Recaps

Sarutobi Hiruzen asked academy teacher Murakami Keining whether any prodigies had emerged since Kakashi, and Murakami pointed him toward Uchiha Mai. Hiruzen agreed to judge Mai’s talent in a match, leaving Murakami anxious that the supposedly gifted boy was only impressive in appearance.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen reminisced about the talented shinobi the Ninja Academy had produced and asked Murakami Keining about new prodigies.
• Murakami Keining claimed he had discovered a promising student in Kakashi’s class and pointed out Uchiha Mai dancing for a crowd of children.
• Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu noticed Mai’s striking looks, while Hiruzen wondered why a talented Uchiha had been sent to the academy.
• Hiruzen asked to assess Mai’s strength in a match, and Murakami nervously agreed to arrange one.
• Murakami blew his whistle and called the students to assemble.

Uchiha Mai accepted Sarutobi Asuma’s challenge at the Ninja Academy, hoping to test the combat skills he had gained from his cheat. The match was about to begin, with the students divided over whom they supported.

• Yuhi Kurenai asked Uchiha Mai to dance again, but he promised to do so another time.
• Murakami Keining announced a sparring match, and Sarutobi Asuma challenged Uchiha Mai over his jealousy of Kurenai.
• Asuma offered to stop speaking to Kurenai if he won, while Mai negotiated for Asuma to become his sparring partner for a month if Mai won.
• The students formed rival cheering groups, and Obito Uchiha joined Guy and Rin Nohara on Mai’s side.
• Mai prepared to test his cheat, which had given him Mayweather’s Shoulder Roll and Peng Yuyan’s Flying Armbar after months of training.

Uchiha Mai faced Sarutobi Asuma in a formal sparring match and used a boxing stance and precise punches to gain the upper hand. Asuma began circling Mai cautiously, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Uchiha Mai and Sarutobi Asuma formed the Seal of Confrontation as their classmates cheered for them.
• Might Guy recognized Mai’s stance as a refined Taijutsu guard and explained how it supported both attack and defense.
• Asuma charged at Mai, but Mai dodged his punch and jabbed him in the cheek.
• Mai retreated after landing the hit, and Asuma began circling him while searching for an opening.

Uchiha Mai defeated Asuma in a taijutsu match by using feints, counters, and a barrage of punches, leaving Asuma unconscious. The match ended without a reconciliation seal, and the Third Hokage praised Mai’s battle intelligence.

• Uchiha Mai dodged Asuma’s chakra-enhanced punches and struck him around the eye with a counterpunch.
• Asuma attacked again, but Uchiha Mai used his guard and flicker jab to distract him before landing more punches.
• Uchiha Mai battered Asuma with a combination and knocked him unconscious with a right hook.
• Murakami Keining checked Asuma, confirmed he was alive, and declared Uchiha Mai the winner.
• The other students declined to challenge Uchiha Mai and paired off for practice instead.
• Murakami Keining asked Sarutobi Hiruzen about Uchiha Mai, and Sarutobi praised Mai’s battle intelligence.

After defeating Sarutobi Asuma, Uchiha Mai discovered his Style Points had increased enough for a one-star draw and hurried home to use it. He avoided Might Guy’s challenge with a lie about celebrating Shisui’s birthday and returned to his family’s empty courtyard.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen showed no concern that his son Asuma had been beaten into a concussion, believing the fight would teach him a lesson.
• Uchiha Mai reviewed his limited abilities and credited his boxing techniques with helping him defeat Asuma.
• Uchiha Mai noticed his Style Points had risen to 304 and suspected beating Asuma had earned him a large reward.
• Uchiha Mai considered targeting other young characters for Style Points, then decided to go home for a one-star draw.
• Might Guy challenged Uchiha Mai to a contest, but Mai refused and claimed he needed to celebrate Shisui’s birthday.
• Uchiha Mai jogged back to the Uchiha Compound and reached the courtyard left by his parents.

Uchiha Mai spent 300 Style Points to draw a one-star skill and discovered that the seemingly ridiculous Lightning Five-Chain Whip greatly improved upper-body speed, flexibility, and hand-seal speed. After practicing it, he was summoned by four-year-old Uchiha Shisui on behalf of the clan head.

• Uchiha Mai used 300 Style Points to draw Lightning Five-Chain Whip and initially cursed the skill as worthless.
• Uchiha Mai claimed the ability and learned that it was a training method that enhanced his upper-body speed and flexibility as he practiced.
• Uchiha Mai tested the skill and found that his hand-seal speed had also improved.
• Uchiha Mai cooked dinner and practiced Lightning Five-Chain Whip in his yard.
• Uchiha Shisui arrived with red bean dumplings and told Uchiha Mai that the clan head had asked him to come over.

Uchiha Fugaku summoned Uchiha Mai after hearing that Mai had badly beaten Asuma at the Ninja Academy, and explained that tensions were high because graduates might soon be sent to war. Fugaku settled the matter with the Hokage and encouraged Mai to keep training in Taijutsu.

• Uchiha Mai brought Shisui to Fugaku's home, where Uchiha Mikoto took Shisui and baby Itachi away so Fugaku could speak with Mai alone.
• Fugaku asked Mai about beating Asuma and explained that the Hokage had witnessed the fight during an inspection of the Ninja Academy.
• Fugaku told Mai that the Hokage had warned him about the sensitive incident, but that he had apologized and the matter was settled.
• Fugaku praised Mai's victory, advised him to go easier on Asuma next time, and encouraged him to train in Taijutsu as well as Fire Style and Shurikenjutsu.

Uchiha Mai helped Mikoto and Shisui change baby Itachi’s diaper, secretly flicked him once, and gained no Style Points. With the graduation exam approaching, Mai trained intensely and began developing a taijutsu style tailored to himself.

• Mikoto reassured Mai after his conversation with Fugaku, and Mai met baby Itachi in the corridor with Shisui.
• Mai and Shisui changed Itachi’s wet diaper, and Mai discreetly flicked him but received no Style Points.
• Mai returned to his courtyard, trained, and continued his daily student routine as the graduation exam drew closer.
• Mai used his extra training time to combine boxing, jujutsu, and the Five-Link Whip into the beginnings of a fighting style suited to him.

After school, Uchiha Mai asked Might Guy to introduce him to his father, Might Duy, so he could learn taijutsu. Mai’s praise moved Duy to tears, and the father and son embraced while Mai watched.

• Might Guy stopped Uchiha Mai after school and invited him to settle their match, then explained that he had spent the past few days training with his father, Might Duy.
• Uchiha Mai asked to meet Might Duy for advice on taijutsu, hoping to learn powerful kicking techniques to complement his boxing.
• Might Guy forgot about their challenge and hurried Mai to his home, where they found Might Duy sewing weighted leg wraps.
• Uchiha Mai introduced himself politely, and Might Guy explained that Mai wanted taijutsu instruction.
• Might Duy doubted his abilities because he was only a Genin, so Mai claimed that Uchiha elders considered him one of Konoha’s finest taijutsu experts.
• Might Duy burst into tears and embraced Might Guy, celebrating that his taijutsu had finally received recognition while Mai watched in silence.

Uchiha Mai asked Might Duy to teach him leg techniques so he could complete his self-created taijutsu style. During a spar with Might Guy, Mai used Guy’s exposed opening to knock him down in one strike, leaving Duy convinced Mai had his own understanding of taijutsu.

• Uchiha Mai told Might Duy he wanted to learn leg techniques and kicking skills to complete his taijutsu style.
• Might Duy asked Mai to demonstrate his existing techniques, and Might Guy volunteered to spar with him.
• Might Duy led Mai and Guy to an open area by the river, where they formed the Seal of Confrontation.
• Guy charged with a high whip kick, but Mai aimed a punch at his groin, forcing Guy to abandon his attack and protect himself.
• Mai leaped in and struck Guy on the head with his Iron Crowbar technique, knocking him down in one blow.
• Might Duy concluded that Mai had his own understanding of taijutsu.

Uchiha Mai initially knocked Guy down with a clever counterattack, but Guy refused to concede and opened the Eight Inner Gates’ Gate of Opening. Guy’s enhanced strength and speed overwhelmed Mai, who relied on his own taijutsu and defensive counters to keep the fight going.

• Uchiha Mai defeated Guy with an iron-weight strike, but Guy struggled up and insisted that the match was not over.
• Guy asked Might Duy for permission to use a dangerous technique, and Duy agreed despite Guy’s injuries.
• Guy opened the Gate of Opening and launched a rapid assault on Uchiha Mai.
• Mai realized he could not match Guy head-on and shifted to defensive counterattacks.
• Uchiha Mai used more of his Mai Style Ancient Martial Arts forms to withstand Guy’s attacks, astonishing the watching Might Guy.

Uchiha Mai fought Might Guy while waiting for Guy’s stamina to run out, but the strain and provocation awakened a One Tomoe Sharingan in both his eyes. With his new perception, Mai saw an opening in Guy’s attack and prepared to counter it head-on.

• Uchiha Mai defended against Might Guy’s relentless attacks, relying on his stamina advantage rather than trading blows recklessly.
• Guy taunted Mai and urged him to fight at full strength, but Mai held to his defensive strategy despite growing frustrated.
• Mai’s eyes turned red and awakened a One Tomoe Sharingan in each eye, letting him perceive Guy’s movements and openings more clearly.
• Mai told Guy he would now show his full strength, and Guy leaped in with another high kick.
• Mai used his Sharingan to catch Guy’s opening and charged forward with the Phoenix Kirin · Asura technique.

Uchiha Mai defeated Guy in their taijutsu match and was invited by Might Duy to learn Strong Fist kicking techniques. After returning home, Mai considered whether to spend his Style Points on a half-star draw or save them for a one-star reward.

• Uchiha Mai pinned Guy with a Cross Armbreaker, and Might Duy ended the match by declaring Guy defeated.
• Guy accepted the loss, released the Gate of Life, and promised to train even harder after Might Duy encouraged him.
• Might Duy apologized for Guy's future challenges, while Uchiha Mai welcomed their rivalry and noticed his Style Points had risen to 115.
• Might Duy invited Uchiha Mai to visit with Guy after school and offered to teach him Strong Fist kicking techniques.
• At home, Uchiha Mai weighed whether to spend his Style Points on a half-star draw or save them for a one-star reward.

Uchiha Mai used a half-star draw to gain Jean-Claude Van Damme's roundhouse kick and practiced the technique at the Ninja Academy. Asuma abandoned his revenge plan after seeing Mai’s power and Yuhi Kurenai’s attention to him, then convinced himself Kurenai would eventually return to him.

• Uchiha Mai spent 100 Style Points on a half-star draw and received Jean-Claude Van Damme's Roundhouse Kick.
• Uchiha Mai practiced high kicks at the Ninja Academy, tearing open his leg and kicking a small tree in half.
• Asuma returned from the hospital intending to get revenge, but lost his nerve after seeing Mai’s violent training.
• Asuma scolded his underlings for planning to attack Mai and told them they should be united as people of Konoha.
• Yuhi Kurenai brought Uchiha Mai a towel and brown-sugar water, and Asuma watched them together before rationalizing that Kurenai would later choose him.

Uchiha Mai trained in taijutsu and learned why the Eight Inner Gates were too risky and difficult for him to pursue seriously. After giving up on mastering them, he graduated from the Ninja Academy and was left awaiting assignment to a squad.

• Uchiha Mai trained with Might Duy and Might Guy, mastered Duy's kicking techniques, and expanded his Mai Style Ancient Martial Arts.
• Might Duy taught Uchiha Mai the Eight Inner Gates, but Mai discovered the technique was incomplete, arduous, and poorly suited to him.
• Uchiha Mai failed to open the Gate of Life and decided to practice the Eight Inner Gates only casually, if at all.
• Uchiha Mai graduated from the Ninja Academy, where Fugaku, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and other ninja attended the ceremony.
• After the ceremony, the adults left the graduates in the classroom for squad leaders to choose from.

Uchiha Mai and five classmates were assigned to Namikaze Minato, who revealed that his team had room for only two of them. The other four would be eliminated and would not become ninja.

• Uchiha Mai waited with Yuhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Asuma, Rin Nohara, Might Guy, and Obito Uchiha as the other graduates received their team assignments.
• Namikaze Minato arrived late and called the six students to follow him to the training ground.
• Minato explained that his team already had one member and could accept only two of the six students, leaving the other four unable to become ninja.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Fugaku discussed the young ninjas and the Will of Fire before Hiruzen posed a test about who would withdraw from Minato’s team selection. At the training ground, Uchiha Mai doubted the threat of elimination and decided to stand out without feeling guilty.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen praised the talents of Uchiha Mai, Obito, Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai, Rin Nohara, and Might Guy while speaking with Fugaku.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen recounted how he had volunteered to serve as bait alongside Senju Tobirama and credited the choice to his understanding of the Will of Fire.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Fugaku who would volunteer to withdraw when only two people could join Minato’s team, and Fugaku suggested Asuma or Uchiha Mai might step forward.
• Namikaze Minato told the six candidates that only two could join his team and the other four would be eliminated.
• Uchiha Mai reasoned that Konoha would not truly bar capable children from becoming ninjas and resolved to stand out without guilt.

Uchiha Mai attacked his classmates during Minato’s rule-free team selection, brutally defeating Asuma and Obito. He then turned toward the remaining candidates, while Minato hesitated over whether to intervene.

• Uchiha Mai asked Minato about the selection rules, then abruptly kicked Asuma in the head.
• Asuma dodged the first strike, but Mai’s new Bombing Axe kick shattered his shoulder and drove him into the ground.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Fugaku awkwardly praised Mai as Minato struggled to decide whether to stop him.
• Mai charged Obito, struck him with a flying knee, and knocked him unconscious with a knee to the head.
• Mai prepared to continue against the remaining candidates, while his ruthless fighting style went unchallenged.

Uchiha Mai used his Sharingan and fighting skills to defeat Rin Nohara, then charged at Yuhi Kurenai. The chapter left Kurenai facing his next attack.

• Uchiha Mai revealed his One Tomoe Sharingan, prompting Sarutobi Hiruzen and Fugaku to comment on his early awakening.
• Uchiha Mai dodged Rin Nohara’s shuriken and struck her in the abdomen, leaving her unable to stand.
• Uchiha Mai turned toward Yuhi Kurenai and charged at her with his fist clenched.

Uchiha Mai defeated four of the candidates during what he thought was a contest to join Namikaze Minato’s team, then learned Minato had intended to test their teamwork and willingness to sacrifice. Mai argued that his actions proved he was protecting the team from weak recruits, and he praised Might Guy as the other worthy candidate.

• Yuhi Kurenai gave up competing for a place on Minato’s team, and Uchiha Mai quickly defeated every candidate except Might Guy.
• Uchiha Mai judged himself to be a bottom-tier Chunin after overpowering the rookies.
• Namikaze Minato explained that the exercise was supposed to test teamwork and the Will of Fire, leaving Mai stunned.
• Mai argued that his strength made him the safest choice for Minato’s elite team and that the defeated candidates were not qualified to join.
• Mai defended Guy as talented and hardworking, predicting that Guy would become a Jonin despite his limited ninjutsu ability.

Uchiha Mai and Might Guy joined Namikaze Minato’s team, and Minato took them to meet their new teammate, Kakashi. At the Hatake compound, they met Kakashi’s father, Hatake Sakumo, as Mai realized the story had reached the period when Sakumo might die.

• Namikaze Minato made Mai and Might Guy his students and planned to take them, along with the injured Genin, to Konoha Hospital before introducing their other teammate.
• Mai asked if Kakashi was Minato’s other student, and Minato praised her performance while warning her not to underestimate coordinated enemy squads.
• Minato, Mai, and Guy took the injured children to Konoha Hospital, then headed to the Hatake Clan compound to invite Kakashi to dinner.
• Hatake Sakumo opened the gate, and Minato told him that Mai and Guy had joined his team and invited Kakashi to their first team meal.
• Mai recognized Sakumo’s extraordinary stealth and realized that his death might be approaching.

Uchiha Mai and Might Guy joined Namikaze Minato to meet their new teammate, Kakashi, and Mai questioned Hatake Sakumo about choosing between a mission and a comrade. The group headed out for dinner, where Guy’s choice of an expensive barbecue restaurant left Minato worried about the cost.

• Hatake Sakumo welcomed Uchiha Mai, Might Guy, and Namikaze Minato to his home while Kakashi trained in the yard.
• Kakashi finished training, greeted Mai and Guy, and learned they would be his teammates.
• Mai asked Hatake Sakumo what he would do if saving a teammate meant failing an urgent mission, and Sakumo advised prioritizing the mission.
• The four left the Hatake home and discussed where to eat.
• Guy suggested a popular barbecue restaurant, and Minato hesitated as he considered his limited budget.

Uchiha Mai and his new team celebrated their formation with Minato and Kushina, then received instructions for their first team training. Back home, Mai was summoned to meet Fugaku after Shisui delivered the clan head’s message.

• Minato brought Kushina to join Kakashi, Uchiha Mai, and Might Guy for a celebratory barbecue.
• Minato told the team to meet at the small lake west of the village at nine the next morning for cooperative training.
• Uchiha Mai returned home and noted that his Style Points had risen to 167 after defeating Asuma and the others.
• Shisui told Uchiha Mai that Fugaku wanted to see him, revealing that the clan head had sent an adult to deliver the summons.

Uchiha Mai visited Fugaku, who praised his efforts to join Minato’s team and gave him Izuna’s annotated Fire Style scroll to study. Fugaku offered to demonstrate any techniques Mai wanted to learn, leaving Mai with a rare opportunity to improve his ninjutsu.

• Uchiha Mai sent Shisui away and went to Fugaku’s home, where Fugaku welcomed him with tea.
• Fugaku recalled Mai’s parents’ deaths on a mission and praised Mai for joining the Ninja Academy and impressing Minato’s team.
• Mai told Fugaku that Minato had scheduled several days of cooperative training for the team.
• Fugaku asked whether Mai had awakened his Sharingan, then encouraged him to surpass Kakashi as Minato’s finest disciple.
• Fugaku gave Mai Uchiha Izuna’s annotated Fire Style scroll and offered to demonstrate any ninjutsu Mai wanted to learn.

Uchiha Mai studied Uchiha Izuna’s Fire Style scroll, then learned the Great Fireball Technique from Uchiha Fugaku. He decided the slow technique was better for forcing opponents to dodge than for hitting them, and returned home with the scroll to continue studying its insights.

• Uchiha Mai compared Uchiha Izuna’s scroll with his family’s copy and discovered Izuna’s detailed Fire Style knowledge and annotations.
• Uchiha Fugaku offered to demonstrate a technique, and Mai asked him to teach the Great Fireball Technique.
• Uchiha Fugaku demonstrated the technique while explaining its chakra flow and hand seals.
• Uchiha Mai performed the Great Fireball Technique on his first attempt, but questioned its usefulness against a moving opponent.
• Uchiha Mai showed Fugaku how quickly he could charge and destroy a dummy with a kick, and Fugaku sent him home with the scroll.