Chapter Summaries

Temari fled with Gaara while Shino Aburame stayed behind to fight Kankuro, allowing Uchiha Cheng and the others to pursue them. Gaara awoke and faced his pursuers despite his weakened state, while both he and Uchiha Cheng neared exhaustion; Shino countered Kankuro’s poison tactic and climbed toward him.

• Temari took Gaara and fled, but Shino Aburame appeared and stayed behind to fight Kankuro while Uchiha Cheng and Naruto pursued Gaara.
• Pakkun noticed the battle and took a detour to track the fleeing group and help Uchiha Cheng’s side catch Gaara.
• Gaara woke during the escape, sent Temari away for her safety, and faced Naruto and the others alone.
• Kankuro released poisonous gas from Crow, and Shino inhaled some before continuing their fight.
• Shino figured out Kankuro’s tactic, used insects to clog Crow’s joints, and climbed toward Kankuro while warning him to defend himself.

Shino Aburame exhausted Kankuro with his insects while Uchiha Cheng and Naruto confronted the transforming Gaara. After Uchiha Cheng hid, Naruto faced Gaara alone and, despite having no Chakra left, launched a third Chidori to pursue his revenge.

• Shino Aburame’s insects overwhelmed Kankuro, leaving both fighters near their limits.
• Uchiha Cheng and Naruto caught up with Gaara as the tailed beast within him awakened and his body began transforming.
• Uchiha Cheng hid after warning Naruto, not realizing Naruto was elsewhere and had not heard him.
• Gaara sensed Uchiha Cheng’s movement, then turned on Naruto as his transformation and rage intensified.
• Naruto struck Gaara with Chidori, but Gaara began turning into sand and growing another tail.
• Despite having exhausted his Chakra and nearing his physical limit, Naruto launched a third Chidori and charged into battle against Gaara.

Uchiha Cheng arrived as Naruto neared collapse in his fight with transformed Gaara, but Sakura was quickly knocked aside when she tried to help. As the battle continued, Uchiha Cheng resolved to fight Gaara alongside Sakura after learning that Naruto and others had been injured.

• Gaara formed a stronger sand body and relentlessly attacked the exhausted Naruto until Uchiha Cheng arrived.
• Uchiha Cheng kicked Gaara away, then learned from Pakkun that Gaara had transformed into a terrifying monster.
• Sakura arrived to help Uchiha Cheng, but Gaara quickly knocked her away, while the injured Naruto could only watch.
• Sakura's intervention reminded Gaara of Yashamaru and stirred painful memories of his past.
• Uchiha Cheng warned Sakura to be careful and decided that he would join her against Gaara.
• Jiraiya led Konoha's defenders through the village emergency, and Uchiha Cheng grew furious after learning that companions had been injured.

Uchiha Cheng and Xiao Ying joined forces against Gaara, but Gaara trapped Xiao Ying and overwhelmed them. Cheng discovered that repeated Thousand Years of Death attacks could injure Gaara, rescued Naruto, and prepared to fight alongside him.

• Uchiha Cheng and Xiao Ying agreed to fight Gaara together, but Cheng’s Summoning Technique produced only a Little Toad.
• Gaara attacked and trapped Xiao Ying in sand, leaving Uchiha Cheng to face him while she warned him to stay careful.
• Uchiha Cheng used Multiple Shadow Clones and Exploding Tag Clothes before striking Gaara with Thousand Years of Death, discovering the attack could hurt him.
• After landing another serious hit on Gaara, Uchiha Cheng rescued Naruto from Gaara’s grasp.
• Naruto thanked Uchiha Cheng and said that companions had to work together to become stronger, and the two prepared to continue fighting Gaara as a team.

Uchiha Cheng and Gamabunta fought Gaara after he trapped Uchiha Cheng, eventually transforming into the Nine-Tails and restraining Xiao Zhang. Gaara woke up but refused to undo the ninjutsu, leaving Uchiha Cheng to seek another way to make him comply.

• Uchiha Cheng hit Gaara with a rapid-fire barrage, but Gaara retaliated by enclosing and trapping him.
• Uchiha Cheng summoned Gamabunta, who broke one of Xiao Zhang's arms before Gaara used his False Sleep Technique to knock him down.
• Gamabunta rescued Uchiha Cheng, and the two merged into the Nine-Tails to bind Xiao Zhang and wake Gaara.
• Uchiha Cheng asked Gaara to undo the ninjutsu, but Gaara refused despite Uchiha Cheng's threat.
• Uchiha Cheng considered joining forces with Gamabunta again and recalled Konoha's principles for resisting attacks and protecting its people.

Uchiha Cheng suppressed Shukaku with the Nine-Tails' power while the Third Hokage died after sealing Orochimaru's hands. Cheng persuaded Gaara to stop fighting and make peace with Temari and Kankuro as Konoha mourned the Third Hokage.

• Uchiha Cheng borrowed the Nine-Tails' power to restrain Shukaku, while the exhausted Third Hokage sealed Orochimaru's hands but could not seal him completely.
• The Third Hokage died, and Orochimaru released his summoning and left Konoha, shaken by the Hokage's sacrifice.
• Uchiha Cheng persuaded Gaara to end their fight, and Gaara agreed to stop before more people were hurt.
• Gaara apologized to Temari and Kankuro, and the three let go of their past grievances.
• The people of Konoha gathered to mourn the Third Hokage as fires burned throughout the village.

After Nightless City began rebuilding, the Konoha adviser asked Jiraiya to become the Fifth Hokage, but Jiraiya recommended Tsunade, who was chosen instead. Later, Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma noticed a suspicious Cloud Patterned Robes member while preparing offerings and planned to capture him.

• Members of Akatsuki arrived in Nightless City wearing Cloud Patterned Robes to reinforce Konoha, and the people of the thirty nations discovered that Orochimaru had killed the Kazekage.
• The Konoha adviser asked Jiraiya to become the Fifth Hokage, but Jiraiya recommended Tsunade, and the adviser agreed to appoint her.
• The Konoha adviser offered Jiraiya three Anbu, but Jiraiya refused and urged him to train newcomers instead.
• Uchiha Cheng gave his last ramen to Konohamaru to ease their strained relationship.
• Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma prepared offerings together and noticed a minor member of the Cloud Patterned Robes move suspiciously, so they planned to capture him.

Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma chased down Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki, who had returned to Konoha, and fought them. Asuma was wounded and Kurenai rescued him, but Itachi turned her genjutsu against her and kicked her into a river.

• Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma split up to pursue a suspicious intruder and discovered he was Uchiha Itachi, with Kisame Hoshigaki also present.
• Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki chose to fight Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma as the villagers stayed clear of the battle.
• Uchiha Cheng searched for his ramen money, but the uncle made him a bowl and let him eat without paying the full price.
• Kisame Hoshigaki wounded Asuma with his greatsword, and Kurenai Yuhi rescued him with genjutsu.
• Uchiha Itachi reflected Kurenai Yuhi's genjutsu back at her and kicked her into the river.

Kakashi joined Asuma and Kurenai in their fight against Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki, while Uchiha Cheng searched for his missing Ramen Coupon at the ramen shop. After finding it and accepting an extra bowl of noodles from the owner, Cheng ignored Jiraiya, who tried to reconnect with him by suggesting they travel and take missions together.

• Kakashi arrived as Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki had defeated Asuma and Kurenai, then joined them in a fierce battle.
• Uchiha Cheng stripped off his clothes to search for his Ramen Coupon, explaining that he did not want to take free ramen from the owner.
• Asuma injured Kisame Hoshigaki with Kakashi's support, and Kakashi saw through and countered Kisame's Water Release.
• Uchiha Cheng found the Ramen Coupon inside his forehead protector, and the owner rewarded him with another coupon and an extra bowl of noodles.
• Jiraiya came to find Uchiha Cheng, but Cheng ignored him, so Jiraiya ordered ramen and suggested that they travel and take missions together.

Jiraiya persuaded Uchiha Cheng to train with him by exploiting Cheng’s jealousy over Kakashi teaching Naruto. Meanwhile, Itachi and Kisame worked together to complete a barrier during their confrontation with Kakashi and the others, leaving Kurenai surprised by Itachi’s speed.

• Jiraiya tried to get Cheng to go with him, but Cheng angrily told him to stop bothering him and said he wanted to be alone.
• Jiraiya offered to teach Cheng ninjutsu and threatened to teach Naruto instead, prompting Cheng to agree to go with him after ramen.
• Kisame tried to avenge Zabuza, but Itachi stopped him and warned that Kakashi had lured him into a trap.
• Kisame agreed to follow Itachi’s orders, drawing the others’ attention while Itachi secretly completed a barrier.
• Kurenai recognized that the group had underestimated Itachi, while Jiraiya happily confirmed Cheng would train with him.

Uchiha Cheng agreed to travel with Jiraiya for training and began packing, while Kakashi’s team continued fighting Uchiha Itachi and his allies. Itachi injured Kurenai Yuhi and used his Mangekyō Sharingan against Kakashi’s group, who tried to protect one another.

• Uchiha Cheng eagerly agreed to travel with Jiraiya if Jiraiya taught him techniques.
• Kurenai Yuhi warned Asuma to watch his surroundings as the battle against Uchiha Itachi’s group continued.
• Uchiha Itachi detonated a Shadow Clone, attacked Kurenai Yuhi from behind, and kicked him into the water, prompting Kakashi and Asuma to rush to his aid.
• Jiraiya visited Uchiha Cheng and told him to pack less for their training journey.
• Uchiha Itachi activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and used genjutsu, so Kakashi told Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma to close their eyes and countered Itachi with his Sharingan.

Kakashi tried to provoke Uchiha Itachi inside Tsukuyomi to discover why he had returned to Konoha, but Itachi tortured him for seventy-two hours in the illusion while only an instant passed in reality. Uchiha Cheng finished packing and left with Jiraiya, forgetting to say goodbye to his companions.

• Kakashi tried to provoke Uchiha Itachi and learn his purpose, but Itachi said he would not be swayed by Kakashi's words.
• Uchiha Cheng daydreamed about becoming stronger under Jiraiya and winning Xiao Ying's affection until Jiraiya told him to pack.
• Uchiha Itachi continued torturing Kakashi in Tsukuyomi for seventy-two hours, while Kakashi endured severe pain.
• Uchiha Cheng packed his clothes and snacks, then left with Jiraiya without saying goodbye to his companions.

Kakashi tricked Uchiha Itachi into revealing that he had come to Konoha seeking the Fourth Hokage’s legacy, which Kakashi suspected was connected to Uchiha Cheng. As Kakashi continued fighting Itachi, he hoped Jiraiya had used their plan to move Uchiha Cheng to safety.

• Kakashi questioned Uchiha Itachi until Itachi admitted he had come looking for the Fourth Hokage’s legacy.
• Kakashi connected the legacy to Uchiha Cheng and worried that Itachi and his group would find him.
• Kakashi recalled that he and Jiraiya had agreed to protect Uchiha Cheng through a diversionary plan, with Kakashi training Naruto and Jiraiya guarding Cheng.
• Kakashi returned his attention to the fight and took comfort in the time he believed he had bought for Jiraiya to move Uchiha Cheng and the others.

Kakashi confronted Uchiha Itachi and his group until Guy arrived and forced them to leave Konoha. Meanwhile, Jiraiya prepared to reveal his identity to Uchiha Cheng as he took responsibility for training him.

• Kakashi provoked Uchiha Itachi, warned Konoha about the Akatsuki, and fainted when Zhang Kai and the others arrived.
• Guy faced Uchiha Itachi and rejected Kisame Hoshigaki's insults, then offered to explain how to counter the Sharingan.
• Guy's explanation failed to help Itachi's group overcome the Sharingan, and Uchiha Itachi called off the confrontation and led them away.
• Uchiha Cheng struggled to carry an oversized backpack and returned to his old one.
• Jiraiya decided to tell Uchiha Cheng his name before beginning to teach him more techniques.

Uchiha Cheng traveled with Jiraiya, learned that he resembled the Fourth Hokage, and became eager to follow his example. Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi and his companions watched from a distance and planned to find Jiraiya’s weakness so they could capture Uchiha Cheng.

• Jiraiya told Uchiha Cheng that he was one of the Three Nin, but Uchiha Cheng dismissed the claim as a joke.
• Jiraiya told Uchiha Cheng that he looked like the Fourth Hokage, and Uchiha Cheng became excited about changing his future and emulating him.
• Naruto asked Xiao Ying not to interrupt his training, and Xiao Ying agreed to stop seeking his attention.
• Uchiha Itachi and his companions held back from attacking Uchiha Cheng because Jiraiya was protecting him, and they decided to search for Jiraiya’s weakness.
• Uchiha Cheng asked Jiraiya to tell him more about the Fourth Hokage, and Jiraiya began describing him as a heroic man who treated others well.

Naruto learned that Uchiha Itachi had injured Kakashi and frantically searched for Uchiha Cheng, eventually following a lead that Jiraiya had taken him east to train. Uchiha Itachi found Cheng first at an inn and demanded that he come along, while Naruto continued searching nearby.

• Naruto heard that Uchiha Itachi had injured Kakashi and immediately set out to find Uchiha Cheng.
• The ramen shop owner told Naruto that Jiraiya had taken Cheng east to train, and Naruto followed the lead.
• Jiraiya abandoned Cheng at an inn after spotting a beautiful girl, leaving Cheng alone in his room.
• Uchiha Itachi arrived at Cheng's room, and Cheng tried to stall him before refusing to go with him.
• Naruto searched inns for Cheng, recalling the Uchiha Clan massacre and fearing Itachi would take him first.

Naruto found Uchiha Cheng at an inn just as Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki moved to capture him. Jiraiya returned in time to save Uchiha Cheng, but Naruto was caught in Uchiha Itachi’s control, leaving him to confront his memories on his own.

• Naruto searched many inns and learned that Uchiha Cheng and his companion had been staying at one of them, but Uchiha Itachi’s group had arrived first.
• Naruto confronted Uchiha Itachi and was quickly defeated, while Kisame Hoshigaki drained Uchiha Cheng’s Chakra.
• Uchiha Itachi’s group overpowered Naruto and Uchiha Cheng, and Xiao Zhang seized Uchiha Cheng and prepared to cut off his arm.
• Jiraiya returned, knocked Xiao Zhang down, and rescued Uchiha Cheng before the group could take him away.
• Naruto challenged Uchiha Itachi but was repeatedly defeated, and Uchiha Itachi used Naruto’s memories of his older brother to trap him in his thoughts.
• Jiraiya told Uchiha Cheng to let Naruto face the control himself, since intervening could make things worse.

Naruto broke free from Uchiha Itachi’s mental confinement but withdrew from everyone afterward. After Uchiha Cheng urged him to face life again, Naruto promised to pull himself together, and Uchiha Cheng felt relieved.

• Uchiha Cheng agreed with Jiraiya to let Naruto face Uchiha Itachi without interference, though he worried as Naruto became deeply trapped in the experience.
• Naruto resisted Uchiha Itachi’s confinement and successfully returned from the world he shared with his brother.
• Naruto shut himself away for a week, refusing to speak with Uchiha Cheng or Jiraiya.
• Uchiha Cheng urged Naruto to remember his friends, teachers, and purpose, and praised him for breaking free.
• Naruto told Uchiha Cheng he would stop withdrawing, and Uchiha Cheng was glad that Naruto had responded.

Naruto, Uchiha Cheng, and Jiraiya celebrated Naruto breaking free of Uchiha Itachi’s control, and Uchiha Cheng began training and exchanging techniques with Naruto. When Jiraiya and Uchiha Cheng later could not find Naruto, they set out to search for him.

• Naruto agreed to help Uchiha Cheng, and the three of them prepared and shared a celebratory meal.
• Naruto explained that injured plovers could be treated at a hospital, and the birds recovered and flew again after receiving care.
• Uchiha Cheng began learning techniques from Jiraiya and trained seriously to become stronger.
• Naruto asked Uchiha Cheng to exchange techniques with him, and Uchiha Cheng began teaching him a defensive technique.
• Jiraiya could not find Naruto after he stayed out training, so he and Uchiha Cheng set out to search for him.

Naruto and Uchiha Cheng sparred after Jiraiya found Naruto training, then fought Orochimaru on their way home. Orochimaru was rescued by a man in black, and Uchiha Cheng insisted Naruto go to the hospital to have his injuries checked and visit his mother.

• Uchiha Cheng and Jiraiya found Naruto practicing, and Naruto apologized before asking Uchiha Cheng to spar with him.
• Jiraiya refereed as Naruto and Uchiha Cheng sparred; Naruto lost but showed major improvement, and they returned to the shop together.
• On their way home, Naruto and Uchiha Cheng encountered Orochimaru, who attacked them, and the two fought back using their new techniques.
• Naruto and Uchiha Cheng knocked Orochimaru down, but a man in black appeared and took him away.
• Uchiha Cheng stopped Naruto from pursuing Orochimaru and urged him to go to the hospital for his injuries and to visit his mother.