A Sudden Surprise!

A few days later!

Uchiha Mei's eyes were successfully healed, and the cost had even been lower than before.

That had been a leg; this was only treating her eyes.

Although it had been more difficult and required more effort, it truly hadn't needed as many resources as the previous treatment.

Now, two pieces of news lay before the newly healed Uchiha Mei.

The good news: her eyes were healed!

The bad news: she was bankrupt!

Yes, this "Rich, Beautiful, Strong, Miserable" woman was now merely "Beautiful, Strong, Miserable."

No matter how rich she had been, she couldn't withstand Tang Ping's money-burning.

The equipment alone had cost two hundred million ryo, and with the subsequent materials, several hundred million ryo had been poured into it.

Even the Uchiha Clan, a Noble Clan, would have found such a sum somewhat difficult to bear, let alone Uchiha Mei shouldering it alone.

The fact that she had been able to produce so much money was only because her grandfather had accumulated enough wealth over the years.

Now, aside from this courtyard, she was completely destitute.

And that wasn't even all.

This courtyard, worth five hundred million ryo, had been mortgaged to a great noble of the Land of Fire to borrow two hundred million ryo for the experiment.

That great noble had also provided considerable help in acquiring the equipment and experimental materials smoothly.

Damn!

After Uchiha Shizuka explained the financial situation, Tang Ping felt as though he'd been royally screwed.

His own "White Thighs" had actually had her leg broken by him?

Any more cheat-like experiments were out of the question.

There was good news too, of course.

After hovering at death's edge, his Chakra had also entered a period of rapid growth.

His teens were already the period when a ninja grew fastest, and after that mental stimulation, it would have been strange if his Chakra hadn't grown quickly.

Before the third round began, it wouldn't be surprising if his Chakra approached "1 Card."

Don't compare him to those cheaters.

Tang Ping had achieved everything he had today through his own hard work... and potions. Bottoms up.

At the same time, he had visited Yamaa Koji at the hospital several times during this period and dropped a few hints.

He had no choice but to hint at it!

He truly feared that the despairing Koji might do something wrong.

Meanwhile, Konoha's internal investigation storm gradually subsided.

Because the third round of the exams was about to begin.

It would be completed within a single day!

Even if contestants were injured midway through, the assessment would not be postponed. If they lost because of their injuries, they could only blame their bad luck or tactical mistakes.

Today!

Was the day the third round began.

Early in the morning.

The streets were already packed with people.

There were also spectators who had come from far away, ready to watch this Chunin Exams.

"Go for it!"

"Don't lose to the other ninja villages!"

"Konoha is the strongest!"

"Sunagakure is the strongest!"

As Tang Ping walked down the street, cheers for each village rang out without end, making him realize just how mad people were for honor.

The Joint Chunin Exams truly had an enormous impact.

"Tang Ping!!"

A lively voice called out from the side.

Several people walked toward him.

Two adults and a child, with golden, red, and white hair respectively.

That's right!

This group was Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and Kakashi.

"Teacher Minato, Kakashi, Kushina-neechan!"

Tang Ping greeted them one by one, his voice turning noticeably sweeter when he addressed Kushina.

He couldn't help it. She gave him far too much.

Not to mention the Sealing Technique materials she had given him before, during his stay in the hospital, she had also brought him plenty of Uzumaki Secret Manual materials.

Taking gifts from someone made one softhearted, so it was no wonder Tang Ping's attitude toward her was completely different.

"Hmph, you wouldn't even let me pick you up when you were discharged. Are you asking for a beating?!"

Kushina Uzumaki waved her fist.

She had been extremely dissatisfied that Tang Ping hadn't let her pick him up from the hospital.

"Kushina-neechan, Mei suddenly said she wanted to pick me up from the hospital by herself that day. I couldn't exactly refuse her kindness."

Tang Ping dragged his own Fiancée out to take the blame. Uchiha Mei: Meow meow meow?

Before Kushina Uzumaki could pursue the matter further, Minato Namikaze, who had come with her, quietly offered Tang Ping some reassurance.

"You don't need to worry too much about Koji either. Once Lady Tsunade returns, I'll ask her to help. She should be able to heal him."

He knew Tang Ping had been worrying about Yamaa Koji's injuries lately.

"Teacher Minato, the Uchiha Clan has a way to treat Koji's injuries, so there's no need to trouble Lady Tsunade. I'm worried about today's exams!"

Tang Ping changed the subject.

Yamaa Koji's injuries were only troublesome in Konoha Hospital's eyes; they were not incurable. At the very least, Medical Ninjutsu masters like Tsunade and Chiyo would not find them too difficult.

So using the "Uchiha" as an excuse wasn't entirely unreasonable.

In any case, he already had a complete plan in mind. He merely needed time and resources.

What worried him instead was the exams.

Among the surviving candidates were Baki's and Gang Tu's two teams.

Gang Tu in particular!

Tang Ping had no idea how he had survived that certain-death situation and even continued competing. It was simply too strange.

Tang Ping felt that the third round was far too deep.

"Don't worry. With your current strength, there's no need to be concerned. Besides, I'm one of the proctors for this exam!"

Minato Namikaze patted Tang Ping's shoulder and quietly gave him his assurance.

Those who understood, understood!

Proctors had the authority to stop the winning side from ruthlessly finishing off the losing side at critical moments.

Whether they would be in time was another matter.

But with Minato Namikaze's speed and strength watching over him, he couldn't guarantee victory or defeat, but at least Tang Ping wouldn't need to worry about his own safety.

Wonderful!

The benefits of having the Hokage Faction at his back were now apparent.

If Tang Ping hadn't known how much of a trap it was, he might really have sided with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the "strongest Third Hokage."

"Here!"

Kushina Uzumaki mysteriously handed something to Tang Ping. Her face was full of smug pride, clearly waiting for him to praise her.

"This is..."

Tang Ping's pupils suddenly contracted as he looked at the object in his hand, because he had already guessed what it was.

A surprise!

He hadn't forgotten that Kushina Uzumaki had said she had prepared a "surprise" for him while he was in the hospital.

So this was it.

A pair of gloves.

The elbow-length, fingerless gloves were pitch-black, smooth and delicate to the touch.

Stylish!

That was the impression the gloves gave.

Whether something was strong only mattered for a while, but being stylish was for life.

It seemed Kushina Uzumaki understood his personality too, which was why she had made them look so outstanding rather than low-key and inconspicuous.

The reason he found it surprising was because Tang Ping had thought it would take a long time to finish.

He hadn't expected them to be completed so quickly.

For them to be finished this fast, she must have secretly worked overtime day and night. It was clear how much thought she had put into them.

Tang Ping felt somewhat excited.

Because this ninja tool could truly give his strength a considerable boost.

He quickly put on the gloves.

A comfortable, breathable sensation spread from his hands, as if they were a second layer of skin.

"Try channeling a little Chakra into them!"

Kushina Uzumaki prompted him.

This ninja tool was her proud creation.

She had worked extremely hard lately to rush it through, so naturally she wanted it to be recognized.

Tang Ping did as she said.

Then, something magical happened.