Recaps

Zhou Cheng strengthened his body and mind with talent original liquid, then tested his new Tai Chi Taijutsu against Kakashi. He left Kakashi unable to land a hit using Taijutsu alone.

• Zhou Cheng reported for ANBU duty, trained with Uzuki Yugao, and learned that his Shadow Clones had made progress blending Tai Chi into Taijutsu.
• Zhou Cheng used the two remaining drops of talent original liquid to increase his physical and mental strength, thickening his chakra pathways and raising his chakra capacity.
• At Ichiraku Ramen, Ayame gave Zhou Cheng a fried egg because he was Naruto's friend, then blushed and fled when he asked whether Kakashi was handsome beneath his mask.
• At the secret base, Zhou Cheng dispelled his Shadow Clones and nearly collapsed under the flood of their accumulated experience, but realized he had begun incorporating Tai Chi into Taijutsu.
• Zhou Cheng sparred with Kakashi, neutralizing his attacks with Tai Chi and preventing him from landing a hit without chakra.

Zhou Cheng sparred with Kakashi, learned two advanced ninjutsu, and successfully compressed some of his chakra. Over the next twenty days, he trained with the Third Generation and Sasuke, then reached another point where he could allocate his talent original liquid.

• Zhou Cheng fought Kakashi to a taijutsu draw until Kakashi used chakra, then showed him that his self-created style was still unfinished.
• Kakashi gave Zhou Cheng scrolls for Water Release: Rain Cutter and Earth Release: Underworld Swamp, which Zhou Cheng learned and tested on his first attempts.
• Zhou Cheng and Kakashi haggled over exchanging cooking for more ninjutsu but failed to agree on a price.
• Zhou Cheng told Kakashi he wanted to compress his chakra and successfully compressed a small portion, boosting his ninjutsu's power by ten percent.
• Over twenty days, Zhou Cheng trained with the Third Generation, improved his chakra control and shape transformation, and defeated Sasuke, who kept his promise to act as Zhou Cheng's underling in private.
• Zhou Cheng shared training advice with Sasuke and reached the next opportunity to allocate his talent original liquid.

Zhou Cheng distributed his talent original liquid to strengthen his abilities and reflected on his training, future upgrades, and the upcoming team assignments. He headed to the Hokage Building, planning to replicate Naruto’s talent and seeking a chance to test his Eight Gates of Life with Tai Chi.

• Zhou Cheng used seven drops of talent original liquid to improve his physique, stamina, sensing, speed, and strength, keeping one drop in reserve.
• Naruto graduated after Zhou Cheng’s coaching, while Zhou Cheng was excluded from team assignments because he was already in ANBU and too talented to place fairly.
• Zhou Cheng worried that Haku’s kekkei genkai and other shinobi’s advantages left him behind, despite his own rapid progress in training with Kakashi and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Danzo and the two advisors repeatedly visited Zhou Cheng and appeared interested in recruiting him, while showing growing displeasure toward the Third Generation.
• Zhou Cheng considered seeking genjutsu talent from Kurenai Yuhi and replicating Naruto’s talent for a Sage Body, and he hoped to test the Eight Gates of Life with Tai Chi on a mission.

Hiruzen Sarutobi let Zhou Cheng join a Genin team while remaining in ANBU, and Zhou Cheng chose Haku and a girl from the Kurama Clan to train under Kurenai Yuhi. After an unproductive lesson with Hiruzen, Zhou Cheng returned to ANBU and found Uzuki Yugao without her mask.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi offered Zhou Cheng the chance to train with a Jonin team while still serving in ANBU, but refused his request to join Kakashi's team.
• Zhou Cheng asked to choose his teammates and named Haku, Hinata, and Kurenai Yuhi as their instructor.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Haku and Kurenai Yuhi but rejected Hinata, explaining that Kurenai's private student from the Kurama Clan had to remain with her.
• Zhou Cheng agreed to team with Haku and the Kurama Clan girl under Kurenai Yuhi, then asked who the additional ANBU Jonin instructors would be.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Zhou Cheng to consolidate what he had learned instead of starting a new lesson, and Zhou Cheng left the Hokage Office.
• Zhou Cheng went to ANBU for his shift and saw Uzuki Yugao sitting at the desk without her mask.

Zhou Cheng met Uzuki Yugao after she left the ANBU and began training in Chakra Shape Transformation with a scroll from Kakashi. After gaining top-tier Wind Nature affinity by replicating Naruto’s talent, he and Haku met their new teacher, Kurenai Yuhi, and began their work as Team 8.

• Uzuki Yugao told Zhou Cheng she had left the ANBU to lead a Genin team with Hinata, Kiba, and Shino, while Zhou Cheng explained that he remained an ANBU member in Konoha.
• Kakashi gave Zhou Cheng a Chakra Shape Transformation scroll, and Zhou Cheng spent the afternoon practicing with Shadow Clones but only managed to make his chakra spin.
• Zhou Cheng replicated Naruto’s talent and acquired top-tier Wind Nature affinity, then confirmed it with chakra testing paper and asked Haku to teach him wind release ninjutsu.
• A Genin summoned Zhou Cheng and Haku to meet Kurenai Yuhi, their new Jonin leader, at the clearing outside the Kurama Clan’s grounds.
• Kurenai Yuhi welcomed Zhou Cheng and Haku as Team 8, while privately wondering whether Zhou Cheng’s strength matched his reputation.

Zhou Cheng began working with Team 8, trained his abilities, and grew closer to Kurama Yakumo. On the way back to Konoha, he replicated her talent and gained the Kurama Clan's kekkei genkai, which he discovered he could use without developing her Heart Demon.

• Kurenai introduced Kurama Yakumo to Zhou Cheng and Haku as their new teammate, and Team 8 began taking missions.
• Zhou Cheng secretly tested the Eight Gates, found he could open four, and continued training his chakra shape transformation.
• Over ten days, Zhou Cheng befriended Yakumo, helped her enjoy time outside the clan, and noticed her health improving.
• Zhou Cheng used talent original liquid to enhance himself, then activated Talent Replication on Yakumo during Team 8's return to Konoha.
• Zhou Cheng acquired top-tier genjutsu talent and the Kurama Clan's kekkei genkai, then used it to manipulate a mouse's senses and send it toward a venomous snake.

Zhou Cheng impressed Kurenai Yuhi with his exceptional genjutsu talent, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Jonin to discuss whether he could be trusted. After Danzo renewed his interest in taking Zhou Cheng for Root, Zhou Cheng hosted the Konoha 12 and their team leaders for dinner.

• Zhou Cheng asked Kurenai Yuhi to teach him genjutsu and quickly mastered both basic and advanced theory, astonishing her with his talent.
• After the teams returned to Konoha, Zhou Cheng invited the Konoha 12 and their Jonin leaders to dinner, asking everyone to bring an ingredient.
• Kurenai Yuhi reported Zhou Cheng's genjutsu aptitude to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Jonin debated whether his extraordinary talents made him suspicious.
• Kakashi vouched for Zhou Cheng, and Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to trust him while asking Kurenai to report anything unusual.
• Danzo listened to a Root operative's report and resolved to take Zhou Cheng from Hiruzen's oversight and protect him until he matured.
• The Konoha 12 and their Jonin leaders gathered at Zhou Cheng's home, where his cooking amazed the guests who had not tasted it before.

After hosting a feast, Zhou Cheng ran with Naruto and received an anonymous midnight meeting invitation before completing the Rasengan through clone training. Kakashi witnessed his achievement and was astonished by how much Zhou Cheng reminded him of Minato Namikaze.

• Zhou Cheng served a delicious meal to Kakashi, Kurama Yakumo, and the others, who ate enthusiastically before helping clean up and going home.
• Naruto joined Zhou Cheng and Haku for their morning run after Sasuke's strength had shaken his confidence as a shinobi.
• An unknown person slipped Zhou Cheng a note inviting him to meet at Hokage Rock at midnight, and the Third Hokage avoided discussing training when Zhou Cheng visited him.
• Zhou Cheng trained at ANBU headquarters, then hurried to his secret base after his shadow clones completed the Rasengan.
• Zhou Cheng demonstrated his stable Rasengan to Kakashi, who marveled that he had mastered it without instruction and saw similarities between him and Minato Namikaze.

Zhou Cheng impressed Kakashi with his progress, then injured himself when his first Rasenshuriken failed. After accepting medicine from village leaders and discussing the dangerous Chunin Ninja Exams with his friends, Zhou Cheng stayed home to recover as Konoha’s jonin leaders began discussing whether to enter their students.

• Kakashi praised Zhou Cheng’s chakra-shape transformation, urged him to focus his training, and warned him to watch the Kurama Clan girl.
• Zhou Cheng used his genjutsu kekkei genkai to make Kakashi see Obito, then dispelled the illusion and explained what the technique did.
• After Kakashi left, Zhou Cheng tried to create a Rasenshuriken, but it vanished and its wind chakra caused serious internal injuries.
• Zhou Cheng went to the hospital and learned he would need medication and time to recover, then accepted medicine from the Third Generation, Danzo, and Mitokado Homura.
• Zhou Cheng’s friends discussed whether to enter the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Shikamaru warned them that the joint exams could be deadly; Zhou Cheng refused Ino’s offer to care for him.
• Konoha’s jonin team leaders gathered to discuss whether they would sign their students up for the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Zhou Cheng prepared for the Chunin Exams while recovering and training, then intervened when Kankuro threatened Konohamaru. He confronted Gaara's team and challenged Gaara after sensing his killing intent.

• The Jonin discussed entering their students in the Chunin Exams, and Kurenai warned that Zhou Cheng and Haku would be formidable competitors.
• Zhou Cheng assessed his abilities, considered improving his strength by finding Karin Uzumaki during the exams, and resolved to save her.
• During the month before the exams, Zhou Cheng continued training, inspiring others in Konoha to run laps.
• When the Chunin Exams began, Zhou Cheng went to the place where Konohamaru would encounter Gaara's team.
• Zhou Cheng leapt in and took Konohamaru from Kankuro, then confronted Gaara and asked if he wanted to die.

Zhou Cheng defended Konohamaru from Gaara's siblings, encouraged Konohamaru to train with him, and secretly helped Kurama Yakumo pass the first exam. After the exam, he refined Yakumo's talent and prepared to use the resulting talent original liquid to improve his sensing ability before the second exam.

• Zhou Cheng rebuked Kankuro for threatening him, and Temari stopped Kankuro from starting a fight.
• Zhou Cheng warned Konohamaru not to risk his life carelessly, and Konohamaru agreed to train with him after the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Zhou Cheng used his Genjutsu Kekkei Genkai to swap his completed exam paper with Kurama Yakumo's blank one, and Yakumo replaced his name with her own.
• Everyone passed the first exam except for a few people Konoha had planted, and the second exam was set to begin that afternoon.
• Zhou Cheng summoned the Purple Crystal Gourd, received twelve drops of talent original liquid from Yakumo's refined talent, and allocated two drops to the Orange Sun Gourd.

Zhou Cheng entered the Forest of Death with Haku and Kurama Yakumo, intending to rescue Karin Uzumaki and make his strength known. He saved Karin from a giant bear, and she was immediately captivated by him.

• Zhou Cheng enhanced his treasure gourds, raising his chakra reserves and taijutsu strength while saving his last two drops of talent original liquid for the final gourd.
• At the second exam briefing, Mitaraishi Anko explained that teams had five days to obtain both scrolls and reach the destination through the Forest of Death.
• Zhou Cheng gave the Konoha 12 Flying Thunder God Kunai and secretly marked Hinata, Naruto, and Ino before entering the forest with Haku and Kurama Yakumo.
• Zhou Cheng carried the exhausted Kurama Yakumo to the place where Karin Uzumaki would appear, and Haku drove away two teams trying to steal their scrolls.
• Zhou Cheng killed the giant bear pursuing Karin with one kick and helped her to her feet, leaving Karin infatuated with him.

After rescuing Karin, Zhou Cheng replicated her talents and gained powerful sensing, sealing, and healing abilities. He took Karin with his group and used his new sensing skill to track down a Takigakure team carrying the Earth Scroll.

• Zhou Cheng gave Karin food and water, then replicated her talents, gaining Mind's Eye of the Kagura, Adamantine Sealing Chains, vast chakra reserves, and rapid healing.
• Team 7 arrived, and Zhou Cheng gave Naruto the Heaven Scroll he had seized before Sasuke led the team away.
• Zhou Cheng invited Karin to travel with him and Haku and Kurama Yakumo until they found her team, and Karin accepted.
• Using Mind's Eye of the Kagura, Zhou Cheng tracked a Takigakure team with the Earth Scroll and confronted them.
• The Takigakure captain mocked Zhou Cheng for challenging them alone and signaled his two teammates to attack.

Zhou Cheng collected scrolls by defeating rival teams in the Forest of Death, then answered Sakura’s call for help when Team 7 encountered Orochimaru. The chapter ended with Zhou Cheng facing Orochimaru after he appeared between the Sannin and Team 7.

• Zhou Cheng killed three Takigakure Genin after they tried to take his Earth Scroll.
• Zhou Cheng ambushed a Sunagakure team, took their Earth Scroll, and knocked them unconscious.
• Gekko Hayate and other Konoha Shinobi discussed which Genin might reach the tower, while Mitaraishi Anko hurried into the forest after sensing Orochimaru.
• Zhou Cheng’s team rested beneath a tree after he collected six scrolls, and he left when he sensed that one of his Flying Thunder God Kunai had been activated.
• Orochimaru defeated Sasuke and Naruto and cornered Sakura, who used the Flying Thunder God Kunai to summon Zhou Cheng.
• Zhou Cheng appeared in front of Team 7 and blocked Orochimaru’s attack, and Orochimaru asked who he was.

Zhou Cheng fought Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, showing off the power of his Sage Body and a perfected Rasenshuriken. Orochimaru tried to escape, but Zhou Cheng tracked him down and cornered him again.

• Zhou Cheng sent Sakura and Naruto away, then faced Orochimaru alone.
• Zhou Cheng used an enormous Rasengan, but Orochimaru dodged it and began planning his retreat.
• Zhou Cheng created and hurled a Rasenshuriken, destroying Orochimaru's three Earth Formation Walls as Orochimaru narrowly escaped the blast.
• Orochimaru left an Earth Clone behind and fled with the Body Flicker Technique, but Zhou Cheng sensed and pursued his real body.
• Zhou Cheng struck Orochimaru's path with another Rasenshuriken and confronted him, asking where he thought he was going.

Zhou Cheng fought Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, forcing him to retreat before showing Mitaraishi Anko his overwhelming strength and Flying Thunder God Technique. As Anko hurried to report what she had witnessed, Haku sensed a new threat near Kurama Yakumo and Karin and narrowly dodged an arrow.

• Mitaraishi Anko found Zhou Cheng fighting Orochimaru and watched Zhou Cheng overpower him with unusual taijutsu.
• Orochimaru attacked with the Kusanagi Sword, but Zhou Cheng blocked it with an Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan before dodging the blade and letting Orochimaru escape.
• Zhou Cheng appeared behind Mitaraishi Anko, spoke with her, and vanished with the Flying Thunder God Technique to meet his teammates.
• Mitaraishi Anko realized Zhou Cheng had used space-time ninjutsu and hurried to report Orochimaru's presence to Third-sama.
• Haku sensed danger while guarding Kurama Yakumo and Karin, then narrowly dodged an arrow that cut his cheek.

Haku, Karin, and Kurama Yakumo were ambushed by the Sound Four after Yakumo blocked the flute’s effects. Haku trapped Sakon and Ukon in his ice mirrors, but Karin’s cry for help forced him to leave before finishing them.

• Haku warned Karin and Kurama Yakumo that the flute could stir negative emotions, and Yakumo used genjutsu to block its effects.
• An Earth Style attack separated the three, and Haku faced Sakon while the others were confronted by Sound Ninja.
• Haku attacked Sakon with senbon and water needles, but Sakon recovered from his wounds and revealed his unusual body.
• Haku used Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals to trap Sakon and Ukon, then discovered their regeneration worked only when they were merged.
• Karin cried for help, and Haku emerged from the mirrors to go to her aid.

Zhou Cheng rescued Karin from Jirobo and used the Kurama Clan's kekkei genkai to manipulate Tayuya's five senses. He tricked Tayuya into attacking Jirobo, leaving the Sound Ninja fighting each other.

• Jirobo cornered Karin and tried to kill her, but Zhou Cheng stopped him and overpowered him.
• Kidomaru's arrow interrupted Zhou Cheng, and Jirobo activated his Cursed Seal and broke free before Zhou Cheng kicked him away.
• Zhou Cheng brought Karin to Kurama Yakumo, who collapsed from exhaustion after he reassured her.
• Zhou Cheng altered Tayuya's five senses so she saw him as Orochimaru and mistook Jirobo for a Konoha shinobi.
• Tayuya summoned the Rage Ogres to attack Jirobo, who activated the second stage of his Cursed Seal and sent them flying.

Zhou Cheng defeated and intimidated the Sound Four with a Water Release: Rasenshuriken, forcing them to surrender their scroll. After traveling through the Forest of Death, he led his team to the central tower on the fourth day, nearly uninjured.

• Zhou Cheng released Tayuya from his Genjutsu and threatened the Sound Four with a Water Release: Rasenshuriken, driving them away from its blast.
• Zhou Cheng caught Tayuya with a kunai and made her surrender the Sound Four's scroll before letting the group flee.
• Zhou Cheng comforted Haku, Kurama Yakumo, and Karin, then rested with his team before continuing through the forest.
• Zhou Cheng's team traveled for three more days while other Genin fought fiercely for scrolls and suffered heavy casualties.
• Zhou Cheng led his team to the central tower on the fourth day, with their full roster intact and almost no injuries.

Zhou Cheng helped ensure Konoha’s teams passed the second exam, gave Karin’s team scrolls, and revealed that he had collected a huge stash. As everyone rested at the tower before the one-on-one third exam, he comforted Naruto, drew closer to his friends, and won over the assembled shinobi with roasted meat.

• Zhou Cheng gave Karin’s team a set of Heaven and Earth scrolls, allowing them to pass, and later dumped his large stash of scrolls in front of the other shinobi.
• Gekko Hayate announced that the third exam would begin the next day and use one-on-one eliminations, while the Sound Four failed to arrive at the tower.
• Naruto’s Team 7 thanked Zhou Cheng for saving them, and Zhou Cheng privately told Sasuke that protecting his little brother was natural before encouraging Naruto about his future.
• Ino clung to Zhou Cheng when the Ino-Shika-Cho trio visited, and Hinata blushed when she greeted him.
• Zhou Cheng returned from hunting with Haku, Naruto, and Sasuke, then shared honey-roasted meat with Konoha’s shinobi and Karin’s team while charging other villages ten ryo per skewer.
• Temari bought some meat and worried that Sunagakure’s team might face Zhou Cheng in the third exam.

During the Chunin Exam preliminaries, Sasuke defeated Akado Yoroi before Hinata faced Neji and surprised the arena by using Zhou Cheng’s Tai Chi to counter the Gentle Fist. Hinata and Neji reached a stalemate, while the gathered shinobi took notice of her new fighting style.

• Sasuke endured Akado Yoroi’s chakra-draining attacks and defeated him with the Lion Combo.
• The Konoha 12 won their matches against the Sound Ninja, though each fight was difficult.
• Neji overwhelmed Hinata at first, but she repeatedly stood back up and continued fighting.
• Zhou Cheng signaled Hinata to use Tai Chi, and she began redirecting Neji’s Gentle Fist attacks.
• Hinata and Neji fought to a stalemate as Kakashi, Might Guy, and the Sunagakure shinobi watched her technique with interest.

Hinata kept fighting Neji despite being gravely injured, until Zhou Cheng intervened when Neji launched his strongest attack. Zhou Cheng shattered Neji’s Rotation, but Hinata collapsed unconscious, leaving him rushing to help her.

• After Neji sealed her acupoints and knocked her down, Hinata rose and rejected his belief that fate was fixed, saying Cheng Zhou had taught her that persistence was true strength.
• Hinata forced chakra through her sealed acupoints and continued toward Neji, prompting Zhou Cheng and several others to rush in as Neji unleashed Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
• Zhou Cheng blocked Neji’s attack with Tai Chi, redirecting every strike, then slowed and shattered Neji’s Rotation with a palm strike.
• Guy, Rock Lee, and Tenten hurried to the injured Neji while medical Shinobi began treating him.
• Uzuki Yugao called out when Hinata collapsed unconscious, and Zhou Cheng used the Body Flicker Technique to reach her and ordered that she be laid flat.

Zhou Cheng used Yang Release to heal Hinata, Neji, and Rock Lee, astonishing the jonin and raising questions about his origins. The Chunin Exam continued, and Zhou Cheng healed Rock Lee after his match with Gaara.

• Zhou Cheng channeled Yang Release into Hinata and Neji, healing their injuries as Kakashi recognized the chakra as Yang Release.
• The jonin questioned Zhou Cheng about his parents, and he said they had died when he was very young before the exam resumed.
• Naruto defeated Kiba, while Haku and Kurama Yakumo also won their matches; Zhou Cheng advanced with a bye.
• Rock Lee opened the Eight Gates of Life against Gaara but suffered a broken arm and leg after losing.
• Zhou Cheng used Yang Release to mend Rock Lee's limbs and hidden injuries, and Guy thanked him.

After the third round of the exams, Zhou Cheng reconciled Neji and Hinata and considered his plans for protecting his friends and growing stronger. He decided to study kenjutsu and pursue sage eyes and Yin Release, while wondering whether his sage body could replace Asura's chakra in awakening the Rinnegan.

• Zhou Cheng shared barbecue with the exhausted exam participants, and Hinata, Neji, and Rock Lee thanked him for saving them.
• Zhou Cheng brought Neji and Hinata together, urged Neji not to hate his cousin, and Hinata forgave him.
• Zhou Cheng reviewed how his perfect sage body had strengthened him and planned to earn more money through missions or bounties.
• Zhou Cheng decided to protect Hinata by mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique and placing its mark on her, and planned to teach Tai Chi to the Konoha 12.
• Zhou Cheng resolved to learn kenjutsu from Kakashi and use the time before assimilating Karin's talent to master his sage body.
• Zhou Cheng planned to obtain the Byakugan and Sharingan and wondered whether his Yang Release could substitute for Asura's chakra to awaken the Rinnegan.

Zhou Cheng planned to grow stronger through senjutsu, combat training, and forbidden techniques while preparing to seek powerful dōjutsu. After hearing of Zhou Cheng’s strength and Yang Release, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo discussed testing, controlling, or killing him if he refused to obey.

• Zhou Cheng planned to pursue Sage Mode, study kenjutsu, train through missions, and learn forbidden techniques during the chaos of the Konoha Crush Plan.
• An ANBU reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo that Zhou Cheng had caused a fierce battle, dispersed Neji’s Rotation, gathered scrolls, and used Yang Release to heal others.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo realized Zhou Cheng’s power and connections made him harder to control, and Danzo regretted not bringing him into Root earlier.
• Danzo urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to force Zhou Cheng into Root or label him a rogue ninja, and to kill him if he resisted.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to test Zhou Cheng when he returned, threaten the people around him if necessary, and kill him if those measures failed.