Chapter Summaries

After Kakashi and Uchiha Cheng suspected that the youth who appeared during their fight with Zabuza might have been Zabuza’s accomplice, they warned the group to stay alert and began training for another attack. Meanwhile, Shin-chan overheard Tazuna reveal why he was rushing to finish the Great Naruto Bridge: he hoped to free his village from Gato.

• Kakashi questioned why the youth had not dealt with Zabuza’s body, leading Uchiha Cheng to suspect that the youth might have taken Zabuza away or helped him escape.
• Uchiha Cheng and Kakashi concluded that the youth was not on their side and warned the group that their whereabouts might have been exposed.
• Kakashi prepared short-term training plans for the group, with a lighter program for Sakura, and they began training to prepare for another attack.
• Shin-chan overheard Tazuna say that he needed to finish the Great Naruto Bridge quickly to save the villagers held under Gato’s control.

Sakura told Kakashi-sensei why Tazuna was determined to finish the Great Naruto Bridge, and Kakashi-sensei waited to share the information until the others were done training. Uchiha Cheng learned about Inari’s past and later met a Mysterious Figure who told him that protecting something important could make him stronger, before his patience with Inari finally ran out.

• Sakura explained Tazuna’s reason for completing the bridge to Kakashi-sensei, who decided not to interrupt the team’s training with the news.
• Uchiha Cheng, Second Pillar, and Naruto trained relentlessly, while Inari told Uchiha Cheng and Second Pillar they could never defeat Gato.
• Uchiha Cheng and Second Pillar learned that Gato had killed Inari’s adoptive father, causing Inari to become cold and harsh.
• A Mysterious Figure told Uchiha Cheng that someone could become exceptionally strong when protecting something important.
• After Inari warned Uchiha Cheng to leave or die, Uchiha Cheng angrily challenged him for discouraging others because of his own failures.

Uchiha Cheng overslept after exhausting himself in training and missed the mission to protect Tazuna. He found Isaka and his mother in danger, stayed to protect them, then realized he needed to hurry toward the battle on the bridge.

• Uchiha Cheng woke late, found his companions gone, and rested until his exhausted body recovered.
• Uchiha Cheng found signs of violence in the village and saw Gato's subordinates threatening Isaka and his mother.
• Uchiha Cheng intervened, fought Gato's two subordinates, and stayed behind to protect Isaka's family.
• On the bridge, Naruto protected Tazuna and disrupted Zabuza's technique while Kakashi fought Zabuza.
• Uchiha Cheng grew worried about his companions and hurried toward the bridge.

Naruto recognized White Emperor during their fight as Gato's men entered Tazuna's house and threatened Isaka's family. After his mother risked her life to protect him, Isaka found the courage to stand up to the men as they tried to take her away.

• Naruto fought White Emperor and realized he was the masked youth who had posed as a hunter-nin and killed Zabuza.
• Gato's two subordinates seized Tazuna's daughter and confronted Isaka and his mother at the house.
• Isaka's mother threatened to kill herself if the men harmed her son, and they decided to spare them.
• Isaka recalled words about courage from Uchiha Cheng, Kakashi-sensei, and his father, and resolved to protect his mother.
• When Gato's men tried to take Isaka's mother away, Isaka protested and demanded that they leave her alone.

Uchiha Cheng fought Haku on the bridge, but Haku broke away to confront Naruto and trapped him with the Water Prison Technique. Elsewhere, Xiao Ming tried to defend his unconscious mother from Gato’s subordinates, and his body was suddenly split in two by an unexplained gust of wind.

• Isaka watched as Gato’s subordinates took his mother away, then charged them to try to save her.
• Uchiha Cheng matched Haku’s speed in battle while Sakura guarded Tazuna.
• Haku escaped Uchiha Cheng and went after Naruto, pinning one of Naruto’s hands with needles.
• Haku used the Water Prison Technique on Naruto, while Uchiha Cheng struggled to find a way to help him.
• Xiao Ming confronted Gato’s subordinates to protect his unconscious mother, but a gust of wind split his body in two.

Uchiha Cheng rescued Xiao Ming and his mother from Gato’s men, then returned to the bridge to join Naruto’s fight with Haku. The chapter left the battle ongoing as Uchiha Cheng entered the fray.

• Gato’s two subordinates discovered that their hostage had turned into a log and that the woman and child had disappeared, so they split up to search for them.
• Uchiha Cheng appeared and apologized to Xiao Ming for arriving late, then praised him for protecting his mother.
• Xiao Ming thanked Uchiha Cheng for his encouragement and asked how he had found them; Cheng explained that he had followed traces of blood and blade marks.
• Uchiha Cheng held back details of the gruesome scenes he had seen, while Xiao Ming promised to be more cautious in the future.
• After rescuing Xiao Ming and his mother, Uchiha Cheng returned to the bridge and joined Naruto’s fierce fight with Haku.

Uchiha Cheng defeated Haku in their first fight, but Haku and Zabuza launched a renewed attack using Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals. The chapter ended with Naruto trapped and injured inside the mirrors while Zabuza threatened Tazuna to keep Kakashi from intervening.

• Uchiha Cheng defeated Haku after a fierce battle and taunted him, while Kakashi praised Cheng and his teammates.
• Uchiha Cheng encouraged Xiao Ming and brought him and the others to the bridge, where Zabuza and Haku discussed how to counter their enemies.
• Haku activated Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, and Kakashi recognized the technique as a legendary secret art.
• Zabuza stopped Kakashi from rushing to help his students, forcing him to keep fighting instead.
• Haku pulled Naruto into the mirrors and injured him, while Zabuza threatened Tazuna to restrain Kakashi and give Haku more time.

Sakura tried to help Naruto, but Haku caught her before Uchiha Cheng kicked him away. Haku trapped Naruto in the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, and Uchiha Cheng entered the technique to help him while Kakashi-sensei and Sakura stood guard outside.

• Sakura tried to pass Naruto her kunai, but Haku intercepted her and confronted her.
• Uchiha Cheng kicked Haku away, and Naruto threw the kunai Sakura had sent him, but Haku dodged it.
• Haku entered the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and attacked Naruto, leaving him covered in wounds.
• Kakashi-sensei and Sakura discussed attacking the crystals from inside and outside, but Uchiha Cheng entered them to protect Naruto.
• Kakashi-sensei and Sakura decided to stand guard outside while Uchiha Cheng and Naruto faced Haku.

Uchiha Cheng and Naruto struggled against Haku inside the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, while Kakashi and Sakura held back outside. Haku revealed how his reflections let him locate and defeat opponents, and his words about Uchiha Cheng’s dream stirred memories of his own past.

• Kakashi and Sakura stopped attacking the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals after Uchiha Cheng entered them.
• Naruto tried to burn Haku’s ice mirrors with the Great Fireball Jutsu, but his injuries left him too weak and Haku counterattacked.
• Uchiha Cheng searched for Haku’s real body and sent out a Shadow Clone, which Haku quickly defeated.
• Haku explained that his reflections could produce his real body and expose opponents, leaving Uchiha Cheng and the others unsure how to overcome him.
• Kakashi recognized the danger of Haku’s bloodline technique, while Naruto and Uchiha Cheng refused to surrender.
• Uchiha Cheng declared his dream of upholding justice and protecting those around him, prompting Haku to recall that he had once shared the same dream.

Haku paused after reflecting on the pain he had suffered, leaving Uchiha Cheng and Naruto unsure what to do. Kakashi and Zabuza continued fighting as Kakashi confronted his guilt over Haku’s past, while Naruto urged Uchiha Cheng to resume their mission.

• Haku told Uchiha Cheng that after making a decapitation, he found he could no longer bring himself to kill anyone, then fell silent in thought.
• Naruto asked Uchiha Cheng why Haku had stopped, but Uchiha Cheng could not explain what Haku was thinking.
• Kakashi tried to get to his students, but Zabuza attacked and kept him occupied.
• Zabuza told Kakashi that Haku had developed his own combat techniques and had become a formidable fighting machine, while they argued over who was responsible for Haku’s path.
• Naruto reminded Uchiha Cheng that they had to protect the people they came to help, and Uchiha Cheng decided to use his Double Shadow Clone again.

Uchiha Cheng and Naruto worked together inside Haku’s Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and finally caught his movement pattern, while Zabuza used the Hidden Mist Technique to engage Kakashi. The chapter ended with Naruto preparing to test another strategy as Uchiha Cheng continued using Shadow Clones.

• Uchiha Cheng and Naruto tried again to match Haku’s movements but still could not keep up with him.
• Zabuza encouraged Haku to rest, then spread thick mist across the bridge with the Hidden Mist Technique.
• Uchiha Cheng and Naruto coordinated their attacks and finally identified Haku’s movement pattern.
• Zabuza sensed Kakashi’s attacks and evaded his Sharingan techniques while Haku realized the boys had read his movements.
• Uchiha Cheng worried Naruto was running out of stamina, and Naruto proposed trying another method while Cheng continued using Shadow Clones.

Naruto and Uchiha Cheng failed to escape Haku’s Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, and both eventually lost consciousness after exhausting themselves in battle. Haku revealed that he had anticipated their moves, while Zabuza saw no movement inside the ice mirrors and assumed they had been killed.

• Naruto and Uchiha Cheng tried to attack Haku from inside and outside the ice mirrors, but Haku had sealed off their escape route.
• Naruto repeatedly used his Great Fireball Jutsu, while Uchiha Cheng urged him to stop and then fought Haku with his Double Shadow Clone.
• Zabuza feinted against Kakashi-sensei, delaying him and leaving Kakashi-sensei injured again.
• Uchiha Cheng exhausted himself and passed out, so Naruto tried to keep Haku from reaching him.
• Naruto activated his Kekkei Genkai despite his dwindling stamina and lost consciousness, just as Haku had expected.
• Haku explained that he had planned for both of them to collapse, while Zabuza saw the still ice mirrors and assumed Naruto and Uchiha Cheng were dead.

Kakashi told Zabuza that Naruto was a genius ninja from the Uchiha Clan, and the two resumed fighting. Inside the ice prison, Naruto collapsed after protecting the unconscious Uchiha Cheng, leaving Cheng facing Haku while grieving and determined to continue.

• Zabuza taunted Kakashi that Haku had likely defeated their disciples because the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals had gone still.
• Kakashi revealed to Zabuza that Naruto was a genius ninja from the Uchiha Clan, and Zabuza reacted with disbelief and anger over the secret being kept.
• Zabuza said he trusted Haku and resumed fighting Kakashi.
• Uchiha Cheng woke and learned that Naruto had fought Haku alone to protect him after he passed out.
• Naruto collapsed from his wounds after telling Uchiha Cheng to help Konoha and defeat Haku, while Cheng fought back his grief.

Haku’s taunts drove Uchiha Cheng’s grief and anger past his limits, causing the Nine-Tails’ Chakra to erupt as he transformed inside Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals. Kakashi realized Cheng’s seal had broken while Zabuza kept him occupied, leaving Cheng’s condition and the others’ safety uncertain.

• Haku mocked Uchiha Cheng until Cheng declared his hatred and vowed to fight him for his friend.
• Uchiha Cheng’s rage stirred the Nine-Tails within him, and his pupils turned fiery red as the beast’s Chakra began to overflow.
• Haku pleaded for Cheng to stop, but Cheng could no longer hear him and continued transforming inside Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.
• Needles embedded in Uchiha Cheng shot out through the ice mirrors, and Kakashi realized that Cheng’s seal had broken.
• Zabuza kept Kakashi occupied outside the mirrors while Kakashi worried about his students, and Uchiha Cheng’s nails grew long and sharp.

Uchiha Cheng broke Haku’s Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and shattered his mask, but the fight ended with Haku turning back and apologizing. As Kakashi-sensei prepared to intervene over Uchiha Cheng’s unstable seal, Haku began sharing his past and worried about what he owed Zabuza.

• Uchiha Cheng fought Haku relentlessly, determined to avenge Naruto and make sure his friends would not die saving him again.
• Uchiha Cheng caught Haku, struck him through his mask, and shattered the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.
• Kakashi-sensei feared Uchiha Cheng’s seal was opening and took out a hidden ninja scroll, while Sakura asked whether intervening could harm him.
• Haku apologized to Uchiha Cheng and said he wanted to atone, and Uchiha Cheng grieved at the thought of losing him after Naruto.
• Haku began telling Uchiha Cheng about his past and admitted that he felt he had let Zabuza down.

White Emperor begged Uchiha Cheng to kill him so he could stop serving Zabuza without betraying his former teacher and benefactor. Kakashi tracked Zabuza down and fought him, while White Emperor’s fate remained unresolved.

• White Emperor asked Uchiha Cheng to end his life, but Uchiha Cheng struggled to bring himself to do it.
• Kakashi-sensei promised to buy them time and used the Tracking Fang Technique to follow Zabuza’s trail.
• Kakashi explained that he had deliberately let Zabuza wound him so his blood would remain on Zabuza’s weapon.
• Kakashi and Zabuza exchanged accusations, and Kakashi began using a ninjutsu he had created himself.
• Kakashi and Zabuza continued battling, trading techniques and barbs.

Xiao Zhang tried to recruit villagers to help Uchiha Cheng’s group at the bridge, but every household refused. Haku asked Uchiha Cheng to kill him, then stopped him and went to Zabuza’s aid, dying after breaking Kakashi-sensei’s Summoning Technique and restraining him.

• Xiao Zhang went door to door asking villagers to support Uchiha Cheng’s group, but they refused and told him to stay home.
• Haku begged Uchiha Cheng to kill him, saying he no longer had a reason to live, and Uchiha Cheng began to give in.
• Haku sensed that Zabuza was in danger, stopped Uchiha Cheng, and rushed to block Kakashi-sensei’s attack.
• Haku broke Kakashi-sensei’s Summoning Technique and apologized, then restrained Kakashi to protect Zabuza.
• Haku died, and Kakashi decided he could finally act.

Ishaka set out alone for the bridge as Kakashi faced Zabuza and Haku’s lingering obsession. After Kakashi stopped Uchiha Cheng from intervening, Sakura learned Naruto had died protecting him and asked where she could find Naruto.

• Ishaka left for the bridge alone after the villagers gathered to see her off but would not join her.
• Zabuza grieved over Haku’s death briefly before preparing to fight Kakashi again.
• Haku’s lingering obsession attacked Kakashi, but Kakashi dodged and stopped Uchiha Cheng from intervening.
• Kakashi insisted that he settle his old conflict with Haku himself, and Uchiha Cheng agreed to stand back.
• Sakura arrived and asked where Naruto was, and Uchiha Cheng told her Naruto had sacrificed his life to save him.
• Sakura asked Uchiha Cheng where Naruto was so she could find him and speak to him.

Sakura mourned Naruto while Kakashi blamed Zabuza and crippled both his arms. Gato arrived with his men to taunt the injured group, and Uchiha Cheng prepared to attack him before Kakashi stopped him.

• Uchiha Cheng learned Naruto's location and took Sakura and Tazuna to him, where they found Naruto's body cold.
• Sakura tried to suppress her grief by recalling Konoha's teachings, but she broke down crying as Tazuna comforted her.
• Kakashi blamed Zabuza for Naruto and White Emperor's deaths, then severed both of Zabuza's arms.
• Zabuza realized Kakashi had been holding back and regretted his actions as Gato arrived with his hired thugs.
• Gato mocked Zabuza and White Emperor's corpse, while Uchiha Cheng threatened him and tried to attack before Kakashi stopped him.

Zabuza accepted blame for what had happened, then used Uchiha Cheng’s kunai to defeat Gato’s men and take revenge. When Gato’s men returned to attack the exhausted group, Isaka arrived with villagers to help, and they prepared to face the threat together.

• Zabuza realized White Emperor had protected him and blamed himself for the past.
• Zabuza borrowed Uchiha Cheng’s kunai, charged at Gato’s men, and defeated them.
• Naruto woke as the village grew quiet, and the group prepared to leave.
• Gato’s men returned and attacked, but Uchiha Cheng and Kakashi were too exhausted to fight.
• Isaka arrived with a group of villagers and offered to help Uchiha Cheng and the others.