Chapter Summaries

Shira survived Fang and Nighthawk’s combined attack and blocked their planned escape route, forcing the two Jonin to focus on him. He evaded their follow-up techniques while holding out for his teammates to arrive.

• Shira dodged Fang and Nighthawk’s combined attack by slipping between rising earth spikes and kicking Fang’s wrist, then landed near the alley entrance and obstructed their escape route.
• Nighthawk and Fang decided they had to defeat Shira before they could retreat and attacked him with Wind Cutter Technique and Poison Mist Earth Swamp.
• Shira used his speed, enhanced eyes, and nearby cover to evade the wind blades and poison mist instead of counterattacking.
• Shira endured his injuries and exhaustion as he waited for his teammates to finish fighting the Grass Ninja, while the distant battle sounds began to fade.

I Fūgetsu and his teammates defeated Nighthawk and Fang, recovered their intelligence, and prepared to withdraw as Kusagakure forces approached. Shira convinced I Fūgetsu to risk a detour to rescue a captive Uzumaki woman and her daughter, and the squad hurried toward the marketplace.

• I Fūgetsu disrupted Nighthawk with Genjutsu while Arai cut the Chakra pathways in his wrists and Tetsuo incapacitated him.
• I Fūgetsu scattered Fang’s poisonous mist, and Aoi trapped him with steel wires while Tetsuo and Shira brought him down; Arai killed Nighthawk when he resisted capture.
• Aoi confirmed that the squad had recovered the important intelligence, and I Fūgetsu ordered an immediate withdrawal as Grass Ninja approached.
• Shira urged the squad to rescue a captive red-haired Uzumaki woman and her daughter, explaining their potential strategic value.
• After Fang’s remark confirmed the captives’ importance, I Fūgetsu ordered the squad to reach the marketplace and withdraw within five minutes.

Shira and I Fūgetsu’s team infiltrated Kusagakure to rescue Karin and her mother. They escaped the market with both of them as Grass Ninja pursued.

• Shira led the team to the tent where Karin’s mother was tied up and knocked out the Grass Ninja guarding her.
• Shira freed Karin’s mother, but she refused to trust the Sunagakure ninja and resisted their attempt to leave.
• I Fūgetsu used Genjutsu: Peace of Mind to get Karin’s mother to reveal where her daughter was hidden.
• Shira led the team to an abandoned hut and found Karin, then carried her out despite her frightened struggles.
• I Fūgetsu ordered the team to retreat, and they fled toward the village outskirts with Karin and her mother as Grass Ninja gave chase.

I Fūgetsu's squad escaped the Grass Ninja by hiding inside Tetsuo's burrowing Pouch Rock Beast and reaching a remote valley. After Aoi sent a message to Sunagakure for help, Shira collapsed from severe injuries caused by pushing his technique beyond its limits, leaving the squad to guard him and await rescue.

• With Kusagakure's exit blocked and pursuers closing in, I Fūgetsu ordered Tetsuo to summon the Pouch Rock Beast as their escape route.
• Arai, Shira, Karin, Uzumaki Megumi, Aoi, Tetsuo, and I Fūgetsu climbed into the summon’s pouch, and it burrowed underground while Aoi's explosive tags delayed their pursuers.
• The Pouch Rock Beast surfaced in a deserted valley, where I Fūgetsu chose a defensible temporary camp and Aoi sent their coordinates to Sunagakure using a Puppet Communication Insect.
• Shira collapsed after the strain of maintaining Second Activation and carrying Karin, and I Fūgetsu treated his wounds and said he needed rest and a medical-nin.
• Aoi and Arai secured the valley while I Fūgetsu covered Shira with his coat, and the squad waited through the night for a rescue team.

Uzumaki Kei told Aoi and the Sunagakure ninja how she and Karin escaped the fall of the Uzumaki Clan, only to be imprisoned and exploited in Kusagakure. At dawn, Arai spotted Sunagakure reinforcements approaching the valley.

• Aoi asked Uzumaki Kei how she and Karin had ended up in Kusagakure.
• Uzumaki Kei recounted fleeing the Land of Whirlpools, wandering through the Land of Bears, and struggling to survive with Karin.
• Uzumaki Kei explained that Kusagakure ninja lured them with promises of shelter, then imprisoned them and used her ability to restore their Chakra.
• Uzumaki Kei thanked the Sunagakure ninja for rescuing them, while Aoi and Tetsuo helped keep Karin warm through the night.
• Arai spotted Sunagakure reinforcements approaching from the northeast as dawn broke.

After Fang’s neurotoxin left Shira near death, Chiyo treated him in Sunagakure’s hospital and saved his life. Shira awoke to his parents at his bedside after a vivid dream of his former high-school life, still weak and recovering.

• The medical team rushed Shira to Sunagakure after a delayed neurotoxin spread from Fang’s wounds, and Fūgetsu learned that his condition had worsened.
• Rira, Shiya, and Ameno arrived at the hospital, and Chiyo entered the emergency room to treat Shira despite the medical-nin’s objections.
• Chiyo identified the poison as Eerie Blue Viper, used needles and a medicinal paste to draw it out, and said Shira was out of immediate danger but needed prolonged rest and treatment for his lung injury.
• Gaara quietly watched from the hospital corridor before leaving, while Shira’s family and friends waited for him to recover.
• While unconscious, Shira dreamed of playing soccer and spending time with his high-school friends before memories of the shinobi world broke the illusion.
• Shira woke in the hospital with Rira and Shiya beside him, and tears slipped from his eyes as he recognized that he had returned to his dangerous life in Sunagakure.

While recovering from his poisoning in the hospital, Shira turned his enforced bed rest into a chance to study geography, tactics, weapons, and medicinal herbs. He remained weak and unable to train physically, but resolved to use what he learned to survive and fight better.

• Rira and Shiya watched over Shira as he recovered, while villagers and friends sent visits, herbs, and gifts.
• Shira asked Shiya to bring him reading materials, then studied maps, battle accounts, weapons, and medicinal herbs despite the doctor's orders to rest his mind.
• Ebizo visited Shira and shared practical advice about terrain, marching, and the differences between ores used to make Kunai.
• Ameno visited Shira regularly, and they talked about his studies and the skills he needed to survive without Ninjutsu.
• Rani and Fūi brought Shira roasted scorpions and discussed mission tactics, traps, and combat experience with him.
• Shira continued absorbing knowledge while confined to bed and resolved to outwork everyone else during his recovery.

Uzumaki Kei and Karin recovered in Sunagakure’s hospital as Chiyo, Ebizo, and Rasa assured Kei that the village would protect them. Kei agreed that she and Karin would contribute their abilities if doing so helped them live in peace, and she resolved to thank Shira and the others who had rescued them.

• Chiyo examined Uzumaki Kei, gave her medicine to restore her strength, and Ebizo arranged for her care.
• Rasa visited Kei and promised that Sunagakure would take responsibility for her and Karin’s safety and living arrangements.
• Chiyo reminded Rasa that the Uzumaki Clan’s sealing abilities could help Sunagakure with future crises.
• Kei told Rasa that she and Karin wanted a peaceful home and would use their abilities to help if needed.
• After Chiyo and Ebizo left, Kei watched Karin sleep and resolved to thank Shira and the rescuers.

Rasa faced pressure from the Land of Wind’s Daimyo and the Land of Fire to hand Uzumaki Kei and Karin over to Kusagakure. He and Sunagakure’s leaders weighed the village’s need for the Uzumaki Clan against the threat of funding cuts, and the meeting was interrupted by a knock at the door.

• Rasa read demands from the daimyo and the Land of Fire to transfer Uzumaki Kei and Karin to Kusagakure.
• An adviser warned that refusing could cost Sunagakure more than twenty percent of its funding and mission quota.
• Rasa argued that losing the Uzumaki Clan’s Sealing Jutsu would threaten the village’s strategic interests.
• Chiyo and Ebizo said Sunagakure needed a defensible reason to keep Kei and Karin without provoking the daimyo or the Land of Fire.
• Someone knocked softly on the Kazekage's Office door.

Uzumaki Kei proposed giving Sunagakure her Sealing Jutsu knowledge in exchange for protection and ordinary-villager status for herself and Karin. Rasa accepted the plan in principle, leaving the details and diplomatic response to be handled next.

• An Anbu Ninja told Rasa that Uzumaki Kei wanted to meet him and the elders with a proposal about whether she and Karin would stay or leave.
• Uzumaki Kei offered to compile her Sealing Jutsu knowledge for Sunagakure if she and Karin could live peacefully as protected war orphans with the rights and duties of ordinary villagers.
• Uzumaki Kei explained that her knowledge covered basic barriers, Chakra-sealing runes, and techniques for suppressing destructive creatures.
• Rasa agreed to the proposal in principle, welcoming Uzumaki Kei and Karin as formal members of Sunagakure.
• Rasa assigned Ebizo to discuss the details and said he would handle the daimyo's residence and the Land of Fire.

After his discharge, Shira collected the rewards for his completed A-rank mission and learned that the Uzumaki mother and daughter had been formally accepted as Sunagakure villagers. He left for home feeling the weight of his responsibilities as he recovered.

• Shira left the hospital after a month, with his doctor forbidding high-intensity Taijutsu training for three months.
• At the mission submission office, Kashina confirmed Shira's A-rank mission completion and gave him money, supplies, an armory discount, and a chance to seek guidance from a Special Jōnin.
• Kashina told Shira that Fang had been executed three days earlier with the Kazekage's approval.
• Shira read the Kazekage's Office announcement confirming that the Uzumaki mother and daughter had become Sunagakure villagers despite the Land of Wind Daimyo cutting funding.
• Ameno congratulated Shira on his A-rank mission and told him the Uzumaki mother and daughter had been settled in a courtyard in the village.
• Shira said he hoped the Uzumaki mother and daughter could live peacefully, then walked home with a sense of responsibility.

Shira used his mission reward to learn weapons basics from Instructor Kenmei, who identified flaws in Shira’s swordsmanship and began training him. Shira left exhausted but eager to continue, with lessons scheduled every three days.

• Shira practiced swordsmanship and told Ameno he wanted to improve his ability to fight opponents with weapons and at midrange.
• Shira showed Instructor Kenmei his basic sword movements, and Kenmei pointed out his unstable footwork, erratic breathing, and lack of intent.
• Kenmei demonstrated how to coordinate breathing, body movement, and the sword, and Shira’s thrust became slightly steadier when he imitated him.
• Kenmei trained Shira in thrusts, parries, and footwork, making him repeat a straight thrust hundreds of times.
• Kenmei told Shira to return every three days, and Shira thanked him, convinced the lesson had been worth his reward.

While helping Granny Chiyo sort herbs, Shira heard about the ruins of Rōran and remembered that the Dragon Vein could connect different points in time. He considered using it to change the past but recognized that finding and controlling it could be deadly, and kept the possibility secret.

• Granny Chiyo read aloud about Rōran and its supposed Dragon Vein, which could enable travel through time and space.
• Shira recognized the Dragon Vein from a movie and realized that Rōran existed in the Land of Wind's desert.
• Shira wondered whether he could use the Dragon Vein to return to the past and prevent tragedies.
• Shira considered the dangers of finding and controlling the Dragon Vein, including being killed or trapped in another era.
• Shira hid his excitement, continued sorting herbs, and kept Rōran in mind as a distant possibility.

After a vivid dream showed him the events of The Lost Tower and identified Mukade as a Sunagakure puppeteer, Shira woke convinced the future villain might already be nearby. He resolved to watch for Mukade, though he had no evidence to act on.

• Shira went to sleep exhausted after training and helping around the village.
• In a vivid dream, Shira watched Naruto and Minato confront Mukade over the Dragon Vein at Rōran.
• Shira woke at dawn and realized the dream had identified Mukade as a Sunagakure missing-nin.
• Shira feared Mukade might already know Rōran’s secret and decided to keep an eye on him.

Shira recalled how Mukade had activated the Dragon Vein and realized he would need Mukade’s help to travel through time and access its power. He resolved to spend the years before Mukade’s plan strengthening himself and learning how to survive.

• Shira remembered that activating the Dragon Vein required a formula, an incantation, and Chakra, all of which he lacked.
• Shira concluded he would have to rely on Mukade, though Mukade might kill him if he learned Shira knew his secret.
• Shira considered using a fraction of the Dragon Vein’s power to increase his Chakra and advance the Seven Heavens Breathing Method.
• Shira decided he had several years to prepare before Mukade acted and planned to improve his combat skills, tactics, and ability to stay alive.
• Shira went to the training ground, determined to grow strong enough to evade Mukade and seize his chance.

Shira went to the Sakugutsu Clan compound to challenge Saya and overcome the humiliation of her Curse Puppet controlling him before. He declared his challenge to Saya at the gates, and their confrontation was about to begin.

• Shira completed a weighted run and decided to test his improved strength against Saya and her Curse Puppet.
• Shira arrived at the Sakugutsu Clan compound and trained outside its gates while two gatekeepers watched him warily.
• Saya came out of the compound carrying her Curse Puppet and demanded to know why Shira was waiting outside.
• Shira told Saya he had come to challenge her and wipe away his past humiliation.

Shira challenged Saya at the Sakugutsu Clan compound and faced Sana and Mamushi before she could use her doll-control technique. After quickly overpowering Mamushi and evading Sana’s tactics, he charged Saya, but the fight left him caught between their attacks and her approaching Mind Puppet Thread.

• Saya led Shira to a secluded training ground and called Sana and Mamushi to fight him.
• Mamushi attacked with venomous snakes, but Shira dodged them, seized them, and struck Mamushi with a sweeping kick.
• Sana used Sand Barrier and Sand Clone to help Mamushi counterattack, but Shira broke Mamushi’s wrist with a backward elbow.
• Shira noticed Saya’s chakra thread reaching toward fallen hair and charged at her to prevent her from controlling him.
• Sana summoned Sand Prison and a sand wall as Mamushi attacked again, while Saya prepared to latch her Mind Puppet Thread onto Shira.

Shira defeated Mamushi with an elbow strike and repelled Saya’s mind-control technique by overpowering her mentally. Saya withdrew with Sana and her guards, leaving Shira to take the injured Mamushi to the hospital.

• Sana covered Mamushi in Sand Armor, but Shira ducked through his grasp and shattered the armor with a powerful elbow strike.
• Saya used a strand of Shira’s hair to activate her Curse Puppet Dance, drawing him into her mental world.
• Shira unleashed his mental power, breaking Saya’s control and forcing her consciousness out of his mind.
• Saya suffered a mental backlash, and she stopped her guards from attacking Shira before leaving with Sana.
• Shira found Mamushi still injured on the training ground and offered to take him to the hospital.

Shira asked Granny Chiyo to test his Chakra attributes and discovered that lightning and fire were his main affinities, with a faint water trait. He resolved to forge a way to combine lightning and fire with the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, leaving him eager to develop his Taijutsu.

• Shira questioned whether his fighting style needed more options and decided to find out his Chakra attributes.
• Shira visited Granny Chiyo and asked her to test his Chakra with Chakra Paper.
• The paper crumpled, burned, and grew damp at the edges, revealing Shira's lightning and fire attributes and a weak water trait.
• Granny Chiyo warned Shira that no ready-made Taijutsu techniques existed for those attributes and cautioned him against copying the Raikage's Lightning Release Armor.
• Shira decided to use the Seven Heavens Breathing Method as his equivalent of Hand Seals and explore ways to apply lightning and fire to his attacks.

Shira trained through Sunagakure’s bitter winter, pushing past his fears and exhaustion to become stronger. He applied for a B-rank caravan escort mission to Konoha, eager for the chance to meet Rock Lee.

• Shira continued his physical, sword, and throwing practice despite the freezing weather and biting wind.
• During breaks, Shira worried that he might fail to avert tragedy or protect the people he cared about, then turned his fear into motivation to train.
• After finishing his morning routine, Shira went to the mission office to find work that would sharpen his combat skills and earn money.
• Shira spotted a B-rank mission escorting a caravan from Sunagakure to Konoha and became excited at the prospect of seeing Rock Lee.
• Shira asked the Chunin staff member to register him for the escort mission.