Chapter Summaries

Mei Terumi defeated Uchiha Shangfeng but spared him, and Uchiha Mai deduced that she wanted to warn him not to kill Hizuki Jun in their next match. As the next match began, Mai faced Hizuki Jun while Uchiha Tekka prepared to fight Kisame afterward.

• Mei Terumi overwhelmed Uchiha Shangfeng with a massive Water Shockwave and blasted him out of the arena, securing victory without killing him.
• Uchiha Mai and Uchiha Tekka discussed why Mei Terumi had spared Shangfeng, and Mai concluded she had sent him back as a warning to spare Hizuki Jun.
• Uchiha Mai warned Uchiha Tekka that Kisame would be a dangerous opponent, while Kisame overheard Mai's claim that he was no weaker than her.
• After five minutes, Hizuki Jun entered the arena and invited Uchiha Mai to begin their match.

Uchiha Mai fought Hizuki Jun in the tournament, countering her ice techniques with precise movement and a Phoenix Summoning attack. As Mai pressed his advantage, Mei Terumi warned Kisame not to give him an opening.

• Hizuki Jun challenged Uchiha Mai for her team's sake, and Mai agreed to go easy on her.
• Hizuki Jun attacked with Ice Release: Ice Shuriken, but Uchiha Mai shattered and redirected the cards with his hands and feet.
• Uchiha Mai used Super Beast Imitating Drawing: Phoenix Summoning to send flaming birds into Hizuki Jun's Ice Rock Dome and destroy it.
• Uchiha Mai followed with a hidden snake attack, but Hizuki Jun dodged and glided away on a path of ice.
• Mei Terumi judged that Hizuki Jun could not win and warned Kisame to avoid rushing in or giving Uchiha Mai an opening.

Uchiha Mai defeated Hizuki Jun in the second match and warned Uchiha Tekka about the strength of his next opponent, Kisame Hoshigaki. The third match began as Tekka prepared to face Kisame.

• Hizuki Jun used Ice Release techniques against Uchiha Mai, but he broke through her defenses and knocked her down.
• Uchiha Mai held back from killing Hizuki Jun, and she conceded the match.
• Rasa declared Uchiha Mai the winner and announced Kisame Hoshigaki versus Uchiha Tekka as the next match.
• Uchiha Mai warned Uchiha Tekka that Kisame excelled at ninjutsu, taijutsu, and swordsmanship, with his reliance on hand seals as a possible weakness.
• After five minutes, Rasa rang the bell and began the third match.

Kisame Hoshigaki overwhelmed Uchiha Tekka in the arena with massive Water Style techniques, then gained the upper hand in a sword fight through his strength and Chakra Absorption Technique. Tekka was left weakened as Uchiha Mai realized he had forgotten Kisame could drain chakra even without Samehada.

• Uchiha Tekka questioned why Kisame Hoshigaki would not use the Hidden Mist Technique, and Kisame said he preferred not to.
• Kisame flooded the arena with Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave and countered Tekka's attacks with Water Style techniques.
• Tekka's chakra ran low as Kisame controlled the water-covered arena and repeatedly neutralized his Fire Style attacks.
• Tekka charged Kisame with a short sword, but Kisame suppressed him with his strength and swordsmanship.
• Kisame blocked Tekka's kick and used the Chakra Absorption Technique to drain his chakra, prompting Uchiha Mai to remember Kisame's ability.

Uchiha Mai stopped Kisame Hoshigaki from killing the defeated Tekka, and Rasa declared Kisame the winner. The final three were set as Mei Terumi, Uchiha Mai, and Kisame, leaving Mai to prepare for a difficult path to the championship.

• Uchiha Mai called forfeit for Tekka, but Rasa refused because Tekka could still fight, and Tekka continued battling Kisame Hoshigaki.
• Kisame wounded Tekka and launched a Water Shark Bullet Technique, but Uchiha Mai destroyed the attack and carried Tekka from the battlefield.
• Jiraiya pressured Rasa to declare the match, and Rasa named Kisame the winner and announced Mei Terumi, Uchiha Mai, and Kisame as the final three.
• A Sunagakure medical ninja assessed Tekka's injuries, and Tekka apologized to Uchiha Mai for failing to help him.
• Uchiha Mai reassured Tekka and explained how Kisame had used water over his eyes and avoided eye contact to weaken the effect of Tekka's Sharingan genjutsu.

Uchiha Mai prepared for the Chunin Ninja Exams finals after learning Asuma had survived the ambush, and he posed for promotional photographs alongside Mei Terumi and Kisame. As the finals began, Mai waited in the arena entrance tunnel, then heard footsteps behind him.

• Jiraiya praised Uchiha Mai's progress, and Mai said he felt confident against Mei Terumi but gave himself only five or six chances in ten against Kisame.
• Jiraiya told Uchiha Mai that Asuma had been badly injured while protecting his teammates, but a Sunagakure Jonin had arrived and saved him.
• Rasa arranged promotional photographs of the finalists, and Uchiha Mai used eight Black Dragons behind him to give his pose more menace.
• Mei Terumi watched the photographer's camera, and that night a thief stole several developed photographs of Uchiha Mai.
• Sunagakure held the Chunin Ninja Exams finals, and Uchiha Mai heard footsteps behind him while waiting in the entrance tunnel.

Uchiha Mai spoke with Sasori of the Red Sands, who questioned him about Hatake Sakumo’s strength and declared his intention to take revenge. Sasori left Mai wondering what his real purpose was, just as Mai was called to fight in the Chunin Exams.

• Sasori of the Red Sands approached Uchiha Mai and asked whether he had witnessed Hatake Sakumo fight.
• Mai admitted he had seen Sakumo fight and said Sakumo was likely not much weaker than the Hokage.
• Mai told Sasori that he lacked the strength to take revenge on Sakumo, angering him.
• Sasori vowed to kill Sakumo and turn him into a puppet within three years, then asked Mai to tell Sakumo not to die before then.
• Sasori left, and Mai wondered why he had come before Rasa called Mai to his next Chunin Exam fight.

Uchiha Mai faced Mei Terumi in the arena, where she proposed a wager that he marry her if she won. Mai overwhelmed her with relentless attacks, leaving the spectators convinced her defeat was inevitable, while Yagura and Jiraiya discussed Mai’s talent and future.

• Mei Terumi proposed that Uchiha Mai marry her if she won, and Mai accepted, confident he would prevail.
• At Rasa’s signal, Mei began forming the Hidden Mist Technique, but Mai rushed her and used his Sharingan to interrupt her before she could complete it.
• Mei evaded Mai’s Twin Dragon Demon Shadow and Dark Stroke, then countered with a Water Dragon Bullet that Mai’s Black Dragons intercepted.
• Mai kept Mei on the defensive with Nintaijutsu and Super Beast Imitating Drawing, and the watching experts judged her defeat inevitable.
• Yagura lamented Konoha’s abundance of talent, while Jiraiya praised Mai and cautioned that his future depended on gaining experience.

Uchiha Mai countered Mei Terumi’s water-based strategy and defeated her with a brick after using her own techniques to close the distance. The chapter ended with Mei Terumi unconscious beside Mizukage Yagura.

• Mei Terumi changed tactics and flooded the arena with Water Formation Pillar, then used the water to launch Water Fang Bullet at Uchiha Mai.
• Uchiha Mai dodged the water currents and ran up the arena wall while Mei Terumi pursued him with her attacks.
• Uchiha Mai broke the wall, used the flying bricks to approach Mei Terumi, and intercepted her Water Chain Bullets with Phoenix Assault.
• Uchiha Mai’s Black Dragon tail pulled Mei Terumi toward him, and he knocked her unconscious with a brick.
• The Black Dragon threw Mei Terumi out of the arena, where she landed beside Mizukage Yagura.

Uchiha Mai rested after defeating Mei Terumi, then faced Kisame in the Chunin Ninja Exams final. Their opening exchange showed that both were formidable, and Kisame’s chakra absorption made Mai wary as the fight continued.

• Uchiha Mai declined Rasa’s post-match interview and rested in the competitors’ tunnel until his chakra recovered.
• Kisame waited in the arena and explained that Uchiha Mai was the opponent he had been seeking.
• Kisame lunged at Uchiha Mai with a chakra-enhanced punch, but Mai leaped clear of the blow.
• Uchiha Mai appeared behind Kisame and kicked at his head, but Kisame blocked the attack and absorbed some of Mai’s chakra.
• Kisame tried to follow up against the airborne Mai, but Mai’s two Black Dragons struck Kisame in the chest and let Mai land safely.
• Uchiha Mai complained about Kisame’s chakra absorption, while Kisame grew more eager to fight him at full strength.

Uchiha Mai used Eight-Wastes Dragon Battle: Black Sun to trap Kisame in a coordinated assault by eight flame-wreathed Black Dragons and drain his chakra. Kisame broke free by destroying four dragons, while Mai replenished his chakra by absorbing the chakra left behind.

• Uchiha Mai hit Kisame with Yomi Stroke, and a Black Dragon caught him long enough for one of the chakra flames to strike and drain him.
• Uchiha Mai formed the Tiger seal and created a massive black Fireball called Black Sun, prompting Kisame to charge before the technique could be unleashed.
• Uchiha Mai manifested eight Black Dragons through the Black Sun and sent them, along with his own flaming attacks, to surround and batter Kisame.
• Kisame endured the flames and chakra drain, smashed four Black Dragons, and escaped the assault.
• Uchiha Mai let Kisame go because his chakra was low, then had the remaining dragons absorb the scattered chakra and restore him beyond his usual full strength.

Uchiha Mai unleashed an unstable Ura 108 Shiki: Ya Sakazuki, and Kisame Hoshigaki countered with a massive Water Style jutsu. Their clash filled the arena with steam, where Kisame used a Water Clone and conversation to narrow down Mai’s location.

• Uchiha Mai poured his excess chakra into Ura 108 Shiki: Ya Sakazuki, sending a huge purple fireball surging toward Kisame Hoshigaki and damaging the chakra pathways in his left arm.
• Kisame Hoshigaki countered with Water Style: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave, and the water and flames canceled each other out, filling the arena with thick steam.
• The Daimyo of the Land of Wind questioned the Kazekage about the strength of the contestants, and Rasa explained that Uchiha Mai and Kisame Hoshigaki were rare talents with strength comparable to Jonin.
• Unable to see clearly through the steam, Uchiha Mai and Kisame Hoshigaki concealed their positions while Kisame created a Water Clone to confuse Mai.
• Kisame’s Water Clone questioned Mai about absorbing chakra, and Kisame used Mai’s brief reply to estimate the direction of his location.

Uchiha Mai used his Black-Gold Roc wings to attack Kisame from the air, but Kisame focused on escaping and neither could finish the fight. Mai eventually gave up his aerial advantage and returned to the ground as the mist cleared, while Kisame prepared to continue the battle up close.

• Kisame used his Water Clone to keep Uchiha Mai talking, but Mai destroyed it with a clone and a barrage of flaming feathers from above.
• Kisame countered with Water Style techniques and escaped the mist, where he saw Mai hovering on partially materialized Black-Gold Roc wings.
• Mai and Kisame traded attacks for nearly five minutes, with Mai pressing Kisame while Kisame focused on fleeing.
• Mai realized he could not defeat Kisame from the air before his chakra ran low, so he withdrew his wings and returned to the ground.
• Kisame tore off his tattered shirt and challenged Mai to settle the fight on the ground.

Uchiha Mai battered the wounded Kisame Hoshigaki until Kisame could no longer defend himself. Mai hurled Gáe Bolg at him, and Kisame waited for the fatal strike before someone called for surrender.

• Uchiha Mai realized Kisame Hoshigaki had weakened and crippled his left leg with an exploding scimitar.
• Kisame charged Mai, but Mai wounded his shoulder, stopped his counterattack with black dragons, and shattered his right shoulder with a blow.
• Kisame used Water Shockwave to push Mai back, but Mai blocked it with his wings and revealed a charged bone spear.
• Uchiha Mai hurled Gáe Bolg at Kisame, who concluded he could not dodge or absorb the attack and gave up resisting.
• Someone shouted, "We surrender!"

Uchiha Mai’s final attack nearly killed Kisame, but Mizukage Yagura intervened and declared Konoha the winner of the Chunin Ninja Exams. Rasa announced the promotions, naming Uchiha Mai, Mei Terumi, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Uchiha Tekka as the new chunin, while Mai hoped Konoha would reward him for bringing the village glory.

• Mizukage Yagura used a Water Release whip to redirect Uchiha Mai’s bone spear and save Kisame.
• Mizukage Yagura conceded the match and declared Konoha the winner of the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Rasa consulted with the leaders and selected candidates for chunin promotion based on their overall performance.
• Rasa announced that Uchiha Mai, Mei Terumi, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Uchiha Tekka would be promoted to chunin.
• Uchiha Mai relaxed after the results and hoped Sarutobi Hiruzen would reward him for bringing glory to Konoha.

As Kirigakure prepared to leave Sunagakure, Uchiha Mai met Kisame Hoshigaki and Mei Terumi to say goodbye. Kisame hoped they would meet again in battle, while Mei Terumi asked Mai whether he had ever liked her.

• Uchiha Mai received Kisame Hoshigaki's invitation to meet outside Sunagakure's gate and decided to go.
• Mei Terumi and Kisame waited for Uchiha Mai, and Mei Terumi hoped Kisame mattered enough to bring him there.
• Uchiha Mai arrived and told Kisame he admired him and had come to see him off.
• Kisame described the missions that had left him feeling lost and hoped to die fighting Uchiha Mai on a battlefield someday.
• Mei Terumi asked Uchiha Mai whether he had ever liked her, and he thought about his feelings for the Mei Terumi he had known before entering this world.

Uchiha Mai considered his romantic prospects after Mei Terumi confessed her feelings, but he admitted that he preferred Tsunade. As the Konoha group headed home, Jiraiya reacted uneasily to Mai’s interest in Tsunade.

• Mei Terumi told Uchiha Mai that she would become Mizukage, strengthen Kirigakure, and eventually take him back to the Land of Water, then left with her group.
• Uchiha Mai sent Mei Terumi off with a gesture inspired by Vegeta, and a few days later Jiraiya led the recovered Konoha ninja toward home.
• Jiraiya and Asuma questioned Uchiha Mai about refusing Mei Terumi, and Mai explained that their village loyalties made them a poor match.
• Uchiha Mai revealed that he liked Princess Tsunade more than Mei Terumi, prompting Jiraiya to object that Tsunade was old enough to be his mother.

Uchiha Mai told Jiraiya that Sasori planned to kill Hatake Sakumo and turn him into a puppet, then realized Sasori might already have poisoned them. Jiraiya confirmed that he had been struck and weakened, leaving the group facing an attack on the road.

• Jiraiya asked Uchiha Mai about the chakra presence he sensed before the Chunin Ninja Exams finals, and Mai identified Sasori of the Red Sands.
• Mai said Sasori had threatened to kill Hatake Sakumo within three years and make his corpse a puppet.
• Jiraiya dismissed Sasori's chances against Hatake Sakumo, but Mai explained that Sasori believed a powerful puppet could change the odds.
• Mai realized Sasori might have used poison, ordered everyone to stop, and hurried away from the group.
• Three tiny needles shot from the back of Mai's neck toward Jiraiya, who defended himself with the Wild Lion's Mane Technique.
• Jiraiya said he had been poisoned and that his strength was reduced by about thirty percent.

Sasori of the Red Sands explained how he used Uchiha Mai as the carrier for his poison, Bee Fujiko, to target Jiraiya and obtain a body for a Human Puppet. Jiraiya claimed the needles had not poisoned him, but Sasori insisted they had, leaving Jiraiya to ask Uchiha Mai for help with his next boast.

• Sasori of the Red Sands revealed that Bee Fujiko was an undetectable, remotely controlled sting that released its poison only after passing from one person's blood into another's.
• Sasori of the Red Sands said he had targeted Jiraiya to make a Human Puppet and planned to use it against Hatake Sakumo.
• Jiraiya condemned Human Puppets, and Sasori of the Red Sands retorted that the technique drew inspiration from Senju Tobirama's Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Jiraiya declared that Sasori of the Red Sands was a genius but claimed the poison needles had not struck him.
• Sasori of the Red Sands said Jiraiya's symptoms matched those of his poisoned test subjects, and Jiraiya quietly asked Uchiha Mai what to say next.
• Uchiha Mai suggested that Jiraiya boast that he remained invincible even while poisoned.

Jiraiya faced Sasori of the Red Sands while weakened by poison, and Uchiha Mai stopped Sasori from taking Asuma and the others hostage. Jiraiya destroyed several of Sasori’s puppets, forcing Sasori to realize his opponent was far stronger than he had expected.

• Sasori of the Red Sands used Performance: Human Body Manipulation to send chakra threads toward Asuma and the others, but Uchiha Mai’s Phoenix Assault delayed the threads long enough for them to escape.
• Jiraiya told Uchiha Mai to protect the others and insisted he could handle Sasori alone, while Mai handed out sunflower seeds for the group to watch the fight.
• Sasori of the Red Sands summoned close to ten puppets and sent them to attack Jiraiya with concealed weapons and poison.
• Jiraiya evaded the puppets’ concentrated assault with the Substitution Technique, then used Wild Lion’s Mane Technique to crush four puppets.
• Sasori of the Red Sands recognized that even poisoned, Jiraiya was far stronger than he had anticipated.