mangekyō Sharingan awakening, but chose to pursue the Mist ninja himself to protect his secret.

Lin Ze killed Suikazan Fuguki and pursued the last fleeing Kirigakure ninja, while Uchiha Onibi awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and cut off Jinin Akebino's escape to the sea. The chapter ended with Lin Ze and Onibi trapping Jinin Akebino between them, ready to kill him.

• Lin Ze left Might Duy to protect Guy, Ryōta, and the others, then chased Suikazan Fuguki and killed him by crushing his heart.
• Lin Ze sensed that Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki had vanished and detected a powerful new ocular presence where Uchiha Onibi had pursued them.
• Lin Ze found Jinin Akebino fleeing through the forest and raced after him toward the southeastern coast.
• Jinin Akebino reached the beach, but Uchiha Onibi appeared in front of him with an awakened Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Lin Ze arrived behind Jinin Akebino, blocking his retreat into the forest, and raised his dragon claw as Onibi faced the trapped ninja.

Lin Ze and Uchiha Onibi defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, concealed the details of the battle, and returned to Konoha with their injured allies. Lin Ze then headed to the Hokage Building to give Hiruzen Sarutobi a selective report, reflecting on how his actions had changed events.

• Lin Ze killed Jinin Akebino with Uchiha Onibi's help, and the two agreed to hide the full extent of the Kirigakure forces' defeat and Onibi's new abilities.
• Uchiha Onibi used a space-distorting technique to take the unconscious Ryota Uchiha away, while Lin Ze collected the enemy bodies and weapons and destroyed traces of his own cells and blood.
• Lin Ze told Might Duy and Might Guy to keep his form and abilities secret, and both promised they would.
• Lin Ze and the others returned to Konoha, where Might Duy, Might Guy, and Genma Shiranui were admitted to the hospital.
• Lin Ze considered how his presence had changed the battle and the characters' destinies, then went to report to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Lin Ze reported his encounters with Kumogakure and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to Hiruzen Sarutobi, while concealing key details and avoiding directly accusing Orochimaru. Hiruzen offered leave and access to three ninjutsu rather than confront Orochimaru, and Lin Ze left resolved to deal with him himself when the time came.

• Lin Ze told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Kumogakure had tracked him using his blood and that he, Might Duy, and Uchiha Onibi had killed four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi suspected Orochimaru had leaked Lin Ze's mission information but hesitated to investigate him during the war.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi promised to investigate the leak, granted Lin Ze leave, and gave him an order to learn any three ninjutsu from the ANBU Ninjutsu Library.
• Lin Ze accepted Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision and left the Hokage Office with the order.
• Lin Ze concluded that Hiruzen Sarutobi would not act against Orochimaru and vowed to make the next encounter his chance to kill him.

Uchiha Onibi used his Mangekyō Sharingan to reverse Ryota Uchiha’s fatal injuries, and the brothers’ emotional reunion awakened Ryota’s Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Later, Lin Ze began learning Adamantine Sealing Chains and managed to form his first unstable golden chakra thread.

• Uchiha Onibi used Time-Reversal Trace to restore Ryota Uchiha’s body, chakra, and stamina, though the technique left him drained and bleeding from his eye.
• Uchiha Onibi explained that his Mangekyō Sharingan granted him Time-Reversal Trace and the long-distance teleportation ability Divine Crossing.
• Uchiha Onibi told Ryota that protecting him mattered more than gaining power, and Ryota’s Sharingan evolved into the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Lin Ze examined the three ninjutsu scrolls from the ANBU repository and focused on learning Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Lin Ze used shadow clones to practice condensing chakra into chains and eventually formed a stable golden thread with a faint sealing effect.

Lin Ze posted a bounty mission to locate the survivors of Roran and confirm whether Sara was among them, while waiting in the Land of Wind with Qingtian. Qingtian demonstrated his newly mastered transformation ability by turning into a long, pillar-like staff.

• Lin Ze decided to find Sara, the rightful heir to the contract sealing the Ryūmyaku, rather than risk forcing the seal open.
• Lin Ze posted the mission “Finding Roran” at a Land of Wind Bounty Station, offering extra payment for Sara’s location and confirmation of her presence.
• Lin Ze settled at a nearby oasis and summoned Qingtian to test his transformation ability.
• Qingtian concentrated his chakra and transformed into a long, unusual staff or pillar.

Lin Ze tested the Sky-Supporting Pillar, the weapon Qingtian had transformed into, and discovered its strength, durability, and ability to change size. He combined it with his chakra and Azure Dragon power to unleash a devastating strike, then returned with an exhausted but excited Qingtian.

• Lin Ze named Qingtian's transformed weapon the Sky-Supporting White Jade Pillar, or the Sky-Supporting Pillar, and found that it moved naturally in his hands.
• Lin Ze channeled chakra into the pillar and destroyed a sandstone boulder, then struck the ground hard enough to create a huge crater without damaging the weapon.
• Lin Ze tested the pillar's ability to change its length and size and judged that it could still fall short of Enma for now.
• Lin Ze combined the pillar with his physical strength, chakra, and Azure Dragon power to perform a powerful pseudo-Thunder Bagua that carved a massive trench through the desert.
• Lin Ze patted Qingtian and returned with him to rest, while Qingtian looked tired but excited.