Recaps

The chapter explained how the Third Mizukage’s Bloody Mist policies restricted clan ninjas and maintained a balance with civilian ninjas, and why Zabuza’s slaughter threatened that balance. Karatachi Yagura brought Kaguya Black Bone into Kisame’s squad ahead of their mission to the Cloud Village, and Araki proposed a three-way spar to test the new team.

• The Third Mizukage limited clan ninja numbers by keeping clan children out of the academy and restricting their access to genin status and missions.
• Zabuza’s actions left only two academy graduates that year, disrupting the balance between civilian and clan ninjas and prompting the Third Mizukage to make concessions.
• Karatachi Yagura introduced Kaguya Black Bone as a new member of Kisame’s squad and ordered the team to prepare for possible combat in the Cloud Village.
• Yagura arranged three days of combat training with himself and Kisame before the squad departed for the Land of Lightning.
• Zabuza challenged Araki and Kaguya Black Bone to spar, and Araki suggested a three-way melee.

Zabuza challenged Kaguya Black Bone in a spar to prove he was no longer the weakest member of the team. Their fight escalated until Araki intervened, and the chapter ended with Black Bone barely harmed and ready to keep fighting.

• Kisame Hoshigaki and Karatachi Yagura agreed to the spar, and Zabuza covered the battlefield in mist with his Hidden Mist Technique.
• Zabuza ambushed Kaguya Black Bone, but Black Bone's awakened Shikotsumyaku bone membrane stopped the blade and his counterattack drove Zabuza back into hiding.
• Kaguya Black Bone fired Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets through the mist, found Zabuza's Water Clone, and was struck from behind by the real Zabuza.
• Araki blew away the mist, prompting Zabuza to use his Great Waterfall Technique to sweep Black Bone away before Black Bone could attack him.
• Araki split the water with Slash Wave: New Moon, but Black Bone's bone membrane protected him from the torrent, so Araki ordered both fighters to stop.

Araki easily defeated Kaguya Black Bone in a one-on-one fight, teaching him that speed and adaptability mattered as much as strength. Impressed by Araki, Black Bone declared him his big brother and promised to follow his lead.

• Zabuza watched as Kaguya Black Bone insisted on fighting Araki alone, while Araki welcomed the challenge.
• Araki dodged Black Bone’s heavy attacks and used Wind Style to cut nearly through his bone blade, astonishing Zabuza.
• Yagura reassured Zabuza about water’s strengths, while Kisame explained that Araki had developed a Wind Style Body Flicker Technique.
• Araki exploited Black Bone’s forward momentum and defeated him, showing that his bone membrane could not stop Araki’s slash.
• Black Bone recovered, bowed to Araki, and declared him his big brother, explaining that he followed anyone strong enough to convince him.

The Third Raikage agreed to Kirigakure’s genin exchange visit and decided to use it as a chance to showcase Kumogakure’s young talent against Zabuza Momochi. Karatachi Yagura and five companions set sail for the Land of Lightning while the Third Mizukage ordered a village-wide search for spies.

• The Third Raikage trained A and Killer B, then received Kirigakure’s request for a genin exchange from Dodai.
• Dodai told the Third Raikage about Zabuza Momochi killing more than a hundred students, and the Raikage welcomed the chance to test the Mist Village’s Demon.
• The Third Mizukage saw off Karatachi Yagura, Hozuki Sengetsu, Kisame Hoshigaki, Zabuza Momochi, Araki, and Kaguya Black Bone as they boarded a ship for the Land of Lightning.
• The Third Mizukage ordered the Anbu and sensory ninjas to patrol Kirigakure and find suspicious contacts and hidden spies.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha’s leaders responded to news that Kirigakure had sent envoys to Cloud Village by ordering intelligence gathering instead of provoking a conflict. Danzo secretly sent the Shrine Maiden to investigate and sabotage the exchange if necessary, while Orochimaru focused on his Cursed Seal research and questioned why Sage Mode failures had different outcomes.

• An Anbu ninja delivered Yoshi Kumade’s report that Kirigakure had sent envoys to Cloud Village, and Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned the advisors and Orochimaru.
• Shimura Danzo urged Konoha to provoke a border conflict, but Sarutobi rejected the plan and chose Orochimaru’s proposal to gather intelligence from the Land of Lightning.
• Danzo ordered a Root subordinate to send the Shrine Maiden a message directing her to investigate the talks and sabotage them if needed.
• Orochimaru considered his research into Tenbin Jugo and the Cursed Seal while comparing the risks of Sage Mode at Ryūchi Cave and Mount Myōboku.
• Orochimaru wondered why failed Sage Mode training at Mount Myōboku turned practitioners into stone frogs while failure at Ryūchi Cave turned them into mindless snakes.

Orochimaru investigated natural energy and began experimenting with Jugo’s cells to develop a Sage Mode of his own, while arranging to establish a new laboratory at the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools. On the voyage north, Araki continued fighting Yasuo in the Consciousness Space and revealed his newly developed Wind Clone Technique.

• Orochimaru reasoned that Senju Hashirama’s Sage Mode might have been developed independently and began studying how natural energy affected the body.
• Orochimaru injected a diluted solution of Jugo’s cells into a test subject, then ordered Amachi to find more subjects and prepare a laboratory at the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools.
• Karatachi Yagura and Zabuza discussed the ship’s arrival and noticed that Araki remained in his cabin.
• Araki fought Yasuo in the Consciousness Space, matching his normal techniques and demanding to face his ultimate move again.
• Araki used his new Wind Style: Clone Technique to create two clones and attack Yasuo from both sides.

Araki discovered that the Wind Sword had a hidden weakness after it broke during his duel with Yasuo, and Hozuki Sengetsu explained that Tobirama Senju had damaged it long ago. The sword could be repaired by reforging it with the core of the Sword of the Thunder God, leaving Araki with a difficult solution to pursue.

• Araki used a feint and a high-speed thrust to attack Yasuo, but Yasuo countered with Wind Slash and wounded him before the Wind Sword snapped.
• Araki returned from the Consciousness Space and inspected the Wind Sword, then decided to ask Hozuki Sengetsu about its weakness.
• Araki found Hozuki Sengetsu relaxing on deck with Karatachi Yagura and the others and asked him about the sword.
• Hozuki Sengetsu revealed that Tobirama Senju had severed the sword's tip during the First Shinobi World War, leaving its repaired section fragile.
• Hozuki Sengetsu said that fusing the core of the Sword of the Thunder God into the Wind Sword could let the clan reforge it as a stronger Wind-Thunder Sword.

Araki discussed obtaining the Sword of the Thunder God and asked Hozuki Sengetsu about having the Hozuki Clan reforge it. The Mist Village delegation arrived in the Land of Lightning, where A welcomed them and mistakenly identified Kaguya Black Bone as Zabuza before meeting the real Zabuza.

• Araki asked Hozuki Sengetsu to have the Hozuki Clan's swordsmiths reforge the Sword of the Thunder God if he obtained it, and Sengetsu agreed.
• Karatachi Yagura led the Mist Village delegation off their transport and met A, whom the Third Raikage had sent to welcome them.
• A examined the delegation and mistook Kaguya Black Bone for Zabuza Momochi, then remarked that the real Zabuza did not look very fierce.
• Karatachi Yagura broke the awkward silence and the delegation followed A toward Kumogakure.
• A instructed two accompanying Kumogakure shinobi to observe Zabuza and assess his strength.

Zabuza and the Kirigakure delegation climbed Mount Unrai to reach Cloud Village, where A’s companions secretly assessed them along the way. The Third Raikage’s group reviewed the conflicting reports and concluded that Zabuza was hiding terrifying strength.

• Zabuza sensed that two Kumogakure chunin were openly recording intelligence about him as A led the delegation up Mount Unrai.
• A deliberately increased the pace through the thin mountain air to tire the Kirigakure ninja and help Cloud Village assess their physical condition.
• Araki admired Cloud Village’s high, mountainous setting and reflected on how the great nations’ terrain shaped their defenses.
• A delayed the meeting with the Raikage until the next day, while the Third Raikage, A, and Dodai gathered to examine the intelligence collected.
• A reported that Karatachi Yagura, Hozuki Sengetsu, and Kisame Hoshigaki led the Kirigakure delegation, with Zabuza Momochi, Araki, and Kaguya Black Bone among the genin.
• The Kumogakure leaders compared the chunin’s reports and decided Zabuza had concealed his true, sinister power from ordinary observation.

The Third Raikage and Dodai planned Kumogakure’s match against Kirigakure, deciding on a king-of-the-hill format so Darui could fight multiple opponents. At the inn, Araki, Zabuza, and Kaguya Black Bone discussed the coming battle, and Zabuza agreed to teach Black Bone his muscle-relaxation technique.

• Dodai identified Toroi, Samui, and Darui as Kumogakure’s strongest genin options and described their abilities.
• Dodai suggested conceding a match, but A and the Third Raikage insisted that Kumogakure never backed down.
• Dodai proposed a king-of-the-hill format that would let a victor stay and face the next opponent, and the Third Raikage approved it.
• At the inn, Kaguya Black Bone complained about his sore legs while Araki and Zabuza remained unbothered.
• Kaguya Black Bone asked Zabuza to massage his legs, and Zabuza instead offered to teach him the technique.

Yagura invited Kumogakure to jointly hold the Chunin Exams, prompting the Third Raikage and Dodai to fear the reputational cost of losing. They planned to test Kirigakure’s strength and potentially involve Iwagakure, but A pointed out that they could invite Iwagakure immediately.

• Yagura presented Kirigakure’s invitation to jointly hold the Chunin Exams, and the Third Raikage deferred his decision.
• After Yagura’s group left with guide Yugito, Dodai warned the Third Raikage and A that a public loss could damage Kumogakure’s reputation.
• The Third Raikage proposed a three-versus-three match to test Kirigakure before deciding whether to hold the exams.
• Dodai suggested involving Iwagakure because of its grudge against Kirigakure, and the Third Raikage agreed they could use rumors to pressure Ōnoki.
• A asked why they needed to test Kirigakure first instead of inviting Iwagakure directly, stopping the Raikage and Dodai’s laughter.

Araki and the Kirigakure delegation toured Kumogakure with Yugito Nii, the village’s Two-Tails jinchuriki, as their guide. After Yugito falsely claimed that two villagers caught in an intimate moment were Konoha spies, Araki stopped Kaguya Black Bone from attacking them, and Yugito grew flustered by Araki’s kindness.

• Yugito Nii introduced herself as the delegation’s guide, and Yagura introduced the Kirigakure group.
• Yugito offered to show them the Sea of Clouds or the Thunder Pool, and the delegation chose the Sea of Clouds.
• At the Sea of Clouds, the group overheard two villagers together behind a boulder, and Yugito knocked them down before claiming they were Konoha spies.
• Kaguya Black Bone prepared to attack the supposed spies, but Araki stopped him and told Yugito that Kirigakure would not interfere with Kumogakure’s handling of them.
• Yugito thanked Araki awkwardly and blushed as she lowered her head.

Yugito showed Araki and the Mist Village group around Kumogakure and treated them to a feast before leading them to meet the Third Raikage. The villages agreed to include Iwagakure in a joint Chunin Exam, and the Raikage proposed a genin exchange as his final condition.

• Yugito took the Mist Village group to the Sea of Clouds while a woman secretly altered an unconscious Kumogakure man's memory and then left.
• Yugito treated the visitors to a roasted calf feast, and a masked Kumogakure Anbu summoned them to the Raikage Office.
• The Third Raikage demanded that Iwagakure be invited to the joint Chunin Exam, provoking Hozuki Sengetsu because of the villages' history.
• Karatachi Yagura persuaded Hozuki Sengetsu to accept the condition, and Yagura agreed that Kumogakure would invite Iwagakure.
• The Third Raikage proposed that the Mist Village's three genin exchange with Kumogakure genin.

The Kirigakure and Kumogakure genin teams began an internal sparring match at Cloud-Thunder Gorge, with Kaguya Black Bone facing Toroi. Black Bone’s explosive bone bullets injured Toroi, and the chapter left their match ongoing.

• The Third Raikage and Karatachi Yagura agreed to a genin exchange match at Cloud-Thunder Gorge.
• Araki identified Samui and suspected that Toroi used Magnet Style, then sent Kaguya Black Bone to fight him.
• Toroi used Magnet Style to control his diamond-shaped shuriken and intercept Black Bone’s bone bullets.
• Black Bone detonated the intercepted bullets, shattering some shuriken and grazing Toroi’s cheek with bone fragments.
• Kisame Hoshigaki asked Araki whether he had taught Black Bone the explosive technique, and Araki credited Black Bone’s talent.

Kaguya Black Bone used his newly developed Ten-Finger Bullet to wound Toroi and overwhelm him at range, prompting Toroi to unleash his Magnet Style weapons. Black Bone advanced through Toroi’s barrage in bone armor, leaving Toroi unable to stop his approach.

• Kaguya Black Bone fired Ten-Finger Bullets that fragmented inside Toroi and then launched another volley at him.
• The Third Raikage praised Black Bone’s ranged combat, while Karatachi Yagura downplayed his abilities.
• Toroi formed a Magnet Style Square Iron Wall, summoned ten gigantic square shuriken, and attacked Black Bone with Hornet Flying Blade.
• Black Bone charged through the spinning shuriken after covering himself in bone armor, which deflected their blows as he steadily approached Toroi.

Kaguya Black Bone defeated Toroi with his bone armor and forced him to surrender, then forfeited his match against Samui. Araki took his place and evaded Samui’s lightning-charged attack, leaving their fight underway.

• Kaguya Black Bone broke through Toroi’s Magnet Style: Square Iron Wall, but Dodai stopped his bone sword before it struck Toroi, who surrendered.
• Samui volunteered to fight Kaguya Black Bone, but he forfeited because he would not fight women, and Kisame accepted the round as a loss.
• Araki stepped in to fight Samui, following the plan to conceal Kaguya Black Bone’s chakra limits by rotating fighters.
• Samui attacked with Cloud Style: Flying Blade, and Araki used Wind Style: Body Flicker Technique to vanish from her sight.
• Samui dashed from her position with Lightning Style: Shadow Lightning Thrust as Araki’s chakra-edged longsword cut through her afterimage.

Araki defeated Samui in a sword fight after countering her lightning techniques with wind and overwhelming her with a wide-area attack. The Third Raikage praised Araki’s swordsmanship, and the Cloud shinobi accepted Samui’s defeat.

• Samui used the Body Flicker Technique to escape Araki’s strike and counterattacked with Cloud Style: Inner Slash.
• Araki countered Samui’s lightning-wreathed blade with Wind Sword, then evaded her Sun and Moon Slash and struck her with Whirlwind Slash.
• Samui’s Substitution Technique failed to escape the tornado, and Araki’s Last Breath left her unconscious and covered in cuts.
• Dodai carried Samui away and confronted Araki, who said he had held back; the Raikage and Cloud shinobi acknowledged Samui’s fair defeat.
• The Third Raikage praised Kirigakure’s swordsmanship genius and reflected on Kumogakure’s strong swordsmanship tradition.

Darui faced Araki in Kumogakure’s final exchange match, carrying the responsibility of avenging Samui despite doubting he could win. Their fight began with Araki’s wind-fast sword attack and ended with both fighters launching powerful techniques at each other.

• Dodai urged Darui to fight Araki and avenge Samui, while Darui reluctantly agreed.
• Darui introduced himself to Araki and said he had a responsibility to avenge his injured teammate.
• Araki used Wind Instant Body Technique to close the distance and slash at Darui.
• Darui raised a Water Formation Wall and electrified it with Lightning Style: Wave of Inspiration, forcing Araki to retreat.
• Araki launched Slash Wave: New Moon, and Darui dispelled his water defense and countered with Storm Style: Laser Circus.

Araki defeated Darui by using wind currents to disrupt the Storm Style lasers and striking him at close range. After the spar, the Third Raikage vowed to train new talent before the Chunin Exams, while Samui admired Araki’s strength.

• Araki dodged Darui’s controllable Storm Style lasers by moving onto a hill, then charged through their attacks with a circular wind slash.
• Araki deflected the lasers with his sword, reached Darui, and defeated him with Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki.
• Darui asked how Araki had disrupted his Storm Style, but Araki refused to explain and left.
• The Third Raikage lamented Kumogakure’s losses, discovered he was the Ninja Academy principal, and decided to personally train new talents.
• Samui saw Darui return to the hospital and recalled Araki’s swordsmanship, saying that the fighters from Mist Village were cool.

Danzo ordered Aburame Ryoma to hire Kakuzu to kill Karatachi Yagura and Hozuki Sengetsu, while Yakushi Nonō activated Konoha’s spies in Kumogakure to attack the Kirigakure delegation. Nonō then left the village and waited for the plan to unfold.

• Danzo ordered Aburame Ryoma to offer Kakuzu fifty million ryo for the heads of Karatachi Yagura and Hozuki Sengetsu.
• Yakushi Nonō received a message telling her to keep the Kirigakure delegation in Kumogakure, while Karatachi Yagura told Kisame Hoshigaki to consider setting personal goals.
• Yakushi Nonō used a recognition code to deliver Danzo’s order to Nakamura Yato to assassinate members of the Kirigakure delegation the next day.
• Yakushi Nonō activated several Konoha spies across Kumogakure, then quietly left the village to await the outcome.

Araki, Kaguya Black Bone, and Zabuza visited Kumogakure’s Thunder Pool, where they met Killer B. Outside, three undercover agents plotted to attack them once Killer B left.

• Karatachi Yagura, Hozuki Sengetsu, and Kisame Hoshigaki began discussing the joint examination arrangements with the Raikage and the others, leaving the genin with nothing to do.
• Araki took Kaguya Black Bone and Zabuza to visit the Thunder Pool, and Killer B welcomed them inside.
• Araki saw the lightning-filled lake and guessed that Kumogakure used it to train shinobi in Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• Nakamura, Miki, and Takei followed the three to the Thunder Pool and decided to wait until Killer B left before attacking Araki first.

Araki and his companions toured Thunder Pool while Black Bone soaked in its electrified water, and Araki tried to learn where Kumogakure obtained its ore. Three undercover Anbu entered the pool and attacked, leaving Takei swinging a hidden hammer at Araki’s chest.

• Black Bone tested Thunder Pool’s water and then jumped in, while Killer B stayed nearby to help if needed.
• Araki asked Killer B about Kumogakure’s blacksmiths and ore, but Killer B knew little about the subject.
• Takei, Nakamura, and Miki grew impatient waiting outside and decided to enter Thunder Pool and target Araki’s group.
• The three undercover Anbu approached Araki and Zabuza while pretending to offer help rescuing the two people in the water.
• Takei revealed his attack and swung a small iron hammer toward Araki’s chest.

Araki killed two of the three attackers at the Thunder Pool and left Takei alive for interrogation. Killer B brought Takei to the Raikage’s office, interrupting the debate over the Joint Chunin Exams and reporting the attack.

• Araki used [Wind Sword] and his scabbard to incapacitate and kill Takei after Takei attacked him with a hammer.
• Nakamura and Miki charged Araki and Zabuza, but both were killed.
• Killer B dragged Kaguya Black Bone ashore and learned that the three men had tried to assassinate them.
• Killer B carried the unconscious Takei to the Raikage’s office, where Yagura, A, Dodai, and Hozuki Sengetsu were discussing the Joint Chunin Exams.
• Killer B reported that three unidentified people had attacked them at the Thunder Pool.

After an attack on Araki and his companions, Yagura and the Mist Village group blamed Konoha and hoped the incident would help them gain leverage with Cloud Village over the Chunin Exam rules. The Third Raikage ordered a stronger investigation and patrols, then focused on Kaguya Black Bone’s resilience and forced injured Darui back into training.

• A rushed to check on Killer B, while Yagura anxiously asked Araki, Zabuza, and Black Bone whether they were hurt.
• The Third Raikage ordered Anbu to interrogate the captured attacker and promised Yagura that Cloud Village would investigate and explain the attack.
• Araki identified Konoha as the likely culprit, and Yagura and Hozuki Sengetsu discussed using the incident to unite Cloud Village against Konoha and gain advantages in the exam rules.
• The Third Raikage ordered faster interrogations and more patrols, then learned from Killer B that Kaguya Black Bone had endured Thunder Pool without preparation.
• The Third Raikage went with Killer B to Cloud Village Hospital, where he accused Darui of slacking and ordered him to train at Thunder Pool until he reached beginner level in [Lightning Release Chakra Mode].

After securing favorable Chunin Exam terms, Karatachi Yagura and the Kirigakure delegation headed home, where Araki was teased about Samui before the group encountered the bounty hunter Kakuzu. The chapter ended as Kakuzu attacked with Lightning Style: False Darkness and Araki raised a Wind Wall to defend the team.

• Karatachi Yagura accepted Kumogakure's insistence on holding the Chunin Exams three months later after Kirigakure gained favorable rules in negotiations.
• Samui told Araki she admired his fighting and would work harder before they met again in three months, then hugged him.
• Karatachi Yagura and Kaguya Black Bone teased Araki about Samui, and Araki claimed that having no women in his heart made his swordsmanship strong.
• Zabuza sensed someone approaching, and the Kirigakure delegation formed a defensive formation as Kakuzu emerged from the forest and named a fifty-million-ryo bounty.
• Kakuzu attacked with Lightning Style: False Darkness, and Araki countered by raising a Wind Wall.