Chapter Summaries

Lin Ze reviewed a Water Dragon Bullet scroll, worried about Nonō, and found that his victory had made him famous at the Ninja Academy. After training with Might Duy and Guy, he received weighted gear from Might Duy to support his taijutsu practice.

• Lin Ze read the Water Dragon Bullet scroll, dismissed its lengthy hand-seal sequence, and thought about finding Maruboshi Kosuke's simplified version.
• Lin Ze worried about Nonō's safety and reflected on how she had left at twelve to care for the orphanage children.
• Lin Ze went to the Ninja Academy with Rei Uesugi and found that his classmates now treated him with awe and fear after his victory over Ryota Uchiha.
• Lin Ze sat with Kurenai Yuhi, accepted the attention his first-place finish had brought, and noticed that Ryota Uchiha was absent while recovering.
• Lin Ze joined Might Duy and Guy for training, and Might Duy gave him weighted wrist guards and ankle weights as a congratulatory gift.

Lin Ze accepted Uchiha Onibi’s challenge after negotiating the Phoenix Flower Jutsu as the prize for a win. The two prepared for a serious rematch in the training clearing, with Lin Ze eager to test his Taijutsu against Onibi’s Sharingan.

• Might Duy gave Lin Ze weights, and Lin Ze trained alongside Duy and Might Guy with them strapped to his wrists and ankles.
• Uchiha Onibi arrived and told Lin Ze that Ryōta had been discouraged by his losses, but said he wanted a serious fight rather than revenge.
• Onibi proposed that Lin Ze acknowledge Ryōta’s strength if Onibi won, and promised to teach Lin Ze the Phoenix Flower Jutsu if he lost.
• Lin Ze asked for a Lightning Release technique as the prize, but accepted the Phoenix Flower Jutsu when Onibi offered Earth Release instead.
• Lin Ze removed his weights, and he and Uchiha Onibi took their positions for a serious rematch.

Lin Ze fought Uchiha Onibi, who used shuriken, Earth Release, taijutsu, and genjutsu before unleashing a powerful Fire Release attack. Lin Ze opened the first three Eight Gates and countered with a Great Fireball Technique infused with the Azure Dragon’s Bolo Breath, leaving their clash unresolved.

• Uchiha Onibi’s shuriken formation wounded Lin Ze, who blocked two blades with his bandaged arms and rushed into close combat.
• Uchiha Onibi raised an Earth-Style Wall and ambushed Lin Ze with a Great Fireball, but Lin Ze dodged and pressed him into a taijutsu exchange.
• Uchiha Onibi feigned an opening and used the Hell Viewing Technique to briefly disrupt Lin Ze.
• Uchiha Onibi attacked with Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, sending three massive fire dragons toward Lin Ze.
• Lin Ze opened the first three gates of the Eight Gates Released Formation and countered with a Great Fireball infused with the Azure Dragon’s Bolo Breath.

Lin Ze defeated Uchiha Onibi by using the explosion from their fire techniques to close the distance and strike him into a stream. Onibi accepted the loss and promised to discipline Ryōta and deliver a Phoenix Flower Jutsu scroll, while Ryōta was left stunned by his brother’s defeat.

• Lin Ze slipped beneath the flames and knocked Uchiha Onibi into the stream with a powerful punch.
• Uchiha Onibi admitted defeat, agreed to discipline Ryōta if he caused trouble again, and promised to send Lin Ze a Phoenix Flower Jutsu scroll.
• Might Duy and Might Guy praised Lin Ze, who ended training and returned to the Orphanage.
• Uchiha Onibi returned home and told Ryōta Uchiha that Lin Ze had beaten him.
• Uchiha Onibi described Lin Ze’s taijutsu, reactions, combat awareness, and Great Fireball Technique, leaving Ryōta in disbelief.

Ryota Uchiha awakened his One-Tomoe Sharingan while worrying over Uchiha Onibi, who also advanced to a Two-Tomoe Sharingan. After reflecting on how he could obtain the Rinnegan, Lin Ze was disturbed by his own violent thoughts and returned to the warmth of the orphanage.

• Ryota Uchiha cried in Uchiha Onibi’s arms, and Onibi’s Sharingan developed a second tomoe.
• Ryota Uchiha felt pain in his eyes and awakened the One-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Lin Ze considered the Sharingan’s potential and plotted to obtain the chakra and power needed to evolve the Rinnegan.
• Lin Ze’s thoughts turned sinister as he imagined taking power for himself, but nearby laughter interrupted him.
• Lin Ze recognized Rei Uesugi playing with Ayumi and Yumi, questioned his dark thoughts, and entered the orphanage yard.

Lin Ze graduated from the Ninja Academy and prepared to report to the ANBU, while saying goodbye to his classmates and promising Kurenai Yuhi he would return to see her. After the send-off, he looked ahead to discovering what the ANBU was really like.

• Lin Ze practiced controlling his partial beastification but pushed troubling thoughts about the shinobi world and Danzo back into his mind.
• As Konoha Year 38 ended, Lin Ze graduated early and told Kurenai Yuhi that he would report to the ANBU under Lord Hokage's orders.
• Asuma, Ibiki Morino, Genma Shiranui, Izumo Kamizuki, Kotetsu Hagane, and Rei Uesugi joined Lin Ze and Kurenai to congratulate him and say goodbye.
• Asuma treated the group to a lively send-off meal at Yakiniku Q, where Lin Ze ate as much as everyone else combined.
• Lin Ze promised Kurenai he would visit whenever he could, then watched the others leave and turned his thoughts toward the ANBU.

Lin Ze received an ANBU acceptance notice naming him a candidate and learned about the organization’s structure, risks, and commander, Hatake Sakumo. After destroying the notice, he set out for headquarters, intending to learn and gain experience while hiding his strongest abilities.

• Lin Ze found an ANBU acceptance notice ordering him to report to the underground headquarters within three days as candidate-567.
• Lin Ze read that candidates needed a supervising Jōnin, performed support missions, and faced at least six months of evaluation before becoming full members.
• Lin Ze learned that Hatake Sakumo commanded ANBU and considered the political danger surrounding Sakumo’s eventual fate.
• Lin Ze memorized the notice, burned it as instructed, and left the Orphanage for the specified entrance.
• Lin Ze planned to conceal his Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon abilities while gaining experience and staying wary of ANBU’s missions and internal power struggles.

Lin Ze reported to Konoha's ANBU headquarters as candidate 567, received his uniform and training schedule, and learned the restrictions on his access and activities. He explored the training grounds, where he assessed the combat skills of the ANBU members, while planning to pass the candidate period so he could safely practice his Beastification ability.

• Lin Ze found the hidden entrance to ANBU headquarters and reported to the registration office as candidate number 567.
• The fox-masked ANBU confirmed Lin Ze's identity, issued him a temporary uniform and tanuki mask, and gave him his initial schedule and rules.
• Lin Ze read that candidates had to attend daily training, stay within the first three underground levels, and could only undertake missions under a supervising Jōnin.
• Lin Ze realized he could not safely practice his Beastification ability at headquarters and resolved to pass the assessment period quickly to gain leave as a full ANBU member.
• Lin Ze visited training area one and observed ANBU members practicing combat-focused Taijutsu, judging most to be above average Chunin level and some to be Special Jōnin level.

Lin Ze began ANBU training and assessed the harsh environment, while resolving to use its resources without losing himself. During his first stealth exercise, he used his enhanced vision and careful timing to pass the first checkpoint without being spotted.

• Candidate 369 warned Lin Ze that ANBU was no place for children and hoped he would survive his first month.
• Lin Ze explored the library and medical area, then settled into his dorm room and resolved to pass the assessment while watching for Danzo's agents.
• Lin Ze reported to Training Area One, where Instructor Hawk introduced himself and Instructors Leopard and Fukurou before outlining the training rules.
• Lin Ze's group began a stealth exercise, and he used his enhanced night vision to locate observation posts, a trap, and a reconnaissance ninja.
• Lin Ze timed his movements to the reconnaissance ninja's gaze and slipped past the first checkpoint without being detected.

Lin Ze passed the stealth and reconnaissance test and adapted to ANBU’s demanding training, but learned he would face a practical assessment in three months. He resolved to open the Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain, without using his Fish-Fish Fruit powers so he could become a full ANBU member.

• Lin Ze crossed the exposed final stretch undetected, finishing the stealth test in eight minutes and forty-two seconds, while the candidate hiding nearby was eliminated.
• Only twenty-two of the two hundred candidates passed the stealth and reconnaissance test, and Lin Ze later excelled at taijutsu while performing at an average level in shuriken throwing and codebreaking.
• Lin Ze adapted to ANBU’s intensive training and learned that candidates faced practical combat assessments every three months, with only ten of four hundred selected each time.
• Lin Ze learned the candidates’ numbering system and realized the next assessment would include his new intake despite their disadvantage in experience and strength.
• Lin Ze decided to open the Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain, within three months and avoid using his Fish-Fish Fruit powers during the assessment.

Lin Ze pushed himself through extra Eight Gates Released Formation training as the ANBU assessment approached, but struggled to open the Fourth Gate because of the strain on his young body. Three days before the assessment, he finally opened the Gate of Pain, only to be overwhelmed by severe pain and physical damage.

• Lin Ze attended ANBU training and practiced the Eight Gates Released Formation after hours to prepare for the assessment.
• Instructor Leopard warned Lin Ze not to overtrain, while Lin Ze kept pushing himself and ate increasingly large meals to sustain his training.
• Lin Ze repeatedly failed to open the Fourth Gate and suspected his seven-year-old body could not withstand the strain.
• With only three days left before the assessment, Lin Ze made one final attempt and drew on his resolve to become stronger.
• Lin Ze opened the Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain, but immediately suffered excruciating pain, difficulty breathing, and blood seeping through his skin.

Lin Ze discovered that opening the Fourth Gate strained his seven-year-old body so badly that he could only use it as a last resort, though he viewed it as a new trump card for the ANBU assessment. After the first group completed its assessment in the Forest of Death, Lin Ze’s group entered the forest to begin its own test.

• Lin Ze concluded that his body could not safely sustain the Fourth Gate for long and needed time to adapt to it.
• Over the next three days, Lin Ze forced open the Gate of Pain twice more, and the instructors reported his progress to Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who ordered them to leave him be.
• Instructor Ying explained that candidates had to collect and decipher three types of scrolls, reach the central Tower, and place among the first ten, while killing was forbidden.
• The first group returned from the Forest of Death after nearly five hours, with five candidates passing and fifteen others held behind as the course was reset.
• Instructor Ying sent Lin Ze’s second group into the Forest of Death to begin the assessment.

Lin Ze searched the Forest of Death, found and deciphered several scrolls, and realized the ANBU assessment rewarded distinct strengths as well as collecting a complete set. Since combat was his advantage, he decided to head toward the finish tower and ambush candidates carrying scrolls.

• Lin Ze found two scrolls, identified one as counterfeit and the other as a key scroll, and avoided a confrontation with two candidates.
• Lin Ze found two more counterfeit scrolls and worried that he would not collect the required set before time ran out.
• Lin Ze reasoned that the assessment tested several abilities and that candidates who excelled in one area could still attract ANBU attention.
• Lin Ze chose to rely on his Taijutsu and combat strength, planning to wait near the tower and seize scrolls from candidates on their way there.

Lin Ze hid near the tower to ambush candidates carrying scrolls, but No. 369 spotted him and provoked him into a confrontation. The ANBU instructors watched, waiting to see how Lin Ze would respond.

• Lin Ze reached the tower and concealed himself in a tree to watch for candidates with scrolls.
• After waiting for hours, Lin Ze saw No. 369 approach with all three required scrolls and decided to let him pass.
• No. 369 detected Lin Ze in the tree, and Lin Ze climbed down and said he would not stop him from entering the tower.
• No. 369 insulted Lin Ze, accusing him of relying on connections and lacking the strength to join the ANBU.
• The instructors explained that No. 369 was conceited and might be trying to force Lin Ze into a fight, then watched to see how Lin Ze would respond.

Lin Ze faced Number 369, an Uchiha ANBU candidate who provoked him to avenge the clan’s reputation, and fought back after discovering his opponent was a skilled Special Jōnin. Lin Ze opened the Gate of Life and gained the upper hand, but Number 369’s planned combination tactics wounded his arm, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Lin Ze agreed to fight Number 369 after refusing to be intimidated, while Number 369 revealed his hidden motive: avenging the Uchiha Clan’s reputation after Lin Ze defeated Ryota Uchiha.
• Number 369 used Fire Release, Wind Release, shuriken, and an Earth-Style Wall to trap Lin Ze, but Lin Ze evaded the attacks with precise movement and quick judgment.
• Lin Ze opened the Third Gate, Gate of Life, and used his enhanced speed and strength to drive Number 369 backward with taijutsu.
• Number 369’s Phoenix Flower Jutsu and ordinary weapons failed to stop Lin Ze, who showed resistance to the flames from his Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon.
• Number 369 redirected previously evaded shuriken with Gale Palm, and one sliced Lin Ze’s arm as Lin Ze recognized the attack as a planned combination tactic.

Lin Ze defeated No. 369 in the examination after outlasting his ninjutsu and opening the Fourth Gate. No. 369 was revealed as Uchiha En before Lin Ze knocked him unconscious.

• Lin Ze disarmed No. 369 in close combat and countered his Great Dragon Fire Technique with a low-chakra Great Fireball.
• Lin Ze exploited No. 369's chakra exhaustion to take control of the fight, while Instructor Leopard and Instructor Fukurou praised his stamina and taijutsu.
• No. 369 unleashed his Fire-Style Wind-Style Uzumaki combination ninjutsu, but Lin Ze opened the Fourth Gate and narrowly dodged the fire vortex.
• Lin Ze moved behind No. 369 and struck, but No. 369 revealed his Sharingan and used the Hell Viewing Technique.
• Lin Ze's Dragon Might overwhelmed No. 369's genjutsu, and Lin Ze's punch broke No. 369's bones and knocked him unconscious.
• No. 369 identified himself as Uchiha En before losing consciousness.

Lin Ze passed the ANBU assessment after defeating Uchiha En and delivering the required scrolls to the Tower. The ten successful candidates were told to report to headquarters the morning after tomorrow, while thirty others were assigned jōnin instructors for further training.

• The instructors praised Lin Ze’s tactical skill and noted that he had resisted Uchiha En’s Sharingan Genjutsu, while agreeing not to pry into his secrets.
• Lin Ze collected the three scrolls from the unconscious Uchiha En, entered the Tower, and passed after the clerk verified their cipher and combination.
• No. 233 and No. 388 arrived after Lin Ze, then three more candidates fought over the final two places in the group.
• Instructor Ying ended the assessment and confirmed that ten candidates, including Lin Ze, had passed; Uchiha En was carried away unconscious by ANBU medical personnel.
• Instructor Ying ordered the ten successful candidates to report to headquarters the morning after tomorrow and assigned jōnin instructors to thirty candidates who had not passed.

Lin Ze passed the ANBU assessment and returned to the Orphanage after three months of training. In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Nara Luhong reviewed his victory over Uchiha En and decided not to investigate his Uzumaki heritage.

• Lin Ze realized that the ten who passed the assessment and the thirty selected Candidates would form squads under ten supervising Jōnin.
• Instructor Ying dismissed the trainees, and Lin Ze left the Forest of Death to visit the Orphanage.
• Lin Ze recalled that his fight with No. 369 had followed the assessment rules and arrived at the Orphanage, where Yumi, Ayumi, Miyamoto Ichirō, and Rei Uesugi welcomed him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Nara Luhong reviewed the report stating that Lin Ze had opened the Fourth Gate and defeated Uchiha En, a Special Jōnin.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected Nara Luhong's suggestion to examine Lin Ze, believing the boy had inherited the Will of Fire and was not worth investigating unless he revealed a new Kekkei Genkai.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Nara Luhong discussed Lin Ze’s loyalty to Konoha, and Hatake Sakumo reassured them that Lin Ze would protect the people he cared about. Back at the orphanage, Lin Ze resumed developing his Azure Dragon abilities and managed to form scales over part of his back, advancing his partial beastification.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi worried that Lin Ze’s limited time in Konoha left him without enough attachment to the village, while Nara Luhong pointed to the bonds he had formed there.
• Hatake Sakumo joined the discussion and said Lin Ze had extraordinary talent and would protect the people he cared about, who were all in Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others understood that Lin Ze’s chakra flow after opening four gates explained how he had broken Uchiha Yan’s Genjutsu.
• Lin Ze returned to his room at Nonō’s House and found that three months of ANBU training had made it easier to control his Azure Dragon powers.
• Lin Ze patiently guided his power into his back until dragon scales formed over his spine and shoulder blades.
• Lin Ze resolved to master beastification of his waist and head before attempting complete Azure Dragon Form.

Lin Ze reflected on his growing affection for the orphanage before reporting to ANBU and meeting its commander, Hatake Sakumo. After becoming a full member, Lin Ze was assigned to the Third Division, C-5, under a squad leader named Fox, and hoped for an early mission outside the village.

• Lin Ze thought about the bonds he had formed with the other orphans and the old director at the orphanage.
• Lin Ze arrived at ANBU headquarters with the nine other candidates who had passed the assessment.
• Hatake Sakumo addressed the recruits, announced that they were now full ANBU members, and stressed obedience and the importance of their missions.
• Hatake Sakumo assigned Lin Ze to Third Division, C-5, whose squad leader was code-named Fox.
• After the assembly, Lin Ze followed No. 233 toward the Third Division while hoping to receive an outside mission soon.