Recaps

During the Uchiha Clan Downfall, Sahiro Uchiha awakened a Bond Simulator System and acquired basic control of a Kamui Dimension by linking to Obito Uchiha. He confronted Obito in the dimension, revealed that he knew Obito’s identity and plan, and asked to join him.

• Sahiro Uchiha woke during the massacre and saw his parents dead as Uchiha Itachi approached to kill him.
• The Bond Simulator System activated, and Sahiro linked to the masked man, gaining basic control of the Kamui Dimension and intangibility.
• Sahiro escaped Itachi by entering his Kamui Dimension, then used it to pull Obito into the dimension with him.
• Sahiro revealed that he knew the masked man was Obito Uchiha and taunted him by mentioning Madara Uchiha.
• Sahiro identified the Eye of the Moon Plan as Infinite Tsukuyomi and asked Obito to let him join, but Obito rejected him as an unqualified eight-year-old.

Three days before the Graduation Exam, Zuo Hao chose to aim for first place to earn a system reward and a bond link attempt. At the Academy, the exam began with the Clone Technique, setting up a contest between Zuo Hao and Sasuke.

• Villagers insulted Sasuke and Zuo Hao as they walked through Konoha, and Zuo Hao told Sasuke they could decide whether their tormentors lived.
• Zuo Hao received a mission offering a reward for either graduating quietly or taking first place, and he chose first place.
• Sasuke asked Zuo Hao about his exam plans, and Zuo Hao challenged him to earn first place through his own skills.
• Three days later, Zuo Hao and the other students began the Graduation Exam, which tested the Clone Technique.

Zuo Hao earned full marks in the graduation exam and linked with Sasuke to obtain Indra's Chakra. As Kakashi learned he would lead Team 7, Zuo Hao received a mission concerning Mizuki's plan to make Naruto steal the Scroll of Seals.

• Zuo Hao created solid, precise clones and received full marks from Iruka in the graduation exam.
• Zuo Hao linked with Sasuke and obtained Indra's Chakra as Sasuke prepared for his shuriken demonstration.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Kakashi to lead Team 7, which included Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Zuo Hao.
• Hiruzen told Kakashi that the Uchiha brothers had lived alone since the clan's downfall and that Zuo Hao's Clone Technique had reached Chunin level.
• Zuo Hao received a mission with three choices about whether to ignore, stop, or help Naruto during Mizuki's plot to steal the Scroll of Seals.

Zuo Hao protected Naruto Uzumaki from Mizuki’s attempt to steal the Scroll of Seals, then used his Bond Link reward to gain the Uzumaki Clan bloodline. He left Naruto with Iruka and gained a major increase in chakra and vitality.

• Naruto learned the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique from the Scroll of Seals while Zuo Hao watched from the shadows.
• Mizuki tried to take the scroll and threatened Naruto, but Zuo Hao revealed himself and exposed Mizuki’s plan.
• Zuo Hao warned Mizuki that Iruka and the Search Team were approaching, forcing him to flee.
• Zuo Hao told Naruto that Mizuki had lied and that Iruka believed in him, then left as Iruka arrived.
• Zuo Hao established a Bond Link with Naruto and gained the Uzumaki Clan bloodline, greatly increasing his chakra.

Zuo Hao’s Indra chakra and Uzumaki blood reached a dangerous balance as he returned home and was summoned by the Hokage in the middle of the night. When ANBU mocked the fallen Uchiha Clan, he confronted them over their role in watching the massacre rather than stopping it.

• Zuo Hao sensed ANBU watching him and thanked them before returning to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
• He found a note and rice balls Sasuke had left for him, then noticed three ANBU approaching openly.
• The ANBU told Zuo Hao that the Hokage had summoned him, and he agreed to go with them.
• On the way, the cat- and dog-masked ANBU mocked the ruined compound and the Uchiha Clan’s downfall.
• Zuo Hao called the ANBU cowards and accused them of surrounding the compound during the massacre, listening to the screams, and counting bodies only after the killing ended.

Zuo Hao fought off three ANBU who had wrecked his home before the Third Hiruzen Sarutobi intervened and took him to the Hokage’s office. After hearing that he and Sasuke had been assigned to Team 7, Zuo Hao challenged the Third’s assurances about the village by recalling the night five years earlier.

• Zuo Hao turned intangible to evade the dog-masked ANBU’s punch, then struck him and avoided his counterattack.
• Zuo Hao overwhelmed the monkey-masked ANBU with Majestic Destroyer Flame and a chakra-powered palm strike, leaving the cat-masked ANBU trembling.
• The Third Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived with Kakashi Hatake and stopped the fight, then ordered the cat-masked ANBU to remove his mask.
• The Third offered to make ANBU answer for disobeying his order to invite Zuo Hao and told him that he and Sasuke were assigned to Team 7 under Kakashi.
• Zuo Hao declined an apology, said he wanted to return because Sasuke was home alone, and reminded the Third that the village had seemed safe on the night five years earlier.

At Konoha Academy, Iruka assigned Sahiro Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha to an unusual four-person Team 7. The team waited for its late Jōnin instructor, Kakashi Hatake, whom Sahiro already knew from his past surveillance of the Uchiha brothers.

• Zuo Hao told the Third that he knew everything he needed to know and left the office.
• Iruka assigned Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi to Team 10, and Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and Hinata Hyuga to Team 8.
• Iruka named Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Sahiro to Team 7, prompting Ino to question why their team had four members.
• Zuo Hao approached Ino, and she blushed and denied objecting to Team 7 after Shikamaru and Choji teased her about her crush.
• Asuma collected Team 10 and Kurenai collected Team 8, while Naruto complained that Team 7's instructor had not arrived.
• Zuo Hao recognized that Kakashi would be Team 7's instructor and reflected on his resentment over Kakashi's past surveillance.

Danzo urged Hiruzen to kill Sahiro Uchiha, but Hiruzen refused and assigned Sahiro to Team 7 with Sasuke. After receiving powerful rewards from his bond with Sasuke and Naruto, Sahiro joined his new teammates as Kakashi led them to a Survival Exercise.

• Danzo presented Sahiro's record to Hiruzen and argued that Sahiro's hatred made him a threat to Konoha.
• Hiruzen refused Danzo's demand to kill Sahiro and revealed that he had assigned Sahiro and Sasuke to Team 7.
• Sahiro's bond with Sasuke reached Lv. 2, granting him the Cursed Seal of Heaven without side effects.
• Sahiro's bond with Naruto reached Lv. 2, granting him Nine-Tails Chakra that nearly overwhelmed him before he regained control.
• Kakashi told Sahiro, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura that they would face a Survival Exercise at the Training Ground.

Team 7’s bell test turned into a real fight when Root ninja arrived to kill Sahiro Uchiha under Shimura Danzō’s orders. Kakashi blocked their attack and confronted the Root leader, who threatened him with Danzō’s sealed orders.

• Kakashi used Thousand Years of Death on Naruto, then began the real bell test as Sasuke and Sakura coordinated an attack.
• Several Root ninja appeared and announced that they had orders from Shimura Danzō to kill Sahiro Uchiha and anyone who interfered.
• Zuo Hao used the Body Flicker Technique to move beside Sasuke and ordered him to take Sakura away.
• Four Root ninja attacked Zuo Hao, but Kakashi intercepted their assault and countered all four techniques.
• The Root leader showed Kakashi Danzō’s sealed orders and warned that defying Danzō could get him killed.

Root ninja attacked Zuo Hao and Kakashi at the Training Ground, but Zuo Hao killed three of them and cornered their leader. The Third Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived with ANBU and stopped Zuo Hao before he could kill the last Root ninja.

• Kakashi blocked the Root ninja's attacks with Earth Release and threatened them with his Lightning Blade until their leader ordered a withdrawal.
• Zuo Hao stopped the Root ninja from leaving and challenged them after they admitted they had come to kill him.
• Zuo Hao unleashed Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame, and the Root ninja countered with Water Release: Water Formation Wall.
• Using his Sharingan to see through the steam, Zuo Hao killed three Root ninja in quick succession.
• The last Root leader retreated and argued that the Third would punish Zuo Hao for killing a fellow ninja, but Zuo Hao confronted him about Root's attack.
• The Third Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived with ANBU and placed Enma's Adamantine Staff between Zuo Hao and the surviving Root leader, ordering Zuo Hao to stop.

After the Third stopped Zuo Hao from killing a Root ninja, Zuo Hao left the assessment and brooded by the lake, where Ino confessed her feelings. As Ino explained why she liked him, an attacker threw a Kunai at them, and Zuo Hao took the hit while shielding her.

• The Third arrived, heard Kakashi's account of the confrontation, and told Zuo Hao to continue training without pursuing the matter.
• Zuo Hao left the assessment, then sat alone by the lake that night, worrying that his strength was still not enough.
• Ino followed Zuo Hao to the lake and confessed that she liked him, while he questioned what she liked about him.
• Ino said she liked Zuo Hao because five years earlier he had stood up for Sasuke when others laughed at him.
• An attacker threw a Kunai at them, and Zuo Hao pulled Ino close and took the Kunai in his back.

Zuo Hao protected Ino from a second Root assassination attempt while ANBU intervened under the Third Hokage’s orders. After Root ignored the decree and overwhelmed him, Zuo Hao activated Curse Mark Stage Two and prepared to fight back.

• Ino saw that a kunai had wounded Zuo Hao, and five Root operatives emerged from the trees to attack them.
• Three ANBU arrived with the Third Hokage’s decree ordering that Sahiro Uchiha not be attacked, but Root’s leader declared Danzo’s orders took precedence.
• Root split its attack between the ANBU and Zuo Hao, who used fire, Intangibility, and a counterattack while keeping Ino behind him.
• Zuo Hao shielded Ino from a wind attack and refused the ANBU leader’s offer to retreat, insisting he would settle the score that night.
• Zuo Hao activated the Cursed Seal of Heaven at Stage Two, grew wings, and moved to attack the Root operatives.

Zuo Hao killed five Root operatives who attacked him and Ino, then promised to consider her confession if she still liked him in three years. After Ino left, Kakashi arrived with a warning that Danzo would challenge the deaths at the Hokage’s Office.

• Zuo Hao used his Curse Mark Stage Two form to kill two Root operatives, then blinded and killed the remaining three.
• Zuo Hao apologized to Ino for the violence, and she asked whether he had accepted her confession.
• Zuo Hao told Ino he would say yes if she still liked him as much in three years, and she eagerly agreed to the promise.
• Zuo Hao pulled the kunai from his back and threw it into the lake after Ino left.
• Kakashi told Zuo Hao that the Third had sent him and warned that Danzo would make an issue of the five Root deaths.
• Kakashi offered to testify that the Root operatives attacked first and Zuo Hao acted in self-defense.

After Zuo Hao’s chakra reserves surged to Kage Level, Danzo accused him of killing five Root ninja. Hiruzen and Kakashi defended Zuo Hao, who confronted Danzo over his prejudice against the Uchiha Clan.

• Zuo Hao refined his chakra and reached Kage Level in chakra reserves after the fight and his activation of Curse Mark Stage Two.
• Danzo accused Sahiro Uchiha of killing five Root ninja, citing Fire Release burns and a witness who saw him leave the Uchiha Clan Compound.
• Zuo Hao challenged Danzo to provide evidence and said that using Fire Release was not proof of guilt.
• Hiruzen revealed that Danzo had deployed Root without permission and that Kakashi’s report said the Root ninja attacked Zuo Hao and Ino Yamanaka first.
• Kakashi testified that Zuo Hao acted in self-defense, while Danzo claimed he had targeted Zuo Hao because he was an Uchiha hiding his strength.
• Zuo Hao mocked Danzo’s hatred and reminded him that Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju had founded Konohagakure together.

Sahiro confronted Danzo over the Uchiha massacre and the Root assassination attempt, and the Third ruled that Sahiro had acted in self-defense. Danzo left after the Third barred Root from approaching Team 7, while White Zetsu secretly observed the exchange.

• Sahiro challenged Danzo's claim that the Uchiha harbored ambitions to overthrow Konoha, citing the clan's service and the massacre of his family.
• Sahiro demanded evidence of the coup and accused Danzo of causing the Uchiha's destruction and ordering Root to assassinate him.
• The Third declared that Sahiro had acted in self-defense and would face no charges.
• The Third ordered Root to stay away from Team 7, and Danzo left after warning that Hiruzen would regret his decision.
• White Zetsu watched the confrontation and sank into the earth after witnessing everything.

After the Third protected Danzo, Zuo Hao chose a system mission to work with Orochimaru and kill the Third during the Konoha Crush Plan. He formed a plan to find Orochimaru in the Forest of Death and offer him valuable intelligence, but someone suddenly put a hand on his shoulder.

• Zuo Hao left the Hokage's office after threatening the Third for protecting Danzo.
• A hidden mission offered Zuo Hao two ways to join the Konoha Crush Plan, and he chose to work with Orochimaru and kill the Third himself.
• Zuo Hao planned to find Orochimaru in the Forest of Death by revealing his Cursed Seal of Heaven and Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Zuo Hao decided to trade intelligence about the Third for Orochimaru's cooperation and a chance to strike together during the invasion.
• As Zuo Hao went to the window, someone suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder.

Obito told Zuo Hao that Itachi was coming because of Danzo, while Itachi confronted Danzo over Root’s attacks on Zuo Hao and warned him to keep both brothers safe. After leaving Root Base, Itachi encountered Zuo Hao outside Konoha, who stopped him to talk.

• Obito warned Zuo Hao not to expose himself or clash with Konoha, then revealed that Itachi was coming because of Danzo.
• Danzo learned from Root ninja that Sahiro Uchiha had powerful abilities and had escaped their attacks during the battle by the lake.
• Itachi confronted Danzo, accused him of sending Root after Zuo Hao, and threatened to destroy everything Danzo protected if either Zuo Hao or Sasuke died.
• Itachi left Root Base and met Kisame outside Konoha, where Kisame asked whether he was finished.
• Zuo Hao stepped out of the forest and asked Itachi to talk before he left.

Zuo Hao showed Kisame that Samehada could not touch him, and Itachi acknowledged that his younger brother had grown stronger before leaving. The next morning, Team 7 set out on its first official mission, escorting Tazuna to the Land of Waves.

• Kisame attacked Zuo Hao with Samehada, but the blade passed through him without causing harm.
• Itachi stopped Kisame and told Zuo Hao, "You've gotten stronger, Zuo Hao," before walking away with Kisame.
• The Third assigned Team 7 a C-rank escort mission to the Land of Waves after Tazuna requested help building a bridge.
• Naruto peppered Tazuna with questions as Team 7 gathered at Konoha's gates before dawn.
• Sasuke and Sakura walked together while Zuo Hao followed at the back, showing little interest in the mission.

Zuo Hao led Team 7 into the Land of Waves, where he swiftly defeated Gato’s hired ninjas and exposed Tazuna’s lie about the mission. Tazuna admitted that Gato wanted him dead to stop the bridge from breaking his shipping monopoly.

• Zuo Hao recognized the Land of Waves mission and its connection to Zabuza, Haku, and Naruto’s future Nine-Tails chakra awakening.
• After three days of travel, Zuo Hao sensed six attackers in the fog and quickly took them down.
• Zuo Hao interrogated one surviving attacker, who revealed that Gato had hired the group to kill Tazuna and his hired ninjas.
• Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke realized Tazuna had concealed the danger and demanded an explanation.
• Tazuna admitted Gato controlled shipping in the Land of Waves and wanted him killed to prevent the bridge from breaking his monopoly.

After confronting Tazuna for concealing the danger of the mission, Zuo Hao heard why the Land of Waves depended on the bridge and faced Kakashi’s question about whether Team 7 should return to Konoha. Zuo Hao chose to continue the mission, and the chapter ended as something unexpected happened.

• Zuo Hao angrily confronted Tazuna for lying about the mission’s danger and nearly getting Team 7 killed.
• Tazuna explained that Gato controlled shipping in the Land of Waves and that the bridge was the villagers’ only hope.
• Kakashi told Team 7 they could end the mission under the ninja code, then asked Zuo Hao to decide whether they should return to Konoha.
• Zuo Hao chose to finish the mission, and Tazuna thanked him as Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke reacted.
• As Zuo Hao turned toward the Land of Waves, someone cried out, “Ah!”

Kakashi fought Zabuza Momochi after the rogue ninja ambushed Tazuna, while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura watched helplessly. As Zabuza concealed himself in the Hidden Mist Technique, Zuo Hao casually asked to borrow the Kubikiribōchō.

• Zabuza Momochi attacked Tazuna with the Kubikiribōchō, but Kakashi intercepted the giant blade with his kunai.
• Kakashi and Zabuza fought at close range, while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura watched the Jōnin battle.
• Zabuza used the Hidden Mist Technique and threatened Kakashi with a list of eight possible targets.
• Kakashi told Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura to protect Tazuna and stay by his side.
• Zuo Hao asked Zabuza if he could borrow the Kubikiribōchō, saying it looked like a good weapon.

Zuo Hao effortlessly evaded Zabuza’s attacks while taunting him and demanding to borrow Kubikiribōchō, then left the fight to Kakashi. As Zabuza swore revenge, Haku emerged from the mist.

• Zuo Hao mocked Zabuza and asked to borrow Kubikiribōchō.
• Zabuza attacked Zuo Hao with his sword and water techniques, but every strike passed through him.
• Zabuza unleashed a barrage of taijutsu, but he could not harm Zuo Hao and recoiled when Zuo Hao stepped toward him.
• Zuo Hao demanded that Zabuza kneel and beg, then vanished to Kakashi’s side and left the fight to him.
• Zabuza shouted that he would kill Zuo Hao, and Haku emerged from the mist.

Zuo Hao waited until Naruto and Sasuke were in danger before revealing the weaknesses of Haku’s ice mirrors and helping Sasuke expose Haku. Naruto awakened the Nine-Tails Chakra to protect Sasuke, raising his bond level with Zuo Hao as the battle continued.

• Haku trapped Naruto and Sasuke in the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and wounded them with a barrage of Senbon.
• Kakashi and Zabuza continued their fierce battle while Sakura guarded Tazuna and urged Zuo Hao to help.
• After watching the fight, Zuo Hao joined the battle and explained the ice mirrors’ weaknesses to Naruto.
• Zuo Hao shattered a mirror as Haku tried to attack Naruto, exposing Haku and giving Sasuke an opening to use the Great Fireball Technique.
• Naruto’s wounds healed as Nine-Tails Chakra surged around him, and he vowed not to let Sasuke be hurt.
• The system announced that Naruto’s bond level with Zuo Hao had increased.

Zuo Hao incapacitated Haku while Naruto defeated him, and Kakashi killed Zabuza after Zuo Hao distracted him. Zuo Hao took the Kubikiribōchō into the Kamui Dimension, and Gato arrived with a crowd of armed followers.

• Zuo Hao used Nine-Tails Chakra to cut off Haku’s chakra flow after Naruto sent Haku crashing through the ice mirrors.
• Naruto’s Nine-Tails Chakra faded, and he passed out after telling Zuo Hao he could do it.
• Zuo Hao provoked Zabuza, giving Kakashi an opening to pierce Zabuza’s chest with the Lightning Blade.
• Zuo Hao inspected the Kubikiribōchō and stored it in the Kamui Dimension, while Kakashi accepted that it was a spoil of battle.
• Gato arrived with over a hundred samurai and wandering ninja and berated the fallen Zabuza.

Zuo Hao confronted Gato after Gato mocked Zabuza and threatened the Konoha team, then used Sharingan Genjutsu to paralyze Gato and more than a hundred of his men. He sent Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna ahead, intending to deal with Gato alone.

• Gato bragged about his wealth and threatened the Konoha Ninja, prompting Zuo Hao to approach him.
• Zuo Hao demanded compensation and cited Gato's liability for hiring Zabuza, threatening Konoha Ninja, and spitting on Zabuza's corpse, which Zuo Hao claimed as his own.
• Gato ordered his samurai and rogue ninja to attack, but Zuo Hao activated Sharingan Genjutsu and froze the entire crowd.
• Kakashi recognized the technique as genjutsu while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stared in shock.
• Zuo Hao told Kakashi to take Tazuna and the others ahead, and Kakashi agreed to leave Zuo Hao to handle Gato.