Recaps

Zhou Cheng went to the school field to face Neji, while the spectators expected the newly trained outsider to lose. Before the match began, Zhou Cheng challenged the crowd’s assumptions and declared that he would show them what a true genius was.

• Zhou Cheng and Haku ran around the village, where Guy renewed his determination to make Zhou Cheng his student.
• Zhou Cheng walked to school with Naruto, Hinata, and Ino, then brushed off the mocking comments about his challenge to Neji.
• At the field, Kakashi and Guy wagered on how long Zhou Cheng would last, while Naruto’s friends debated whether he could win.
• Neji entered the arena and declared that the weak had to accept their fate and that he was the true genius.
• Zhou Cheng told the silent crowd that hostile people had forced the match and promised to show them what a true genius was.

Zhou Cheng impressed the spectators by recognizing the schemes surrounding his match with Neji Hyuga, then surprised everyone with his speed and taijutsu. After dozens of exchanges, Neji activated his Byakugan, leaving Zhou Cheng ready for the real fight.

• Zhou Cheng voiced his suspicions about the motives behind the match, impressing Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Kakashi, and Might Guy.
• Gekko Hayate began the match as Zhou Cheng and Neji took their opening stances, with Neji choosing not to activate his Byakugan.
• Zhou Cheng used a burst of speed and Konoha Whirlwind to send Neji flying, stunning the spectators.
• Zhou Cheng and Neji traded blows evenly, and Guy confirmed that Zhou Cheng had mastered his taijutsu in a single day.
• After dozens of exchanges, Neji acknowledged Zhou Cheng and activated his Byakugan.

Zhou Cheng used Shadow Clones and a barrage of shuriken to force Neji to defend with Rotation, then attacked with Water Dragon Bullet while shocking the spectators with his simplified hand seals. The chapter ended with Zhou Cheng casting another Water Dragon Bullet and the onlookers confirming that he had removed four seals without weakening the technique.

• Zhou Cheng used Shadow Clones and the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique to trap Neji in a dense shuriken barrage, but Neji deflected it with Rotation.
• Zhou Cheng attacked Neji from both sides with Water Dragon Bullet as Neji's Rotation ended, forcing him to use Rotation again.
• Kakashi noticed Zhou Cheng had omitted four seals, and Guy explained that he had heard about Zhou Cheng's achievement in the Hokage Office the night before.
• Zhou Cheng cast another Water Dragon Bullet, and the spectators confirmed that he had simplified the hand seals without reducing the technique's power.

As Neji overwhelmed Zhou Cheng with Byakugan-enhanced taijutsu, Kakashi recognized that Zhou Cheng had prepared a counterattack using the water covering the arena. The fight remained unresolved, but Kakashi predicted that Zhou Cheng would win.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo each recognized Zhou Cheng's talent and secretly planned to bring him under their control.
• Zhou Cheng sent another pair of water dragons at Neji, who blocked them with Rotation and spent more chakra.
• Zhou Cheng had his Shadow Clone mold chakra while Neji charged and forced him into a taijutsu exchange.
• Neji's Byakugan-enhanced strikes pushed Zhou Cheng back, while spectators assumed Zhou Cheng was running out of chakra.
• Guy and Asuma wagered on how long Zhou Cheng would last, but Kakashi studied the flooded arena and declared that Zhou Cheng could win.

Zhou Cheng revealed that he had used a Shadow Clone to deceive Neji while his real body recovered chakra, then explained that he had prepared the water-covered arena for his next move. As Zhou Cheng began forming hand seals, Neji charged to stop him, and the spectators realized the match was not yet decided.

• Zhou Cheng’s Shadow Clone disappeared under Neji’s Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, revealing that Zhou Cheng’s real body had been meditating.
• Zhou Cheng told Neji that he would lose, drawing laughter from the crowd.
• Zhou Cheng explained that he had used ninjutsu to flood the arena and the Shadow Clone to stall while he recovered chakra.
• Zhou Cheng began forming hand seals, and Neji anxiously charged at him to prevent him from completing the ninjutsu.
• The spectators and Jonin reacted in shock as Zhou Cheng’s plan became clear, while Guy gave Kakashi an approving thumbs-up.

Zhou Cheng defeated Neji by exhausting his chakra and winning with the Great Waterfall Technique, though Hyuga Hiashi intervened to protect Neji. After the match, Zhou Cheng reached out to Neji, and Sasuke challenged him to prove himself next.

• Zhou Cheng overwhelmed Neji with the Great Waterfall Technique after Kakashi explained how he had depleted Neji's chakra.
• Hyuga Hiashi shielded Neji from the waterfall with Eight Trigrams Air Split Palm, and Gekko Hayate declared Zhou Cheng the winner.
• Naruto celebrated Zhou Cheng's victory, while Neji brooded over his defeat and Hiashi worried about Neji's outlook.
• Zhou Cheng offered Neji friendship and a chance to discuss taijutsu, and Neji eventually accepted his handshake.
• Ino praised Zhou Cheng and clung to his arm, while Sasuke challenged him to a fight.

After defeating Neji, Zhou Cheng applied for early graduation and sought out Kakashi as a potential mentor. Guy introduced them, and Zhou Cheng asked Kakashi to take him as his disciple, leaving Guy shocked.

• Sasuke challenged Zhou Cheng, who dismissed Sasuke's strength and praised his own ability to withstand powerful ninjutsu.
• Zhou Cheng thanked his classmates and Iruka for their support, then asked Iruka to submit an application for early graduation.
• Iruka agreed to submit the request but warned that he could not guarantee its approval.
• Zhou Cheng approached Guy, who introduced him to Kakashi Hatake and Asuma Sarutobi.
• Zhou Cheng asked Kakashi to become his disciple, and Guy reacted in disbelief because he had expected Zhou Cheng to choose him.

After defeating Neji, Zhou Cheng secured Kakashi’s promise to take him as a student once he graduated, while Neji vowed to beat him someday. At the Hokage Office, Danzo and the two Advisors competed to claim Zhou Cheng, and Hiruzen redirected their suspicions toward Kakashi.

• Guy accepted Zhou Cheng’s choice of teacher, and Kakashi agreed to take him as a student after he graduated; Zhou Cheng was pleased that this might keep Hiruzen and Danzo from recruiting him.
• Haku asked why Zhou Cheng wanted Kakashi as his teacher, and Zhou Cheng said Haku would understand someday.
• Hiashi told Neji that his defeat came from poor judgment and calculations, and Neji vowed to defeat Zhou Cheng.
• Hiruzen considered approving Zhou Cheng’s graduation application and wondered why he had chosen Kakashi instead of him.
• Danzo and the two Advisors urged Hiruzen to assign Zhou Cheng to their respective factions, but Hiruzen told them Zhou Cheng had chosen Kakashi.
• Danzo and the Advisors suspected Kakashi wanted to use Zhou Cheng to revive the Hatake Clan, while Hiruzen pretended he was still trying to change Zhou Cheng’s mind.

Konoha’s leaders agreed to guide Zhou Cheng through village departments after he graduated, while Sasuke trained to defeat him and Ino won her father’s acceptance of her feelings for him. News of Zhou Cheng’s victory over Neji spread through Konoha, prompting civilians, shinobi, and neutral clans to consider what his talent might mean for the village.

• Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Mitokado Homura agreed to approve Zhou Cheng’s graduation and arrange nine years of experience in the ANBU, Root, and Advisory Department.
• Sasuke Uchiha trained alone and vowed to challenge Zhou Cheng after the graduation exam so he could gain the power to kill the man who slaughtered his clan.
• Inoichi Yamanaka asked Ino whether she truly liked Zhou Cheng, and Ino explained her feelings before he agreed not to oppose them.
• Ino embraced and kissed Inoichi Yamanaka to thank him for accepting her relationship with Zhou Cheng.
• News of Zhou Cheng’s victory over Neji spread through Konoha, drawing cheers from civilians, mixed reactions from shinobi, and interest from neutral clans hoping to recruit him.

Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi discussed Zhou Cheng’s talent as the Kurama Clan debated how to restore its standing. The clan leader decided to betroth Kurama Yakumo to Zhou Cheng as a live-in son-in-law, while Zhou Cheng returned home after escorting the girls and detected two additional people watching him.

• Kurenai Yuhi finished tutoring Kurama Yakumo and met Asuma Sarutobi, who told her about Zhou Cheng’s talent.
• The Kurama Clan Leader proposed betrothing Kurama Yakumo to Zhou Cheng, but the elders objected to marrying her to a commoner.
• The Kurama Clan Leader silenced the elders and ordered someone to meet Zhou Cheng and inform Kurama Yakumo that the marriage alliance was settled.
• Zhou Cheng escorted the girls home after his celebration and sensed that two more people had begun watching him.

Zhou Cheng spent a sleepless night planning how to develop his ninjutsu, taijutsu, and future abilities while considering how to access the Scroll of Seals and replicate genjutsu. The next morning, Haku told him he thought he had awakened a Kekkei Genkai.

• Zhou Cheng stayed awake reflecting on his training and planning to improve his chakra control, taijutsu, and Eight Gates techniques.
• Zhou Cheng decided he needed medical ninjutsu or Yin-Yang Release to limit the damage from opening the Eight Gates of Life.
• Zhou Cheng planned to watch Naruto and Mizuki so he could get a look at the Scroll of Seals, and considered approaching Kurenai Yuhi to learn genjutsu.
• Zhou Cheng realized he had spent the entire night awake, then got up and began making ramen.
• Haku pulled Zhou Cheng aside and traced that he thought he had awakened a Kekkei Genkai.

Haku awakened Ice Release, and Zhou Cheng warned him to keep it secret. At the Ninja Academy, Iruka announced that Zhou Cheng had received special approval from the Hokage to graduate early without taking the exam.

• Haku told Zhou Cheng he could create ice and snow, and Zhou Cheng cautioned him not to reveal his kekkei genkai.
• Naruto visited Zhou Cheng and Haku with Konohamaru, who declared he would become Hokage and praised Zhou Cheng for defeating Neji Hyuga.
• Zhou Cheng and Haku completed their daily run before heading to the Ninja Academy so Zhou Cheng could check on his early-graduation application.
• Iruka announced that the school had approved Zhou Cheng's application and forwarded it to the Hokage.
• Iruka revealed that the Hokage had specially approved Zhou Cheng's graduation without an exam, shocking the class.

Zhou Cheng graduated from the Ninja Academy after only a month and registered as a Genin, while several people in Konoha took a renewed interest in him. When the Third Hokage summoned him to his office, Zhou Cheng found Danzo and the two advisers waiting there too.

• Iruka presented Zhou Cheng with his Konoha Shinobi forehead protector, while Naruto resolved to steal the Scroll of Seals to gain recognition.
• Zhou Cheng left to register at the Hokage Building, and Uzuki Yugao watched him from a rooftop and hoped he would excel in the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Mizuki planned to use Naruto to steal the Scroll of Seals, lure Iruka out, and kill him before fleeing Konoha.
• Kakashi considered taking Zhou Cheng as an apprentice after learning of his early graduation, but decided to observe him first.
• Zhou Cheng completed his Genin registration and was summoned to the Hokage's office, where he found Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and the two advisers.

Zhou Cheng chose to join Hiruzen Sarutobi’s ANBU after the Hokage, Danzo, and the two Advisors each offered him a three-year position in their organizations. Uzuki Yugao took him to ANBU headquarters, where he began his new assignment.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu offered to take Zhou Cheng as an apprentice, but he could not choose among them.
• The four leaders offered Zhou Cheng three-year positions in the ANBU, Root, or the Advisory Department, and he rejected the Advisors’ department and Danzo’s Root.
• Zhou Cheng chose to join Hiruzen Sarutobi’s ANBU, while Danzo and the Advisors showed little surprise at his decision.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Uzuki Yugao to Zhou Cheng’s squad and told her to introduce him to the ANBU.
• Uzuki Yugao led Zhou Cheng to a nearby building, where he sensed more than a dozen masked ANBU members concealed around the headquarters.

Zhou Cheng joined the ANBU under the codename Red Hare, then visited Kakashi to claim the apprenticeship they had agreed on after his early graduation. Kakashi was moved by Zhou Cheng’s words about protecting comrades, but had not yet agreed to take him as an apprentice.

• Uzuki Yugao explained the ANBU’s structure, took Zhou Cheng’s measurements, gave him a rabbit mask, and warned him to keep his membership secret.
• Zhou Cheng left the ANBU headquarters wary of Hiruzen Sarutobi and worried that Naruto might soon steal the Scroll of Seals.
• Zhou Cheng went to Kakashi’s home after recalling Kakashi’s promise to apprentice him if he graduated early.
• Kakashi let Zhou Cheng inside and asked why he wanted to become his apprentice.
• Zhou Cheng said he wanted to protect his comrades and learn the ninjutsu Kakashi knew, prompting Kakashi to fall into a long, thoughtful silence.

Zhou Cheng tried to prove himself worthy of becoming Kakashi’s disciple by passing a bell-snatching test. He used clones, mist, and a clever shuriken trick to cut the bell’s cord, leaving the test’s outcome uncertain.

• Kakashi agreed to take Zhou Cheng as his disciple if he could snatch a bell within thirty minutes.
• Zhou Cheng followed Kakashi to a training ground and began the test with clones and shuriken.
• Zhou Cheng used the Hidden Mist Technique and sensing to coordinate an attack, but Kakashi’s shadow clone trick defeated his shadow clone.
• Kakashi cleared the mist with Wind Release: Great Breakthrough and found Zhou Cheng, who then chose to attack directly.
• Zhou Cheng used the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique and redirected two shuriken to slice through the bell’s cord, shocking Kakashi.

Zhou Cheng won Kakashi's bell test and became his student, then suspected Naruto was going to steal the Scroll of Seals. He reached Naruto before Iruka and attacked Mizuki, ending the chapter as his Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique forced Mizuki to dodge.

• Zhou Cheng used a shadow clone to trick Kakashi, caught the bells, and was accepted as Kakashi's student, with training set for the next day.
• Zhou Cheng noticed Naruto seemed unhappy and learned he would not visit that night, then suspected Naruto planned to steal the Scroll of Seals.
• Zhou Cheng bought black clothes, checked that Naruto was away from home, and rushed to the meeting place wearing his ANBU rabbit mask.
• Zhou Cheng arrived as Mizuki was beating Naruto for the Scroll of Seals, used a shadow clone to distract Mizuki, and helped Naruto sit beneath a tree.
• Zhou Cheng and his shadow clone threw shuriken, then Zhou Cheng used the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, forcing Mizuki to dodge the multiplied weapons.

Zhou Cheng defeated Mizuki with his shadow clone and read the Scroll of Seals while Mizuki recovered using Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal. When Iruka approached, Zhou Cheng woke Naruto, left the scroll beside him, and hid in a tree as Iruka confronted Mizuki.

• Zhou Cheng and his shadow clone fought Mizuki, who used the Substitution Technique to escape their first attack.
• The two Zhou Chengs cornered Mizuki and stabbed him with kunai, leaving him collapsed on the ground.
• Zhou Cheng took the Scroll of Seals from Naruto and began memorizing its forbidden techniques.
• Mizuki activated Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal and attacked Zhou Cheng’s shadow clone, which used shuriken and the Hidden Mist Technique to stall him.
• Zhou Cheng sensed Iruka approaching, closed the scroll, woke Naruto, and hid in a tree after dispelling his shadow clone.
• Iruka arrived and confronted Mizuki over using Naruto to steal the Scroll of Seals.

Zhou Cheng used the Flying Thunder God Technique to save Iruka and kill Mizuki after Mizuki’s Cursed Seal threw the expected events into disarray. He returned home, struggled with the nausea of killing for the first time, and considered his plans for training under Kakashi.

• Mizuki overwhelmed Iruka and Naruto, leaving Iruka near death as Naruto froze in shock.
• Zhou Cheng used two Flying Thunder God Kunai to rescue Iruka, then appeared beside Mizuki and stabbed him in the throat.
• Zhou Cheng placed Naruto, Iruka, and the Scroll of Seals together before fleeing as other shinobi approached.
• Zhou Cheng returned home unnoticed, changed clothes, and felt sick as he confronted the fact that he had killed Mizuki.
• Zhou Cheng reflected on becoming Kakashi’s student and planned to study Water and Earth Ninjutsu while refining Guy’s talent.

Zhou Cheng considered how to grow stronger and protect himself from the Third Hokage and Danzo after becoming Kakashi's student and joining the ANBU. He planned to train three techniques from the Scroll of Seals, seek a Sage Body through Replication, and take missions to earn money, while worrying that the Third Hokage had watched him read the scroll.

• Zhou Cheng decided to secure Kakashi's support, build ties with the Konoha 12, and avoid giving the Third Hokage and Danzo an opening to target him.
• Zhou Cheng recalled memorizing the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Flying Thunder God Technique, and Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags from the Scroll of Seals.
• Zhou Cheng planned to use shadow clones to accelerate his training and the Flying Thunder God Technique as an escape method, but noted that its chakra cost was high.
• Zhou Cheng judged that gaining a Sage Body through Replication was his best way to increase his chakra, and considered the Senju, Uzumaki, Naruto, and Karin as possible targets.
• Zhou Cheng realized he needed missions to afford explosive tags and considered bounty work as a more lucrative option.
• Zhou Cheng questioned whether the Third Hokage had watched him read the Scroll of Seals through the Crystal Ball.

Zhou Cheng feared that the Third Hokage had caught him reading the Scroll of Seals and worried about the consequences. Hiruzen summoned him, but Zhou Cheng played dumb until Hiruzen offered him another chance and appealed to Konoha’s Will of Fire.

• Zhou Cheng suspected Hiruzen had watched him read the Scroll of Seals and spent the night worrying about being exposed.
• Hiruzen planned to use the incident to make Zhou Cheng his student and leave him anxious before summoning him.
• Uzuki Yugao brought Zhou Cheng to the Hokage Office for questioning on Hiruzen’s orders.
• Zhou Cheng denied knowing about the Scroll of Seals, then admitted he had read it after Hiruzen said he had seen him.
• Hiruzen threatened Zhou Cheng with execution, then softened and offered to forgive him if he served Konoha and followed its Will of Fire.

Zhou Cheng compromised with Hiruzen Sarutobi, who arranged to teach him personally, then trained with Uzuki Yugao and headed to meet Kakashi. The chapter ended as Kakashi prepared to assess Zhou Cheng’s fighting ability and tailor his training.

• Zhou Cheng agreed to call Hiruzen Sarutobi Sensei and attend lessons with him each morning rather than risk a conflict with Konoha.
• Zhou Cheng left the Hokage Building with Uzuki Yugao, sent a Shadow Clone home to reassure Haku, and trained throughout their ANBU shift.
• Uzuki Yugao invited Zhou Cheng to lunch, but he declined, invited her to dinner, and hurried to meet Kakashi for training.
• Zhou Cheng arrived before Kakashi and ate rice balls while waiting; Kakashi showed up late and offered an excuse about helping an old lady cross the street.
• Kakashi told Zhou Cheng to attack him with everything he had so he could assess Zhou Cheng’s strength and fighting style.

Zhou Cheng sparred with Kakashi and received four ninjutsu scrolls, then stunned his new teacher by mastering all four techniques on his first attempts. After Kakashi agreed to return to training the next day, Zhou Cheng set out to pick up Haku and check on Naruto.

• Zhou Cheng unleashed his skills against Kakashi, who defeated him within five minutes and assessed his strength as roughly ordinary chunin level.
• Kakashi gave Zhou Cheng scrolls for Water Formation Wall, Water Dragon Bite Explosion, Earth Spear, and Rock Fist Technique.
• Zhou Cheng successfully performed four ninjutsu on his first attempts, leaving Kakashi stunned by his control and hand-seal speed.
• Zhou Cheng asked to learn more ninjutsu, and Kakashi told him to return the next day.
• Zhou Cheng invited Kakashi to dinner, then headed to pick up Haku and check on Naruto, resolving to teach Naruto the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique if necessary.

Zhou Cheng invited Naruto and their friends to dinner, using the meal to bring the group together and impress them with his cooking. The guests were won over by the food, while several of them—including Kakashi—noticed that Zhou Cheng could use the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and wondered where he had learned it.

• Zhou Cheng invited Shikamaru, Choji, Hinata, Ino, and their friends to dinner, asking Hinata to invite Neji and Ino to invite Sakura and Sasuke.
• Zhou Cheng used Shadow Clones to buy ingredients and bring them home, startling the boys when they saw him use the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
• Neji, Sasuke, and Kakashi arrived as Zhou Cheng cooked, and Kakashi also realized Zhou Cheng knew the forbidden technique.
• Zhou Cheng served a table full of food and grilled barbecue, leaving the guests too busy eating to talk.
• Uzuki Yugao arrived, tasted the food, and joined the others in eating.
• Naruto and the others praised Zhou Cheng's cooking, and Kakashi gave him a V sign before leaping away.

After hosting a costly meal, Zhou Cheng promised to cook for the Konoha 12 once a week and accepted Sasuke’s challenge to duel for the right to command the loser. The next morning, he asked Hiruzen Sarutobi how to make ninjutsu stronger without using more chakra, but set aside the dangerous training method Hiruzen described.

• The Konoha 12 praised Zhou Cheng’s cooking, and he promised to prepare a meal for them once a week after explaining how much the ingredients had cost.
• Shikamaru suggested that everyone split the cost of future meals, and the group agreed before leaving.
• Sasuke challenged Zhou Cheng, who proposed that the loser become the winner’s underling; they agreed to duel in a deserted place three days later.
• Zhou Cheng walked Ino home after Hinata, Neji, Sakura, and Sasuke departed.
• The next morning, Xingyu went to the Hokage Building for his lesson with Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked how to increase ninjutsu power without using more chakra.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi said Zhou Cheng would need to improve his chakra quality and strengthen his meridians, but warned him against attempting the risky training while young; Zhou Cheng decided not to trust the advice.