Recaps

Uchiha Cheng handled missions involving Konoha’s buried explosive tags, Yakumo’s illusions, and Maru Tetsu’s escape while helping Gaara confront the Four Celestial Symbols. After Cheng returned from training with Jiraiya, the Hokage arranged a test of his progress.

• Uchiha Cheng uncovered Grandpa Genno’s plan to destroy Konoha with a network of buried Exploding Tags, persuaded him to stop, and dismantled the remaining tags.
• Uchiha Cheng helped Kurenai and Yakumo reconcile after entering Yakumo’s illusion and explaining why Kurenai had hidden the truth from him.
• Uchiha Cheng and Kiba escorted Flower, Bird, Wind, and Moon, then Cheng joined Sakura and Rock Lee in escorting Maru Tetsu, whose former accomplices attacked them.
• Uchiha Cheng and Todoroki defeated Monju and rescued Todoroki’s brother Akio, then Cheng brought an amnesiac former bandit to the Land of Rice Fields, where the man recovered his memories and tried to atone.
• Uchiha Cheng and Kakashi investigated Artisan Village as Gaara’s group pursued the Four Celestial Symbols, who captured Gaara and used his power to awaken Qingming.
• Uchiha Cheng regrouped the fighters after the Four Celestial Symbols injured him, and the group found Gaara struggling against Shukaku and Qingming’s Chakra.
• Uchiha Cheng returned to Konoha with Jiraiya after training, accepted the Hokage’s challenge to test his progress, and encountered Shikamaru, Temari, and Kakashi.

Uchiha Cheng and his allies fought Akatsuki to rescue Gaara, who was revived through Granny Chiyo’s sacrifice. Back in Konoha, Cheng joined Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Yamato on a mission to find Sasuke, and the team reached Tenchi Bridge.

• Uchiha Cheng passed Kakashi’s bell test with Sakura and formed a team under Kakashi, while Akatsuki attacked Sunagakure and captured Gaara.
• Kakashi, Uchiha Cheng, Sakura, Guy’s team, and Granny Chiyo pursued Akatsuki, but Gaara died after Shukaku was extracted.
• Sakura helped Granny Chiyo defeat Scorpion, while Uchiha Cheng and Kakashi fought Deidara and recovered Gaara’s body.
• Granny Chiyo revived Gaara with her life-restoring technique and died, while Uchiha Cheng’s Nine-Tails power was sealed after he lost control.
• Uchiha Cheng returned to Konoha and joined Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Captain Yamato on a mission to find Sasuke.
• Yamato trained the new team through drills and tests as Naruto and Sai gradually worked together.
• At Tenchi Bridge, Sai scouted the area, and Yamato assigned Uchiha Cheng, Sakura, and Naruto their positions.

Uchiha Cheng and his companions failed to bring Sasuke home, then uncovered a plot involving stolen Guardian Shinobi Twelve corpses and Danzo’s dealings. Sora’s assault devastated Konoha before Cheng helped stop his rampage, and the team left for the Fire Temple when Akatsuki attacked there.

• Uchiha Cheng and his team confronted Orochimaru and Sasuke at Tenchi Bridge, but Sasuke refused to return to Konoha and escaped after a fierce battle.
• Uchiha Cheng discovered that Sai had been ordered by Danzo to approach Orochimaru and kill Sasuke, but Sai chose to help bring Sasuke back instead.
• Sasuke defeated the team’s attempts to reach him and left with Orochimaru, while Uchiha Cheng returned to Konoha and began training in Wind Style with Kakashi and Asuma.
• Uchiha Cheng, Yamato, Sakura, and Asuma investigated stolen tombs at the Fire Temple and fought attackers whose abilities suggested they had been sent by someone from Konoha.
• Tsunade interrogated Danzo as Sora and other attackers launched an assault on Konoha, where Uchiha Cheng fought Sora and helped defend the village from a destructive barrier.
• Uchiha Cheng, Yamato, and Asuma unmasked Kawama as the leader behind Sora’s mission, while Sora’s demon-fox power drove him into a rampage.
• Uchiha Cheng restrained and calmed Sora, and the survivors returned to Konoha to mourn the dead and begin rebuilding.
• Kakashi’s team set out for the Fire Temple after Tsunade ordered them to reinforce it against Akatsuki, and they saw smoke rising as they approached.

Uchiha Cheng trained with summoned toads and joined Kakashi’s team in pursuing Orochimaru’s plans for Yūkimaru and the Three-Tails. After escaping the beast with Guren, Cheng became separated from the others as Lin'er captured Yūkimaru and urged him to take a pill that could strengthen his power.

• Uchiha Cheng helped Shikamaru defeat Hidan and Kakuzu, then grieved with the team after Asuma died and joined Shikamaru’s mission for revenge.
• Uchiha Cheng trained with Jiraiya and learned to coordinate with Gamari and Gamaryu, while Kakashi’s team investigated Orochimaru’s bases and Guren’s crystal attacks.
• Uchiha Cheng’s group found Yūkimaru and fought Guren, rescuing Hinata from a crystal prison before the Three-Tails emerged from the lake.
• Yūkimaru calmed the Three-Tails when it threatened Guren, and Kakashi’s group learned Orochimaru had planned to use Yūkimaru to control the beast.
• Kabuto separated Guren and Yūkimaru, then brought Yūkimaru to the Three-Tails, and during the beast’s rampage, Uchiha Cheng and Guren were swallowed and worked together to escape.
• Uchiha Cheng and Guren fought the miniature Three-Tails inside the beast, while Yūkimaru calmed it from the lake and Sasuke appeared briefly before leaving.
• Uchiha Cheng and Guren escaped as Kakashi’s group began sealing the Three-Tails, while Sai took Yūkimaru into the forest and fought the experimental corps sent to capture him.
• Lin'er captured Yūkimaru after Sai was overwhelmed and offered him a pill to strengthen his power, while Uchiha Cheng and Guren became lost in the fog.