Chapter Summaries

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.

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.