Chapter Summaries

Rock Lee learned how badly his condition had deteriorated and despaired, but Guy encouraged him to face the risky surgery, and Lee decided to go through with it. Meanwhile, Uchiha Cheng, Sakura, and Second Pillar planned to uncover Kakashi’s face by inviting him to ramen, unaware that someone was already positioned to foil them.

• Uchiha Cheng continued researching ways to improve the surgery’s success rate so Rock Lee could be treated.
• Rock Lee learned the truth about his illness, returned to the place where he had made his ninja vow, and broke down in grief.
• Uchiha Cheng found Rock Lee and tried to reassure him, while Guy reminded him of his dream and vowed to die alongside him if the surgery failed.
• Rock Lee regained his resolve and decided to undergo the surgery despite its risks.
• Uchiha Cheng, Sakura, and Second Pillar agreed to invite Kakashi to ramen so they could see beneath his mask, but an unseen person was already preparing to stop them.

Uchiha Cheng and Team 7 failed to uncover Kakashi-sensei’s face after Xiao Zhang deliberately interrupted their attempt, then agreed to keep investigating until the Fifth Hokage assigned them a mission. The team put their surveillance on hold to protect an important client, Elder Jirou.

• Xiao Zhang blocked Uchiha Cheng and the others from seeing Kakashi-sensei’s face, pretending that something was wrong with her ears and eyes.
• After learning Xiao Zhang had deliberately obstructed them, Uchiha Cheng encouraged the team not to give up, and they decided to split up and follow Kakashi-sensei.
• Kakashi-sensei shook off their surveillance each time, while the Fifth Hokage arranged a new mission so Team 7 would stop sneaking around and focus on their duties.
• Uchiha Cheng told Second Pillar and Sakura that the team had to pause their investigation to take on a high-level protection mission.
• Uchiha Cheng revealed that Elder Jirou was the mission’s client, and the team agreed to accept the assignment and remain alert.

Uchiha Cheng, Second Pillar, and Sakura traveled to Tea Country for a mission to protect Tsunade during a dangerous leadership competition. Tsunade ignored their warnings as unseen pursuers began closing in, leaving the team worried about how to keep him safe.

• Uchiha Cheng, Second Pillar, and Sakura encountered Morino on the road, and Uchiha Cheng stopped Second Pillar from fighting him.
• The team met Jirocho, who explained that rival factions would use a competition to choose the village's leader and asked them to protect Tsunade.
• Uchiha Cheng, Second Pillar, and Sakura accepted the task and prepared for possible dangers.
• When the competition began, Tsunade ignored the team's advice and acted as he pleased.
• A group began following Tsunade while he remained unaware of the dangers around him.

Uchiha Cheng and his team continued protecting Tsunade despite her arrogant behavior, then discovered she was Forest’s younger sister and that she admired Cheng. The chapter ended with enemies attacking their boat, forcing the group to fight together.

• Uchiha Cheng persuaded Second Pillar and Sasuke to continue the mission after Tsunade nearly fell from a cliff and refused to thank them for saving her.
• Uchiha Cheng and the others learned that Tsunade was Forest’s younger sister and realized why she had acted so arrogantly.
• Tsunade recognized Uchiha Cheng as the Chunin Exams’ first-place finisher, apologized for her behavior, and eagerly asked him questions.
• Enemies ambushed the group on their boat, and Uchiha Cheng promised to protect Tsunade as the attack began.

Uchiha Cheng led his group through ambushes while they tried to protect their allies and locate Tsunade. They found Tsunade unconscious, but Rain Ninja poison needles struck them too, while Haku family's support arrived at the shrine.

• Uchiha Cheng drew the enemy away from Tsunade, but he, Xiao Yun, and the others were ambushed by more enemies.
• Uchiha Cheng organized the group's response and used a second-stage Rasengan to drive off their attackers.
• Uchiha Cheng warned Second Pillar and Sakura to stay alert, and the group set out to find Tsunade.
• Rain Ninja poison needles knocked Tsunade unconscious before Uchiha Cheng and the others found him.
• Rain Ninja poison needles struck Uchiha Cheng and his companions as they rushed to Tsunade, and Haku family's support arrived at the shrine.

Uchiha Cheng joined the race and learned Tsunade was still struggling to regain her confidence. As Tsunade pressed on, Aoi of the Rain ambushed Auxiliary and Ibiki, but Uchiha Cheng, Second Pillar, and Sakura arrived before he could finish dealing with them.

• Auxiliary reached the city first and celebrated, while Second Pillar dismissed her achievement until Sakura and Uchiha Cheng defended her.
• Uchiha Cheng arrived secretly, and he, Sakura, and Second Pillar discussed Tsunade's chances of recovering and catching up.
• Tsunade renewed her resolve to win and continued running, then encountered Aoi of the Rain, who had been ordered to disrupt the competition.
• Aoi of the Rain tricked Auxiliary and put Ibiki in danger, while Auxiliary challenged his belief that he would win.
• Auxiliary stalled Aoi of the Rain until Uchiha Cheng, Second Pillar, and Sakura arrived, leaving them poised to confront him.

Uchiha Cheng and Second Pillar fought Aoi of the Rain, whose powerful sword left Second Pillar badly wounded. Cheng joined the battle and tried to prepare a Rasengan with Double Shadow Clones, but his tactic failed, so he tried again.

• Aoi of the Rain mocked Uchiha Cheng and provoked Second Pillar, who attacked him with Chidori.
• Aoi of the Rain's sword overwhelmed Second Pillar, though Second Pillar's Chidori cracked the weapon as he kept fighting despite his wounds.
• Uchiha Cheng stepped in to help Second Pillar, and the two fought Aoi of the Rain together.
• Cheng attempted to use Double Shadow Clones to prepare a Rasengan, but the tactic failed amid the chaotic fight.
• Cheng persisted and tried the tactic again, believing he could succeed if he acted faster.

Uchiha Cheng persevered in his fight against Aoi of the Rain and noticed a mark on Second Pillar's shoulder that hinted at a turning point. After Shikamaru was promoted to chunin, the news spread through Konoha, while Second Pillar grew resentful of Cheng and challenged him to a duel; Cheng visited him in the hospital, unaware of his hostility.

• Sakura urged Uchiha Cheng to change tactics against Aoi of the Rain, but Cheng refused to give up and continued fighting.
• Uchiha Cheng noticed a mark on Second Pillar's shoulder and recognized it as a possible turning point in the battle.
• After a long peaceful period in Konoha, the Hokage decided to promote Shikamaru to chunin for his performance in the third exam.
• Uchiha Cheng and Naruto spread the news of Shikamaru's promotion, and Asuma and the others planned a celebration.
• Second Pillar, hospitalized and jealous of Uchiha Cheng's growing strength, decided to challenge him to a one-on-one duel.
• Uchiha Cheng visited Sasuke in the hospital with gifts, and Sasuke reacted with surprise before proposing the duel.

Rock Lee asked Tsunade to perform risky surgery so he could regain his ninja way, and she agreed to operate that afternoon. Meanwhile, Sasuke and Uchiha Cheng fought over a growing rivalry, leaving Kakashi to intervene before their duel threatened them and Konoha.

• Sasuke challenged Uchiha Cheng to a one-on-one duel, and Uchiha Cheng agreed once Sasuke had recovered.
• Rock Lee found Tsunade and asked her to perform surgery despite the risk to his life; Tsunade agreed to operate that afternoon.
• Sasuke and Uchiha Cheng began their duel, using Chidori and Rasengan as spectators watched their clashes grow more intense.
• Naruto told Sakura that Sasuke resented Uchiha Cheng's new leadership, and Sakura realized the fight carried deep hostility.
• Sakura asked Kakashi to stop the duel, and Kakashi set out to intervene before the conflict endangered Konoha.

Uchiha Cheng and Second Pillar ended their fight to face a new threat, but the Sound Ninja’s words deepened Second Pillar’s doubts about his place in Konoha. Encouraged to seek greater power, Second Pillar left the village and encountered Sakura, who hoped to persuade him to stay.

• Kakashi stopped Uchiha Cheng and Second Pillar from fighting and urged them to unite against the danger threatening Konoha.
• Uchiha Cheng and Second Pillar went outside and fought the Sound Ninja and his companions.
• The Sound Ninja tried to provoke Uchiha Cheng but instead persuaded Second Pillar to consider abandoning his ties to Konoha for greater power.
• A few days later, Second Pillar decided to leave Konoha to become stronger.
• Second Pillar encountered Sakura on his journey, and she questioned why he had left and hoped to convince him to return.

Sasuke left the village to become stronger despite Sakura’s attempts to persuade him to stay. Uchiha Cheng assigned Shikamaru a mission to bring Sasuke back to Konoha.

• Sasuke told Sakura he had decided to leave and wanted to grow stronger, then departed after they said goodbye.
• Sakura reported Sasuke’s departure to Uchiha Cheng, who suspected Sasuke felt pressured by his stronger techniques.
• Uchiha Cheng told Sakura he would not let Sasuke leave and decided to ask Shikamaru for help bringing him back.
• Uchiha Cheng informed Shikamaru that Sasuke had left the village and assigned him the mission of returning Sasuke to Konoha.
• Shikamaru accepted the mission and asked Uchiha Cheng when he should set out.

Shikamaru reassured Uchiha Cheng that he needed help retrieving Sasuke, then impressed the team by quickly devising a battle plan. As the group prepared to bring Sasuke back, the Sound Ninja gave Sasuke a Mind Awakening Pill and began warning him about its effects.

• Shikamaru asked Uchiha Cheng for support on the mission to bring Sasuke back, and Uchiha Cheng promised the team would help.
• Shikamaru thanked Uchiha Cheng, Choji, Neji, and Kiba before they set out together to retrieve Sasuke.
• Shikamaru presented a battle plan he had made quickly, surprising the others and earning their trust.
• Sakura and Uchiha Cheng promised to bring Sasuke back and discussed their regrets about his departure.
• The Sound Ninja persuaded Second Pillar to swallow a Mind Awakening Pill, then began explaining the consequences of reaching State Two.

Second Pillar accepted the Sound Ninja’s offer of power and swallowed their medicine, falling asleep inside their sealing technique. Uchiha Cheng’s team caught up with the Sound Ninja but was trapped by a mysterious fat man’s earthen barrier.

• The Sound Ninja warned Second Pillar that reaching Cursed Seal Level 20 could erode his body and promised him greater power within their barrier.
• Second Pillar agreed to the Sound Ninja’s plan, swallowed the medicine, and fell asleep inside their sealing technique.
• Uchiha Cheng and his companions caught up with the Sound Ninja while searching for Second Pillar and resolved to bring him back.
• The Sound Ninja used a fat man to block Uchiha Cheng’s team, and the fat man trapped them inside a massive earthen mound they could not break through.

Uchiha Cheng realized the fat man was draining their Chakra and suggested Choji use Human Boulder to break the barrier. They escaped, but were weakened, and Choji volunteered to stay behind and face the fat man while the others fled.

• Uchiha Cheng noticed the fat man outside the barrier was absorbing their Chakra and warned Sakura, Naruto, and the others to stop wasting their strength.
• Uchiha Cheng suggested Choji use Human Boulder against the barrier, and Choji agreed after asking everyone to move back.
• Choji smashed through the barrier with Human Boulder, freeing the group, though the fat man had drained their Chakra and Choji was exhausted.
• Uchiha Cheng and the others decided someone had to hold off the fat man while the rest escaped, and Choji volunteered despite Uchiha Cheng's concern.

Choji stayed behind to hold off the fat enemy, fighting on despite his depleted body and swallowing his remaining Red Pill when he was nearly defeated. Meanwhile, Uchiha Cheng and the others caught up to Second Pillar, and the Sound Ninja left Kidomaru behind to delay them.

• Choji insisted on staying behind to buy time for Shikamaru and the others to continue tracking Second Pillar, while Uchiha Cheng encouraged him and worried about his condition.
• Choji fought the fat enemy, who taunted him and overwhelmed him with repeated attacks.
• Near death and unable to fight back, Choji swallowed his remaining Red Pill and swore to defeat the enemies, even at the cost of his life.
• Uchiha Cheng and the others caught up to Second Pillar and confronted the Sound Ninja accompanying him.
• The Sound Ninja decided to leave Kidomaru behind to obstruct Uchiha Cheng and the others while Second Pillar continued onward.

Uchiha Cheng's squad was trapped by Kidomaru's silk, but Cheng identified Kidomaru's weakness and brought Neji in to counter his techniques. Neji freed the group, then stayed behind to fight Kidomaru with Gentle Fist, driving him into a desperate situation.

• Kidomaru bound Uchiha Cheng's four-man squad with his silk, leaving them unable to fight.
• Uchiha Cheng observed Kidomaru until he discovered his weakness and signaled his allies.
• Neji arrived, and Uchiha Cheng asked him to break Kidomaru's techniques.
• Neji broke the bindings and helped turn the battle in the squad's favor.
• The group decided Neji should stay behind, and he used Gentle Fist to drive Kidomaru into a desperate situation.

Neji realized that Kidomaru’s Spider Sticky Gold made his attacks ineffective, but he continued fighting to hold him back. Kidomaru prepared to use Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal and exploited a flaw in Neji’s Byakugan, leaving Neji to face a bitter battle.

• Neji suspected Kidomaru had a hidden plan, and Kidomaru revealed Spider Sticky Gold covering his body to block Chakra.
• Neji’s attacks failed to harm Kidomaru, though his Byakugan let him track and block Kidomaru’s sneak attacks.
• Kidomaru taunted Neji about his dwindling stamina while planning to activate the first state of Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal.
• Neji refused to surrender and vowed to fight to the end.
• Kidomaru exploited a flaw in Neji’s Byakugan and launched a fierce attack, drawing Neji into a bitter battle.

Neji fought Kidomaru while Uchiha Cheng and the others watched from hiding, unsure when it was safe to intervene. As Neji was pinned to a tree and night fell, Shikamaru warned Uchiha Cheng against rushing in, and Uchiha Cheng agreed to suspend his plan.

• Kidomaru exploited the flaws he had learned in Neji's techniques, forcing Neji to evade repeated attacks and fight defensively.
• Uchiha Cheng and his companions worried about Neji's wounds and dwindling Chakra but stayed hidden to avoid putting him in greater danger.
• Xiao Ying urged Uchiha Cheng to let them help, and he promised to lead them if Neji's situation became critical.
• Kidomaru pinned Neji to a tree, while Uchiha Cheng prepared to seize what he thought was a chance to attack.
• Shikamaru warned Uchiha Cheng that the situation was more dangerous than it appeared and that nightfall made acting harder.
• Uchiha Cheng accepted Shikamaru's warning and agreed to suspend his plan.

Uchiha Cheng and Shikamaru pursued Second Pillar while Kabuto urged Orochimaru to transfer into another body and sent Ryoma to retrieve Second Pillar. After Cheng's group seized the barrel, several allies fell into a ravine and Ryoma stole it, leaving Cheng and Shikamaru to suspect a hidden mastermind.

• Kabuto told Orochimaru that transferring into another body could solve his physical crisis, and Orochimaru decided to proceed.
• Kabuto assigned Ryoma to retrieve Second Pillar, and Ryoma set out to carry out the plan.
• Uchiha Cheng reassured Shikamaru as their group seized the wooden barrel containing Second Pillar.
• Kiba, Haku, and Sakon fell into a ravine while attempting a rescue, leaving their condition unknown.
• Ryoma appeared and stole the barrel, prompting Uchiha Cheng and Shikamaru to suspect someone was directing events behind the scenes.

Uchiha Cheng and Shikamaru split up to pursue Ryoma and hold off Tayuya, while Kiba fought Sakon. Their battles grew increasingly dangerous, leaving Kiba in particular at Sakon’s mercy.

• Uchiha Cheng tried to stop Shikamaru from impulsively chasing Ryoma, but Tayuya arrived and attacked Uchiha Cheng.
• Shikamaru regained his composure and stayed behind to fight Tayuya so Uchiha Cheng could pursue Ryoma.
• Uchiha Cheng and Shikamaru began fighting their opponents, while Kiba fought Sakon to buy them time.
• Tayuya activated the first state of her Cursed Seal and taunted Shikamaru, who vowed to keep fighting.
• Sakon activated the second state of his Cursed Seal and entered Kiba’s body.