Recaps

Hatake Muzan concealed his monstrous condition from his family while his sudden display of power made Hatake Sakumo suspect he had awakened a bloodline ability. As Muzan and Kakashi prepared to take the Ninja Academy entrance exam, Sakumo told Kakashi to protect his frail older brother.

• People at the Hatake Household gossiped about Muzan's frailty, and Kakashi defended him with a kunai.
• Muzan assured Kakashi he would pass the Ninja Academy entrance exam, though Kakashi doubted him.
• Sakumo noticed a strange presence and asked Muzan what had happened; Muzan claimed anger had awakened a force inside him.
• Sakumo suspected Muzan might possess a hidden bloodline and urged him to train while keeping the ability secret.
• At dinner, Muzan concealed his need for blood, while Sakumo warned both boys about the exam and told Kakashi to protect Muzan from sunlight.

Sakumo Hatake enrolled Muzan and Kakashi at the Ninja Academy, where Muzan startled his classmates with his appearance and strength. After challenging Obito’s poor kunai throwing, Muzan was ordered to demonstrate the technique, and the chapter ended as he accepted a kunai.

• Sakumo Hatake brought Muzan and Kakashi to the Ninja Academy and asked Nobi Wei to look after them.
• Muzan introduced himself by saying he liked drinking blood, making several students cry, then stopped Asuma’s punch with one hand.
• Nobi Wei taught the class about the Will of Fire, while Kakashi called Muzan trash and beat Obito after Obito challenged him to a duel.
• At the training ground, Obito failed to hit the target with his kunai, and Muzan called him trash.
• Nobi Wei handed Muzan a kunai and demanded that he demonstrate the proper throwing technique.

Muzan impressed his classmates with his strength, then revealed his eerie appearance after Obito pulled off his robe. After Nobi Wei advised him on chakra control, Muzan began practicing techniques that could help him become a medical ninja.

• Muzan struck the kunai target despite having no formal throwing technique, drawing attention from his classmates.
• Rin asked Kakashi what Muzan looked like, and Obito challenged Muzan out of jealousy.
• Muzan tripped Obito, who pulled off his robe and exposed Muzan’s pale face and scarlet eyes.
• Kakashi scolded Obito for exposing Muzan to sunlight, while Muzan put his robe back on without serious injury.
• Nobi Wei advised Muzan to study the precise chakra control of Sand Ninja puppet masters, and Muzan quickly began practicing with a leaf.

Muzan trained in chakra control and encountered Might Duy pleading to get Guy admitted to the Ninja Academy. After Guy proved his taijutsu skill, Nobi Wei accepted him, and Muzan challenged him to keep sparring with Kakashi.

• Muzan showed an enormous chakra reserve during Nobi Wei's training.
• Muzan recognized Might Duy and Guy pleading with Matsushita to admit Guy to the Ninja Academy.
• Muzan argued that ninjas did not rely only on chakra and asked Nobi Wei to give Guy a chance to demonstrate his taijutsu.
• Guy removed his heavy weights and impressed Nobi Wei and Kakashi with his speed and skill.
• Nobi Wei admitted Guy to the Ninja Academy, and Muzan told him to challenge Kakashi regularly.

Muzan tested his Bloodline Limit by injecting his blood into a rabbit, which mutated violently before its body burst apart. He left the cleanup to Sakumo and Kakashi, and Kakashi asked Muzan to spar with him after realizing his brother’s strength had changed.

• Muzan teased Kakashi about his sparring with Might Guy and offered to teach him Thousand Years of Death, but Sakumo interrupted and told the boys to train properly and pay attention to their relationships.
• Sakumo explained that rising tensions between ninja villages made it too risky for Kakashi to apply for the Genin exam yet.
• Muzan brought out the rabbit he had bought and used his Bloodline Limit to inject it with his blood.
• The rabbit mutated into a giant, savage beast, then burst apart because its body could not withstand Muzan’s power.
• Muzan pretended to feel unwell and dragged Kakashi out, leaving Sakumo to clean the room.
• Kakashi told Muzan he wanted to spar with him, having noticed his brother’s growing strength and chakra stamina.

Muzan and Kakashi sparred in the Hatake household courtyard, where Kakashi tested his ninjutsu against Muzan’s awakened Bloodline Limit. Muzan defeated Kakashi with his Black Blood Brambles, leaving Kakashi trapped and exhausted.

• Muzan warned Kakashi that his strength increased at night, and Kakashi opened the spar with a powerful flying kick.
• Muzan recognized Kakashi’s concealed position and drove him back with a barrage of punches, while Kakashi used the Substitution Jutsu and kunai to create distance.
• Muzan unleashed his Blood Demon Art: Black Blood Brambles, and Kakashi evaded them before attacking with the Great Fireball Technique.
• Kakashi used the Substitution and Transformation Techniques to hide in a kunai and cross Muzan’s thorn barrier.
• Muzan caught Kakashi in the brambles, and Kakashi lost the spar after running low on chakra and suffering cuts.

Muzan continued training with Kakashi while studying medicine, then secretly devoured a White Zetsu clone hidden in Konoha and gained strength. Madara learned his clone had vanished and continued plotting against Obito, while Nobi Wei told Muzan he had found a lead about the hospital matter.

• Sakumo discovered the damage from Muzan and Kakashi's sparring, then arranged to train them both in ninjutsu and the Hatake Sword Technique.
• Muzan excelled in medical knowledge and Will of Fire theory at the Ninja Academy while Obito tried to encourage him about Kakashi's talent.
• Muzan sensed White Zetsu hidden in a tree, sent Obito away, and devoured the clone to strengthen himself.
• White Zetsu reported the clone's disappearance to old Madara, who ordered him to make Obito experience the darkness of the world.
• Nobi Wei found Muzan beside the destroyed tree and told him he had found a lead about the hospital matter.

Muzan began training in Medical Ninjutsu at Konoha Hospital while studying medical research for a way to overcome his weakness in sunlight. After Sand Ninja attacked a mission squad and overwhelmed the hospital, Muzan offered to take over treatment when An Yunqingtian ran out of chakra.

• Nobi Wei arranged for Muzan to intern at the hospital on weekends, and Muzan vowed to advance Konoha's Medical Ninjutsu.
• After doctors initially refused to teach him, Director Harano assigned An Yunqingtian to supervise Muzan, who impressed him by assisting with surgery.
• An Yunqingtian gave Muzan basic Medical Ninjutsu techniques, and Muzan spent the afternoon practicing wound healing on a rabbit.
• Muzan studied Senju Tsunade's research on cell stimulation and considered seeking information from Orochimaru, though he feared Orochimaru's interest in him.
• An Yunqingtian rushed Muzan into an emergency operation after Sand Ninja severely wounded a mission squad, overwhelming the hospital staff.
• When An Yunqingtian ran out of chakra after hours of treatment, Muzan stepped forward and offered to treat the remaining patients.

Muzan treated injured patients at Konoha Hospital, impressing the doctors and earning recognition as Konoha’s youngest medical ninja. He learned that conflict with other villages could lead to war, then returned home to find Kakashi preparing to graduate early as a Genin.

• Muzan used Medical Ninjutsu to heal an arterial wound and helped treat patients through several hours of emergency operations.
• Doctors praised Muzan’s talent, and An Yunqingtian guarded against other doctors trying to recruit him as their assistant.
• An Yunqingtian told Muzan that clashes with other villages were increasing and war might break out, while Muzan declined a hospital position so he could focus on the Ninja Academy.
• Muzan returned to the Hatake Household and warned Kakashi that the village might soon be unsafe.
• Kakashi showed Muzan a notice for an early graduation exam scheduled for the next day, and Muzan angrily ordered him to train.

Kakashi applied for early graduation and faced Genin Shou Yeyu in a test that required him to last ten minutes. He used a substitution and Earth Release to defeat Shou Yeyu, proving his Genin-level skill.

• Muzan punched Kakashi after worrying about his safety, but Kakashi insisted on taking the graduation exam.
• Kakashi applied for early graduation, and Nobi Wei approved his application.
• Kakashi began the special graduation test against Shou Yeyu while Muzan, Obito, Rin, and the other students watched.
• Kakashi used taijutsu and kunai to pressure Shou Yeyu, then evaded a Fire Release attack with the Substitution Jutsu.
• Kakashi caught Shou Yeyu with the Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu and defeated him by exploiting his opponent's carelessness.

Muzan joined Kakashi’s graduation examination and overwhelmed the Genin Nozawa Shu with powerful ninjutsu and taijutsu. The match remained underway as Muzan revealed he could form hand seals with one hand and unleashed Wind Release: Gale Palm.

• After Kakashi passed his exam, Muzan requested permission from the Hokage to take the graduation exam, and Nobi Wei announced an additional match.
• Nobi Wei assigned Nozawa Shu, a wounded Genin whom Muzan had treated, to examine him.
• Muzan opened with a powerful Great Fireball, then nearly knocked Nozawa Shu out of the arena with a kick.
• Muzan activated his chakra and drove Nozawa Shu back with a barrage of taijutsu, leaving him unable to counterattack.
• Nozawa Shu used Earth Release: Hardening Technique, but Muzan formed hand seals with one hand and unleashed Wind Release: Gale Palm.

Muzan defeated Nozawa Shu in a brief, overwhelming graduation match and became a Genin. Afterward, he advised Kakashi to join the Hokage Faction, while the Third Hokage considered suitable mentors for both brothers and Muzan was welcomed as a medical prodigy at Konoha Hospital.

• Muzan used Gale Palm and a kick to defeat Nozawa Shu, then treated his injuries and was declared a Genin by Nobi Wei.
• The Third Hokage and the spectators reacted with shock to Muzan's overwhelming victory, while the hospital staff and Ninja Academy supporters argued over his affiliation.
• Muzan explained to Kakashi that he should join the Hokage Faction to protect himself, and Kakashi asked for his advice.
• The Third Hokage considered potential teachers for Muzan and Kakashi, deciding that Kakashi should join the Hokage Faction and that Muzan should first meet a particular teacher.
• Muzan entered Konoha Hospital and was surrounded by doctors and patients who had heard of his medical skill.

After Tsunade refused to take Muzan as her disciple, the Third Hokage arranged for him to continue studying medical ninjutsu at the hospital. Muzan used the laboratory instead, where Tsunade became intrigued by his focus and decided Orochimaru would be a better teacher for him.

• Director Harano told Muzan that Tsunade had refused to teach him, and Muzan said he had not planned to become her disciple.
• Director Harano gave Muzan two A-rank medical ninjutsu scrolls and permission to use the hospital laboratory.
• Muzan entered the dusty laboratory and accidentally woke Tsunade, who had been drinking there.
• Tsunade recognized Muzan as the Hatake boy she had refused to teach, but he told her he had come to conduct experiments and asked her not to disturb him.
• Tsunade watched Muzan work and decided Orochimaru would be more suitable as his teacher, resolving to introduce them.

Muzan studied his cells, learned medical ninjutsu from Tsunade, and attended the Ninja Academy’s team assignments. The chapter ended as an unknown figure with a hoarse voice spoke after Minato Namikaze was assigned to lead Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara.

• Muzan researched his cells and found that they could overwhelm even ninja bodies, while stronger hosts might gain greater power as man-eating demons.
• Tsunade taught Muzan medical techniques and knowledge after he helped run errands for her.
• Muzan sealed his experimental notes and went to the Ninja Academy for his team assignment.
• Muzan reunited with Kakashi, then watched Kakashi and Obito argue while Rin tried to calm them.
• Minato Namikaze was assigned to lead Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, and a hoarse voice sounded as the three confronted one another.

Orochimaru became Muzan, Anko, and Ito Mari’s team leader and tested Muzan’s resolve with his oppressive presence. He sent the students to the Forest of Death for training the next morning, while Muzan tried to keep his Bloodline Limit secret.

• Orochimaru arrived at the academy and accepted Minato Namikaze’s students, including Muzan, Anko, and Ito Mari.
• Orochimaru singled out Muzan, pressed him with his killing presence, and praised him when he stood his ground.
• Orochimaru warned the students that their training could be deadly and ordered them to report to the Forest of Death the next morning.
• Ito Mari thanked Muzan for enduring Orochimaru’s pressure, and Muzan resolved to conceal his Bloodline Limit from Orochimaru.
• Minato Namikaze led Kakashi and the others away, while Muzan revealed his face to reassure Ito Mari and Anko offered to help him in battle in exchange for dango.

Muzan, Anko, and Ito Mari faced Orochimaru's deadly Genin exam in the Forest of Death, where he summoned a giant snake and sealed off the area. As Tsunade and the Third Hokage watched through a Crystal Ball, Muzan prepared to fight the snake.

• Muzan met Anko and Ito Mari near the Forest of Death, and Anko scolded Mari for being afraid.
• Orochimaru warned the trio that failure meant death, then summoned a giant snake to test them.
• Muzan pulled his terrified teammates to their feet and asked Orochimaru whether the test had begun.
• Orochimaru declared that they had to kill the snake or be killed, and sealed the area so they could neither escape nor be observed from outside.
• Tsunade smashed the Third Hokage's desk in anger, but he reminded her that Muzan had once overpowered a Genin and urged her to watch the test.

Muzan, Anko, and Mari fought Orochimaru’s giant snake during a deadly test in the Forest of Death. Muzan exploited the snake’s weakness by planting Explosive Tags in its mouth, knocking it unconscious just as its falling body threatened to crush him.

• Muzan pulled Anko and Mari out of the snake’s attack and urged them to fight alongside him.
• Anko and Mari recovered from their fear and agreed to distract the snake while Muzan attacked.
• Muzan injured the snake with Monster Strength Fist and used an Earth-Style Wall to block its charge.
• Muzan explained that the snake’s mouth was vulnerable, then climbed onto its back while Anko and Mari drew its attention.
• Muzan threw Explosive Tags into the snake’s mouth, knocking it unconscious, but the falling snake crashed toward him.

Muzan, Anko, and Ito Mari defeated Orochimaru’s giant snake summon, and Orochimaru made the three of them his Genin disciples. He began planning their training and announced that they would leave the village on a C-rank mission where they might encounter enemy ninja.

• Muzan lifted the giant snake off himself, and he, Anko, and Ito Mari defeated it with an Explosive Tag.
• Orochimaru arrived, named the three of them Genin, and told Ito Mari that his attempts to protect his companions could become a burden.
• Muzan defended Ito Mari and credited his teammates’ cooperation for their victory, earning Orochimaru’s interest.
• Orochimaru accepted the three as his disciples and planned to train Muzan in ninjutsu while Anko and Ito Mari practiced Chakra control.
• Orochimaru told his disciples they would leave the village the next day on a C-rank mission that might bring them into contact with enemy ninja.

Muzan, Mari, and Anko encountered a Kirigakure scouting team while patrolling near Konoha and launched an attack. Muzan poisoned Chunin Baishi Haoji with a snake, and the clash began.

• Muzan led Mari and Anko on their first patrol outside Konoha while Orochimaru remained behind.
• Mari detected three approaching shinobi, and Muzan identified them as Kirigakure scouts by their scent.
• Muzan told Mari and Anko to engage the two Genin while he attacked their Chunin leader, Baishi Haoji.
• Muzan used Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, and one snake bit Baishi Haoji's ankle.
• Baishi Haoji recognized Muzan as one of Orochimaru's disciples and vowed to kill him even if the mission failed.

Hatake Muzan killed a Mist Ninja Chunin and helped Anko and Mari defeat two more, then returned to camp with their heads. Orochimaru warned Muzan that he had drawn the Mist Ninja’s attention and was now on their kill list.

• Muzan killed Baishi Haoji with the Hatake Sword Technique after poison weakened the Mist Ninja.
• Anko and Mari worked together to kill two Mist Ninja, and Muzan collected their heads for intelligence gathering.
• Muzan led Anko and Mari back to camp, where the duty ninja accepted the head of a Hidden Mist Village Chunin.
• Orochimaru praised the team but criticized them for leaving traces of the battle, then warned Muzan that the Mist Ninja had put him on their kill list.

Muzan returned to Konoha with Orochimaru’s research materials and studied genetic modification as war loomed. The chapter left him examining the brutal experiments behind Orochimaru’s cellular research.

• Orochimaru told Muzan to return to Konoha with the food convoy and warned him to be more careful when taking valuables from enemies.
• Muzan asked to study genetic modification, and Orochimaru gave him research materials related to his sunlight condition.
• Muzan deduced that the convoy’s accompanying ninja were reinforcing the front lines, while Anko and Mari excitedly talked about earning reputations in war.
• Mujie warned them about war’s casualties, and Muzan insisted that Konoha would remain strong.
• The convoy reached Konoha, where Muzan began studying Orochimaru’s notes and discovered records of extensive experiments on ordinary people and Bloodline Limit users.

Muzan discovered that Orochimaru was researching cultured cells but lacked the funds and materials to continue his own research. After villagers blamed Sakumo for Konoha’s losses, Muzan attacked them and fought the Anbu who intervened, ending the chapter as he unleashed Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.

• Muzan examined Orochimaru’s notebook, considered researching Hashirama’s cells, and realized he needed money and materials.
• A woman entered Muzan’s empty laboratory and worried that Orochimaru might lead him into dangerous experiments.
• Villagers accused Sakumo of causing Konoha’s losses, and Muzan attacked them with brambles.
• Three masked Anbu appeared and ordered Muzan to release the civilians, but he injured the villagers and knocked them unconscious.
• Muzan used Black Blood Brambles to block the Anbu’s attacks, and their squad combined fire, wind, and sealing techniques against him.
• Muzan countered with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands as the Anbu warned one another to dodge.

Muzan and Tsunade clashed after he attacked three Root operatives, and Sakumo arrived to defend his son. After the incident, Muzan confronted Sakumo about his despair over a failed mission and revealed that the failure had been a trap designed to ruin his chances of becoming Hokage.

• A poisoned Muzan bound three ninjas with thorny vines, but Tsunade struck him and exposed his body to sunlight.
• Sakumo arrived, clashed with Tsunade, and demanded an explanation for her attack on Muzan.
• Muzan urged Tsunade to investigate how the three men learned about Sakumo's failed mission, and she promised to look into it.
• Muzan received a one-month confinement order and then told Sakumo that a traitor among his subordinates had made the mission's failure inevitable.
• Muzan explained that the mission had been a trap intended to keep Sakumo from competing for the position of Hokage.

Muzan explained that Danzo’s Root operatives had framed Sakumo to damage his reputation as a potential Hokage, while Tsunade failed to make Danzo answer for it. As Konoha’s tensions and the threat of war grew, Muzan focused on his experiments until a new incident disrupted the calm.

• Muzan told Sakumo that Danzo’s Root ninja had betrayed him to undermine his standing as a potential Hokage, and Sakumo resolved not to trust Konoha’s upper ranks again.
• A blast struck the Hokage Office, and Tsunade later returned exhausted after confronting Danzo but failing to secure justice for Sakumo.
• Sakumo accepted that he would be confined for a month, while Muzan warned him that Konoha’s forces were being sent to the Cloud Ninja front.
• Sakumo placed hope in Konoha’s contact with the Third Kazekage, but Muzan warned him not to trust that alliance.
• Muzan spent the following days on his experiments, wary of Danzo’s schemes, until a new incident unsettled Konoha.

After Tsunade left Konoha with Shizune, Muzan chafed at being confined to the village and began plotting to profit from the coming war. News that Sunagakure’s Kazekage had disappeared stirred tensions, while Konoha’s leaders considered the threat of Sunagakure exploiting the situation.

• Anko and Mari told Muzan that Tsunade had left Konoha with Shizune, and Muzan realized his frustration came from being unable to live freely.
• Muzan punched Anko and Mari after they mistook his laughter for grief, then took them to the bustling district as trade slowed and prices rose.
• At a weapon shop, Muzan heard that Sunagakure ninja were searching for their missing Kazekage and decided the crisis could make him money.
• Muzan borrowed money from everyone he could and prepared to spend it all on weapons, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others discussed Sunagakure’s reaction to the Kazekage’s disappearance.
• Danzo denied targeting the Kazekage, and the Konoha leaders recognized that Sunagakure might exploit any sign of weakness.