Chapter Summaries

Ayato’s training with Rock Lee and his repeated entry into the tranquil state he named the Void State sharpened his perception of Chakra. By observing wind and lightning within his own Chakra, he advanced his Chakra Shape Transformation and successfully created a compressed Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.

• Ayato practiced taijutsu with Rock Lee and gradually learned to enter the tranquil state more easily and for longer.
• While nearing the state, Ayato sensed the Chakra flowing through Rock Lee and realized the state could reveal Chakra rather than Natural Energy alone.
• Ayato used the state to observe his own Chakra and clearly perceive its wind and lightning attributes.
• Ayato formed hand seals and used Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, compressing its wind into a focused blast resembling an Air Cannon.
• Ayato named the tranquil state the Void State and resolved to keep developing it.

Ayato considered how to develop a safer Lightning Release technique to strengthen and recover his body, but decided that research was impractical for him. After using electric arcs to relieve his fatigue, he planned to combine the method with his training.

• Ayato thought about Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode and concluded that he could only attempt a weaker version of body strengthening.
• Ayato considered reverse-engineering the secret technique through forbidden experiments but ruled out becoming a researcher because he lacked time, resources, and a willingness to cross moral lines.
• Ayato used electric arcs on himself to ease the fatigue caused by training.
• Ayato ran out of chakra but noticed that his body had recovered faster, so he planned to practice shape transformation in the Void State and use his remaining chakra to massage his tired body.

Ayato found that the Void State and Lightning Release Massage improved his chakra control, body, and chakra reserves, prompting Might Guy to revise his training plan. He agreed to massage Rock Lee, but Lee felt pain almost immediately, leaving Ayato puzzled about why the treatment affected him so differently.

• Ayato noted that the Void State was sharpening his perception and shape transformation, while Lightning Release Massage was strengthening his body and increasing his chakra reserves.
• Might Guy learned about Ayato’s progress, recognized his ninjutsu talent, and rearranged his training plan.
• Might Guy asked Ayato to use Lightning Release Massage on Rock Lee, and Ayato agreed.
• Ayato warned Rock Lee to tell him to stop as soon as the Lightning Release Chakra caused pain.
• Rock Lee called for Ayato to stop before the massage went far, and Ayato wondered why Lee’s response was so different from his own.

Ayato discovered that Rock Lee’s pain during the Lightning Release massage likely came from Lee’s lack of lightning affinity, and offered to keep helping him while improving his own Chakra control. After Ayato left, Might Guy urged Lee to push his training beyond his limits so he could help Ayato and pursue his own goals.

• Ayato tested Rock Lee’s reaction to his lightning and concluded that Lee’s lack of lightning affinity likely caused the pain.
• Ayato blamed his imprecise Chakra control and promised to massage Rock Lee every day, while Lee tearfully thanked him.
• Ayato left for home, and Rock Lee continued training before Might Guy arrived.
• Rock Lee told Might Guy that Ayato’s massage had not helped and asked how he could repay Ayato.
• Might Guy encouraged Rock Lee to intensify his training, even at the risk of damaging his body, and Lee enthusiastically agreed.

Ayato earned perfect marks on the midterm exam, drawing the attention of his classmates and leaving Naruto encouraged but worried about his own grades. The chapter ended with Sasuke Uchiha standing before Ayato as their classmates watched.

• Ayato told Sinai that he expected to have done well on the midterm exam.
• Iruka announced Ayato's perfect scores and urged the class to learn from him, while classmates questioned how the usually inconspicuous Ayato had placed first.
• Sasuke Uchiha blamed himself for falling behind, and Sakura's overall score surpassed his because of her stronger theoretical knowledge.
• Naruto congratulated Ayato, who encouraged him to keep trying, while Shikamaru complained that Ayato's high physical education standards had nearly made him fail.
• After class, classmates crowded around Ayato, who ignored them and read until Sasuke Uchiha approached him.

After Sasuke declared that he would surpass him, Ayato reflected on Sasuke, the Uchiha Clan, and Konoha’s worsening tensions. He concluded that the Uchiha Clan Massacre was likely near but chose not to interfere, focusing instead on protecting himself and Sinai.

• Sasuke told Ayato that he would surpass him next time, then returned to his seat.
• Ayato considered Sasuke’s pride, ambition, and desire for revenge, and compared his own views with his childhood dislike of Sasuke.
• Ayato thought about Itachi’s actions and resolved that he would retaliate against Konoha if anyone harmed Sinai, though he had no plans to betray the village.
• Ayato suspected the Uchiha Clan Massacre would happen soon but decided not to get involved or risk Sinai’s safety.
• Ayato speculated that Danzo had made reconciliation between the Uchiha and Konoha nearly impossible, then stopped himself from dwelling on events he could not verify.

Ayato handled the attention that came with taking first place, then showed Sinai his perfect scores. When she offered him a reward, he asked for ninjutsu but accepted that their family could not afford it, leaving Sinai to plan a handmade sweater instead.

• After the crowd dispersed, Ayato told Ino he had ignored everyone on purpose, and she promised to keep it secret.
• Naruto and Shikamaru returned to their seats, and Shikamaru wondered whether Ayato had noticed he held back on the written test.
• Ayato kept up his training routine after school before handing Sinai his score sheet.
• Sinai saw Ayato's perfect marks and first-place ranking, then offered him a reward.
• Ayato asked for ninjutsu, but Sinai could not afford any, so he declined another reward and Sinai decided to knit him a sweater.

After the Midterm Exam, Naruto invited Ayato to visit his home on the next day off, and Ayato accepted while planning to avoid attracting attention. After school, Ayato saw Ino approach a lonely Sakura as he headed to training.

• Naruto nervously invited Ayato to his home, and Ayato accepted, asking Naruto for the address and arranging a time to visit alone.
• Ayato considered the attention from villagers and the risks involving Root, but decided the visit was safe and socially normal.
• Ino overheard the invitation, questioned whether Naruto was all right to visit, and accepted Ayato's judgment that Naruto was a good friend.
• After school, Ino noticed Sakura looking lonely and went over to talk with her.
• Ayato watched Ino and Sakura begin talking, reflected on their future friendship, and continued toward the Training Ground for his daily training.

Ayato visited Naruto at his home and tried to help him with his studies after discovering he had no plans or games prepared. The visit ended with Ayato realizing Naruto understood almost none of his textbook and regretting offering to tutor him.

• Naruto arrived early and led Ayato to the remote home where he lived alone.
• Ayato found Naruto’s house tidy and asked what he wanted to do, but Naruto had no plans or toys.
• Ayato suggested studying during the vacation, and Naruto reluctantly brought out his textbook.
• Ayato found expired milk in Naruto’s refrigerator and explained that he should drink the cartons at the back first.
• Ayato asked what Naruto did not understand in the textbook and discovered that Naruto understood almost none of it.

Ayato abandoned tutoring Naruto with written tests and took him to a forest clearing to train through combat. Naruto endured Ayato’s beating to prove he would not give up his first friend, and Ayato considered using Naruto’s recovery to strengthen him further.

• After seeing Naruto’s poor test results, Ayato decided to teach him through physical training instead of theory.
• Ayato challenged Naruto to attack him, warning that he could not become a ninja or Hokage if he could not fight.
• Naruto attacked with surprising speed, strength, and endurance, while Ayato defended until Naruto was exhausted.
• Ayato struck Naruto while avoiding vital areas, and Naruto kept standing because he feared losing his only friend.
• Naruto landed a final powerless punch, and Ayato reassured him that they were still friends before catching him as he collapsed.
• Ayato considered using Naruto’s healing from the Nine-Tails’ Chakra to strengthen his body through repeated training.

Ayato apologized to Naruto for pushing him too hard and explained why he had knocked him out, then began teaching him physical training. Ayato agreed to check on Naruto’s training in the future, and they ended the day sharing Naruto’s treasured instant noodles.

• Naruto woke up at home and remembered Ayato had knocked him unconscious after he pushed himself during training.
• Ayato apologized for making Naruto feel that he had to prove himself to remain his friend, then explained that he had acted out of concern.
• Ayato warned Naruto not to train past his limits and taught him physical movements, finding that Naruto learned them more easily than theory.
• Ayato reflected that he trusted Iruka and Might Guy and relied more on his memories of people’s personalities than on the plot.
• Naruto asked Ayato to visit again, and Ayato agreed to check on his training when he had time.
• Naruto invited Ayato to share his treasured Special Edition Pork Bone Instant Noodles, and Ayato stayed to eat with him.

Naruto was bullied by upperclassmen after being late, and Ayato and several classmates hurried to help him. Naruto fought back but was knocked down and surrounded, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Ino told Ayato that upperclassmen were bullying Naruto behind the school playground, and Ayato sent her to find Iruka Sensei before rushing out.
• Shikamaru persuaded Kiba to help Naruto, then went with Choji; Sasuke, Shino, and Hinata also left the classroom to head toward the playground.
• Ayato dispelled his Shadow Clone, learned Naruto was in trouble, and sprinted back to the school from his training ground.
• Naruto took a shortcut to school, nearly collided with an upperclassman, and was mocked as a monster.
• Naruto charged at the upperclassmen but was knocked down and surrounded as they continued mocking him.

Naruto's classmates confronted older students who were bullying him, and Ayato arrived late and turned the fight around. The chapter ended with Ayato apologizing to Iruka after defeating the bullies.

• Naruto was beaten by older students, and Kiba, Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, Sasuke, and Hinata came to help him.
• The first graders fought back but were overwhelmed by the older students' size and experience.
• Ayato arrived and quickly defeated the older students, while Naruto and his classmates watched in surprise.
• Ayato chased down the last fleeing student, beat him, and threw him beside the others.
• Iruka approached angrily, and Ayato smiled and apologized for causing trouble.

Ayato and the other children defended Naruto, and Iruka reassured him that he had done nothing wrong. After the Third Hokage observed the aftermath, a fourth-grade teacher arrived and accused Iruka of attacking his students, leaving Ayato to face the confrontation.

• Ayato asked Naruto to explain how the fourth-grade students had bullied him, and Iruka confirmed that Naruto had done nothing wrong.
• Naruto cried as Iruka and the other children showed their support, while Ayato watched happily.
• The Third Hokage watched from a rooftop and learned that Ayato had defeated the fourth-grade students, then ordered the Anbu to keep watching.
• The fourth-grade teacher accused Iruka of attacking his students, but Iruka insisted that Ayato had beaten them.
• Ayato stepped forward to face the angry teacher as Naruto worried that he had caused trouble for everyone.

Ayato stood up for Naruto after defeating the students who had bullied him, and insisted they apologize despite Kawauchi Sensei's objections. The students apologized, and Naruto left determined to grow strong enough to stand up for himself.

• Ayato told Kawauchi Sensei that he had defeated the students and Iruka explained why the fight had started.
• Kawauchi Sensei's students admitted that Ayato's account was true, but Kawauchi Sensei questioned whether they needed to apologize to Naruto.
• Ayato challenged Kawauchi Sensei to take the matter to the principal, and Iruka supported Ayato's demand for an apology.
• Kawauchi Sensei ordered his students to apologize to Naruto before leaving with them.
• Ayato told Naruto that he would need to rely on his own strength in the future, and Naruto vowed to do so.
• Naruto helped Kiba back toward class as the children laughed together.

After Ayato protected Naruto from bullies, his reputation as the First Grade Demon King spread through the Ninja Academy, prompting the Third Hokage to reject Danzo’s attempt to recruit him into Root. At home, Sinai accepted Ayato’s friendship with Naruto and gave him a handmade sweater for his exam.

• Ino learned why Ayato had escaped the fight uninjured, while students crowded around him after news of his victory spread.
• Ayato trained with Rock Lee, who challenged him to spar after learning he was a first grader.
• The Third Hokage read Iruka’s report, recognized Ayato’s bond with Naruto, and decided not to let his talent go to waste while waiting for Jiraiya.
• Danzo demanded that Ayato be handed over to Root, but the Third Hokage refused and sent Danzo away.
• Sinai asked Ayato why he had fought, accepted his explanation that he was helping Naruto, and warned him that their friendship could draw trouble.
• Sinai gave Ayato a pale yellow turtleneck sweater she had knitted as a gift for his Midterm Exam.

Kawauchi Sensei left the Hokage Office understanding that the Third Hokage expected him not to trouble Ayato, while Ayato continued training and gained more unwanted attention after breaking up a fight involving Choji. At the first grade final assessment, Ayato took first place again, with Sakura earning a perfect theory score and Naruto promising to surpass him.

• The Third Hokage spoke cordially with Kawauchi Sensei, who understood the warning not to cause trouble for Ayato and agreed to leave him alone.
• Ayato helped Choji settle a fight after Choji got angry at older students for calling him fat, and Choji and the student exchanged apologies before Choji was dragged away.
• Stories spread that Ayato had subdued the older students without fighting, and Ayato found his seat surrounded by classmates again.
• Ayato reviewed for the final assessment and Shikamaru suspected that Ayato used Shadow Clones to attend class and train.
• Ayato came first overall, Sakura earned a perfect theory score, and Naruto's physical progress brought him closer to Sasuke while Ayato remained far ahead.
• Naruto admired Ayato's Silver Kunai prize, and Ayato let him handle it while insisting he would keep winning first place; Naruto vowed to surpass him.

Ayato challenged Iruka to test his combat limits and surprised him with his speed and streamlined Substitution Technique. Iruka finally took the fight seriously after realizing Ayato might be able to defeat him.

• Ayato stayed behind after class, met Itachi when he came to collect Sasuke, and later went to the Training Ground to wait for Iruka.
• Ayato asked Iruka to take their battle seriously, and Iruka agreed while initially treating the challenge lightly.
• Ayato charged Iruka and exchanged several blows, impressing him with his speed and fighting skill.
• Ayato used a three-seal Substitution Technique, then appeared as three clones and seized the initiative.
• Iruka used his own Substitution Technique to escape Ayato's attack, and Ayato assessed their relative strengths and weaknesses.
• Iruka recognized Ayato's speed and quick hand seals as serious threats and became fully focused on the battle.

Ayato defeated Iruka in a spar by combining Lightning Reinforcement with a modified Gale Palm that empowered his legs, then received the Body Flicker Technique Scroll as his reward. Unknown to them, someone had watched their entire battle through a Crystal Ball.

• Ayato and Iruka exchanged pebbles and kunai, and Iruka gained the upper hand in close combat.
• Ayato used Lightning Reinforcement to boost his speed, dodged Iruka's finishing strike, and pressed his advantage with precise pebble throws.
• Ayato combined Lightning Reinforcement with Wind Release Gale Leg, sending Iruka flying and winning the spar.
• Iruka accepted the loss and gave Ayato a Body Flicker Technique Scroll as a reward.
• An unseen observer watched the battle through a Crystal Ball.

The Third Hokage watched Ayato defeat Iruka and decided to summon him after recognizing his extraordinary talent. Ayato learned of the summons after training and began washing up before going to see the Hokage.

• The Third Hokage reviewed the semester grades, noted Ayato's exceptional results, and watched him defeat Iruka through the Crystal Ball.
• Ayato reflected on his victory, trained with Rock Lee, and used his Lightning Release massage and Void State before testing his technique on Lee.
• Iruka went to Ayato's home to deliver the Third Hokage's summons, but found him away and waited outside.
• Ayato returned from training, learned the Third Hokage had summoned him, and went inside to wash up before leaving with Iruka.