Recaps

Araki proposed a selection tournament to find capable Mist genin, and the Third Mizukage expanded the plan into divisions for both genin and jōnin. Araki received Samehada and Kabutowari for the event and began considering how Samehada could help him improve his sword technique.

• Araki suggested offering prizes to attract capable genin to a selection tournament, and the Third Mizukage agreed to provide him with a list of candidates.
• The Third Mizukage offered Araki Samehada and Kabutowari, which had been taken from their injured wielders, Suikazan Fuguki and Jinin Akebino.
• The Third Mizukage proposed separate jōnin and genin divisions, with a sword for the jōnin winner and instruction in its use for the genin winner, and assigned Araki to assess both.
• Araki accepted the swords and considered using Samehada's chakra absorption to reduce the cost of his Rain Cutter Technique and eventually cleave a Tailed Beast Bomb.

Araki selected candidates for Kirigakure’s Joint Chunin Exams preliminaries and delegated the invitations to Zabuza and Kaguya Black Bone. The preliminaries were set for five days later, with mastery of Samehada or Kabutowari offered as the winner’s reward.

• Araki left Kabutowari at the Hozuki Clan Compound and reviewed the roster of eligible Kirigakure genin.
• Araki set a chunin-level strength requirement, selected fifty-seven candidates, and excluded the Kaguya Clan genin because Kaguya Black Bone already occupied a squad slot.
• Araki summoned Zabuza and Kaguya Black Bone and ordered them to deliver invitations for the preliminaries five days later.
• Araki announced that the winner would receive mastery of Samehada or Kabutowari, disappointing Zabuza because neither sword suited him.
• Araki asked Zabuza about his Death God Mask research, and Zabuza admitted he was still working on it.

Araki sent Zabuza to deliver invitation letters while Orochimaru and Danzo questioned En no Gyōja about the Tsuchigumo Clan’s secret technique. Alarmed by Mist Village’s strength, Danzo persuaded Orochimaru to restart research into Wood Release, and Orochimaru agreed.

• Araki told Zabuza to deliver all the invitation letters that day and left to attend to other business.
• Orochimaru and Danzo questioned En no Gyōja, who explained that Wrath of Heaven needed at least thirty minutes to charge and was impossible to conceal.
• Danzo ordered Wrath of Heaven recorded in the Scroll of Seals and forbade En no Gyōja from using it again.
• Danzo and Orochimaru discussed Mist Village’s Ice Release and Shikotsumyaku, and Danzo insisted Konoha needed the First Hokage’s power.
• Danzo urged Orochimaru to resume Wood Release research, dismissing concerns about Hiruzen and Tsunade, and Orochimaru agreed.

Araki evaluated the jonin candidates for Samehada and Kabutowari, discovered the Third Mizukage had left Kisame and major-clan shinobi off the list, and decided Samehada should be his temporary weapon. Meanwhile, Hua Bing and Mei Terumi prepared to enter the genin selection for their own reasons, with Mei secretly hoping to recruit Hua Bing as a future ally.

• Araki tested Takano Kazuhiko with Samehada, watched the sword pierce his hand, and revoked his candidacy after Takano attacked him.
• Araki found the remaining jonin candidates unimpressive and learned from Karatachi Yagura that Kisame had gone to the front lines and that the Third Mizukage had likely excluded powerful clans on purpose.
• Araki agreed with Yagura that he could wield Samehada temporarily while his own sword was being reforged and Suikazan Fuguki recovered.
• Hua Bing told Luo Bing she would enter the genin selection partly to defy Mei Terumi, then chose Kabutowari after learning there were two separate divisions.
• Mei Terumi told Ao she planned to use the Joint Chunin Exams to advance her ambition to become Mizukage and had provoked Hua Bing into competing so she could recruit her as an ally.

Araki learned Samehada’s abilities from Hozuki Mangetsu, then opened a selection tournament for Samehada and Kabutowari by declaring that he would take Samehada himself. When the competitors objected, Araki knocked Takano Kazuhiko unconscious and asked the others again who approved and who objected.

• Araki asked Hozuki Mangetsu to teach him how to use Samehada, and Mangetsu demonstrated its scraping attack, extending handle, chakra absorption, healing, and fusion abilities.
• After five days of training, Araki had mastered Samehada’s basic abilities, though he could not yet use its healing or fusion.
• At Training Ground 7, Araki gathered five jonin, including Takano Kazuhiko, for the selection tournament over Samehada and Kabutowari.
• Araki announced that he would take Samehada and asked who approved and who objected.
• Takano Kazuhiko objected, and the other competitors agreed with him.
• Araki struck Takano Kazuhiko with Samehada, leaving him unconscious, then asked the remaining competitors who approved and who objected.

Araki gave Kabutowari to Rei Chiba after arranging the jonin tournament, then retrieved the reinforced weapon from Hozuki Ryuzuki. At the genin selection tournament, Kaguya Black Bone revealed that Mei Terumi’s corrosive Boil Release and Lava Release made her his pick to win.

• Araki forced the four remaining jonin to compete, and Rei Chiba won the tournament and became Kabutowari’s new wielder.
• Araki took Rei Chiba to the Hozuki Residence, where Hozuki Ryuzuki returned Kabutowari after reinforcing it with a Petrification Lizard’s eye.
• Araki arrived at the genin tournament and asked Kaguya Black Bone whether he was confident about placing in the top six.
• Kaguya Black Bone said Mei Terumi was most likely to win because her Hidden Mist Technique and Lava Release could corrode his bones.
• Araki realized Mei Terumi had already developed two Kekkei Genkai while still a genin.

Araki heard how Mei Terumi had developed Boil Release after being bullied in Kirigakure, and learned that Black Bone had once been beaten by her after laughing at an incident. He decided to have Zabuza face Mei Terumi in a fight to help him draw out hidden power, then opened the selection tournament at Training Ground No. 7.

• Black Bone told Araki that Mei Terumi had been mocked for developing Fire Release and later revealed Boil Release during her graduation exam, defeating the teammate who planned to kill her.
• Black Bone explained that Mei had later beaten him after he laughed at her forcing genin to call her Lord Mizukage.
• Araki proposed letting Black Bone watch Zabuza face Mei Terumi, and Black Bone eagerly agreed.
• Zabuza arrived at Training Ground No. 7, haggard from sleeping with Death God Masks and hearing indistinct voices within himself.
• Araki had Black Bone close the training ground gates and announced the start of the selection tournament to the gathered genin.

Araki watched Kirigakure's genin tournament while trying to learn Samehada's chakra-absorbing ability. He had arranged for Zabuza Momochi, Mei Terumi, and Hua Bing to face off in the same group, and the chapter ended as Zabuza prepared to battle Hua Bing.

• Araki divided the genin into two groups and arranged the matches to test their abilities and select Kirigakure's representatives.
• The matches began, but genin repeatedly used the Hidden Mist Technique, preventing Araki from seeing the fights clearly.
• Araki abandoned watching the mist-shrouded matches and continued studying Samehada, attempting to imitate its chakra-absorbing ability.
• Araki tested chakra transformations in his palm but concluded that his approach only reproduced the mutual depletion of the Rain Cutter Technique.
• Araki sensed Samehada directly sucking chakra from his palm and began thinking about the suction behind its ability.
• Araki noticed Zabuza Momochi facing Hua Bing and paused his research to watch their match.

Zabuza fought Hua Bing, whose Ice Release drove him into a desperate defensive struggle and pushed his hearing to a new level. As Hua Bing trapped him inside Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, Zabuza began to sense the pulse of ice, leaving his next move uncertain.

• Zabuza used Hidden Mist Technique, but Hua Bing scattered the fog with Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
• Hua Bing attacked with Ice Release and Blizzard Barrage, gradually slowing Zabuza with the cold while Araki and Kaguya Black Bone watched.
• Zabuza closed his eyes and relied on his hearing to cut through Hua Bing's ice fists and break the head from her ice hammer.
• Hua Bing surrounded Zabuza with Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and launched icy blades at him from every direction.
• Araki recognized that Zabuza had begun to hear the pulse of ice as he watched Zabuza face Hua Bing's attack.

Zabuza awakened Ghostly Aura by accepting the wronged souls of those he had killed, then used it to break Hua Bing’s ice attacks before collapsing from exhaustion and losing their match. After the remaining bouts, Mei Terumi and Hua Bing began their final match, with Mei’s corrosive acid mist pushing through Hua Bing’s Wind Release.

• Zabuza entered his inner world, tore down the walls separating him from the souls of his slain classmates, and accepted their hatred and power.
• Zabuza awakened Ghostly Aura, protected himself from Hua Bing’s ice blades, and shattered her ice mirrors with his killing intent.
• Hua Bing attacked with Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death, but Zabuza deflected the needles with Ghost Slash before his sword broke and he fainted beside her.
• Araki declared Hua Bing the winner, and she agreed with Mei Terumi to challenge Zabuza again after he recovered.
• Mei Terumi faced Hua Bing in the final match and used corrosive Boil Release acid mist, which began eating through Hua Bing’s Wind Release gale.

Hua Bing lost to Mei Terumi in the final selection match, and Araki named Mei Terumi, Hua Bing, Kaguya Black Bone, and the hospitalized Zabuza Momochi as qualified candidates for Kirigakure’s Chunin Exam teams. Seeking two more exceptional genin to showcase the village’s strength, Araki selected academy student Ringo Ameyuri and was advised to search the Kekkei Genkai clans for a Hozuki candidate.

• Hua Bing’s Ice Dragon Bullet melted under Mei Terumi’s Corrosive Monster Technique, and Hua Bing ran low on chakra and lost the battle.
• Araki told Kaguya Black Bone, Mei Terumi, and Hua Bing that they would represent Kirigakure in the Joint Chunin Exams, while two more candidates remained to be chosen alongside Zabuza Momochi.
• Araki explained that Kirigakure planned to use the exams to display its military strength amid rising tensions with Konoha, then sent the girls to rest while he sought more candidates.
• Mei Terumi teased the dejected Hua Bing about visiting Zabuza Momochi in the hospital, and Hua Bing denied wanting to go.
• At the Ninja Academy, Araki selected Ringo Ameyuri after reviewing the graduating class roster and finding her evaluations exceptional.
• Principal Aogiri suggested that Araki seek another strong candidate from the Kekkei Genkai clans, possibly a Hozuki.

Unable to find a suitable Hozuki genin for the Chunin Exams, Araki sought candidates among the Kekkei Genkai clans recently absorbed into the Anbu. He arrived at the clans’ quarters to choose a genin, where the gathered captives eagerly watched him.

• Aogiri suggested Araki look among the genin recently absorbed into the Anbu after several clans were punished for causing trouble.
• Araki asked Karatachi Yagura to lend him a Kekkei Genkai genin for Kirigakure’s Chunin Exams and explained his plan to display the village’s strength.
• Karatachi Yagura approved and limited Araki’s choices to genin from the Hagane Clan and Crystal Clan.
• Jonin Nokawa took Araki to the clans’ quarters and introduced him to Hagane Kotetsu, Chi Jing, and the assembled ninjas as their chance to earn merit.
• Hagane Kotetsu and Chi Jing welcomed the opportunity, while the gathered clansmen fixed their hopeful, wary attention on Araki.

Araki held a one-on-one contest to choose a genin with an awakened Kekkei Genkai to accompany him to the Joint Chunin Exams. Hagane Koga’s Steel Release withstood Huang Jing’s Crystal Release attacks, but Huang Jing trapped him in a rising crystal prison as the fight continued.

• Araki announced that he wanted the strongest genin with an awakened Kekkei Genkai to join him at the Joint Chunin Exams.
• Hagane Kotetsu told Araki that Hagane Koga had awakened Steel Release at eight and could reinforce his skin to withstand C-rank ninjutsu.
• Huang Jing challenged Hagane Koga and attacked him with Crystal Shuriken, but the barrage failed to injure him.
• Hagane Koga charged Huang Jing through Crystal Release attacks and leaped into the air to strike him.
• Huang Jing raised crystal pillars around the airborne Hagane Koga with Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Prison.

Hagane Koga defeated Huang Jing in the genin match after breaking free of his crystal restraints, and Araki declared him the winner. Chi Jing then put forward his daughter Guren as the next challenger, leaving Araki ready to test her ability.

• Huang Jing trapped Hagane Koga with crystal pillars, but Koga hardened his body and smashed his way free.
• Huang Jing attacked Koga with an Emerald Crystal Blade, aiming for his eye, but Koga broke a pillar and punched him away.
• Chi Jing caught the injured Huang Jing and apologized to Araki for interfering before the match had ended.
• Araki declared Hagane Koga the winner and asked whether anyone else wanted to challenge him.
• Chi Jing requested permission for his daughter Guren to fight, and Araki recognized her as a candidate whose ability still needed testing.

Mei Terumi brought Hua Bing to Kirigakure Hospital to recruit the still-unconscious Zabuza Momochi for her Chunin Exam squad, but Kaguya Black Bone mistook them for threats. After learning that Black Bone and Zabuza were already teammates under Araki, Mei Terumi abandoned her recruiting plan and challenged Black Bone to a bet over whose squad would perform better.

• Mei Terumi brought Hua Bing to the hospital and decided to wait for Zabuza Momochi to wake so she could recruit him.
• Kaguya Black Bone arrived with a fruit basket and blocked Mei Terumi and Hua Bing from reaching Zabuza's room, accusing them of pursuing him to hurt him.
• Mei Terumi clarified that she wanted to invite Zabuza to join her squad, and Black Bone revealed that he and Zabuza were already teammates.
• Black Bone explained that Araki had been their captain before becoming a jonin and their teacher.
• Mei Terumi gave up on recruiting Zabuza and challenged Black Bone to bet on whose squad would do better in the Chunin Exams, and Black Bone accepted.

Guren defeated Hagane Kasa with a swift Crystal Release trick, then faced Hagane Koga, who abandoned his aggressive style and fortified his body after seeing Kasa’s painful loss. Guren fired a concentrated arrow of light at Koga, leaving the fight’s result unresolved.

• Hagane Kotetsu sent Hagane Kasa to fight Guren while Hagane Koga rested for the next round.
• Guren used her agility and Crystal Release: God Crossing Technique to make Hagane Kasa slip into a painful split, forcing Araki to declare her the winner.
• Hagane Koga began his match against Guren by covering himself in steel and taking a defensive stance, and Araki judged that he had already lost the advantage.
• Guren used Crystal Release: Single Arrow of Light to fire a brilliant arrow at Hagane Koga.

Guren defeated Hagane Koga and agreed to fight for Kirigakure under Araki’s command, while asking about the fate of her father and clan. Araki then secured Karatachi Yagura’s approval to keep one Swift Release and one Dark Release shinobi for study, leaving their handling to the Anbu.

• Guren wounded Hagane Koga with a Light Arrow, and he surrendered rather than risk being killed.
• Araki invited Guren to serve under his command, and she agreed after he explained that her performance would affect how her father and clansmen were treated.
• Araki asked Jonin Nokawa to spare one bloodline ninja from each of the Xun and Mei Clans for research, and Nokawa said he needed Karatachi Yagura’s approval.
• Karatachi Yagura approved Araki’s request and said the Anbu would notify him after dealing with the two clans.

Araki faced Sasaki Kojiro in the Consciousness Space, where repeated defeats let him study the sword master’s techniques and improve with Samehada. After training through the night, Araki arrived at Training Ground No. 7 and prepared to have his six genin introduce themselves.

• Araki opened the Book of Sword Masters and summoned Sasaki Kojiro, then challenged him with Samehada.
• Sasaki Kojiro overwhelmed Araki with Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal, and Araki returned to the Consciousness Space eager to fight again.
• Araki concealed Samehada with Wind King Barrier, but Sasaki Kojiro read his attacks with Mind’s Eye and defeated him again.
• Sasaki Kojiro explained Mind’s Eye, and Araki spent the night fighting him repeatedly to learn from his swordsmanship.
• After waking at dawn with improved control of Samehada, Araki went to Training Ground No. 7, gathered Zabuza, Black Bone, Mei Terumi, Hua Bing, Ringo Ameyuri, and Guren, and asked them to introduce themselves.

Araki assigned the six genin to two teams for the Joint Chunin Exams and outlined their special training priorities. He left Zabuza’s team with Guren, who was asked to make Zabuza a crystal sword.

• Mei Terumi, Kaguya Black Bone, and Zabuza Momochi introduced themselves and argued for their qualifications as team captains.
• Araki assigned Mei Terumi, Hua Bing, and Ringo Ameyuri to Team One, and Zabuza Momochi, Kaguya Black Bone, and Guren to Team Two.
• Araki explained that the genin would train to address weaknesses in combat, reconnaissance, survival, and teamwork.
• Araki told Mei Terumi to improve her taijutsu and suggested using high-pressure steam to support it.
• Araki identified Hua Bing’s vulnerability to genjutsu and lack of experience killing, while assigning Ringo Ameyuri a new sword technique.
• Araki instructed Zabuza to master Ghostly Aura, promised Kaguya Black Bone a Byakugan transplant, and asked Guren to make Zabuza a Crystal Tachi.

Araki brought Mei Terumi and Guren to Hell Valley to train for the Joint Chunin Exams, teaching Mei Terumi to evade poisonous gas and Guren to protect her efficiently. Guren shielded Mei Terumi with an oversized Crimson Fruit, and Araki redirected her training toward finer control of Crystal Release.

• Araki arrived at Seven Grass Island and received permission from Suifeng to train his genin in Hell Valley.
• Araki assigned Mei Terumi to practice evading the gas vents while Guren used Crystal Release to protect her.
• Mei Terumi leaped through the gas vents but became trapped in midair as a column surged toward her.
• Guren cast Crimson Fruit around Mei Terumi, blocking the gas but enclosing her in an unnecessarily large crystal shelter.
• Araki praised Guren's readiness to protect her teammate, then taught her to use smaller, more efficient Crystal Release defenses.

Araki brought Kaguya Black Bone and Ringo Ameyuri to a secret arena where nobles forced captive ninja to fight, then registered them under the names Ainz Ooal Gown and Keqing. He gave them permission to kill freely, setting up a violent disruption of the arena.

• Araki sent Zabuza and Hua Bing off to hunt the Tiger Shark Pirates, relying on Hua Bing's Ice Crystal Ball to scout the sea.
• Araki took Kaguya Black Bone and Ringo Ameyuri to Nameless Island, where nobles and wealthy merchants made captive ninja fight for entertainment.
• Araki disguised himself and Samehada before registering at the Grand Arena as Mihawk.
• Araki registered Kaguya Black Bone as Bone King, Ainz Ooal Gown, and Ringo Ameyuri as Thunder and Swift Rain, Keqing.
• Araki told Kaguya Black Bone and Ringo Ameyuri they could kill the arena's ninja contestants without holding back, promising to handle the consequences.

Iwagakure and Cloud Village learned that Araki had become a jonin and assessed what his rapid rise meant for their plans. The chapter ended with the Third Raikage questioning how Kirigakure had promoted Araki so quickly.

• Ōnoki convened Iwagakure's leaders to discuss intelligence about Konoha's losses and Roshi urged an immediate attack.
• Hikō proposed approaching Hanzo of the Salamander, and Ōnoki offered him territory and a chance to become a great village to secure his cooperation.
• Higashishini argued that Araki's enormous bounty hinted at a secret, while Kitsuchi pointed to Araki's Samehada and exceptional talent as explanations.
• Iwagakure's leaders learned that Araki had graduated less than a year earlier and was an eleven-year-old jonin.
• Dodai told the Third Raikage that Araki had been promoted to jonin, and the Raikage questioned whether Kirigakure could promote him on strength alone.

The Third Raikage learned that Araki had likely injured both Hiruzen and Danzō, then forced Darui into harsher training with A and Killer B. Meanwhile, Araki watched a fight on Nameless Island and reflected on the shinobi system, leaving him convinced that only thorough reform could change the world.

• Dodai showed the Third Raikage photographs of Hiruzen and Danzō with severed hands, and the Raikage concluded Araki had caused at least one injury.
• The Third Raikage found Darui relaxing in the Thunder Pool and doubled his training after Darui claimed he could match Araki.
• The Third Raikage took Darui to Cloud-Thunder Gorge and ordered A and Killer B to spar with him daily.
• The Third Raikage told Darui that Araki had injured both Hiruzen and Danzō, shocking Darui and Killer B.
• Araki settled into a private room on Nameless Island to watch a fight and reflected that the shinobi system required thorough reform.

Araki watched a ninja arena match and became interested in Linglan’s Moon-White Demon Flame, so he arranged for Ringo Ameyuri to challenge him. Himeyuri accepted the match, while Zhenshu suspected Mihawk was disrupting his plan to humiliate her.

• Araki watched Leiming defeat Linglan by enduring their lightning and fire techniques, then asked how to acquire Linglan.
• Araki chose Ringo Ameyuri, under the name Thunder Sword Rain—Keqing, to challenge Linglan so he would not reveal Kaguya Black Bone’s abilities.
• Arena staff persuaded Himeyuri to accept the challenge, and she sent Linglan out to fight despite despising him after Zhenshu returned him instead of claiming him.
• Linglan and the black-robed Ringo Ameyuri entered the arena as spectators questioned their match.
• Zhenshu ordered an attendant to investigate Mihawk, believing he had ruined Zhenshu’s plan to upset Himeyuri.

Ringo Ameyuri defeated Linglan with a lightning-fast sword strike, impressing the arena crowd and attracting ten challengers. Araki accepted every challenge, setting up further fights for Ringo and Black Bone.

• Linglan charged at the motionless Ringo Ameyuri, but she struck with a flash of lightning and left him bleeding on the arena floor.
• The arena staff carried the unconscious Linglan to Araki's private room after stopping his bleeding.
• Manager Suzuki told Araki that ten distinguished guests wanted to challenge him after seeing Ringo's strength.
• Araki reviewed the challengers' files and told Suzuki he would accept all ten matches.