Chapter Summaries

Tsunade examined Might Duy and assigned Araki to perform a complex operation using the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique within about half a year. China objected and pleaded for Tsunade to treat him herself, but Tsunade left the decision to Araki and suggested China seek help from village advisor Koharu Utatane.

• Tsunade explained Might Duy's condition to the gathered medical-nin, identifying severe gallbladder damage and problems with his pancreas and kidneys.
• Tsunade asked Araki how he would treat Might Duy, and Araki described using the Chakra Scalpel and Delicate Illness Extraction Technique to remove and restore the gallbladder.
• Tsunade ordered Might Duy to stay in the hospital, avoid strenuous exercise, and follow dietary restrictions, then told Araki to perform the operation within about half a year.
• China challenged Tsunade's decision to entrust Might Duy's treatment to Araki, but Tsunade insisted she trusted him and warned that another surgeon would have to remove the gallbladder.
• Tsunade suggested China ask Koharu Utatane for help and left, while the medical-nin regarded Araki with renewed respect.

Araki left Konoha Hospital determined to perform Might Duy’s surgery after six months, then returned home and successfully made his first Explosive Tag. He accidentally witnessed Kushina using the bathroom while she was half asleep, leaving him with complicated feelings.

• Might Duy rejected China’s suggestion to seek help from Lady Koharu and asked Araki to perform his surgery after six months.
• Araki left the hospital, resolved not to let Might Duy down, and trained alone in the forest until dawn.
• Araki returned home quietly and began practicing how to make Explosive Tags with a brush, chakra, ink, and blank tags.
• Araki adjusted his chakra control and successfully made his first Explosive Tag.
• Kushina sleepily walked into the bathroom without noticing Araki, who watched and then felt flustered by what he had witnessed.

Araki planned to earn money by making Explosive Tags and impressed Kushina when she saw his first successful tag. At the Ninja Academy, fifth-year students gathered for mock duels, where Sarutobi Karen Kaede arrived as proctor while Araki remained focused on Medical Ninjutsu.

• Araki realized his chakra-restoring green chakra let him make Explosive Tags repeatedly, so he revised his training plan to alternate tag-making with physical exercise.
• After training through the night, Araki returned home and found Kushina examining the Explosive Tag he had made.
• Araki told Kushina he had succeeded on his second attempt, and she reacted with astonishment and delight at his talent.
• Fifth-year students gathered at the Ninja Academy training ground for mock duels that would affect their advancement scores.
• Ibuki-sensei and Sarutobi Karen Kaede arrived, and Karen Kaede announced she would oversee the duels, draw lots, and record scores.

Sarutobi Karen Kaede began overseeing the students’ mock battles, while Araki recalled Kushina’s worries about the exam and promised to let her win if they were matched. Kushina kissed Araki before heading to her battle, still hoping for an easy opponent.

• Sarutobi Karen Kaede took charge of recording scores and called students to fight as Ibuki-sensei supervised.
• Araki remembered Kushina’s worries that losing the mock battle would leave her far behind on the exam.
• Kushina asked Araki whether he would go easy on her if they became opponents, and Araki promised to let her win.
• Kushina thanked Araki, kissed his cheek, and shyly ran off.
• After Sarutobi Karen Kaede called her name, Kushina stepped into the combat area nervously and hoped for a weak opponent.

Kushina faced Araki in the mock duel and grew hurt and angry when he acted as if he would not go easy on her. Araki struck a Strong Fist stance to impress the watching students and Karen Kaede, then suddenly charged at Kushina.

• Sarutobi Karen Kaede announced Araki as Kushina's mock-duel opponent, leaving Kushina conflicted because she wanted him to win rather than deliberately let her pass.
• Araki and Kushina formed the Seal of Confrontation and each declared that they would not hold back.
• Kushina mistook Araki's changed demeanor for an attempt to show off in front of Karen Kaede and decided she would teach him a lesson if she lost.
• Araki assumed a Konoha-Style Strong Fist stance, prompting the students to speculate that he had been hiding his skills and was trying to impress Karen Kaede.
• Kushina recognized the stance from Araki's earlier fight with invaders from Kumogakure, became furious, and watched him burst forward at astonishing speed.

Araki deliberately slowed down and let Kushina land a punch, then pretended to be incapacitated so she could win their mock battle. Sarutobi Karen Kaede saw through his act, and Kushina realized his performance had been his way of going easy on her.

• Araki rushed toward Kushina at startling speed, then deliberately slowed down as he reached her.
• Kushina seized the opening and punched Araki in the chest, and he immediately collapsed as if badly hurt.
• Sarutobi Karen Kaede questioned Araki, accepted his claim that he could not get up, and declared Kushina Uzumaki the winner.
• Kushina realized Araki had staged his defeat to spare her, and Sarutobi Karen Kaede quietly assured her that he was fine.
• Sarutobi Karen Kaede watched Kushina worry over Araki and privately interpreted their exchange as a public display of affection.

Araki continued pretending to be incapacitated so Kushina could win their mock match, then completed the Seal of Reconciliation with her. Back in line, he was confronted by Maemoto Takashi over his portrayal of Konoha-Style Strong Fist, and the incident drew the attention of students and instructors.

• Sarutobi Karen Kaede realized Araki had deliberately lost to Kushina and let him stay down until the three-minute limit passed.
• After Sarutobi Karen Kaede called time, Araki got up, admitted defeat to Kushina, and exchanged the Seal of Reconciliation with her.
• Araki returned to his class's line, where Maemoto Takashi demanded that he apologize for disgracing Konoha-Style Strong Fist.
• Maemoto Takashi raised his voice, interrupting the mock matches and drawing the attention of Sarutobi Karen Kaede, Ibuki-sensei, and students from both years.
• Araki dismissed Maemoto Takashi's complaint and considered revealing his Konoha Strong Fist.

Araki faced a challenge from Maemoto Takashi, who accused him of disgracing Konoha-Style Strong Fist by deliberately losing a match. Teachers gathered to intervene, but Maemoto refused to back down, and Araki decided he needed to crush the boy’s confidence to prevent future trouble.

• Maemoto Takashi challenged Araki and demanded an apology if Araki lost.
• Ibuki-sensei and Fujiwara-sensei arrived as students and administrators gathered to watch the confrontation.
• Kushina Uzumaki watched Araki with concern while Minato Namikaze watched her affectionately.
• Fujiwara-sensei ordered Maemoto Takashi to return to his class, but Maemoto refused and accused Araki of tarnishing Konoha-Style Strong Fist by deliberately losing.
• Araki realized Maemoto had noticed his deliberate loss and decided to settle the conflict by shattering Maemoto’s confidence.

Maemoto Takashi mocked Araki and Might Duy, provoking Araki to accept his challenge on one condition. Maemoto eagerly agreed, while the chapter revealed that he also wanted to undermine Duy’s Azure Faction of Konoha-Style Strong Fist.

• Maemoto Takashi challenged Araki and insulted Might Duy, drawing the class into mocking Araki and his teacher.
• Araki accepted Maemoto Takashi’s challenge but said he had a condition, while the teachers and directors watched their exchange.
• Kushina showed no concern for Araki and looked forward to seeing him reveal his strength.
• Maemoto Takashi asked what Araki’s condition was and eagerly agreed to it, since he wanted to vent his frustration and put down the Azure Faction.

Araki challenged Maemoto Takashi to a mock battle with extra point penalties, and Sarutobi Karen Kaede approved the terms and agreed to supervise. The fight began at the training ground, where Maemoto launched a Konoha Whirlwind at Araki, who had not yet moved.

• Araki proposed that the winner give ten points to the classmate who had beaten him, while the loser lost another ten points.
• Maemoto Takashi objected, but Sarutobi Karen Kaede approved Araki's conditions and insisted the points go to their previous opponents.
• Maemoto accepted the challenge, and Sarutobi Karen Kaede supervised as he and Araki formed the Seal of Confrontation.
• Before fighting, Araki urged Maemoto to use Taijutsu to protect others rather than bully the weak, then invited him to make the first move.
• Maemoto rushed Araki and attacked with Konoha Whirlwind as the watching students tensed.

Araki defeated Maemoto Takashi in the additional mock duel with a dodge and a single kick, then told him to apologize to Might Teacher Duy for belittling him. The chapter ended with Sarutobi Karen Kaede announcing Araki’s win and noting that he had not formed the Seal of Reconciliation.

• Araki leaned aside to dodge Maemoto Takashi’s whipping kick, then struck his jaw with an upward kick and sent him crashing to the ground.
• Araki told Maemoto Takashi that he should apologize to Might Teacher Duy, then returned to his class.
• The students discussed Araki’s victory, and their earlier doubts about him gave way to criticism of Maemoto Takashi.
• Sarutobi Karen Kaede announced Araki as the winner and observed that he had not formed the Seal of Reconciliation.

Araki improved his chakra control by making Explosive Tags and mastered the Healing Technique under Tsunade's instruction. After Tsunade praised his potential and planned to teach him the Poison Expulsion Technique, Araki spotted Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Mikoto, and another boy in the woods where he trained.

• Sarutobi Karen Kaede continued the mock matches after Fujiwara-sensei took Maemoto Takashi to the Medical Team, and Kushina thanked Araki for helping her qualify for sixth grade.
• Araki returned home and successfully made two Explosive Tags, then set a routine of making tags at noon before going to Tsunade's house.
• Over the next week, Araki trained and studied until he could use the Healing Technique on a summoned fish for ten minutes without distressing it.
• Tsunade praised Araki's Medical Ninjutsu talent, said he could surpass her, and planned to teach him the Poison Expulsion Technique before the Mystical Palm Technique.
• After his lesson, Araki trained in the woods and climbed a tree when he sensed someone approaching, then recognized Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Mikoto, and an unnamed boy below.

Araki overheard Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Mikoto, and Uchiha Ueki investigating Sora Hyuga’s disappearance and suspected that Araki had killed him. Mikoto’s reasoning led the Junior Detective League to visit Might Duy at Konoha Hospital, leaving Araki’s secret at risk of discovery.

• Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Mikoto, and Uchiha Ueki agreed that Sora Hyuga was likely dead after six months without a trace.
• Uchiha Fugaku reported finding no useful leads, while Uchiha Ueki said an old woman had seen Sora Hyuga enter the grove while following someone.
• Uchiha Mikoto revealed that she suspected Araki because Sora Hyuga had reportedly followed him and Araki had recently defeated Maemoto Takashi.
• Uchiha Mikoto proposed questioning Araki’s teacher, Might Duy, at Konoha Hospital to learn when Araki had become strong enough to defeat Sora Hyuga.
• Uchiha Fugaku led Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Ueki to Konoha Hospital, while Araki listened unseen.

Araki continued making explosive tags while the Junior Detective League pursued suspicions that he had killed Sora Hyuga. The group questioned Might Duy at Konoha Hospital, hoping to learn whether Araki could have defeated Sora.

• Araki overheard the Junior Detective League's suspicions but decided to act normally and use Kushina to pass selected information to Mikoto.
• The Junior Detective League headed to Konoha Hospital to verify its lead with Might Duy.
• Fugaku said the league would disband once he joined the Konoha Military Police Force, while Ueki suggested Araki had hidden strength and linked Sora's disappearance to their meeting in the grove.
• Mikoto urged the group to ask Might Duy whether Araki had been strong enough to face Sora, and privately resolved to find Sora's killer.
• At Konoha Hospital, the group told Might Duy they were Araki's friends, and he offered to step outside while they spoke.

Uchiha Fugaku and his companions questioned Might Duy about Araki’s strength, but Duy insisted it came from six months of intense training. The visitors left believing their investigation had run out of leads, while China voiced her suspicion that Araki was hiding something.

• Might Duy grew frustrated when Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Mikoto, and Uchiha Ueki interrupted his time with China.
• Fugaku asked whether Araki’s strength came from training with Duy, and Duy described Araki’s punishing routine and defended his hard work.
• Duy rejected the suggestion that Araki had already been strong before training and ended the conversation.
• After the three visitors left, Duy summoned China and pretended his head hurt so she would massage him.
• China said Araki seemed unusually calculating and as though he were hiding something, while Duy relaxed under her massage.
• Fugaku and Ueki concluded that their investigation had no leads left, and Fugaku addressed Mikoto and Ueki as he prepared to give up.

Araki finished his week of nighttime training and explosive-tag production, then returned home to go with Kushina to their final exam. He told her he had completed the tags and asked her to exchange them, leaving her stunned by the quantity.

• Uchiha Fugaku disbanded the Junior Detective League, while Uchiha Ueki tried to console him about their failure to solve Sora Hyuga's murder.
• Uchiha Mikoto privately decided to keep investigating Araki by getting closer to him through Kushina.
• Araki calculated that his thirty-nine explosive tags could earn him blank tags and money, allowing him to begin funding poison-making and improve his living conditions.
• Araki returned home and found Kushina waiting with her supplies for the final exam.
• Araki told Kushina he had finished making the explosive tags and asked her to exchange them for seventy blank tags and money, shocking her when she opened the bag.

Araki finished making every blank tag into an Explosive Tag, astonishing Kushina, then walked with her to the Ninja Academy for the final exam while Minato watched them with a pained heart. On the way, Araki agreed to join Kushina and Mikoto on some outings during the break, though he planned to keep training.

• Araki showed Kushina that he had used all the blank tags to make Explosive Tags, and Kushina marveled at how quickly he had produced them.
• Araki and Kushina left for the Ninja Academy together, while Minato saw them walking and grew distressed over his unspoken feelings for Kushina.
• Araki reflected that he did not want Kushina to grow closer to Minato and recognized that their friendship had become important to him.
• Kushina told Araki she had plans with Mikoto to explore Konoha during the break and invited him to come along.
• Araki accepted Kushina's invitation, saying he could take breaks from training and that he had no other friends in the village.

Araki agreed to go out with Kushina, leaving Minato heartbroken as he followed them to the Ninja Academy, where the students began their graduation exams. Meanwhile, Dan Katō visited Sarutobi Karen Kaede to ask about Araki, revealing that Araki was the disciple of one of his friends.

• Araki agreed to go out with Kushina, who was overjoyed, while Minato watched them with a growing sense of loss.
• Araki, Kushina, and Minato arrived at the Ninja Academy, where Araki and Kushina entered their classroom and Minato followed behind.
• Ibuki-sensei and Fujiwara-sensei handed out the graduation exam papers and gave the students two hours to complete them.
• Sarutobi Karen Kaede reviewed Araki's consistently upper-middle grades and wondered why he kept such a low profile despite his apparent ability.
• Dan Katō visited Sarutobi Karen Kaede and asked about Araki, then disclosed that Araki was the disciple of a friend he had met recently.

Dan Katō told Sarutobi Karen Kaede that he wanted to pursue Tsunade and become Hokage, then left without meeting Araki. After the exams, Araki slipped away from his classmates, while Kushina met Uchiha Mikoto and revealed that Araki had finished making the Explosive Tags.

• Dan Katō told Sarutobi Karen Kaede that he had asked about Araki because he wanted to learn what Tsunade's student was like before pursuing Tsunade.
• Dan Katō revealed that he wanted to become Hokage, asked Sarutobi Karen Kaede to keep it secret, and decided not to meet Araki.
• Sarutobi Karen Kaede went to check on Araki as he took the exam, and the students later finished their papers and were told their results would be posted before the new term.
• Araki left the classroom quickly to avoid attention, while Kushina decided to help him sell the Explosive Tags during vacation.
• Uchiha Mikoto met Kushina outside the academy, and Kushina invited her home to sell the Explosive Tags Araki had finished making.

Mikoto persuaded Kushina to let her stay over during the break, while Araki sensed an unseen watcher following him through the village. He returned home without confronting the follower, whose intentions remained unknown.

• Mikoto suggested that Araki give his Explosive Tags directly to her, but Kushina refused because she wanted to stay involved.
• Mikoto convinced Kushina to host her over the break and proposed celebrating Kushina's final exams with alcohol.
• Araki sensed that someone was watching him as he walked to Tsunade's home, though he could not detect the person's qi.
• Araki practiced the Mystical Palm Technique at Tsunade's home, then warned Nawaki that it was dangerous outside and refused his request.
• Araki sensed the watcher again after leaving Tsunade's home and continued toward his own home without revealing that he had noticed.