Chapter Summaries

Rikuto trained Hinata in the Eight Trigrams Palm, gave her a secret leaf-crane means to contact him, and encouraged her to grow more confident. He then met Tenten and Ino to assess their progress, finding Tenten’s puppet skills had reached elite Genin level.

• Rikuto pushed Hinata through a strict training session, and she managed thirty-two consecutive Eight Trigrams Palm strikes for the first time.
• Rikuto told Hinata to be stronger and more confident, then gave her a leaf crane she could activate with Chakra to contact him in Konoha.
• Rikuto told Hinata that girls looked better with long hair, and she touched her short hair with a determined expression after he left.
• Rikuto met the waiting Tenten and Ino at a training ground and checked their progress over the past two years.
• Tenten controlled her puppet Rikuto No. 1 in a fight against Rikuto’s Wood Clone, showing combat ability on par with an elite Genin.

Rikuto reunited with Anko, who boldly tried to seduce him before joining him for dinner at Chiya's home. Karin grew jealous and hostile toward Anko, and the two girls competed over the meal until they finished every dish.

• Rikuto dodged Anko's surprise attack and reunited with her after two years.
• Anko clung to Rikuto, tried to seduce him, and invited him to her home, but he put her off because of the Cursed Seal of Heaven.
• Rikuto invited Anko to dinner at Chiya's home, and she eagerly accepted.
• Karin became hostile after seeing Anko cling to Rikuto and watched her eat freely at dinner.
• Anko and Karin competed for the food and cleared the table, while Nanako welcomed Anko and Karin pouted angrily.

Hinata astonished Hyuga Hiashi with her sudden mastery of the Gentle Fist after Rikuto secretly helped her. Hiashi praised her progress but remained unsure whether to name her the Main Family heir, while Rikuto sensed something just as he was preparing to rest.

• Anko teased Karin about liking Rikuto, and Rikuto sent Anko home before she could keep embarrassing Karin.
• Hinata demonstrated the Gentle Fist art: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms against Hyuga Hiashi, leaving him astonished by her rapid improvement.
• Hyuga Hiashi praised Hinata but worried that choosing her as heir would leave Hanabi destined for the Branch Family and the Caged Bird seal.
• Hanabi admired Hinata's achievement, and Hinata stopped herself from revealing that Rikuto had taught her.
• After seeing Anko off and chatting with Karin and her mother, Rikuto sensed something as he prepared to rest.

Rikuto reunited with Kurenai Yuhi and learned that she had become a Jonin with help from the Genjutsu insights he had given her. He decided to strengthen her Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, then began by channeling visible Chakra through her hand.

• Rikuto surprised Kurenai Yuhi at the stairs and reunited with her after two years away.
• Rikuto showed Kurenai Yuhi his Strength of a Hundred Seal, and she praised his achievement.
• Kurenai Yuhi explained that Senju Toka's Genjutsu insights had helped her overcome a bottleneck and become a Jonin.
• Rikuto urged Kurenai Yuhi to broaden her abilities, noting her fire and earth Chakra natures and weaknesses in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu.
• Rikuto asked Kurenai Yuhi to stay in the village and hold out her hand, then channeled visible Chakra from his palm.

Rikuto confessed his feelings for Kurenai Yuhi, stole her first kiss, and reassured her about their age difference by promising he could keep her young. He revealed his mastery of the Spirit Transformation Technique and explained how he could use it to help her form the Strength of a Hundred Seal.

• Rikuto offered to supply Kurenai Yuhi with Chakra and guide her Ninjutsu training so she could become an elite Jonin.
• Kurenai Yuhi thanked Rikuto but said she could not keep accepting his help without limits.
• Rikuto kissed Kurenai Yuhi and asked if she understood his feelings for her.
• Kurenai Yuhi admitted to herself that she had developed romantic feelings for Rikuto but worried about their age difference and her future aging.
• Rikuto said he had a way to keep Kurenai Yuhi young and used the Spirit Transformation Technique to bring her into her mental world.
• Rikuto explained that he could help Kurenai Yuhi form the Strength of a Hundred Seal and periodically regulate her body.

Rikuto woke beside Kurenai Yuhi after helping her form a modified Yin Seal and Strength of a Hundred Seal, then brought her to meet Karin and Nanako. Karin noticed that Rikuto’s own forehead mark had vanished, and he explained that he had hidden it by modifying the technique’s formula.

• Kurenai Yuhi woke in Rikuto’s arms and remembered their closeness in the spiritual world the previous day.
• Rikuto explained that he had created a flame-shaped floral mark for Kurenai Yuhi’s Yin Seal and taught her to release its stored Chakra in danger.
• Rikuto and Kurenai Yuhi returned to the Chiya household, where her youthful, radiant appearance astonished Karin and Nanako.
• Rikuto introduced Kurenai Yuhi to Karin, and Karin felt jealous and inferior beside her.
• Karin noticed that Rikuto’s forehead mark was gone, and Rikuto said he had modified the technique’s formula to hide it.

Rikuto gave Kurenai Yuhi access to powerful techniques and a Lizard Clan summoning contract, then revealed his improved Mysterious Peacock Method. He told her it was S-rank and required Jonin-level Chakra, leaving her unsure whether she could learn it.

• Rikuto had Kurenai create two Shadow Clones to study Fire Release and Earth Release Ninjutsu scrolls.
• Rikuto summoned Benimi and gave Kurenai the Lizard Clan's Summoning Contract, which she signed.
• Rikuto demonstrated the Mysterious Peacock Method by forming a Chakra beast that shattered a boulder.
• Rikuto transformed the Chakra into wings and flew around Kurenai.
• Rikuto explained the technique's difficulty and Chakra requirements, and Kurenai asked whether she could learn it.

Rikuto used Sage Mode and Senjutsu healing to erase Kurenai Yuhi’s fatigue as she trained with Shadow Clones in the Forest of Death. By dusk, her accelerated training was still underway, with her receiving the memories and experience of her clones.

• Kurenai Yuhi used Shadow Clones to practice Fire Style and Earth Release while Rikuto replenished their Chakra.
• Rikuto entered Sage Mode and explained that his Senjutsu Chakra enhanced his healing abilities.
• Rikuto healed Kurenai Yuhi’s fatigue and encouraged her to train with four Shadow Clones.
• Kurenai Yuhi trained through the day, recalling her clones’ experiences and recovering quickly with Rikuto’s treatment.
• At dusk, Kurenai Yuhi sat receiving the memories and experience of her vanishing Shadow Clones.

Rikuto helped Kurenai Yuhi recover from mental fatigue and improve her body, then guided her through mastering Fire Release and Earth Release techniques. Kurenai celebrated her progress and grew intimate with Rikuto, while he looked forward to continuing her training.

• Rikuto used Sage Mode and healing techniques to ease Kurenai Yuhi's mental fatigue.
• Kurenai tested her improved Chakra control by casting Earth Release and Fire Release Ninjutsu with great power.
• Kurenai mastered nearly all the D-rank, C-rank, and B-rank Fire Release and Earth Release techniques she practiced.
• Kurenai praised Rikuto and embraced his plan to help her become an all-round Jonin.
• Rikuto flirted with Kurenai, who agreed to indulge him but told him not to go too far.

Rikuto completed an expanded version of the Yin Seal and celebrated Kurenai Yuhi’s progress with the Mysterious Peacock Method. Their intimate moment was interrupted by Anko, who arrived for help removing her Cursed Seal and declared that she wanted to join them.

• Rikuto finished developing a Yin Seal that could store far more Chakra than the original, though he recognized it was only suitable for someone with his enormous reserves.
• Kurenai Yuhi showed Rikuto that she could form Chakra wings with the Mysterious Peacock Method, and he praised her progress and growing strength.
• Rikuto explained that Kurenai had become an all-round Jonin, with Taijutsu and combat experience still needing improvement, and recalled how he had also supported the training of the other girls.
• Rikuto and Kurenai kissed until she stopped him and reminded him that he had promised to remove Anko’s Cursed Seal that day.
• Anko arrived with breakfast, caught Rikuto and Kurenai embracing, and announced that she was jealous and wanted to join in.

Anko visited Rikuto and Kurenai Yuhi, eager for his promised help removing Orochimaru's Cursed Seal of Heaven. After a flirtatious argument over sharing Rikuto, the three settled into an uneasy arrangement, with Anko still expecting him to treat her seal.

• Kurenai Yuhi tried to keep Anko from getting close to Rikuto, but Anko declared she was willing to be his second wife.
• Rikuto flirted with Kurenai Yuhi and seemed tempted by Anko's suggestion of a threesome, prompting Kurenai Yuhi to pinch his waist.
• Anko kissed Rikuto, then explained she had rushed over with breakfast because she was excited about his promise to remove Orochimaru's Cursed Seal of Heaven.
• Kurenai Yuhi admitted she had made a move on Rikuto in private and sat between him and Anko to guard him.
• Anko hugged Kurenai Yuhi and proposed that they take turns spending days with Rikuto.

Rikuto used Sage Mode and the Evil Releasing Method Seal to remove the Cursed Seal from Anko, destroying the small white snake containing part of Orochimaru's soul. Anko was freed from the seal, and Rikuto began restoring her strength as she saw his Sage Mode.

• Kurenai brought Anko to the Forest of Death training ground, where Anko asked to join their training and Kurenai agreed.
• Rikuto began removing Anko's Cursed Seal while Kurenai stood behind him and watched.
• Rikuto used the Four Sealing Formation to contain the area, then applied the Evil Releasing Method Seal to Anko's neck.
• Rikuto pulled a small white snake containing part of Orochimaru's soul from Anko and drained it until it turned to ash.
• Kurenai realized Anko's Cursed Seal was gone, and Anko rejoiced that her torment was over.
• Rikuto dismissed the barrier and placed his hand on Anko's forehead, healing her with green light as she recognized his Sage Mode.

Anko and Kurenai Yuhi fought a sparring match, each determined to outdo the other after their earlier clash over Rikuto. Kurenai gained the upper hand with her improved Ninjutsu and Genjutsu, while Anko summoned a giant snake to counter her.

• Anko and Kurenai Yuhi exchanged Fire Style attacks in the forest as Rikuto watched from the trees.
• Anko was surprised by Kurenai Yuhi’s improved Fire Style and attacked her with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.
• Kurenai Yuhi’s Genjutsu fooled Anko, and she slashed Anko’s right arm before launching another Fire Style attack.
• Anko summoned a giant snake from Ryūchi Cave to block Kurenai Yuhi’s flames and attack her.
• Rikuto judged that Kurenai Yuhi had become strong enough to handle Anko’s summon as the snake crashed through the trees.

Kurenai Yuhi defeated Anko in a sparring match using a Genjutsu that mimicked Lightning Release and a hidden Earth Release attack. After Rikuto treated Anko’s wound, he encouraged Kurenai to train with the Lizard Clan’s summoning beasts, surprising Anko when she learned Kurenai had signed their contract.

• Anko’s giant python pursued Kurenai, who used Earth Release and evasive moves to buy time.
• Kurenai used Demonic Illusion: Thunderclap Technique to make Anko mistake her Genjutsu for Lightning Release.
• Kurenai’s illusion concealed earthen spears that pierced Anko’s summoned python, and Kurenai appeared with a kunai at Anko’s neck.
• Anko admitted defeat as Rikuto praised Kurenai’s technique and healed Anko’s injured arm with the Mystical Palm Technique.
• Rikuto encouraged Kurenai to train with the Lizard Clan’s summoning beasts, and Anko was astonished to learn Kurenai had signed a Summoning Contract.

Rikuto treated Anko for the damage caused by the Cursed Seal of Heaven and left her with seals containing stored Chakra. By noon, Anko had recovered and went to bathe while Kurenai continued practicing nearby.

• Kurenai trained with Shadow Clones, practiced the Summoning Technique, and studied the Lizard Clan summoning beasts while Rikuto's Wood Clone replenished her Chakra.
• Rikuto entered Anko's mental world with the Spirit Transformation Technique, where Anko flirted with him before he began treating her body.
• Rikuto repaired the damage from Anko's Cursed Seal of Heaven and formed a Yin Seal and a Strength of a Hundred Seal for her.
• Rikuto left Anko's body at noon, and Anko thanked him before heading to the nearby river to bathe.

Hinata demonstrated how much her Gentle Fist had improved during a spar with Hyuga Hiashi in the Hyuga compound. She surprised him and the Main Family elders by using the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, revealing a new level of strength.

• In the Forest of Death, Anko and Kurenai Yuhi enthusiastically trained with Rikuto's help and marveled at the benefits of unlimited chakra and Shadow Clones.
• At the Hyuga Clan compound, Hyuga Hiashi sparred with Hinata as Main Family elders watched and praised her Gentle Fist skills.
• Hinata used the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms against Hiashi, who easily deflected her attacks.
• When Hiashi suggested they stop, Hinata launched the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, barely missing him and shattering a wooden post behind him.
• The Main Family elders and Hiashi reacted with astonishment that Hinata had mastered the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.

Hinata completed the Hyuga Clan’s Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms against Hyuga Hiashi, astonishing her family with her newfound resolve. In the Forest of Death, Rikuto demonstrated Fire Release techniques for Anko, then left his clones training her and Kurenai Yuhi while he went to see Tenten and Ino.

• Hinata overcame her hesitation and struck Hyuga Hiashi with Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
• Hyuga Hiashi and the Hyuga elders were stunned by Hinata’s skill, while Hanabi praised her.
• Rikuto used the Spirit Transformation Technique to demonstrate Fire Release Ninjutsu through Anko’s body, helping her understand the techniques.
• Rikuto left Wood Clones to continue training Kurenai Yuhi and Anko, then prepared to leave for Tenten and Ino.
• Rikuto recalled that Karin had been helping her mother, Nanako Uzumaki, practice advanced Medical Ninjutsu at home.

Rikuto watched Tenten test the Mini Shadow Clone technique through Rikuto No. 1, praising her skill with the puppet and her Ninjutsu. The chapter ended with Tenten pleased by Rikuto’s approval.

• Tenten used the Mini Shadow Clone technique to make Rikuto No. 1 fight Rikuto’s Wood Clone without Chakra Threads.
• Rikuto appeared beside Tenten using the Flying Thunder God Technique and confirmed that he was the real Rikuto.
• Rikuto No. 1 blocked the Wood Clone’s Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique and fired Senbon and Shuriken at him.
• The Wood Clone used Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall to block the puppet’s final Shuriken barrage.
• Rikuto praised Tenten’s skill and timing, and she beamed at his approval.

Rikuto trained Tenten in miniature Ninjutsu and puppet techniques, then guided the next generation of Ino-Shika-Cho in the Nara Clan forest. Ino’s strength had surged ahead of Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi, and the chapter ended as she shattered a huge rock with a Chakra-powered punch.

• Tenten used her Mini Shadow Clone to control Rikuto No. 1, then demonstrated the Mini Transformation Technique and Mini Substitution Technique for Rikuto.
• Rikuto praised Tenten’s progress and urged her to practice controlling multiple puppets and sealing combat materials into scrolls.
• Rikuto arranged for his Wood Clone to train Ino, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi after Shikaku Nara and Akimichi Chōza asked him to guide them.
• In the Nara Clan forest, Ino lunged at a huge rock and smashed it apart with a Chakra-powered punch.

Rikuto trained Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji and shared new techniques he had developed from their clans’ inherited arts. Shikamaru told his father about Rikuto’s ideas, and Shikaku planned for the Nara clan to pursue them.

• Rikuto praised Ino for mastering the Superhuman Strength Fist and urged Shikamaru and Choji to keep training.
• Rikuto explained that he had developed the Shadow Personification Technique and improved the Akimichi clan’s Fierce Lion’s Mane Technique.
• Rikuto suggested ambitious new applications for the Nara clan’s shadow techniques, inspiring Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji.
• After training, Shikamaru told Shikaku about Rikuto’s technique and ideas.
• Shikaku said he would gather the Nara clan’s strategists to develop shadow techniques and noted that Rikuto’s work had given the clan new ideas.