Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Cheng and the islanders defeated the thugs, and the group celebrated regaining their courage. As Zabuza lay dying, Kakashi carried him to Haku, where Zabuza asked to see him one last time and Kakashi touched Haku’s face.

• Uchiha Cheng and the islanders used clones and a bluff from Kakashi-sensei to defeat the thugs.
• Xiao Ming and the others thanked Uchiha Cheng and celebrated their victory and renewed courage.
• Kakashi-sensei asked the gravely injured Zabuza about his final wish, and Zabuza asked to see Haku once more.
• Kakashi-sensei carried Zabuza toward Haku as snow began to fall, and Zabuza regretted his past choices.
• Kakashi-sensei used his remaining strength to touch Haku’s face.

After Zabuza died, Team 7 buried him and Haku in the Land of Waves and discussed what the Way of Humanity meant. Back in Konoha, Uchiha Cheng pressed Kakashi for another mission, but Kakashi refused, and Cheng went to tell Naruto about the argument.

• Zabuza died after saying he hoped to remain beside Haku, and the group decided not to pity him.
• Team 7 took charge of burying Haku and Zabuza where they had died, and everyone paid their respects.
• Sakura asked what the Way of Humanity meant, so Team 7 explained it to her during the journey back to Konoha.
• Uchiha Cheng and Team 7 returned to Konoha, where villagers welcomed them and discussed their Land of Waves mission.
• Uchiha Cheng asked Kakashi for another mission, but Kakashi refused because he feared the team would be endangered.
• Uchiha Cheng went to Naruto's home and told him that his attempt to persuade Kakashi had gone badly.

Uchiha Cheng learned that visiting ninjas had come to Konoha for the Chunin Exams, and Naruto agreed to investigate why they were gathering. At the recommendation meeting, Kakashi and Iruka clashed over whether Uchiha Cheng, Naruto, Sakura, and Second Pillar were ready to participate, and the Hokage began hearing their arguments.

• Uchiha Cheng asked Naruto to find out why so many outsiders had arrived in the Hidden Leaf Village, and Naruto agreed.
• Naruto learned that the visitors were candidates arriving early for the Chunin Exams and reported the news to Uchiha Cheng.
• At the recommendation meeting, Iruka opposed Kakashi recommending Uchiha Cheng, Naruto, Sakura, and Second Pillar because they were too young and inexperienced.
• Kakashi argued that the exams would give the students valuable experience, while Iruka warned that they could be injured.
• After their dispute reached the Hokage, he asked both teachers to explain their positions, and Iruka began by stating his objections.

The Hokage settled Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei’s disagreement by ordering a preliminary exam to determine which students could take the Chunin Exams. As the unannounced exam began unfolding around the students, Rock Lee challenged Uchiha Cheng to a fight.

• The Hokage proposed a preliminary exam, and Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei both approved.
• The Hokage assigned the two teachers to organize the exam, which began without the examinees knowing they were being tested.
• Uchiha Cheng saw a phoenix and a strange person capture the Demon King while out for a walk after dinner.
• Second Pillar invited Sakura for a walk, and she finished washing the dishes before joining him.
• Rock Lee confronted Uchiha Cheng, introduced himself, and insisted that Uchiha Cheng accept his challenge.

Uchiha Cheng accepted Rock Lee’s challenge and won their sparring match after realizing that Lee’s speed was preventing his Sharingan from tracking his movements. The group went on to win their Preliminary Exams battles, while Uchiha Cheng noticed that they had all been challenged unusually often.

• Uchiha Cheng and Rock Lee agreed to spar without seriously injuring each other, and Naruto brought Sakura and the others to watch.
• Rock Lee’s attacks failed to overcome Uchiha Cheng, who told him to stop if he could not continue.
• Uchiha Cheng’s Sharingan could not track Rock Lee’s techniques until he realized Lee relied on pure speed, then he quickly won the match.
• Rock Lee thanked Uchiha Cheng for holding back and preserving his dignity.
• Uchiha Cheng, Naruto, and Sakura won their Preliminary Exams battles, and Uchiha Cheng remarked that they had all faced an unusual number of challengers.

Uchiha Cheng and his companions learned that their strange encounters had been a preliminary test, qualified for the Chunin Exams, and prepared to compete as a team. As they entered the crowded examination hall, Uchiha Cheng and Naruto spotted Yakushi Kabuto, who noticed Naruto pointing at him.

• Naruto investigated the suspicious events and learned that they had been the group’s Preliminary Exams.
• Kakashi-sensei told Uchiha Cheng and the others that they had qualified for the Chunin Exams, and they thanked him for supporting their chance to participate.
• Uchiha Cheng and his companions learned that the exams required teams to stay together and cooperate, and Kakashi-sensei wished them well.
• The next day, Uchiha Cheng and Naruto entered the crowded examination hall and sensed that the atmosphere was unnerving.
• Naruto pointed out Yakushi Kabuto, and Uchiha Cheng warned him not to draw Kabuto’s attention, but Kabuto had already noticed him.

Uchiha Cheng and Naruto met Yakushi Kabuto, who shared detailed files on the Chunin Exam candidates, and they realized the competition would be dangerous. They entered the written exam, where Morino Ibiki began addressing the gathered students.

• Yakushi Kabuto confronted Naruto, then identified Uchiha Cheng and Naruto and explained that he had collected information on the examinees.
• Uchiha Cheng and Naruto reviewed Kabuto's files, believed they were accurate, and recognized that the other candidates were powerful elites.
• Uchiha Cheng and Naruto discussed the pressure on candidates representing their villages and resolved to give the exam their full effort for Kakashi-sensei.
• Uchiha Cheng and Naruto entered the examination hall and discovered that the first test was written.
• Morino Ibiki entered as chief examiner, and Naruto and Uchiha Cheng worried about his skill at manipulating people.
• Morino Ibiki noticed the candidates' fear and began announcing instructions, prompting the students to chatter among themselves.

Naruto and Uchiha Cheng faced Morino Ibiki’s strict rules during the Chunin Exam written test. As the examinees reached the tenth question, Morino Ibiki announced another harsh condition and left the room tense and resentful.

• Naruto worried about failing the written exam, and Uchiha Cheng reassured him that the team could pass if he scored well.
• Morino Ibiki warned that teams would be disqualified if a member was caught cheating five times or if anyone scored zero.
• Morino Ibiki refused to change his rules despite objections, and the examinees stayed in the room to take the test.
• The students answered the written questions until they reached the tenth question.
• Morino Ibiki announced an additional strict rule, provoking further complaints from the examinees.

Morino Ibiki imposed a harsh rule that prompted many examinees to leave, while Naruto, Sakura, and Uchiha Cheng chose to stay. Konohamaru entered to report on the exam and, after interviewing Ibiki, approached Uchiha Cheng and Naruto for an interview.

• Morino Ibiki announced that any examinee who answered even one question incorrectly would fail, and many students left the room in protest.
• Uchiha Cheng asked Naruto how he felt, and Naruto said he would stay for the sake of his team despite being afraid of the final question.
• Sakura agreed to stay with Naruto, and the remaining examinees waited for Ibiki to give them the final question.
• Konohamaru entered the exam venue as a reporter on a Hokage-assigned mission and interviewed Ibiki first.
• After finishing the interview with Ibiki, Konohamaru approached Uchiha Cheng and Naruto and asked to interview them.

Konohamaru interviewed Uchiha Cheng and Naruto, then the group learned they had passed the written test and prepared for the second exam. The next day, the examinees gathered as the examiners prepared to announce the rules for the dangerous scroll-seizing trial.

• Konohamaru finished an enthusiastic interview with Uchiha Cheng before moving on to interview Naruto and Second Pillar.
• Naruto and Second Pillar stumbled through an awkward interview, but Konohamaru completed the report he had promised the Hokage.
• Naruto, Uchiha Cheng, and the others waited for their results and were told by the chief examiner that their group had passed the written test.
• Uchiha Cheng advised Naruto to prepare for the second exam, and Naruto remained confident.
• The examinees gathered the next day for the second exam, which was a dangerous contest to seize scrolls.

The chief examiner explained the deadly rules of the second exam, and Uchiha Cheng, Naruto, and Sakura decided to continue as a team. After entering the testing grounds, Team 7 immediately faced a life-or-death trial.

• The chief examiner announced that teams needed both a Heaven Scroll and an Earth Scroll to reach the tower and pass the second round.
• Uchiha Cheng and Naruto reassured the team that they would continue, and Uchiha Cheng asked whether there were any additional rules.
• The chief examiner explained that the exam lasted five days, candidates could not withdraw once it began, and they might face enemies or die at any moment.
• Sakura worried about the danger, but Uchiha Cheng and Naruto encouraged her to trust the team and keep going.
• The chief examiner opened the testing grounds, and Team 7 entered together.
• Soon after the exam began, Team 7 encountered a life-or-death trial.

Uchiha Cheng exposed an impostor disguised as Naruto, and the group established a secret code and rules to protect their scrolls. As they continued toward their destination, they stopped to rest, and Uchiha Cheng insisted on accompanying Naruto when he went to the bathroom.

• Uchiha Cheng and the others noticed Naruto had disappeared, then continued forward while searching for him.
• When a different Naruto returned, Uchiha Cheng attacked him and argued that his speech and fighting style proved he was an impostor.
• The real Naruto appeared and confirmed that the disguised Naruto had lured him away, and the group recognized the impostor.
• Uchiha Cheng proposed a secret code and warned the group not to hand their scrolls to anyone, but a Mysterious Figure secretly overheard them.
• After traveling onward and stopping to rest, Naruto asked to go to the bathroom, and Uchiha Cheng refused to let him go alone.

The Mysterious Figure disguised himself as Uchiha Cheng and attacked Second Pillar and Sakura for their scrolls, overpowering them. When the real Uchiha Cheng and Naruto returned, the team pretended to quarrel over Second Pillar’s willingness to surrender so they could exploit the Mysterious Figure’s lowered guard; Uchiha Cheng began to act on the opening.

• Uchiha Cheng left with Naruto, and the Mysterious Figure disguised as Uchiha Cheng approached Second Pillar and Sakura alone.
• Second Pillar and Sakura recognized the disguise and fought the Mysterious Figure, but his strength overwhelmed them and left them unable to fight.
• The Mysterious Figure demanded their scrolls, and Second Pillar offered to surrender his in exchange for being spared.
• Uchiha Cheng and Naruto returned, and Naruto rebuked Second Pillar while the team pretended to argue in front of the Mysterious Figure.
• Naruto punched Second Pillar as Uchiha Cheng noticed the Mysterious Figure had lowered his guard and began to take advantage of it.

Uchiha Cheng fought the Mysterious Figure, whose taunts triggered the power hidden within him and left him exhausted. Naruto, Second Pillar, and Sakura joined the fight, and Uchiha Cheng used his Sharingan to read and repel the enemy’s attacks, leaving the group confident they could defeat him.

• Uchiha Cheng and the Mysterious Figure fought to a draw, so the Mysterious Figure taunted Uchiha Cheng to provoke him.
• Uchiha Cheng grew angry, his eyes turned red, and the power hidden within him began to erupt as he grew exhausted.
• Second Pillar, Naruto, and Sakura joined the battle to protect Uchiha Cheng and help him recover.
• Naruto suggested that Uchiha Cheng use his Sharingan, while Second Pillar and Naruto covered him with their attacks.
• Uchiha Cheng activated his Sharingan, read the Mysterious Figure’s swift movements, and repelled his attacks.
• Second Pillar acknowledged Uchiha Cheng’s strength and the power of teamwork.

Uchiha Cheng, Naruto, and Second Pillar fought the mysterious figure, only to discover it was Orochimaru. Orochimaru defeated them, marked the unconscious Uchiha Cheng with a curse, and threatened Anko to keep the exam going.

• Uchiha Cheng urged Second Pillar to trust the team, and Sakura asked Naruto and Uchiha Cheng to stop criticizing him.
• Uchiha Cheng restrained the mysterious figure with his Sharingan blades while Naruto attacked with Fire Dragon Jutsu, burning away its disguise and revealing Orochimaru.
• Uchiha Cheng, Naruto, and Second Pillar fought Orochimaru, but exhaustion left them unable to defeat him; Orochimaru placed a curse mark on the unconscious Uchiha Cheng and left.
• Anko confronted Orochimaru after learning what he had done to Uchiha Cheng and said she would stop the exam to protect her students.
• Orochimaru threatened Anko and her village to prevent her from terminating the examination.

After Uchiha Cheng, Second Pillar, and Naruto fell unconscious, Sakura faced the Sound Ninja Trio while protecting her teammates. Rock Lee tried to help but was defeated, and Sakura resolved to stand up for herself and protect the others.

• Anko-sensei agreed to let Orochimaru's battle with the students continue, while warning him she would intervene if he harmed them.
• The Sound Ninja Trio appeared while Sakura guarded the unconscious Uchiha Cheng, Second Pillar, and Naruto, and demanded their scrolls.
• Sakura refused to surrender the scrolls or abandon her companions, and Rock Lee arrived to defend her despite disobeying Guy's orders.
• Rock Lee used the Hidden Lotus but was defeated by the Sound Ninja Trio while Sakura could not leave her teammates to fight beside him.
• Sakura comforted Rock Lee after he blamed himself, then accepted his encouragement and resolved to confront the trio herself.

Sakura cut her hair and fought the Sound Ninja Trio to protect her teammates, but was defeated before Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji arrived to help. Neji removed the Cursed Seal’s effect from Uchiha Cheng, who woke up and became furious after learning his friends had been hurt.

• Sakura cut off her long hair and fought the Sound Ninja Trio, but they defeated her.
• As the Sound Ninja Trio prepared to finish off the team, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji arrived and fought them.
• Neji approached the unconscious Uchiha Cheng, and Sakura initially stopped him until he explained he intended to save him.
• Neji deactivated his Byakugan and removed the Cursed Seal’s effect from Uchiha Cheng, who soon woke up.
• Uchiha Cheng learned that his friends had been hurt and grew furious.

Uchiha Cheng defeated Zaku and agreed to join Naruto and the others after they heard that Kiba’s team had encountered Gaara’s group. They found Gaara fighting Fishman, where Gaara began to prepare a counterattack.

• Uchiha Cheng dodged Zaku’s attacks and captured him, while Naruto, Second Pillar, and Sakura reflected on his true strength.
• Kiba sent word that his team had found traces of Gaara’s group, and Naruto, Second Pillar, and Uchiha Cheng hurried to the scene.
• Kiba, Shino, and Hinata followed Gaara’s group, hoping to obtain more scrolls.
• Kiba’s team hid and watched Gaara fight Fishman, who initially kept Gaara’s group at a disadvantage.
• Gaara’s killing intent intensified as he began his counterattack against Fishman.

Uchiha Cheng recovered his senses and led his team onward, while Gaara began counterattacking elsewhere. With one day left in the exam, Naruto tried to persuade Sakura and Second Pillar to secretly open a scroll, but Uchiha Cheng returned with Kabuto just as they were about to do it.

• Cliff, Nai Nai, Chuang, Kiba, Hinata, and Ya noticed Gaara's unusual expression and predicted that he would counterattack; Gaara soon began fighting back.
• Uchiha Cheng regained his senses, thanked Naruto and the others for supporting him, and heard Second Pillar acknowledge the importance of teamwork.
• Uchiha Cheng's team continued toward their destination and discovered that only one day remained in the second exam.
• After Uchiha Cheng left to fetch water, Naruto proposed secretly opening a scroll and copying a Heaven Scroll, while Second Pillar objected and Sakura agreed to help.
• Uchiha Cheng returned with Kabuto just as Naruto and Sakura were about to open the scroll, and he was shocked because he knew what would happen.

Naruto, Uchiha Cheng, and their companions learned that opening the scrolls could prevent them from reaching their destination, so they traveled with Kabuto to protect his two scrolls. A Rain Ninja genjutsu trapped the group in a looping path and then drew them into a worsening illusion, where they struggled as their strength faded.

• Kabuto warned Naruto and Uchiha Cheng that opening the scroll could keep them from reaching the end of their journey.
• Kabuto revealed that he had collected both scrolls, and Uchiha Cheng joked about dueling him before assuring him he would not take a friend's belongings.
• Uchiha Cheng's group agreed to travel with Kabuto and help protect his scrolls while searching for their own.
• Uchiha Cheng sensed a genjutsu set by Rain Ninja from Amegakure, but the group wandered repeatedly through the same area.
• Summary realized they had not left their starting point, and Uchiha Cheng urged everyone to work together to escape.
• The Rain Ninja layered another genjutsu over the trap, leaving the group fighting illusions as their stamina dwindled.