Recaps

Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha were summoned to the Hokage’s office after the Third investigated their unusually dangerous missions. Asuma Sarutobi burst in asking whether the Third had handled his request, leaving Zou and Oto to suspect Asuma was behind their summons.

• Zou Hyuga met Oto Uchiha the morning after her clan’s dispute, and she told him Uchiha Fugaku had refused to run for Hokage.
• Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha continued teaching at the Ninja Academy and planned another experiment in the Forest of Death.
• Kakashi, disguised as an ANBU operative, summoned Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha to the Hokage’s office.
• The Third explained that he had investigated their records and found they had survived missions far more dangerous than their assigned ranks suggested.
• Asuma Sarutobi barged into the office and asked the Third whether he had taken care of what he promised, prompting Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha to suspect Asuma had caused their summons.

The Third summoned Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha for an assessment of their Chunin ranks, then assigned Kakashi to test them. Zou and Oto welcomed the possibility of being demoted and prepared to fight while holding back.

• The Third told Zou Hyuga he and Oto Uchiha needed an assessment before serving as Chunin instructors, and Zou suspected Asuma had prompted it.
• Zou tried to avoid being assessed by the Third, but the Third insisted and led everyone to a nearby training ground.
• The Third appointed Kakashi to test Zou and Oto, saying they would pass if they defeated him.
• Zou recognized Kakashi as the renowned genius Jonin and signaled Oto to keep their strength in check.
• The Third warned Zou and Oto that failure would cost them their Chunin ranks, and they exchanged pleased smiles before promising to fight seriously.

Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha faced Kakashi in an assessment, hoping to lose and return to Genin rank. They defeated themselves convincingly enough for Kakashi to win, then looked ahead to life as Genin.

• The Third ordered Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha to put away their Explosive Tags, and both revealed large stashes of them.
• Kakashi began the assessment by creating Shadow Clones and raising an earthen wall as Zou and Oto closed in.
• Zou Hyuga pretended to fall after Kakashi's Chidori grazed his waist, leaving Oto to face Kakashi alone.
• Oto Uchiha feigned exhaustion and lost to Kakashi's swordsmanship.
• Zou and Oto discussed their acting and Kakashi's strength, then hoped to return to Genin rank.

Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha tried to convince the Third that they were too weak to remain Chunin, but he accepted their excuses and confirmed their ranks. He then insisted they prove themselves against a real Genin, introducing the elderly Kosuke.

• Zou and Oto asked the Third to demote them to Genin after their staged defeat, but he officially confirmed they had passed the Chunin assessment.
• The Third questioned their mission records, and Zou blamed his performance on his reliance on Explosive Tags.
• Oto said she would never use her Sharingan against village comrades, earning the Third’s approval.
• Asuma tried to challenge the Third’s decision, but Kakashi stopped him, and Asuma relented because Zou and Oto had saved his life.
• The Third said Chunin instructors needed strength to protect Academy students and summoned a genuine Genin, who arrived carrying an iron pot and was revealed to be Kosuke.

The Third had Kosuke test Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha, who fought hard but failed to defeat the veteran Genin. He approved their Academy teaching positions while also assigning them as his direct subordinates and ANBU reserves under Kakashi.

• The Third asked Kosuke, a veteran Genin who had refused promotion to Jonin, to gauge Zou and Oto's strength.
• Zou and Oto fought Kosuke, using Gentle Fist, swordsmanship, and shuriken techniques while concealing their full abilities.
• After the pair feigned exhaustion, Kosuke judged them to be among the strongest Chunin and possibly Special Jōnin.
• The Third treated Zou and Oto with Medical Ninjutsu and confirmed that Kosuke was still a Genin despite his strength.
• The Third let Zou and Oto keep their Academy teaching positions, then made them his direct subordinates and ANBU reserves under Kakashi.

The Third assigned Zou Hyuga, Oto Uchiha, and Asuma to Kakashi’s ANBU team, then refused Danzo’s request to take Kakashi into Root. Danzo left the Hokage Office without approval to begin the Wood Release Experiment.

• The Third made Kakashi captain of a team with Zou Hyuga, Oto Uchiha, and Asuma, despite Asuma’s refusal to join ANBU.
• Kakashi briefly addressed his new teammates and vanished, while Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha blamed Asuma for their forced recruitment.
• Danzo asked the Third to transfer Kakashi to Root, but the Third refused because Kakashi was Minato’s student.
• Danzo urged the Third to approve the Wood Release Experiment, but the Third refused and told him to seek Minato’s approval after he became Hokage.

Zou Hyuga attended a grave Hyuga Clan Meeting about the loss of a Byakugan and listened as the Main Family blamed the Branch Family guards. Afterward, his uncle Hyuga Yu offered a more compassionate account of the dead guard’s motives, and Zou returned home to continue experimenting with natural chakra.

• Zou Hyuga was summoned to the Main Family’s mansion, where Branch Family members gathered under the shadow of the Caged Bird Seal.
• Hyuga Hiashi announced the Hyuga Clan’s support for Minato as the next Hokage and reported that a Byakugan had been stolen after a Main Family member and two Branch Family guards went missing.
• The Main Family condemned the Branch Family guards and warned the Branch Family that they must not let a Main Family member die before them.
• Hyuga Yu told Zou Hyuga that the returning guard had taken his own life to protect his brother and escape his physical and emotional pain.
• Zou Hyuga told Hyuga Yu that Lord Third might make him join ANBU, then said he could never become a Jonin while the Caged Bird Seal remained.
• Zou Hyuga returned home, bathed, and resumed his experiments with natural chakra.

Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha joined Kakashi and Asuma on an A-rank mission to eliminate Kirigakure forces infiltrating the Land of Fire. The squad left Konoha and began discussing their abilities as teammates.

• Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha chose ANBU masks and collected standard gear before Kakashi stopped them from taking more supplies.
• The Third assigned Kakashi's squad an A-rank mission against Kirigakure Ninja near the Land of Fire's coast and told them they could retreat if the danger was too great.
• The Third explained that he had chosen the mission to train Kakashi, Asuma, Zou Hyuga, and Oto Uchiha.
• Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha met Kakashi and Asuma at Konoha's gate after eating, and the squad set out.
• Kakashi revealed that he had a Sharingan given to him by his dead friend Obito, and Asuma described his combat specialties.
• Asuma said the squad could treat Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha as elite Chunin based on their previous performance.

Kakashi’s squad traveled toward the Borderlands on an A-Rank mission, sharing food and discussing how they would operate together. During the night watch, Zou Hyuga worried about Kakashi’s condition and decided to talk with him.

• Kakashi, Asuma, Zou Hyuga, and Oto Uchiha left Konoha, and Zou and Oto stayed alert as they traveled.
• At camp, Zou shared roast chicken with Kakashi and Asuma before Kakashi explained the mission and his assessment.
• Zou considered the possibilities of his natural chakra, then remembered the Caged Bird Seal still bound him to Konoha.
• Zou found Oto asleep during their watch, left camp to patrol, and spotted Asuma secretly smoking while Kakashi kept watch nearby.
• Zou approached Kakashi, concerned that the jonin’s condition might lead him to make a dangerous decision.

Zou Hyuga tried to draw Kakashi out of his grief, and the ANBU squad reached Coastal Town to investigate Mist Ninja raids. After locating an offshore base, the squad encountered the raiders at sea and attacked their boats.

• Zou Hyuga told Kakashi to prioritize the squad’s survival in battle, and Kakashi agreed to consider it.
• The ANBU squad reached Coastal Town, where Kakashi learned that Mist Ninja raiders were likely operating from a base at sea.
• Zou Hyuga estimated the enemy force was larger than reported and considered where he might retire with Oto Uchiha.
• The squad disguised itself as fishermen and set out for an island ten kilometers offshore.
• Zou Hyuga identified the surrounding pirates as Mist Ninja, and the Kirigakure chunin ordered an attack as the ANBU charged aboard their vessels.

The ANBU squad landed on the island and fought Kirigakure ninja, only to discover that Suikazan Fuguki of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had arrived. Kakashi recognized the powerful enemy as Fuguki challenged the squad.

• Kakashi, Asuma, Zou Hyuga, and Oto Uchiha destroyed the approaching Mist boats and captured a chunin who revealed the island's defenses.
• The squad disguised themselves as Mist ninja and landed, but enemy shinobi destroyed their boat and surrounded them.
• Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha prepared explosive-tag traps while Kakashi and Asuma killed Mist ninja in the forest.
• Kakashi identified the approaching leader as Suikazan Fuguki, a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and signaled Zou Hyuga to flee.
• Suikazan Fuguki addressed the Konoha squad and asked whether any of them were genin.

Zou Hyuga’s ANBU squad faced Suikazan Fuguki and Kisame Hoshigaki on an island, where the Mist Ninja’s Water Release disrupted their traps. Zou assigned the team to fight Kisame and Fuguki separately, then the battle began with Zou confident he could defeat Kisame.

• Suikazan Fuguki drew Samehada and Kisame Hoshigaki used Great Waterfall Technique to flood the ANBU squad’s trapped battlefield.
• Zou Hyuga assessed Kisame’s large chakra reserves and told Kakashi, Asuma, and Oto Uchiha to fight him while Zou took Kisame’s orange-haired companion, Fuguki.
• Zou asked to claim Samehada as spoils if they won, then advised Oto to use her Three-Tomoe Sharingan or summon Bell Cat if needed.
• The ANBU squad and the Mist Ninja clashed, and Zou focused on Kisame, confident that his own chunin strength gave him the advantage.

Zou Hyuga fought Kisame Hoshigaki and drove him to flee toward the coast, while Kakashi, Asuma, and Oto Uchiha struggled against Suikazan Fuguki. The chapter left the fight with Fuguki unresolved as Asuma questioned why Kirigakure’s elite were attacking the town despite being at war with Sunagakure.

• Zou Hyuga dodged Kisame Hoshigaki’s Water Shark Bullet Technique and struck him with a powerful Gentle Fist attack.
• Kisame summoned sharks to conceal his escape toward the coast, and Zou Hyuga chased after him.
• Kakashi, Asuma, and Oto Uchiha fought Suikazan Fuguki, whose Samehada absorbed chakra and resisted their attacks.
• Oto Uchiha used poisoned weapons and explosive-tagged kunai against Fuguki, impressing Kakashi and Asuma.
• Asuma wondered why a Mist ninja of Fuguki’s rank was attacking the town while Kirigakure was at war with Sunagakure.

Zou Hyuga killed Kisame and helped Kakashi, Asuma, and Oto Uchiha defeat Suikazan Fuguki. The team completed its A-rank mission, while Zou ensured he received no credit for Fuguki's death.

• Zou Hyuga overwhelmed Kisame with Gentle Fist and slit his throat after knocking him into a reef.
• Zou found Oto Uchiha and joined Kakashi and Asuma as they faced Suikazan Fuguki.
• Zou sealed Fuguki's chakra points while Oto and Kakashi held off Samehada, allowing Kakashi to pierce Fuguki with Chidori.
• Oto severed Fuguki's sword arm, and Zou cut off his head; Oto then burned the corpse with Fire Release.
• Kakashi and Asuma received the credit for killing Fuguki, while Zou was satisfied that he had no involvement.

Zou Hyuga and the ANBU squad divided their spoils after defeating Fuguki and raiding the Mist Ninja’s cave, then came under attack at sea. Zou identified the attacker as Kisame Hoshigaki and revealed that he had secretly spared him and infused him with natural chakra.

• Zou Hyuga claimed Samehada and agreed with Kakashi and Asuma to split Fuguki’s bounty, while Oto Uchiha reported the location of the Mist Ninja’s plunder.
• The squad found a cave full of stolen goods, but they took a boat back because it could not carry most of the cargo.
• Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha counted their loot and divided it into four shares, handing Kakashi and Asuma their portions.
• Several water arrows struck the boat, and Kakashi raised an Earth-Style Wall before the squad moved onto the sea to find their attacker.
• Zou Hyuga used his Byakugan to locate Kisame Hoshigaki underwater and revealed that he had spared him and infused him with natural chakra.

After the ANBU squad killed Suikazan Fuguki, Kisame escaped and returned to Kirigakure, while the squad discussed their ninja ways and Zou Hyuga warned Oto Uchiha that the village might turn against her clan. The chapter ended with Zou planning to experiment on Kisame after they returned to Konoha.

• Zou Hyuga lamented that Kisame had destroyed valuable intelligence by killing Suikazan Fuguki, and Kisame later buried Fuguki and headed back to Kirigakure.
• The ANBU squad left the Coastal Town and returned toward the village after reporting the mission to local officials.
• Asuma asked the squad about their ninja ways, and Kakashi shared his belief that protecting comrades mattered more than completing missions.
• During night watch, Zou Hyuga warned Oto Uchiha that the village might target her clan, but Oto rejected the idea and defended the Uchiha.
• Zou Hyuga told Oto Uchiha he wanted to resume experiments on Kisame because Kisame could withstand his natural chakra.

Zou Hyuga sensed a mysterious chakra presence near the camp but found no one with his Byakugan. The masked Obito watched Kakashi before leaving with Zetsu for the Land of Rain to begin the plan entrusted to him.

• Oto Uchiha asked Zou Hyuga to continue experimenting, but he stopped when he sensed a chakra fluctuation near the camp.
• Zou Hyuga found no intruder with his Byakugan and stayed on watch while Oto guarded the camp.
• A masked Obito and Zetsu watched Kakashi's camp, and Obito told Zetsu they were heading to the Land of Rain.
• Obito left through a vortex to begin his plan, which required joining the Akatsuki and pursuing the Sage's Eye.
• Kakashi woke from a nightmare about Rin and Obito, then left the camp to clear his head, followed by Asuma.

After returning from their mission, Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha met the newly appointed Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, who reviewed their report and confirmed Zou could keep Samehada. Minato refused their request to leave ANBU, and the chapter ended with the Third Hokage revealing he had been advising Minato from the next room.

• The ANBU squad returned to Konoha and discovered that Minato Namikaze had become the Fourth Hokage.
• Minato read Kakashi's report, approved of the squad's defeat of Suikazan Fuguki, and considered assigning Kakashi more missions with Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha.
• Zou Hyuga asked for payment if the village wanted Samehada, and Minato ruled that the sword was his spoils of war.
• Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha asked to leave ANBU and return to teaching, but Minato said they would remain ANBU members while continuing as adjunct teachers.
• After the squad left, the Third Hokage entered and told Minato that Zou and Oto were cunning but reliable.

Minato Namikaze rejected the Third Hokage’s defense of Root, but Danzo and the other Elder Advisors arrived to pressure him. Meanwhile, Zou Hyuga returned home and learned that Hiashi wanted to see him, bringing him into the Main Family residence and face to face with the clan divisions he resented.

• Minato Namikaze told the Third that Root had disrupted village order and could not be allowed to exist, but Danzo and the other Elder Advisors arrived to challenge his authority.
• Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha discussed whether to keep Samehada, then parted ways after returning from the Hokage Building.
• Hyuga Yu told Zou that Hiashi wanted to see him because he had heard Zou joined the ANBU.
• Hyuga Yu escorted Zou to the Main Family’s old residence, where Hizashi greeted them and said Hiashi had been waiting.
• Zou greeted Hizashi and reflected on how the Caged Bird Seal divided their clan despite their shared blood.

Zou Hyuga learned that Hiashi wanted him to remain in ANBU and gather intelligence for the Hyuga Clan. The next morning, he met Oto Uchiha at a training ground to experiment with chakra and complained about Samehada, while Oto asked what they were actually there to do.

• Hiashi asked Zou Hyuga to stay in ANBU and keep the Hyuga Clan informed about the village leadership.
• Oto Uchiha completed her morning training and saw the Fourth Hokage and Kushina visiting the Uchiha compound.
• Zou Hyuga met Oto and led her to an ordinary training ground away from the Forest of Death.
• Zou summoned Samehada and said he wanted to sell it and buy disguises for their missions.
• Oto reminded Zou that their objective was not to discuss outfits and asked what they had come to do.

Zou Hyuga tested Bell Cat’s strength after feeding it natural chakra, then treated its injuries and prepared to practice tracking and evasion with Oto Uchiha. The drill was interrupted by mysterious meowing, and Zou began searching for its source.

• Zou Hyuga summoned Bell Cat and used his Byakugan to confirm that it had absorbed natural chakra and grown stronger.
• Zou asked Oto Uchiha to test Bell Cat, and she defeated it without being touched.
• Zou discovered Bell Cat’s injuries were severe, but it refused his Medical Ninjutsu and accepted Explosive Tags as compensation.
• Zou fed Bell Cat more natural chakra and sent it away before he and Oto agreed to practice tracking and evasion.
• Mysterious meowing interrupted the drill, so Zou called it off and began investigating the sound.

Zou Hyuga experimented with his ability to control natural chakra and hear thoughts, using Bell Cat as a test subject. After exhausting Oto Uchiha and Bell Cat, he carried them back toward the village and wondered whether the ability might also reach Kisame.

• Bell Cat used one of Zou Hyuga’s Explosive Tags to blast carp in Cat Village, then was summoned back by Oto Uchiha and Zou Hyuga.
• Zou Hyuga confirmed that he could hear Bell Cat’s thoughts and teased him with mustard while discussing his discovery with Oto Uchiha.
• Zou Hyuga’s experiments showed that he could control Bell Cat’s natural chakra and hear his thoughts, though doing so consumed substantial chakra.
• Zou Hyuga considered testing the ability on Kisame but decided to conserve chakra, then fed Bell Cat dry rations.
• Bell Cat refused to return to Cat Village immediately, and Zou Hyuga helped the exhausted Oto Uchiha onto his back before carrying her and Bell Cat toward the village.

Zou Hyuga accepted the Hyuga Main Family’s assignment to use his ANBU connection to arrange an audience with the Fourth Hokage. When he went to find Kakashi, he found Kakashi sparring with Might Guy and was drawn into an awkward reunion.

• Zou Hyuga reflected on exhausting Oto during their mission and on the Main Family’s request to approach the Fourth Hokage through Kakashi.
• Zou Hyuga went to the Hatake residence but found Kakashi sparring with Might Guy in a nearby forest.
• Kakashi and Might Guy exchanged taijutsu and genjutsu until they finished with the Seal of Reconciliation.
• Zou Hyuga offered Kakashi a gift, while Guy excitedly recognized him from their academy days.
• Guy asked Zou Hyuga whether he and Kakashi were on the same squad and where the Uchiha who used to follow him had gone.

Zou Hyuga persuaded Might Guy to train at a waterfall, then accompanied Kakashi to the Namikaze residence and left a gift and letter for the Fourth Hokage. When he returned home, he found Hyuga Yu and Oto Uchiha chatting together, leaving him bewildered.

• Zou Hyuga asked Kakashi to help arrange a private visit with the Fourth Hokage, and Guy interrupted them to challenge Zou to a youth showdown.
• Zou Hyuga encouraged Guy to train at a waterfall and try to make it flow backward with his punches, and Guy left to begin training.
• Kakashi invited Zou Hyuga to the Namikaze residence, where they met Kushina, Mikoto, and Itachi while the Fourth Hokage was away.
• Zou Hyuga gave Kushina a gift and left a letter for the Fourth Hokage before returning to the Hyuga clan grounds.
• Zou Hyuga found Hyuga Yu and Oto Uchiha sharing tea and conversation in his home.

Minato Namikaze struggled to gain authority as the Fourth Hokage while the elder advisors obstructed his efforts, and he planned a diplomatic trip to sign a peace treaty with Iwagakure. The chapter ended with Minato preparing to leave the village with Jiraiya and Kakashi's team, while Kushina recognized that he intended to challenge the old guard.

• Oto Uchiha hurried away after seeing Hyuga Yu, who questioned Zou Hyuga about his visit to Kushina and Mikoto.
• Hyuga Yu learned that Kushina and Mikoto remained close and left, while Zou considered experiments involving different forms of chakra.
• Minato returned home frustrated that the elder advisors were blocking his efforts to reclaim full command of the ANBU.
• Kushina told Minato that Zou had delivered a letter from Hiashi inviting him to visit the Hyuga Clan Compound.
• Minato read Hiashi's invitation and told Kushina that he would travel to the Land of Earth to sign a peace treaty with Iwagakure.
• Minato said Jiraiya and Kakashi's team would accompany him, and Kushina realized he meant to challenge the Third and the elder advisors.