Chapter Summaries

Qi Shuang brought Yuri to Tsunade for help with the foreign object in her head, and Tsunade determined that surgery could treat her. Tsunade then refused money for the treatment and hinted that she wanted something from Kirigakure’s Agriculture Department.

• Jiraiya introduced Qi Shuang and Yuri to Tsunade, who examined Yuri and detected a hidden illness.
• Qi Shuang explained that Kirigakure’s Medical Department had found a foreign object in Yuri’s head but could not remove it.
• Tsunade examined Yuri more thoroughly and said the object was causing her illness and that surgery followed by medicine could treat it.
• Tsunade said Shizune could perform the surgery, and Qi Shuang was relieved that Yuri could be saved.
• Tsunade refused Qi Shuang’s offer of money and brought up Kirigakure’s successful Agriculture Department.

Tsunade demanded Kirigakure’s hybridization breeding technology in exchange for treating Yuri, but Qi Shuang refused to hand it over. He instead agreed to improve two Konoha crops, and Tsunade accepted the deal.

• Qi Shuang explained that Kirigakure’s improved seeds produced lower yields in Konoha because the regions had different soil and climates.
• Tsunade demanded Kirigakure’s hybridization breeding technology as payment for treating Yuri, while Jiraiya remained silent despite his discomfort.
• Yuri protested Tsunade’s demand, and Qi Shuang comforted her before refusing to surrender the technology.
• Qi Shuang offered to improve two native Konoha crops, and Tsunade agreed to the compromise.

Tsunade agreed to operate on Yuri in exchange for Kirigakure improving two crops for Konoha, though Qi Shuang refused to hand over rice seeds. Yuri chose to take the Chunin Ninja Exams before treatment, while Tsunade rejected the idea of becoming Fifth Hokage.

• Tsunade asked Qi Shuang to choose two crops for improvement and said she would confirm the targets after consulting Sarutobi.
• Tsunade warned that Yuri needed brain surgery and that the dangerous Chunin Ninja Exams could leave her dead or crippled, but Yuri insisted on competing.
• Qi Shuang let Yuri choose for herself, and she decided to take the exams before returning for treatment.
• Jiraiya asked Tsunade whether Sarutobi had directed her bargaining; Tsunade said she had acted on her own, and Jiraiya told her she was more suited to becoming Hokage.
• Mei Terumi learned that Qi Shuang had refused to give Konoha rice seeds but had agreed to improve two other crops.

Qi Shuang explained to Mei Terumi why Kirigakure had accepted the cost of Yuri’s treatment and discussed the group’s chances in the Chunin Ninja Exams. Meanwhile, a young Uchiha tried to see Mei Terumi but was stopped by Kirigakure’s guards until a silver-haired masked ninja arrived to intervene.

• Qi Shuang told Mei Terumi that Yuri had postponed treatment until after the Chunin Ninja Exams and explained that investing in the promising girl was worthwhile for Kirigakure’s future.
• Qi Shuang estimated that Yuri and six other children could advance, while only two or three of the remaining Kirigakure Genin might qualify amid the crowded competition.
• A young Konoha ninja arrived at the Kirigakure inn and demanded to meet Mei Terumi, but the guards refused him entry and struck him down.
• The guards recognized the youth as the surviving Uchiha orphan when they saw his clan crest and Sharingan, then expressed their hostility toward the Uchiha.
• A silver-haired masked ninja seized the youth’s wrist and apologized to the Kirigakure guards for his subordinate’s conduct.

Sasuke confronted Kakashi and sought an audience with Mei Terumi to learn whether Obito Uchiha had caused the Nine-Tails' Rampage and the Fourth Hokage's death. Qi Shuang revealed that Obito was real and had been Kakashi's classmate, leaving Sasuke and Kakashi stunned as he began to explain further.

• Sasuke tried to reach Mei Terumi so he could investigate rumors that Obito Uchiha had disgraced the Uchiha clan, but Kakashi dragged him away.
• Mei Terumi agreed to hear Sasuke after Qi Shuang suggested using the rumor to trouble Konoha over the Six-Tails' wartime release.
• Sasuke asked Mei Terumi whether Obito existed and whether he had caused the Nine-Tails' Rampage and the Fourth Hokage's death.
• Qi Shuang revealed that Obito was Kakashi's former classmate and the source of Kakashi's left Sharingan.
• Kakashi told Qi Shuang to leave his personal affairs out of the explanation and focus on Obito.

Qi Shuang revealed that Obito Uchiha had caused the Nine-Tails' Rampage and linked him to the Uchiha clan’s persecution. He began to explain the truth behind Itachi Uchiha’s massacre, but Sasuke’s anger rose, and Kakashi pulled him away from Qi Shuang’s icy chakra.

• Qi Shuang explained that the Sharingan markings in the Nine-Tails’ eyes had led Konoha to blame the Uchiha clan for the Rampage and exile them to the village outskirts.
• Sasuke Uchiha rejected the explanation, but Qi Shuang said Obito Uchiha had confessed to causing the Rampage in front of Rin Nohara, whom Qi Shuang had revived.
• Qi Shuang offered to reveal a secret about Obito Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha, and the Uchiha massacre, and Sasuke chose to hear it when he heard Itachi’s name.
• Qi Shuang questioned Sasuke’s belief that Itachi had massacred the clan to test the Mangekyō Sharingan, but Sasuke insisted that avenging his parents and clansmen was all that mattered.
• Qi Shuang sent icy chakra toward Sasuke to calm him, and Kakashi uncovered his Sharingan and pulled Sasuke back, asking Qi Shuang to show mercy.

Qi Shuang led Sasuke and Kakashi to question the official explanation for the Uchiha massacre, suggesting Itachi had help from Obito. Kakashi stopped Sasuke from pursuing the truth, then asked Qi Shuang how Obito learned the time and location of Kushina's aunt's delivery.

• Qi Shuang urged Sasuke to question whether Itachi would really massacre his clan just to test the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Qi Shuang pointed out that Itachi killed only the Uchiha and that the clan's many members could have fought back, called for help, or fled.
• Kakashi realized the massacre might involve Konoha's hidden darkness and warned Sasuke to stop investigating.
• Kakashi used a surge of electricity to render Sasuke unconscious, then told Qi Shuang that the truth might be too cruel for him to know.
• Qi Shuang explained that Obito had helped Itachi carry out the massacre and connected their alliance to their later membership in the Akatsuki.
• Kakashi asked how Obito had learned when and where Kushina's aunt would give birth.

Qi Shuang explained to Mei Terumi how Konoha’s leaders may have allowed the Uchiha clan’s extermination to prevent a civil war, and why Sasuke Uchiha remained alive. He left Mei Terumi with the prediction that Sasuke would grow powerful enough to become a problem for Konoha.

• Kakashi Hatake left with the unconscious Sasuke Uchiha after Qi Shuang refused to explain what he knew about Obito Uchiha.
• Mei Terumi reasoned that Konoha’s leaders may have orchestrated the Uchiha clan’s extermination to eliminate a threat and avert civil war.
• Qi Shuang explained that a Uchiha rebellion could have prompted the other great villages to attack Konoha and possibly triggered a wider war.
• Mei Terumi said Sasuke would likely seek revenge but doubted he could survive investigating the massacre.
• Qi Shuang said Itachi Uchiha’s threat kept Konoha from killing Sasuke and predicted Sasuke would eventually surpass Itachi.

The Hidden Mist Genin advanced to the arena stage of Konoha’s Chunin Exams after a deadly survival challenge, and the delegation set out to watch the tournament. Qi Shuang explained why Yuri would struggle against Gaara, while Yuri questioned how Suigetsu could fare any better.

• The second stage eliminated fifteen Hidden Mist participants, including the counterfeit Samehada’s wielder, whose two teammates Gaara killed.
• Konoha postponed the arena tournament by a day after the survival challenge took longer than expected.
• The injured Samehada successor urged Yuri and the other Ninja Sword Wielders to avenge him against Gaara.
• Suigetsu and Yuri argued over whose weapons and abilities were more useful, until Qi Shuang told them to save their energy for the arena.
• Qi Shuang said Gaara’s sand defense made Yuri’s chances of victory nearly zero, and Yuri challenged his claim that Suigetsu had better odds.

The third round of the Chunin Ninja Exams began, and Mist Village Genin Yuri was called to fight Konoha’s Sakura Haruno. As the two took their places, Yuri impatiently demanded that Sakura start the match.

• Mei Terumi warned the Mist Village Genin to surrender if they faced danger, while Qi Shuang promised to protect them from the edge of the training grounds.
• The Third Hokage opened the third round, and Choji Akimichi defeated a Takigakure ninja in the first match.
• Gekko Hayate announced the thirteenth match between Yuri and Sakura Haruno, and Yuri entered the grounds carrying her branched blades.
• The Third Hokage questioned Mei Terumi about letting Genin use legendary ninja swords, and Mei defended the choice as part of ninja tactics.
• Qi Shuang judged Sakura too weak to threaten Yuri, while Naruto Uzumaki and Ino Yamanaka encouraged Sakura from the competitors’ seats.
• Yuri grew impatient as Sakura spoke with Ino and demanded that they fight or that Sakura surrender.

Sakura faced Yuri, the Mist ninja chosen as the successor to the Lightning Blade: Fang, in the Chunin Ninja Exams. After Yuri overwhelmed Sakura with her speed and swordsmanship, Sakura narrowly blocked one blade but was left exposed to the second.

• Shikamaru explained to Ino that Yuri was the talented successor to the Lightning Blade: Fang, while Sakura was only an ordinary Genin.
• Sakura entered the arena, and Gekko Hayate started the match before quickly leaving the battlefield.
• Sakura threw two Kunai and retreated, but Yuri easily knocked them aside and demanded that Sakura fight seriously.
• Sasuke told Naruto that Sakura could not match Yuri's speed and would likely lose quickly in close combat.
• Yuri rushed Sakura, who blocked one sword strike with her Kunai, but Yuri then aimed her other blade at Sakura's waist.

Yuri defeated Sakura Haruno in three strikes, and the remaining matches showed that Kirigakure’s new-generation Ninja Sword Wielders were formidable despite several losses. As Chojuro faced Gaara, Qi Shuang warned that Gaara was dangerous and that Chojuro had little chance of winning.

• Yuri overwhelmed Sakura Haruno, spared her life, and won their match.
• Mei Terumi teased Hiruzen Sarutobi over Sakura’s defeat as the audience reacted to Kirigakure’s strength.
• Kirigakure’s other contestants suffered defeats, including the successors of Blunt Sword Kabutowari and Long Sword Nuibari.
• Gekko Hayate announced the match between Chojuro and Gaara, prompting Qi Shuang to warn the Kage that Gaara was a dangerous One-Tail Jinchuriki.
• Qi Shuang told Chojuro to fight without holding back, then explained to Yuri that Gaara’s special identity made him too strong for Chojuro to defeat.

Chojuro faced Gaara in the Chunin Exam arena, where Gaara’s sand attacks met the extraordinary cutting power of Chojuro’s Samehada. The fight continued as Gaara launched a sand shower at Chojuro.

• Yuri worried that Chojuro’s politeness would put him at a disadvantage against Gaara, the One-Tail Jinchuriki.
• After the spectators jeered, Gaara attacked with a sand serpent, and Chojuro drew Samehada and shattered it with one slash.
• Gaara formed a giant Sand Hand, but Chojuro cut through it, prompting Qi Shuang to explain that Samehada’s blade was exceptionally sharp.
• Gaara sent sand shuriken at Chojuro, who cut them apart while charging forward.
• Gaara raised clouds of sand above Chojuro and began a Sand Shower.

Chojuro broke free of Gaara’s sand restraints with Hiramekarei and unleashed a powerful slash that shattered Gaara’s defenses. The attack sent Gaara crashing into the training ground’s protective wall, leaving the spectators astonished.

• Gaara revealed that he had turned the training ground into sand under his control and pinned Chojuro in place.
• Chojuro released Hiramekarei’s stored power, breaking free of the sand and striking at Gaara with a blade of light.
• Gaara used Shield of Shukaku, but Chojuro’s attack cleaved through it and continued toward him.
• Gaara wrapped himself in a sphere of sand, but Chojuro’s blade of light broke through and sent him into the protective wall.
• The spectators and other contestants reacted with astonishment at Chojuro’s attack and Gaara’s defenses.

Gaara survived Chojuro’s powerful strike by using a third layer of hardened sand, then trapped him in a massive quicksand vortex. Qi Shuang rushed in to save Chojuro but was pulled under too, leaving both of them sinking in the arena.

• Qi Shuang explained that Chojuro’s Hiramekarei: Release had lost most of its force after breaking through Gaara’s defenses, and Gaara still had the strength to fight.
• Gaara emerged from the protective wall with a third layer of hardened sand around him, while Sasuke Uchiha watched and brooded over his own weakness.
• Chojuro charged Gaara, but Gaara used Flowing Sand Waterfall Stream to turn the arena into a quicksand vortex and trap him.
• Qi Shuang declared that Kirigakure conceded and rushed to rescue Chojuro, but Gaara refused to stop the technique.
• Qi Shuang was swept into the quicksand, and Chojuro was fully submerged before he could be saved.

Gaara ignored the rules and unleashed a devastating sand technique against Qi Shuang and Chojuro, but Qi Shuang survived unharmed and rescued Chojuro. After Qi Shuang called on Rasa to intervene, Gaara finally ended the fight and left the arena.

• Gaara continued attacking after Qi Shuang and Chojuro had surrendered, while Kakashi explained that the referees could not stop him and Qi Shuang had stepped in.
• Gaara used Sand Waterfall Funeral, shaking the competition grounds and frightening the other villages' Genin before Gekko Hayate declared him the winner.
• Qi Shuang emerged unharmed from the sand with Chojuro, whom he had protected with Ice Seal Technique and Ice Release: Chakra Mode.
• Gaara prepared to attack again, but Qi Shuang called on Kazekage Rasa to discipline him.
• Rasa ordered Gaara to stop, and Gaara eventually released the sand and left the competition grounds.

As the Chunin Ninja Exams paused for the night, Obito Uchiha warned Kisame Hoshigaki and Qi Shuang's clone that Nagato and the Six Paths of Pain were coming to capture the Six-Tails. Obito agreed to join forces with them to kill Nagato in exchange for his Rinnegan, leaving the group preparing to face Nagato by the next morning.

• The referee, Gekko Hayate, ended the day's matches and announced that the second round would continue tomorrow.
• Obito Uchiha arrived at the Six-Tails' hiding place, where Kisame Hoshigaki attacked him and his blade passed through Obito's body.
• Qi Shuang's Ice Release Clone emerged and explained that his original body had left him to guard the place before Kisame arrived.
• Obito warned Qi Shuang's clone and Kisame that Nagato would come with the Six Paths of Pain to capture the Six-Tails by the next morning.
• Obito proposed joining forces to kill Nagato and demanded the Rinnegan so he could revive Rin Nohara, and Qi Shuang's clone agreed.

Qi Shuang's clone, Kisame, and Obito planned to use Nagato's arrival at Kirigakure as an opportunity to attack him, while Obito promised Rin Nohara he would take her back to Konoha. After locating Nagato's main body and the approaching Six Paths of Pain, the group set out to begin their plan.

• Qi Shuang's clone explained that Kisame would distract the Six Paths of Pain while he and Obito ambushed Nagato's main body.
• Qi Shuang's clone told Kisame he planned to kill Obito after dealing with Nagato if possible, and explained the Six Paths of Pain's abilities to him.
• Obito took Rin Nohara to the Land of Water and promised to take her back to Konoha once he obtained what he was seeking.
• Obito waited with Rin through the night, then sealed her away again and went to investigate Nagato's location.
• Obito found Qi Shuang's clone and Kisame and reported that the Six Paths of Pain would reach Kirigakure in ten minutes and that Nagato was on a hill northwest of the village.
• Qi Shuang's clone told Obito and Kisame to go, and they set out to attack Nagato.

Kisame Hoshigaki intercepted Pain and sent him toward the canal, warning that attacking Kirigakure would bring retaliation against the Akatsuki headquarters. Pain’s group discovered the Six-Tails was hidden at the dam, where Kisame launched a water attack as they approached.

• Obito Uchiha told the Qi Shuang clone that Nagato was hiding on a distant hill, while the clone spotted the Six Paths of Pain approaching Kirigakure.
• Kisame Hoshigaki confronted Pain on the road, and Deva Path Pain used Banshō Ten'in to grab him and demand the Six-Tails’ location.
• Kisame revealed that the Six-Tails had been moved and warned that Blue Eyes Ice Dragon would retaliate against the Akatsuki headquarters if Kirigakure was harmed, then disappeared as a Water Clone.
• White Zetsu confirmed that the Six-Tails was no longer in Kirigakure, so Pain’s group followed the canal upstream toward the dam.
• Deva Path Pain used his Rinnegan to detect a chakra barrier at the dam and concluded that the Six-Tails was inside powering it.
• Kisame Hoshigaki attacked the advancing Six Paths of Pain with Water Release: Great Shark Bullet, and Preta Path Pain turned to intercept the four shark-shaped water bullets.

Kisame fought the Six Paths of Pain in the river, using his water-based techniques and fused form with Samehada to evade their attacks and separate Preta Path from the others. The chapter ended with Preta Path grabbing Kisame’s wrist underwater as he prepared to absorb his chakra.

• Kisame scattered his water sharks to attack the Six Paths, but Preta Path absorbed the attacks aimed at him and Deva Path repelled the rest with Shinra Tensei.
• Animal Path summoned a Three-Headed Dog, Giant Crab, and Green Strange Bird while Asura Path, Human Path, and Preta Path charged Kisame.
• Kisame sank beneath the river to avoid the giant summons, and Pain realized he could breathe underwater.
• Animal Path sent a Giant Lobster and Giant Crab after Kisame, who fused with Samehada and outmaneuvered them underwater.
• Animal Path recalled the aquatic summons after the muddy water hid Kisame from Pain’s view.
• Kisame held his breath, dragged Preta Path underwater, and evaded Asura Path’s underwater cannons, but Preta Path seized his wrist.