Recaps

At Kirigakure’s Ninja Academy, Araki and Zabuza faced off for the chance to learn a new chakra control technique. Araki overwhelmed Zabuza with superior strength and speed, leaving Zabuza asking the name of Araki’s finishing move.

• A chunin teacher announced that winners could learn a new chakra control technique and that first-round losers could challenge other winners for their qualification.
• Araki and Zabuza began their match, and Araki overpowered Zabuza in a test of strength.
• Zabuza switched to faster kunai attacks, but Araki matched his speed and launched a flurry of attacks at five vital points.
• Araki placed his kunai against Zabuza’s neck after Zabuza froze while trying to identify the real attack.
• Zabuza asked what the technique was called, and Araki named it My Style: Five-Star Rending.

Araki Yachiru, a former illustrator reincarnated in the Naruto world, discovered that his Book of Sword Masters could summon Asuna, who attacked him whenever she appeared. By training against her in his consciousness, Araki learned swordsmanship and grew confident enough to face her again after mastering the Three Body Technique.

• Araki found the golden Book of Sword Masters in his mind and saw that it listed him as having no abilities or sword skills.
• Araki summoned Asuna, but she charged him with Meteor and knocked him out of the Consciousness Space.
• After learning to refine chakra, Araki fought Asuna repeatedly and gained insight into her sword techniques, helping him become one of the best fighters in his class.
• Araki learned the Three Body Technique and returned to the Consciousness Space, where Asuna silently drew her sword and thrust at him.

Araki defeated Asuna in the mindscape and absorbed her sword skills, then used his classmates as repeated sparring partners to improve his technique. He left indifferent to their fate and unconcerned about Kirigakure’s brutal graduation exam.

• Araki outmaneuvered Asuna with the Transformation Technique and struck her, causing her to dissolve into golden feathers that entered his body.
• Araki gained Asuna’s sword techniques, including Flash Thrust, and discovered he could cross about twenty meters in an instant, though he had not mastered the move.
• Araki checked the Book of Sword Masters and found his realm still listed as Swordsmanship Initiation.
• Araki practiced against classmates repeatedly during combat lessons, earning the nickname the Smiling Devil.
• Araki dismissed his classmates’ likely fate in the graduation exam and decided he would deal with Zabuza if Zabuza targeted him.

Araki learned the basics of Water Walking quickly, using his precise chakra control to stand steadily on the sea. Zabuza unexpectedly approached him, leaving Araki wary of the boy’s intelligence and ambition.

• The chunin instructor explained Water Walking and led the students to the seaside to practice.
• Araki repeatedly splashed into the water while adjusting his chakra, drawing teasing remarks from the other students.
• Araki found the right amount of chakra, stood on the water, and resolved to practice until the control became instinctive.
• Araki noticed Zabuza approaching and reflected on the boy’s intelligence, courage, and role in forcing Kirigakure’s leaders to reform its education system.

Araki taught Zabuza how water-walking and swordsmanship both relied on control, then met the younger Ringo Ameyuri at the academy gates. He regarded Ringo as a promising future swordswoman and kept his distance from classmates to avoid being paired with one in the graduation exam.

• Zabuza asked Araki to teach him how to water-walk, and Araki explained that it depended on chakra control.
• Araki linked swordsmanship to control of the body and chakra, then sent Zabuza off to practice.
• Zabuza thanked Araki and practiced swinging a kunai while recalling his advice.
• Araki avoided close ties with classmates because he feared being assigned to fight one during the graduation exam.
• Ringo Ameyuri ran up to Araki at the academy gates, and he greeted her warmly.
• Araki reflected that Ringo had greater potential than Zabuza, recalling her later feats in the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Araki taught young Ringo Ameyuri the Flash Sword Style after she bought him a longsword, and she quickly proved gifted in their sparring practice. The chapter left them sharing a lollipop by the seaside after Ringo mastered two sword techniques.

• Araki recalled how Ringo first became fascinated by his swordsmanship while he practiced [Stardust Splash] by the sea.
• Ringo bought Araki a longsword, and he agreed to teach her the Flash Sword Style.
• Ringo followed Araki to the seaside for regular training and proudly showed that she had mastered [Meteor].
• Ringo attacked Araki with [Five-Star Rend], and he matched her sword shadows to block the move.
• Araki praised Ringo's talent, and the two shared apple lollipops as the sun set.

After mastering Asuna’s swordsmanship, Araki challenged Himura Kenshin in the Consciousness Space and was defeated by Kenshin’s Dragon Cry Flash and Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki. Araki resolved to find a way to counter the sword chime, starting by trying to make one without a scabbard.

• Araki mastered water-treading after three days and chose to train alone rather than return to the beach.
• Araki saw that his realm had advanced to Swordsmanship Mastery and met his second swordmaster, Himura Kenshin.
• Araki attacked Kenshin with Flash Thrust and Stardust Splash, while Kenshin countered with his Dragon Coil Flash techniques.
• Araki attempted Stardust Splash’s finishing thrust, but Kenshin’s sword chime disrupted Araki’s balance and left him unable to move properly.
• Kenshin defeated Araki with Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki, and Araki decided to practice making a sword chime by flicking his blade.

As the Ninja Academy graduation assessment approached, Karatachi Yagura visited Araki and tried to recruit him for a secret mission. Araki’s cautious questioning frustrated Yagura, while Araki recognized the mission as the one that would make Zabuza slaughter his classmates and help the Mist Village reformists challenge the Bloody Mist system.

• The instructors announced that the graduation assessment would take place at Training Ground No. 4.
• Karatachi Yagura visited Araki, praised his abilities, and asked him to help with an important mission for Mist Village.
• Araki questioned Yagura’s claim that the mission was important but easy, making Yagura’s smile increasingly strained.
• Araki realized Yagura was likely offering the mission that would lead Zabuza to kill more than a hundred classmates during the assessment.
• Araki recalled how Zabuza later became disillusioned with Yagura, who was controlled by Obito Uchiha, and set out to assassinate him.

Araki rejected Karatachi Yagura’s mission and trained his sword techniques while avoiding Kirigakure’s political struggles. Zabuza told him he had agreed to kill their classmates during the graduation exam, leaving Araki unmoved.

• Araki refused to hear Karatachi Yagura’s mission and went to the sea to practice Dragon Cry Flash and Draw-Cut.
• Zabuza visited Araki and told him Karatachi Yagura had recruited him for a plan to kill their classmates during the graduation exam.
• Araki asked Zabuza why he had come to tell him, then repeated that he understood Zabuza planned to kill the class.
• In a flashback, Zabuza accepted Karatachi Yagura’s plan after Yagura said Araki was excluded unless he interfered.

Araki and Zabuza traded barbs before the Kirigakure graduation assessment, where students were assigned opponents for a deadly test. Araki entered Training Ground No. 4 with Group A and suspected that every student there was someone Zabuza could kill.

• Araki reflected that he would try to save Ringo Ameyuri if Zabuza targeted her, then mocked Zabuza’s hidden heroic motives.
• Araki learned to counter Himura Kenshin’s Dragon Cry Flash by producing interfering sound with his teeth, though he still could not defeat Kenshin.
• Araki met Zabuza at the assessment site and teased him about being a hero until Zabuza vowed to surpass him.
• The examiners assigned students to matching Group A and Group B pairs, ordering each to kill their opponent and return by sunset to become genin.
• Araki and Zabuza followed the chief examiner toward Group A’s entrance, while Araki concluded that the real division was between those Zabuza could kill and those he could not.

Araki tested a new sword technique on his classmates during the examination, using sword chimes that eventually disrupted their balance and control. After Aota and Tanaka both fell, Zabuza realized Araki’s technique was more than a simple sound.

• Araki stopped Zabuza from attacking the examinees and said he wanted to test a new sword technique on them.
• Araki repeatedly rang his sword while Aota walked, until Aota lost control of his legs and fell.
• Araki invited the boastful Tanaka to try the technique next.
• Tanaka heard Araki’s sword chime, lost control of his legs, and fell, prompting Zabuza to recognize the technique’s effect.

Araki tested his new Dragon Cry Flash on the students in Training Ground No. 4, leaving Zabuza to hunt them down. As Zabuza pursued the fleeing examinees, Araki stayed behind to practice other Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu techniques and consider which ones suited him.

• Araki used Dragon Cry Flash to incapacitate the students who challenged him, and he estimated the technique’s effective range.
• Araki told Zabuza to handle the remaining students, and Zabuza chased them into the forest to kill them.
• Araki reasoned that Zabuza must have received tracking tools from Karatachi Yagura, but he refused to kill for the village’s sake.
• Araki practiced Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu techniques and decided that Nine-Headed Dragon Flash, Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki, and Earth Dragon Flash were worth mastering.

After Zabuza returned from the graduation exam covered in blood, Araki considered how to develop his potential. The examiners then learned that every candidate in Group B had died, and Kuryu reflected on the history behind Kirigakure’s brutal graduation system.

• Zabuza returned to the training ground drenched in blood as the graduation exam ended.
• Araki recognized Zabuza’s killing intent and considered teaching him the Hidden Mist Technique.
• Chief Examiner Kuryu opened the gate and began leading Zabuza and Araki to meet Group B.
• Ueno Seiseki arrived in shock and told Kuryu that every candidate in Group B was dead.
• Kuryu realized the deaths were a disaster and recalled how the Third Mizukage’s Bloody Mist Policy had been created to advance civilian ninja.

After Zabuza admitted to killing his classmates during the graduation exam, Kuryu and Matsudaira clashed over the Bloody Mist Policy and the Third Mizukage. They decided the massacre had to be reported, and Kuryu took Zabuza with him to the Mizukage Building.

• Matsudaira questioned Zabuza, who said he had killed the other students to test his capacity.
• Kuryu led the examiners into Training Ground No. 4 to investigate and find the bodies.
• Araki asked Zabuza about his answer, and Zabuza said Karatachi Yagura had taught him.
• Kuryu confronted Matsudaira over the deaths, while Matsudaira defended the Reformist Faction's opposition to outdated systems.
• Kuryu and Matsudaira agreed the incident had to be reported, and Kuryu told Zabuza to accompany him to the Mizukage Building.

Araki trained against Himura Kenshin in the Consciousness Space, defeated him, and absorbed his understanding of swordsmanship. After realizing he wanted to live freely and use his sword to sever restraints, Araki set himself the goal of shattering the moon with a single strike.

• Araki summoned Himura Kenshin in the Consciousness Space and fought off his opening Flying Dragon Flash.
• Araki used a kunai and Transformation Technique to seize the initiative, then forced Himura Kenshin into a prolonged exchange of sword strikes.
• Araki increased his consecutive slashes until Himura Kenshin dropped his Reverse-Blade Sword and dissolved into fragments of light.
• Araki absorbed Himura Kenshin's way of the sword and concluded that he wanted to live freely, beyond external authority.
• Araki identified the Otsutsuki as the source of the world's restraints and declared his goal of shattering the moon with a single sword strike.

Karatachi Yagura confronted the Third Mizukage after Zabuza Momochi killed more than a hundred candidates during Kirigakure’s graduation examination. The Third Mizukage refused to change the exam rules, but Yagura revealed that Elder Genji had called a high-level meeting to discuss the matter.

• Karatachi Yagura told the Third Mizukage that Zabuza Momochi had killed over a hundred candidates, leaving only two genin to graduate.
• The Third Mizukage blamed Kuryu for neglecting his duty and ordered him and Zabuza sent to guard the northern border.
• Yagura argued that Zabuza had followed the exam rules and that the tradition of making students kill one another harmed Kirigakure.
• The Third Mizukage refused to change the rules and ordered Yagura to leave.
• Yagura revealed that Elder Genji had convened a high-level meeting, and he urged the Third Mizukage to attend.

The Third Mizukage confronted Karatachi Yagura and other village leaders over a proposal to abolish Kirigakure's Ninja Academy graduation examination. He defended the lethal system, but Yagura challenged his view and the meeting proceeded to a vote.

• The Third Mizukage arrived at the high-level meeting and demanded to know why Elder Genji had convened it without him.
• Karatachi Yagura announced that the meeting would consider abolishing the Ninja Academy's graduation examination, and the Third Mizukage immediately rejected the proposal.
• Hozuki Sengetsu and Xiu Bing supported Yagura, while Kaguya Steel Bone remained silent.
• The Third Mizukage argued that Kirigakure's scarce resources required selecting the strongest graduates through life-and-death trials.
• Yagura proposed using bandits and pirates instead of making students kill one another, then argued that emotions were part of why villages had been established.
• The Third Mizukage dismissed Yagura's argument, put on his Mizukage hat, and called for a vote.

Karatachi Yagura and his allies put the Third Mizukage's proposed vote on reforming the Ninja Academy's graduation system to the test. As the vote began, their side gained support from the Kaguya Clan, leaving the Third Mizukage furious and gathering chakra.

• Elder Genji called for a vote on reforming the Ninja Academy's graduation system, while Aogiri and Suifeng considered supporting Yagura.
• Karatachi Yagura, Hozuki Sengetsu, and Xiu Bing raised their hands in support of reform.
• Kaguya Steel Bone raised his hand, bringing the Kaguya Clan onto Yagura's side.
• The Third Mizukage darkened his expression and began gathering chakra.

Karatachi Yagura won enough votes at the high-level meeting to abolish the Ninja Academy graduation examination, while Araki discovered that absorbing Himura Kenshin had strengthened his body. After becoming a genin, Araki was summoned to collect his forehead protector and meet his team leader.

• Aogiri and Suifeng voted for Karatachi Yagura, giving his faction the votes needed to pass its proposal.
• Elder Genji announced that the current Ninja Academy graduation examination was abolished immediately.
• Araki noticed that absorbing Himura Kenshin had increased his constitution and strength.
• Araki checked his status and saw that his realm had advanced to Sword Heart Initial Clarity, with most of his skills integrated into Iaijutsu.
• An academy teacher summoned Araki to the classroom to collect his forehead protector and meet his team leader.

Araki and Zabuza discussed their graduation rewards and their plans for choosing ninjutsu while waiting for their squadmates. Kisame Hoshigaki arrived as their captain and began introductions, asking Zabuza to speak as the chapter ended.

• Araki received his genin forehead protector and tied it around his neck.
• Araki asked Zabuza what had happened after he was taken away, and Zabuza said Karatachi Yagura had promised to teach him an advanced ninjutsu.
• Zabuza explained that he planned to choose support techniques, while Araki said he wanted ninjutsu that helped him close in with his sword.
• Kisame Hoshigaki arrived and introduced himself as the squad captain.
• Araki introduced himself and declared his ambition to become the greatest swordsman in the Shinobi World, and Kisame asked Zabuza to introduce himself.

Kisame Hoshigaki tested Araki and Zabuza in a two-on-one fight, while Yagura explained to Sengetsu why he had placed the two young ninja on Kisame’s team. The battle began with Kisame flooding the training ground, and Araki launched a nine-slash attack after seeing the gap in their strength.

• Kisame told Zabuza that his slaughter of over a hundred classmates had earned him the title Mist Demon, then ordered him and Araki to fight him without restrictions.
• Araki asked Kisame about his rank and learned that Kisame had recently become a special jonin.
• Yagura told Sengetsu that he had assigned Zabuza and Araki to Kisame’s team to keep them clear of the Third Mizukage’s resentment toward the clans.
• Kisame flooded the training ground with Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave, then invited Araki and Zabuza to attack.
• Araki’s Flash Thrust was blocked and thrown aside by Kisame, while Zabuza struggled and escaped danger with the Substitution Technique.
• Araki charged again and unleashed Nine-Headed Dragon Flash, surrounding Kisame with nine sword phantoms.

After testing Araki and Zabuza, Kisame assessed their abilities and recommended ninjutsu suited to their fighting styles. He sent them to exchange for techniques and told them to meet at the Mission Assignment Desk the next morning before beginning village missions.

• Araki's sword attacks failed to penetrate Kisame's Water Prison, and Kisame ended the spar after gauging Araki and Zabuza's strength.
• Kisame gave Araki a chakra paper, which showed that Araki had water, wind, and lightning attributes.
• Kisame recommended Body Flicker, a wind-style attack, and a water defense or clone technique for Araki.
• Kisame advised Zabuza to learn Water Clone, Hidden Mist, and Body Flicker, and identified the B-rank Water Dragon Technique as a stronger attack option.
• Kisame told Araki and Zabuza to exchange for their chosen ninjutsu and meet at the Mission Assignment Desk the next morning.

Araki collected training scrolls for Gale Palm, Water Replacement, and the Body Flicker Technique, learning how ninja could earn permission to exchange for more techniques through missions. At the seaside, he read the Body Flicker scroll and began practicing the technique.

• Araki weighed the uses of Wind Cutter and Gale Palm before choosing Gale Palm for his C-rank Wind Style technique.
• Araki requested training scrolls for Gale Palm, Water Replacement, and the Body Flicker Technique at the Ninja Academy's exchange office.
• The teacher explained that missions earned ninja permission to exchange for ninjutsu, with the available rank one level below the mission's rating.
• Araki went to his seaside training spot, read the Body Flicker Technique scroll, and understood it required shaping and releasing chakra beneath his feet.
• Araki began practicing the Body Flicker Technique by the sea.

Araki and Zabuza joined Kisame Hoshigaki on a D-rank mission to hunt a Black Sea Sturgeon. They found the fish’s dark cave, but their plan to flush it out stalled when Araki revealed he had no Explosive Tags.

• Zabuza told Araki that Karatachi Yagura had advised him to learn the Academy’s three ninjutsu before choosing another advanced technique, and admitted he had failed to learn the Water Dragon Technique.
• Kisame Hoshigaki led Araki and Zabuza on a D-rank hunting mission to catch a Black Sea Sturgeon.
• Araki demonstrated his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique, while Kisame encouraged Zabuza to focus on learning the basic ninjutsu in his scrolls.
• The team reached the Black Sea Sturgeon’s cave beneath a seaside cliff and considered using Explosive Tags to drive the fish out.
• Zabuza discovered that Araki had no Explosive Tags and became angry when Araki suggested he buy one.

Kisame Hoshigaki caught a Black Sea Sturgeon with Water Prison Technique and left Araki and Zabuza to train. While practicing ninjutsu, Araki analyzed Gale Palm’s chakra flow and discovered a way to produce a strong wind that Kisame recognized as Great Breakthrough.

• Kisame Hoshigaki used Water Prison Technique to catch a Black Sea Sturgeon and declared the mission complete.
• Kisame Hoshigaki told Araki and Zabuza to practice ninjutsu while he handled the catch.
• Araki trained Body Flicker Technique and mastered Water Replacement Technique before studying Gale Palm.
• Araki broke down Gale Palm’s hand seals and identified the Dragon Seal as the point where his chakra transformed into wind.
• Araki omitted Gale Palm’s final compression motion and produced a gust that Kisame Hoshigaki suspected was Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.