Recaps

After dying on Blue Star, Ye Zitong awoke in Sunagakure as the six-year-old Shira, a boy rejected by the Ninja Academy for his lack of ninja talent. Shira began training to pursue Taijutsu, met the lonely Gaara, and learned that the Academy had unexpectedly offered him a trial place.

• Ye Zitong's soul swapped with Shira's, and he awoke in the Naruto world, where village children mocked Shira for failing to enter the Ninja Academy.
• Shira defended himself from the children and returned home to his merchant parents, then decided to build his strength through Taijutsu rather than Ninjutsu or Genjutsu.
• Shira trained in the desert, tried the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, and stopped when it made him dizzy.
• Gaara told Shira he had nowhere to go, and Shira invited him to train together the next morning.
• Shira's mother told him the Ninja Academy had offered him a trial place, leading him to suspect his meeting with Gaara had prompted the decision.

Shira took Gaara to see the Ninja Academy, where the children ostracized them and Shira shielded Gaara from their taunts. Gaara returned home delighted to have found a friend, while Yashamaru feared that the Fourth Kazekage would see their bond as a threat.

• Shira and Gaara trained together, then Shira invited Gaara to watch the Ninja Academy from outside.
• At the Academy, the children shunned Gaara and mocked Shira, while Temari and Kankuro distanced themselves from Gaara.
• Gaara began to stir sand in anger, but Shira held his hand, stood in front of him, and led him away after taunting the children.
• Shira took Gaara home and returned alone to train harder in the Seven Heavens Breathing Method.
• Gaara told Yashamaru that Shira was his friend and asked whether Shira's kindness meant he loved him.
• Yashamaru encouraged Gaara's hope but worried that the Fourth Kazekage would not allow him to have a friend.

After confronting children over Gaara, Shira feared the Kazekage might target him and sought Chiyo’s protection. Chiyo heard his appeal and let him discuss Taijutsu with her, giving him a chance to earn her interest and buy time.

• Shira worried that Rasa might eliminate him for drawing attention to Gaara and decided he needed influential protection.
• Shira went to Chiyo’s home and initially claimed he wanted advice about Taijutsu training.
• Chiyo saw through his pretext, and Shira admitted he feared consequences after meeting Gaara and asked her to show concern if anything happened to him.
• Chiyo agreed to hear Shira’s Taijutsu questions, and their discussion revealed that he had seriously considered training his body.
• Chiyo sent Shira away for the night, while he concluded that he had planted enough interest in her to give himself time to prove his potential.

Shira learned that his poor Chakra control prevented him from using Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, or Puppet Technique, so he committed himself to pursuing Taijutsu and finding a way to burn Chakra internally. He ended the day by writing down his understanding of Chakra and how it might fuel his Seven Heavens Breathing Method.

• Shira and Gaara trained together in the desert, then agreed to meet at the same time the next morning.
• At the Ninja Academy, Shira learned about Chakra control and realized his control was too poor to perform ordinary techniques or Puppet Technique.
• Shira resolved to focus on Taijutsu, using lessons in anatomy, tactics, ninja tools, and survival to support that path.
• After school, Shira trained alone and decided that he needed to learn to use Chakra internally rather than release it precisely.
• At home, Shira wrote notes linking Chakra, the Eight Gates Released Formation, and his Seven Heavens Breathing Method before falling asleep.

Shira sought a way to improve his nutrition without burdening his struggling parents, and began trading labor for discarded medicinal herbs from Chiyo. The scraps became a useful supplement for his training, and he planned to keep turning work and knowledge into resources.

• Shira realized his intense training required more food than his family could afford, so he decided to earn resources himself.
• After finding discarded sea buckthorn near Chiyo's residence, Shira asked to trade courtyard work for the medicinal scraps.
• Shira cleaned and sorted Chiyo's courtyard, then crushed the sea buckthorn and found its juice gave him a faint boost.
• Shira returned daily to trade chores for medicinal scraps, which he used to make muscle ointment and supplements for his food.
• Shira's training and appetite improved, and he reassured his mother while keeping his new source of nutrition secret.

At the Ninja Academy, Shira failed to perform the Substitution Technique but refused to give up, turning instead to relentless physical training. Ameno watched his perseverance with growing admiration, thinking of Hakiro as the lesson continued.

• The teacher explained the Substitution Technique, and Temari and Kankuro managed clumsy first attempts that earned approval.
• Shira repeatedly failed to control his Chakra well enough to substitute the log, while some boys mocked him.
• Ameno approached Shira with gentle encouragement, and he vowed to work far harder than others to overcome his weakness.
• Shira moved on to strenuous physical exercises, training alone after the other children began to rest and play.
• Ameno kept watching Shira with admiration and thought, “Hakiro, you...”

Rasa learned that Gaara had been training with Shira and ordered surveillance, warning that Shira would be eliminated if he threatened Gaara’s stability. Meanwhile, Yashamaru encouraged Gaara’s friendship with Shira while privately fearing it would put them both in danger.

• An Anbu Ninja reported to Rasa that Gaara trained each morning with Shira, a civilian student whose admission had drawn Ebizo’s interest.
• Rasa judged Gaara’s lack of fear around Shira to be a threat and ordered Shira kept under observation, with instructions to eliminate him if he influenced Gaara negatively.
• Rasa ordered increased surveillance of Gaara and the recording of his emotional changes and unusual behavior.
• Yashamaru asked Gaara about training with Shira, and Gaara said he enjoyed it and admired Shira’s perseverance.
• Yashamaru encouraged Gaara to view Shira as a friend while privately worrying that the bond would draw Rasa’s scrutiny.

Temari and Kankuro confronted Shira about training with Gaara and warned him to keep his distance. Shira rejected their fear-driven isolation of Gaara and vowed to keep training with him and help him remain stable.

• Temari and Kankuro stopped Shira after school and questioned him about spending time with Gaara.
• Temari warned Shira that Rasa had noticed him and told him not to influence Gaara or risk provoking a dangerous incident.
• Shira accused Temari and Kankuro of fearing and isolating their younger brother, which could deepen Gaara's loneliness and make him more dangerous.
• Temari and Kankuro recalled how they had once played happily with Gaara before Rasa's plan changed their relationship.
• Shira said he would continue training with Gaara and treat him as a friend, then walked past Temari and Kankuro toward the training ground.

Unable to afford proper ninja tools, Shira asked Chiyo for discarded metal and fashioned crude training equipment from her scrap. He began training with the improvised weights and projectiles, while Chiyo occasionally offered useful advice.

• Shira asked his parents for a training Kunai, but his mother explained that it was too expensive and shops would not sell one to a child.
• Shira asked Chiyo for discarded puppet parts and metal offcuts so he could make training equipment, and she let him take what he wanted.
• Shira rummaged through the scrap, grinding metal against rock and binding heavy parts with Chakra Threads to make rough weapons and weights.
• Chiyo corrected Shira about which materials to use and gave him discarded Chakra Threads for his makeshift weights.
• Shira began running and training in a weighted vest, swinging a scrap dumbbell, and throwing rough metal pieces at a target as Chiyo watched.

After learning about Chakra natures, Shira asked Chiyo how a Taijutsu fighter could counter them. Chiyo gave him practical advice for facing each nature, leaving Shira with clear training goals focused on speed, explosive movement, and strength.

• Shira studied the strengths and weaknesses of the Chakra natures and wrote down basic countermeasures.
• Shira visited Chiyo and asked her to teach him how to counter Ninjutsu because he could not use it himself.
• Chiyo tested Shira with questions about dealing with Fire Style and water traps, then explained how to respond to each Chakra nature.
• Chiyo warned Shira that his counters would only work if he could run, jump, and hit hard enough.
• Shira left Chiyo's courtyard determined to train his dodging speed, short-range bursts, and strength to break free of restraints.

At seven years old, Shira had earned his classmates’ admiration through a year of relentless training and built a quiet friendship with Ameno. Chiyo gave him proper training kunai and shuriken, and Shira left resolved to keep pursuing his distant goal.

• Shira continued his intense training at the Ninja Academy, and his classmates replaced their ridicule with admiration and friendly greetings.
• Koji offered Shira water, and a classmate asked about his breathing method; Shira answered without revealing its secrets.
• Ameno practiced water-nature chakra near Shira and shared her frustrations, strengthening their friendship.
• Temari and Kankuro watched Shira train without their former expressions of rejection and warning.
• Chiyo taught Shira about medicinal herbs and gave him a bag of polished old kunai and shuriken.
• Shira thanked Chiyo and walked home, recognizing that his hard work had earned him respect and kindness.

After training, Shira helped his parents at their Sunagakure snack shop and used ingredients and spices to create new filled flatbreads. His pies became popular with customers, giving the family’s business a boost and Shira another way to contribute to his new life.

• Shira returned from training to his parents’ snack shop and took over kneading dough to help his father.
• Shira asked his mother to let him experiment with new fillings using spices he claimed to have obtained through Chiyo.
• After several burned batches, Shira made savory pies with spiced meat and vegetables, and a customer praised them enthusiastically.
• Shira’s parents tried the pies after closing and thanked him for helping the family despite his demanding training.
• Shira’s Home began serving occasional special pies and snacks that attracted food lovers and curious ninja.

Shira trained with Gaara under constant surveillance and stopped himself from offering him food, fearing Rasa’s Anbu would interpret it as a threat. The chapter ended with the boys sharing a quiet moment of encouragement as Shira resolved to appear useful and harmless to Gaara’s watchers.

• Shira considered bringing Gaara food, then realized that Rasa’s surveillance made the gesture too dangerous.
• Shira concealed his concern and redirected Gaara’s attention to continuing their training.
• After training, Shira stopped Gaara and encouraged him with a firm pat on the shoulder and a promise to meet again.
• Gaara responded quietly and walked away with his back a little straighter.
• Shira recognized that their watchers had recorded the exchange and decided to keep demonstrating his value as a harmless influence on Gaara.

Shira realized that his friendship with Gaara might alter Rasa’s decisions and prevent the events that originally led to Rasa’s death. He resolved to keep Rasa and Sunagakure stable while growing stronger and watching for signs of the Sound Ninja’s plans.

• Shira reflected on how his friendship had made Gaara seem more emotionally stable than in the original story.
• Shira feared that Gaara’s improved stability might make Rasa less likely to accept Orochimaru’s alliance and travel to Konoha, leaving Rasa alive but changing the future.
• Shira concluded that Rasa’s death could plunge Sunagakure into chaos and put Shira and his family in danger.
• Shira decided to show Rasa that he benefited Gaara and the village, while building his own value through Taijutsu training.
• Shira resolved to watch for signs of the Sound Ninja or the Konoha Crush Plan and to become strong enough to protect himself and influence events.

Shira reflected on Rasa’s cruel treatment of Gaara and recognized that he had to preserve his precarious role while gaining strength to protect them. He ended the night wondering why he did not have a system.

• Shira recalled how Rasa’s flawed seal and repeated assassination tests had made Gaara’s life dangerous and unstable.
• Shira was most angered by Rasa sending Yashamaru to attempt to kill Gaara and destroy his last bond of trust.
• Shira felt relieved that his intervention had prevented Yashamaru’s assassination attempt, leaving Gaara with a faint capacity for happiness.
• Shira resolved to keep Rasa viewing him as useful but insignificant while training harder to gain enough strength to challenge him.
• Shira looked at the desert night sky and wondered why he did not have a system.

Shira tried to influence Rasa indirectly through Chiyo and Ebizo, arguing that frightening Gaara could worsen his condition while companionship and training seemed to help. Rasa postponed Gaara’s next adaptation test and ordered continued surveillance.

• Shira hinted to Chiyo that repeatedly provoking Gaara could make him more unstable, while physical training and rest appeared to calm him.
• Chiyo recognized Shira’s indirect appeal but told him that Rasa would decide how to handle Gaara.
• Ebizo relayed Shira’s analogies to Rasa and noted that Gaara’s mood and Shukaku’s activity had improved during training with Shira.
• Rasa weighed the surveillance reports against the costly, ineffective tests and postponed Gaara’s adaptation test scheduled for the following week.
• Rasa kept surveillance unchanged and ordered Anbu to monitor the connection between Gaara’s emotions and Shukaku’s activity.

After learning that the Uchiha Clan had been massacred, Shira arranged to travel with his parents to the Land of Rivers so he could reach Konoha and seek guidance from Might Guy. He left Sunagakure with the caravan, leaving Gaara behind and setting out toward the Land of Fire.

• Shira overheard Chunin say that the Uchiha Clan had been wiped out and realized the events he knew were moving forward.
• Shira persuaded his parents to take him on their next supply trip to the market in the Land of Rivers, near the Land of Fire.
• Shira obtained a short leave from the Ninja Academy to help his family on the trip.
• Shira told Gaara he would be away for a few days and urged him to continue his morning training.
• Shira departed Sunagakure with his parents' caravan, determined to seek out Might Guy.

Shira traveled with his family’s caravan through the Land of Rivers while secretly training with the Seven Heavens Breathing Method. When raiders attacked and threatened the merchants, Shira revealed his speed and activated the method’s First Activation.

• Shira practiced the Seven Heavens Breathing Method as the caravan traveled through the borderlands with Rani and Fūi guarding it.
• Rani and Fūi warned the caravan about raiders, and their fears came true when rocks blocked both ends of a canyon.
• Scarface demanded the caravan’s goods and money, while Rani raised an Earth-Style Wall and used Great Breakthrough against the attackers.
• Fūi deployed his puppet to protect the merchants as bandits attacked from the flank, and Shira’s parents pulled him behind them.
• When a bandit swung at a merchant, Shira sprang from behind a wagon and activated the Seven Heavens Breathing Method’s First Activation.

Seven-year-old Shira activated the first level of the Seven Heavens Breathing Method and fought off several bandits with startling speed and strength. As the bandit chief broke free and stabbed at Shira from behind, the fight remained unresolved.

• Shira activated the First Activation of the Seven Heavens Breathing Method and knocked the first bandit unconscious.
• The bandit chief ordered two more bandits to attack Shira, while Fūi tried to help with his puppet.
• Shira broke one bandit's arm with a punch and staggered another with a spinning back kick.
• The scar-faced bandit chief appeared behind Shira and stabbed at his back with a Kunai.

Shira helped defeat the bandits by using the Seven Heavens Breathing Method and fighting alongside Rani and Fūi. After the caravan was saved, Shira resolved to continue pursuing the pinnacle of Taijutsu.

• Shira dodged Scarface's attack and kicked him, creating an opening for Fūi's puppet and Rani's Earth Release to capture him.
• The remaining bandits surrendered after their chief was restrained, ending the battle.
• Rani and Fūi praised Shira's speed, strength, and unusual Chakra, but Shira avoided explaining his abilities.
• Shira's parents embraced him, and the caravan members gathered around to thank and marvel at him.
• Shira recognized the power of the Seven Heavens Breathing Method and strengthened his resolve to reach the pinnacle of Taijutsu.

After Shira defeated the bandits to protect the caravan, Rani and Fūi reported his unknown power to Sunagakure’s intelligence department. As the caravan continued toward the Land of Rivers, Shira prepared for questions from the village while his name reached Fourth Kazekage Rasa and the elder advisors.

• Rani and Fūi bound the surviving bandits, treated their injuries, and sent a message to the nearest outpost.
• Rani and Fūi agreed to report Shira’s extraordinary power and described his actions as justified self-defense in their written report.
• Rani warned Shira that village officials might question him after their return and promised that he and Fūi would support him.
• The caravan resumed its journey, and its merchants and guards began treating Shira with gratitude and respect.
• Shira reflected on his First Activation and its strain as a report about him traveled through Sunagakure’s intelligence network to Fourth Kazekage Rasa and the elder advisors.

At a marketplace near the Land of Rivers, Shira unexpectedly encountered the young Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi while searching for Konoha ninja. Their brief meeting eased his nerves about visiting Konoha and made him wonder whether he might also meet Might Guy.

• Shira explored the marketplace while his parents traded and Rani and Fūi watched for suspicious activity.
• Shira spotted Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi buying snacks and recognized them as Konoha students.
• Choji chose three-colored dango while Shikamaru showed brief curiosity about Shira before dismissing him as trouble.
• Yoshino Nara called Shikamaru and Choji back, and the boys left without speaking to Shira.
• Shira reflected on the encounter, felt calmer about going to Konoha, and wondered if he could meet Might Guy.

Shira searched a bookstore in the Land of Rivers for clues about Konoha ninjas and found Kakashi Hatake. He used his interest in training to ask about Might Guy, and Kakashi questioned him about why he wanted to find Guy.

• Shira entered a large bookstore while looking for signs of Konoha ninjas.
• He recognized Kakashi Hatake by his silver hair and mask, and realized Kakashi could lead him to Might Guy.
• Shira pretended to browse, knocked books from a shelf, and muttered that he wanted to find the powerful taijutsu user Might Guy.
• Kakashi noticed Shira's unusual remark, closed his book, and asked what he wanted with Might Guy.

Shira questioned Kakashi about Might Guy, pretending to be a young Taijutsu practitioner seeking guidance. Kakashi warned him about the risks of asking after a Konoha Jonin, and Shira left with clues to Guy’s whereabouts and a plan to find him.

• Shira told Kakashi that he wanted Might Guy to teach him Taijutsu.
• Kakashi pointed Shira toward Konoha’s training grounds and warned that a Sunagakure visitor asking about a Jonin could be arrested as a spy.
• Shira acted frightened and apologized, easing some of Kakashi’s suspicion.
• Shira left the bookstore, resolved to persuade his parents to shop near the Land of Fire border and slip away to find Might Guy.

Shira arranged a detour to a border market so he could slip away from his caravan and search near the Valley of the End for Might Guy. After sneaking into the forest, he heard a loud shout nearby.

• Shira convinced his parents and Rani and Fūi to detour to a market near the Land of Fire's border.
• He chose the area near the Valley of the End and prepared a disguise and a cover story in case Konoha Ninja questioned him.
• At the market, Shira told his mother he would search the nearby valley for the rare spice and slipped into the woods.
• Shira moved quietly toward the Valley of the End while using the Seven Heavens Breathing Method to suppress his presence.
• Just as Shira considered turning back, he heard someone shout, "Ha!!!"