Chapter Summaries

Araki used the Mystical Palm Technique to temporarily disable Jiraiya while giving Minato the chance to take the bells, and the three graduates passed the test. Jiraiya explained that the test measured teamwork and sacrifice, though his original plan had been to make them fail and face another dilemma.

• Araki struck Jiraiya with chakra-infused palms, disrupting his circulation, nerves, and chakra pathways.
• Araki threw another Flying Thunder God Kunai and kept Jiraiya from escaping, allowing Minato to teleport in and take the bells.
• Jiraiya asked Araki how he had disabled him, and Araki explained that he had targeted the body's systems and controlled how long the effects lasted.
• Jiraiya announced that Minato, Kushina, and Araki had all passed because they had cooperated and shown willingness to sacrifice for one another.
• Jiraiya revealed that the test had originally been designed so they could not obtain the bells, with another team dilemma planned if they failed.

Jiraiya revealed that the bell test had judged whether the three teammates would stand by one another, and he passed Araki, Minato, and Kushina. Later, Araki returned to Orochimaru’s abandoned base at night and found the entrance undisturbed before entering through his hidden opening.

• Jiraiya explained that the test had only ever offered the whole team passing or the whole team failing, then praised the three for trusting and supporting one another.
• Kushina celebrated Araki’s decision to postpone becoming a medical-nin, and Jiraiya took the team to eat before announcing that missions would begin in three days.
• After walking home with Kushina and Minato, Araki went to train while Kushina headed inside to rest.
• Araki went into the forest at midnight and found no Anbu at Orochimaru’s base, wondering whether the Third had covered up the disappearances.
• Araki checked that vines still sealed the base’s normal entrance, entered through his concealed opening, and found Orochimaru’s corpse.

Araki explored Orochimaru’s underground base, examined the preserved Hashirama Cells and the theories behind cellular death and revival, then cleared and dissolved the corpses. After using Wood Release to purify the base’s air, he returned to his training spot and resumed exercising with his newly increased strength.

• Araki confirmed that Orochimaru’s body had been dead for more than a day, then inspected the base’s other rooms.
• Araki found that Hashirama Cells had been absorbed from the corpses of failed transplantation subjects and considered whether Orochimaru might eventually revive himself or Hashirama Senju.
• Araki carried the corpses into the room where Orochimaru’s body lay and confirmed there were no survivors in the laboratories.
• Araki used Corpse-Dissolving Water to destroy the corpses and Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence to grow plants that would purify the underground base’s air.
• Araki returned to his usual training spot and resumed exercising, making use of the strength he had gained from Hashirama Cells.

Araki, Minato, and Kushina completed their first three D-rank missions under Jiraiya, then Minato invited Araki to lunch while Kushina went to meet Mikoto. Kushina reached the Uchiha district and learned that Mikoto was accused of killing members of her clan.

• Jiraiya assigned Araki, Minato, and Kushina three D-rank errands: finding a cat, retrieving a bag, and carrying groceries.
• Araki, Minato, and Kushina completed all three missions before lunch, and Jiraiya left to visit a hot spring establishment.
• Minato invited Araki to lunch to review their first day of missions, while Kushina declined because she had promised to meet Mikoto.
• Minato and Araki headed to Konoha's bustling district, while Kushina went to the Uchiha Clan's district.
• A man stopped Kushina from going farther and told her that Mikoto was accused of killing members of the Uchiha Clan.

Araki, Kushina, and Minato learned that Mikoto had been accused of killing someone from the Uchiha Clan, and Kushina feared the investigation would unfairly condemn her. They split up to reach the Uchiha compound and find help, but the chapter ended with Araki and Kushina arriving to find the clan gathered in a cold, tense atmosphere.

• Kushina heard that Mikoto had allegedly killed an Uchiha Clan member and was stopped from entering the compound.
• Kushina reached Araki and Minato, explained the accusation, and begged Araki to help Mikoto.
• Araki agreed to investigate, and he suggested Minato find Jiraiya at the Mountain Lodge and bring him to the Uchiha Clan.
• Minato left to find Jiraiya while Araki and Kushina headed for the Uchiha compound.
• Araki and Kushina arrived to find many Uchiha Clan members gathered in a lifeless, tense atmosphere.

Araki, Kushina, and Jiraiya went to the Uchiha compound after Mikoto was accused of murdering Ueki. Araki suspected Uchiha Nanagen'u was framing her and persuaded Jiraiya to inspect the crime scene; Nanagen'u agreed to take them there.

• Uchiha guards tried to keep Araki and Kushina out of the clan compound, but Jiraiya used his status to lead them inside.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u told them that Mikoto had been taken into custody after his son, Ueki, was found dead in her home.
• Kushina insisted Mikoto could not have committed the murder, while Nanagen'u claimed the evidence pointed to her.
• Araki learned that Fugaku was away on a mission and suspected Nanagen'u was exploiting his absence to frame Mikoto.
• Araki argued that Nanagen'u's family connection made him unsuitable to investigate, and Jiraiya ordered Nanagen'u to show them the scene.

Araki examined Uchiha Ueki’s death scene and showed that Mikoto had likely been framed, not killed him. He proposed an autopsy to establish the cause of death and help identify the real killer, but Uchiha Nanagen'u hesitated to allow it.

• Mikoto told Kushina, Minato, and Araki that she had awakened beside Ueki’s body holding the bloody kunai and did not know how he died.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u explained that Ueki had confessed to Mikoto, tried to force himself on her, and later left a note saying he would apologize.
• At the backyard scene, Araki noticed the blood spatter showed no sign that anyone had stood near Ueki when his throat was cut, and Mikoto’s clothes had no blood on them.
• Araki ruled out suicide because the kunai was in Mikoto’s hand and Ueki would not have chosen her home to die in, concluding that someone else had killed him and framed her.
• Araki requested permission to perform an autopsy, but Uchiha Nanagen'u resisted cutting into his son’s body.

Araki began examining Uchiha Ueki’s death scene under the watch of Uchiha Nanagen'u, Jiraiya, and an Anbu Ninja. He concluded that the blood may have been poured onto the ground to stage the scene and frame Mikoto, then directed everyone’s attention to the bloodstains on the wall as he continued explaining his evidence.

• Uchiha Nanagen'u agreed to let Araki perform an autopsy in front of witnesses and hoped he could find Ueki’s real killer.
• The Anbu Ninja responsible for handling bodies warned Araki that he would watch closely, while Jiraiya and Kushina offered Araki their support.
• Araki noticed that Ueki’s clothes were clean despite the blood around him and rejected Jiraiya’s suggestion that the killer had shielded the body by standing over it.
• After examining the bloodstains on the ground, Araki said the blood was likely poured there after Ueki died, possibly to frame Mikoto, though he still needed to examine the body.
• Araki explained how the shape of blood spatters could show their direction of travel, then pointed out the blood on the wall for everyone to inspect.

Araki examined Ueki’s body and determined that Ueki had died of suffocation before the killer cut his throat and staged the bloody scene. He suspected Genjutsu but could not identify the killer, and asked Uchiha Nanagen'u to release Uchiha Mikoto.

• Araki explained that the blood on the wall had been splashed from above, showing that the killer staged the scene.
• Araki examined Ueki and concluded that the throat wound was inflicted after death and that Ueki had likely suffocated within the past six hours.
• Araki opened Ueki’s body and found signs of suffocation, including congestion in the organs and blood-filled right side of the heart.
• Araki showed that Ueki’s trachea contained no blood, confirming that the throat cut came after death.
• Araki ruled out strangulation and smothering, then suspected Ueki had suffocated while trapped in Genjutsu.
• Araki admitted he could not identify the killer and asked Uchiha Nanagen'u to release Uchiha Mikoto.

Araki cleared Uchiha Mikoto of Ueki’s murder by showing that the apparent evidence came from Genjutsu, and Mikoto was released. At a sushi restaurant, Araki wondered who had framed her, while Mikoto bowed to thank him.

• Araki explained that Mikoto lacked the Genjutsu ability needed to make Ueki suffocate, and Uchiha Nanagen'u ordered her release while the investigation continued.
• An Anbu took Ueki’s corpse away, and Mikoto tearfully thanked Kushina and accepted a special Military Rations Pill from Araki.
• Mikoto invited Araki, Kushina, Minato, and Jiraiya to eat, while Jiraiya questioned Araki about who could have killed Ueki with Genjutsu.
• At the sushi restaurant, Minato asked how Araki knew so much about corpses, and Araki said he was a medical-nin.
• Araki considered why someone had framed Mikoto and whether Fugaku was involved, then Mikoto bowed deeply to thank him.

Araki deduced that Mikoto had killed Ueki and confronted her after she secretly followed him into the woods. Mikoto confirmed the suspicion through her questions, but Araki said he had no intention of exposing or investigating her.

• Araki told Uchiha Nanagen'u that the genjutsu that killed Ueki came from the Sharingan, then went into the woods.
• Araki sensed someone following him and asked when they had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Araki used Ueki's lividity and Mikoto's account of going into the backyard around ten to show that Ueki had already been dead then.
• Mikoto revealed herself and asked Araki how he had worked out the timing of Ueki's death.
• Araki explained that Mikoto's daily lunches with Kushina made the morning a convenient time to kill Ueki, but said he did not plan to pursue the matter.

Araki learned that Mikoto had never awakened the Sharingan and concluded she had not killed Ueki, though he suspected Fugaku or another person might be responsible. He decided not to investigate further and gave Mikoto anesthetic pills for protection.

• Mikoto insisted she had not killed Ueki and told Araki she had no memory of what happened before she woke beside the body.
• Araki realized Mikoto had never awakened the Sharingan, apologized for suspecting her, and reconsidered who could have used a powerful Genjutsu.
• Araki considered Fugaku as a possible killer but chose not to question Mikoto about him or pursue the investigation.
• Araki gave Mikoto two aerosol anesthetic pills and explained how she could use them against anyone who threatened her.

Araki pieced together a theory that Uchiha Fugaku had used a preimplanted Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu and a summoning beast to kill Ueki while remaining away on a mission. He left the case with one unresolved question: exactly how Fugaku had produced and removed the blood at the scene.

• Mikoto struggled to remember whether Fugaku had given her something, then wondered if the memory had only been a dream.
• Araki told Mikoto to go home and left to train, convinced Fugaku was almost certainly Ueki's killer.
• Araki reasoned that Fugaku had planted a genjutsu in Mikoto's eyes that activated when she faced danger, used Tsukuyomi on Ueki, and made Mikoto tidy the scene.
• Araki suspected a summoning beast had brought fresh blood to the scene and concluded that Fugaku had committed the murder remotely.
• Araki stopped on a tree branch and reflected on the dangers of schemes and intrigue in the ninja world.

Araki, Kushina, and Minato received their first C-Rank mission from Jiraiya: escorting ninja tool supplies to the Land of Fire's western border amid reports of Sunagakure activity. Araki accepted the estimated ten-day trip as a chance to rest from training, though he remained wary of the dangers outside Konoha.

• Araki considered Uchiha Fugaku's possible role in Ueki's death and decided not to investigate further because Fugaku was dangerous and difficult to read.
• Araki met Kushina and Minato at the river bridge, where Kushina complained about their routine D-Rank missions.
• Jiraiya arrived and assigned the team a C-Rank mission to transport ninja tools to the front near the Land of Fire's western border.
• Jiraiya warned the team that they would face risks outside Konoha, and Kushina and Minato eagerly agreed to the mission.
• Araki asked how long the mission would take, and Jiraiya estimated about ten days for the journey and return.

Araki gave Minato and Kushina Purple Blood antidotes before the team departed for the border, then demonstrated his strength by lifting their heavy supply crate. The team set out with Jiraiya, leaving the ninja tool shop behind.

• Minato gave Araki a Flying Thunder God Kunai, and Araki returned the gesture by giving Minato and Kushina Purple Blood antidotes.
• Araki explained how Purple Blood poisoned its victims and how the antidote could counter its effects until a medical-nin treated them.
• Jiraiya instructed the team to collect their supplies, and Araki volunteered to carry the crate.
• At the ninja tool shop, Araki infused the wooden crate with chakra and lifted it above his head with ease.
• Jiraiya signed for the supplies, and the team prepared to set off.

Jiraiya led Araki, Kushina, and Minato out of Konoha on a mission to deliver supplies to the front line. After Araki sensed twelve concealed observers near the road, he persuaded the group to enter the woods and arranged for Jiraiya to lead them toward the ambush.

• Jiraiya explained Konoha's departure procedures and warned the three students about the dangers beyond the village barrier.
• Araki sensed twelve people hiding in four groups in the woods while Minato and Kushina remained unaware of them.
• Araki suggested entering the woods by a shorter route, and Jiraiya agreed after Minato and Kushina supported the idea.
• Araki proposed that Jiraiya lead the formation, with Kushina ahead of him and Minato bringing up the rear.
• Jiraiya entered the woods first, followed by Kushina, Araki, and Minato, as concealed ninja waited ahead.

Jiraiya’s team was ambushed by Kumogakure ninja near Konoha, and Araki protected Kushina before joining Minato in the fight. Araki suspected the attack might be connected to Kushina and urged Minato to leave survivors for questioning.

• Jiraiya warned Kushina, Minato, and Araki as three hidden ninja attacked him with shuriken.
• Araki blocked the shuriken with the supply crate, protecting Kushina and Minato while Kushina sensed more attackers behind them.
• Minato confronted the ninja behind the team, and Araki reinforced the crate discreetly with Wood Release before rushing to help him.
• Araki smashed one attacker to death with the crate, then told Minato to fight while trying to leave some enemies alive.
• Araki noticed the attackers wore Kumogakure forehead protectors and suspected their mission might involve Kushina.

Jiraiya ended the ambush after assessing his students, while Araki killed six Kumogakure ninja with precise, brutal strikes that left Minato and Jiraiya questioning his methods. The group subdued the remaining attackers, but Araki’s casual explanation for the fatal injuries only deepened their unease.

• Jiraiya knocked out the three Kumogakure ninja confronting him after deciding his students had proved themselves.
• Araki used a chakra-strengthened wooden crate to defeat six attackers, inflicting injuries he said would kill them within minutes.
• Jiraiya ordered Minato to tie up three unconscious ninja and told Araki to secure the remaining enemies who could no longer fight.
• Araki told Jiraiya and Minato that the injured ninja were already doomed, then explained that he had asked to leave some enemies alive only so he could judge the situation before killing those in front of him.
• Jiraiya questioned whether Araki had deliberately controlled his blows, but Araki insisted the fatal injuries were a coincidence.

Araki persuaded Jiraiya to let him interrogate six captured Kumogakure ninja, then subjected five of them to a drug he had made while admitting he only wanted to torment them. Jiraiya, Minato, and Kushina watched in shock as Araki promised to heal the victims and test more drugs.

• After several wounded Kumogakure ninja died, Araki asked Jiraiya to let him question the six surviving captives.
• Jiraiya allowed Araki half an hour to interrogate them before taking them to the village.
• Araki blocked the captives' chakra pathways and gave five of them red pills, leaving the sixth untouched.
• Araki explained that the pills were a poison called Red Spirit, which caused the five men severe distress and hallucinations.
• Araki told the remaining captive that he never intended to obtain intelligence and would heal the others before testing more drugs on them.
• Jiraiya, Minato, and Kushina stared at Araki, unsettled by his cruel display.

Araki used Red Spirit to torment five Kumogakure ninja with vivid hallucinations while leaving their sixth companion unharmed, creating suspicion between them. He explained to Jiraiya that he wanted the Anbu to see how the ordeal could make both the tortured men and the spared one suspect each other.

• Araki refused to give the sixth Kumogakure ninja a pill and explained that his poisoned companions might believe he had betrayed them.
• Araki gave the five men a second dose of Red Spirit, intensifying their physical reactions and sending them into apparent nightmares.
• The sixth Kumogakure ninja shouted that he had not betrayed his companions, while Araki mocked him and said he wanted to cause psychological torment rather than obtain information.
• Araki gave the five men an antidote and told Jiraiya that his interrogation was over.
• Araki explained that the five might suspect the unharmed ninja of being a spy, and Jiraiya understood that this was the result Araki wanted the Anbu to witness.