Summary
Zaku Abumi was a Genin from Otogakure who participated in the Chunin exam as part of a team dispatched to assassinate Sasuke Uchiha. Like other Sound ninja, he underwent unnatural physical modifications to boost his capabilities. In Zaku’s case, hollow air tubes were installed in his arms, extending to his hands. This allowed him to project blasts of air and sound in varying ratios by manipulating his chakra. He stood out from his teammates because his backstory was explored, revealing he was a street orphan who survived by stealing and enduring beatings. Orochimaru recruited him, noting his potential and the strength in his eyes. Zaku possessed an unyielding will, willing to sacrifice his life for his mission. During the exam, Zaku saved his partner Dosu from Rock Lee’s lotus attack and subsequently brutalized Sakura Haruno when she tried to stop him from killing Sasuke. After incapacitating her, his team faced Team Asuma. When Sasuke regained consciousness and asked who had harmed Sakura, Zaku claimed responsibility. In retaliation, Sasuke dislocated and severely damaged Zaku’s shoulders. Although his partners retreated, Zaku remained to fight Sasuke alone. Despite his shoulder injuries, he managed to use his arms to defend himself against Shino Aburame during the preliminary rounds. However, his arrogance led him to attack Shino and his swarm of Kekai insects without realizing the chakra-eating bugs had already filled his air tubes. This crippled him, rendering him unable to attack or deal damage. In the manga, Shino’s insects blew off his right arm and sliced his left, while the anime depicted both arms intact but riddled with holes, achieving the same disabling effect. Dosu vowed to avenge his severed arms but failed. Zaku was eventually killed alongside Kin Tsuchi. Their bodies served as sacrifices for Orochimaru’s Impure World Resurrection technique, which was used to summon the First and Second Hokage during their battle with the Third Hokage.
