Sanhiro Kimza

Saphiro Kimza is the main protagonist of the fanfiction Naruto: Kimza Chronicles and its sequel, Kimza Chronicles: The Last Sealer, both written by Ishiino Gerdo. He is a chunin from Konohagakure, a former member of Team Gen, an "official" member of Shinziro and missing-nin, and possibly the last living member of the Kimza Clan.

Background
Saphiro was born first and only child the Fifth Iyokage of Arizogakure, Arizono Kimza and the granddaughter of the Second Zaokage, Hiara Tokomiya. Years before his birth, Ezemaru Kimza, the former Fourth Iyokage and container of Bukarok, one of the Four Guardian Beasts of Hell's Gates, started a death pact against the Kimza clan and initiated a genocide that lasted 8 years. Saphiro and his parents travelled with Hiara's brother and Canidate Third Zaokage, Zoka Tokomiya and the last 5 Kimza to escape Ezemaru's wrath in a caravan for safety.

Around the time Saphiro was four, the caravan was greeted with a message from Konohagakure, offering safety from Ezemaru. Before the group reached Konoha, Ezemaru found the caravan and killed everyone minus Saphiro, his parents, and Zoka instantly. Arizono, Hiara, and Zoka tried to fight off Ezemaru, but their efforts were for naught. In their last moments, Arizono and Hiara gave their son a last loving hug before Arizono tossed his son into a Warping Vortex and sent him to Konoha. His parents and Zoka were killed instantly moments later.

Saphiro was found about an hour later by ANBU in Konoha's forests and took the boy to the Hokage's Residence. After a short meeting about plans for the Kimza, the council decided that as long as the boy knew about the Kimza, he and the village would be in danger. As a result, Saphiro's memory of the Kimza, his parents, and Ezemaru were erased, all texts and other info on the Kimza and Arizogakure were sealed away, and any innate jutsu that Saphiro would learn was also sealed. They gave care of the boy to Kurenai Yuhi in order to keep watch on his development. They also activated a special seal, commanded to break when Ezemaru and Saphiro ever met, giving the boy any jutsu that he should learn by that age as well as his last memory of his parents.

Years later, when Saphiro was 6, he was playing with his friend Genzo Nekiogama when he accidently activated the Nokerrogan for the first time. The council quickly caught on, and resealed the jutsu before Ezemaru could pinpoint the boy any further. However, that short amount of time was enough to let Ezemaru torture the boy using his Living Nightmare Technique. Genzo became interested in Saphiro's power and broke off his friendship with him, becoming a bully to pressure Saphiro into using his power.

After his eleventh birthday, Saphiro decided to enroll in ninja academy. However, his sealed inner chakra, along with constant torturing by Ezemaru, left the boy unable to focus and terrible at jutsu. Due to this, he became the class zero and everyone in school was against him, minus his friend Kaede Meitochi. Throughout his school team, Saphiro constantly strove to become a worthy shinobi, with Genzo secretly watching his struggles.

Personality
At the beginning of Kimza Chronicles, Saphiro started off as an optimistic child that wanted to do the best he could at every endeavor. Even when against impossible odds, he worked hard to do his best and hopefully succeed. Deep inside however, he was a wary person who feared that his failures would wreck him socially. However, throughout his first battles as a ninja, Saphiro's confidence in himself rises and he becomes more yearning for himself. In the majority of Kimza Chronicles, Saphiro retains this attitude, always looking for the best within himself and others.

Saphiro's major personality is his strive to be recognized by those around him. Even in the beginning of Kimza Chronicles, despite being Genzo's self-proclaimed rival and the number one loser, Saphiro fought hard to recieve Genzo's respect and did not give up until it was obtained. Throughout his battles afterward, Saphiro did all he could to make sure his opponents had a change of their view on him, no matter how low or high it was.

Along with his yearning for recognition, Saphiro always did what he could to make sure that he was there for his friends. His best example was after defeating Genzo in the Konoha forests, when he made sure that he would take care of Bukarok after what he did to everyone he called friend. He tends to put others ahead of himself, which is a dynamic change from his lonely attitude in the beginning.

Saphiro displayed great adoration for his sensei Gen Nakaido during the events of Kimza Chronicles, as evident as mimicing his dressing style from his younger days, down to his bandanna. He also loved when Gen would train him and the two had a strong student-teacher bond. He almost always followed Gen's orders and protected him whenever he got a chance. However, upon learning that Gen was commanded to keep watch on him, Saphiro's respect severely drops. During the events of The Last Sealer, after being saved by Gen from Otoshi Nagare, Saphiro began looking towards Gen with respect again.

Saphiro also display mercy for those he fights against, only killing when it is most necesary. Even when fighting against Yatsu, who tried to kill him four years earlier, Saphiro does his best to convince Yatsu that revenge wasn't the best path. This trait is often taken advantage of, and often results in Saphiro tapping into a new power or his mercy being cut off.

Shortly before the end of Kimza Chronicles, when he was met by the Shinziro operative and proven some facts behind about the secret behind his clan, the attack by Asura, and his possible exile or death, Saphiro's respect and pride in Konoha dropped so far, he destroyed his forehead protector and vowed to only set foot in the village if his friends truly needed him, only to leave them forever afterwards.

By the time The Last Sealer starts, as a member of Shinziro and a member of the elite Nine, Saphiro was no longer the same person he once was. He now believed that people all had good and evil and only their actions determined them. He also stopped being as merciful as he used to be, injuring his victims until they were immobile, yet still refusing to kill them. He also grows hateful towards his own clan, saying that Ezemaru was right about their willingness to tear each other apart. After being reinstated back into Konoha after defeating Yushiro Gentake of the Nine, Saphiro slowly becomes more hopeful towards the village and his clan, though he still questions their motives.

Appearance
Saphiro has light brown hair with blonde bangs, which branches from his combined Kimza-Tokomiya heritage, and dark green eyes. Saphiro is considered quite handsome by girls around his age. In the beginning arc, Saphiro wore a white shirt with green collar and blue shorts. For the majority for Kimza Chronicles, taking place four years later, Saphiro had grown considerably and was more muscular. His clothing consisted of a white shirt, blue jacket with the sleeves rolled up above the elbow, blue pants with a white stripe going up the leg, and a white bandanna tied around his neck and hanging in a triangular fashion. He included wearing white fingerless gloves during the Bukarok Arc and onward.

Initially, Saphiro wore a short blue headband with a metallic plate with the symbol of Konoha on it with his hair slightly covering it, and recieved a silver wristwatch from Kaede Meitochi before the start of the Asura Invasion Arc. Both objects were discarded at the end of Kimza Chronicles, the headband's cloth being burned to ashes and the plate tossed into the forest outside Konoha and the watch being left on Kaede's doorstep.

In The Last Sealer, Saphiro has grown slightly more and has gained more muscle mass. In the beginning, he wore the standard attire of the Nine, the nine most powerful field operatives in Shinziro, consisting of an red armored combat vest covered by a white cloak with a hood, a red stripe going down the sleeves, the insignia of Shinziro on the front of the hood and the kanji for the number nine on the back. He also wore blue pants. During his time as a hostage in Konoha, he wore the standard gray prisoner wear. From the Issaru Arc onward to now, Saphiro is wearing a blue jacket that is zipped up to his lower chest, a green t-shirt, blue pants, and green fingerless gloves. After being reinstated into Konoha, Saphiro has started to wear a forehead protector again, a short, dark blue one tied on his forehead like previous days.

Abilities
Despite being a member of two of the most powerful clans in the Land of Skies and having high written test scores, Saphiro suffered from low physcial scores and had no ability in ninjutsu and genjutsu, and his taijutsu was slightly near average. However, after learning the Kimza Style: Vortex Technique, Saphiro's abilities jump due to his seal being weakened and jump even further once Ezemaru was defeated. Many people throughout the series has stated that Saphiro has the potential to become one of the most powerful shinobi known, and only after meeting a match, he fights hard and surpasses them. Ezemaru had stated that though Saphiro was only half as strong as he was at that age, he has the potential and the blood to double or triple his strength in at least 5 years.

By The Last Sealer, Saphiro has become so powerful, that he was a member of the Nine, though he openly admitted he was the weakest of them. However, that doesn't stop him from improving. In fact, he is able to perform the Kuguari Style: Gridlock Seal Technique as a chunin, a technique that once took 12 Kuguari clan members or one kage-leveled Kuguari and three other Kuguari to do, with the help of the Shu Nokerrogan. By the time he activates the Shu Nokerrogan, he is able to hold his own against Sixth Hokage Naruto Uzumaki, though only for a small time and defeat two of the Nine so far.

Saphiro, despite having his chakra initially sealed, contains a large amount of it, able to create 12 clones during his final test at the academy. As his fights against various foes continued, Saphiro's chakra level increased and enabled him to use techniques that required lots of chakra to perform. By the last sealer, Saphiro's chakra level rose to such heights, he was able to keep his Nokerrogan on for hours at a time, only deactivating it during fights that expended a lot of chakra. While in Kimza Chronicles, he could only use the Fire Release: Exploding Fireworks Technique twice times a day, three times with the Nokerrogan's help, he would use it five to six times in The Last Sealer and still have chakra to spare. He also had enough chakra to meet the heavy demands of Shu Nokerrogan and even fight during its first activation.

Taijutsu
Sapiro was always at least passable in taijutsu, so it was his main focus during his fights in the beginning arc of Kimza Chronicles. His speed was already high enouh during his first fight with Genzo, forcing Genzo to actually go into full alert when others, minus Art Uzuba and Linne Kechkuro, had a hard time catching him. He was also able to keep up with Yatsu's attacks for a short time. After defeating Genzo for the first time, Saphiro's technique increases with help from his Vortex Technique and further with the Nokerrogan. His abilities soon outmatch most of his old teammates and friends, with Genzo Nekiogama, Gen Nakaido, and Neji Hyuga rivalling him.

Saphiro has always displayed an above-average degree of strength. During his initial battles in the series, he was able to surprise Genzo during their one-one-one bout and injure Yatsu when Kaede, Art, and Gen were unable to. He also shows his strength when he is able to stop Genzo's Gigantic Jojetsu Drill Strike with one hand. He also has great durability, able to take a head on blast from Yatsu's Wind Release: Palm Cannon and keep fighting. He soon increases his durability further when actually withstanding and retaliating to Ezemaru's attacks when others were unconscious or worse. Later on, he is able to fight gigantic beasts such as Bukarok, Asura, and Issaru and endure their attacks.

Saphiro's speed was the true basis on his taijutsu, enabling him to dodge Genzo's quick attacks and counterstrike. Even without jutsu helping him, he was able to dodge and keep-up with Ezemaru, a shinobi who was once kage of his own village. Upon learning the Vortex Technique and the Nokerrogan, his speed increases further. With this increase, he was able to keep ahead of Bukarok when evading his Wasp Wing Slicer and outmatch Gen during their one-one-one fight. Once learning the Shu Nokerrogan, Saphiro can nearly match the half the speed of Naruto, one of the fastest shinobi in the series so far.

Vortex Technique
Saphiro's first and most used technique in both Kimza Chronicles and the Last Sealer is the the Vortex Technique, one of the two main Kimza kekkei genkai. Using the Vortex Technique, Saphiro is able to create a dimensional rift in the same plane of the world and use it to travel to anywhere within his sight. This technique made Saphiro a unpredictable fighter who could fight at all ranges. At first, Saphiro could only make one vortex at a time, but by the end of Kimza Chronicles, Saphiro mastered the Multiple Vortex Technique. As of now, Saphiro can currently make 17 vortexes at once.

Using the Multiple Vortex Technique, Saphiro can use the Kimza Ruryu, a fighting style that allows the user to strike at a weak point, teleport out of a counterattack, and return to strike again. He can also use various vortexes for other means, such as sealing and containing objects until he needs them.

Summoning Technique
As one of the Kimza, Saphiro is able to summon giant wasps after recieving the respective summoning scroll from Arizogakure. His signature summon wasp, Ejei is special among wasp summons. Ejei is able to mold Saphiro's chakra with his when needed and activate his own Nokerrogan, storing chakra and delievering it to Saphiro when he needs it. Ejei is also capable of Wind Release techniques, increasing the effectiveness of Saphiro's techniques.

Ejei is also able to create various cocktails of poisons for various effects, such as paralysing a victim or creating a truth serum effect. Saphiro regularly injects himself with samples of Ejei's vemom mixtures to gain immunity to their effects. So far, this has worked to great success, such as when Linne's Liquid Death Drop merely numbed his body when on others it could potentially kill within minutes.

Nature Transformation
As a member of the Kimza clan, Saphiro is adept at using Wind Release techniques, and is quite efficient with it such as when he is using the Wind Release: Spiraling Impulse Technique and its larger counterpart. He is also able to channel wind chakra into his Kimza Weapons to make them more damaging and durable.

Despite being more focused on Kimza clan jutsu, Saphiro is also a member of the Tokomiya clan and is able to use Fire Release ninjutsu as well. The first example is when he performed the Fire Release: Exploding Fireworks technqiue perfectly within a couple of weeks when it took Gen, a fire ninjutsu expert, almost two years to master it. He is also able to channel wind chakra into these techniques as well, such as when he infused wind chakra into the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique to make the Fire Release: Hollow Flame Bullet.

After joining Shinziro at the end of Kimza Chronicles, Saphiro learned how to combine the two natures to create the explosive and lethal Blast Release. His most used example is Blast Release: Palm Cannon Technique, when he channels fire chakra into a supercondensedwind sphere and heat it to great temperatures. He then slams his hands into his target, creating an outward funnel that tunnels into the ground, knocks the target back, causes impact damage and severe burning, and has the possibility of igniting or incinerating anything in the funnel's path. It's power apparently is augmented in sunlight or heavy wind. Another example is the Blast Release: Firestorm Technique, where Saphiro creates a raging tornado and ignites it, burning and tearing into anything in its wake.

Nokerrogan
Saphiro first activated the Nokerrogan when he was six while playing ninja with Genzo Nekiogama, with both eyes having two pillars in the iris. It was quickly sealed by the Konoha council and Saphiro's memory of it was erased. He reactivated it ten years later during his fight against Ezemaru in Arizo, this time with three pillars in each eye. While fighting Bukarok his Nokerrogan matured with four pillars in each eye, then five while fighting Ryo and Hazuko of Shinziro, and finally the mature six while training shortly before the Asura Invasion Arc, though it had degressed to five pillars during the battle with Asura. Saphiro's Nokerrogan slowly increased the speed of making vortexes as well as the strength of the Kimza Weapons. Once fully mature, Saphiro could now use the Multiple Vortex Technique, making the Kimza Ruryu more effective.

While the Nokerrogan seemed pretty normal during Kimza Chronicles, In the Last Sealer, it became more unique than other Nokerrogan. In the Last Sealer, Saphiro was now able to channel wind chakra into his Kimza Weapons, making them elemental instead of empowered by chakra. He could also dismiss genjutsu easier and also gained the ability slowly siphon chakra.

It was eventually stated that the amount of pillars in a normal Nokerrogan was three at max, and only more if that Kimza contained a higher than usual chakra and a great potential for jutsu. Saphiro took the time to notice that Ezemaru had six pillars in one eye, but only four in the other. But, it was also noted that the pillars only meant that the user had potential to grow stronger, not that they granted power. That made Saphiro potentially stronger than Ezemaru by the end of Kimza Chronicles.

Shu Nokerrogan
Saphiro awakened the Shu Nokerrogan during his battle against Issaru when his desperation to win and protect his friends reached a critical level. His irises change from bluish-green to a bright blue that flows with chakra, and every pillar in the eye fuses with the pillar next to it to form three large pillars that glow dark blue from chakra. Saphiro's Shu Nokerrogan is the first to seen and used in more than 50 years.

The Shu Nokerrogan, like the Mangekyo Sharingan, has its share of drawbacks. First, the user must be placed in a situation where their need to reach a higher level of power must be at critical, near a mental breakdown. Next, the dojutsu will drain about 3/4 of the user's current chakra to activate. The third is a strict time limit that is around five minutes for the dojutsu to be active. The last is that after the jutsu is deactivated by reaching the time limit, the maximum amount of chakra the user can contain is cut by approximately one-half, though it can drop further depending on much chakra was used during Shu Nokerrogan, added with extreme fatigue. After the first activation, the user can now enter Shu Nokerrogan at will, but the other downfalls are still active. Also, the user must not use the Nokerrogan for least a week until their chakra is at maxiumum capacity again.

The Shu Nokerrogan gives the user a higher range of power and technique. For example, Saphiro is able to use perform the Blast Release: Firestorm Technique, a jutsu he had trouble with doing before. Also, his Kimza Weapons reach another level of power, where he now add fire chakra to his weapons as well as wind chakra. Also, he gains the ability to create vortexes with just the raise of his hand, just like Ezemaru, something he couldn't do with just the Nokerrogan alone.

Also, the Shu Nokerrogan seemingly unlocks the seal that was placed in the Kimza clan's eyes by the First Kimza long ago. Saphiro is told by the First Kimza after his first activation of the Shu Nokerrogan that he must learn and master three of the most powerful Kuguari clan jutsu ever known: the Kuguari Style: Gridlock Seal Technique, the Kuguari Style: Mystic Step Technique, and the Kuguari Style: Banishing Vortex Technique, in order to defeat a great evil. Saphiro has so far learned the Girdlock Seal Technique, but has yet to master it fully.

Rinnegan
Saphiro had only awakened the Rinnegan once, during the movie arc "Heroes Through Time", when fighting alongside Nagato and Naruto to defeat the Time-Space ninja Koushiro. Unlike the traditional Rinnegan, Saphiro recieved the Banishing Vortex Technique, but had forgotten the Gridlock Seal Technique. Also, he was not able to use the Six Paths of Pain, moreso he was one of the Six Paths of Pain for a while, curteousy of Nagato. That being said, Saphiro was able to instantly learn the Banishing Vortex Technique to defeat and seal Koushiro for all time. Afterwards, to prevent a search for the Rinnegan in the future by malevolent forces, Nagato used Rinnegan Extinguishment to erase he Rinnegan and reawaken Saphiro's Nokerrogan.

Despite what happened, Nagato also stated that the Rinnegan could be a natural evolution after the Shu Nokerrogan, but only after many years of training and unlocking the true secrets behind the eight main elemental natures.

Intelligence, Deception, and Determination
Despite being downgraded back in academy when it came to physical matters, Saphiro was considered a genius when it came to his high writen test scores. He was able to deduce the nature of Genzo's Steel Release Techniques and even pinpointed a weakpoint on Yatsu when he found out the latter's guard pattern. After leaving Konoha and joining Shinziro, Saphiro was able to rise from the ranking of just an average recruit to one of the Nine in just ten months due to finding out how Shinziro's hierarchy worked. His intelligence is further proved when he revealed that he actually never left the village totally due to hate, but to actually to find the tie between Shinziro and the Four Guardian Beasts.

Saphiro is also very deceptive and unpredictable in battle. His usage of the Vortex Technique enables him to keep opponents guessing and strike when everything is in his favor. Though he relied on brute force during his first battles in Kimza Chronicles, his deception enables him to take care even opponents far more experienced and powerful than him on an even field. His deception also enabled him to escape from Shinziro and be willingly imprisioned by Konoha shinobi to deliver facts on the terrorist group to the council.

Saphiro is also known for his determination and objection to back down. Even when against the most powerful of opponents, he tries his best to stand up and keep fighting. Though many opponents mistake his resolve for foolishness, they eventually praise his deterimination in the end, especially when he finds a reliable strategy or a powerful and accurate technique.

Beginning Arc
The series started with Saphiro in the middle of a dream being attacked by a middle aged man; in which the dream was the Living Nightmare Technique used by Ezemaru in an attempt to find him. After being awakened by the basic jutsu teacher, Ino Yamanaka, Saphiro slowly calmed down. Later, after being harassed by Genzo, Saphiro and the rest of his class took the final test of the academy before they become ninja. Saphiro seemed to have failed it when he tried to initiate the Clone Technique, but Ino's encouragement along with his frustration awakens his Immature Nokerrogan, enabling him to create more than 10 clones and pass.

After passing, Saphiro, Kaede, and Art were put into a squad with the legendary Gen Nakaido as their sensei. After a short clash with the ideal of beating Genzo, Saphiro stated that he would beat Genzo the next day. This prompted Gen with a wager that whoever lost the fight had to do 325 push-ups everyday for a month, which Saphiro accepted. Later, when Saphiro and Genzo fight, the former is beaten down with the later taunting his lack of skills in the process. Though soundly defeated, Saphiro started his push-ups and vowed to become stronger in the future.

After a couple of weeks of small missions, Saphiro, Kaede, and Art left the village area with Gen for the first time to get supplies for Naruto's birthday celebration. The team made it in time to get the supplies and had time to spare. On their way back however, Yatsu, a rouge ninja from Shiragakure and a former adversary of Gen, dropped in suddenly and attacks the group. Saphiro, Kaede, and Art were forced to retreat, but Saphiro decided to go back when he found out that Gen was little match against Yatsu, who was empowered by the Chakra Limitbreak pill. Saphiro managed to distract Yatsu, who was finally damaged by Gen. However, Yatsu was was a powerful opponent, able to defeat Kaede and Art and disable Gen. When Yatsu called Saphiro a loser, this made him relapse to his defeat by Genzo and unlocked his Immature Nokerrogan again, giving an edge on power and actually injuring Yatsu. This wasn't enough, as Yatsu was able to knock Saphiro out with a Wind Release: Pressure Blast Technique, requiring Gen to use the Fire Release: Exploding Fireworks Technique to defeat him. Saphiro woke up hours later and as a result, the mission is failed and the party is postponed.

A few days later, Art, who was Genzo's best friend at the time, made a plan with Genzo to get back at Saphiro for his constant screw-ups. The two attacked Saphiro and Kaede after Kaede attacked Linne for her insulting Saphiro. Genzo moved in to beat up Kaede, but Saphiro got in the way. Genzo and Art attack Saphiro and is about to knock him unconscious when Gen drops in and stops the fight. Art decided to break apart from the team and Genzo gave him one week to prepare, for they will have a second round, which he was certain would end up like round one.

Saphiro trained hard the next three days and slept the fourth due to exhaustion. After forced to drop out of mission by Gen due to his tiredness, Saphiro went to the library to read. He mysteriously comes across the scroll that discloses the Vortex Technique, though further details other than how to use it were unknown. Saphiro tried using the technique, but to no avail. After resting up on Gen's order and help by him and Kaede, Saphiro successfully uses the technique. Art comes by later on the claim that he didn't want to be Genzo's friend anymore (actually, Genzo disclosed to him that he knew that Saphiro had a hidden power and he used his bullying to help him reach it, but told Art not to tell Saphiro about it), and started a friendship with Saphiro.

Saphiro and Genzo fought again where the first fight took place, and Saphiro managed to stay toe-to-toe with Genzo due to his training. During the middle of the fight, Genzo activated the Nekiogama kekkei genkai, the Jojetsu Alloy while Saphiro activated the Immature Nokerrogan and the fight intensified. However, it is the perfect usage of the Warping Vortex Technique that earned him the win. After the fight Genzo revealed his true reasons for being a bully and decided that he and Saphiro no longer had to fight anymore, but could be friends. Saphiro gleefully accepted, earning Genzo's acknowledgement as his equal.

Ezemaru Arc
Four years after the fight with Genzo, Saphiro, now 16 years old, is considered a good shinobi in his own right by the village, especially to Genzo. Saphiro was still suffering from Ezemaru's Living Nightmare Technique but had managed to null the full effects of it. Saphiro was now known as the most unique chunin in his age group, tied with Genzo.

When going on a mission to protect some good as it was transported to Konoha, Saphiro met Ezemaru face-to-face for the first time in more than ten years. Ezemaru was shocked when Saphiro didn't remember him, forcing him to use the Living Nightmare Technique to unlock the last memory of his parents, which was sealed away by the Konoha council years ago. Still unfazed by what happened, Saphiro asked Ezemaru who he is and what he wants. Ezemaru stated it no longer mattered who he was, but he was here to eliminate the last Kimza and attacked Saphiro. Saphiro is unable to land one blow on Ezemaru, who was superior to him in nearly every aspect. Ezemaru however, had no trouble thrashing Saphiro. Saphiro was only able to escape by sealing Ezemaru in a vortex.

Saphiro made it to where he had to be, but passed out from poisoning. After being saved by Sakura Haruno and transported to the Konoha Hospital, Saphiro asked Gen who was Ezemaru and what did he want. Gen replied by saying that Ezemaru was a man on the hunt for the last of the Kimza clan, which was Saphiro. Saphiro was stunned when he found out he hailed from a clan and asked more about it, but Gen told him that he needed rest.

Arizogakure Mission Arc
After being released from the hospital, Saphiro, Kaede, and Art were assembled by the village gate along with Genzo, Linne, and Oro Sirimuchi, and two other teams from their year. They were all assigned on a S-ranked mission to Arizogakure in the Land of Skies to obtain information on Ezemaru and Arizono Kimza. Saphiro was shocked further when he realized that Ezemaru was a member of the Kimza clan as well. Two ANBU by the codenames of Noboru and Masato wer assigned to protect and assist the group. When Saphiro asked why can't more experienced ninja do this mission, Naruto stated that all the Jonin were on the lookout for Ezemaru and protecting the village while most of the ANBU were already in Arizo or wer looking for clues about the mysterious Shinziro group.

Upon leaving the Land of Fire, the group split in half, with Noboru looking over Saphiro, Kaede, Art, Genzo, Linne, and Oro while Masato took care of the other two teams. While in the Land of Steel, home of Shiragakure, the group was attacked by a group of ninja led by Yatsu, who was revealed to survive the fight against Team Gen four years earlier. Yatsu and Saphiro fought one-on-one while the others took on the Shira shinobi. At first, Yatsu was amazed that Saphiro, who was the weakest link of Team Gen years ago, could hold his own now. However, Yatsu called upon the newly found power of the Chakra Limitbreak Pill V2 to roll the advantage of his side. Saphiro was almost defeated when Genzo jumped in and the two work together to crush Yatsu. Before they got a chance to question him, Yatsu blew himself up with paper bombs strapped to his chest.

After a short rest and a couple of weeks of travel, the group made it to the canyon which nestled Arizogakure. After making it down into the canyon, Saphiro was stunned once again to see that most of village was a heap of trash. Playing a competitive game with Genzo's team, Saphiro, Kaede, and Art split from them while Noboru attempts to contact the other group led by Masato. Saphiro decided to let his teammates check the hospital while he observes his ancestral home. When exploring the Iyokage's manor, an explosion caught his attention. He ran outside to find out that Ezemaru escaped the Sealing Vortex and was now face-to-face with him again.

Ezemaru stated that he wanted Saphiro to come and see his home before he died and uses the Living Nightmare genjutsu to kill torture him. Saphiro managed to break the genjutsu and two fought for real, with Saphiro once again standing little chance against him. During their short standoff, Ezemaru told Saphiro that he was the one who destroyed Arizogakure and he wasn't just another Kimza, he was his uncle. Shocked, Saphiro asked Ezemaru why he did it, to which Ezemaru stated he wouldn't understand. Genzo jumps in the fight shortly afterward, who was knocked out by Ezemaru earlier. Saphiro and Genzo fought side by side and somehow managed to gain the upper hand until Ezemaru activated the Nokerrogan. Saphiro realized that he was activating an immature version of it all his life. Using the Nokerrogan, Ezemaru seemingly killed Genzo without any difficulty.

When Saphiro tried to escape, Ezemaru caught him and pinned him down, telling him that his life was over. However, Saphiro's rage frees him and he managed to fight Ezemaru on even ground. Saphiro questions Ezemaru's motives until Ezemaru decided to let Saphiro see it on his own. Using the Living Nightmare Technique, Saphiro watches the years up to, during, and after the destruction of Arizo and the genocide of the Kimza clan. It is also revealed that Ezemaru saw the Kimza and Kuguari clans as bloodthirsty and power-hungry, even his own brother and Saphiro. And the only way to stop them and their lust for war was to release Bukarok the Wasp Beast and murder everyone affiliated with the two clans.

After the story was finished, Saphiro, who was appalled that Ezemaru would do such a thing to his own family, even if it was for the right cause, finally awakened the true Nokerrogan for the first time since he was six. The two fought and exchange ideals. Ezemaru stated that Saphiro was the last member of a clan that desired blood and he must be eliminated before he could taste power. When Saphiro retorted by stating what Ezemaru had done, the former Iyokage stops and relents on what he done before Bukarok started to overtake his body. Possessed by Bukarok, Ezemaru attacks Saphiro with all his might and almost kills him when he is attacked from behind by Kaede, Art, and Genzo. Ezemaru escapes, but Bukarok vows to finish the job Ezemaru started. Overwhelmed by grief, trauma, and rage, Saphiro passes out with everyone else.

It is revealed during the Bukarok Arc, that Art, though injured and exhausted, contacted the Konoha Emergency Response Team and carried Saphiro and Kaede home on his back, with the result of promoting him to Jonin.

Bukarok Arc
Shortly upon returning to Konoha and after recovering, Saphiro and his teammates attended a funeral ceremony for the Noboru, Masato, and the four fallen members of Masato's group. Oro's funeral service was held in secret and only members of the Sirimuchi clan attended. Genzo and Linne and survived the events of Arizogakure, but were far too injured to attend the funeral. Later, Saphiro and Kaede attended Art's promotion ceremony.

Afterwards, Saphiro visited Genzo in the hospital. Genzo, who was still awake when Saphiro's Nokerrogan was activated, revealed to Saphiro that he once saw Saphiro use that technique years ago, but never used it again. He then challenges Saphiro to a fight to see who was top between the two. Saphiro initally denied him, saying that he was too injured to be fighting. Genzo attacked Saphiro anyway and the two ended up fighting in the hospital corridor, which got more serious by the second. Saphiro charged up a Kimza Weapon: Kimza Sword, while Genzo rushed towards him with a Jojetsu Style: Ultimate Alloy Drill. Before the two could hurt each other severely, Saphiro was stopped by Gen and Genzo was restrained by Neji. Genzo, who was enraged by his lack of skill to protect Linne, cursed Saphiro and his clan before going back to his room. Saphiro was told by Neji that he'd better leave for his own sake. Saphiro and Genzo stopped exchanging words for a few days.

After a week, Saphiro, Kaede, Art, Gen, and Neji were gathered by the Hokage to recieve the news that Genzo had gone rouge and left the village, following after four shinobi known as the Four Larva. Saphiro realized that this had to do with Bukarok. Naruto gave the five shinobi the mission to find Genzo and bring him back, or kill him if necesary. He tells the group that Neji was his team leader and Team Gen was his close friends, making them the best suited for the mission.

Upon leaving Konoha, Saphiro is forced to leave his teammates, Gen, and Neji behind one by one as they fight against one of the Four Larva. Eventually, Saphiro catches up with Genzo, who stated that he had willingly joined them to gain the power to defeat Saphiro and eventually avenge Oro and Linne by killing Bukarok.

When Saphiro asked why he would use Bukarok's chakra if Bukarok was the one who harmed his friends, Genzo replied by saying that if Bukarok's chakra is what made Ezemaru strong, it would make him strong too. Saphiro retorted, saying that Ezemaru was a kage-leveled shinobi long before he met Bukarok. However, Genzo stated that if he could beat Saphiro, who was strong enough to stand to Bukarok, why couldn't he. The two then fought against each other, the true third round they always dreaded.

Throughout the fight, Saphiro and Genzo were evenly matched, down to their level with their kekkei genkai. Genzo slowly reveals throughout the fight that he always knew that Saphiro was a powerful shinobi, ever since he first saw the Nokerrogan years ago. And, that even though Genzo was a genius and a child prodigy in his clan, Saphiro would eventually come and surpass him. He finally added that he vowed to become stronger than him, in order to one day challenge and crush him. Realizing that he was Genzo's reason for being so powerful, Saphiro reminded Genzo that he was defeated before, and that made him want to surpass Genzo. Genzo stated that their time for talk was over, and only one person would be the true top dog. At the end of their fight, Saphiro combined the speed of the vortex technique the accuracy of the Kimza Arrow to grab the win.

Defeated and battered, Genzo told Saphiro that he only wanted to avenge his friends, and his lust for vengeance almost cost him his life. He was foolish to use his friend as a stepping stone to power. He finally accepted that only Saphiro could beat Bukarok now and promised to turn his life around. After Neji collects the unconscious Genzo, Saphiro, Art, Kaede, and Gen go to face Bukarok in his Great Hive.

Once inside the Great Hive, Bukarok, who had complete control over Ezemaru, told the four that he was only steps away from destroying the Kuguari's clan's legacy. Saphiro finally put the pieces together and revealed that Bukarok was the mastermind behind the destruction of Arizo and the Kimza genocide. Bukarok praised Saphiro's deduction and stated that only the power of the Kuguari could destroy him, but Ezemaru would die as well. Ezemaru, who was remorseful from what he done, told Saphiro that he would be fine with it and the Kimza must survive to begin a more peaceful legacy. Saphiro, along with Gen, Kaede, and Art fought against Bukarok, but they are too hurt from the fights before to deal significant damage. Before Bukarok could land the final blow, Ezemaru regained control of his body long enough to inflict a mortal wound. Saphiro, whose Nokerrogan gained an extra pillar in each eye, unlocked and used the Kimza Hammer to crush Bukarok and force his essence to flee into the unknown.

In his last moments of life, Ezemaru apologized to Saphiro, though he knew what he did could never be reversed. Saphiro comforted his uncle, saying that Bukarok corrupted him into beleving his clan was attempting world subjugation and he was forced to be Bukarok's pawn for 24 years. He finally added that his uncle may have been a part of the clan's downfall, but he redeemed himself in the end. Saphiro watched as his uncle died with a smile on his face.

After buring Ezemaru in the Konoha forest and returning home, Saphiro was suddenly hit with a dark and lonely truth: he was now the last living member of the Kimza clan. Kaede, Art, and Gen reconcille with him, saying that the village of Konoha and his friends were always with him to the end.

Nokerrogan Training Arc
A few days after Ezemaru's death, Saphiro was awarded a village award for defeating Ezemaru and returning peace to the world as well as letting the Kimza clan have its peace. Saphiro secretly revealed that Ezemaru killed himself in the sake of redemption. He then found more mysterious scrolls a few days later, this time on Nokerrogan techniques. He then starts training in order to become a more powerful Kimza clan shinobi. He then remembers that he hails from two clans, and wishes for a chance to visit the Tokomiya clan one day.

Ryo and Hazuko Arc
After about a couple of weeks of normal routine, Konoha was attacked by two men. It is revealed to be Ryo and Hazuko, two members of Shinziro. They attacked the village to find Saphiro and his Nokerrogan. Saphiro is found by the Shinziro operatives and were attacked by them. Saphiro managed to hold them off until he was tackled and pinned down by Hazuko and his blood is drawn into a vial by Ryo. The two then used his blood and a special kinjutsu to create a puppet which acts totally like Saphiro, down to his Nokerrogan. Saphiro chased down the two Shinziro operatives and fights them in the forest. Ryo operated the clone, but it was defeated easily by Saphiro. After Genzo joined in the fight, Ryo and Hazuko escaped, dropping the puppet in the forest.

Raigetzo Arc
After what happened, Saphiro, along with Genzo reported on what happened in the forest to Naruto. Suddenly, the village was attacked again, this time by the very puppet Saphiro defeated the in the forest. The puppet, who called itself Raigetzo, ordered to face Saphiro. The puppet was defeated again, but Bukarok's essence seeped into Raigetzo, giving the puppet a power boost. The puppet was able to severly injure Saphiro using its mastery of the Kimza Weapons. It was finally stopped by Naruto himself.

For the rest of the arc, Saphiro, comatose and struggling to live, was kept in intensive care. It was only by Linne, Kaede, Art and Sakura's journey to the Rose Glade that Saphiro was saved by the Blood Recreation Technique and was able to come to again.

New Team Neji Arc
Shortly after Saphiro was released from the hospital, he was met by Taro Hyuga, one of his younger friends and the son of Neji. He told Saphiro that his father wants to put him in his squad along with Genzo and Linne. However, he just wanted to become a botanist instead. Despite Saphiro and his friend's help, Taro eventually joined Neji's team after being shown the pride that his father has in him as a shinobi.

Tokomiya Training Arc
After a few missions, Saphiro was given a letter by the Tokomiya clan to come to Luragakure and train in Fire Release techniques of the Tokomiya. After setting up, Saphiro and Gen head back to the Land of Skies to its capital of Luragakure. Upon entering the village, the Tokomiya clan welcomes him as their own, since he was the son of one of the highest ranking Tokomiya in the village.

Saphiro and Gen trained with Saito Tokomiya, one of the greatest fire masters in the Land of Skies. Saito taught Saphiro how to combine his two natures of fire and wind together to fuel the flames and superheat wind. One example Saphiro created was the Fire Release: Hollow Flame Bullet. Saito also taught Saphiro and Gen about increasing their external body heat with chakra to increase the damage of their physical strikes. Gen used it to some success, but Saphiro couldn't use it at all since his Kimza clan genes were stronger, thus making Wind Release techniques more suited for him.

At the end of their training, Saphiro and Gen fight against Saito head on. Even though Saito was more powerful, Saphiro and Gen used their combined strength and jutsu to take Saito down. After their battle, Saphiro is suprised they won without resorting to his Nokerrogan. Saito encouraged the two to train more and challenge him again one day.

Asura Invasion Arc
After returning from Lura, Saphiro and other shinobi of Konoha were gathered by Naruto to hear that the Asura Village declared war on Konoha. The reasons why declaring the war were known, but Naruto stated that the Asura Village had a powerful weapon on their side, Asura the White Scorpion, another of the Four Guardian Beasts. This meant that this village was to be dealt with fast.

Saphiro was placed in the 3rd Konoha Defense Division along with Kaede, Art, Genzo, Linne, and Taro. Their job wa back up the 1st and 2nd Defense Divisions in battle, but otherwise lead noncombatants out of the war-zone. Gen, who was placed the the 1st Offensive Division along with the other members of the former Konoha 11, told Saphiro to do his job, no matter how hard it gotten.

The two armies of the Asura Village and Konoha met near Kazumogi Plateau and the great battle started. Saphiro and his teammates did their job of leading civilians to Konoha and fighting guerrilla forces when needed. After a while, the battle seemed to be won until Asura was unleashed and Konoha was suffering heavy losses. Saphiro, not wanting another Guardian Beast to bring bloodshed and utter destruction, fled from the group to make his way to Kazumogi Plateau.

On the plateau, he watched as Naruto, using the full power of the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, battled against Asura, who had reached full power as well. The battle seemed evenly matched, and Saphiro used the full might of his mature Nokerrogan to help Naruto win. However, Asura caught onto what was going on and attacked Saphiro. Despite Saphiro's power, he was no match against the Guardian Beast, and he was pinned down.

Naruto managed to save Saphiro and ordered him to retreat, but he was attacked from behind by Asura and flung into the forest below. Assuming a human form, Saphiro and Asura fought again, but with the same result. Saphiro manages to warp away using the Vortex Technique, but Asura catches up with him and beats him down a third time.

Before Saphiro could be finished off, he is saved by Naruto, along with Gen, Neji, Sakura, and Saito, who had came from Lura to help. Naruto orders Saphiro to stand back and he and his teammates rush in to fight Asura again. While Saphiro watches, he realizes that he was no stronger than Ezemaru at his age, but he has to do what he could to protect the village. He then rushes into battle again, using a Kizma Sword to pierce Asura's skin.

Saphiro and Asura then have a short conversation. Asura reveals that he attacked the village because he sensed Bukarok's energy fade, and that could only mean that the last Sealer was alive and ready to seal them or possibly unseal Tenga Hell and release the many beasts within it, and the only way to achieve peace was to destroy the village where the Sealer lived. Asura then attacks again, injuring everyone fighting him and injuring Naruto severly.

Desperate to win, Saphiro pushes his Nokerrogan to its very limit and uses it to perform the Wind Release: Severing Impulse Technique, a jutsu only Ezemaru used and mastered. Then, he blasted the Guardian Beast with a barrage of Fire Release: Hollow Flame Bullets. He finished the beast off with a gigantic Kimza Arrow.

After Asura's defeat, the Asura village, which was actually just a group of unknown shinobi possessed by Asura, fled into the unknown. Konoha suffered heavy casualties, with Naruto being too injured to lead the village at the time. Title of temporary leader and canidate Seventh Hokage was given to the elder Otoshi Magare for the while.

Defection from Konoha Arc
Shortly after Otoshi's nomination, the elder's first order was to find Saphiro and place him under arrest. However, Kaede, Art, Genzo, Linne, Taro, Gen, and Neji found Saphiro in time and helped him hide while the ANBU were searching for him. While hiding, Saphiro wondered if he was the last Sealer that Asura was talking about. While he is hiding, he is found by Kazuyo Genke, an operative of Shinziro. Figuring out who he was, Saphiro fought the man for a while when Kazuyo revealed that he didn't want to fight, but rather talk.

He told Saphiro that the reason Otoshi was after him was because that Saphiro was the last member of the Kuguari clan, the only clan left in existance that could seal the Four Guardian Beasts of the Gates of Hell or unseal the Gate of Tenga Hell itself. Otoshi had plans to make sure Saphiro was either confined as a prisoner in Konoha or executed before he could make the wrong move. This finally breaks a seal made by the elders long ago in Saphiro's mind. It was revealed that this was their plan all along, since the Kuguari clan was one of the most powerful clans in existance. The elders knew that if Saphiro gained enough power, he could destroy the village. So, to protect the village, Saphiro's memory was erased, all info on Arizo was hidden, and a seal on Saphiro's mind was made. And, if Saphiro's seal was ever broken or he reached a Nokerrogan with six pillars, orders to imprison or execute him were to be followed, to which both happened too fast.

That being said, Kazuyo gave Saphiro an ultimatum, leave the village and earn protection from Konoha by Shinziro, or stay in the village and remain their pawn or become worse. Saphiro struggled with his decisions, but became enraged when he realized that everyone he once loved and respected were probably afraid of him and were keeping watch of him, including his friends. This caused Saphiro to renounce his position as a shinobi of Konoha. He vowed to only come back when his friends needed him most, only to never return again when his job was done.

With his pride and trust in Konoha gone, Saphiro destroyed his forehead protector and left a goodbye note on each of his friends doorsteps. Accompanied by Kazuyo, Saphiro left Konoha, becoming a missing-nin and a member of the terrorist group Shinziro.

The Last Sealer
Ten months passed since Saphiro defected from Konoha and joined the Shinziro Tenga Group. Other those months, Saphiro had slowly climbed the rankings of the group, from a mere recruit to one of the Nine, the nine most powerful field operatives in the group. Meanwhile, Saphiro was wanted by many Hidden Villages and Konoha sent out search parties to find them. Saphiro came to the conclusion that his time in hiding was over.

Hunt for Saphiro Arc
After recieving mission orders from their commanding officers, Saphiro and his partners Izuma Hadou and Negumi Sorren went out towards the forest west of Konoha to find residual Guardian Beast essence. However, the group is ambushed by Kaede, Art, their new teammate Kenno Sagii, Genzo, Linne, and Taro, all led by Gen. Izuma and Negumi are knocked unconscious and Saphiro is left standing.

His former friends stated that he was a high A-rank criminal and he was going back to Konoha to be questioned, by force if necessary. When Saphiro asked if Naruto is alright, Gen told him that Naruto is alive, but still healing from the wounds he recieved fighting Asura, so Otoshi is now the full fledged Seventh Hokage. Saphiro replied by stating that as long as Otoshi was Hokage, he wasn't going anywhere. This results in the entire group attacking him. Saphiro managed to knock out Linne, and incapacitate Art, Kaede, and Taro, but is impressed that they all improved so much. However, Kenno, Genzo, and Gen stood their ground.

Kenno attacked Saphiro next, using his skill of Shurikenjutsu and Kunaijutsu to keep Saphiro at range. This prompted Saphiro to activate his Nokerrogan and use a barrage of Kimza Arrows to overpower Kenno before kicking him unconscious. Genzo attacked afterwards, but his Jojetsu at a new level of power. Saphiro manages to defeat him as well and only Gen remains.

Gen told Saphiro that he is coming back to Konoha, no matter what. He also reveals that an old friend of his escaped to Shinziro and he will not allow another powerful clan member to side with evil. With that said, Gen activated his new supplementary ninjutsu, the Mitochondrial Overdrive. The two then fight again and seemed to be evenly matched. However, Gen used his mastery of Fire Release techniques to push Saphiro back. However, the Mitochondrial Overdrive took its toll on Gen as it severely exhausted him. Before Saphiro could take him out though, Neji arrived in time and used his Eight Trigrams: Debilitating Chop to render the Kimza unconscious.

Return to Konoha Arc
After recovering from Neji's taijutsu strike, Saphiro found himself in Konoha's Maximum Security Shinobi Prison. As he planned a way to get out, he was greeted by Otoshi, who said that he would eventually get caught one day. Saphiro replied by stating that he would get out, and he would find out why Otoshi was obssessed with becoming Hokage. Otoshi grabbed him by his throat and lifted him up, saying that if it wasn't for Naruto and his mercy, he would've executed him the moment he landed in Konoha. However, he would have a trial soon, and maybe Saphiro would finally get the justice Konoha deserved. Otoshi then left to leave Saphiro to ponder his words.

Saphiro was later taken to Naruto's housing in the Hyūga Compound. Naruto told Saphiro that he was right to be scared about what was happening to him, but he was wrong for leaving. Saphiro retorted by saying that if he didn't, he probably would've been dead by now. Naruto laughed a little and told the Kimza that Otoshi may have the title of Hokage, but he still has the power and he would've never allowed any harm to befall him. Saphiro was taken back to his cell afterwards.

Once within the cell again, Saphiro's 9 tattoo on his arm flickered, which meant that Shinziro figured out that he was captured and he had to be either rescued or killed. Saphiro decided to keep a watch on both Konoha and Shinziro for a while until he figured out which side was truly against him.

Forgotten Bonds Arc
After another week or so in prison, Saphiro was later released to roam throughout the village, but was watched from afar by ANBU and sniper-nin. Saphiro decided that he would revisit his former friends and ask about their reaction on his leaving. First, Saphiro visited Kaede's house, but once Kaede knew who was at the door, she slammed it in his face. Saphiro visited Art next, who told Saphiro that Kaede was shocked and heartbroken over what happened and that heartbrokenness eventually turned into resentment. Art revealed that Kaede was ready to kill Saphiro is it was needed.

After talking to Art a bit more, Saphiro went to the Nekiogama Estate and spoke with Genzo. Genzo told Saphiro that he held no resentment towards Saphiro, but he was wrong to not believe that his friends wouldn't protect him. Linne added that they all loved him, but not trusting them and joining Shinziro withdrew a good amount of their trust. Saphiro went to the Hyūga compound to check on Taro, but Neji stood in the way, telling the Kimza that if he wanted to talk to his son, he had to mature first. Saphiro initially thought about fighting Neji to talk to Taro, but realized that Neji was right.

Finally, Saphiro went to talk to Kenno. Kenno was a member of Team 23, but his friends were killed by Ezemaru in Arizogakure and he was injured for a long time. He was finally admitted into Team Gen two months after Saphiro defected. Kenno didn't want to talk to Saphiro either, stating that he hurt Kaede and the rest of friends badly. Also, Saphiro was scum to him, not a friend or a associate in any way. After leaving, Saphiro finally realized that his friends were true to him, though his trust in Konoha in general was still in question.

Returning to his cell, Saphiro decided that he would train until he found a way to get his friends back aas well as find a way to get the trial to turn to his way. He caught a glance of his flickering tattoo and finally made the pact to show Konoha what Shinziro was up to without any interrogation.

Saphiro vs. Yushiro Arc
Saphiro was released again two weeks later for his free roaming. On his way to the Nekiogama Sweet Shop, Saphiro was contacted by Ino and was told to head to the Hokage's residence immediately. Once getting there, Saphiro was greeted by Otoshi, members of the Cipher Corps, a few interrogation specialist, a few elders, and Naruto himself. Otoshi stated that he was going to be interrogated to find out any information on Shinziro. Saphiro allowed the Cipher Corps and interrogation specialists to combs his memories to find information. However, they found little important information, and it was shown that Saphiro was a mere agent.

After gathering more information, the Cipher Corps and interrogation specialists left. Naruto and Saphiro followed shortly after while the elders spoke to Otoshi. Saphiro revealed to Naruto that he was not just a grunt. He was actually a member of the Nine, but other than that, it seemed like his memories from joining Shinziro up to his capture were blank. Naruto inferred that Saphiro was suffering from a genjutsu used to erase important details if the target of the genjutsu was important. Naruto stated that the only way to get the rest of his memories back was to combat Shinziro.

Back at the Hyūga Compound, Naruto told Saphiro that his former team and Team Neji were off towards the Land of Skies to combat Yushiro Gentake, Number Eight of the Nine. Saphiro quickly remembered who Yushiro was, a taijutsu specialist who was also a Lightning Release master. Naruto also revealed that there was a strong chance that Issaru the Blue Spider Monkey, another of the Four Guardian Beasts, was in that location. Naruto gave Saphiro his first official mission since returning to provide back-up for his friends. Naruto gave Saphiro a new outfit and told him that someone would escort him to the Land of Skies. When Saphiro asked Naruto why he trusted him when the others couldn't, Naruto told him that he once had a friend who did many wrongs, but in the end decided to make up for it just like he wanted to.

Saphiro was met at the gate by Saito, who told Saphiro that he heard about what happened but was proud that he wanted to do what he could to absolve himself. As the two travelled to the Land of Skies, Saphiro and Saito talked about what happened over the last year and Saito revealed that Shinziro assaulted their village months ago to capture a Tokomiya clan member, just to get pushed out by Lura shinobi. The two also had a sparring session, with both fighters equally matched.

Once arriving in the Land of Skies, Saphiro activated his Nokerrogan and pinpointed that his friends were not too far from their location, and they were in dire need of help. Arriving to the location, Saphiro found almost everyone injured and unconscious and Neji, Art, and Gen barely standing. Saphiro and Saito joined in and seemed to have turned the tide, until Yushiro used the Chakra Limitbreak Pill V3 to increase his power. Then Saphiro finally figured out who Yushiro was, Yatsu of Shiragakure. Yushiro commended Saphiro on his find, but said that his life was over, knowing he would eventually turn on Shinziro.

Saphiro stated that he wanted to fight Yushiro alone, and this time he would beat him. As the two fought against each other, Yushiro stated that he would always be stronger than Saphiro. He said that he was stronger when he was young, when they fought in the Land of Steel, during his rise to one of the Nine, and even now. Despite Yushiro's lightning abilities, Saphiro remained standing and determined. Saphiro finally stated that a number means nothing, and he was training to use a new ability. Fusing his skill of Fire Release and Wind Release together, Saphiro used Blast Release to perform the Blast Release: Palm Cannon Technique for the first time, severely injuring Yushiro and winning the fight.

When Yushiro asked how did the boy surpass him in so little time, Saphiro revealed that he trained to become stronger while he resorted to cheating with those pills. Finally out of chakra, Yushiro died once and for all. Saphiro was surprised an proud to see that he he defeated one of the Nine, but knew that his friends softened him up before he got there. Gen stated that they could look for Issaru, but they were too weak to fight it. The best plan of action was to return home and recover. Saphiro, Gen, Art, and Neji carried their unconscious teammates home afterwards.

Issaru Arc
After recovering from his wounds, Saphiro is released from prison to head over to the Hokage's residence. Inside the room, he is joined by Team Gen and Genzo. Otoshi told the six that their mission would be to find and destroy Issaru before Shinziro could get their hands on it. When Gen asks why more experienced ninja couldn't handle this, Otoshi told them that Saphiro would be a valuable asset due to his Kimza heritage.

Saphiro activated his Nokerrogan and the group went towards the east to find Issaru. Along the way, Saphiro wondered why Otoshi had so much confidence in him when before he wanted the Kimza dead. He also wondered if his friends had more respect for him since he defeated Yushiro and saved him. He decided to think that saving them wasn't enough to earn their trust.

Upon reaching the edge of the Land of Fire, the group encountered Issaru. At first, the Guardian Beast stated that it didn't want anything to do with humans. However, it caught the scent of Saphiro and then said that if the last Sealer wanted its power, he would have to pound it into submission. Before Saphiro could think about what it said, he and the rest of the group were attacked by the Guardian Beast.

Despite their combined efforts and his fully mature Nokerrogan, Saphiro, Kaede, Art, Kenno, Gen, and Genzo were little match for Issaru, who seemed to be stronger than both Bukarok and Asura. Saphiro watched as his friends lost the strength to go on one by one. Even Gen reached the end of Mitochondrial Overdrive and his body suffered badly for it. As Saphiro was about to be killed, his desperation to win and crush any enemy in his way reached a height never known before. He shed tears as he vowed to regain his friendships and to do his part to defeat Shinziro. At that moment, his Nokerrogan broke its former limits and evolved into the Shu Nokerrogan for the first time, but his mind enters another realm immediately.

Within his mindscape, Saphiro is greeted by the First Kimza, the first member of the Kimza clan. The first Kimza stated that the Shu Nokerrogan was never meant to be, and its power broke the seal that he made in the Kimza's eyes long ago and unlocked three of the Kuguari clan's most powerful jutsu. However, his vow to do right overpowered the seal an granted him these powers. In exchange for this power, the First Kimza told Saphiro that he must not only defeat Shinziro, but also defeat a great evil that rivalled the power of the Ten-Tails and the malice of Tobi and Madara Uchiha combined. Saphiro promised that he would, and he would train to learn these powers.

With this newfound power surging through him, Saphiro awakened and used his newfound degree of Wind and Fire Release prowess along with his Kimza Weapons to attack Issaru. The Guardian Beast was surprised that Saphiro was injuring it, but it was far from being beaten. Using the chakra boost granted from the Shu Nokerrogan, Saphiro performed the Blast Release: Firestorm Technique to stun it. Using the First Kimza's knowledge, he then used the Kuguari Style: Gridlock Sealing Technique to seal Issaru's essence into a tree.

As his friend awoke, they saw that Saphiro won the fight and protected them from Issaru. Saphiro sincerely apologized to the group and promised that he would be there when he needed them. Art and Genzo forgave him, but Kaede still partially unconvinced. Kenno decided that he would start a new friendship with Saphiro. Saphiro then turns his attention to Gen, who was slowly dying. The group then rushes to return Gen to Konoha.

Trivia

 * According to Ishiino Gerdo's databook:
 * Saphiro's hobbies are reading books and scrolls, training, and searching for ancient artifacts.
 * As of The Last Sealer, Saphiro has completed 253 missions in total: 62 D-rank, 54 C-Rank, 112 B-rank, 22 A-rank, and 3 S-rank. However, as a special ANBU, Saphiro has completed 6 addtional missions.
 * He wishes for a rematch with Naruto Uzumaki, Gen Nakaido, Genzo Nekiogama, and Ezemaru Kimza. He also wishes to fight anyone who is a proven match or even better than him.
 * Saphiro's favorite quote is "A thousand years of heritage in just one book".
 * As of the Bukarok Arc, Saphiro is widely considered the last living Kimza clan member and the last descendant of the Kuguari clan.
 * However, due to also being part of the Tokomiya clan, Saphiro is also the firstmember of a new Kimza clan.