Recaps

Master Minato took Uchiha Mai to visit Kakashi and Hatake Sakumo, then proposed promoting Kakashi to Anbu squad leader. Kakashi learned that the promotion required him to transfer to Mai’s Void Division or wait one to two years, and the chapter ended with him questioning the assignment.

• Master Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Uchiha Mai to the Hatake residence, where they found Kakashi training and Hatake Sakumo relaxing.
• Uchiha Mai and Master Minato shared pastries and tea with Hatake Sakumo while Kakashi continued his sword practice and privately dismissed Mai as distracted by politics.
• Master Minato proposed promoting Kakashi to Anbu squad leader, and Hatake Sakumo approved the promotion.
• Master Minato said Kakashi would be transferred to Uchiha Mai’s Void Division if he agreed to the position.
• Uchiha Mai explained that the reorganized Anbu had vacancies only in his division and Lord Orochimaru’s division, so Kakashi would otherwise have to wait one or two years for a squad leader post.

Kakashi refused to join Uchiha Mai’s Void Division team out of pride, so Mai challenged him to a swordsmanship contest. Mai defeated Kakashi in two strikes and made him the leader of his Flower Squad.

• Kakashi refused Mai’s offer until Hatake Sakumo scolded him, after which Kakashi agreed on the condition that Mai prove he was stronger.
• Mai chose an uchigatana and wagered that Kakashi would join his Void Division squad if he could not withstand three strikes.
• Mai thrust at Kakashi with Shinsengumi Sword Art: Empty-Mind Straight Thrust, and Kakashi blocked it with his short sword.
• Mai followed with Kamiizumi Shinkage-ryu: Swallow Flight, knocking Kakashi’s sword from his hand.
• Mai held his blade to Kakashi’s neck and declared him defeated.

Uchiha Mai received chakra-conducting ore from Hatake Sakumo and had a sword forged by Kanesada while completing missions with Kakashi’s Flower Squad. He named the finished blade Izumi no Kami Kanesada RX-78.

• Hatake Sakumo gave Uchiha Mai leftover chakra-conducting ore and recommended swordsmith Kanesada, while Mai promised to arrange a blind date for Kakashi.
• Uchiha Mai handled Anbu duties, filled out Kakashi’s Flower Squad, recorded music for Minato, and accepted missions to patrol the northern border, gather intelligence, and assassinate targets.
• Uchiha Mai led Kakashi and the Flower Squad to the Land of Sound and arranged for Kanesada to forge a chakra-conducting uchigatana with a music player built into its hilt.
• After returning to the Land of Sound, Uchiha Mai tested the completed sword, praised it, and named it Izumi no Kami Kanesada RX-78.

Uchiha Mai’s patrol discovered a large Kumogakure force moving toward the Land of Fire, prompting him to rush toward Konoha’s northeastern intelligence headquarters to seek reinforcements. The chapter left the squad preparing for a possible surprise attack whose purpose remained unknown.

• Obito accused swordsmith Kanesada of keeping some of Mai’s ore, but Kanesada explained that refining and forging had consumed most of it.
• Uchiha Mai invited Kanesada to move to Konoha, and Kanesada agreed to come after finishing his current work.
• During another border patrol, Uchiha Mai’s scouting crows spotted more than eighty Kumogakure ninja moving south near the Land of Moon and the Land of Hot Water.
• Uchiha Mai sent animals to track the Kumogakure unit and carry warnings to Konoha, then flew toward the Land of Fire with Kakashi and Obito.
• Uchiha Mai headed for the Northeastern Intelligence Division’s headquarters to gather reinforcements rather than confront the larger force with his small squad.

Uchiha Mai sought help from Hyuuga Kagetora after spotting a large Kumogakure force moving toward the Land of Fire. He left Kagetora with the alarming discovery that the force included at least three Jonin.

• Uchiha Mai presented his credentials and invoked his authority to request assistance from the Northeast Division.
• Hyuuga Kagetora led Mai to the archives, where Mai searched files on Kumogakure Jonin.
• Mai told Kagetora that at least eighty Kumogakure ninjas were advancing south toward the Land of Fire, and Kagetora sent a warning to Anbu Headquarters.
• Mai selected three files identifying Jonin among the enemy force, and Kagetora realized their small group could not safely confront them.

Uchiha Mai and Hyuuga Kagetora organized the Northeast Division to intercept a Hidden Cloud force led by three Jonin, including Toroi, and prepared to gather their available ninja. The northernmost outpost then went silent, leading Uchiha Mai to suspect the enemy was targeting Konoha’s intelligence network.

• Uchiha Mai identified Chiba Shin'i, Toroi, and Nobuhiko as the leaders of the approaching Hidden Cloud force.
• Uchiha Mai explained that Minato-sensei's Flying Thunder God Technique could bring reinforcements quickly, and he and Hyuuga Kagetora planned to gather twenty or thirty ninja to fight the enemy together.
• Uchiha Mai considered that the Hidden Cloud force was likely targeting Konoha’s outposts or supply lines rather than attacking the village itself.
• Hyuuga Kagetora reported that ten of the division’s eleven outposts had responded, but the northernmost outpost had gone silent.
• Uchiha Mai suspected the Hidden Cloud force had attacked the Anbu intelligence outposts to blind Konoha in the area.

Uchiha Mai took command of Konoha’s twenty-four assembled ninjas and prepared them to delay an advancing Kumogakure force until reinforcements arrived. After setting forest traps, his squad concealed their identities, and the chapter ended with Konoha’s force surrounding the approaching enemy.

• Uchiha Mai learned that two teams had failed to arrive and that Kumogakure forces were advancing toward the district headquarters.
• Uchiha Mai outlined a plan to keep the enemy together and delay them until reinforcements arrived, rallying the assembled ninjas to fight.
• Uchiha Mai led the force into the forest, where they set defenses and traps, then had Kakashi’s Flower Squad change into ordinary ninja clothes.
• Hyuuga Kagetora spotted Kumogakure’s force with his Byakugan, and Uchiha Mai used a thrush’s memories to assess their formation and numbers.
• Uchiha Mai ordered the ninjas to prioritize the enemy’s left wing, and Konoha’s force waited in position after surrounding the approaching Kumogakure troops.

Uchiha Mai’s ambush devastated the Hidden Cloud left wing, but Special Jonin Nobuhiko held his own against Hyuuga Kagetora. As reinforcements approached, Nobuhiko broke off their duel and turned on Uchiha Mai, whom he mistook for a Genin.

• Uchiha Mai signaled the Konoha forces to unleash a combined fire and wind barrage, killing or incapacitating seven or eight Hidden Cloud ninja.
• Hyuuga Kagetora led the Konoha forces in a charge against the surviving enemies.
• Nobuhiko fought Hyuuga Kagetora with Lightning Style Nintaijutsu, and both men were injured in their evenly matched exchange.
• Uchiha Mai watched the duel and threw shuriken at Nobuhiko while pretending to be a Genin.
• Nobuhiko spotted approaching Hidden Cloud reinforcements, drove Hyuuga Kagetora back, and turned toward Uchiha Mai.

Uchiha Mai killed Nobuhiko with Deathfire Iaijutsu: Lion Song, but the ambush exposed the Konoha team to an approaching Kumogakure force. As Chiba Shin'i unleashed a powerful combined ninjutsu attack, Mai prepared to counter with his replenished chakra.

• Uchiha Mai used Sharingan Genjutsu to momentarily daze Nobuhiko, then decapitated him with Deathfire Iaijutsu: Lion Song and absorbed his life force.
• Hyuuga Kagetora warned that the Kumogakure force was only a hundred meters away, and Uchiha Mai ordered the Konoha team to prepare to defend or dodge.
• Chiba Shin'i led the approaching Kumogakure ninja and reacted furiously when he saw Nobuhiko's severed head.
• Chiba Shin'i formed Wind Release: Pressure Damage, combining it with incoming Fire Style and Lightning Style attacks into a massive assault on the Konoha team.
• Uchiha Mai, with his chakra replenished by Nobuhiko's death, faced the incoming attack without fear and prepared to strike back.

Uchiha Mai used Dragon Star Style: Pulao to deflect Kumogakure’s combined attack and then faced Chiba Shin'i in close combat. Their fight continued with Chiba Shin'i backing away from Mai’s aggressive counters.

• Uchiha Mai unleashed Dragon Star Style: Pulao, and its flaming beast clashed with Kumogakure’s combined Wind Release: Pressure Damage.
• Pulao weakened, then exploded and redirected the combined attack away from Konoha’s troops, leaving Uchiha Mai exhausted.
• After the armies entered close combat, Chiba Shin'i targeted Uchiha Mai with Wind and Water Style attacks.
• Uchiha Mai countered Chiba Shin'i with his longsword, and Chiba Shin'i retreated rather than risk being cut.
• Chiba Shin'i taunted Uchiha Mai, who challenged him to kill him if he could and kept pressing his aggressive style.

Uchiha Mai used his chakra-draining abilities and sword techniques to kill the Cloud Shinobi who attacked him, proving devastating in the group battle. Chiba Shin'i tried to break away and target Mai, but Hyuuga Kagetora held him back so Mai could keep fighting.

• Chiba Shin'i switched opponents, leaving Uchiha Mai to face five Cloud Shinobi while he fought Hyuuga Kagetora.
• Uchiha Mai used his flaming wings and sword energy to shatter a lightning attack and kill the Cloud Shinobi who cast it.
• After appearing pressured by the remaining four opponents, Uchiha Mai exploited their lowered vigilance and killed them with Dragon Star Style: Gluttony.
• Uchiha Mai absorbed chakra from his victims and remained near full strength, showing how effectively he could fight in a group battle.
• Chiba Shin'i recognized Mai's chakra-absorbing ability and attacked more frantically, but Hyuuga Kagetora kept him occupied.

Uchiha Mai nearly struck Chiba Shin'i and Hyuuga Kagetora with a flaming sword slash, but Toroi arrived with reinforcements and saved them. Mai sent Kagetora to hold off Toroi while he attacked Chiba Shin'i, leaving Konoha’s chances dependent on who won their duel first.

• Uchiha Mai unleashed a flaming sword slash at Chiba Shin'i while Hyuuga Kagetora kept him from escaping.
• Toroi arrived with his right-flank unit and deflected Mai’s attack with a giant shuriken, allowing Chiba Shin'i to break free.
• Chiba Shin'i warned Toroi about Mai’s chakra absorption and unusual sword techniques, and Toroi focused on Mai.
• Uchiha Mai charged at Chiba Shin'i and ordered Hyuuga Kagetora to hold off Toroi.
• Hyuuga Kagetora accepted the dangerous task and charged at Toroi, determined to defend Konoha and the Hyuuga Clan.

Uchiha Mai grievously wounded Chiba Shin'i and waited out his desperate final surge, while using sword waves to help Konoha's outnumbered fighters. Just as Mai moved to finish Chiba Shin'i, a giant shuriken knocked his sword aside and saved him again.

• Chiba Shin'i fled toward Toroi, but Uchiha Mai used a flaming sword wave to stop him and close the distance.
• Uchiha Mai cut through Chiba Shin'i's steel Kunai and slashed him from his left shoulder to his waist, severing his arm and several ribs.
• Chiba Shin'i fought with renewed strength after accepting his likely death, so Uchiha Mai kept his distance and sent sword waves to aid Konoha's fighters.
• Uchiha Mai saw Chiba Shin'i's strength fade and attacked, but a giant shuriken knocked Mai's sword aside and saved Chiba Shin'i.

Uchiha Mai killed Chiba Shin'i and awakened the second tomoe in his right Sharingan before confronting Toroi. As Hyuuga Kagetora withdrew to aid the other Konoha ninja, Toroi recognized Mai as the Chunin Ninja Exams champion.

• Uchiha Mai killed Chiba Shin'i with two chakra-flame attacks, absorbing his life force and mental energy.
• The mental energy evolved Uchiha Mai's right Sharingan from one tomoe to two.
• Uchiha Mai caught his returning sword and attacked Toroi, whose Magnet Release deflected his strikes with metal weapons.
• Uchiha Mai told the badly wounded Hyuuga Kagetora to leave and help the other Konoha ninja, then intercepted Toroi's weapons aimed at Kagetora with flaming birds.
• Toroi recognized Uchiha Mai from the Chunin Ninja Exams in Sunagakure and praised his talent while lamenting that he was not from Kumogakure.

Uchiha Mai explained why Toroi’s Magnet Release could not control his heated sword, then defended himself against Toroi’s storm of steel weapons. Toroi praised Mai’s swordsmanship and charged him with a long sword, leaving their close-quarters fight about to begin.

• Toroi claimed his Magnet Release would make Mai’s swordsmanship useless, but Mai deduced that the heated Izumi no Kami Kanesada resisted Toroi’s ferromagnetic power.
• Mai explained that Toroi could still magnetize him indirectly by striking him with a ninja tool, so the sword’s resistance did not guarantee victory.
• Toroi launched dozens of steel weapons at Mai, who used his Sharingan, Twin Dragon Demon Shadow, and swordsmanship to deflect them all.
• Toroi praised Mai’s swordsmanship, drew a long sword, and charged at him.

Uchiha Mai fought Toroi in a close sword battle, using his flaming blade and drawn techniques to counter Toroi’s magnetism and traps. After both suffered minor wounds and Mai became magnetized, he unleashed Dragon Star Style: Gluttony, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Toroi and Mai clashed repeatedly until Izumi no Kami Kanesada broke Toroi’s sword, and Mai stopped the flying fragment with Super Beast Imitating Drawing.
• Toroi dodged Mai’s Deathfire Oscillating Sword and shielded himself with an enlarged shuriken, while another shuriken grazed Mai’s waist and magnetized him.
• Blue flames healed Mai’s cut by drawing life force from Toroi’s wound, and the fighters withdrew to assess each other.
• Toroi recognized that Mai’s flames could drain chakra, but Mai admitted the exchange had left him magnetized and at a disadvantage.
• Mai covered Izumi no Kami Kanesada in black flames and unleashed Dragon Star Style: Gluttony.

Uchiha Mai and Toroi exchanged powerful attacks as their duel intensified amid Kumogakure’s advantage on the battlefield. Toroi resolved to kill Mai and charged with a melee Eight-Part Light Wheel, while Mai prepared Dragon Star Style: Baxia to meet it head-on.

• Toroi unleashed Magnet Release: Shuriken Barrier, but Uchiha Mai used eight black dragons and his sword to defend against the barrage.
• Toroi hurled two enormous Eight-Part Light Wheels at Mai, who countered with sword waves and summoned beasts before knocking the slowed wheels away.
• One of Mai’s sword waves struck Toroi’s shoulder, leaving both fighters wary of the other’s strength.
• Seeing Mai as a future threat to Kumogakure, Toroi decided to kill him even if the mission failed.
• Toroi charged with an Eight-Part Light Wheel in his hand, and Mai coated his blade in black flames with Dragon Star Style: Baxia to meet the attack.

Uchiha Mai killed Toroi after overcoming the Cloud commander in a fierce duel, then broke the remaining Kumogakure force’s resolve. The surviving Cloud Shinobi fled the battlefield.

• Uchiha Mai used a tree to brace himself against Toroi’s Eight-Part Light Wheel, then wounded Toroi with a counterattack.
• Several Kumogakure ninja attacked Uchiha Mai, but he killed one, wounded another, and drove off the third before pursuing Toroi.
• Toroi continued fighting despite his worsening injuries, while Uchiha Mai defeated him and cut off his head.
• Uchiha Mai roared and attacked the remaining Cloud Shinobi, who panicked and fled.

Master Minato arrived after Konoha had routed the Kumogakure force, then pursued the retreating Cloud Shinobi and returned to learn that Uchiha Mai had killed all three enemy Jonin. Hyuuga Kagetora recounted Mai’s feats, leaving Minato stunned by the scale of his accomplishments.

• Master Minato arrived to find the Kumogakure shinobi had already retreated and pursued them after Uchiha Mai pointed out their escape route.
• Hyuuga Kagetora treated the survivors while Uchiha Mai rested from the battle’s physical and mental strain.
• Master Minato returned after killing about a dozen wounded Cloud Shinobi and explained that he had stopped pursuing the rest out of concern for Konoha’s safety.
• Hyuuga Kagetora revealed that Uchiha Mai had killed all three Kumogakure Jonin, including Toroi, and nearly twenty other enemy shinobi.
• Hyuuga Kagetora detailed Mai’s reconnaissance, ambush, and successive kills, leaving Master Minato astonished.

Uchiha Mai and Hyuuga Kagetora discussed their victory over Kumogakure with Master Minato, while Kakashi resented being overshadowed. Konoha’s fighters returned to the border to prepare for Kumogakure’s likely advance, and the chapter explained why Konoha focused on defense and destroying enemy forces rather than holding towns.

• Master Minato praised Uchiha Mai’s Dual Kekkei Genkai, and Hyuuga Kagetora credited Mai’s strength and solid understanding of them.
• Uchiha Mai acknowledged that Hyuuga Kagetora’s help had been essential to killing three Kumogakure Jonin and winning the battle.
• Kakashi recovered nearby and felt bitter that his own kills seemed insignificant beside Uchiha Mai’s achievements.
• The Konoha fighters cleared the battlefield, rested, and returned to the border to prepare for Kumogakure’s possible large-scale advance.
• Konoha’s forces prepared layered defenses while Uchiha Mai and Master Minato stayed at the border awaiting reinforcements.
• The chapter explained that Konoha prioritized destroying enemy forces over defending towns because ninja could retake territory and other villages would unite against any expansion.

After Jiraiya’s force relieved the border defenders, Uchiha Mai returned to Konoha and received recognition for his performance in battle. He spent Style Points on a draw and gained the skill Innate Time Control.

• Jiraiya arrived at the border with roughly five hundred ninja and relieved Uchiha Mai’s force.
• Jiraiya brought Sarutobi Hiruzen’s orders assigning Minato as his assistant and naming Orochimaru deputy head of the Anbu.
• Uchiha Mai led the Flower Squad back to Konoha, where he met with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Fugaku, and the family of the fallen Uchiha to settle the aftermath.
• The village gave Uchiha Mai a cash bonus and classified the operation as an S-Rank mission, but did not promote him.
• Uchiha Mai checked that he had 1,475 Style Points and spent 1,000 on a draw from the one-and-a-half-star prize pool.
• Uchiha Mai obtained Innate Time Control, a skill that let him alter time within a designated space and was adapted for use with any energy system.

Uchiha Mai assessed Innate Time Control and concluded his young body limited how much he could use it. He discovered that reaching Elite Jonin had unlocked the Two-Star Prize Pool, though each draw cost 5,000 Style Points.

• Uchiha Mai considered using Innate Time Control with Litwick's Flame to offset its physical damage, but recognized that his age and recovery rate would limit the ability.
• Uchiha Mai compared Innate Time Control to other time-based abilities and judged his current physical condition to be the main obstacle to becoming stronger.
• Uchiha Mai checked the prize pools after reaching Elite Jonin and found that the Two-Star Prize Pool had unlocked.
• Uchiha Mai learned that each Two-Star Prize Pool draw cost 5,000 Style Points and looked forward to seeing what it could offer.

Dodai reported that Uchiha Mai had annihilated Kumogakure’s force sent into the northeastern Land of Fire. The Third Raikage recognized the nine-year-old as a formidable enemy and was left shaken by his strength.

• Dodai brought the Third Raikage reports on Kumogakure’s failed mission to establish an intelligence network in the Land of Fire.
• Dodai explained that Uchiha Mai had discovered the invading force, joined Hyuuga Kagetora, and led Konoha’s ninjas into battle.
• Uchiha Mai killed Nobuhiko, Chiba Shin'i, and Toroi, along with numerous other Kumogakure ninjas.
• The Third Raikage read the report and marveled that Uchiha Mai had reached Elite Jonin strength at only nine years old.
• The Third Raikage concluded that Uchiha Mai already qualified as a formidable enemy of Kumogakure.

The Third Raikage weighed Kumogakure’s prospects against Konoha and decided to attack the Land of Fire, hoping to draw other villages into the war. Three days later, Prince A led five thousand troops toward the border, bringing the Third Shinobi World War to the brink.

• The Third Raikage ordered Kumogakure’s Jonin to kill Uchiha Mai if they encountered him, even if it meant abandoning their missions.
• Dodai advised the Third Raikage that Kumogakure could match Konoha’s ordinary forces but lagged in powerful fighters, while Konoha had reason to fear attacks from other villages.
• The Third Raikage decided to invade the Land of Fire and ordered Kumogakure to prepare for war.
• The Third Raikage ordered Prince A to lead at least five thousand troops toward the border in three days, while keeping casualties controlled.
• Three days later, Prince A marched toward the Land of Fire with five thousand troops.

While Konoha and Kumogakure settled into a low-casualty war of attrition, Uchiha Mai spent three months studying Innate Time Control and playing cards with Tsunade. After winning another large pot from her, Mai promised to save his winnings for her dowry, and Tsunade demanded dinner instead.

• Jiraiya commanded Konoha's front against Kumogakure as Sarutobi Hiruzen realized the Raikage was trying to draw other villages into the conflict.
• Konoha and Kumogakure fought for more than three months without suffering many casualties, while Mai remained mostly in Konoha and studied Innate Time Control.
• Mai visited Tsunade to play cards and reraised her after she made three tens, revealing his pocket jacks at the showdown.
• Tsunade complained that Mai had won at least ten million yen from her, and Mai said he was saving the money for her dowry.
• Tsunade insisted Mai spend the money on dinner, naming barbecue, sukiyaki, and expensive sake.