Recaps

Ao led Team 7 through a steady run of C- and B-rank missions, helping Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki grow while attracting attention in Kirigakure. After the squad swiftly completed another B-rank mission, Jackdaw praised Ao and predicted they would soon take on A-rank missions.

• Ao became more cautious after Team 7’s first mission and assigned them mostly C-rank missions, with some B-rank missions confined to the Land of Water’s main island.
• Team 7 completed nearly twenty missions in three months, gaining experience and drawing notice, especially Kei and Mei Terumi because of their Kekkei Genkai.
• Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki eliminated a group of Kusagakure missing-nin and recovered the mission item without Ao needing to intervene.
• Ao returned to Kirigakure with Team 7 in under three days, and Jackdaw praised their efficiency and suggested they would soon handle A-rank missions.

After Team 7 completed a difficult B-rank mission, Ao gave Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki three days off and reminded them not to overtrain. Kisame challenged Kei to a spar the next morning, and Kei agreed, determined to give the fight his all.

• Ao collected the mission payment and told Team 7 to rest for three days after their recent missions.
• Ao warned Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki to balance their training while their bodies were still developing.
• After Ao left, Kisame challenged Kei to a spar at Training Ground Nine at eight the next morning.
• Mei Terumi asked to watch the spar, and Kei and Kisame agreed.
• Mei Terumi teased Kei about the challenge, and Kei said he was confident but would not assume he could defeat Kisame.

Kei and Kisame Hoshigaki began their serious spar at the third training ground, with Mei Terumi watching. Kei countered Kisame’s Water Release with Ice Release, but Kisame closed in with his greatsword and landed a kick that sent Kei flying.

• Kei told Mei Terumi he intended to beat Kisame Hoshigaki decisively and win him over through strength.
• Kei arrived at the third training ground, where Kisame was waiting and Mei watched from a tree.
• Kisame opened with Water Release: Water Ripple Jutsu, and Kei froze the incoming waves with Ice Release.
• Kisame drew his greatsword and attacked at close range; Kei blocked his strike with a kunai and tried to freeze the blade.
• Kisame withdrew, swept Kei’s kunai aside, and kicked him hard enough to send him flying.

Kei fought Kisame in close quarters as Kisame used relentless attacks to prevent him from unleashing Ice Release. Kei revealed he could form one-handed seals, froze Kisame, and forced him to concede defeat.

• Kisame attacked Kei with rapid close-range strikes, forcing him to retreat before he could complete his hand seals.
• Kei and Kisame clashed with kunai and great blade as Kisame used swift repositioning and a heavy assault to keep up the pressure.
• Kisame pinned Kei's kunai with his great blade and reached for Kei's head, leaving him with a lethal opening.
• Kei formed one-handed seals and used Ice Release: Tide of Frost to freeze Kisame's legs and great blade.
• Kei escaped the attack, moved behind Kisame, and placed his kunai against Kisame's neck.
• Kisame admitted defeat.

Kei defeated Kisame by using one-handed hand seals to spring an Ice Release trap, then reflected on the limits of his new technique. Kisame left determined to challenge him again, while Mei Terumi stayed to tease Kei.

• Kei used one-handed hand seals to catch Kisame in an Ice Release trap and win their spar.
• Mei Terumi praised Kei's rare skill, and Kei explained that he had trained for years but could only use one-handed seals for simple jutsu.
• Kisame left angrily, promising that he would eventually defeat Kei.
• Mei Terumi teased Kei about Kisame challenging him again and declined Kei's offer to spar.
• Kei let Mei Terumi stay and reminded himself not to rely too heavily on assumptions drawn from the original story.

Kei spent three months refining his Ice Release and training to form stable shapes from ice, hoping to develop it into a power capable of suppressing Tailed Beasts. After summoning Ao to his office, Karatachi Yagura left the reason for his orders unclear.

• Kei continued developing one-handed hand seals and fine control of Ice Release, with the long-term goal of creating ice constructs powerful enough to restrain a Tailed Beast.
• Kei trained in the mountains, launching streaks of cold light that melted into puddles, and concluded that he needed greater chakra output and more precise control to form stable constructs.
• Ao finished reviewing village affairs while Team 7 trained or rested and prepared to take them on missions again.
• An Anbu summoned Ao to Karatachi Yagura, and Ao followed the messenger to the Fourth Mizukage's private office.

Karatachi Yagura assigned Ao to lead Kirigakure’s delegation to Konoha’s joint Chunin Ninja Exams and tasked him with gauging the other villages’ intentions. Ao accepted the mission and began assembling Team 7 for the trip.

• Karatachi Yagura summoned Ao and ordered him to lead Kirigakure’s delegation to the Chunin Ninja Exams in Konoha, with Team 7 participating.
• Ao asked whether Konoha’s invitation was a probe, and Yagura explained that the exams would reveal the villages’ attitudes amid rising tensions.
• Yagura told Ao that the Sand Ninja and several smaller villages planned to attend, while the Stone Ninja and Cloud Ninja had not decided.
• Yagura instructed Ao to assess the other villages’ positions, and Ao understood that this diplomatic task mattered more than the exams themselves.
• Ao left the Mizukage Building and ordered his three subordinates to assemble.

Kei reprimanded Takahiro for rushing his Ice Release training and warned that he needed to prepare for the dangers of Kirigakure’s Ninja Academy. When Mei Terumi arrived with orders from Teacher Ao to assemble, Kei left Takahiro to continue practicing with greater resolve.

• Takahiro attempted an Ice Release technique, but his ice crystals melted almost immediately.
• Kei explained that Takahiro’s impatience disrupted the balance needed to use the Yuki Clan’s kekkei genkai and warned him that he would not help him enroll early unless he changed his attitude.
• Kei reflected that Kirigakure might soon introduce a deadly graduation exam and wanted Takahiro to build strength and resolve before entering the academy.
• Mei Terumi told Kei that Teacher Ao had ordered them to assemble, so Kei left Takahiro to follow his training instructions.
• Takahiro resumed training more carefully, determined to earn Kei’s and his mother’s approval.

Ao told Team 7 they would travel to Konohagakure for a joint Chunin Ninja Exams, an unusual mission amid rising tensions between the villages. The exams were scheduled for June 1, and the Cloud Ninja agreed to attend while the Stone Ninja declined.

• Ao told Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki that Team 7 would represent the Mist Ninja at the Chunin Ninja Exams in Konohagakure.
• Mei Terumi asked whether the Cloud Ninja and Stone Ninja would participate, and Ao said their attendance had not yet been confirmed.
• Ao said Team 7 would compete as ordinary candidates and focus on demonstrating the Mist Ninja's strength.
• Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki prepared for their first trip outside the Land of Water.
• Three days later, the village set the exams to begin on June 1 and required teams to arrive before May 28; the Cloud Ninja confirmed attendance, while the Stone Ninja declined.

Kirigakure’s seven squads departed for Konoha to take part in the unprecedented joint Chunin Ninja Exams, while Kei and Hozuki Shingetsu sized each other up. After receiving the teams’ rosters, Hiruzen Sarutobi convened Konoha’s leaders to discuss how to approach the exams amid rising tensions.

• Kei, Mei Terumi, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Hozuki Shingetsu exchanged polite greetings while privately reassessing one another.
• Ao arrived, confirmed all twenty-one Kirigakure Genin were present, and ordered them to show Konoha the village’s strength.
• Kirigakure’s contingent left for Konoha on May 25 as teams from the other villages also set out.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned his advisers, including Shimura Danzō and Torifu Akimichi, to discuss the participant lists and Konoha’s stance at the exams.
• Hiruzen’s leaders recognized the exams as a way to probe other nations amid rising tensions, while Danzō held more hawkish intentions.

Konoha’s leaders debated whether the joint Chunin Ninja Exams could help prevent war, with Danzo warning that the other villages pursued their own interests and Hiruzen Sarutobi arguing for negotiations. Hiruzen assigned security and reception duties as they waited for initial contact with the visiting villages.

• Danzo argued that Ōnoki and the other villages had ulterior motives and that war could not be prevented without offering them major benefits.
• Torifu Akimichi opposed Danzo’s view, saying the villages’ willingness to attend showed that they understood the terrible cost of war.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the advisors supported pursuing peace through negotiations and adjustments, while Danzo fell silent and privately wished to control Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi said they would decide their next steps after contacting the villages and assessing the situation.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Torifu Akimichi and Mitokado Homura to secure the daimyo, and Utatane Koharu to arrange reception for the visiting villages.

Danzo took charge of screening foreign ninja arriving for the joint Chunin Exams, while Hiruzen and Homura made clear that Konoha would keep Root under close watch. Kirigakure’s delegation reached Konoha, where its escort warned them to obey the village’s regulations as young Genin bristled.

• Danzo insisted that Root handle security for visitors from other villages, and Hiruzen assigned Homura to assist him.
• Kirigakure’s delegation, led by Ao, entered the Land of Fire on May 26 and traveled toward Konoha with village guides.
• Kei compared the Land of Fire’s wealth and geography with other countries and reflected on how Konoha had survived past wars.
• After more than half a day of travel, the delegation arrived at Konoha’s territory.
• A scarred Konoha Jonin reminded the Kirigakure group to follow the regulations, prompting anger among some young Genin.

Kei and the Kirigakure delegation entered Konohagakure and saw the village’s immense prosperity, while recognizing that the joint Chunin Ninja Exams were an overt opportunity for villages to probe one another. Konoha assigned the Kirigakure contingent lodging near the Hyuga Clan compound and imposed nighttime security rules, leaving Ao suspicious of the deliberate arrangement.

• Ao traded pointed remarks with the Konohagakure Jonin before the Kirigakure delegation completed registration and entered Konoha.
• Kei observed Konoha’s scale and prosperity and reflected on its strength as the Shinobi World’s leading village.
• Kei recognized that the joint Chunin Ninja Exams let the major villages make contact and assess one another’s intentions.
• The Konohagakure Jonin led the Kirigakure contingent to lodging in the southeastern district near the Hyuga Clan compound and told them to contact security before going out after nine at night.
• Ao questioned whether Kirigakure was the only village housed in the area, then mocked Konoha’s claim that the location would provide a peaceful environment.

Kei asked Ao about Konoha’s arrangements for the Kirigakure delegation and learned that both villages were still weighing war and peace. Ao explained that the visitors were housed near surveillance-focused clans as a precaution, then ordered Kei to focus on the Chunin Ninja Exams and avoid causing trouble.

• Ao led the Kirigakure team into its assigned lodgings after warning them about Konoha’s conduct.
• Kei visited Ao and asked whether Konoha’s conspicuous actions signaled a change in its intentions.
• Ao explained that the villages were still probing one another and had not decided whether to pursue war or peace.
• Ao told Kei that the lodgings were near the Hyuga Clan compound and that Konoha routinely housed foreign delegations near clans skilled at surveillance.
• Ao smacked Kei on the head, reminded him to prepare for the Chunin Ninja Exams, and ordered him and the other youngsters not to cause trouble.

Ao continued assessing the other villages’ attitudes while Kei set aside his worries and explored Konohagakure with Mei Terumi. At the Ninja Academy, Mei voiced her resolve to work harder for Kirigakure.

• Ao reflected that Kirigakure had little reason to fight Konoha and watched for signs of the other villages’ intentions.
• Kei decided to focus on the Chunin Ninja Exams and set out to tour Konohagakure the next morning.
• Mei Terumi joined Kei, and the two visited Konoha’s landmarks, including Hokage Rock, Ichiraku Ramen, and the Ninja Academy.
• Mei Terumi observed that Konoha’s foundation made it far stronger than Kirigakure and said they needed to work harder.

Kei and Mei Terumi finished touring Konoha, where Kei suspected a young Uchiha boy was Shisui and reflected on the clan’s influence. As shinobi from the other villages arrived for the gathering, Konoha grew busier and more tense.

• Kei noticed a young boy leaving the Ninja Academy and suspected from his appearance and Uchiha fan emblem that he was Shisui Uchiha.
• Mei Terumi asked about Kei’s interest in the boy, and Kei explained that he was impressed by the Uchiha Clan.
• Kei steered Mei Terumi away from discussing the Senju Clan, and they returned to their lodgings to avoid attracting attention in Konoha.
• Shinobi from other villages arrived over the following days, with Kumogakure arriving last on May 28 with eight teams.
• The arriving delegations made Konoha livelier and its ninja more tense, while local shopkeepers welcomed the crowds.

Kei and Team 7 reviewed intelligence on their rivals before arriving at Konohagakure’s Ninja Academy for the Chunin Ninja Exams. They spotted Kakashi Hatake among the gathered candidates, and the chapter left them facing the famed White Fang’s son at the exam venue.

• Kei briefed Mei Terumi and Kisame Hoshigaki on notable candidates, including Kakashi Hatake, Baki, and Toroi.
• Mei focused on Kakashi’s reputation as White Fang’s son, while Kisame looked forward to testing himself against him.
• Kei urged his teammates to study all the candidates and give their best for Kirigakure, and Mei and Kisame expressed confidence.
• On June 1, Kei and his teammates joined more than two hundred genin from various villages at Konohagakure’s Ninja Academy for the first, written exam.
• Kei, Mei, and Kisame noticed Kakashi Hatake in the examination room, where the silver-haired candidate drew attention from the crowd.

Kei watched the joint Chunin Exams gather in Konoha and recognized the young Kakashi as a formidable genius. Shikaku Nara announced a hundred-question written test, and the first round began with teams competing for a place among the thirty highest-scoring groups.

• Kei assessed Kakashi's strength and reflected that his early achievements made him a genuine prodigy.
• Genin from the various ninja villages gathered in the tiered classroom and eyed one another with hostility.
• Shikaku Nara arrived with Konoha ninja and introduced himself as the first-round chief examiner.
• Shikaku explained that the three-hour written exam had one hundred questions and that the thirty teams with the highest average scores would advance.
• Shikaku warned the examinees against speaking without permission, then signaled the Konoha Chunin to distribute the papers.

Kei completed the Chunin Ninja Exams’ written test while assessing his teammates and the other examinees. He recognized several future Konoha Jonin among them and realized the next round could be more challenging than he expected.

• Kei assessed the exam’s team-based scoring and saw no examiners planted among the examinees, so teams would need to rely on their own skills and coordination.
• After Shikaku Nara began the test, Kei answered the questions quickly and checked that Mei Terumi and Kisame Hoshigaki were managing their papers.
• Kei paid special attention to Baki, recognizing him as a promising Sunagakure ninja with impressive future strength.
• Kei spotted Genma Shiranui, Asuma Sarutobi, Aoba Yamashiro, Namiashi Raidō, Ibiki Morino, and other familiar faces among the young Konoha examinees.
• Kei reconsidered his view of the exams and concluded that the many future Jonin could make the next round more demanding.

Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame passed the written first round of the Chunin Exams, which eliminated all but thirty teams. After learning that the second round would begin that evening in Konoha’s vast forest, Kei wondered whether it would follow the same format as the original story.

• Kei finished the written exam quickly and handed in his paper alongside Mei Terumi and Kisame.
• Shikaku recognized Kei’s team and considered their connection to the clash between Kumogakure and Kirigakure, while Kei noticed Shikaku’s interest.
• Kei and his teammates returned to their inn after the exam, and the results later showed that their team and five other Kirigakure teams had passed.
• The results advanced thirty teams to the second round, with Konohagakure sending ten teams, Kumogakure six, Kirigakure six, and Sunagakure four.
• The second round was scheduled for seven that evening in Konohagakure’s vast primeval forest, and Kei wondered whether its challenges would match the original story.

Kei and his teammates arrived at the Forest of Death for the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams, where Orochimaru appeared as chief examiner. He announced a timed intelligence-retrieval mission that would advance no more than six squads, leaving the examinees facing a severe elimination test.

• Kei and the other Mist Ninja arrived at the Forest of Death, where Toroi watched Kei with particular interest.
• Orochimaru emerged with the Konoha examiners, shocking Kei, Mei Terumi, Kisame Hoshigaki, and the other outsiders.
• Kei reassured Mei Terumi and Kisame Hoshigaki that they had little reason to fear a Konoha scheme targeting them.
• Orochimaru announced that squads had to decipher assigned codes, find designated scrolls, and carry out the instructions inside them.
• Orochimaru set a deadline of eight the following morning and limited advancement to the first six squads, with some codes possibly linked across squads.

Kei’s team entered the Forest of Death and let Mei Terumi work on their code while a Sand Ninja team confronted them. Kei judged the Sand ninja to be weak and sent Kisame to deal with them, forbidding him from killing anyone.

• Mei Terumi recognized that the six-team passing limit and the possibility of matching codes could drive examinees to hunt one another.
• Orochimaru ordered the thirty teams into the Forest of Death in batches, and Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame entered through entrance twelve.
• Mei Terumi said she had a lead on deciphering their code while the team remained near the entrance.
• A veteran Sand Ninja team sensed Kei’s group and demanded their code and deciphered information, threatening to kill them if they refused.
• Kei sensed that the three Sand ninja were weak and asked Kisame to fight them without killing anyone.

Kisame Hoshigaki overwhelmed a team of Sunagakure Genin while Kei and Mei Terumi examined their code. Mei confirmed it did not help with their own code, and the three Kirigakure ninja continued toward the designated location.

• Kisame Hoshigaki attacked the Sand Ninja team with Water Release: Water Explosion Jutsu and knocked Sen unconscious with two heavy blows.
• The two Sand Ninja boys rushed Kisame to avenge Sen, but he defeated them, crippling Komaru's arm, breaking the leader's legs, and smashing his puppet.
• Kisame took the Sand Ninja team's code scroll and brought it to Kei and Mei Terumi.
• Mei Terumi determined that the scroll had no connection to their code and said they could already head in the general direction of the designated location.
• Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame set off toward twelve o'clock, leaving the injured Sand Ninja behind.

Orochimaru secretly allowed Danzo’s Root operatives to enter the Forest of Death, while Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki found their team’s task scroll. The trio set out to collect six forehead protectors from other villages, unaware of the danger closing in.

• Danzo’s Root operatives, disguised as Mist and Cloud ninja, entered the Forest of Death under orders to leave traces of their supposed identities.
• Orochimaru watched the operatives depart and reflected that he and Danzo each needed the other.
• Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki reached the area identified by their decoded clue and searched for their team’s box.
• Kisame found the box, and the three opened it to learn their task was to seize six forehead protectors from other villages.
• The trio began searching the Forest of Death for teams whose forehead protectors they could take.

Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame tracked disturbances through the Forest of Death and found two squads already fighting. They ambushed the exhausted genin, and Kei confronted Baki as the battle began.

• Mei Terumi detected a nearby fight and found Genma Shiranui, Namiashi Raidō, and Aoba Yamashiro battling Baki and two other Sand Ninja.
• Kei and Kisame arrived, and Kei decided their team should attack immediately rather than wait.
• Kei charged at Baki while Mei Terumi and Kisame joined the assault with their own jutsu.
• Kei’s Ice Release, Mei Terumi’s Lava Release, and Kisame’s Water Release restricted the six genin and forced them to defend themselves.
• Kei locked onto Baki through the dust and cleaved apart Baki’s Wind Blade with his ice blade.