Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya watched Naruto train, reflected on the Uchiha Clan Massacre, and considered how to guide Ayato. Ayato studied the Scrolls and told Jiraiya he preferred training to outings, so Jiraiya agreed to test his Summoning Technique.

• Jiraiya watched Naruto train, then visited the nearly deserted Uchiha clan grounds before considering how to teach Ayato.
• Ayato opened the Scroll and studied the Summoning Technique, Sealing Technique, Flying Thunder God, and Minato Namikaze's notes.
• Ayato told Sinai he had become Jiraiya's disciple, and Sinai warned him about Jiraiya before urging him to protect the Fourth Hokage's reputation by studying Flying Thunder God.
• Ayato studied Sealing Technique over the following days while Jiraiya took him to recreational places instead of testing his Summoning Technique.
• Ayato told Jiraiya that he preferred becoming stronger through training, and Jiraiya agreed to test his Summoning Technique.

Ayato successfully learned the Summoning Technique and summoned Gamachu, then pressed Jiraiya for explanations about Sealing Techniques. The lesson left Jiraiya exhausted by nightfall, while Ayato went home satisfied.

• Ayato used the Summoning Technique and summoned Gamachu on his first attempt.
• Gamachu agreed that Ayato could summon him again and returned to Mount Myōboku.
• Jiraiya explained that summoning stronger toads depended on Ayato having greater Chakra reserves.
• Jiraiya began teaching Ayato Sealing Techniques and discovered that Ayato had already read the scrolls and prepared many questions.
• Ayato left at night, while Jiraiya was left exhausted from answering his questions.

Jiraiya told the Third Hokage he planned to leave Konoha and asked him to approve Ayato’s early graduation if Ayato chose it. Ayato declined for now, preferring to focus on training, and Jiraiya resumed teaching him sealing techniques.

• Jiraiya complained to the Third Hokage that Ayato’s rapid learning had exhausted him, and the Third Hokage offered to teach Ayato.
• Jiraiya told the Third Hokage he would leave Konoha soon because of the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy, and he asked him to approve Ayato’s early graduation if Ayato applied.
• Jiraiya told Ayato he had arranged for a powerful being among the toads to train him after Jiraiya left, and asked whether he wanted to graduate early.
• Ayato declined early graduation, explaining that he wanted to keep training until he reached the next stage rather than spend time on Genin missions.
• Jiraiya accepted Ayato’s decision, and Ayato persuaded him to continue teaching sealing techniques.

As Jiraiya prepared to leave Konoha, Ayato finished questioning him about Sealing Techniques and said he would seek him out again to continue learning. Jiraiya summoned Sage Fukasaku, who assessed Ayato and agreed to plan his training at Mount Myōboku.

• Ayato told Jiraiya he had no more questions for now and was ready to practice the Sealing Techniques he had studied.
• Jiraiya comforted Ayato about their parting, and Ayato promised to find him and continue his lessons.
• Jiraiya summoned Sage Fukasaku and introduced Ayato as his new disciple.
• Sage Fukasaku examined Ayato and said his unusual physical foundation could let him enter the next stage of training more than a year early.
• Sage Fukasaku agreed to take responsibility for Ayato's training plan and told him to call him Sage Fukasaku.

Ayato arrived at Mount Myōboku with Jiraiya to begin training, but worried that the local food would force him to eat bugs. He arranged for Gamachu to bring him fruit and learned that the secret medicines tasted like ordinary pills.

• Jiraiya and Sage Fukasaku arranged for Ayato to be reverse summoned to Mount Myōboku for training.
• Ayato arrived without discomfort and explored the frog-filled mountain with Jiraiya.
• After hearing that Sage Fukasaku planned to eat, Ayato realized Mount Myōboku's food might consist of bugs and summoned Gamachu to ask for fruit.
• Gamachu agreed to bring Ayato fruit, and Jiraiya wondered why he had not thought of that when he trained there.
• Ayato decided to learn a storage seal so he could bring food, then asked Jiraiya whether the secret medicines were made of bugs.
• Jiraiya told Ayato that the secret medicines tasted like ordinary pills, relieving Ayato's worry.

Jiraiya said farewell to Ayato at Konoha’s gates after taking him to Mount Myōboku, where Ayato met Sage Shima and the local toads. After Jiraiya left, Sage Fukasaku began supervising Ayato’s training.

• Jiraiya introduced Ayato to Sage Shima at Mount Myōboku, then fled with Ayato to avoid her insect feast.
• Back in Konoha, Ayato chased Jiraiya after realizing his teacher had no plans to bring him back to Mount Myōboku soon.
• At Konoha’s gates, Ayato gave Jiraiya a hair tie, and Jiraiya accepted it before departing the village.
• The Third Hokage watched Jiraiya leave and considered increasing Ayato’s mother’s salary to help cover his training expenses.
• At Mount Myōboku, Sage Fukasaku told Ayato that he would supervise his training and hold him to strict standards.

Ayato trained at Mount Myōboku, impressing Sage Fukasaku with his precise taijutsu and his ability to push beyond his limits after taking the secret medicine. Sage Fukasaku decided Ayato might eventually learn senjutsu, then realized Ayato’s unusual meditative state was the prerequisite for Sage Mode.

• Sage Fukasaku watched Ayato perform the training regimen flawlessly and judged his taijutsu foundation exceptional.
• Ayato used a Lightning Release Massage before swallowing Mount Myōboku’s Secret Medicine, which let him continue training despite his fatigue.
• Ayato pushed past his limit a second time, while Sage Fukasaku wondered whether his regimen and medicine were enough for Ayato.
• Sage Fukasaku decided Ayato should learn senjutsu once his Chakra reserves had grown sufficiently.
• Ayato entered the Void State, and Sage Fukasaku recognized it as the prerequisite for Sage Mode.

Sage Fukasaku discovered that Ayato could sense Natural Energy while entering his self-named Void State and warned him not to absorb it until his Chakra reserves were greater. Ayato realized he had begun moving without leaving the Void State and considered how that ability might eventually let him sustain Sage Mode.

• Sage Fukasaku struck Ayato with a ruler, ending his Void State, and mistook it for a technique Jiraiya had taught him.
• Ayato explained that he had entered the state naturally since childhood, prompting Sage Fukasaku to tell him about Sage Arts and the dangers of absorbing Natural Energy with insufficient Chakra.
• Sage Fukasaku asked whether Ayato could sense surrounding energy, and Ayato confirmed that he could sense it vaguely.
• Sage Fukasaku warned Ayato not to absorb Natural Energy and told him to resume the Void State.
• Ayato realized he had opened his eyes and blinked while remaining in the Void State, then concluded that learning to move within it could help him develop a lasting Sage Mode.

Ayato tried to avoid Sage Shima’s bug dishes during his training on Mount Myōboku, explaining that bugs were something he could not eat. The next day, Sage Shima brought him sliced fruit instead, and Ayato praised it to keep her happy.

• Ayato sensed Sage Shima approaching with a bowl of bugs and used the Reverse Summoning Technique to leave before she arrived.
• Sage Shima learned Ayato had left to avoid her and confronted him with bugs the next day.
• Ayato explained that bugs were not part of the human diet, and Sage Fukasaku persuaded Sage Shima not to force him to eat them.
• Sage Shima brought Ayato sliced fruit on the third day, and he ate it and praised her cooking.
• Sage Shima promised to bring Ayato more fruit, and Ayato agreed after noticing her expression change.

For three years, Ayato trained at Mount Myōboku while keeping up with his studies and spending time with Ino and Rock Lee. His exhausting routine continued as he pursued progress in ninjutsu and the Flying Thunder God technique.

• Sage Shima steadily improved the fruit dishes she brought Ayato, and the two grew more comfortable with each other.
• Ayato simplified the Substitution Technique’s hand seals, made slight progress combining the Void State with Lightning Release Massage, and began breaking down the Flying Thunder God’s final seal.
• Jiraiya upgraded Ayato’s Borrowing Pass, allowing him to study ninjutsu up to Rank B at the library.
• Ayato told Ino that his school self was a Shadow Clone and explained that he wanted his real body to spend time with her.
• Ayato sent Ino home, massaged Rock Lee, and returned home exhausted after his daily training.
• Ayato’s demanding routine continued for three years.

After three years of training on Mount Myōboku, Ayato had mastered Flying Thunder God and discovered that his marked training ground had become a place he could reach from anywhere. His Chakra reserves were rapidly growing, and he planned to keep improving his technique and sealing skills.

• Ayato completed his waterfall training and used Flying Thunder God to return to his training ground.
• Ayato inspected the countless Flying Thunder God Marks he had carved and found he could travel to the training ground from anywhere at reduced Chakra cost.
• Sage Fukasaku praised Ayato’s progress and noted that his Chakra reserves had begun growing rapidly.
• Ayato explained that he had used the Void State to study the spatial fluctuations of Reverse Summoning and learn Flying Thunder God.
• Ayato reflected that his Flying Thunder God required no apparent reaction speed, making him feel as though he was cheating.

Ayato’s perception had become so advanced that it strengthened his Flying Thunder God and helped him master a wide range of techniques, though Sage Fukasaku still refused to let him experiment with Natural Energy. As Ayato continued training at Mount Myōboku, Sage Shima rushed in to announce that the Great Toad Sage had awakened.

• Ayato used his chakra sensing to track opponents continuously, making Flying Thunder God attacks far easier to position.
• Ayato considered absorbing Natural Energy but abandoned the idea after Sage Fukasaku firmly warned him about the danger.
• Ayato advanced in the Void State and used Shadow Clones to study while maintaining it.
• Jiraiya taught Ayato the Rasengan, which Ayato learned in less than half a day.
• Ayato developed his ninjutsu, including Substitution Technique, Wind Release, Lightning Cutter, and basic Fire Release.
• Sage Shima hurried over and announced that the Great Toad Sage had awakened.

Sage Fukasaku brought Ayato to meet the Great Toad Sage, who foresaw that Ayato’s fate had once been severed and predicted he would unleash a Bloody Storm across the shinobi world. Ayato questioned the prophecy and chose to follow his own path.

• Sage Fukasaku took Ayato to the Great Toad Sage, while Sage Shima complained about the ancient toad’s senility.
• The Great Toad Sage mistook Ayato for someone already dead, then fell asleep before examining him more carefully.
• The Great Toad Sage said Ayato’s destiny had been severed at birth and later connected again, though he could not explain why.
• The Great Toad Sage predicted that Ayato would unleash a Bloody Storm across the shinobi world, but could not tell whether it would be good or bad.
• Sage Fukasaku doubted the prediction suited Ayato, while Ayato decided not to let prophecy dictate his choices.

After receiving a troubling prophecy from the Great Toad Sage, Ayato said goodbye to the toads who had trained with him for three years and returned to Konoha. He revealed how much stronger he had become and went to meet the Third Hokage.

• The Great Toad Sage fell asleep after prophesying about Ayato, and Fukasaku and Shima reassured Ayato before he left Mount Myōboku.
• Ayato promised Fukasaku and Shima that he would visit, then used the Reverse Summoning Technique to return home in Konoha.
• Ayato reflected on completing three years of foundational training and vanished, startling the Anbu who had been watching his home.
• Ayato confronted the Anbu, asked him to tell the Third Hokage that he had returned, and walked through the village while the Anbu delivered the message.
• The Anbu returned with permission for Ayato to come directly, and Ayato entered the Hokage Office to find the Third Hokage working.

Ayato visited the Third Hokage, who invited him to call him Grandpa and accepted his Flying Thunder God notes in exchange for teaching him the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique. The chapter left Ayato impressing the Third Hokage by learning the technique on his first try and creating over a hundred shuriken clones.

• The Third Hokage told Ayato to visit without notifying the Anbu and asked him to call him Grandpa when they were alone.
• Ayato gave the Third Hokage his Flying Thunder God notes, and the Third Hokage offered him an A-rank ninjutsu in exchange.
• Ayato chose the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, and the Third Hokage demonstrated it at the training ground.
• Ayato copied the technique after watching once and created over a hundred shuriken clones, delighting the Third Hokage.

Ayato learned the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique and spent the day with the Third Hokage, who approved his early graduation as a Chunin. The chapter ended with Ayato asking to join the Anbu unit handling external affairs, surprising the Third Hokage and the Anbu Captain.

• Ayato mastered the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique under the Third Hokage and praised his teaching.
• Ayato studied medical Scrolls in the Hokage Office while the Third Hokage handled official work, then accompanied him on a walk through Konoha.
• The Third Hokage shared the Will of Fire saying with Ayato beneath Hokage Rock.
• The Third Hokage approved Ayato's early graduation and offered him a Chunin vest and a choice of squad.
• Ayato declined the squad Scrolls and asked to join the Anbu responsible for external affairs, surprising the Third Hokage and the Anbu Captain.

Ayato joined the Anbu to gain combat experience, and the Third Hokage agreed to arrange a suitable squad for him. Before leaving school, Ayato said goodbye to Ino, who kissed him and asked him not to forget her.

• Ayato explained to the Third Hokage that he wanted Anbu experience, and the Third Hokage agreed to arrange an identity and squad for him.
• The Third Hokage told Ayato to attend school in person the next day to say goodbye to his classmates.
• Ayato told Ino that he had graduated early and would no longer be able to walk her home.
• Ayato accompanied Ino to several places before taking her to the Yamanaka Family's doorstep.
• Ino kissed Ayato on the cheek, asked him not to like other girls or forget her, and ran inside; Ayato promised he would not forget her.

Ino told her mother she would devote more time to training after Ayato’s early graduation, and the Yamanaka Matriarch supported her. At the Academy, Ayato prepared to graduate early, prompting his classmates to consider catching up and Sasuke to challenge him again, but their fight left Sasuke struggling with his doubts about avenging the Uchiha.

• Ino told the Yamanaka Matriarch she wanted to train harder and could no longer help at the flower shop, and her mother agreed.
• Iruka Sensei announced Ayato’s early graduation, and Naruto asked to graduate too while Shikamaru encouraged Choji to work harder.
• Ayato promised to teach Naruto the Three Body Technique after school and said goodbye to his classmates.
• Sasuke challenged Ayato, hoping to prove he could graduate early, but Ayato pinned him down.
• Ayato acknowledged Sasuke’s desire to avenge the Uchiha, and Sasuke admitted he feared he could never catch up or defeat the rogue ninja.

Ayato challenged Sasuke to take his place as the Academy’s top student and warned him not to lose to Naruto. At Naruto’s house, Ayato adjusted the seal on Naruto’s stomach to reduce the Nine-Tails’ Chakra leakage so Naruto could use ninjutsu more easily.

• Ayato told Sasuke he would need to become first in the class before he could qualify to take revenge, and Sasuke resolved to work harder.
• Ayato warned Sasuke that Naruto could surpass him, prompting Sasuke to vow not to lose to Naruto and to aim for first place in every category.
• At Naruto’s house, Ayato had Naruto extract Chakra until the Fourth Hokage’s sealing markings appeared on his stomach.
• Ayato studied Naruto’s Eight Trigrams Sealing and reinforced it, narrowing its opening while leaving enough Chakra leakage for Naruto to practice using the Nine-Tails’ power.
• Ayato told Naruto to try the Three Body Techniques, and Naruto eagerly got ready to test his ninjutsu.

Ayato helped Naruto improve his Clone Technique, then prepared to leave on missions despite his mother's fears. At the Hokage Office, Ayato received his Anbu gear and code name, Ink Shadow, and met his new captain, Tenzō.

• Ayato showed Naruto a simpler way to practice the Clone Technique, and Naruto finally produced a misshapen clone.
• Naruto thanked Ayato and promised to keep the lesson secret, while Ayato noticed unfriendly Root observers watching them.
• Sinai prepared a lavish meal for Ayato and urged him to return safely, though she resolved not to hold him back from his future.
• The Third Hokage gave Ayato a mask and sword, and Ayato chose the code name Ink Shadow.
• The Third Hokage introduced Tenzō as Ayato's captain, and Tenzō worried that the childlike-looking Ayato would burden his squad.