Recaps

Xuan Zhe calmed Gaara and stopped Shukaku without harming the jinchūriki, then avoided the women searching for him by visiting Rin Nohara. When two Akatsuki members appeared in Konoha, Xuan Zhe took Rin to the battlefield, where Mei Terumi and Kurenai Yuhi saw him arrive.

• Xuan Zhe subdued Shukaku, spoke to Gaara, and persuaded him to protect those who accepted him; Gaara apologized to Temari and Kankuro.
• Temari and Kankuro took the exhausted Gaara away, while Xuan Zhe left without explaining how he had stopped the rampage.
• Xuan Zhe evaded Mei Terumi and Kurenai Yuhi by staying at Rin Nohara's home as they searched Konoha for him.
• Two Akatsuki members entered Konoha, prompting Minato Namikaze, Kakashi Hatake, Mei Terumi, Kurenai Yuhi, and other shinobi to respond.
• Xuan Zhe took Rin Nohara to the battlefield, where Mei Terumi and Kurenai Yuhi saw him appear.

Xuan Zhe confronted Itachi and Kisame when they appeared in Konoha, but focused on Kisame’s Samehada rather than helping with the Akatsuki’s apparent plan. He dodged Kisame’s attacks while Minato and Kakashi moved to fight Itachi.

• Xuan Zhe arrived with Mei Terumi and told her to discuss their matters later, while Minato and Kakashi reacted to the tense reunion.
• Xuan Zhe asked Kisame Hoshigaki to reveal Samehada and mocked him with the nickname “Dried Persimmon.”
• Kisame drew Samehada and attacked Xuan Zhe, but Xuan Zhe repeatedly dodged and provoked him.
• Itachi watched Xuan Zhe toy with Kisame as Minato and Kakashi prepared to capture him.
• Minato and Kakashi charged Itachi while avoiding his gaze to guard against his genjutsu.

Xuan Zhe drove Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki out of Konoha after burning Samehada with Amaterasu, while Mei Terumi and Kurenai Yuhi confronted Rin Nohara about her recent time with him. Back at his residence, Xuan Zhe received an unexpected visitor, and Zetsu observed the aftermath and speculated about his weakness.

• Mei Terumi and Kurenai Yuhi questioned Rin Nohara, who admitted Xuan Zhe had recently been staying at her place, before the women joined in cheering him on.
• Kisame Hoshigaki prepared to attack the women, but Xuan Zhe struck him and Samehada with Amaterasu, prompting Itachi to order a retreat.
• Itachi used Genjutsu to help Kisame Hoshigaki escape Konoha, and later sealed the flames burning Samehada into a scroll.
• Mei Terumi and Kurenai Yuhi fought over Xuan Zhe after the battle, while Naruto Uzumaki fled to avoid Kushina.
• Xuan Zhe returned to his residence and was surprised by an unexpected visitor, while Zetsu watched the battlefield and remarked that Konoha's Black Blade had a weakness.

After the Akatsuki’s attack exposed their plans to capture tailed beasts, Sasuke learned that Itachi had returned to Konoha and wanted to confront him. Kakashi and Mikoto stopped him from rushing off, while Xuan Zhe’s household settled into new routines and Kurenai seized a chance to be alone with him.

• After the battle, Konoha and visiting leaders from other nations learned about the Akatsuki and began guarding their jinchūriki.
• Xuan Zhe moved back into the Senju Clan’s old residence with Tsunade, while Mei Terumi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Rin Nohara stayed at his former home.
• Sasuke heard that Itachi had appeared in Konoha, confirmed it with Kakashi Hatake, and asked permission to leave and find him.
• Kakashi refused Sasuke’s request and urged him to focus on his finals match against Gaara; Mikoto then persuaded Sasuke not to pursue Itachi immediately.
• Mei Terumi returned to the Senju Clan Compound and relentlessly trained Haku to become the next Mizukage.
• Tsunade slipped out to visit a gambling house, and Kurenai Yuhi paid a girl for news of her departure so she could spend time alone with Xuan Zhe.

Mei Terumi and Kurenai Yuhi argued over Xuan Zhe, who received a secret letter from Orochimaru while Momoshiki Otsutsuki planned to avoid Konoha. The Chunin finals began with Sasuke Uchiha fighting Gaara, whose sand defenses forced Sasuke to search for a way through.

• Mei Terumi dismissed Haku to the Small Wooden House, then argued with Kurenai Yuhi over Xuan Zhe until he subdued them both.
• A Konoha genin delivered Orochimaru's secret letter, which said Hiruzen Sarutobi had used the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to cripple Orochimaru's hands; Xuan Zhe sent a reply and burned the letter.
• Momoshiki Otsutsuki revived Kinshiki Otsutsuki and Urashiki, then decided to avoid Konoha and scout other villages while searching for the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• The Chunin finals began, and Gen Shiranui announced Sasuke Uchiha versus Gaara as the first match.
• Gaara blocked Sasuke's attacks with sand clones and armor before enclosing himself in absolute defense, while Sasuke attacked the sand sphere and grew impatient to finish the fight.

Sasuke lost to Gaara after exhausting himself in their brutal match, then Neji and Shino won their bouts as the exams continued. With eleven contestants qualifying for the finals, Hozuki Suigetsu could challenge a previous loser, while Naruto faced a stern warning from Kushina.

• Gaara defeated Sasuke after the two traded attacks, leaving Sasuke unconscious and drained of chakra.
• Sakura rushed to Sasuke, while Kakashi reassured her that he was exhausted and expected to recover after a week of sleep.
• Neji defeated Kankuro, and Hinata and Hanabi congratulated him when he returned to his seat.
• Rock Lee injured himself further in his excitement over Guy's promise of special training, so Kakashi advised Guy to let him recover.
• Shino Aburame defeated Karui, and Xuan Zhe noticed the visiting dignitaries' interest in Konoha's young fighters.
• The exam organizers announced that eleven contestants had qualified for the finals and that Hozuki Suigetsu could challenge a previous loser, while Kushina urged Naruto to fight properly.

Naruto fought Hozuki Suigetsu after Sasuke was disqualified, won with a Rasengan, and qualified as a chunin. Kirigakure eventually left Konoha, and a week later Sasuke woke up with Sakura and Naruto beside him.

• After Sasuke remained unconscious, the Referee Panel removed him as an available opponent, and Hozuki Suigetsu randomly chose Naruto.
• Hozuki Suigetsu attacked Naruto with Kubikiribōchō, but Naruto used Shadow Clone Technique and a Rasengan to defeat him.
• Mei Terumi accused Hozuki Suigetsu of holding back, while Xuan Zhe said he would fight Naruto himself someday.
• Shiranui Genya announced that Naruto had qualified as a chunin, and the Joint Exams ended with wealthy clients commissioning missions from the hidden villages.
• Mei Terumi stayed in Konoha with Xuan Zhe until he persuaded her to return to Kirigakure with her people.
• A week later, Sasuke woke up as Sakura sat beside him and Naruto proudly stood nearby.

Sasuke brooded over his defeat and began considering leaving Konoha to seek greater power, but Xuan Zhe offered to train him instead. Sasuke asked to become Xuan Zhe’s student, and Xuan Zhe gave him a few days to consider the cost while Zetsu watched from outside.

• Sasuke grew resentful of his weakness after Naruto and Sakura argued with him, and he began to consider seeking power outside Konoha.
• Xuan Zhe entered Sasuke’s hospital room and offered to help him gain power, changing Sasuke’s mood and interrupting Zetsu’s plans to approach him.
• Sasuke asked Xuan Zhe to take him as a student so he could become stronger than a tailed beast.
• Xuan Zhe said training depended on payment and let Sasuke take a few days to think over the offer.

Xuan Zhe assigned missions to the Konoha 12, arranged paid training for Sasuke with Tsunade, and received a report from Itachi about Akatsuki's Tailed Beast hunt. Itachi continued searching for Obito's hideout while Obito abandoned his effort to recruit Sasuke and watched the Uchiha brothers instead.

• Xuan Zhe assigned missions to the Konoha 12 and asked Minato Namikaze for a salary, which Minato paid from his own pocket.
• Tsunade admitted she had lost both her own money and Xuan Zhe's gambling, then agreed with Xuan Zhe to teach Sasuke for a fee.
• Itachi reported that Akatsuki's hunt for the Tailed Beasts had just begun and that Kisame was monitoring him, while he still had not found Obito's hideout.
• Xuan Zhe instructed Itachi to keep searching for Obito's hideout and use his judgment on the Tailed Beast mission without raising Akatsuki's suspicions.
• Tsunade returned after losing the money Sasuke had paid, and Xuan Zhe considered opening a Gambling Den.
• Zetsu reported on Sasuke to Obito, who gave up trying to recruit him but remained interested in watching Sasuke and Itachi.

As Akatsuki began appearing across the Five Great Hidden Villages, Xuan Zhe trained Sasuke while Naruto left with Jiraiya to train. More than a year later, Sasuke finally mastered Xuan Zhe’s chakra-based fishing exercise.

• The villages identified Akatsuki as a group of rogue Shinobi, while Xuan Zhe judged that the organization was still too unstable to pose a major threat.
• Kushina intensified Naruto’s training because Akatsuki sought the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, and Jiraiya later took Naruto away to train.
• Xuan Zhe and Tsunade guided Sasuke, and Xuan Zhe taught him the Summoning Technique; Sasuke summoned a ninja dog and named him Hayate.
• Xuan Zhe trained Sasuke through farming and fishing chores at the Small Wooden House, while Sasuke struggled to form a chakra fishing hook.
• After more than a year, Sasuke mastered the knack of fishing.

Xuan Zhe gave Sasuke a lightning-conducting sword forged by Orochimaru and began teaching him swordsmanship. Tsunade fled her gambling creditors after stealing Xuan Zhe’s money, then returned to the Small Wooden House while Sasuke trained with the sword through his chores.

• Sasuke offered Xuan Zhe a bag of money, and Xuan Zhe gave him the Heavenly Cloth Flow Sword that Orochimaru had forged in exchange for healing his sealed hands.
• Tsunade rushed into the Small Wooden House with gambling-debt collectors close behind, and Sasuke drove them away by drawing his sword.
• Sasuke went outside to practice while Xuan Zhe and Tsunade talked on the bed; afterward, Xuan Zhe discovered that Tsunade had vanished with his money.
• Sasuke used the Heavenly Cloth Flow Sword to chop firewood, growing more attuned to it as he worked.
• Tsunade returned to the Small Wooden House before long.

Xuan Zhe let Tsunade supervise Sasuke’s training, but after Tsunade left again, he trained Sasuke himself and turned their sword practice into a paid sparring class. Sasuke gained combat experience and remained undefeated, while Xuan Zhe’s makeshift training business attracted growing crowds.

• Xuan Zhe assigned Tsunade to supervise Sasuke’s training, and she stayed with them while teaching him.
• Tsunade asked Xuan Zhe to have a child, but he asked her to wait because of the threats posed by Obito and Madara; she left and later beat the men who had been watching for her.
• Xuan Zhe took over Sasuke’s training and taught him to use Lightning Release with his sword, then sparred with him using a chakra-hardened wooden blade.
• Konoha villagers began gathering to watch Xuan Zhe and Sasuke, and Xuan Zhe started charging for spectators and arranging paid matches for other students.
• Kakashi visited the training area and saw that Xuan Zhe was making money from the matches, while Sasuke gained practical experience and never lost a bout.

Sasuke continued training at Xuan Zhe’s sparring ground, where iron weights made his fights more difficult as he improved. Tsunade returned to the Wooden House, watched Sasuke spar, and headed inside after hearing about the money Xuan Zhe had earned.

• Sasuke left troublemakers to Hayate while he kept up his farmwork, and he began trying to cook for Xuan Zhe after his matches.
• As Sasuke outgrew his opponents, Xuan Zhe strapped iron plates to his arms and legs to make his training harder.
• More village children came to spar with Sasuke, hoping to earn Xuan Zhe’s attention, while their parents paid for the training.
• Tsunade appeared at the Wooden House and watched Sasuke fight, noticing that his weighted limbs slowed his reactions.
• After Xuan Zhe explained Sasuke’s training and mentioned the fees, Tsunade headed inside, and Xuan Zhe hurried after her.

Xuan Zhe joined Tsunade to investigate a group of mysterious Sound Ninja, bringing Sasuke along after he insisted on coming. At the forest where the group had disappeared, Xuan Zhe uncovered evidence that they had escaped underground rather than vanished through genjutsu.

• Tsunade found Xuan Zhe’s hidden banknotes, then told him she had encountered Sound Ninja who disappeared in a forest.
• Xuan Zhe suspected the group had hidden a base near the forest and decided to investigate with Tsunade.
• Sasuke insisted on joining them, and the three set out the next day with summoned ninja dogs.
• At the forest, Xuan Zhe and Sasuke searched the area and found two mole holes in the dry ground.
• Xuan Zhe sent ninja dogs through the holes, and they returned with a scrap of cloth that revealed the Sound Ninja had escaped underground using Earth Release.

Xuan Zhe, Tsunade, and Sasuke searched for the Sound Ninja, then stopped at a hot spring before returning to Konoha. Back at the Senju Clan Compound, Nawaki welcomed Xuan Zhe and Tsunade with a feast.

• Xuan Zhe wondered who the Sound Ninja served and what they wanted, after judging their skills unusually sharp.
• Tsunade took Xuan Zhe and Sasuke to the Hot Spring Village, where Sasuke blushed at invitations to the mixed bath and overheard Xuan Zhe and Tsunade next door.
• Xuan Zhe and Tsunade left the hot spring refreshed while Sasuke emerged exhausted and avoided their eyes.
• Xuan Zhe told Sasuke to rest for a few days, then returned with Tsunade to the Senju Clan Compound.
• Nawaki greeted Xuan Zhe as his brother-in-law and prepared a feast with their favorite dishes and plenty of liquor.

At a welcome-home feast, Xuan Zhe reassured Nawaki that he had no intention of opening a school, and Konoha’s leaders helped dispel the rumors. Later, Sakura asked Tsunade to teach her medical ninjutsu, and Tsunade invited her to explain who she liked.

• Nawaki asked Xuan Zhe about rumors that he was teaching children swordsmanship and might draw students away from the Ninja Academy.
• Xuan Zhe denied wanting to teach and stopped the children from coming to spar at the Small Wooden House; Nawaki and Minato Namikaze helped clear up the rumors.
• Despite parents offering tuition, Xuan Zhe refused to take on students, while Tsunade stayed at his residence during the holiday.
• Sakura visited Xuan Zhe’s residence and asked Tsunade to teach her medical ninjutsu.
• After Xuan Zhe whispered that Sakura liked Sasuke, Tsunade recalled Sakura bringing him flowers in the hospital and asked Sakura to tell her about the person she liked.

Sakura impressed Tsunade by stopping a lead shot and breaking her Genjutsu, earning Tsunade’s agreement to train her as an apprentice. A week later, Sakura joined Sasuke’s training and happily worked beside him while Tsunade wondered whether the two would eventually get together.

• Sakura stopped a lead shot that crashed through Tsunade’s window, surprising Tsunade with her strength.
• Sakura broke Tsunade’s Genjutsu by finding its weak point, and Tsunade agreed to take her as an apprentice.
• Xuan Zhe set up a barrier around the residence, and Nawaki resolved to ask him for advice on winning girls over.
• A week later, Sasuke returned to training, and Xuan Zhe sent him to clear weeds from the field.
• Tsunade allowed Sakura to help Sasuke, and Sakura cheerfully followed his instructions as they worked together.
• Tsunade watched Sasuke and Sakura in the field and asked whether they would end up together.

Xuan Zhe trained Sasuke and practiced swordsmanship while waiting at the Small Wooden House, then he and Tsunade went after Sasuke and Sakura when they failed to return. They found Sasuke ambushed by strangers trying to recruit him, and Tsunade recognized the forehead protectors they wore.

• Tsunade punched Xuan Zhe through a wall after catching him staring at her, then denied him lunch and had Sasuke repair the damage.
• Xuan Zhe trained with Sasuke and practiced his swordsmanship while reflecting on the Akatsuki and the threat posed by Obito, Madara Uchiha, and Zetsu.
• Xuan Zhe sent Sasuke to buy supplies, and Sakura went with him, hoping to spend time alone with Sasuke.
• Xuan Zhe sensed unfamiliar presences approaching Konoha, and he and Tsunade left the Small Wooden House to investigate when Sasuke and Sakura did not return.
• A group ambushed Sasuke and offered him power if he joined their organization, but Sasuke rejected the offer.
• Tsunade recognized the forehead protectors worn by the strangers and quietly spoke to Xuan Zhe.

The Sound Four tried to abduct Sasuke, but he refused and fought back with Sakura's help. Sasuke broke out of Jirobo's chakra-draining earth prison, then attacked Sakon and Ukon, who remained unharmed.

• The Sound Four surrounded Sasuke and Sakura, but Sasuke refused to join them and would not let Sakura be taken.
• Jirobo trapped Sasuke and Sakura in an Earth Release prison dome and absorbed their chakra as Sasuke attacked the walls with Chidori.
• Sakura identified the wall's weak point and used healing ninjutsu to restore Sasuke's stamina and chakra, helping him escape.
• Sasuke rejected Sakon and Ukon's offer of power and broke through the prison wall with his sword.
• Sasuke struck Sakon and Ukon with Lion Combo, but they stood up unharmed and began a sound-based attack.

Sasuke fled with Sakura from the Sound Four, hoping to reach Xuan Zhe and Tsunade, but found the Small Wooden House empty and became trapped by the pursuers. The Sound Four surrounded him beside a river and taunted him about Uchiha Itachi.

• Sakon and Ukon struck Sasuke with sound-based attacks until Sakura identified the threat and Sasuke sealed his ears with chakra.
• Sasuke removed his weighted braces, grabbed Sakura, and raced toward the Small Wooden House while the Sound Four pursued them.
• Xuan Zhe moved himself and Tsunade out of sight as Sasuke and Sakura rushed past their hiding place.
• Sasuke reached the empty Small Wooden House and found the Sound Four closing in around him beside a broad river.
• Sakon and Ukon mocked Sasuke by asking whether he would run from Uchiha Itachi too.

The Sound Four ambushed Sasuke and captured Sakura, but Sasuke broke free, adapted to Kidomaru’s spider silk, and counterattacked with a lightning-wreathed sword. The Sound Four activated their Cursed Seals, shifting the battle in their favor as Xuan Zhe and Tsunade watched from hiding.

• Sakon and Ukon distracted Sasuke while Kidomaru bound Sakura in spider silk and carried her away from the fight.
• Kidomaru struck Sasuke and pinned him with spider silk after Sasuke’s Lion Combo failed and his Chidori was absorbed by Jirobo.
• Sasuke analyzed the chakra flowing through the web, escaped, and used his lightning-wreathed sword to cut Kidomaru’s silk apart.
• Sasuke pressed the Sound Four with rapid sword attacks, forcing them to activate their Cursed Seals.
• Xuan Zhe recognized the Cursed Seals and watched as the powered-up Sound Four reversed the battle’s momentum.

Xuan Zhe rescued Sasuke, drove off Sakon and Ukon, Tayuya, and Jirobo, and cornered Kidomaru after he tried to kill Sasuke. Xuan Zhe and his three summoned huskies overwhelmed Kidomaru and his giant spider, leaving the fight in Xuan Zhe’s control.

• Kidomaru knocked Sasuke’s sword away and prepared to finish him, but Xuan Zhe arrived and cut the arrow in two while Tsunade treated Sasuke.
• Xuan Zhe attacked the Sound Four, forcing Sakon and Ukon, Tayuya, and Jirobo to retreat after he singled out Kidomaru with a chakra fishing line.
• Kidomaru activated his Cursed Seal and summoned a giant spider, but neither its attacks nor the spider silk could slow Xuan Zhe.
• Xuan Zhe summoned three huskies, which charged Kidomaru and the giant spider and overwhelmed them.

Xuan Zhe defeated Kidomaru after rescuing his Huskies from the Sound ninja’s attacks, then had the dogs consume the unconscious enemy. Afterward, Xuan Zhe assigned Sasuke sword practice while Tsunade began teaching Sakura ninjutsu.

• Kidomaru activated the third stage of his Cursed Seal and fired World-Destroying Arrows at Xuan Zhe’s Huskies, but Xuan Zhe knocked the arrows away and recalled the dogs.
• Kidomaru attacked Xuan Zhe at close range, but Xuan Zhe dodged his arrow, cut another in half, and struck Kidomaru unconscious with the blade energy.
• Xuan Zhe told Tsunade he suspected someone other than Orochimaru was behind Otogakure, then fed Kidomaru to six Huskies.
• Xuan Zhe left Sasuke to clean up the battlefield as training, while Tsunade stayed to teach Sakura ninjutsu.
• Xuan Zhe decided Sasuke would practice swordsmanship and timing by striking flying mosquitoes and insects with a wooden sword, without using Chakra.

Xuan Zhe took on Kimimaro after he and the three Sound Ninja returned to seize Sasuke. As Xuan Zhe and Kimimaro fought, the Sound Ninja moved against Tsunade, who was confident she could handle them.

• Sasuke practiced striking moving insects with a wooden sword while Sakura trained her focus beside him, and Tsunade and Xuan Zhe relaxed in rocking chairs.
• Kimimaro arrived with the three Sound Ninja and demanded that Sasuke be handed over; Xuan Zhe stopped Tsunade from intervening and accepted the fight.
• Kimimaro attacked with Shikotsumyaku finger bones, which Xuan Zhe cut apart with his wooden blade.
• Kimimaro drew a bone blade and fought Xuan Zhe at close range, while the three Sound Ninja went after Tsunade and Sasuke.

Tsunade fought Tayuya, Jirobo, Sakon, and Ukon while Xuan Zhe battled Kimimaro. Tsunade became trapped in a stalemate against Tayuya’s chakra-draining spirits, and Xuan Zhe drew his Zanpakutō after Kimimaro broke his wooden sword.

• Tsunade tore through Jirobo’s earth techniques and fought Tayuya’s Three Demons with her bare hands.
• Sakon and Ukon tried to seize Sasuke, but Tsunade shifted the fight to block their approach and lined up the Three Demons with her punch.
• Tayuya changed her flute tune, releasing spirits that passed through Tsunade’s attacks and began draining her chakra.
• Kimimaro used Dance of the Camellia, Dance of the Willow, and Dance of the Larch against Xuan Zhe, eventually breaking his wooden sword.
• Xuan Zhe drew his Zanpakutō, and black flames surged from its blade as Kimimaro sensed their danger.