Chapter Summaries

Hyuga Hiashi and the Main Family Elders panicked as rumors blamed the Hyuga Clan for killing a Cloud Ninja envoy and provoking war with Kumogakure. Meanwhile, Tang Ping watched Naruto at Ichiraku Ramen and discussed who would shape the coming era before leaving the boy to enter the shop.

• Hyuga Hiashi told the Main Family Elders that Danzo had proposed handing him over, and they hoped Hiruzen Sarutobi would find another solution.
• A Hyuga Clan Member reported that rumors accusing the clan of killing a Cloud Ninja envoy and starting a war had spread throughout the village.
• Hyuga Hiashi and the Main Family Elders suspected the village higher-ups, especially Danzo, of spreading the rumors, but Hiashi still trusted Hiruzen Sarutobi to resolve the crisis.
• At Ichiraku Ramen, Tang Ping watched Naruto and asked Hinata Cang Yue and Guren what a ninja-world protagonist would be like.
• Tang Ping called Naruto the protagonist of the coming New Era, while Hinata Cang Yue and Guren insisted that the Tenshukaku would claim that role.
• After Tang Ping and the others left, Naruto cautiously entered Ichiraku Ramen, and villagers continued blaming the Hyuga Clan for the looming conflict with Kumogakure.

Tang Ping discussed Danzo’s pressure tactics against the Hyuga Clan, then intervened when Asuma pestered Kurenai and Anko. Asuma left Konoha for Kyoto in disgrace, and Tang Ping’s group joined the women and continued to his workplace.

• Hinata Cang Yue predicted that Konoha’s leaders would pressure the Hyuga Clan, with Danzo likely acting as the villain while the village avoided war with the Cloud Ninja.
• Tang Ping’s group encountered Asuma trying to win back Kurenai, while Anko defended her.
• Guren rushed in to protect Anko, spoiling Tang Ping’s chance to play the hero.
• Tang Ping mocked Asuma as a traitor who had betrayed Konoha, and Asuma angrily claimed he had joined the Guardian Ninja under orders.
• Tang Ping warned Kurenai and Anko that contact with Asuma could invite suspicion from the Daimyo, prompting them to decide to avoid him.
• Asuma left for Kyoto, and Tang Ping’s group joined Kurenai and Anko before heading to Tang Ping’s workplace.

Tang Ping stopped the Cloud Ninja Delegation from confronting Konoha’s leadership and forced them to return to their embassy. The delegation warned that it would demand an explanation from the Third Hokage if its grievance remained unresolved, leaving the Hyuga dispute in the village leaders’ hands.

• Tang Ping arrived at the embassy with Anko, Yuhi Kurenai, Guren, and Hinata Cang Yue as the Cloud Ninja confronted the Uchiha Military Police Force.
• Il told Tang Ping that the Third Hokage had promised an explanation, but Tang Ping ordered the Cloud Ninja to return to the embassy or force their way past him.
• The Cloud Ninja backed down and returned to the embassy after Il warned that they would demand justice even at the cost of their lives.
• Anko questioned the Cloud Ninja’s retreat, while Yuhi Kurenai praised Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue watched her warily.
• Tang Ping considered that the village might resolve the dispute by giving the Cloud Ninja an explanation involving Hizashi Hyuga, though he was unsure events would follow the expected course.

Madara Uchiha slaughtered the Cloud Ninja Delegation and hid the Hyuga corpse, making war between Kumogakure and Konoha inevitable. As the Cloud Ninja gathered at the border, Tang Ping was summoned to discuss the crisis but refused to offer a strategy.

• Danzo visited the Hyuga Clan, and they handed over Hyuga Hiashi's corpse so the peace agreement with Kumogakure could be signed.
• Madara Uchiha ambushed the Cloud Ninja Delegation, killed its members with Wood Release, and had the Hyuga corpse hidden by Zetsu.
• Konoha learned that the delegation had been wiped out and Hizashi Hyuga's corpse had vanished, prompting its leaders to expect war with Kumogakure.
• Tang Ping suspected the Byakugan Wolf had attacked to weaken Konoha, while the Cloud Ninja gathered forces at the border.
• At Hiruzen Sarutobi's meeting, Tang Ping said he would obey orders but refused to join the discussion about how to respond.

Konoha's leaders debated who should command the force sent against the enraged Cloud Ninja Army and settled on Sarutobi Shinnosuke as commander-in-chief, with Danzo and Tang Ping as deputies and Nara Shikaku as strategist. They prepared to send a thousand ninjas, while Tang Ping agreed that Squad 404 could deploy but kept the rest of Tenshukaku out of the war.

• Danzo nominated himself as commander-in-chief, but Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura rejected him, citing his condition, his inability to stop the Fourth Raikage, and his effect on morale.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi suggested Nara Shikaku as commander-in-chief with Tang Ping as deputy, but Koharu proposed Sarutobi Shinnosuke instead.
• Hiruzen objected that Shinnosuke lacked the strength and ability for the role, but Koharu assigned Danzo and Tang Ping as deputies and Shikaku as strategist.
• Tang Ping agreed to deploy Squad 404 but refused to involve the other Tenshukaku forces, which were not Konoha ninjas.
• Konoha decided to send a thousand ninjas under Sarutobi Shinnosuke, with Danzo and Tang Ping as deputy commanders and Nara Shikaku as strategist.

After leaving a meeting where Konoha’s leaders arranged support for Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Tang Ping discussed the coming war with Hinata Cang Yue and revealed his plan to use Konoha’s resources to develop the Demigod Project. He intended to create initial samples first and let the Uchiha Clan help bring the project to Konoha’s attention.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Nara Shikaku to help Sarutobi Shinnosuke, and Shikaku agreed.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura supported Shinnosuke’s rise because they wanted a Hokage aligned with their clans.
• Tang Ping met Hinata Cang Yue and Guren outside the Hokage Building and told them that he, Cang Yue, and Koji would join the war effort.
• Tang Ping warned that the major ninja villages might target the Tenshukaku, while Cang Yue noted that Uchiha Mei would welcome the chance to fight.
• Tang Ping explained that the Demigod Project could use Konoha’s manpower and resources for experimentation while the Tenshukaku gained experience and kept control of the Warp Potion.
• Tang Ping decided to develop sample subjects first and use the Uchiha Clan as his partner in drawing Konoha into the project.

Tang Ping performed a low-cost Second Heart surgery on a volunteer Uchiha genin, using Warp Potion to help the new organ integrate. Uchiha Itachi reported the experiment to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who passed the intelligence to Danzo so he could exploit the outcome either way.

• Tang Ping operated on a volunteer Uchiha genin and injected Warp Potion into the transplanted Second Heart.
• Tang Ping finished the surgery with Delicate Illness Extraction Technique and warned Uchiha Fugaku that the recovering genin would need abundant food to avoid losing Life Force.
• Uchiha Itachi watched the procedure and decided to report what he considered an evil experiment to the Hokage.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi received Itachi's intelligence and ordered an Anbu to deliver it directly to Danzo.

Danzo and the Konoha forces prepared for a campaign against the Cloud Ninja, while Tang Ping’s Squad 404 watched the struggle for command. The army received word that the border force had collapsed under the Fourth Raikage and Killer B, forcing it to reconsider its plans.

• Danzo read a note about the Demigod Project and decided to wait for proof that the surgery worked before making a move.
• Konoha assembled its army, with the Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitokado clans supplying most of the ninja, and Sarutobi Shinnosuke leading as commander.
• Tang Ping’s Squad 404 joined the march, while the Aburame Clan sent its adult ninja and moved other members to Tenshukaku under Uchiha Mei’s protection.
• Danzo tried to seize command from Sarutobi Shinnosuke, but Nara Shikaku held him back, and Tang Ping refused to get involved.
• The army received urgent intelligence that the Fourth Raikage and Killer B had led three thousand Cloud Ninja into the Land of Fire and crushed the border force, prompting a reassessment of the campaign.

Konoha’s commanders assessed the Cloud Ninja invasion and decided to hold position while Root gathered intelligence, with Tang Ping promising to face the Raikage. Later, Hinata Cang Yue detected something nearby as Tang Ping cooked, leaving the group on alert for an approaching threat.

• Nara Shikaku briefed the commanders on the border army’s defeat and the Cloud Ninja forces advancing into the Land of Fire.
• Tang Ping assured the group that he could defeat the Raikage again, and Shikaku tasked Danzo’s Root with gathering intelligence.
• The commanders agreed to keep the army camped in place until Root reported back.
• Tang Ping warned Aburame Shibi to stay close, then cooked with Squad 404 after night fell.
• Hinata Cang Yue spotted something nearby with the Tenseigan, and Tang Ping remarked that the night would not be boring.

The Cloud Ninja Army ambushed Konoha’s camp, using Killer B and Yugito to unleash the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails. As the camp prepared for battle, the two tailed beasts devastated its defenses.

• Dodai took command of the Cloud Ninja forces while A ordered Killer B and Yugito to attack in their tailed-beast forms.
• Hinata Cang Yue detected two enormous Chakra signatures approaching the camp, and Tang Ping began gathering Natural Energy for Sage Mode.
• Anko’s summoned snake warned her of danger, prompting her and Yuhi Kurenai to prepare for battle as others in the camp quietly readied themselves.
• Killer B and Yugito transformed at the northern edge of the camp, and Gyuki and Matatabi’s arrival destroyed the camp’s outer defenses.

The Konoha camp faced a Cloud assault as the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails prepared Tailed Beast Balls. Tang Ping and Squad 404 arrived, and Yamaa Koji engaged the Fourth Raikage while the battle around them intensified.

• Akimichi Choza used Super Push Palm to send the Eight-Tails Gyuki flying, while Sarutobi Shinnosuke's Compound Ninjutsu failed to stop the Two-Tails Matatabi from forming a Tailed Beast Ball.
• Nara Shikaku urged the others to interrupt Matatabi, and Danzo began reaching for his bandages before Tang Ping's God Spear pierced Matatabi's tails and ruptured her Tailed Beast Ball.
• Tang Ping entered the battlefield with Yamaa Koji and another teammate, and the Konoha ninjas recognized him as Lord Tang Ping.
• The Fourth Raikage A charged at Tang Ping, who sent Yamaa Koji to meet him; Yamaa Koji opened the Gate of View and struck A with a powerful punch.
• A and Yamaa Koji exchanged blows and announced their names, while the Tailed Beasts attacked again and the Cloud Ninja Army charged.

Tang Ping fought Killer B while Konoha’s forces struggled against the Two-Tails and the advancing Cloud Ninja Army. After the Cloud Ninja arrival threw the battlefield into chaos, Nara Shikaku ordered Danzo and Root to hold back Matatabi while he and Sarutobi Shinnosuke led the troops’ breakout.

• Matatabi used Fire Mouse Jade to burn dozens of Konoha ninja, while Tang Ping chose not to reveal his Lava Release or help them.
• Tang Ping entered Sage Mode and severed one of Gyuki’s tentacles with the Ama-no-Murakumo Sword.
• Killer B left Tailed Beast Transformation and clashed with Tang Ping, whose Sage Mode and versatile sword let him keep pace despite Killer B’s superior swordsmanship.
• Danzo and the others restrained Matatabi as Tang Ping and Yamaa Koji held off their respective opponents.
• The Cloud Ninja Army arrived and overwhelmed Konoha’s troops with its numbers and morale, throwing the battle into chaos.
• Nara Shikaku told Danzo and Root to hold Matatabi while he and Sarutobi Shinnosuke began directing the troops’ breakout.

Nara Shikaku organized Konoha’s breakout with Exploding Tags and Akimichi Choza’s Human Bullet Tank, while Tang Ping held off Killer B. As the Cloud Ninja began to encircle Tang Ping, he ordered Yamaa Koji to retreat and left the pursuit of the escaping Konoha force unresolved.

• Nara Shikaku took command and ordered the Konoha ninja to use Exploding Tags to blast through the Cloud Ninja’s interception.
• Akimichi Choza and dozens of Akimichi clansmen used Human Bullet Tank to clear a passage, allowing Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the Konoha force to break out.
• Tang Ping drove Killer B back with Earth Fire Technique, then used Flame Finger while slowing the fight.
• Killer B taunted Tang Ping as Cloud Ninja gathered around them, planning to eliminate him before pursuing the escaping Konoha force.
• Tang Ping recognized the trap and ordered Yamaa Koji to retreat as A declared he would take revenge for his earlier humiliation.

Tang Ping and his allies were trapped inside the Cloud Ninja’s Lightning Light Barrier, which strengthened Lightning Release and enabled a coordinated assault. After rejecting A’s offer to join Cloud, Tang Ping prepared to fight while seeking a way to break the barrier and save Danzo.

• The Cloud Ninja activated the Lightning Light Barrier, and Tang Ping recognized its powerful Lightning Release boost and sealing effects.
• Tang Ping judged the Cloud Ninja’s ambush plan effective but saw flaws in their barrier that he could exploit without revealing his full sealing skill.
• A offered Tang Ping a chance to join Cloud and become a candidate for Raikage, but Tang Ping declared his loyalty to Konoha.
• A, Killer B, and Yugito prepared to kill Tang Ping, while Tang Ping decided to fight and protect Danzo.
• A and Killer B launched a Double Lariat from opposite sides as Yugito attacked from the flank, but Yamaa Koji forced her to dodge.

Tang Ping fought A and Killer B inside the Lightning Light Barrier, then summoned Taiyi as his trump card to attack the barrier from outside. He left the barrier’s destruction to Taiyi after exhausting his Sage Art Chakra and losing Sage Mode.

• Tang Ping used the Sage Art: Fire Pillar Formation and a Shadow Clone to evade the AB Combination’s Double Lariat.
• A and Killer B attacked Tang Ping together, and Killer B wounded his shoulder after the Lightning Light Barrier briefly hindered his movements.
• Tang Ping called on Danzo to help hold off the AB Combination, and Danzo bound them with the Binding Array.
• Tang Ping summoned Taiyi outside the Lightning Light Barrier, using up his Sage Art Chakra and ending his Sage Mode.
• Taiyi spread his wings above the barrier and prepared to unleash his ultimate move.

Taiyi destroyed the Cloud Ninja’s Lightning Light Barrier with Amaterasu, forcing A and his forces to withdraw while Tang Ping and his companions escaped. They later found the hidden Konoha force and met Nara Shikaku, though the Cloud Ninja pursuit remained a threat.

• Taiyi unleashed Amaterasu, melting the Lightning Light Barrier and forcing Dodai to order the Cloud Ninja to retreat.
• A and Killer B exchanged parting words with Tang Ping before the Cloud Ninja withdrew and Taiyi returned to Hot Spring Valley.
• Tang Ping, Danzo, and Yamaa Koji traveled toward the fleeing Konoha force, encountering and defeating Cloud Ninja squads along the way.
• Tang Ping and his companions located the camouflaged valley where Nara Shikaku had hidden the Konoha reinforcements.
• A Konoha ninja led Tang Ping, Danzo, and Yamaa Koji through the valley’s traps and sentry posts to meet Nara Shikaku.

Tang Ping returned to the temporary command post and learned that Konoha had suffered heavy losses while holding back the Cloud Ninja. Nara Shikaku proposed using their force as bait to let the village cut off the enemy’s supplies, and Tang Ping left suspecting that the invasion concealed a deeper plot.

• Tang Ping, Yamaa Koji, and Danzo returned safely to the cliff cave, where Nara Shikaku and Sarutobi Shinnosuke were discussing the situation and Yamanaka Inoichi was treating Akimichi Choza.
• Nara Shikaku reported that only about six hundred Konoha ninja remained after the breakout, and Tang Ping asked whether the Hokage had recalled the Three Sannin.
• Tang Ping concealed how quickly he had healed his internal injuries and hoped to watch how Hiruzen Sarutobi would respond to the crisis.
• Nara Shikaku explained that the Cloud Ninja’s supply lines were stretched and proposed holding them back while Konoha cut off their supplies.
• Tang Ping mocked the plan for putting their force in danger as bait, then left after Nara Shikaku defended it as the path to victory with the fewest losses.

Tang Ping regrouped with Hinata Cang Yue, Anko, and Yuhi Kurenai, then learned that Zetsu was interfering in the Cloud Ninja invasion. He warned his companions to stay alert, and an uninvited guest arrived at the valley that night.

• Tang Ping met Hinata Cang Yue and the injured Anko and Yuhi Kurenai, then gave the two women Healing Potions.
• Hinata Cang Yue confirmed that Zetsu was observing them, and Tang Ping concluded that the Byakugan Wolf was meddling in the invasion.
• Tang Ping said the Byakugan Wolf wanted to create a world with Rin rather than simply destroy Konoha.
• Tang Ping told Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji to stay alert because the Byakugan Wolf might target him while he was supposedly injured.
• An uninvited guest arrived at the valley where the remaining Konoha forces were hiding.

Byakugan Wolf killed Sarutobi Shinnosuke and framed the Uchiha before ambushing Tang Ping, but Tang Ping escaped his grasp with Elementalization. Obito fled before Tang Ping could retaliate, and the chapter ended as Tang Ping discovered why he had left.

• Byakugan Wolf and Zetsu located Sarutobi Shinnosuke and chose to attack him first.
• Byakugan Wolf stabbed Shinnosuke through the heart, absorbed him into the Kamui Dimension, and noticed that he had left the name Uchiha written in blood.
• Byakugan Wolf and Zetsu went to Tang Ping's treehouse, where Obito grabbed the sleeping Tang Ping.
• Tang Ping used Elementalization to break free of Obito's grasp, then pretended to be startled and guessed that Obito was Uchiha.
• Obito admitted he was Uchiha, then fled before Tang Ping could make a move.

Tang Ping and the Konoha command discovered that Sarutobi Shinnosuke had vanished, with bloodied writing implicating the Uchiha Clan. Tang Ping warned that the Cloud Ninja Army could be closing in, forcing the Konoha force to flee before he learned the Byakugan Wolf’s true killing move from a message sent by the village.

• Tang Ping and Yamaa Koji entered the command cavern and found fresh blood after learning something had happened to Shinnosuke.
• Danzo blamed the Uchiha Clan after they found Shinnosuke’s blood-written message, while Tang Ping revealed that a masked assassin had attacked him and appeared to be an Uchiha.
• Nara Shikaku and Tang Ping agreed the assassin might be impersonating an Uchiha, and Tang Ping ruled out Uchiha Shisui.
• Tang Ping warned that the Byakugan Wolf could reveal their location to the Cloud Ninja Army, so Shikaku gathered the Konoha troops to escape immediately.
• The force received a secret message from the village, and Tang Ping realized what the Byakugan Wolf’s true killing move was.