Recaps

Zhou Cheng overwhelmed Darui and the Kumogakure shinobi with Wind Release Chakra Mode and Flying Thunder God techniques. After ordering them to retreat, he attacked when they chose to fight, while the Kirigakure front remained a pressing concern.

• Darui charged Zhou Cheng with lightning-enhanced speed, but Zhou Cheng blocked his attacks and activated Wind Release Chakra Mode.
• Zhou Cheng used Flying Thunder God Kunai to appear among the Kumogakure shinobi and killed six or seven of them.
• Zhou Cheng stopped his attack, gave the Kumogakure shinobi one minute to leave, and threatened to kill them all if they stayed.
• Darui, Samui, Mabui, and other Kumogakure shinobi prepared to fight together instead of retreating.
• Zhou Cheng charged into their ranks, killing one shinobi with his sword and smashing another with a Rasengan as the others rescued a wounded comrade.

Zhou Cheng forced Darui and the Kumogakure force to retreat after defeating them and negotiated valuable weapons and training materials as the price of their departure. He returned to Konoha’s Watchtower, where the surviving ninja pledged their loyalty to him.

• Zhou Cheng killed many Kumogakure shinobi and taunted the survivors until Darui, Samui, and Mabui decided to withdraw.
• Darui offered to leave Konoha if Zhou Cheng guaranteed that its forces would not pursue them, and Mabui asked for Konoha’s terms.
• Zhou Cheng demanded their ninja tools, Kumogakure’s swordsmanship manual, and Lightning Release techniques below B-rank, and Darui’s group accepted.
• The Kumogakure shinobi handed over their equipment and scrolls, then followed Darui toward the Land of Lightning.
• Zhou Cheng returned to the Watchtower, where Konoha’s ninja knelt and thanked him for saving them, pledging to follow him.

Zhou Cheng left the southeastern watchtower and gave its commander a Flying Thunder God Kunai as Kirigakure attacked Konoha’s last southeastern stronghold. Kakashi and the Konoha forces struggled to hold the position until Zhou Cheng arrived at the battle’s most desperate moment.

• Zhou Cheng refused the watchtower commander’s attempt to curry favor, gave him a Flying Thunder God Kunai, and teleported away.
• Mei Terumi led Kirigakure’s force against Konoha’s southeastern watchtower, where Kakashi arrived with reinforcements and drove the attackers out temporarily.
• Mei Terumi used Boil Release to corrode the watchtower, forcing Kakashi and his ninja to retreat and build an Earth Release defensive wall.
• The Konoha 15 helped hold off Kirigakure, but Mei Terumi, Ao, and Chojuro pushed Konoha’s defenders back as their position crumbled.
• Hinata and the other girls feared for Zhou Cheng as Kirigakure advanced, then heard his voice and realized he had arrived.

Zhou Cheng arrived to help Konoha and fought Mei Terumi, matching her powerful water, lava, and boil techniques. He entered Sage Mode and challenged the Kirigakure Ninja to withstand one move, leaving the battle poised for his attack.

• Zhou Cheng defended the Konoha 15 and Kakashi with Earth Release techniques, then hurled a Rasenshuriken at the Kirigakure Ninja.
• Mei Terumi ordered her forces to retreat and explained that Kirigakure had come at the Konoha Advisors' request; Zhou Cheng accused her village of pursuing its own interests and teased her about marriage.
• Mei Terumi attacked Zhou Cheng with Water Release, Lava Release, and Boil Release techniques, but Zhou Cheng countered each one with ninjutsu.
• Mei Terumi realized Zhou Cheng had enormous chakra reserves and that Kirigakure's operation was likely to fail.
• Zhou Cheng entered Sage Mode and told the Kirigakure Ninja he would use one move, challenging them to withstand it.

Zhou Cheng unleashed a colossal Sage Art Rasenshuriken against the Kirigakure forces, forcing both armies to flee as it exploded. Mei Terumi survived the blast and began considering a counterattack before Zhou Cheng’s voice sounded above her.

• Zhou Cheng formed a thirty-meter Rasengan, infused it with Wind Release chakra, and created a forty-meter Rasenshuriken.
• Zhou Cheng hurled the Rasenshuriken at the Kirigakure shinobi, then collapsed to one knee from exhaustion as it went out of control.
• Mei Terumi and Kakashi ordered their forces to retreat, while Kakashi knocked Hinata, Karin, and Ino unconscious when they tried to return to Zhou Cheng.
• The Rasenshuriken exploded, devastating the area and injuring the surviving Kirigakure shinobi; Chojuro lost an arm.
• Mei Terumi prepared to regroup and strike back, believing Zhou Cheng might have died, when his voice rang out above her.

Zhou Cheng confronted Mei Terumi and the Kirigakure forces after surviving the blast, then used the Eight Gates to kill many of their ninja. Mei Terumi tried to recruit him by claiming he might be descended from a powerful Kirigakure shinobi, but Zhou Cheng rejected the idea of returning.

• Mei Terumi recognized Zhou Cheng, and he warned the Kirigakure ninja that anyone who attacked him would die.
• Mei Terumi tested Zhou Cheng with Earth Release, while Ao used his Byakugan to reveal that Zhou Cheng's chakra was depleted.
• The Kirigakure ninja charged, but Zhou Cheng opened the third of the Eight Gates and killed more than a dozen of them with his speed and strength.
• Mei Terumi ordered the remaining ninja to spread out, then heard that Zhou Cheng resembled a powerful Kirigakure ninja whose clan had been wiped out.
• Mei Terumi suggested Zhou Cheng return to Kirigakure and run for Mizukage, but he said Kirigakure had caused his orphaning and he had no reason to go back.

Zhou Cheng forced Mei Terumi and the Kirigakure shinobi to negotiate after they admitted defeat. When Mei Terumi refused his demands and Kirigakure could not agree to leave Ao behind, Zhou Cheng prepared to resume the fight.

• Mei Terumi admitted Kirigakure's defeat and agreed to withdraw from the Land of Fire.
• Zhou Cheng demanded Kirigakure surrender its ninja tools and Water Release secret techniques, and that Mei Terumi stay behind.
• Ao and Chojuro objected, and Mei Terumi offered to accept the first two demands if Zhou Cheng dropped the third.
• Zhou Cheng offered to let Ao stay instead and demanded that Kirigakure hand over Ao's Byakugan.
• Mei Terumi and her followers argued among themselves but refused to leave anyone behind.
• Zhou Cheng declared that all the Kirigakure shinobi would stay and raised his sword to resume the fight.

Zhou Cheng overwhelmed the Kirigakure Ninja and forced Mei Terumi to stay while demanding Ao’s Byakugan. When Ao resisted, Zhou Cheng opened the Seventh Gate, leaving the Kirigakure group terrified by his tailed-beast-level chakra.

• Zhou Cheng opened the Gate of Life and killed several Kirigakure Ninja at a speed they could not follow.
• Ao and Chojuro offered to stay in Mei Terumi’s place, but Zhou Cheng demanded that Mei Terumi remain or he would kill them all.
• Mei Terumi agreed to stay, and Zhou Cheng changed his final condition to demanding Ao’s Byakugan.
• Zhou Cheng cut Ao’s eyepatch and ordered him to surrender the Byakugan.
• Zhou Cheng opened the Seventh Gate, and the blue vapor and immense chakra left Ao, Chojuro, and Mei Terumi convinced they could not survive a fight with him.

Zhou Cheng defeated Kirigakure’s forces, and Ao gouged out his own Byakugan to save them. After restoring his chakra, Zhou Cheng headed toward Tsunade’s front, where Iwagakure’s attack reached a desperate turning point.

• Ao gouged out his right eye, and Mei Terumi treated him while the Kirigakure ninja surrendered their ninja tools and secret-technique scrolls to Zhou Cheng.
• Kakashi arrived with Konoha ninja, and Zhou Cheng reassured them before Karin treated Ao and helped restore Zhou Cheng’s chakra.
• Zhou Cheng left for Tsunade’s front, where Kurotsuchi, Kitsuchi, and Akatsuchi led Iwagakure’s forces against Konoha’s defenses.
• Tsunade summoned Katsuyu to treat Konoha’s wounded as the battle shifted back and forth and nightfall approached.
• Kitsuchi used Earth Release: Earth Mountain Technique to raise two massive earthen mountains around Konoha’s position and crush it.

Zhou Cheng arrived on Gamabunta and saved Konoha's forces by destroying Kitsuchi's Earth Mountains, then led Gamabunta against the Iwagakure Ninja. As the enemy scattered in retreat, Zhou Cheng had Gamabunta pursue Kurotsuchi and located her hiding behind a tree.

• Kitsuchi used Earth Release to trap Konoha's defenders between two mountains, but Zhou Cheng arrived on Gamabunta and sliced the mountains apart.
• Gamabunta attacked the Iwagakure Ninja while Zhou Cheng blasted a hole through their Earth Flow Rampart, forcing Kitsuchi to order a retreat.
• Zhou Cheng ordered Gamabunta to keep attacking and leap ahead of the retreating Iwagakure forces, inflicting more casualties.
• Kitsuchi ordered his forces to scatter, and Zhou Cheng sent Gamabunta after Kurotsuchi.
• Kurotsuchi raised a Rock Pillar beneath Gamabunta, but Zhou Cheng used his sensing ability to locate her behind a tree, and Gamabunta struck at her.

Zhou Cheng fought Kitsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and Akatsuchi while Gamabunta remained summoned beyond the supposed five-minute limit. After severing Kitsuchi’s palm, Zhou Cheng activated Wind Release Chakra Mode and rushed at Kurotsuchi with the Thunder God Sword.

• Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi found Kurotsuchi safe after she escaped the falling tree by burrowing underground.
• Kitsuchi blocked Gamabunta’s blade with Earth Release: Fist Rock Technique, but Zhou Cheng soon learned Gamabunta could remain summoned without a time limit.
• Zhou Cheng cut off half of Kitsuchi’s palm, and Kurotsuchi sealed the wound with Earth Release.
• The Iwagakure shinobi returned, and Kurotsuchi rallied them to attack Gamabunta while she and Akatsuchi prepared to fight Zhou Cheng.
• Zhou Cheng activated Wind Release Chakra Mode and appeared before Kurotsuchi with the Thunder God Sword, but Akatsuchi pulled her away and attacked the blade with Fist Rock Technique.

Zhou Cheng defeated Kitsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and Akatsuchi after unleashing the Seventh Gate, forcing Iwagakure to surrender. He reunited with his allies and announced that the war was over.

• Kurotsuchi trapped Zhou Cheng with her Lava Release, but he escaped with an Earth Release Clone, and Akatsuchi saved her from his attack.
• Zhou Cheng opened the Seventh Gate and overwhelmed the Iwagakure trio, who surrendered after seeing him destroy half a hillside with one punch.
• Kitsuchi agreed to hand over the ninja tools and Earth Release techniques, and Zhou Cheng restored his severed hand with Yang Release chakra.
• Zhou Cheng dismissed Gamabunta, sent news to Tsunade, and returned to the Konoha 15, where he told his allies that the three villages had surrendered.
• Zhou Cheng invited his allies to dinner, returned to the watchtower, announced the war was over, and then went back to Tsunade.

After returning to Konoha, Zhou Cheng examined the techniques and rewards he had gained and planned to seek out the tailed beasts, while questions about his parents’ past remained unresolved. Danzo’s escape and the coming village delegations brought new complications, as the mysterious group and Kumogakure prepared their next moves.

• Tsunade brought Zhou Cheng back to Konoha, where the villagers celebrated him, and he later reviewed the techniques and materials he had received from the shinobi villages.
• Zhou Cheng learned the Hozuki Clan’s Hydrification Technique, considered what to do with a captured Byakugan, and planned to visit Kirigakure to find the Three-Tails and Six-Tails.
• Zhou Cheng wondered why his memories of his parents conflicted with what people in Kirigakure had said, then learned that Danzo had escaped and began swordsmanship training with Kakashi.
• Tsunade told Zhou Cheng that Konoha would reward him ten million ryo and that Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure had requested him as their host; Zhou Cheng hosted his friends for dinner.
• The group led by Zero decided to target the Four-Tails and Five-Tails in Iwagakure after the allied forces’ defeat.
• The Fourth Raikage A ordered C, Karui, and Dodai to travel to Konoha, present Kumogakure’s strength, and assess Zhou Cheng and Konoha.

The Raikage, Genji, and Ōnoki responded to Zhou Cheng’s defeat of their forces by planning diplomatic visits to Konoha and considering how to deal with him. The chapter ended with Kitsuchi tasked with finding a suitable gift to thank Zhou Cheng for restoring his hand.

• The Raikage heard Darui, Samui, and Mabui describe Zhou Cheng’s speed and strength, then ordered C to propose joint Chunin Exams and invite Zhou Cheng to Kumogakure.
• The Raikage ordered Darui to train in seclusion for three months, and Darui vowed to defeat Zhou Cheng next time.
• Mei Terumi told Genji that Zhou Cheng’s parents had come from Kirigakure and described his mastery of the Eight Gates; Genji ordered her to lead another mission to Konoha and invite Zhou Cheng to learn about his parents.
• Genji told Ao that he could expect to become an elder when the new Mizukage took office, leaving Ao dissatisfied.
• Ōnoki ordered Kurotsuchi, Kitsuchi, and another companion to return to Konoha, and told Kitsuchi to bring Zhou Cheng gifts in thanks for restoring his hand.

The Masked Man learned that Zhou Cheng could threaten the Akatsuki’s plan to capture the Nine-Tails and ordered Kakuzu and his partner to test him. Meanwhile, Zhou Cheng and Kakashi’s group traveled to Sunagakure for Gaara’s Kazekage succession ceremony, where Uzuki Yugao suspected Zhou Cheng had brought her to help avenge Gekko Hayate.

• Zetsu reported that Danzo had fled Konoha, the other villages were seeking peace talks, and Zhou Cheng had an unusual background and hidden strength.
• The Masked Man ordered Kakuzu and his partner to test Zhou Cheng and told Zetsu to keep watching Itachi.
• Kakashi led Zhou Cheng, Naruto, Uzuki Yugao, and the others toward Sunagakure to attend Gaara’s succession ceremony.
• Zhou Cheng said he could return to Konoha instantly using a Flying Thunder God Kunai, but explained that he had to travel to Sunagakure on foot because he could not sense Gaara’s marker.
• Hinata and Ino openly clung to Zhou Cheng, while the others reflected on their changing relationships with him.
• Uzuki Yugao wondered whether Zhou Cheng had brought her to Sunagakure so she could kill Baki and avenge Gekko Hayate.

Zhou Cheng and his companions arrived in Sunagakure for Gaara’s Kazekage succession, where Baki’s interference dampened their reunion. After settling into their guarded accommodations, Zhou Cheng hid a Flying Thunder God Kunai, and Uzuki Yugao entered his room and locked the door.

• Kakashi led the group toward Sunagakure, and Zhou Cheng stopped Uzuki Yugao from attacking Baki when they encountered him.
• Baki guided the Konoha group through Sunagakure’s heavily fortified Narrow Pass and its inspections.
• Gaara welcomed Zhou Cheng and the others, and Temari explained that the wider shinobi world called Zhou Cheng the Wind God.
• Baki interrupted the group’s celebration and sent the tired visitors to their prepared accommodations.
• Zhou Cheng hid a Flying Thunder God Kunai beneath his bed, then Uzuki Yugao knocked, pushed her way into his room, and locked the door.

Zhou Cheng discovered that Danzo was working with Baki and that Kabuto and Orochimaru’s shinobi were also involved in a plot surrounding Gaara’s Kazekage inauguration. He and Kakashi planned to turn the conspiracy against its organizers while the Konoha group explored Sunagakure and shared hot pot with Gaara and his siblings.

• Uzuki Yugao confronted Zhou Cheng about Baki killing Hayate, and Zhou Cheng persuaded her to wait until Gaara became Kazekage before acting.
• Zhou Cheng sensed Danzo meeting with Baki and warned Kakashi that the Kazekage inauguration might conceal a conspiracy against Gaara and Konoha.
• Zhou Cheng and Kakashi discussed turning Danzo and Baki’s scheme against them, and Zhou Cheng slipped a note under Uzuki Yugao’s door.
• Zhou Cheng discovered Kabuto disguised as a Sunagakure ANBU member, leading Orochimaru’s shinobi as Sunagakure strengthened security for the upcoming ceremony.
• Zhou Cheng and the Konoha 15 toured Sunagakure with Temari and Kankuro, then shared hot pot with Gaara and his siblings.

Zhou Cheng and the Konoha group attended Gaara’s succession ceremony while searching for the hidden Danzo. Zhou Cheng exposed Danzo disguised as Konoha’s representative just as he approached Gaara with a mysterious scroll, and the ceremony erupted into an attempted attack.

• Zhou Cheng spent the night gathering natural energy and storing senjutsu chakra before Hinata and Ino told him it was time to leave for the ceremony.
• Zhou Cheng, Kakashi, Uzuki Yugao, and the Konoha 15 joined the crowd and watched Gaara deliver his inaugural address and take the Kazekage’s seat.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to detect immense chakra in the right eye and right arm of Konoha’s unknown representative, leading Zhou Cheng to identify him as Danzo.
• Zhou Cheng warned Kakashi, Uzuki Yugao, and the Konoha 15 that Danzo intended to assassinate Gaara and provoke war between Konoha and Sunagakure.
• Danzo approached Gaara with a scroll disguised as a gift, but Zhou Cheng shouted his name and rushed toward the stage as Baki called for Gaara’s protection.

At Gaara’s inauguration, Danzo’s sealing trap nearly swallowed the new Kazekage, but Zhou Cheng contained it with Adamantine Sealing Chains and saved him. Baki then called for Danzo’s forces, and Danzo’s Baku appeared and began sucking in everything around it.

• Danzo’s scroll unleashed a Black Sphere that swallowed Danzo and two Sunagakure ANBU before threatening Gaara.
• Zhou Cheng used Adamantine Sealing Chains to stop the sphere and draw it into their sealed space, while the crowd believed Gaara was saved.
• The people tore apart Danzo’s scroll, causing the Black Sphere to shrink, and Gaara publicly thanked Zhou Cheng while rejecting Baki’s attempt to arrest the Konoha ninja.
• Baki called for Danzo’s people, and Danzo’s Baku landed below the stage and began sucking in civilians and everything nearby.

Zhou Cheng defeated Baku, then confronted Danzo and exposed the Sharingan implanted in his right eye and arm. After Zhou Cheng identified Danzo’s survival ability as Izanagi, the battle continued with Danzo’s crimes laid bare before the gathered shinobi.

• Gaara ordered the Sunagakure forces to evacuate civilians, defend him, and hold Baku back while Zhou Cheng struck the summoned beast with a Rasengan and Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags until it vanished.
• Zhou Cheng sensed Danzo fleeing, caught up with him, and attacked as Danzo used his strange ability to return after apparently fatal injuries.
• Zhou Cheng countered Danzo’s Wind Release and landed a Rasengan that burst Danzo’s head, but Danzo appeared again elsewhere.
• Zhou Cheng cut away Danzo’s bandages, revealing Sharingan implanted across his right eye and arm, and Kakashi, Uzuki Yugao, Naruto, and Sakura accused him of the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
• Zhou Cheng announced that Danzo’s apparent immortality came from the legendary Izanagi.

Zhou Cheng exposed Danzo’s use of Izanagi and repeatedly overwhelmed him, while Naruto and Sakura joined the fight. Deidara and Sasori appeared as Danzo’s accomplices, and Danzo ordered Sasori to kill everyone present.

• Zhou Cheng explained that Danzo had used Izanagi to erase his deaths, revealing that five Sharingan on Danzo’s arm had already gone blind.
• Naruto attacked Danzo with shadow clones, then Sakura struck the ground with a powerful punch that created a huge crater.
• Danzo fired Wind Release blades at Sakura, but Zhou Cheng protected her with an Earth Formation Wall and then pierced Danzo’s head with his Chakra Blade.
• Danzo called for help, and Deidara and Sasori arrived, criticizing him for failing to weaken Zhou Cheng as planned.
• Danzo blamed Zhou Cheng for his ruined ambitions and asked Sasori to kill everyone present.

Zhou Cheng fought Sasori with powerful Water Release techniques while Gaara rose to protect the venue from Deidara’s bombs. The chapter left Sasori facing a water sphere trapping the Third Kazekage’s iron sand, hurled toward Hiruko.

• Zhou Cheng ordered Gaara to evacuate shinobi below jonin rank and began fighting Sasori with a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
• Sasori revealed the Third Kazekage as a Human Puppet and attacked with iron sand, but Zhou Cheng countered each technique with Water Release.
• Sasori gave the Third Kazekage iron sand wings and attacked Zhou Cheng with a spinning gyroscope, which Zhou Cheng destroyed with Water Severing Wave.
• When Deidara began dropping bombs, Zhou Cheng told Gaara to handle him, and Gaara flew up on a cushion of sand to block the attacks.
• Sasori trapped Zhou Cheng beneath a curtain of iron sand spikes, but Zhou Cheng engulfed the sand in water, took control of it, and hurled the sphere toward Hiruko.

Zhou Cheng destroyed Hiruko and badly damaged Sasori’s puppet body with a Water Release Rasengan. Deidara then attacked Sunagakure with explosive clay, and Gaara raised a sand barrier to shield the village from a massive blast.

• Sasori used Hiruko’s poisoned needles and the Third Kazekage’s summoned arms to attack Zhou Cheng’s water ball, but Zhou Cheng transformed it into a Water Release Rasengan and broke the arms.
• Zhou Cheng drove the Water Release Rasengan into Hiruko, destroying the puppet defenses and seriously damaging Sasori’s true puppet body.
• Deidara dropped explosive clay spiders among the fighters, and Gaara warned the Sunagakure shinobi to keep their distance.
• Deidara launched the giant C3, Number 18 at Sunagakure, and Gaara raised a sand barrier over the village.
• Deidara detonated the clay doll against Gaara’s barrier, lighting the sky and shaking Sunagakure.

Zhou Cheng fought to protect Sunagakure as Deidara and Sasori fled, while Orochimaru’s giant serpents and Manda attacked the village. He confronted Danzo and unleashed his Wind Release Chakra Mode and Seventh Gate, leaving the shinobi stunned as they recognized him as the Konoha Wind God.

• After Deidara’s C3 explosion, Zhou Cheng sensed danger and realized Kabuto and Orochimaru had invaded Sunagakure with giant serpents and Manda.
• Zhou Cheng sent the Konoha 15 to help fight the serpents and asked Kakashi and Uzuki Yugao to protect the depleted Gaara.
• Danzo attacked the Sunagakure shinobi surrounding him with Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere as Sasori and Deidara decided to retreat.
• Deidara’s explosives covered the Akatsuki’s escape, and Danzo cursed them for taking his money without completing the job.
• Zhou Cheng confronted Danzo over his crimes and unveiled Wind Release Chakra Mode with the Seventh Gate, astounding both sides of the battle.
• A Sunagakure shinobi recognized Zhou Cheng as the Konoha Wind God.

Nagato ordered the Akatsuki to regroup and target Zhou Cheng after learning Danzo had underestimated him. In Sunagakure, Zhou Cheng defeated Danzo’s forces, but Danzo struck him with Wood Release and activated Kotoamatsukami, trying to make Zhou Cheng his puppet.

• Nagato told Konan to have Kakuzu and Hidan join Sasori and Deidara in attacking Zhou Cheng, while the Akatsuki set aside capturing the Two-Tails for now.
• Sunagakure’s shinobi killed the giant snakes, and Manda withdrew after demanding five hundred sacrifices from Orochimaru.
• Zhou Cheng repeatedly punched Danzo apart, exhausting the Sharingan in Danzo’s right arm and leaving him terrified.
• Danzo suddenly attacked Zhou Cheng with Wood Release: Violent Spear Tree, then activated Kotoamatsukami and ordered Zhou Cheng to become his servant and unite the Shinobi World.