Recaps

Shinki outmaneuvered Kakashi during Team 7’s bell test and secured a pass for himself, Naruto, and Sasuke. Half a month later, the team completed a mission to catch a missing cat, beginning their work as Genin.

• Shinki revealed that he had taken Kakashi’s two bells and made enough bell clones for all three teammates to pass.
• Kakashi accepted that Shinki had fulfilled the test’s conditions and announced that Team 7 had passed.
• Sasuke resolved to train harder after seeing Shinki handle the test so easily, while Naruto celebrated their success.
• Half a month later, Shinki and Sasuke caught a missing cat during a mission while Naruto lagged behind.
• Kakashi confirmed the team had completed its second mission of the day, and Shinki picked up the kitten to take it in.

After more than half a month of dull D-rank missions, Naruto demanded more challenging work, and the Third Hokage assigned Team 7 to escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves. As the team left Konoha, Shinki sensed a brief chakra fluctuation in the forest but kept quiet, and the group continued toward their destination.

• Shinki, Sasuke, and Naruto returned from a dog-finding mission, where Naruto complained to the Third Hokage about their routine D-rank assignments.
• The Third Hokage offered Team 7 a C-rank escort mission, and Tazuna arrived to criticize the young ninja assigned to protect him.
• The Third Hokage explained that Team 7 would escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves so he could build a bridge.
• At Konoha's gate, Shinki sensed a brief chakra fluctuation in the nearby forest, but it vanished before he could identify it.
• Team 7 set off with Tazuna, and Kakashi explained why the Land of Waves had hired Konoha rather than relying on its own ninja village.

Shinki used a shuriken and the Body Flicker Technique to reach and contract a goshawk, but it could not carry the whole group. When two Assassin Ninjas ambushed the team, Shinki defeated them with a powerful Fire Release technique, while Kakashi revealed he had survived by using the Substitution Technique.

• Shinki reached a goshawk with repeated shuriken throws and Body Flicker, then used a Contract Formation Formula to tame it.
• Shinki rode the goshawk back to the group, but Kakashi refused to split up, so everyone continued walking.
• Shinki sensed danger near a suspicious puddle and warned the group as two Assassin Ninjas trapped Kakashi with a spiked chain and struck Naruto.
• Shinki used a shuriken barrage to distract the attackers while Sasuke got Naruto out of danger.
• Shinki unleashed Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique and burned both Assassin Ninjas to death, scorching the road and nearby forest.
• Kakashi returned with his mask burned through and explained that he had escaped the chain with the Substitution Technique, but Shinki's fire had singed his eyebrows.

Shinki killed two Assassin Ninja with a powerful Fire Release technique, then quickly extinguished the forest fire he had started with an A-rank Water Release technique. Kakashi ordered him to copy the Ninja Rules as punishment, and the chapter ended when Naruto clutched his hand and cried out in pain.

• Shinki killed two Assassin Ninja with Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique, scorching Kakashi and igniting the nearby forest.
• Kakashi scolded Shinki for using a powerful Fire Release technique in the woods as the fire spread.
• Shinki used Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique to extinguish the flames, shocking Kakashi, Mr. Tazuna, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke.
• Shinki apologized to Kakashi, who punished him by ordering him to copy the Ninja Rules a thousand times and warned him to control his power.
• Naruto clutched his hand and cried out in pain, prompting Shinki to hurry over and ask what had happened.

After Naruto was wounded in an ambush, Kakashi learned that Tazuna had hidden the danger behind the mission: Gato was trying to stop the Land of Waves from building a bridge. The team debated whether to continue, and Shinki asked Kakashi whether he could guarantee their safety.

• Naruto cut open his poisoned wound to drain the blood, then Shinki bandaged it and noticed it was already healing.
• Kakashi confronted Tazuna for concealing that ninjas were targeting him and demanded to know why.
• Tazuna explained that Gato had monopolized the Land of Waves' sea transport and wanted to kill him to prevent the bridge from being built.
• Tazuna admitted he had lied about the mission because the impoverished country could not afford a higher-rank commission.
• Naruto and Sasuke urged Kakashi to help Tazuna, while Kakashi considered ending the mission unless the whole team agreed to continue.
• Shinki asked Kakashi to guarantee the team's safety, and Kakashi promised to protect them before he died.

Team 7 escorted Tazuna to the Land of Waves, where Zabuza Momochi ambushed them and challenged Kakashi. Zabuza enveloped the group in mist and began hunting for a target while Shinki, Naruto, and Sasuke were ordered to protect Tazuna.

• Team 7 accepted Tazuna's mission and reached the Land of Waves by boat, where Tazuna explained that he wanted to finish the bridge and free the country from Gato's control.
• Shinki sensed that someone was watching them as the group traveled inland, and Naruto threw a Shuriken at a disturbance ahead.
• Kakashi and Shinki realized that the white rabbit pinned by Naruto's Shuriken had been used as a substitute, and Kakashi ordered everyone to protect Tazuna.
• Zabuza Momochi emerged from the woods after throwing his enormous blade at Tazuna, and Kakashi identified him as a missing-nin from Kirigakure and a master of Silent Killing.
• Zabuza used the Hidden Mist Technique, while Kakashi told Shinki, Naruto, and Sasuke to protect Tazuna and look for a chance to escape.

Shinki and Team 7 fought Zabuza in the mist, and Shinki’s tricks let them turn the battle against him. The chapter ended with Shinki trapping Zabuza in a Water Prison Technique.

• Kakashi reassured Sasuke as Zabuza attacked Tazuna, and Shinki blocked Zabuza’s sword with his kunai before wrenching the blade away.
• Kakashi exposed Zabuza’s Water Clones while Sasuke, Naruto, and Shinki protected Tazuna from the real Zabuza.
• Shinki used a kunai and his teleportation formula to strike Zabuza’s shoulder, prompting Zabuza to recognize the technique as the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Kakashi revealed his Sharingan and copied Zabuza’s Hand Seals as they prepared matching Great Waterfall Techniques.
• Shinki sent a lightning clone at Zabuza, paralyzed him when Zabuza struck it, and then trapped him in a Water Prison Technique.

Shinki helped Kakashi capture Zabuza, astonishing the others with his mastery of several techniques. After the Kirigakure hunter-nin appeared to kill Zabuza and take his body, he secretly revived him, and Zabuza revealed that Shinki had used the Flying Thunder God Technique and Water Release.

• Kakashi praised Shinki for restraining Zabuza and marveled at his mastery of the Eight Gates, Flying Thunder God, and Water Release.
• Shinki asked what to do with Zabuza, and Kakashi explained that Kirigakure hunter-nin would handle the missing-nin and his body.
• A masked Kirigakure hunter-nin arrived, and Shinki released Zabuza from the Water Prison Technique after Kakashi approved.
• The hunter-nin struck Zabuza with needles, carried away his body and Kubikiribōchō, and Naruto complained that someone else had finished their opponent.
• Tazuna led the group toward his house, where Naruto and Sasuke reacted eagerly to Shinki's description of red-braised pork belly.
• The hunter-nin revived Zabuza in the woods, and Zabuza told him that Shinki, not Kakashi, had used the Flying Thunder God Technique and mastered Water Release.

Team 7 began chakra-control training at Tazuna’s home, where Shinki quickly mastered Kakashi’s tree-climbing exercise. Naruto improved after Shinki’s advice, while Sasuke swallowed his pride and asked Naruto for help, only to doubt Naruto’s garbled explanation.

• Tazuna heard the villagers fear Gato and remain reluctant to help build the bridge, while Naruto condemned their attitude and Tazuna’s grandson declared that the Land of Waves needed no heroes.
• Kakashi taught Team 7 that effective ninjutsu required precise chakra control and demonstrated climbing a tree by focusing chakra at the feet.
• Shinki climbed up a tree and hung upside down with ease, prompting Kakashi to recognize his existing chakra-control skills and end his exercise.
• Shinki advised Naruto on gathering chakra at his soles and calming himself, and Naruto rapidly improved at climbing the tree.
• Sasuke saw Naruto surpass his own progress and asked for the advice, but Naruto’s muddled explanation left Sasuke doubtful that Shinki had said it.

Shinki trained his Wood Release and learned from Kakashi that ninjas should follow a moral code while protecting themselves. After hearing Inari’s story and seeing the few workers still building Tazuna’s bridge, Shinki used his clones to accelerate construction, prompting Gato to plan to eliminate both Tazuna and Zabuza.

• Shinki tested Wood Release by forming a small wooden bridge and realized the Land of Waves project would also need reinforced-concrete piers.
• Kakashi told Team 7 they would stay another month to protect Tazuna, then explained to Shinki that ninjas should act courageously for what was right while keeping themselves safe.
• Shinki befriended Inari and learned that Gato had murdered the boy’s stepfather, turning Inari against the idea of heroes.
• Seeing Tazuna and a handful of workers continue building while others gave up out of fear, Shinki created more than a hundred clones to help with construction.
• Gato watched the clones speed up the work and resolved to have Zabuza kill Tazuna before disposing of Zabuza himself.

After Naruto and Sasuke completed their chakra-control training, Kakashi assigned them to protect Uncle Tazuna while Shinki rested. When samurai abducted Inari’s mother, Inari found the courage to confront them, and Shinki stepped in to help as they attacked.

• Naruto and Sasuke told Kakashi they could climb to the tops of trees, and he assigned them to protect Uncle Tazuna the next day while Shinki rested.
• Two samurai took Inari’s mother from Tazuna’s home, and Inari initially stayed hidden, crying in fear and regret.
• Remembering Shinki’s words about heroes protecting what they held dear, Inari ran after the samurai to rescue his mother.
• In the woods, Inari stood between the samurai and his mother, and the samurai knocked her unconscious before threatening him.
• Shinki appeared behind Inari and blocked a samurai’s sword with a kunai as the other samurai charged; he then began the Great Fireball Technique.

Shinki saved Inari’s mother and hurried toward the bridge, where Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke faced Zabuza and learned that Haku had helped fake Zabuza’s capture. Haku trapped Naruto and Sasuke inside a ring of ice mirrors, while Zabuza engaged Kakashi.

• Shinki extinguished his fireball before it could harm Inari’s mother, then told Inari to return home and headed to the bridge.
• Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke found the bridge workers down and were surrounded by mist as Zabuza confronted them.
• Zabuza summoned Water Clones, but Kakashi and Sasuke defeated them while Naruto taunted Zabuza.
• Haku appeared and admitted that he had something to protect, then attacked Naruto and Sasuke with needles.
• Haku formed Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals around Naruto and Sasuke, trapping them inside a semicircle of ice mirrors.

Naruto and Sasuke were trapped in Haku’s Ice Release formation while Kakashi fought Zabuza in thick fog. Kakashi realized Zabuza was targeting Tazuna and rushed back in time to block the attack.

• Haku trapped Naruto and Sasuke in the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and wounded them with flying needles.
• Sasuke tried to melt the mirrors with his Great Fireball Technique, while Naruto’s Shadow Clones were quickly destroyed.
• Kakashi exposed his Sharingan as Zabuza thickened the fog and attacked using Water Clones.
• Kakashi realized Zabuza had used the fight to target Tazuna and rushed back to defend him.
• Kakashi caught Zabuza’s descending Kubikiribōchō with his Kunai before it struck Tazuna.

Shinki arrived during the battle with Zabuza and Haku, using deception and Flying Thunder God to trap Zabuza with Kakashi's help. He entered Haku's Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, asked about the Kekkei Genkai, and prepared to fight.

• Kakashi struggled to defend Tazuna against Zabuza while Naruto and Sasuke were trapped and injured inside Haku's Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.
• Shinki appeared and pretended to prepare a Fire Style technique, then used Flying Thunder God and a Rasengan to strike Zabuza from behind.
• Kakashi trapped Zabuza in a Water Prison Technique and wondered whether Shinki was the Fourth Hokage's son after seeing him use Flying Thunder God and Rasengan.
• Shinki entered the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, asked Haku what the technique was and what a Kekkei Genkai meant, then announced he was ready to fight.

Shinki melted Haku’s Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals with a powerful Great Dragon Fire Technique, then faced Haku in close combat on the bridge. As Haku prepared a one-handed technique, Shinki revealed his own one-handed Lightning Release move, leaving Kakashi stunned by its resemblance to the Lightning Blade.

• Shinki’s Great Dragon Fire Technique melted Haku’s ice mirrors and intercepted his Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death.
• Kakashi and Zabuza debated Shinki’s abilities and whether Haku could defeat him, with Zabuza insisting Haku would not lose.
• After the ice mirrors melted, Shinki sent Sasuke and Naruto back and faced Haku alone on the bridge.
• Haku and Shinki clashed with kunai, and Haku began forming seals with one hand.
• Shinki formed seals with one hand and unleashed his Lightning Release technique, Piercing Hand.
• Kakashi recognized Shinki’s technique as resembling his Lightning Blade and wondered when Shinki had learned it.

Inari tried to rally the villagers while Shinki and Haku’s fight on the bridge freed Zabuza from Kakashi’s Water Prison. Kakashi and Shinki restrained Zabuza, and Shinki appeared behind him to strike as the chapter ended.

• Inari knocked on the villagers’ doors to ask them to help, but they refused, so he ran off to keep trying after his mother urged him to give up.
• Shinki pierced Haku’s right shoulder with Piercing Hand, but Haku kept fighting and attacked Kakashi to break his Water Prison Technique.
• Haku freed Zabuza, who praised him as a tool, while Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke were wounded and Shinki’s side retained the advantage.
• Zabuza used the Hidden Mist Technique and surged with red Chakra, but Kakashi trapped him with Earth Release: Fang Pursuit Technique and his Ninja Dogs.
• After Kakashi signaled him, Shinki used the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind the restrained Zabuza and thrust both lightning-shrouded hands at him.

Haku sacrificed himself to save Zabuza from Shinki, and Gato arrived intending to kill the wounded fighters rather than pay Zabuza. Zabuza killed Gato and his guards, then left to bury Haku as the islanders arrived to support the bridge builders.

• Haku stepped in front of Zabuza and died holding Shinki in place after Shinki's Flying Thunder God attack pierced his chest.
• Zabuza stopped his sword from striking Haku and attacked Gato's men when Gato announced he planned to kill everyone and withhold payment.
• Zabuza killed the Samurai guarding Gato and split Gato in two with the Kubikiribōchō.
• Inari brought more than a hundred islanders to the bridge, where they surrounded Zabuza as Kakashi watched warily.
• Zabuza picked up Haku's body, warned Shinki they would meet again, and left to bury Haku; Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke were taken for treatment.

Team 7 returned to Konoha after completing the Land of Waves mission, where Sakura and Ino argued over Sasuke and Shinki. Naruto recounted Shinki’s role in the bridge battle, and Shikamaru was stunned to hear that Shinki had used the Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Tazuna and the people of the Land of Waves celebrated the completed bridge, while Zabuza watched Team 7 depart beside a grave.
• Sakura and Ino waited for Team 7 to return and argued over Sasuke and Shinki.
• Sasuke rejected Sakura’s invitation to eat, saying he planned to train after the mission exposed the gap between him and Shinki.
• Ino struggled to speak to Shinki when he greeted her, then relaxed as Naruto began describing the mission to Shikamaru and Choji.
• Naruto said Shinki had used the Flying Thunder God Technique during the bridge battle, shocking Shikamaru, Sakura, and Ino.

Kakashi reported Team 7’s Land of Waves mission to the Third Hokage, revealing Shinki’s extraordinary techniques and abilities. He learned that Shinki had also been secretly taught Wood Release, leaving Kakashi stunned by how much the boy had held back.

• Sakura, Ino, and Shikamaru were shocked when Naruto explained that Shinki had developed the Flying Thunder God Technique himself.
• Kakashi left to report the mission, and the Third Hokage asked Yamato to stay and listen because he had once taught Shinki.
• Kakashi recounted Shinki’s feats in the Land of Waves, including his powerful elemental techniques, his battle with Zabuza, and his rapid mastery of Earth Release: Fang Pursuit Technique.
• The Third Hokage confirmed that Yamato had secretly taught Shinki Wood Release and warned him to use it only if his life was in danger.
• Kakashi learned that Shinki had created the Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence in the village, and realized he had kept Wood Release hidden during the mission.

The Third Hokage assigned Kakashi to train Shinki, while Shinki returned to Konoha and ran into Konohamaru at a Flying Thunder God mark. Konohamaru revealed he had used the Rasengan to knock down his grandfather, the Third Hokage, whose back was still hurting.

• The Third Hokage persuaded Kakashi to become Shinki's teacher, and Kakashi agreed to train him.
• At the village entrance, Shinki's classmates crowded around him, while Naruto vowed to train harder and Sasuke hurried home to train.
• Shinki left to buy ingredients for dinner using Flying Thunder God and appeared at the market beside Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi.
• Konohamaru proudly told Shinki that he had used the Rasengan to sneak-attack the Third Hokage and knock him down.
• The Third Hokage complained to his secretary that Konohamaru's Rasengan attack had left his back aching.

Kakashi told Team 7 that he had entered them in the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams, prompting them to prepare for the high-risk test. Shinki also refused Konohamaru’s request to teach him a more powerful jutsu, leaving the boy to wait until after the exams.

• Naruto wondered whether the unfamiliar Ninja gathering in Konoha were plotting an invasion, and Sasuke warned him not to treat war as a chance to become a hero.
• Kakashi announced that Team 7 would take part in the Chunin Ninja Exams on July 1st and cautioned them that most candidates were eliminated.
• Kakashi revealed that he had become a Chunin at around six and a Jonin at around twelve, astonishing Naruto, Sasuke, and Shinki.
• Kakashi canceled village missions so Team 7 could prepare, and Sasuke, Naruto, and Shinki began training for the exams.
• Konohamaru begged Shinki to teach him an enhanced jutsu, but Shinki refused and said they could discuss it after he became a Chunin.

Shinki rescued Konohamaru from Kankuro after the Sand ninja threatened him, drawing Gaara’s attention. Gaara left with Temari and Kankuro after introducing himself and saying he was interested in Shinki.

• Konohamaru ran into Kankuro, who grabbed him and threatened him while Temari warned Kankuro to stop.
• Shinki used the Flying Thunder God Technique to free Konohamaru, then dispersed Kankuro’s Chakra Threads when Kankuro tried to retaliate.
• Gaara appeared and ordered Kankuro to stop, frightening him into putting away his weapon.
• Gaara left with Temari and Kankuro, then turned back to ask Shinki’s name and said he was interested in him.

Shinki encountered Gaara and his siblings, then passed Iruka's test when he recognized the teacher's disguise and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to find him. Two days before the Chunin Ninja Exams, Shinki caught Tenten as she fell outside Room 301.

• Gaara told Shinki he was interested in him, but left with Temari and Kankuro after Shinki stood his ground.
• A disguised Iruka kidnapped Konohamaru to test Shinki, who tracked them with the Flying Thunder God Technique and exposed Iruka.
• Iruka praised Shinki's growth and invited him and Naruto to ramen before Shinki returned to buy groceries.
• Two days before the exams, Shinki and his teammates brought their application files to the Ninja Academy and found two examinees blocking Room 301.
• One of the examinees shoved Tenten, and Shinki caught her as she fell.

Shinki joined Team 7 in exposing a Genjutsu at the Ninja Academy, then faced Rock Lee in a sparring match after Rock Lee challenged him. Shinki overwhelmed Rock Lee and opened the Fifth Gate, leaving the others stunned by his strength.

• Sasuke saw through the Genjutsu disguising classroom 301, and Team 7 submitted their applications on the third floor.
• Tenten admired Shinki, Neji assessed him as a likely opponent, and Rock Lee insisted on fighting him.
• Rock Lee challenged Shinki at the training ground, and Shinki caught his opening kick before countering his Konoha Whirlwind and sending him flying.
• Rock Lee opened the Eight Gates, but Shinki calmly opened his own gates through the Fifth Gate, prompting Rock Lee to surrender.
• Sasuke concluded that he could track Rock Lee with his Sharingan but could not react fast enough to match him.

After Rock Lee conceded to Shinki, Might Guy recognized Shinki’s progress with the Eight Gates and sent Lee running laps. When the Chunin Ninja Exams began, Shinki and Sasuke worried Naruto might score zero, but Hinata sat beside him and eased their concern as the written test started.

• Rock Lee conceded that Shinki was stronger than him, and Might Guy recognized Shinki as the boy who could open the Sixth Gate.
• Might Guy reprimanded Lee for challenging someone beyond his limits and ordered him to run a hundred laps around the Ninja Academy field.
• Neji and Tenten left, with Neji noting that he could not beat Lee as easily as Shinki had.
• Ibiki Morino explained that the written exam had ten questions and that a zero from any team member would invalidate the whole team’s results.
• Shinki and Sasuke worried Naruto might score zero, but Hinata sat beside Naruto, whose strong exam scores reassured Shinki.
• Ibiki started the sixty-minute written exam, and Shinki looked over his paper.