Trade!

Konoha!

It was already afternoon.

The pursuit had taken a long time, so naturally, the return journey was much faster.

"Lord Tang Ping!"*2

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki naturally would not court death by insisting on some "by-the-book" identity inspection. Instead, they greeted him respectfully.

However, the moment they saw the bandages around Tang Ping and his paper-white face, their expressions instantly changed.

They simply could not believe that the famed "Purification Flame" had been injured so severely.

Fortunately, no matter how curious they were, neither had the slightest intention of asking what had happened.

No wonder they were Door Gods. They really were smart.

After entering the village.

Tang Ping immediately went to the Hokage Building to turn in the mission.

He had accepted the mission from Jiraiya, so naturally, he had to report back to him.

However, when he arrived at the Hokage Office, he found that Jiraiya was not the only one there.

Tsunade, Shikaku, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were also present, as though they had been waiting for him.

"You worked hard on this mission, but your injuries..."

Jiraiya praised him first, but when he wanted to ask about what had happened, he saw Tang Ping looking like he was on his last breath, as if he could collapse at any moment, and did not know whether he should keep pressing.

"Cough, cough... I'm fine. I won't die. A few years of recovery will do!"

Tang Ping coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, his tone hostile as his blade-sharp gaze swept across everyone present.

Even Utatane Koharu, who loved confronting him head-on, did not react to his rudeness.

They were in the wrong!

After Izumi, Yamaa Koji, and the others had returned to the village ahead of him, they had learned the details of the