Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Mei found Hinata Hyuga being bullied and helped her recover, then offered support to help her survive until graduation. Hinata accepted Mei’s aid, while Mei made clear that their meeting would come again only if Hinata endured.

• After the clan children left, Hinata Hyuga rose with Hanabi and tried to resume her Gentle Fist training despite her injuries.
• Uchiha Mei appeared in a Bone Mask and black robe, stopped Hinata from fleeing, and gave her a Healing Potion.
• Hinata drank the potion to protect Hanabi and asked who Mei was; Mei said she meant no harm but would not reveal her identity.
• Mei promised to leave Hinata supplies and training methods, and said they would meet again when Hinata survived until academy graduation.
• Uchiha Mei departed, leaving Hinata with the challenge of surviving until graduation to become her disciple.

After Shisui’s apparent suicide, Itachi defended the village from accusations and clashed with his angry clansmen, while Tang Ping and his companions watched. Tang Ping later went to buy supplies in Konoha, where a familiar female voice from an Izakaya caught his attention.

• The Uchiha gathered after finding Shisui’s suicide note, and clan members blamed the village higher-ups for his disappearance and presumed death.
• Itachi insisted Shisui had committed suicide, refusing to let the Uchiha use his death to accuse the village.
• An Uchiha Elite Jonin accused Itachi of colluding with the village, and Itachi knocked him down with genjutsu before leaving for the Anbu.
• Tang Ping, Uchiha Mei, and Hinata Cang Yue criticized Itachi’s loyalties and discussed the Uchiha clan’s prospects without Shisui.
• Tang Ping changed into ordinary Genin clothes and went to buy materials, but slowed when he heard a familiar woman’s voice inside an Izakaya.

Tang Ping overheard that Konoha’s higher-ups were pressuring Kurenai to bring Asuma back, and he decided to interfere with their plans. He then prepared to reclaim Shisui’s Mangekyo from Danzo as Danzo left the village.

• Tang Ping heard Anko explain that the Hokage Faction wanted Kurenai to persuade Asuma to return to Konoha and serve as its new-generation figurehead.
• Kurenai resolved to comply because she feared the higher-ups would target her and Anko if she resisted.
• Tang Ping recognized the Hokage Faction’s desperation and planned to give its leaders an unexpected setback.
• Tang Ping told Uchiha Mei about the Eternal Mangekyo, and she became eager to gather Shisui’s two eyes for his research.
• Tang Ping planned to take back Shisui’s right Mangekyo from Danzo that night, when Danzo would be outside Konoha.

Tang Ping followed Danzo toward Otogakure, hoping to use Kotoamatsukami and the Heavenly Cursed Seal to bring Orochimaru under his control. He and his companions hid near Danzo at the border of the Land of Fire and Rice Field Country, waiting for Orochimaru to appear.

• Tang Ping, Hinata Cang Yue, and Uchiha Mei left Konoha disguised as Akatsuki after taking a captive with them.
• Tang Ping recognized Danzo's route as leading toward Otogakure and decided to delay their planned attack so he could follow him to Orochimaru.
• Tang Ping asked Uchiha Mei whether she could use Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan to cast Kotoamatsukami, and she agreed.
• Tang Ping rejected using Kotoamatsukami on Danzo, deciding Orochimaru was more valuable as a researcher and potential ally.
• A day later, Tang Ping and his companions hid in a sealed underground cave near Danzo, who waited in an open clearing with Root Ninjas guarding the area.
• The person Tang Ping and his companions were waiting for finally appeared.

Tang Ping witnessed Danzo and Orochimaru test a grotesque Root Blade created by modifying a Second Heart experiment, then learned Danzo planned to fund more of them. After their meeting, Tang Ping and his companions split up to follow Orochimaru and target Danzo’s Mangekyo.

• Orochimaru presented Danzo with a three-meter-tall snake-scaled experimental subject, which Danzo had secretly supplied for modification.
• Orochimaru explained that the subject had been strengthened to Special Jonin-level taijutsu, and Danzo tested its power before approving the results.
• Tang Ping recognized the creature as a corrupted version of his Second Heart technology and cursed Uchiha Fugaku for giving the finished products to Konoha’s leadership.
• Orochimaru warned that Second Heart transplants had a success rate below five percent, while Danzo agreed to provide more resources to produce Root Blades.
• After Danzo and Orochimaru completed their arrangements and departed, Hinata Cang Yue went to track Orochimaru while Tang Ping and Uchiha Mei prepared to target Danzo and seize his Mangekyo.

Tang Ping and Uchiha Mei ambushed Danzo, defeated his Root guards, and captured him to take Shisui's Mangekyo. After sealing Danzo and removing the eye, Tang Ping prepared to begin the next stage in a cave.

• Tang Ping revealed himself to Danzo as a member of Akatsuki and drew Danzo and his Root guards' attention.
• Uchiha Mei surprised Danzo with Mangekyo genjutsu, survived his hidden wooden spike attack using Ama-no-Tokotachi, and healed her wound.
• Tang Ping immobilized the Root guards with Super Added-Weight Rock Technique and killed them while Uchiha Mei fought Danzo.
• Tang Ping restrained Danzo with multiple seals, then removed Shisui's Mangekyo and placed a Three-Tomoe Sharingan from Danzo's arm into his right eye.
• In a cave, Tang Ping asked someone in the corner whether they were ready for what came next.

Tang Ping and Uchiha Mei punished Asuma and Danzo before joining Hinata Cang Yue to stake out Orochimaru’s lakeside base. After waiting nearly half a month, they finally spotted an opportunity to strike.

• Tang Ping used Uchiha Mei’s genjutsu to trap Asuma in an imagined encounter with Yuhi Kurenai, then left him beside the unconscious Danzo.
• Tang Ping explained to Uchiha Mei that he despised people who benefited from double standards while appearing virtuous, and said he intended to deal with Hiruzen Sarutobi later.
• Tang Ping, Uchiha Mei, and Hinata Cang Yue reached the lake concealing Orochimaru’s base, and Hinata Cang Yue prepared a hidden observation point.
• Tang Ping transplanted Shisui’s Mangekyo into Uchiha Mei so she could use the eyes without discomfort or burden.
• The group prepared to ambush Orochimaru, waited nearly half a month, and finally found an opportunity.

Tang Ping, Hinata Cang Yue, and Uchiha Mei ambushed Orochimaru and prevented him from escaping with an Anti-Gravity Barrier and their combined abilities. Orochimaru was dragged back after trying to flee, and the fight continued with him suspecting how they had uncovered his tricks.

• Tang Ping activated an Anti-Gravity Barrier that lifted Orochimaru and blocked his escape through Earth Release.
• Orochimaru tried to summon a Ryūchi Cave beast, but Hinata Cang Yue pulled him toward her with Banshō Ten'in.
• Orochimaru counterattacked with his Kusanagi Sword and Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, but Hinata Cang Yue blocked the sword and Uchiha Mei cut down the snakes.
• Orochimaru shed an empty shell and attempted to escape, but Hinata Cang Yue saw through the deception and dragged him back with Banshō Ten'in.
• Orochimaru realized his opponents could track him and see through his tricks, and began to suspect the reason.

Hinata Cang Yue, Uchiha Mei, and Tang Ping ambushed Orochimaru, confirmed his Eight Branches Technique exposed a weakness in his soul, and captured him after stopping his escape. Uchiha Mei used Kotoamatsukami on the weakened Orochimaru, while Tang Ping kept his distance and restored her eyes afterward.

• Hinata Cang Yue revealed herself to Orochimaru, and Uchiha Mei attacked while Tang Ping sealed the area against escape.
• Orochimaru transformed into the Eight-Headed Serpent, and Hinata Cang Yue crushed it with Shinra Tensei.
• Tang Ping sensed Orochimaru trying to use the Reverse Summoning Technique, and Uchiha Mei pinned his hidden white-snake form with a lightning Senbon.
• Tang Ping sealed the weakened Orochimaru inside the white snake and took him to a temporary base.
• Uchiha Mei cast Kotoamatsukami on Orochimaru while Tang Ping stood guard outside with a Shadow Clone.
• Tang Ping returned with Shisui's Mangekyo eyes after his Shadow Clone had swapped Uchiha Mei's eyes back.

Tang Ping implanted Orochimaru with a Heavenly Cursed Seal and used Kotoamatsukami to make him believe they were old friends and allies. Orochimaru woke without noticing the manipulation and prepared to take Tang Ping and the others to his laboratory.

• Uchiha Mei stepped aside after Tang Ping arrived, and he began applying his Heavenly Cursed Seal to the unconscious Orochimaru.
• Tang Ping completed the seal despite struggling with the Natural Energy eroding his body.
• Tang Ping used Kotoamatsukami to implant memories that he and Orochimaru shared a close relationship and believed in the Blazing Sun Will.
• Orochimaru woke, greeted Tang Ping naturally, and accepted the false memories without suspicion.
• Tang Ping and his companions planned to accompany Orochimaru to his laboratory, monitor the manipulation, and take his research results.

Tang Ping spent half a year at Orochimaru's research base, using Kotoamatsukami and the Heavenly Cursed Seal to secure Orochimaru's cooperation and gain access to his vast research. With Orochimaru's help, Tenshukaku completed a powerful new power station and an airship prototype, and Tang Ping departed with Hinata Cang Yue to return to Tenshukaku.

• Tang Ping stayed at Orochimaru's base with Hinata Cang Yue after Uchiha Mei returned to oversee Tenshukaku, and Kotoamatsukami made Orochimaru believe they had always been close allies.
• Tang Ping gained access to Orochimaru's accumulated techniques, forbidden research, and materials, while hiring him to advance Tenshukaku's projects.
• Orochimaru developed a multifunctional power station that converted Chakra and Black Rods into electricity.
• Orochimaru solved the gas problem and built a working airship prototype, opening the way for major changes to transportation in the ninja world.
• Tang Ping praised the prototype, agreed to future secret cooperation with Orochimaru, and left with Hinata Cang Yue for Tenshukaku.

Tang Ping and Orochimaru’s new airship reached the Tenshukaku, revealing a transport technology that could shift the balance among the ninja villages. Tang Ping planned to secure black oil from the Land of Wind for production, while agents from many factions watched the airship.

• Tang Ping flew the airship from Otogakure to the Tenshukaku using a Chakra Core and gravity technology developed with Orochimaru.
• The airship’s passage through the Land of Fire alarmed major factions, which began prioritizing flight research and gathering intelligence on the craft.
• Uchiha Mei greeted Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue, recognizing that airships could give the Tenshukaku a new advantage in transportation and trade.
• Tang Ping and his allies planned to obtain black oil from the Land of Wind, since Orochimaru needed it to refine gas for airships.
• Uchiha Mei pointed out that agents from countless factions were watching the airship from around the Tenshukaku.

Tang Ping learned that the major ninja powers were targeting Hoshigakure to seize the Mysterious Peacock Method, which allowed its users to fly. He decided the Tenshukaku would stay out of it and that the Shell Organization could intervene, while he reviewed the Tenshukaku’s growth and land reclamation.

• Tang Ping dismissed concerns about spies investigating the airship, intending to sell export versions while keeping its most advanced technology secret.
• Uchiha Mei told Tang Ping that Iwagakure, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Konoha had infiltrated Hoshigakure to pursue the Mysterious Peacock Method.
• Tang Ping said the Tenshukaku would not act, implying that the Shell Organization could handle the situation, and reassured Uchiha Mei that Hinata Cang Yue could help.
• Tang Ping reviewed reports showing that the Tenshukaku’s income was rising, while land reclamation had slowly added hundreds of thousands of mu despite heavy investment.

Tenshukaku expanded its influence through the Land of Rivers, the Land of Tea, and Kirigakure, where its trade and benefits won the loyalty of many ninja while provoking the Land of Water's nobles. As Kirigakure conservatives began plotting against Tenshukaku, Tang Ping directed Uchiha Mei to use Genji's contacts with the nobles to expose their collusion.

• Tenshukaku grew its directly controlled population in the Land of Rivers and the Land of Tea while keeping its expansion discreet.
• Kirigakure's coastal relocation let Tenshukaku ship supplies directly into the Land of Water, enriching the village and earning many ninja's support.
• The Land of Water's nobles resented losing profits and influence as Tenshukaku's goods displaced their own trade.
• Tang Ping promoted the idea that Tenshukaku had rescued Kirigakure from the former Mizukage's rule, while Genji and other conservatives secretly began resisting.
• Tang Ping told Uchiha Mei to have Genji approach the nobles and gather evidence of their collusion so he could eliminate the threat and divide them from Kirigakure's ninja.
• Uninvited guests arrived after Tang Ping finished reviewing the intelligence.

Tang Ping met with senior representatives of Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Konoha to discuss the Tenshukaku’s airships. He refused to share the technology but offered each of the Five Great Ninja Villages a purchase quota, drawing them into the pressure surrounding the new monopoly.

• Tang Ping assembled Uchiha Mei, Hinata Cang Yue, and other officials to receive Baki, Kitsuchi, Dodai, and Nara Shikaku.
• Tang Ping said he knew the villages had come to negotiate for airships, and Dodai asked whether he would hand over the technology.
• Tang Ping refused to share the technology but said the Tenshukaku would sell finished airships.
• Tang Ping proposed keeping half the airships for the Tenshukaku and giving each of the Five Great Ninja Villages a ten-percent quota of the remainder.
• The representatives recognized that airships could bring major advantages and that their purchase quotas would be valuable.

Tang Ping secured the Five Great Ninja Villages’ agreement to cooperate in producing airships and asked them to acquire Black Oil for fuel gas and incendiary bombs. The villages argued over who would control the oil, leaving Tang Ping’s plan to pit them against one another underway as he prepared to visit Star Ninja Village.

• Baki and Nara Shikaku agreed to Tang Ping’s airship cooperation terms, and Kitsuchi and Dodai reluctantly followed.
• Tang Ping explained that Black Oil could supply airship gas and cheaper incendiary bombs, then asked the villages to acquire as much as possible.
• Baki volunteered Sunagakure to secure the Black Oil, while Kitsuchi insisted Iwagakure should handle it.
• Nara Shikaku argued that the oil’s location favored Konoha and Sunagakure, and Tang Ping let the villages dispute control without settling on a plan.
• Tang Ping turned his attention to Star Ninja Village, determined to claim its star.

Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue traveled to the Land of Demons, where they saw the Tenshukaku’s cargo operation and Miroku’s flourishing shrine city. After Tang Ping hastily avoided Miroku’s teasing, they continued toward the Land of Bears on a secret mission.

• Tang Ping took Hinata Cang Yue aboard the Blazing Sun and crossed the Land of Wind into the Land of Demons.
• The Blazing Sun unloaded supplies at a mountain dock, where a railway carried cargo to the shrine warehouse.
• Tang Ping greeted Miroku, who teased him by offering to arrange a place for him to rest.
• Tang Ping quickly left the Land of Demons with Hinata Cang Yue before Miroku could prolong their meeting.
• Hinata Cang Yue questioned Tang Ping’s haste, but he blamed secrecy and continued with her toward the Land of Bears.

Tang Ping and the Shell Organization arrived at Star Ninja Village during a raid by rival forces, and Tang Ping unleashed his Lava Release to stop the battle and demand the Star. Red Star refused to surrender the village’s treasure, leaving the two sides poised to fight.

• Hinata Cang Yue spotted that Star Ninja Village was under attack, so Tang Ping hurried toward it to secure the Star.
• Tang Ping found the village burning as black-clad forces killed villagers and Star Ninja defended the survivors.
• Tang Ping used Lava Release: Lava Flow River to split the village and force the attackers to retreat.
• Hinata Cang Yue pulled down a fleeing ninja and killed him, while Tang Ping ordered the remaining attackers not to leave.
• Tang Ping demanded the Star from Red Star, but Red Star refused to hand over the village’s treasure.

Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue fought Red Star and the Star Ninja while confronting black-clad shinobi seeking the Mysterious Peacock Method. Tang Ping recognized that Itachi was manipulating the attackers with Sharingan genjutsu and withdrew to avoid facing him head-on.

• Hinata Cang Yue struck Red Star with Godly Vacuum Attack, but Red Star blocked it with the Mysterious Peacock Method and ordered the Star Ninja to attack.
• Tang Ping used Lava Release: Great Eruption against several black-clad shinobi, whom he suspected were Anbu from major ninja villages.
• A black-clad shinobi charged Tang Ping, and he realized the attackers were under Sharingan genjutsu and that Itachi was present.
• Tang Ping warned Hinata Cang Yue about Itachi through communication ninjutsu and began withdrawing to avoid fighting at the front.
• As Tang Ping opened the distance, the black-clad figure pursuing him switched targets, making the battle more dangerous.

Hinata Cang Yue fought Itachi while disguised as a Shell Organization member, using Shinra Tensei to repel his sneak attack. Itachi pressed her for information about Nine Tails Night and launched a deadly fire technique, leaving their battle unresolved.

• Hinata Cang Yue shattered Red Star's Mysterious Peacock Method and fought off the charging Star Ninja.
• Itachi attacked Hinata Cang Yue from behind, but she used Shinra Tensei to blast him and the surrounding battlefield away.
• Itachi escaped the repulsion with his Crow Clone Technique and asked what the Shell Organization wanted and what it had done on Nine Tails Night.
• Hinata Cang Yue taunted Itachi to capture her if he wanted the truth, and he launched Phoenix Sage Fire Nail Crimson at her.
• Itachi's flames accelerated with hidden Shuriken and engulfed Hinata Cang Yue in the crater.