Recaps

Maemoto Ichiro apologized to Araki on Might Duy’s behalf and invited him to learn the Maemoto Clan’s forging techniques. Araki accepted and followed Ichiro to the clan compound, where he learned about its past and its decline from renowned weaponsmiths.

• Araki tried to leave, but Maemoto Ichiro stopped him and apologized for Maemoto Takashi insulting Might Duy.
• Maemoto Ichiro explained that Might Duy had asked him to apologize to Araki and teach him to forge ninja tools.
• Araki accepted the invitation, reasoning that his green chakra could help him endure the physical strain of forging.
• Araki and Maemoto Ichiro went to the Maemoto Clan compound, where Ichiro described the clan’s history and its weapons, including the Thunder God Sword and White Light Chakra Sabre.
• Araki noticed the clan’s diminished status and guessed that Maemoto Ichiro held a senior position within it.

Araki visited Maemoto Ichiro and became more interested in the Maemoto Clan’s forging techniques after considering the importance of the White Light Chakra Sabre. Ichiro made Takashi apologize sincerely to Araki, then invited him to a lavish meal.

• Araki reflected on how the Maemoto Clan’s chakra-conducting weapons could strengthen shinobi such as Hatake Sakumo.
• Maemoto Ichiro welcomed Araki into his home, where Takashi saw him and recalled how Araki had defeated him and Boji.
• Ichiro ordered Takashi to apologize to Araki for troubling him, insulting Might Duy, and asking Boji to fight him.
• After Ichiro pressed him to admit his apology had been insincere, Takashi listed his wrongs and bowed deeply to Araki.
• Ichiro also bowed and asked Araki to forgive his failure to raise Takashi properly, and Araki forgave them both.
• Ichiro invited Araki inside for a lavish meal.

Araki reflected on his growing connection to the Maemoto Clan and eagerly began learning its forging techniques from Maemoto Ichiro. The chapter ended with Araki realizing that Ichiro’s physical strength might rival Might Teacher Duy’s.

• Araki considered how learning the Maemoto Clan’s forging techniques could bring him closer to the clan despite his unresolved conflict with Maemoto Takashi.
• Maemoto Ichiro explained that forging relied on core strength and could severely exhaust the body, even though many Konoha-Style Strong Fist practitioners knew the basics.
• Araki thanked Maemoto Ichiro for honestly explaining the risks before teaching him.
• Maemoto Ichiro demonstrated how to plant his stance and generate power while forging, then invited Araki to push him.
• Araki pushed Maemoto Ichiro with half his strength, but Ichiro remained completely unmoved without using chakra.
• Araki recognized that Maemoto Ichiro’s physical strength might be no less than Might Teacher Duy’s.

Araki learned the fundamentals of forging from Maemoto Ichiro and used his green chakra to hammer red-hot iron into a thin sheet on his first try. The chapter ended with Araki asking Maemoto Ichiro whether his posture was correct.

• Maemoto Ichiro taught Araki how to stabilize his lower body and generate hammering power through his core and back.
• Maemoto Ichiro demonstrated the forging technique, and Araki recognized its similarity to the Konoha-Style Strong Fist.
• Araki took the hammer and tongs, used his green chakra to connect his body and sustain his strength, and copied Maemoto Ichiro's stance.
• Araki repeatedly struck the iron, shocking Maemoto Ichiro and Maemoto Takashi as he flattened it into a thin sheet.
• Araki asked Maemoto Ichiro whether his posture was right.

Araki studied Maemoto forging and asked Maemoto Ichiro how to add Chakra to the hammering technique. After reading an old scroll, Araki recognized Chakra pathways in the diagrams and realized the lines he had felt might be Chakra Threads.

• Maemoto Ichiro told Araki he had mastered the basic forging method and offered to teach him further techniques.
• Araki asked about using Chakra in forging, and Maemoto Ichiro agreed to show him an old scroll explaining the method.
• Maemoto Takashi asked whether Araki had considered becoming a smith, but Araki said he only wanted to forge tools as a side job.
• Maemoto Ichiro brought the scroll, and Araki studied its diagrams of Chakra lines crossing the body during hammering.
• Araki described the lines he had felt while swinging the hammer, but Maemoto Ichiro did not understand and wondered if Araki had strained a tendon.

Araki used the Forging Technique to begin arranging chakra threads, then left the Maemoto grounds to practice in a grove. On the way, he sensed a sinister presence and realized Orochimaru might be watching him, just as someone touched his shoulder.

• Araki assumed the Forging Technique posture and guided a second chakra thread through his heart, but could not form a third.
• Araki concealed his progress from Maemoto Ichiro and Maemoto Takashi, then left the clan grounds.
• Araki decided to practice forging in a grove, hoping the training would improve his strength and chakra control.
• Araki sensed a cold gaze behind him and saw a snake on his shoulder.
• Araki suspected Orochimaru was watching him, and a hand suddenly landed on his left shoulder.

Orochimaru captured Araki and brought him to a hidden base, explaining that he wanted to learn what kind of disciple Tsunade had chosen. Araki was released from the snake’s coils, but Orochimaru’s intentions remained unclear.

• Orochimaru appeared beside Araki and restrained him with a snake.
• Araki warned Orochimaru that he was Tsunade’s disciple, but Orochimaru said he already knew and still took him along.
• Orochimaru carried Araki to a concealed iron door in the woods and revealed that it led to his secret base.
• Orochimaru said he wanted to learn what sort of disciple Tsunade had taken, then loosened the snake’s coils and lowered Araki to the ground.

Orochimaru tested Araki, offered him a dangerous spy mission, and tried to recruit him as a student and research assistant. Araki refused, recognized that Tsunade did not know about their meeting, and Orochimaru renewed his offer to help him pursue immortality.

• Orochimaru praised Araki's composure and asked him to become a Konoha spy in Cloud Rock Village, but Araki refused.
• Orochimaru asked Araki to become his student and assistant in medical research, threatening to kill him before claiming he was joking.
• Orochimaru invited Araki to tour his laboratory and urged him to study the meaning of life and pursue eternal life with him.
• Araki stayed silent, realized Orochimaru did not know he could use Wood Release, and asked whether Tsunade knew about the meeting.
• Orochimaru confirmed Araki's suspicion that Tsunade was absent and again urged him to become his student, learn all his knowledge, and surpass him.

Araki accepted Orochimaru’s offer to become his disciple, believing the secret arrangement could keep him safer, while Orochimaru mainly wanted a trusted assistant for his research. Orochimaru led Araki into his hidden laboratory, where the chapter left them entering a dark corridor.

• Araki questioned why Orochimaru wanted him, and Orochimaru said he had learned of Araki through the precise operation he performed on Might Duy.
• Orochimaru explained that Araki’s patience, learning ability, and talent made him suitable to become his disciple.
• Araki reconsidered the risks and agreed to become Orochimaru’s disciple on the condition that Orochimaru keep it secret for now.
• Orochimaru accepted the condition, and Araki called him Teacher Orochimaru while privately treating the title as a way to protect himself.
• Orochimaru led Araki to his hidden base and laboratory, then lit the candles along the dark corridor with a snap of his fingers.

Araki began training in Orochimaru’s underground laboratory while keeping up his medical studies and physical training. Three days before the graduation exam, Tsunade told him that Nawaki had completed his Yin Seal and asked whether they should let him out of confinement.

• Orochimaru showed Araki his laboratory and told him he would teach him biology so they could investigate the mysteries of life together.
• Araki studied biological experiments, attended the Ninja Academy, learned medicine with Nawaki, and trained each night for a year and a half.
• Tsunade stopped Araki and Kushina on their way to school, and Minato watched Kushina leave from a distance.
• Tsunade told Araki that Nawaki had completed his Yin Seal and asked whether he thought Nawaki should be released.
• Araki agreed to release Nawaki and said his new technique and stored chakra would make him harder to kill, though the identity of anyone targeting him remained unknown.

Orochimaru and Jiraiya both asked the Third Hokage to become Jonin instructors and chose Araki as one of their students. Orochimaru yielded Araki to Jiraiya, who secured Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and Araki as his team, while Jiraiya remained curious about what Araki might be hiding.

• Orochimaru asked the Third to make him a Jonin instructor and assign Araki to him as his sole student.
• Jiraiya arrived and requested Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and Araki as his three students.
• The Third hesitated because both Sannin had chosen Araki, but Orochimaru withdrew and said the role did not suit him.
• The Third approved Jiraiya's request and sent him to Karen Kazahana to arrange the roster.
• Jiraiya reflected on Araki's Taijutsu training and suspected that the boy was concealing more than he knew.

Araki learned that the Ninja Academy graduation exam was three days away and reassured Kushina about how to prepare. He then visited Tsunade’s home to see Nawaki, who had completed the Yin Seal, and arrived before noon, surprising him.

• Jiraiya asked the Third Hokage to let Araki join his squad, while the Third resolved to watch Araki more closely.
• Ibuki-sensei announced that the students had passed their final exams and explained the three tests they would face to graduate in three days.
• Araki advised Kushina to use her Sealing Jutsu in the graduation exam, and she decided to try to graduate alongside him.
• Araki left the academy to visit Nawaki, believing that mastering the Yin Seal had reduced the danger to his life.
• Araki arrived at Tsunade’s home early, and Nawaki asked whether something had happened to his sister.

After Nawaki formed his Yin Seal, Araki allowed him to leave confinement but insisted on checking the First Hokage's Necklace regularly. Araki learned the Yin Seal from Nawaki and tried storing the necklace's green chakra in a reservoir inside his heart, while the necklace pulsed more violently and Nawaki watched anxiously.

• Araki confirmed Nawaki had formed his Yin Seal and told him he could go out again, provided they kept checking the First Hokage's Necklace.
• Nawaki explained that he wanted to become Hokage and agreed to let Araki inspect the necklace.
• Araki asked Nawaki to teach him the Yin Seal, and Nawaki explained its principles and warned that forming one usually took years of carefully saving chakra.
• Araki touched the First Hokage's Necklace and guided its green chakra toward a new Yin Seal reservoir in his heart.
• The necklace began pulsing rapidly as Araki continued the process for more than two hours, leaving Nawaki worried and uncertain about what was happening.

Araki accidentally formed a Yin Seal that stored the green chakra from the First Hokage's Necklace, then told Nawaki that his future was bright. He began presenting the necklace's strange episode as a vision of a grand destiny entrusted to Nawaki.

• Araki's Yin Seal pool drew green chakra uncontrollably from the First Hokage's Necklace for several hours, leaving him and Nawaki unable to move.
• The green chakra filled Araki's pool and formed a diamond-shaped Yin Seal inside his heart, restoring his control of his body.
• Araki realized the stored chakra could be released to restore his body's energy, though he could not use it directly as his own chakra.
• Nawaki asked Araki what his future held, and Araki assured him it was bright.
• Araki claimed the First Hokage's Necklace had shown him hazy future events and had entrusted Nawaki with a grand destiny.

Araki convinced Nawaki that he had seen future tragedies and that Nawaki was destined to change the shinobi world, then left him to consider the burden. As the Ninja Academy graduation exam began, Araki was called first and faced the Transformation Technique assessment.

• Araki described future events to Nawaki and claimed the First Hokage's Necklace had shown him that Nawaki could become the shinobi world's savior.
• Nawaki learned that the Fourth Hokage in Araki's visions had died and worried that becoming Hokage might lead to his own death.
• Araki left Nawaki alone to think over what he had heard.
• Ibuki-sensei began the graduation exams and called Araki first.
• Ibuki-sensei assigned Araki the Transformation Technique and told him to transform into Karen Kaede-sensei.

Araki passed the Ninja Academy graduation exam with perfect scores and received his ninja Forehead Protector. He then went to Orochimaru’s laboratory, where Orochimaru congratulated him.

• Araki transformed into Sarutobi Karen Kaede so convincingly that Ibuki-sensei and Karen Kaede-sensei gave him full marks on the first assessment.
• Araki performed the B-rank Water Release: Water Formation Wall and maintained it until Ibuki-sensei told him to stop, earning full marks and a five-point bonus.
• Araki completed the chakra-control assessment by walking up the classroom wall, across the ceiling, and down the opposite wall without difficulty.
• Araki graduated with full marks, took a ninja Forehead Protector, and went to Orochimaru’s laboratory instead of returning to class.
• Orochimaru congratulated Araki on passing, and Araki replied that the exam had not been very difficult.

Orochimaru showed Araki a chamber containing dead Senju Clan members and said their disappearance was tied to the experiment he wanted Araki to assist with. He began explaining how the Senju Clan’s lack of a shared kekkei genkai threatened its standing, leaving Araki waiting to hear the rest of the secret.

• Orochimaru led Araki into a hidden chamber filled with human specimens preserved in tanks.
• Orochimaru revealed that every specimen in the chamber was a member of the Senju Clan.
• Orochimaru identified one specimen as Toka Senju, a trusted confidante of Hashirama Senju and a high-ranking clan member.
• Orochimaru explained that Hashirama Senju alone could use Wood Release, while the Uchiha Clan had a high rate of Sharingan awakening.
• Orochimaru said Tobirama Senju had feared that the Senju Clan would lose influence as its lack of a kekkei genkai led to its decline.

Orochimaru told Araki how Tobirama Senju began the Hashirama Cells Transplantation Project, which led to the Senju Clan’s destruction. He explained that the experiments revealed Hashirama cells’ extreme vitality and rejection response, but no transplant subject had survived.

• Orochimaru said Tobirama Senju launched a secret project after Hashirama Senju died, assigning Toka Senju to test Hashirama cells on Senju volunteers in hopes of creating another Wood Release shinobi.
• Araki was shocked to learn that the project began under Tobirama, and Orochimaru revealed that his father had participated in it and that he himself was born during the project.
• Orochimaru said the First Shinobi World War began soon after, Tobirama died, and Hiruzen Sarutobi became Hokage; Toka Senju then chose to continue the experiments.
• Orochimaru explained that Senju volunteers’ bodies deformed and turned to wood, while the experiments showed that Hashirama’s cells remained alive after his death.
• Orochimaru said nearly every Senju underwent the surgery except Tsunade and Nawaki, whom Tobirama had excluded, and described how the cells rapidly multiplied and destroyed their hosts’ normal cells.
• Orochimaru told Araki that successful transplantation required a host strong enough to overcome Hashirama cells, but the success rate remained zero percent.

Orochimaru brought Araki into the Hashirama cell transplantation project and had him prepare injections for unconscious volunteers. When Araki approached the cells, green chakra surged through him and drew him toward them, leaving him unable to control his body as Orochimaru tried to stop him.

• Orochimaru told Araki that healthy non-Senju volunteers would be used to test whether they could adapt to Hashirama cells.
• Orochimaru led Araki to the room where the unconscious volunteers were kept and explained that they would receive small doses of Hashirama cells.
• Orochimaru revealed that Jiraiya was Araki’s Jonin instructor, making all of the Konoha Sannin his teachers.
• Orochimaru instructed Araki to draw the green liquid from the test tubes and inject the volunteers with it.
• As Araki approached the test tubes, green chakra surged from his heart, the Hashirama cells reacted violently, and Orochimaru ordered him to stop.
• Araki lost control of his body and continued toward the test tubes while Orochimaru watched in alarm.

Araki lost control of the green chakra, which shattered Orochimaru’s Hashirama cell test tubes and drove the cells into his body. After several hours, Araki regained control with greatly increased strength and suspected he had a connection to Hashirama Senju, while Orochimaru remained baffled by what had happened.

• Araki’s green chakra compelled him toward the Hashirama cell test tubes despite Orochimaru’s warnings, and Orochimaru lunged to stop him.
• The test tubes shattered, and the green liquid flew into Araki’s face and was absorbed into his body.
• The green chakra and Hashirama cells merged around Araki’s heart, causing him to experience fragments of Hashirama Senju’s memories while Orochimaru was driven back by the chakra’s pressure.
• After several hours, Araki regained control and felt that the merged cells had greatly increased his physical strength and chakra.
• Araki wondered whether he was connected to Hashirama Senju, asked Orochimaru for more Hashirama cells, and Orochimaru demanded to know what he had done.

Araki revealed to Orochimaru that he had transplanted Hashirama cells and demanded more, but refused to become Orochimaru’s test subject. When Orochimaru attacked to restrain him, Araki used an unexpectedly powerful Water Formation Wall to throw him into the laboratory wall.

• Araki told Orochimaru he had successfully transplanted Hashirama cells and become a Wood Release ninja, then asked for more cells.
• Orochimaru demanded to examine Araki, but Araki refused and insisted he could continue the experiment himself.
• Orochimaru decided to restrain Araki and study him without his consent.
• Orochimaru attacked with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, but Araki calmly formed a Water Formation Wall.
• Araki’s powerful swirling water blasted Orochimaru into the laboratory wall, leaving him stunned by the change in Araki.

Araki's Hashirama cells awakened, giving him tremendous power and enabling him to unleash a vast Wood Release technique that trapped Orochimaru and tore through the underground base. As the upheaval shook Konoha, Araki followed the cells' pull to another laboratory to absorb more, knowing that Orochimaru intended to study him.

• Araki activated the Hashirama cells in his body, causing green chakra to surge and destroy the laboratory vessels around him.
• Orochimaru realized Araki had become a successful Hashirama-cell transplant subject and decided he wanted to capture and study him.
• Araki used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, sending immense vines through the base and binding Orochimaru.
• The expanding vines carried Orochimaru upward through the earth while the disturbance made the ground in Konoha shake.
• Araki followed the Hashirama cells' pull to another underground laboratory and tried to draw them toward himself.
• Araki concluded that Orochimaru meant to experiment on him, making a fight between them nearly inevitable.

Araki absorbed Hashirama Cells in Orochimaru’s underground laboratory, gaining memories and abilities associated with Hashirama Senju while his green chakra drained the failed experiments. After finding no more cells below, Araki decided to confront and kill Orochimaru before his temporary surge of strength faded.

• Araki reasoned that Orochimaru may have used Yamato’s cells to stabilize Hashirama Cell transplants, then absorbed green liquid that triggered his green chakra and transformed his arm into vines.
• Araki’s vines pierced the failed experimental subjects and drained their Hashirama Cells and nutrients into his body, leaving their bodies shriveled.
• As more Hashirama Cells entered Araki, he experienced firsthand memories of Hashirama Senju and gained an unfamiliar sense that he could use certain ninjutsu.
• Araki absorbed the remaining Hashirama Cells in the underground laboratory and concluded that Orochimaru had kept only part of his supply there.
• Araki judged Orochimaru to be his greatest threat and resolved to kill him while the power from the absorbed Hashirama Cells still lasted.

Araki confronted Orochimaru after Hashirama Cells awakened his Wood Release, determined to kill him before he could become a target for Orochimaru’s experiments. After studying Orochimaru’s tricks, Araki committed to using all his strength and unleashed Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence.

• Araki decided to use his temporary power to kill or incapacitate Orochimaru so he could escape Orochimaru’s threat.
• Orochimaru was forced out of the ground by Araki’s wooden vines and eagerly revealed his desire to claim Araki’s body and research his cells.
• Araki emerged, rejected Orochimaru’s attempts to manipulate him, and watched as Orochimaru used a substitution trick to free himself from the vines.
• Araki recognized Orochimaru’s greater experience and decided he had to rely on Wood Release, while preparing to flee Konoha if he could not win.
• Araki gathered chakra and used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, making the ground rumble.

Araki trapped Orochimaru inside Deep Forest Emergence and used the fight to improve his control of Wood Release. Orochimaru grew exhausted and realized he could neither keep enduring the attacks nor escape the trees.

• Araki created three Wood Clones carrying sedatives, poison, and Explosive Tags while he held Orochimaru inside the trees.
• One Wood Clone swallowed the sedative and merged into the vines, which began coiling toward Orochimaru.
• Araki practiced controlling the vines, making them faster, tougher, and able to attack from more angles.
• Orochimaru repeatedly cut through the vines with the Kusanagi Sword, but his strength waned as the attacks intensified.
• Orochimaru recognized that Araki could sustain Wood Release attacks and admitted he could neither keep fighting this way nor break free.