Joining Shimano chain with pin - which link-type should "lead" (take the power) I'm pro-actively replacing the chain on my son's bike (the first time I neglected this cost me dear for replacement of derallieur, cassette and cranks at the LBS) which is used daily for commute to school (about 8.5 miles/day round trip).  The previous chain was a KMC which came with a quick-link, this time I am back to the original.

The new chain is Shimano 8S CN-HG71, and comes with a connecting pin rather than quick-link.  I'm looking at the Dealers Manual DM-GN0001-23-ENG.pdf pages 68 onwards.  I have all the necessary tools.

On page 70 it states:
As illustrated in Fig. [A], we strongly recommend to set the connecting pin in the hole of the outer link on the front side in the direction of travel.
The chain’s level of strength is enhanced compared to the method in Fig. [B]

This is accompanied by an image but unfortunately, rather than clarify, this has left me with a level of doubt.

The picture shows the chain broken below the crank therefore travelling right-to-left, if the figs. [A] and [B] correspond to this then they are the opposite way around to what the words suggest.  Or is the pulling-force being applied from the right-hand-end of those diagrams (so they are not a direct zoom-in to the crank diagram, despite that being suggested)?



Image credit: Shimano
The way they've worded and shown this in diagrams has always been a little nutty. You can pretty much see what they mean if you max zoom on the full res pdf though.

You are looking at the drive side of the bike. You are holding the chain stretched end to end between your hands. Your left hand holds the end that terminates in an inner link, your right one with an outer link. Put the outer link end on the crank and through the front derailleur as applicable. Put the inner link end through the rear derailleur. Do your sizing on the inner link end such that you're still left with an inner link when done. Then connect it all with the one-time pin.