Recaps

Lin Ze planned to win the Ninja Academy's Combat Ranking Assessment without revealing his Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, so he could attract Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention and protect himself from Danzo. After Hiruzen opened the assessment with a speech, the matches began, and Lin Ze was assigned to the first secondary arena alongside Kurenai Yuhi.

• Lin Ze decided to aim for first place using Taijutsu, Bolo Breath, and, if necessary, the Eight Gates Released Formation while keeping his Dragon Transformation secret.
• The students gathered at the Ninja Academy training ground, where Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the Combat Ranking Assessment and urged them to carry on the Will of Fire.
• Lin Ze watched Hiruzen's speech and resolved to focus on overcoming Danzo's threat and pursuing his ambitions one step at a time.
• The assessment began, and Lin Ze was assigned to the first secondary arena, where Kurenai Yuhi cheered him on.

Lin Ze won his opening assessment match against Tsume Inuzuka while concealing most of his strength, then watched Kurenai Yuhi defeat Obito Uchiha. As the preliminary matches continued, he planned to conserve his energy and make a strong impression on Hiruzen Sarutobi in the finals.

• Lin Ze defeated Tsume Inuzuka by catching her puppy Kuro Maru and persuading her to surrender.
• Kurenai Yuhi checked that Lin Ze was unharmed before winning her match against Obito Uchiha.
• Lin Ze noticed masked ANBU observers in the stands and decided to keep his performance controlled.
• Ryota Uchiha began his match against Genma Shiranui after reacting nervously to Lin Ze's stare.
• Lin Ze considered the other promising students and resolved to save his strength for the finals, where Hiruzen Sarutobi would be watching.

Lin Ze dominated his matches and faced Ryota Uchiha in his final bout, determined to settle their old grievance while testing a new skill. After humiliating Ryota in close combat, Lin Ze answered Ryota’s Great Fireball with one of his own, leaving the two flames rushing toward each other.

• Lin Ze won three matches with ease, moving within one victory of qualifying for the finals.
• Lin Ze and Ryota Uchiha entered the ring, and Ryota opened with shuriken that Lin Ze dodged effortlessly.
• Lin Ze taunted Ryota, then overpowered him in their fist clash and repeatedly knocked him down during their exchanges.
• Ryota used Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique despite the assessment rules, prompting Lin Ze to reveal that he could use it too.
• Lin Ze unleashed a larger, hotter Great Fireball with blue-green flames toward Ryota’s attack.

Lin Ze overwhelmed Ryota Uchiha’s Great Fireball and beat him until the referee intervened, securing the first advancement from the arena. He qualified for the next day’s final round, while Kurenai Yuhi failed to advance.

• Lin Ze’s Great Fireball overwhelmed Ryota Uchiha’s, shocking the crowd and destroying Ryota’s confidence.
• Lin Ze gagged Ryota with torn jacket fabric and beat him while carefully avoiding serious injuries.
• The referee stopped the match and removed the gag, allowing Ryota to surrender; Lin Ze was declared the winner.
• Kurenai Yuhi gave Lin Ze water as he returned to the rest area, and Obito Uchiha privately called him a devil.
• Lin Ze won five consecutive matches and advanced to the final round, while Kurenai Yuhi did not qualify.

Lin Ze learned that Hikaru Hyūga was a ruthless finalist and prepared to hide his true strength in the competition. At the finals’ opening, the Sannin and Konoha’s leaders watched the contestants, while Orochimaru’s scrutiny made Lin Ze wary of being discovered.

• Kurenai Yuhi warned Lin Ze that Hikaru Hyūga had badly injured opponents by striking their chakra points with Gentle Fist.
• Lin Ze considered the consequences of beating Ryota Uchiha and expected to enter ANBU after the assessment ended.
• Lin Ze arrived at the Fifth Battle Ground, where Hiruzen Sarutobi, clan representatives, and the Sannin watched the sixteen finalists.
• Lin Ze recognized Orochimaru as a threat and resolved to avoid revealing his Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon abilities.
• Tsunade asked Hiruzen Sarutobi about Lin Ze, and Jiraiya predicted that Lin Ze could place in the top three.

Lin Ze faced Namiashi Raidō in the finals while Shimura Danzō showed interest in recruiting him into Root and Hiruzen Sarutobi resisted committing to either side. The match began with Raidō using smoke and concealed weapons to challenge Lin Ze, who realized he had underestimated the young fighter.

• Lin Ze drew Namiashi Raidō as his first opponent in the single-elimination finals and planned to end the fight quickly with taijutsu.
• Shimura Danzō arrived and told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Root should assess Lin Ze and ensure his loyalty.
• Hiruzen said Lin Ze’s future depended on his own choices, while Danzō warned that Root would monitor him and take necessary measures.
• Lin Ze noticed Danzō’s hostile attention and resolved to win first place to earn Hiruzen’s protection.
• Raidō opened with three shuriken, then used a Smoke Screen Technique to conceal an attack with senbon.
• Lin Ze dodged the senbon as the smoke cleared and saw Raidō take up a short blade in a family swordsmanship stance.

Lin Ze overcame Namiashi Raidō’s swordsmanship and Earth-Binding Technique by unleashing Fire Release when Raidō launched a finishing thrust. The referee declared Lin Ze the winner, while Danzo watched him with a colder gaze.

• Lin Ze and Namiashi Raidō exchanged rapid attacks, with Lin Ze’s taijutsu keeping Raidō from gaining an advantage.
• Namiashi Raidō baited Lin Ze into a kick, used its impact to retreat, and bound Lin Ze’s ankles with the Earth-Binding Technique.
• Namiashi Raidō launched his Raidō Style: Thrust at the restrained Lin Ze, who answered with the Great Fireball Technique.
• Lin Ze’s flames struck Raidō and sent him flying, after which Lin Ze broke free of the chakra ropes.
• The referee checked Raidō’s minor injuries and announced Lin Ze as the winner, drawing praise from the spectators and scrutiny from Danzo.

After narrowly surviving Namiashi Raidō’s tactics, Lin Ze reflected on the danger of underestimating his opponents. He watched Hikaru Hyūga brutally defeat Fujiwara Yū and remained in the tournament as the remaining matches advanced.

• Lin Ze recognized that Namiashi Raidō had nearly caught him with a clever, self-sacrificing tactic and resolved to fight more carefully.
• Kurenai Yuhi praised Lin Ze, while Asuma warned him that Hikaru Hyūga fought dirty.
• Hikaru Hyūga disabled Fujiwara Yū with Gentle Fist strikes and continued attacking until he broke Fujiwara Yū’s wrist and knocked him unconscious.
• The referee declared Hikaru Hyūga the winner, and Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned while Danzo took an interest in him.
• Genma Shiranui, Ibiki Morino, Asuma, and the other remaining competitors advanced, while Lin Ze noted Ryota Uchiha’s talent despite his earlier defeat.

Lin Ze defeated an Inuzuka girl in the second round, while Enta Uchiha eliminated Asuma, leaving both boys among the final four. Lin Ze then overwhelmed Enta in their semifinal match, leaving the Uchiha on the defensive.

• Lin Ze quickly knocked out his injured-dog-dependent opponent with a precise strike and won the second round.
• Enta Uchiha defeated Asuma with shurikenjutsu, fire release, and taijutsu, and Hiruzen said the setback would help his son grow.
• Lin Ze, Hikaru Hyūga, Ibiki Morino, and Enta Uchiha advanced to the semifinals, where the draw paired Lin Ze against Enta.
• Enta opened with Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson and concealed shuriken, but Lin Ze dodged and rushed him before he could use another technique.
• Lin Ze battered Enta with relentless taijutsu, forcing him to block and dodge as he lost control of the match.

Lin Ze decisively defeated Enta Uchiha and advanced to the finals, then watched Hikaru Hyūga defeat Ibiki Morino after Ibiki deliberately fell out of bounds to avoid a serious injury. Hikaru left the ring irritated, while Lin Ze recognized Ibiki’s sharp judgment.

• Lin Ze overwhelmed Enta Uchiha with taijutsu and knocked him unconscious, winning the match and advancing to the finals.
• Kurenai Yuhi celebrated Lin Ze’s victory, while Asuma admitted Lin Ze was stronger than their classmates.
• Hikaru Hyūga dominated Ibiki Morino with Gentle Fist strikes, leaving Ibiki slowed and injured.
• Ibiki used Hikaru’s attack to propel himself out of the ring, forfeiting the match to avoid a disabling blow.
• The referee declared Hikaru the winner, and Lin Ze admired Ibiki’s decisive judgment as Hikaru left in irritation.

Lin Ze faced Hikaru Hyūga in the final, where Hikaru’s Byakugan and Gentle Fist began to hinder Lin Ze with chakra-point strikes. Lin Ze opened the Gate of Opening to regain the advantage, drawing the attention of the powerful spectators and making Shimura Danzō take a personal interest in him.

• Lin Ze assessed Hikaru Hyūga’s Gentle Fist and decided he might need to open the first of the Eight Gates.
• Lin Ze and Hikaru Hyūga began their final match with a close-range clash between Strong Fist Style and Gentle Fist.
• Hikaru used his Byakugan to evade Lin Ze’s attacks and repeatedly strike his chakra points, slowing both of Lin Ze’s arms.
• Lin Ze opened the Gate of Opening, accelerating his chakra flow and evading Hikaru’s next attacks.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed Lin Ze’s sudden change, while Shimura Danzō decided he wanted Lin Ze recruited into Root.

Lin Ze opened the Gate of Healing to overcome Hikaru Hyūga’s Byakugan and Gentle Fist, then defeated him after countering his Eight Trigrams Sixteen Palms. Hikaru lay unable to rise at the edge of the arena.

• Hikaru Hyūga used his Byakugan and Gentle Fist to keep landing blows on Lin Ze despite Lin Ze’s increased speed.
• Lin Ze opened the Second Gate, the Gate of Healing, boosting his strength, speed, and reflexes and startling Hikaru.
• Lin Ze’s punch sent Hikaru flying, but Hikaru rose and unleashed Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixteen Palms.
• Lin Ze met Hikaru’s palm strikes head-on, found an opening, and struck him hard in the chest.
• Hikaru spat blood and crashed at the arena’s edge, unable to get back up.

Lin Ze won the Ninja Academy combat assessment after defeating Hikaru Hyūga, then received his prizes and an invitation to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi. The chapter left Lin Ze heading toward a private audience with the Hokage, which he hoped would bring him the attention he wanted.

• The referee declared Lin Ze the champion after confirming Hikaru Hyūga could no longer fight, and the arena erupted in applause.
• Lin Ze reflected that he had revealed the Eight Gates Released Formation but kept the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon hidden.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi awarded Hikaru Hyūga second place, then praised Lin Ze and gave him a ninja tool set and a B-Rank Ninjutsu scroll.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly told Lin Ze to come to the Hokage office after the ceremony, and Lin Ze agreed.
• After the ceremony, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma, Genma Shiranui, and Ibiki congratulated Lin Ze as the crowd dispersed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi told Lin Ze he would remain at the Ninja Academy until the term ended, then enter ANBU training, shielding him from Danzo’s attempts to claim him for Root. After Lin Ze left, Danzo confronted Hiruzen, who stood firm on his decision and asserted his authority as Hokage.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Lin Ze’s abilities and assured him that Danzo’s underground schemes would not interfere with his growth.
• Hiruzen told Lin Ze to finish the term at the Ninja Academy before entering ANBU training, and Lin Ze accepted the plan gratefully.
• Lin Ze left the Hokage Building and planned to develop his Azure Dragon powers, train the Eight Gates, and study his Academy courses while preparing to settle his score with Danzo.
• Danzo demanded that Hiruzen place Lin Ze in Root so it could make him absolutely loyal to Konoha.
• Hiruzen refused Danzo’s demand, declared that Lin Ze would join ANBU, and reminded Danzo, “I am the Hokage!”

After Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped Danzo from taking Lin Ze, Lin Ze and Kurenai Yuhi celebrated Lin Ze’s assessment victory with ramen at Ichiraku. The chapter ended with Lin Ze walking Kurenai home after the rain, while reflecting on his outsider status and the future Hokage’s qualifications.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi asserted his authority as Hokage, forcing Danzo to leave without Lin Ze and warning that Hiruzen would regret his decision.
• Lin Ze and Kurenai Yuhi chose Ichiraku Ramen for their celebratory dinner when rain began falling.
• Kurenai paid for their ramen while Lin Ze ate ten bowls and thought about Naruto, the Hokage, and how his children might qualify to hold the position.
• Lin Ze called Kurenai pretty, making her blush, then thanked her for the meal.
• After the rain eased, Lin Ze offered to walk Kurenai home, and she chatted about the assessment along the way.

Lin Ze reviewed a Water Dragon Bullet scroll, worried about Nonō, and found that his victory had made him famous at the Ninja Academy. After training with Might Duy and Guy, he received weighted gear from Might Duy to support his taijutsu practice.

• Lin Ze read the Water Dragon Bullet scroll, dismissed its lengthy hand-seal sequence, and thought about finding Maruboshi Kosuke's simplified version.
• Lin Ze worried about Nonō's safety and reflected on how she had left at twelve to care for the orphanage children.
• Lin Ze went to the Ninja Academy with Rei Uesugi and found that his classmates now treated him with awe and fear after his victory over Ryota Uchiha.
• Lin Ze sat with Kurenai Yuhi, accepted the attention his first-place finish had brought, and noticed that Ryota Uchiha was absent while recovering.
• Lin Ze joined Might Duy and Guy for training, and Might Duy gave him weighted wrist guards and ankle weights as a congratulatory gift.

Lin Ze accepted Uchiha Onibi’s challenge after negotiating the Phoenix Flower Jutsu as the prize for a win. The two prepared for a serious rematch in the training clearing, with Lin Ze eager to test his Taijutsu against Onibi’s Sharingan.

• Might Duy gave Lin Ze weights, and Lin Ze trained alongside Duy and Might Guy with them strapped to his wrists and ankles.
• Uchiha Onibi arrived and told Lin Ze that Ryōta had been discouraged by his losses, but said he wanted a serious fight rather than revenge.
• Onibi proposed that Lin Ze acknowledge Ryōta’s strength if Onibi won, and promised to teach Lin Ze the Phoenix Flower Jutsu if he lost.
• Lin Ze asked for a Lightning Release technique as the prize, but accepted the Phoenix Flower Jutsu when Onibi offered Earth Release instead.
• Lin Ze removed his weights, and he and Uchiha Onibi took their positions for a serious rematch.

Lin Ze fought Uchiha Onibi, who used shuriken, Earth Release, taijutsu, and genjutsu before unleashing a powerful Fire Release attack. Lin Ze opened the first three Eight Gates and countered with a Great Fireball Technique infused with the Azure Dragon’s Bolo Breath, leaving their clash unresolved.

• Uchiha Onibi’s shuriken formation wounded Lin Ze, who blocked two blades with his bandaged arms and rushed into close combat.
• Uchiha Onibi raised an Earth-Style Wall and ambushed Lin Ze with a Great Fireball, but Lin Ze dodged and pressed him into a taijutsu exchange.
• Uchiha Onibi feigned an opening and used the Hell Viewing Technique to briefly disrupt Lin Ze.
• Uchiha Onibi attacked with Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, sending three massive fire dragons toward Lin Ze.
• Lin Ze opened the first three gates of the Eight Gates Released Formation and countered with a Great Fireball infused with the Azure Dragon’s Bolo Breath.

Lin Ze defeated Uchiha Onibi by using the explosion from their fire techniques to close the distance and strike him into a stream. Onibi accepted the loss and promised to discipline Ryōta and deliver a Phoenix Flower Jutsu scroll, while Ryōta was left stunned by his brother’s defeat.

• Lin Ze slipped beneath the flames and knocked Uchiha Onibi into the stream with a powerful punch.
• Uchiha Onibi admitted defeat, agreed to discipline Ryōta if he caused trouble again, and promised to send Lin Ze a Phoenix Flower Jutsu scroll.
• Might Duy and Might Guy praised Lin Ze, who ended training and returned to the Orphanage.
• Uchiha Onibi returned home and told Ryōta Uchiha that Lin Ze had beaten him.
• Uchiha Onibi described Lin Ze’s taijutsu, reactions, combat awareness, and Great Fireball Technique, leaving Ryōta in disbelief.

Ryota Uchiha awakened his One-Tomoe Sharingan while worrying over Uchiha Onibi, who also advanced to a Two-Tomoe Sharingan. After reflecting on how he could obtain the Rinnegan, Lin Ze was disturbed by his own violent thoughts and returned to the warmth of the orphanage.

• Ryota Uchiha cried in Uchiha Onibi’s arms, and Onibi’s Sharingan developed a second tomoe.
• Ryota Uchiha felt pain in his eyes and awakened the One-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Lin Ze considered the Sharingan’s potential and plotted to obtain the chakra and power needed to evolve the Rinnegan.
• Lin Ze’s thoughts turned sinister as he imagined taking power for himself, but nearby laughter interrupted him.
• Lin Ze recognized Rei Uesugi playing with Ayumi and Yumi, questioned his dark thoughts, and entered the orphanage yard.

Lin Ze graduated from the Ninja Academy and prepared to report to the ANBU, while saying goodbye to his classmates and promising Kurenai Yuhi he would return to see her. After the send-off, he looked ahead to discovering what the ANBU was really like.

• Lin Ze practiced controlling his partial beastification but pushed troubling thoughts about the shinobi world and Danzo back into his mind.
• As Konoha Year 38 ended, Lin Ze graduated early and told Kurenai Yuhi that he would report to the ANBU under Lord Hokage's orders.
• Asuma, Ibiki Morino, Genma Shiranui, Izumo Kamizuki, Kotetsu Hagane, and Rei Uesugi joined Lin Ze and Kurenai to congratulate him and say goodbye.
• Asuma treated the group to a lively send-off meal at Yakiniku Q, where Lin Ze ate as much as everyone else combined.
• Lin Ze promised Kurenai he would visit whenever he could, then watched the others leave and turned his thoughts toward the ANBU.

Lin Ze received an ANBU acceptance notice naming him a candidate and learned about the organization’s structure, risks, and commander, Hatake Sakumo. After destroying the notice, he set out for headquarters, intending to learn and gain experience while hiding his strongest abilities.

• Lin Ze found an ANBU acceptance notice ordering him to report to the underground headquarters within three days as candidate-567.
• Lin Ze read that candidates needed a supervising Jōnin, performed support missions, and faced at least six months of evaluation before becoming full members.
• Lin Ze learned that Hatake Sakumo commanded ANBU and considered the political danger surrounding Sakumo’s eventual fate.
• Lin Ze memorized the notice, burned it as instructed, and left the Orphanage for the specified entrance.
• Lin Ze planned to conceal his Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon abilities while gaining experience and staying wary of ANBU’s missions and internal power struggles.

Lin Ze reported to Konoha's ANBU headquarters as candidate 567, received his uniform and training schedule, and learned the restrictions on his access and activities. He explored the training grounds, where he assessed the combat skills of the ANBU members, while planning to pass the candidate period so he could safely practice his Beastification ability.

• Lin Ze found the hidden entrance to ANBU headquarters and reported to the registration office as candidate number 567.
• The fox-masked ANBU confirmed Lin Ze's identity, issued him a temporary uniform and tanuki mask, and gave him his initial schedule and rules.
• Lin Ze read that candidates had to attend daily training, stay within the first three underground levels, and could only undertake missions under a supervising Jōnin.
• Lin Ze realized he could not safely practice his Beastification ability at headquarters and resolved to pass the assessment period quickly to gain leave as a full ANBU member.
• Lin Ze visited training area one and observed ANBU members practicing combat-focused Taijutsu, judging most to be above average Chunin level and some to be Special Jōnin level.

Lin Ze began ANBU training and assessed the harsh environment, while resolving to use its resources without losing himself. During his first stealth exercise, he used his enhanced vision and careful timing to pass the first checkpoint without being spotted.

• Candidate 369 warned Lin Ze that ANBU was no place for children and hoped he would survive his first month.
• Lin Ze explored the library and medical area, then settled into his dorm room and resolved to pass the assessment while watching for Danzo's agents.
• Lin Ze reported to Training Area One, where Instructor Hawk introduced himself and Instructors Leopard and Fukurou before outlining the training rules.
• Lin Ze's group began a stealth exercise, and he used his enhanced night vision to locate observation posts, a trap, and a reconnaissance ninja.
• Lin Ze timed his movements to the reconnaissance ninja's gaze and slipped past the first checkpoint without being detected.

Lin Ze passed the stealth and reconnaissance test and adapted to ANBU’s demanding training, but learned he would face a practical assessment in three months. He resolved to open the Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain, without using his Fish-Fish Fruit powers so he could become a full ANBU member.

• Lin Ze crossed the exposed final stretch undetected, finishing the stealth test in eight minutes and forty-two seconds, while the candidate hiding nearby was eliminated.
• Only twenty-two of the two hundred candidates passed the stealth and reconnaissance test, and Lin Ze later excelled at taijutsu while performing at an average level in shuriken throwing and codebreaking.
• Lin Ze adapted to ANBU’s intensive training and learned that candidates faced practical combat assessments every three months, with only ten of four hundred selected each time.
• Lin Ze learned the candidates’ numbering system and realized the next assessment would include his new intake despite their disadvantage in experience and strength.
• Lin Ze decided to open the Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain, within three months and avoid using his Fish-Fish Fruit powers during the assessment.