Recaps

Konoha's leaders searched for the missing Gekkō Raito, only to find him outside the village releasing immense chakra and demonstrating extraordinary control over multiple nature transformations. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi, and Hayate watched as Raito began using advanced techniques, leaving them to wonder how he had learned them.

• Hayate told Kakashi that Raito had been missing for over a day, so Kakashi alerted the ANBU and searched for clues.
• Hiruzen ordered a search beyond Konoha and confronted Danzo, who mistakenly thought Hiruzen had discovered his dealings with Orochimaru.
• Hiruzen, Kakashi, and Hayate followed a terrifying chakra fluctuation to the Rock Stone Forest and recognized it as Raito's chakra.
• Naruto and Sasuke followed the group, and Hiruzen left an ANBU squad to keep them back while he and the others approached Raito.
• The group found Raito hovering amid a powerful chakra storm, controlling visible chakra threads and transforming chakra into water, fire, and wind outside his body.
• Raito created a water clone and used the Water Dragon Bullet Technique, prompting Hiruzen and Kakashi to suspect he had developed techniques himself.

Raito revealed his immense Water Release skill and independently awakened Ice Release before collapsing from the strain of Great Sage’s calculations. After the Third Hokage brought him home, Raito woke to find Ino by his bedside and turned Hayate’s teasing into a kiss, leaving her flustered and fleeing.

• Raito unleashed a barrage of powerful Water Release techniques, then effortlessly fused water and wind chakra to create Ice Release, stunning the Third Hokage, Kakashi, and Hayate.
• Great Sage completed its calculations and returned control to Raito, whose mind shut down from the flood of information; the Third caught him as he collapsed.
• Naruto and Sasuke learned that Raito had exhausted himself training, and both resolved to intensify their own training.
• The Third Hokage considered Ice Release’s potential for Raito and the Gekkō clan, while the clan members celebrated and Hayate ordered them to keep the news confidential.
• Raito woke at home with Ino beside his bed, and after Hayate teased them as a couple, Raito kissed Ino, who fled in embarrassment.

After recovering, Gekkō Raito learned that Great Sage had gained new computational functions and that he had awakened Cloud Release by fusing Boil Release and Ice Release. He developed Cloud Release: Weather Control and Nimbus Cloud, leaving him with powerful new abilities to explore.

• Gekkō Raito asked Great Sage what had happened while he was unconscious and learned that its computational efficiency had risen to 60%, unlocking Parallel Computation and doubling his thought acceleration.
• Gekkō Raito fused Boil Release and Ice Release Chakra to create Cloud Release, then discovered that its clouds could shift between gas and solid forms and inherit acidity and cold.
• Gekkō Raito tested Cloud Release at home and watched its corrosive gray mist dissolve a fruit basket, then left to practice in a deserted valley.
• Gekkō Raito used Great Sage to develop Cloud Release: Weather Control, enabling him to create acidic rain, blizzards, hail, and natural lightning.
• Gekkō Raito explored whether compressed clouds could bear weight, and Great Sage developed the new skill Nimbus Cloud.

Gekkō Raito unveiled new Cloud Release techniques, reunited Konoha’s young genin for dinner, and learned that their next mission involved finding Kazahana Koyuki. As Team 7 searched Konoha, Raito spotted a suspiciously disguised figure in the marketplace.

• Gekkō Raito developed Cloud Release: Flame Cloud, Cloud and Mist Solidification Technique, and Cloud and Mist Cage, then ordered the Great Sage to calculate more techniques.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi discussed using Raito, Naruto, and Sasuke to raise Konoha’s profile, while Raito gathered their classmates for a celebratory dinner.
• Kakashi gave Raito, Naruto, and Sasuke tickets to a movie about Kazahana Koyuki and ordered them to pack for a mission the next morning.
• Kakashi sent Team 7 to find Kazahana Koyuki, and Gekkō Raito divided Konoha into search zones as he and Naruto deployed shadow clones.
• Danzo watched Team 7’s search, considered using the Land of Snow’s Chakra Armor to distract Hiruzen, and Gekkō Raito spotted a disguised figure in the outskirts marketplace.

Raito escorted Kazahana Koyuki and the film crew toward the Land of Snow while training his skills and preparing to test his new ninjutsu. After the Snow Shinobi ambushed the crew at an icy cliff, Raito, Sasuke, and Naruto moved to protect Koyuki as Kakashi recognized their leader, Nadare Rōga.

• Raito exposed Kazahana Koyuki's disguise, subdued her with genjutsu, and joined Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto on the A-Rank escort mission.
• Raito trained Sasuke in swordsmanship and developed new Cloud Release techniques during the journey to the Land of Waterfalls.
• Raito used genjutsu to silence Koyuki's insults, then crossed the sea toward the Land of Snow with Naruto and Sasuke running behind him.
• The film crew began shooting at the icy cliffs, where an explosion announced the arrival of Nadare Rōga, Hyōga Fuyukuma, and Hiyuki Fuyutsubame.
• Raito, Sasuke, and Naruto rushed in front of Koyuki as Nadare taunted Kakashi about their past battle.

Raito fought Nadare Rōga while Naruto and Sasuke engaged the other members of Nadare’s group. Raito pierced Nadare’s giant One-Horned White Whale with a single heated water thrust, leaving Nadare stunned as the whale began to collapse.

• Raito took on Nadare Rōga while Naruto charged Fuyuguma and Sasuke countered Fukitsubame’s ice swallows with a Great Fireball.
• Raito used Transparent Release to strike Nadare’s Chakra Armor from unexpected angles, then revealed himself after his footprints exposed his position.
• Raito cut through Nadare’s snow tiger and ice prison, then relentlessly slashed his Chakra Armor and drove down its remaining chakra.
• Nadare summoned the One-Horned White Whale, but Raito combined Boil Release with Water Breathing to pierce it with a scalding water thrust.
• Nadare stared in disbelief as his strongest Ice Release technique began to collapse.

Raito defeated Nadare Rōga and his subordinates with his expanded Ice Release, while Naruto and Sasuke finished off the two immobilized fighters. After Koyuki asked about learning Raito’s inherited power, she began acting unusually attentive toward him and entered his cabin with food, leaving Raito wondering what she wanted.

• Raito used Frozen Moment to freeze Nadare Rōga, Fuyuguma, and Fubuki across the battlefield, and Naruto and Sasuke struck Fuyuguma and Fubuki with Rasengan and Chidori.
• Raito froze Nadare Rōga from within and shattered him after Koyuki punched his brittle ice-bound body.
• Kakashi praised the team, and Koyuki asked to learn ninjutsu before becoming fixated on Raito’s Ice Release and its bloodline inheritance.
• Koyuki began watching Raito intently during the voyage, then entered his cabin with soup and rice and offered to feed him.
• Raito accepted a spoonful of soup but asked Koyuki what she really wanted, and she hesitated before answering.

Kazahana Koyuki asked Gekkō Raito to help her reclaim the Land of Snow and sought to secure his Ice Release bloodline, while Kakashi agreed only to protect her as their client. When a suspicious avalanche threatened the convoy, Gekkō Raito used Ice Release to stop and redirect it, but Orochimaru’s agents and Kazahana Dōtō prepared to attack the group.

• Kazahana Koyuki revealed that she was the Land of Snow’s princess and asked Gekkō Raito to help defeat her uncle Kazahana Dōtō, while also insisting she wanted his Kekkei Genkai passed down through bloodline.
• After the ship reached the Land of Snow, Kakashi refused to officially accept a mission to restore Koyuki’s rule but committed Team 7 to protecting her; Koyuki and Sandayū understood the implied support and headed inland with the film crew.
• Gekkō Raito secretly handed a scroll to a contact at the port, then traveled with the convoy while considering the Ice Release techniques he had upgraded.
• A massive avalanche swept toward the convoy, and Gekkō Raito used Freezing Moment and Snow World to halt it and redirect the snow away from the group.
• Orochimaru’s agents watched Gekkō Raito’s feat from a mountaintop, while Kazahana Dōtō agreed to help them capture Koyuki and attack the Konoha group.

Gekkō Raito fought Guren and Jūgo after Kazahana Dōtō ambushed the group, using Ice Release to protect the film crew and stop Dōtō’s troops. As Jūgo unleashed his full Sage Transformation, Gekkō Raito relied on Boil Release to withstand him while the Great Sage analyzed Jūgo, and the chapter ended with Jūgo launching a powerful new attack.

• Guren attacked Gekkō Raito and the group with a Crystal Dragon, but Gekkō Raito raised an ice wall to shield them until Jūgo smashed through it.
• More than a hundred Snow Shinobi surrounded the group, and Kazahana Koyuki recognized her uncle, Kazahana Dōtō, among the attackers.
• Gekkō Raito froze Dōtō’s pursuing troops, while Dōtō broke free with his Chakra Armor and Jūgo transformed his arm to challenge Gekkō Raito.
• Jūgo’s attacks shattered Gekkō Raito’s ice defenses, so Gekkō Raito used Ice Release needles to wound him and prompted him to unleash his complete Sage Transformation.
• Gekkō Raito fought Jūgo at close range with Zangetsu, then activated Boil Release to match his strength while the Great Sage’s analysis of Jūgo reached 85 percent.
• Jūgo gathered natural energy, enlarged and deformed his arm, and charged Gekkō Raito with a powerful attack.

Gekkō Raito defeated Jūgo and acquired Natural Energy Absorption, but the new skill caused natural energy to invade his body and threatened to mutate him. After completing the mission in the Land of Snow and arranging a new life for Haku and Zabuza, he learned he needed to develop Wood Release to survive and began looking for a way to speed up the process.

• Jūgo nearly killed Gekkō Raito with a point-blank Chakra Cannon, but Gekkō Raito used his water techniques and Great Sage’s combat analysis to exploit Jūgo’s weaknesses and defeat him; Guren escaped with Jūgo’s body.
• Great Sage fully analyzed Jūgo and granted Gekkō Raito Natural Energy Absorption, while Kakashi joined Gekkō Raito and they went to help Naruto and Sasuke fight Kazahana Dōtō.
• Gekkō Raito killed Kazahana Dōtō, and the team completed its mission; Koyuki showed them her father’s geothermal generator before Gekkō Raito agreed to stay one more day.
• On the voyage home, Haku collected a scroll from Gekkō Raito and thanked him, while Zabuza recovered Kubikiribōchō and prepared to live in seclusion in the Land of Snow.
• Gekkō Raito discovered that Natural Energy Absorption was making natural energy passively invade his body, and Great Sage warned that he had thirty days before dangerous corruption progressed too far.
• Great Sage proposed developing Wood Release to consume the excess natural energy and estimated it would take fifteen days; Gekkō Raito asked whether Wood Release scrolls or analyzing a Wood Release user could accelerate the process.

Gekkō Raito infiltrated Root during a sudden storm and stole Hashirama cells and a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, hoping to develop a way to survive his accelerating natural-energy buildup. The Third Hokage discovered Raito’s chakra-made scouts and ordered Konoha sealed, leaving Raito escaping unseen as ANBU searched the village.

• Gekkō Raito learned that Hashirama cells could help Great Sage derive a solution to his dangerous cellular activation, and he decided to target Danzo’s Root base.
• After returning to Konoha, Raito prepared an infiltration configuration and summoned a thunderstorm to conceal his movements.
• Gekkō Raito used Cloud Fish to map the drainage network, locate Root’s hidden entrance, and slip into the flooded base in mist form.
• Gekkō Raito entered Root’s laboratory and sealed away a Three-Tomoe Sharingan and a sample labeled First Hokage Cells.
• The Third Hokage discovered one of Raito’s Cloud Fish and ordered the village sealed, while Raito narrowly avoided an ANBU ninja and dismissed his remaining scouts.

Raito analyzed the Hashirama cells and a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, awakening Wood Release and restoring Great Sage while greatly increasing his power. After testing his abilities, he was summoned to the Hokage Office as Konoha prepared for an unprecedented Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Raito completed his analysis of the Hashirama cells and awakened Wood Release, gaining a perfect sage body and greatly increased vitality.
• Raito analyzed a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, enhancing his perception and restoring Great Sage, which raised thought acceleration to 700 times and began repairing Glutton.
• Raito tested his expanded chakra reserves and seal-less ninjutsu, unleashing powerful elemental techniques and vastly stronger Ice Release.
• An ANBU Ninja summoned Gekkō Raito to the Hokage Building, where Hiruzen Sarutobi had gathered Konoha's jonin to discuss recommendations for the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Kakashi Hatake recommended Team 7 for the exams and revealed that its members had defeated Zabuza Momochi and overthrown a country's government on missions.
• Gekkō Raito arrived at the Hokage Office, where Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to speak with him.

Gekkō Raito signed the Sarutobi clan’s summoning contract and gained the powerful Ape King, then received permission to keep other villages’ ninja in line during the Chunin Ninja Exams. After Glutton devoured Hashirama cells and a Sharingan, Raito awakened enhanced chakra reserves, a one-tomoe Sharingan, and chakra sensing; he intervened when Naruto’s group confronted the Sand ninja, where Gaara demanded his name.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi taught Gekkō Raito the Summoning Technique, and Raito summoned the Monkey Clan’s Ape King, Sun Wutian, who accepted him as his contractor.
• Hiruzen assigned Raito to deal with trouble from visiting ninja during the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Raito spent the next few days with friends and acquaintances.
• Great Sage reported that Glutton had reached ten percent repairs, and Raito used it to devour Hashirama cells and a Sharingan, gaining the Senju Clan bloodline and a one-tomoe Sharingan in one eye.
• Raito discovered that his chakra sensing had awakened and detected Gaara’s tailed beast chakra near a confrontation involving Naruto, Sasuke, Konohamaru, Sakura, and the Sand ninja.
• Raito arrived with a Water Release technique, healed Konohamaru’s scraped knee, and faced Gaara, who asked him to state his name.

Gekkō Raito overwhelmed Gaara’s team with Ice Release before introducing himself and leaving with his companions. Temari recognized him as the Konoha genin who killed Zabuza, while Gaara became determined to kill him.

• Gaara’s sand automatically defended him as Gekkō Raito froze Temari and Kankuro in place with Ice Release.
• Gekkō Raito exchanged names with Gaara, then released Temari and Kankuro from the ice at Gaara’s request.
• Gekkō Raito left with Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Konohamaru, dismissing the encounter as a waste of time.
• Temari and Kankuro realized Gaara’s sand had acted without his control and feared Gekkō Raito had also attacked him.
• Temari recognized Gekkō Raito from intelligence reports as the genin who killed Zabuza Momochi, and Gaara resolved to kill him.

Gekkō Raito helped Team 7 and Sakura’s team enter the Chunin Ninja Exams, then used Shadow Clones and precise ice techniques to pass the first test with nearly every candidate. In the Forest of Death, Team 7 split up to hunt for scrolls, while Raito hoped the commotion would draw out Orochimaru.

• Gekkō Raito invited Sakura’s team to stay with Team 7 during the exams and warned everyone to prepare for the first test.
• Rumors spread about the Three Freaks of Konoha, and Raito arrived at the exam with Naruto and Sasuke, who had barely slept from excitement.
• Raito used chakra threads to make Naruto and Sasuke fill in their answers, then covered the examinees’ papers with frost-formed answers, leaving Ibiki unable to disqualify him.
• At the Forest of Death, Raito revealed that Team 7 had used Shadow Clones during the written exam, angering Anko, and gave Sakura his Heaven Scroll.
• After escorting Sakura’s team to safety, Raito, Naruto, and Sasuke split up to collect scrolls; Sasuke defeated Takigakure ninja while Naruto searched for opponents.
• Raito sensed chakra signatures as he strolled through the forest, expecting his plan to draw Orochimaru out.

Orochimaru ambushed Sasuke and planted a Cursed Seal, but Raito arrived in time to help Naruto get Sasuke to safety. Raito fought Orochimaru and stopped his escape, leaving the two facing off in the frozen forest.

• Orochimaru attacked Sasuke, overwhelmed him, and planted a Cursed Seal on his neck.
• Naruto rushed to Sasuke's aid, but Orochimaru trapped them until Raito froze the giant snake and ordered Naruto to take Sasuke to the Finish Point.
• Raito battled Orochimaru with Ice Release, Transparent Release, and his sword, repeatedly injuring and restraining him.
• Raito stabbed Orochimaru in the throat after refusing to bargain over Sasuke's Cursed Seal, but Orochimaru escaped his restraints by transforming into tiny snakes.
• Raito froze the forest and the escaping snakes, forced Orochimaru back into human form, and confronted him with his blade pointed at Orochimaru's brow.

Raito defeated Orochimaru’s decoy, devoured his severed arm, and developed a safer Cursed Seal Awakening after analyzing Sasuke’s curse. Sasuke won his preliminary match despite his injury, and Naruto began his fight against Kiba with the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

• Raito defeated Orochimaru in a sword fight and froze him, but Great Sage revealed that Orochimaru had escaped using a clone and fled underground.
• Raito devoured Orochimaru’s severed arm, gained Accelerated Self-Healing, and evaded Anko and the ANBU before returning to Naruto and Sasuke.
• Kakashi sealed Sasuke’s Cursed Seal temporarily, while Raito analyzed it and developed Cursed Seal Awakening without its harmful side effects.
• Sasuke refused Kakashi’s advice to withdraw, then defeated Akadō Yoroi with the Lion Combo despite his weakened condition.
• Naruto entered his match against Kiba and used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to surround him.

Naruto defeated Kiba, while Gekkō Raito easily beat Kankuro and then froze Rock Lee with Ice Release during the preliminary matches. Raito reassured Might Guy that Lee would recover, and the other ninjas watched him with awe and apprehension.

• Naruto used Shadow Clones and an underground uppercut to defeat Kiba in seconds.
• Gekkō Raito defeated Kankuro by destroying Crow with a single sword slash, prompting Kankuro to surrender.
• Raito fought Rock Lee, analyzed his movements, and dodged his Taijutsu after Lee removed his weighted leg guards.
• Raito froze Lee with Ice Release: Freezing Moment, leaving him unconscious and encased in ice.
• Raito melted the ice and told Might Guy that Lee would recover without lasting damage.

Raito saved Choji from Gaara’s Sand Binding Coffin and answered Gaara’s demand by calling Choji his comrade. While the preliminaries continued, the Great Sage upgraded Raito’s ice ability, and the eight finalists were announced for the exams one month later.

• Choji fought Gaara, who trapped him in sand and tried to crush him; Raito froze the sand from the stands, saving Choji.
• Gaara demanded to know why Raito had saved Choji, and Raito said Choji was his comrade, calming Gaara and settling the sand.
• The Great Sage analyzed Gaara’s Sand Technique and incorporated its strengths into Raito’s Ice Release, creating Ice and Snow Control.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Shino, Hinata, Gaara, and Temari advanced through the remaining preliminary matches alongside Raito.
• Gekkō Hayate announced Raito, Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, Shino, Hinata, Gaara, and Temari as the eight finalists for the exams one month later.

After healing Ino and Sakura, Gekkō Raito learned that rumors about his Ice Release had sparked suspicions, while Kakashi was sent to escort a surprise guest. The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, arrived at the finals with Chōjūrō, who was added as a ninth contestant, and Naruto and Sasuke began the opening match.

• Gekkō Raito healed Ino and Sakura with his Water Release: Vitalization Healing Technique, then left to prepare for the finals.
• Konoha villagers spread rumors questioning whether Gekkō Raito was connected to Kirigakure, and the Third Hokage summoned Kakashi to escort a special guest.
• Mei Terumi arrived at the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Hayate announced that Kirigakure Genin Chōjūrō would compete directly in the finals.
• Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha were announced as the first opponents, and both entered the arena eager to fight.
• Mei Terumi and Ao observed Naruto and Sasuke as the crowd watched, while Kurenai Yuhi told Kiba that Naruto had used two advanced Wind Release techniques.

Naruto and Sasuke fought to a draw in the Chunin Ninja Exams finals, then Raito healed them and was called to face Kirigakure's Chōjūrō. The chapter ended as the nervous Chōjūrō entered the arena for their match.

• Naruto and Sasuke traded taijutsu, shadow clones, and sword techniques before their weapons broke.
• Naruto and Sasuke unleashed Rasengan and Chidori against each other, collapsing from the blast as Gekkō Hayate declared the match a draw.
• Raito healed Naruto and Sasuke with his Water Release: Biochemical Healing Technique.
• Gekkō Hayate announced Raito's next match against Kirigakure's Chōjūrō.
• Chōjūrō slipped while trying to enter the arena dramatically, then stammered that he was fine as the Konoha spectators laughed.

Gekkō Raito turned the exam arena into a lake and dominated Chōjūrō in their sword fight until Chōjūrō unleashed Hiramekarei’s power. Raito then revealed his self-created Water Breathing style and began a swift, erratic attack that slipped past Chōjūrō’s sword wave.

• Raito used Great Waterfall Technique to flood the arena and create a watery battlefield for Chōjūrō.
• Raito drew Zangetsu and overpowered Chōjūrō’s Hiramekarei with superior strength and swordsmanship.
• Chōjūrō released Hiramekarei, sending Raito flying with a powerful chakra slash and displaying the sword’s destructive abilities.
• Raito announced his self-created swordsmanship and gathered water around himself before using Water Breathing: Third Form, Flowing Dance.
• Raito dodged Chōjūrō’s chakra sword wave with erratic movement and flashed his blade past Chōjūrō’s cheek.

Gekkō Raito defeated Chōjūrō with his Water Breathing swordsmanship, then accepted Gaara’s challenge after the Chunin Ninja Exams matches ended. Their exhibition fight escalated as Raito used Ice Release to counter Gaara’s sand and began controlling snowflakes like a Sand Waterfall Clan technique.

• Gekkō Raito overwhelmed Chōjūrō with his Water Breathing forms, defeated him, and healed his injuries after the match.
• Mei Terumi recognized the value of Raito’s swordsmanship for Kirigakure, while Ao questioned his techniques and Kakashi explained that Raito had developed them around his own water chakra.
• Temari defeated Shikamaru after he conceded, and Shino forced Hinata to surrender, completing the scheduled exam matches.
• Gaara rejected his bye and challenged Raito; Hiruzen approved their fight as an exhibition match, and Raito accepted.
• Gaara unleashed his sand, but Raito froze it and the arena before evading further attacks on an ice track; Gaara broke through the frozen ground to make more sand.
• Raito created a blizzard of hardened snowflakes that stopped Gaara’s sand and attacked him with icicles and giant snow fists, leaving Gaara stunned by Raito’s apparent imitation of Sunagakure’s sand control.

Gekkō Raito used precise Ice Release techniques to break through Gaara’s sand defenses and win their match. As the crowd celebrated, the Fifth Mizukage appeared behind Raito, leaving Kakashi wary of her intentions.

• Gekkō Raito overwhelmed Gaara’s sand with controlled streams of snow and ice, forcing him into his sand-ball defense.
• Gekkō Raito pierced Gaara’s defense with an exploding Ice Lance, then struck him with a massive ice dragon.
• Gekkō Raito restrained Gaara and froze his remaining sand, then healed his wound as Gaara’s anger began to ease.
• Hayate declared Gekkō Raito the winner, and the spectators cheered his victory.
• The Fifth Mizukage appeared behind Gekkō Raito, and Kakashi stopped himself from intervening after recognizing her.

During Orochimaru’s attack on Konoha, Mei Terumi tried to take Raito to Kirigakure, claiming he was a lost Mugetsu clan heir named Haku. Raito refused and fought her, and after Mei blasted him out of the arena, he prepared to continue the battle away from the other fighters.

• Mei Terumi identified Raito as a Mugetsu clan descendant and demanded that he return to Kirigakure, while Raito denied the claim.
• Orochimaru attacked Hiruzen Sarutobi, the genjutsu spread across the arena, and Sunagakure shinobi began assaulting Konoha.
• Mei tried to abduct Raito amid the chaos, but Kakashi intervened before leaving to help Hiruzen; Raito, Sasuke, and Naruto stayed to face Mei and her attendants.
• Mei revealed that a report had called Raito Haku Mugetsu and said she wanted him for Kirigakure regardless of whether the report was true.
• Raito and Mei fought as Mei used Hidden Mist, Melting Apparition, and Water Dragon Bullet to drive him out of the arena.
• Raito recovered from the attack with Hydrification Healing, drew his Zangetsu Blade, and confronted Mei as she urged him to join Kirigakure.