Recaps

Ye Feng overwhelmed Yugito Nii, but his attempt to stabilize her failed and the Two-Tails, Matatabi, emerged in the Combat Arena. He struck Matatabi during her attack on the spectators, but she remained active and kept him from counterattacking.

• Ye Feng opened the Third Gate and drove Yugito Nii back, but she refused to surrender and drew more of the Two-Tails' chakra.
• Killer B warned Yugito Nii that she could not control Matatabi, and Ye Feng tried to stabilize her with true qi.
• Matatabi emerged and began gathering a huge fireball aimed at the spectator stands, so the Third Hokage ordered a barrier and the spectators evacuated.
• Hatake Sakumo, Minato Namikaze, and Fujiwara Inomura prepared to stop the fireball as Uchiha Yefeng appeared above Matatabi and struck her head into the ground.
• Matatabi's fireball exploded, but she survived and attacked Ye Feng with her tails and claws while he dodged her blows.

Ye Feng defeated Yugito Nii after the Two-Tails took control of her, and the Third Hokage declared him the winner so the Chunin Ninja Exams could continue. Ye Feng then faced Kuru, who was stunned when Ye Feng caught his full-strength punch with one hand.

• Ye Feng used Matatabi's tail to hurl the Two-Tails into the arena wall, and the battle ended with Yugito Nii unconscious but alive and Ye Feng exhausted.
• The Third Raikage confirmed Yugito Nii's seal was intact, and the Third Hokage declared Ye Feng the winner and ordered the Chunin Ninja Exams to continue.
• After the other participants returned, Ye Feng declined to explain the battle and agreed to fight Kuru.
• Kuru activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode and attacked, but Ye Feng dodged his strikes until Kuru demanded that he stop holding back.
• Kuru unleashed a full-strength punch, and Ye Feng caught it with one hand without moving.

Ye Feng defeated Kuru in the Chunin Ninja Exams and was summoned by the Third Hokage, who offered him a reward for taking first place. Ye Feng asked to avoid routine missions so he could focus on training, prompting Shimura Danzō to criticize him.

• Ye Feng overwhelmed Kuru with the Eight Gates Released Formation, and Hatake Sakumo sent the injured Kumogakure ninja for treatment.
• The Third Hokage announced that Uchiha Shinichi, Hyuga Junin, Nara Shikahira, and the recovering Kakashi Hatake had passed the Chunin Ninja Exams and been promoted.
• The Third Hokage summoned Ye Feng and offered him one request for winning the exams.
• Ye Feng asked to be exempt from assigned missions so he could spend more time training, while remaining available for missions he chose or village emergencies.
• Shimura Danzō called Ye Feng selfish, and Ye Feng argued that Konoha had enough ninjas to handle its current workload.
• Shimura Danzō objected to Ye Feng's disrespectful tone toward a village Advisor.

Ye Feng confronted Shimura Danzō over his hostility and explained how he had fought the Two-Tails, while the Third Hokage accepted Ye Feng’s request for more time before taking on higher-ranked missions. The Third Hokage concluded that Ye Feng was not responsible for the Two-Tails’ disappearance and promoted him to Jonin for his performance.

• Ye Feng rebuked Shimura Danzō for threatening him, and the Third Hokage stopped their argument and agreed to give Ye Feng more time to grow.
• The Third Hokage and the Advisors questioned Ye Feng about his actions during the Two-Tails fight, and Ye Feng said he had kept it occupied while the smoke obscured the arena.
• The Third Hokage and the Advisors found Ye Feng’s account plausible, while Shimura Danzō remained suspicious but offered no evidence.
• The Third Hokage concluded that the Two-Tails Jinchūriki had likely caused the beast to return to its seal and praised Ye Feng for keeping it occupied.
• The Third Hokage promoted Ye Feng to Jonin because his strength had reached that level.

The Third Hokage made Uchiha Yefeng a Jonin despite the Advisors’ objections, intending to use his strength to protect Konoha and keep the Uchiha Clan in check. Back home, Ye Feng revealed that he had sealed away some of Matatabi’s chakra and wondered how to use it without transforming his arm.

• The Third Hokage finalized Ye Feng’s Jonin appointment, overruling Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
• The Third Hokage explained that Ye Feng could match the powerful Kumogakure participants and said Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze would watch over him.
• Ye Feng returned home and examined the scroll containing chakra he had taken from Matatabi during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Ye Feng threatened Matatabi into keeping the stolen chakra secret, then urged her to treat Yugito Nii as a friend and return to her.
• Matatabi went back into Yugito Nii, whom Ye Feng found unconscious but not seriously injured.
• Ye Feng considered using the Two-Tails chakra to create more Shadow Clones for cultivation, but worried that his arm might become monstrous.

Ye Feng visited Orochimaru’s laboratory to ask how he could use the Two-Tails’ chakra, and found Jiraiya there discussing the next Hokage. Jiraiya left reassured that Orochimaru would not seek the position, while Orochimaru sealed the chakra and asked Ye Feng what he planned to do with it.

• Ye Feng used Flying Thunder God to appear in Orochimaru’s laboratory, where Jiraiya was visiting.
• Jiraiya asked Orochimaru to give up competing to become the Fourth Hokage and support Minato Namikaze; Orochimaru said he had no interest in the position.
• Orochimaru said his ambitions reached beyond a village or nation, while Ye Feng denied wanting to become Hokage and told Jiraiya not to worry about Hatake Sakumo.
• Jiraiya left after confirming Orochimaru would not compete for Hokage, and Ye Feng stayed behind to speak with Orochimaru.
• Ye Feng gave Orochimaru a scroll containing a large amount of Two-Tails’ chakra, and Orochimaru resealed it before asking what Ye Feng intended to do with it.

Ye Feng obtained the Kusanagi Sword from Orochimaru and used his master's Flying Sword Refinement Technique to bind it to himself. In return, he gave Orochimaru the first stage of his Cultivation Technique, leaving Orochimaru eager to begin cultivating true qi.

• Ye Feng told Orochimaru he wanted to seal tailed beast chakra for cultivation, but decided he would seek help directly from Kushina Uzumaki or Minato Namikaze rather than involve Jiraiya.
• Orochimaru summoned the Kusanagi Sword, which he had found in Ryūchi Cave, and gave it to Ye Feng as a gift.
• Ye Feng used the Flying Sword Refinement Technique to make the Kusanagi Sword absorb his blood, explaining that it could eventually become a powerful magic artifact or spirit artifact.
• Ye Feng gave Orochimaru a scroll containing the Body Tempering Period cultivation method and the method for condensing true qi.
• Orochimaru was overjoyed by the cultivation method and recognized that Ye Feng had entrusted him with a valuable first step toward cultivation.

Ye Feng investigated the unusual natural energy from Ryūchi Cave with Orochimaru and Manda. He confirmed that it contained a special energy with creature-like characteristics, though he did not yet understand its nature.

• Ye Feng promised Orochimaru the second part of the cultivation method and a flying sword refinement method after Orochimaru broke through the Body Tempering Period.
• Orochimaru told Ye Feng that Ryūchi Cave's natural energy felt different, and Ye Feng asked him to bring some for examination.
• Ye Feng showed Orochimaru how he stored the refined Kusanagi Sword in his dantian, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Orochimaru to the place where he had found Garurumon.
• Orochimaru summoned Manda, and Ye Feng cut Manda's tail with true qi and threatened him into behaving.
• Manda produced Ryūchi Cave's natural energy, and Orochimaru confirmed it was the energy he had sensed there.
• Ye Feng sensed special natural energy mixed into it, apparently bearing characteristics of creatures, but could not identify it clearly.

Ye Feng warned Orochimaru that the Sage Lands’ natural energy might contain foreign influences and asked him to investigate whether tailed beast chakra posed the same danger. After Manda reported Ye Feng’s power to the White Snake Sage, she told him not to provoke Ye Feng and to invite him to Ryūchi Cave.

• Ye Feng suspected Ryūchi Cave’s natural energy contained something unknown and warned Orochimaru not to use it or learn its senjutsu.
• Ye Feng took sealed tailed beast chakra to Orochimaru and asked him to research whether it contained anything that could affect their bodies or cultivation.
• Orochimaru agreed to investigate, and Ye Feng left to calm himself while the research continued.
• Manda overheard Ye Feng and Orochimaru, returned to Ryūchi Cave, and reported Ye Feng’s power to the White Snake Sage.
• The White Snake Sage ordered Manda not to antagonize Ye Feng and to invite him to Ryūchi Cave if he had the chance.

Zhicun Danzo planned to accelerate his bid for the Hokage position so he could eliminate the Uchiha before Ye Feng became stronger. Meanwhile, Ye Feng learned that he was Konoha’s youngest Jonin, celebrated with friends, and then met the Hyuga Clan head, who had come to discuss something with him.

• Zhicun Danzo told a Root ninja to move their plan forward and vowed to deal with Uchiha Yefeng once he became Hokage.
• Ye Feng felt disappointed about a drawback to his training and lonely until Obito Uchiha arrived to tell him he was famous as Konoha’s youngest Jonin.
• Uchiha Shinichi, Inuzuka Clan Fengyu, Kurenai Yuhi, and the others congratulated Ye Feng and decided to celebrate with barbecue.
• Inuzuka Clan Fengyu reminded Ye Feng that he still owed them a meal, and the group left his house to celebrate.
• Takeda Hyuga arrived with two other Hyuga Clan members to discuss something with Ye Feng, who asked what business the clan head had with him.

Takeda Hyuga visited Ye Feng to ask him to teach the Hyuga Clan the Tai Chi moves that had impressed them at the Chunin arena. Ye Feng refused to teach them casually and hinted that the moves could also undermine Gentle Fist, leaving Takeda to consider what the clan could offer.

• Takeda Hyuga approached Ye Feng privately after Minato Namikaze left with their group, and Ye Feng welcomed him and his two companions into his home.
• Takeda probed Ye Feng about his treatment within the Uchiha Clan, then asked him to instruct the Hyuga Clan in the moves he had used against Hyuga Junin.
• Ye Feng said he had only taught Hyuga Junin a few moves because he saw talent in him, and refused to teach the techniques without a worthwhile reason.
• Takeda offered money, women, or power, but Ye Feng replied that he lacked none of those things and warned that his moves could weaken the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist.
• Takeda identified his sons as Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga, and Ye Feng froze as he recognized their names.

Ye Feng pretended to read Hizashi Hyuga’s fate from his face, unsettling the Hyuga family while winning their reliance. After they left, he revealed to Uchiha Tianchang that he aimed to take over the entire Hyuga Clan, and claimed he was completely confident.

• Ye Feng praised Hyuga Hiashi as the clan’s future leader, then told Hyuga Takeda that Hizashi Hyuga appeared destined to die young.
• Ye Feng claimed he had learned face-reading from a lost scroll and said Hizashi would have a gifted son, leaving the Hyuga family troubled but hopeful.
• Hyuga Takeda left with Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi, and Uchiha Tianchang arrived to ask about the Hyuga visit.
• Ye Feng told Uchiha Tianchang that he wanted the entire Hyuga Clan rather than a mere trade for his techniques.
• Uchiha Tianchang expressed shock at Ye Feng’s ambition, and Ye Feng said he was completely confident in his plan.

Ye Feng’s warning left Uchiha Tianchang questioning whether he should step down as clan leader, while the Hyuga family argued over Hizashi’s fate and Ye Feng’s likely demands. The chapter ended with Ye Feng rejoining his friends at a barbecue, where they teased him about his money.

• Ye Feng told Uchiha Tianchang that the Uchiha Clan needed a broader outlook, and Tianchang considered passing leadership to Ye Feng before leaving.
• Takeda Hyuga warned Hyuga Hiashi not to dismiss Uchiha Yefeng and said Hizashi might be safer if he stayed in Konoha, but Hizashi refused to give up leaving the village.
• Takeda Hyuga explained that Uchiha Yefeng likely wanted the entire Hyuga Clan and might have powerful bargaining chips, then left to consult the clan elders.
• Ye Feng arrived at the barbecue restaurant and joked that his friends were trying to bankrupt him with their enormous order.
• Minato Namikaze reminded Ye Feng that he had earned two million from him, while the others teased Ye Feng about his earnings.

Ye Feng failed to recover Manda’s blood, then secretly arranged a plan with Minato Namikaze for after Minato’s mission. As the Kumogakure group left, Yugito Nii confronted Ye Feng about Matatabi’s fear of him, and he denied knowing why.

• After Minato Namikaze said Gamabunta had refused to give blood, Ye Feng remembered Manda and used Flying Thunder God to return to the place where he had cut off the snake’s tail.
• Ye Feng found no blood left and returned to the barbecue restaurant, where he and Minato Namikaze secretly planned an operation for four days later.
• The next day, Ye Feng and his companions went to see off Yugito Nii and Killer B as Minato Namikaze escorted the Kumogakure ninja out of the Land of Fire.
• Yugito Nii asked Ye Feng what he had done to Matatabi, saying the Two-Tails feared him and had become easier to talk to.
• Ye Feng pretended not to know why Matatabi had changed and blamed Yugito Nii for questioning him after she had attacked him.

After the Kumogakure party left Konoha, Ye Feng attempted to form a spirit beast contract with Garurumon. The contract finally took effect, and two beams of white light entered Ye Feng and Garurumon, leaving him unsure what had happened.

• Yugito Nii apologized to Ye Feng, then kissed his cheek, prompting Inuzuka Clan Fengyu and Kurenai Yuhi to chase him when he fled.
• The Kumogakure party left Konoha, and Ye Feng went to the Training Ground at Hokage Rock to avoid returning home.
• Ye Feng pricked his own finger and Garurumon's paw and began the spirit beast contract ritual, but Garurumon did not initially understand his gestures.
• After nearly half an hour, Garurumon's blood rose and vanished, completing the contract.
• Two beams of white light descended; one entered Ye Feng's forehead and the other entered Garurumon's body.

Garurumon suddenly collapsed after the Contract, and Ye Feng brought her home, where Inuzuka Clan Fengyu suspected she was growing. Ye Feng concealed what had happened by inventing a story about a strange fruit, then placated Fengyu and Kurenai Yuhi when they confronted him about Yugito Nii.

• Garurumon fell unconscious, and Ye Feng used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take her home.
• Inuzuka Clan Fengyu and Kurenai Yuhi found Ye Feng and Garurumon, and Fengyu examined Garurumon but could not identify the cause.
• Fengyu suggested Garurumon might be growing and planned to ask her parents, but Ye Feng stopped her and claimed Garurumon had eaten a strange fruit.
• Fengyu accepted that the fruit was probably beneficial, then she and Kurenai remembered their grievance about Yugito Nii and demanded an explanation.
• Ye Feng denied doing anything with Yugito Nii and praised Fengyu and Kurenai, who blushed and left together.

Ye Feng woke to find Garurumon had grown dramatically and could speak to him telepathically after their contract took effect. His village-wide divine sense scan drew the Third Hokage’s anger and prompted a joint meeting, while Ye Feng remained unaware of the turmoil he had caused.

• The Third Hokage ordered more surveillance of Konoha and Hokage Rock after investigators found no clues about the strange lights.
• Ye Feng cultivated through the night while Garurumon waited for her transformation.
• Ye Feng woke to find Garurumon had grown to nearly his height and was licking his face.
• Garurumon told Ye Feng telepathically that she had grown after waking and still felt herself getting larger and stronger.
• Ye Feng gave Garurumon his parents’ former room and left to buy supplies for her new nest.
• The Third Hokage blamed the mysterious village-wide sense of being watched on an unknown intruder and called a meeting with Konoha’s clan heads and High Command.

Ye Feng explored the spirit beast Contract, discovered its internal space, and adjusted the mental connection between himself and Garurumon. After testing the space and helping Garurumon shrink, he was summoned to the Hokage Meeting Hall for an important discussion.

• Ye Feng found the Contract character in his mind and learned it contained a space where Garurumon could recover.
• Ye Feng disabled their ability to read each other's thoughts while keeping their mental communication, and Garurumon affectionately pounced on him.
• Ye Feng brought Garurumon into the Contract space, where she said the blood in her body flowed faster but the quiet made her uneasy.
• Ye Feng brought Garurumon back out, and she shrank herself so she could stay with him without drawing attention.
• A Chunin told Ye Feng that Lord Hokage had ordered him to assemble at the Hokage Meeting Hall.

Ye Feng attended a meeting where the Third Hokage claimed a mysterious person had been spying on Konoha and asked the clans to help search their homes. Ye Feng realized the accusations concerned him, while the village prepared to investigate.

• A Chunin summoned Ye Feng to the Meeting Hall, where he saw Konoha’s leaders, clan heads, Advisors, and the Sannin gathered.
• The Third Hokage announced that a mysterious individual had spied on Konoha three times and was suspected of causing the white light and gully.
• Ye Feng felt embarrassed when he realized the meeting was about him and privately rejected the Third Hokage’s theories about his motives.
• The Third Hokage said a search of the Hokage Office Building had found nothing missing and argued that the mysterious person was likely looking for something in the clans’ homes.
• The gathered clan representatives supported the Third Hokage’s request for a comprehensive search, while some major clan heads remained silent.

Ye Feng joined Konoha’s village-wide search and was appointed leader of a temporary Uchiha squad. After the squad members mocked his authority, he defeated their ringleader and forced the rest to accept his command.

• Hiruzen assigned the clans to help the Anbu and Military Police Force search Konoha, while Shimura Danzō ordered his hidden personnel to provoke conflicts during the operation.
• Orochimaru asked Ye Feng about his plans, and Ye Feng promised to visit his laboratory after the search.
• Uchiha Fugaku appointed Ye Feng to lead a temporary squad of Uchiha members, explaining that the role would help build Ye Feng’s standing in the clan.
• Ye Feng’s squad members mocked him, so he broke their ringleader’s arms and warned the others about the consequences of attacking a superior.
• The remaining squad members accepted Ye Feng as their leader and assembled at his command.

Ye Feng led his squad on a search through a civilian district, enforcing discipline after dismissing a subordinate who mistreated villagers. The search continued more smoothly as the squad became more respectful, while Ye Feng’s promise to protect Konoha’s residents left the villagers grateful.

• Ye Feng ordered his squad to obey him, then led fourteen men out to search the district; Uchiha Fugaku dismissed the unconscious Uchiha Nakakai from the Military Police Force.
• Ye Feng assigned the search tasks to his subordinates and rested on a rooftop while they inspected the district.
• When a subordinate tried to take a box from a couple’s home, Ye Feng struck him, returned the box, and made him apologize.
• Ye Feng apologized to the couple and warned his squad not to harm villagers or damage their property during searches.
• Ye Feng invited villagers to report mistreatment and promised they could use his name, Uchiha Yefeng, to seek justice.
• The grateful villagers knelt to thank Ye Feng, and his subordinates began searching households more politely.

The Third Hokage investigated the unrest surrounding Ye Feng’s efforts to change the Uchiha Clan and refused Shimura Danzō’s demand to arrest him. After being rebuked, Danzō ordered the Blood Moon Squads to prepare for an operation in three months.

• The Third Hokage ordered Anbu to investigate the villagers and ninja involved in the unrest and uncover who had directed them.
• Uchiha Tianchang worried that Ye Feng’s plans to change the clan were premature while the Third Hokage and Advisors still held power.
• Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura urged the Third Hokage to arrest Uchiha Yefeng, but he refused and angrily ordered them out of his office.
• Shimura Danzō returned home furious at the Third Hokage and summoned a Root ninja to order the Blood Moon Squads to train for three months without taking missions.
• Shimura Danzō told himself that Hiruzen was to blame for taking his Hokage position and revealed his sinister resolve.

Ye Feng finished a successful mission that improved the Uchiha Clan’s standing with villagers, then helped Uchiha Tianchang turn the resulting political problem into an opportunity to gain the Third Hokage’s support. He later met Orochimaru and revealed Garurumon’s dramatic growth and unusual strength.

• Ye Feng dismissed his fourteen teammates after praising their mission and urging the Uchiha Clan to change.
• Uchiha Tianchang worried that enforcing the Military Police Force’s promises would anger Konoha’s clans, and Ye Feng advised him to seek the Third Hokage’s instructions and use him as a shield.
• Uchiha Fugaku offered Ye Feng a squad captain position, but Ye Feng refused and left.
• Ye Feng traveled to Orochimaru’s laboratory, where Garurumon revealed her much larger true form and startled Orochimaru.
• Ye Feng explained that Garurumon was bound to him by a spirit beast contract, prompting Orochimaru’s eager curiosity.

Ye Feng explained the Spirit Beast Contract and the dangers of Foundation Establishment to Orochimaru, who planned to search for Natural Spirit Stones and hoped to form a contract of his own. Meanwhile, the Military Police Force’s fair handling of civilian complaints encouraged villagers across Konoha to report years of mistreatment, leaving its premises overwhelmed by the crowds.

• Ye Feng told Orochimaru that Garurumon was still growing, explained the limits of contracting with many Spirit Beasts, and said Orochimaru should wait until Foundation Establishment before forming a contract.
• Ye Feng warned Orochimaru that entering Foundation Establishment could be fatal without enough natural energy and showed him a Natural Spirit Stone, prompting Orochimaru to organize a search for more.
• Orochimaru told Ye Feng that Two-Tails chakra could become a small Tailed Beast when infused with its consciousness, and Ye Feng put the chakra away before leaving the laboratory.
• After Ye Feng’s remarks spread among Konoha’s civilians, several residents brought complaints to the Military Police Force, which arrested suspects and investigated the cases impartially.
• The Military Police Force’s handling of the cases encouraged villagers to report more grievances, and crowds filled its lobby and the square outside, with the line extending beyond its grounds.

Uchiha Tianchang secured the Third Hokage’s approval to punish villagers and shinobi involved in wrongdoing, while Ye Feng prepared with Minato Namikaze to trick Gamabunta into providing blood. The chapter ended as Minato summoned Gamabunta to face the masked Ye Feng.

• Uchiha Tianchang told the Third Hokage about the villagers’ complaints, and the Hokage ordered arrests, fines, and compensation for victims.
• The Military Police Force carried out arrests across Konoha, and Uchiha Tianchang handed over implicated Uchiha Chunin and Jonin without favoritism.
• Ye Feng waited for Minato Namikaze, then reassured him that a mask would conceal their identities while they staged a fight to obtain Gamabunta’s blood.
• Ye Feng and Minato Namikaze wrecked the surrounding woods to make their planned battle look convincing.
• Minato Namikaze summoned Gamabunta, who demanded to know why he had been called.