Recaps

Kushina released the Nine-Tails’ seal to gain power after he warned that Araki and the poisoned Konoha ninja were in danger. Araki witnessed her transformation as the Nine-Tails’ chakra grew, while Sunagakure ninja remained hidden near the camps.

• The Nine-Tails persuaded Kushina to release her seal by promising that Araki would be safe.
• Kushina broke the chains binding the Nine-Tails and let him enter her body.
• Araki sensed the Nine-Tails’ chakra erupting from Kushina and saw her transform into a red chakra form with nine tails.
• Araki watched the transformation, unsure how to handle the situation, while the poisoned Konoha ninja remained unconscious.
• A row of disguised Sunagakure ninja lay hidden near the camps, controlling fine Chakra Threads with their fingers.

The Nine-Tails emerged from Kushina’s body, killed the Sunagakure ninja who had tried to capture her, and headed into the Land of Wind. Araki intercepted him and insisted that he return control to Kushina, but the Nine-Tails angrily refused.

• The Sunagakure ninja realized Kushina was the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki and panicked as the Nine-Tails fully emerged.
• The Nine-Tails crushed the Sunagakure ninja, killing the survivors of the surprise attack.
• The Nine-Tails leaped into the desert and started moving deeper into the Land of Wind.
• Araki appeared in front of the Nine-Tails and told him to let Kushina speak and return control of her body.
• The Nine-Tails told Araki to get lost and grew angry when Araki continued to block his path.

Araki confronted the Nine-Tails as it tried to leave, while Kushina’s faint influence stopped it from killing him. When the Nine-Tails became more corporeal, Araki unleashed the Hashirama Cell chakra he had saved, and the Nine-Tails recognized its familiar power.

• The Nine-Tails tried to leave for the Land of Wind, but Araki repeatedly blocked its path and ordered it to return.
• The Nine-Tails nearly struck Araki, but Kushina awoke and her plea made it lower its paw and spare him.
• Araki mentioned Hashirama Senju, provoking the Nine-Tails into a furious outburst and causing its body to grow more solid.
• Araki decided Kushina could not reliably control the Nine-Tails and used the Hashirama Cell chakra he had preserved to prepare for battle.
• The Nine-Tails felt the familiar chakra from Araki and recoiled in shock.

Araki used Wood Release to trap the Nine-Tails, who recognized chakra like Hashirama Senju’s and grew wary. After Araki restrained him with Hotei Technique, the enraged Nine-Tails launched a Tailed Beast Bomb at him.

• The Nine-Tails sensed familiar chakra from Araki, backed away, and told him he could leave.
• Araki used Deep Forest Emergence to turn the desert into a forest and challenge the Nine-Tails to return to Kushina.
• The Nine-Tails attacked Araki, but Araki used Hotei Technique to pin down his limbs and all nine tails.
• The Nine-Tails formed a Tailed Beast Bomb and spat it at Araki before Araki could stop him.

Araki learned that the Nine-Tails had survived his Wood Clone’s destruction with a Tailed Beast Bomb, so he sent another clone to confront and restrain the beast. He tried to bluff the Nine-Tails into returning to Kushina, but the chapter ended with Araki threatening to kill him.

• The Nine-Tails fired a Tailed Beast Bomb that destroyed Araki’s Wood Clone, but the wooden hands continued to hold him down.
• Araki received the clone’s memories in the tent, recognized the danger the Nine-Tails posed, and sent a replacement Wood Clone to the desert.
• Araki found the Nine-Tails still restrained and used a raised wooden chair and threats about Kushina to try to make him return willingly.
• The Nine-Tails refused, boasting that he could outlast Kushina and threaten her; Araki calmly replied that he could kill him.

Araki frightened Nine-Tails into returning to Kushina by threatening to seal him in the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and claiming Madara Uchiha was alive and hunting the Tailed Beasts. Nine-Tails retreated into Kushina’s seal, and Kushina woke in the separate space.

• Araki told Nine-Tails that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path could absorb the Tailed Beasts and said it was near Kannabi Bridge.
• Araki warned Nine-Tails to return to Kushina or he would hunt and seal him, then claimed Madara Uchiha was alive and pursuing all nine Tailed Beasts.
• Nine-Tails disputed that Madara had survived his battle with Hashirama Senju, but Araki said Madara had awakened the Rinnegan and was drawing life from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Nine-Tails accepted Araki’s offer and sent his chakra back into the seal inside Kushina.
• Kushina suddenly opened her eyes while lying in the separate space.

Kushina resealed the Nine-Tails after it abruptly returned to her seal, frightened by its encounter with Araki. She woke in Konoha’s camp, where Jiraiya explained that the Nine-Tails had killed the Sunagakure attackers, and the chapter left Minato stunned to learn Kushina was its jinchuriki.

• The Nine-Tails urgently told Kushina to close the seal, and she bound it without resistance.
• Kushina woke beside Araki and asked what had happened, but Jiraiya volunteered to explain.
• Jiraiya recounted the Sunagakure ambush and said the Nine-Tails had killed the attackers after Kushina was taken away.
• Kushina feared her comrades would reject her, but Araki showed no discrimination and helped reassure her.
• Minato was shocked to learn that Kushina was the Nine-Tails jinchuriki.

After the Nine-Tails saved Kushina from Sunagakure’s abduction attempt, Araki’s questions led Jiraiya, Minato, and Kushina to suspect that someone in Konoha had leaked her identity and their mission details. Jiraiya refused to voice unproven accusations, and the team set out for Konoha to investigate.

• Kushina told Jiraiya that the Nine-Tails had taken control of her body and saved her, though she remembered nothing of what happened.
• Jiraiya reasoned that Sunagakure had intended to capture Kushina alive because they wanted the Nine-Tails and had used a sedative to avoid provoking war.
• Araki questioned how Sunagakure had learned Kushina’s identity and the team’s precise arrival time, leading Jiraiya to suspect a high-ranking Konoha informant.
• Minato urged Jiraiya to report the suspected betrayal, but Jiraiya insisted they keep Kushina’s identity secret and avoid acting on speculation.
• Araki helped defuse the argument, and Jiraiya ordered the team to return to Konoha because the area remained dangerous.

Kushina recovered after her Tailed Beast Transformation, and Jiraiya led the team back to Konoha while they considered the secrets and betrayal surrounding the ambush. Araki connected the attacks and the survival of the Uzumaki Clan, but remained unsure who had leaked the information or why Sunagakure wanted Kushina.

• Araki gave the exhausted Kushina a Military Rations Pill, and she accepted it without hesitation as Jiraiya noticed her trust in him.
• Jiraiya led Araki, Kushina, and Minato back toward Konoha through the night.
• Jiraiya concluded that someone among Konoha's higher-ups had leaked information about Kushina and their mission, and wondered whether Hiruzen was involved.
• Minato learned that Kushina was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and resolved to reform the village if he became Hokage.
• Kushina privately remained convinced that Araki had appeared during her encounter with the Nine-Tails, while Araki weighed the attacks, the suspected mole, and the Uzumaki Clan's survival.

Jiraiya brought Araki, Minato, and Kushina back to Konoha and reported that Sunagakure ninja had attacked the frontline camp and abducted Kushina. The Third suspected they had targeted Kushina because she was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and wondered whether someone had leaked her identity.

• Jiraiya stopped at the site where Kumogakure ninja had attacked the group and told everyone to hide their anger and act as though nothing had happened.
• Jiraiya led Araki, Minato, and Kushina to the Hokage's office, where he reported that Sunagakure ninja had attacked the camp and been killed.
• The Third dismissed his Anbu guards so Jiraiya could explain the incident in private.
• Jiraiya recounted the attack, Kushina's abduction, and her apparent Tailed Beast Transformation, while withholding his suspicions about a mole.
• The Third asked whether Sunagakure had targeted Kushina because she was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and questioned how the village could have learned her identity.

After Kushina returned safely, Araki reassured Minato that the Third Hokage was not responsible for the attack, while the Third privately raised Araki as a suspect to Jiraiya. Araki went to his training ground and found Uchiha Fugaku waiting for him.

• The Third Hokage sent Minato, Kushina, and Araki away, then stayed with Jiraiya to discuss the attack on Kushina.
• Araki told Minato that the Third Hokage appeared innocent but likely had a suspect in mind, and Minato vowed to gain the power to change Konoha.
• The Third Hokage suggested Araki might have leaked Kushina's identity, but Jiraiya insisted the culprit was likely someone among Konoha's upper ranks.
• The Third Hokage dismissed Jiraiya and said he would handle the investigation himself.
• Araki headed to his usual training spot and found Uchiha Fugaku waiting for him.

Araki met with Uchiha Fugaku, who questioned him about Ueki’s murder, but Araki denied remembering useful details and redirected the conversation to a possible leak of his mission. Fugaku recognized that Araki’s team had been attacked by Kumogakure ninja and began to explain that Araki had misunderstood something.

• Uchiha Fugaku invited Araki to a teahouse near the Uchiha Clan compound to talk privately.
• Fugaku thanked Araki for clearing Mikoto of suspicion in Ueki’s death and asked what he remembered about the case.
• Araki claimed he had forgotten the investigation and refused to provide Fugaku with leads, while privately considering Fugaku a possible suspect.
• Araki asked whether the Konoha Military Police Force could investigate a possible leak of his mission plans.
• Araki told Fugaku that his team had been ambushed by Kumogakure ninja after leaving Konoha, and Fugaku recognized the incident.
• Fugaku told Araki that he thought Araki had misunderstood.

Araki deflected Fugaku’s questions about Ueki and Mikoto, then decided to strengthen himself by returning to Orochimaru’s laboratory to seek Hashirama cells and develop poisons. Three months later, his team had continued taking mostly low-ranked missions, while the investigation into the Sunagakure attack appeared to have stalled.

• Araki told Fugaku that their mission information might have been leaked, and Fugaku dismissed his concerns as a reaction to his first mission outside the village.
• Fugaku questioned Araki about his friendship with Mikoto, and Araki said they had only spent time together because Kushina asked them to go.
• Araki concluded that his chakra might not be enough to restrain Nine-Tails if it went berserk again, putting Kushina at risk.
• Araki returned to Orochimaru’s abandoned laboratory, sent Wood Clones to search it, and resolved to develop the poisons in Tsunade’s notes while seeking more Hashirama cells.
• Over the next three months, Araki and his teammates mostly took D-rank missions, and Minato held back from confronting the Third about the unresolved Sunagakure incident.

Jiraiya told Araki, Minato, and Kushina that they would compete in the Chunin Ninja Exams hosted by Kumogakure on July 1, with Konoha sending only their team. Araki learned that the higher-ups had designated them as Konoha’s strongest eligible Genin team and questioned whether the Third Lord Hokage had chosen them.

• Jiraiya announced that the Chunin Ninja Exams would be held in half a month, and Minato and Kushina eagerly welcomed the news.
• Jiraiya explained that Kumogakure would host the joint exams and that he had already registered Araki, Minato, and Kushina.
• Araki asked how many teams Konoha would send, and Jiraiya said Konoha would send only one.
• Araki asked whether the team had been selected or designated by the higher-ups, and Jiraiya said the higher-ups chose them because they were Konoha’s strongest Genin team still eligible.
• Araki asked whether the Third Lord Hokage had made the decision.

Araki suspected Kumogakure’s interest in Kushina was tied to a scheme involving Sunagakure and Shimura Danzō, but he could not determine Danzō’s motive. After Jiraiya trained the team for half a month, they prepared to depart for the Chunin Ninja Exams in Kumogakure.

• Araki connected Kumogakure’s repeated attempts to capture Kushina with the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams and wondered whether Sunagakure had tried to deliver her to Kumogakure.
• Araki suspected Shimura Danzō had arranged the scheme but could not identify his motive, and decided not to visit the Uzumaki Clan yet.
• Jiraiya announced intensive training for Araki, Minato, and Kushina before their journey to Cloud Rock Village.
• Jiraiya trained the three for half a month, then discovered Araki’s chakra control was already exceptionally advanced and focused more on Minato and Kushina.
• Araki continued physical training and poison research, but made no progress locating Hashirama cells in Konoha.

Jiraiya led Araki, Minato, and Kushina into a village in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning before they reached Kumogakure. Araki sensed concealed watchers and suspected Kumogakure ninja were preparing to target Kushina before the team arrived.

• Jiraiya explained that Kumogakure stood atop the mountain and that the group would rest in the village below before continuing.
• Jiraiya said he wanted to seek inspiration in the village and led the team inside, while Minato and Kushina followed without understanding his reason.
• Araki sensed several concealed presences watching the group and judged that they were professional trackers.
• Araki suspected the watchers were Kumogakure ninja planning to abduct Kushina before the team reached Kumogakure, and he stayed alert while the others explored.

Araki suspected that Kushina was the target of the watchers following their group, so he disguised himself as her and drew them away from Minato. He confirmed that the pursuers were focused on his disguise and let them surround him in a secluded area, preparing to counterattack.

• Jiraiya left Minato, Kushina, and Araki at their lodging and went to a hot spring to seek inspiration.
• Araki noticed the watchers closing in after Jiraiya left and claimed he would check whether it was safe outside.
• Araki used Wood Release Transformation to take Kushina's appearance and walked out of the village alone.
• The watchers followed Araki, confirming that Kushina was their sole target, and waited until they reached a secluded place.
• The pursuers exchanged glances and rushed to surround Araki, who had anticipated their attack.

Araki, disguised as Kushina, used Wood Release to capture the masked Anbu Ninja who had surrounded him. He began preparing to expose their identities and incapacitate them, leaving the captives helpless before him.

• Araki questioned the masked Anbu Ninja and called the four hidden attackers out of their positions.
• After the four joined the group, Araki used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence to trap and gather them.
• Araki announced that he would discover which village they came from, alarming the captives.
• One Anbu Ninja tried to stop him, and Araki claimed he would give them a peaceful end with medicine from a bottle.
• Araki sprinkled the medicine over the restrained Anbu Ninja, reminding the speaker that he had prompted him to do so.

Jiraiya, Araki, Minato, and Kushina prepared to leave their temporary lodgings after stopping in a village near Kumogakure. Araki handed two packets to his teammates, leaving their contents unexplained.

• Araki confirmed the masked ninja were from Kumogakure, searched them, and took useful supplies and a Kumogakure forehead protector.
• Araki used Fire Style: Small Flame Bullet to set his Wood Release trees ablaze and dispose of the evidence.
• Jiraiya returned from gathering material feeling refreshed, while Araki, Minato, and Kushina prepared to depart.
• Araki took two small grass packets from his ninja tool pouch and gave them to his teammates.

Araki gave Minato, Kushina, and Jiraiya antidote kits before Jiraiya led the group toward Kumogakure, whose dramatic cliffside route and hidden bridge amazed them. They began climbing the steep steps, and after a long ascent Jiraiya called a ten-minute rest while the summit remained out of sight.

• Araki gave Minato and Kushina antidote kits tailored to Sunagakure's poisons and gave Jiraiya a larger kit suited to his body.
• Jiraiya led Araki, Minato, and Kushina out of town toward Kumogakure and showed them the cliffside walkway and the cloud-hidden bridge between the mountain peaks.
• Araki sensed people climbing above them and guards stationed on the cliffs as the group approached Kumogakure's territory.
• After climbing for about half an hour, Jiraiya stopped the group for a ten-minute rest because the ascent was long and tiring.

Jiraiya led Araki, Kushina, and Minato up the arduous mountain route into Kumogakure for the Chunin Ninja Exams, where Araki suspected the village had lured Kushina there for a hidden purpose. After they reached their lodgings, a powerful young Kumogakure ninja challenged Minato, and Araki suspected the visitor was the future Fourth Raikage, A.

• Araki explained that the zigzagging stairs gained little height, and the group continued climbing after resting.
• Jiraiya presented the team's invitation to Kumogakure's guards, who let them cross the cloud stairway into the village.
• Araki sensed many watchers focused on Kushina and suspected another fight might happen before the exams.
• A Kumogakure guide brought the team to their lodgings and warned them not to wander around.
• A tall Kumogakure boy came to the team's door, challenged Minato, and stopped his fist just short of Minato's face.
• Araki recognized the boy as likely A, Kumogakure's future Fourth Raikage.

Araki accepted Little A’s challenge and tested himself against the future Fourth Raikage, whose speed and strength overwhelmed him in their first exchange. The spar left Little A impressed by Araki’s toughness but convinced he was still too weak to be worth challenging further.

• Little A challenged the visitors, and Araki stepped forward after Minato refused.
• Araki led Little A away from the lodging and said he did not want to embarrass him by losing in public.
• Little A charged at Araki and struck his guard with a powerful punch, sending him flying backward.
• Araki recovered and landed safely, while Little A praised his resilience but dismissed him as no match.
• Araki acknowledged Little A’s speed and strength.

Araki and Little A fought an intense sparring match, with Araki using his green chakra and Chakra Enhanced Strength against Little A’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode. They stopped at night, both eager to meet and spar again the next day.

• Araki restored his strength with green chakra and met Little A’s charge with a Chakra Enhanced Strength punch.
• Little A activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and their fists collided, sending both backward and breaking Araki’s right hand.
• Araki’s green chakra quickly repaired his hand, and he invited Little A to continue fighting; Little A eagerly accepted.
• Araki and Little A sparred through the afternoon until nightfall, trading exhausting physical blows.
• Little A stopped from exhaustion, agreed to meet Araki the next day, and left questioning how strong Konoha’s other ninjas might be.

After sparring with Little A, Araki realized that a short charge amplified the force of Chakra Enhanced Strength and began adapting the technique with his green chakra. He continued training in Kumogakure's territory, intent on increasing his power without relying on the Eight Gates Released Formation.

• Araki returned to the lodgings, told Minato he would spar with Little A again, and received Jiraiya's support to continue training.
• Araki reviewed the fight and reasoned that Little A's lightning-enhanced attacks might gain power from the momentum of his charge.
• Araki grew trees outside the lodgings and tested Chakra Enhanced Strength with a run-up, confirming that the added momentum made his strike far stronger.
• Araki recognized the charge as an important part of Lightning Release Nintaijutsu and began imitating Little A's movements with green chakra.
• Araki rejected learning the Eight Gates Released Formation because he did not want to risk sacrificing his body, but decided Kumogakure's Nintaijutsu suited him.

Araki recognized Kumogakure’s Nintaijutsu as a fighting style that suited his physique and chakra control, then began training it with Little A. Their sparring plans turned into an exchange of techniques and advice, and the chapter ended as night fell.

• Araki decided to develop Kumogakure’s Nintaijutsu as a fighting style he could use openly without relying on poison.
• Araki spent the night imitating Little A’s movements and refining his own approach to Nintaijutsu.
• Little A arrived early, and Araki asked why he spread Lightning Release chakra across his whole body instead of concentrating it where needed.
• Araki explained that focusing chakra in his fist had enabled his powerful strikes, prompting Little A to consider refining his technique.
• Little A answered Araki’s questions about Nintaijutsu, while Araki explained chakra control and Chakra Enhanced Strength in return.
• Araki and Little A spent the day exchanging training advice instead of sparring, until Little A noticed that night had fallen.