Chapter Summaries

Tang Ping used a casual visit to Konoha to distract its watchers while Tenshukaku’s merchant caravans moved into the village. After spotting Mount Myōboku’s growing influence, he resolved to destroy it and began spying on Konoha with the Telescope Technique.

• Tang Ping and his companions ate ramen in Konoha, where Naruto and Iruka arrived after Naruto failed his graduation assessment.
• Tang Ping identified the silver-haired ninja who approached Naruto as part of a trap, then continued wandering Konoha to gather intelligence and draw Anbu attention.
• Tang Ping noticed the increased presence of toads and concluded that Mount Myōboku had formed a secret alliance with Konoha.
• Tang Ping planned to use Miroku’s prophetic abilities to block Great Toad Sage’s foresight before attacking Mount Myōboku and killing its toads.
• After returning to his lodging, Tang Ping used the Telescope Technique and a Crystal Ball to surveil Konoha while Naruko, Karin, and Izumi watched.

Tang Ping and Naruko learned that the Book of Sealing contained Minato Namikaze's improved Flying Thunder God Technique, and Naruko agreed to pay 10,000 contribution points if she obtained it. Tang Ping and Izumi slipped past the guards and prepared to take advantage of Naruto studying the book.

• Tang Ping told Naruko that the Book of Sealing contained the Flying Thunder God Technique, and she eagerly agreed to pay 10,000 contribution points for it.
• Tang Ping and Izumi created Shadow Clones while Naruko and Karin stayed behind to fool the Anbu watching them.
• Tang Ping and Izumi secretly reached Naruto as he opened the Book of Sealing, and Izumi used her Mangekyo genjutsu to incapacitate the Anbu guards.
• Tang Ping adjusted the Telescope Technique so Hiruzen Sarutobi would see nothing unusual, then told Izumi to suppress the Nine-Tails inside Naruto with her Mangekyo.
• Izumi used the Body Flicker Technique to approach Naruto beneath a tree, with Tang Ping following close behind.

Tang Ping and Izumi secretly copied Minato Namikaze’s Flying Thunder God Technique from the Book of Sealing while Naruto and the Anbu were caught in genjutsu. Tang Ping restored the book’s defenses and spent the night writing out the technique, leaving him with the S-Rank jutsu acquired.

• Izumi used her Mangekyo to suppress the Nine-Tails and keep Naruto unaware while Tang Ping opened the Book of Sealing.
• Tang Ping cracked the technique’s seal, memorized Minato Namikaze’s Flying Thunder God Technique, and restored the book before he and Izumi withdrew.
• Naruto and the Anbu returned to normal without noticing the theft, and Tang Ping’s Shadow Clones returned with their memories.
• Tang Ping ignored Naruko’s Beautiful Girl Technique and worked through the night to write out the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Tang Ping gave Naruko the Flying Thunder God Technique scroll, then brought her and Karin to the Ninja Academy class assignment, where he photographed Naruto and Sasuke's accidental kiss and the girls' ensuing attack on Naruto. As the assignment began, Tang Ping and Karin criticized Konoha while Hinata quietly observed him.

• Tang Ping handed Naruko a scroll containing the Flying Thunder God Technique and urged her and Karin to change for the class assignment.
• Tang Ping sat beside Hinata Hyuga and remarked on her unusually strong body and Life Force.
• Naruto confronted Sasuke over the attention he received, then accidentally kissed him after being knocked off balance by another student.
• Tang Ping photographed the kiss, and Sakura, Ino, and the other girls swarmed Naruto while Sasuke angrily pulled away.
• Karin criticized Konoha, Tang Ping blamed its powerful supporters, and the class assignment began.

Konoha assigned team leaders to the rookie teams, including Kurenai for Team 8, Asuma for Team 10, and Kakashi for Team 7, while Izumi led Tang Ping’s group. During a routine ditch-cleaning mission, Izumi asked Kurenai and Anko again about joining Tenshukaku, and their answer was about to change.

• Kurenai took Kiba, Shino, and Hinata as Team 8 and recognized Tang Ping as someone familiar from her past.
• Asuma, now a Quasi-Kage-level shinobi and supported by the Hokage faction, took Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino as Team 10.
• Kakashi took Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura as Team 7, while Izumi led Tang Ping’s group away.
• Tang Ping’s group and Team 8 carried out a ditch-cleaning mission as Izumi, Kurenai, and Anko ate grilled fish nearby.
• Izumi asked Kurenai and Anko whether they were still unwilling to join Tenshukaku through long-term missions.

Kurenai agreed to travel to the Tenshukaku with Anko under the guise of a long-term mission, while Tang Ping prepared for the Land of Waves mission as a chance to expand the Tenshukaku’s influence and recruit Kirigakure talents. The exchange team departed with Team 7 and Tazuna, unaware that Danzo had secretly sent Root Ninja after them.

• Kurenai wavered over Guren’s invitation, then agreed to go to the Tenshukaku with Anko as part of a long-term mission.
• Tang Ping spent two months adapting to his Sage Body while Naruko studied the Flying Thunder God and Karin sought his help with Sealing Technique.
• Tazuna arrived in Konoha to commission the Land of Waves mission, and Tang Ping planned to use the unrest to bring the region into the Tenshukaku’s sphere of influence and recruit Zabuza and White.
• Izumi told the exchange team they would leave for the Land of Waves with Team 7, while Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected Root’s request to join the mission.
• Danzo secretly dispatched Root Ninja, and Izumi’s exchange team set out with Kakashi, Team 7, and Tazuna after Naruto reacted angrily to the client’s insult.

Team 7 traveled with Tang Ping’s group on a C-Rank mission, while Tang Ping warned his companions to stay out of the spotlight and avoid killing anyone. At camp, Sasuke challenged Tang Ping to a spar and, after a taijutsu exchange, mistakenly thought he had the advantage.

• Tang Ping told Izumi, Naruko, and Karin to act weak and avoid killing enemies during the mission.
• Naruto asked about Tenshukaku, and Tang Ping described it as a small place in the Land of Fire.
• Sasuke challenged Tang Ping to a spar after the group made camp, and Kakashi agreed to referee.
• Sasuke and Tang Ping began fighting with taijutsu, and Sasuke took their measured exchange as proof that Tang Ping was not very strong.

Tang Ping sparred with Sasuke, overpowering him with Golden Crow Style Ninja Taijutsu and Nintaijutsu while revealing how weak Sasuke’s training foundation was. The group reached the Land of Waves and encountered an unexpected situation.

• Tang Ping used Golden Crow Style Ninja Taijutsu to dominate Sasuke despite Sasuke activating his Sharingan and copying one of his moves.
• Sasuke attacked with Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique and a Fuma Shuriken, but Tang Ping blocked the shuriken with Demon Scorch.
• Kakashi ended the spar, and Sasuke focused his attention on Tang Ping after the fight.
• Tang Ping concluded that Sasuke had not received the Uchiha Clan’s resources or secret techniques and considered whether he might eventually train him himself.
• The group arrived near the Land of Waves and encountered an unexpected situation.

Tang Ping’s exchange team watched Kakashi and Naruto’s group encounter the Demon Brothers, then followed them to the Land of Waves after Tazuna revealed Gato’s threat to the bridge project. As the group neared Tazuna’s home, Kakashi recognized Naruto’s apparent enemy as a snow rabbit, just as a real attacker arrived.

• Karin detected trouble ahead, so Tang Ping’s team stayed back while the Demon Brothers attacked Kakashi and Kakashi defeated them.
• Tang Ping offered watermelon to his companions while they watched the fight, then joined Kakashi as she questioned Tazuna about the hidden danger behind the mission.
• Tazuna explained that Gato wanted to stop his bridge from breaking the shipping monopoly, and Kakashi agreed to continue escorting him for training.
• The group traveled by boat through fog to the Land of Waves and headed toward Tazuna’s home.
• Naruto threw a kunai at a snow rabbit after pretending to sense an enemy, and Kakashi recognized it just as an attacker arrived.

Zabuza ambushed Kakashi's group in the Land of Waves, while Tang Ping took Karin and the others to confront the Root operatives pursuing them. Kakashi and Zabuza began a tactical battle in the lake, with their underwater fight still underway.

• Zabuza attacked the group with his massive blade, and Kakashi warned everyone to get down.
• Tang Ping learned from Karin that the Root operatives were closing in and led his group away to deal with them.
• Zabuza used Mist Concealing Technique and challenged Kakashi, who revealed her Three-Tomoe Sharingan and ordered the others to protect Tazuna.
• Kakashi and Zabuza exchanged Water Dragon Bullets before Zabuza used a Water Clone to drag Kakashi underwater.
• Kakashi emerged behind Zabuza, and the two began fighting beneath the lake.

Tang Ping confronted a Root ambush and let Naruko and Karin fight the attackers while he and Izumi watched. Karin killed one of the towering Root Blades first, prompting Naruko to draw special Kunai and prepare to fight seriously.

• Tang Ping exposed the five Root squads and their twenty Root Blades, and the disguised attackers emerged from the reeds.
• The Root leader ordered an attack, and Tang Ping retreated with Izumi so Naruko and Karin could face the enemy.
• Naruko used her speed and reflexes to evade Root Ninja attacks, but her Kunai could not pierce a Root Blade's defenses.
• Karin ensnared a charging Root Blade with her Adamantine Sealing Chains and snapped its neck.
• Naruko drew several special Kunai, determined to prove herself after Karin claimed the first kill.

Naruko used the Flying Thunder God to kill Root Ninjas while Tang Ping’s barrier kept the battle’s secrets from reaching Konoha. After the barrier fell, the surviving enemies fled into a dense fog, where a mysterious woman appeared.

• Naruko used the Flying Thunder God to ambush and kill several Root Ninjas, while Tang Ping’s Sun Flare Formation concealed the battle.
• A Root jonin recognized the Flying Thunder God and ordered the Root Ninjas to flee with the intelligence.
• Naruko pursued the fleeing ninjas as Karin fought the Modified Humans, and Izumi offered to help.
• Naruko and Karin wore down their strength, leaving about a third of the enemy alive.
• Tang Ping sensed someone approaching, and the barrier dissipated as the survivors fled toward Konoha.
• A tall, graceful woman emerged from the dense fog ahead of the fleeing Root Ninjas.

Tang Ping reunited with Terumi Mei in the Land of Waves as she helped secure the area and prepared to lead the effort to occupy it. After they returned, Kakashi had driven Zabuza away, and the group resumed protecting Tazuna as the bridge neared completion.

• Terumi Mei used her Boil Release to destroy Root Ninja and Modified Humans, then greeted Naruko and Karin.
• Tang Ping met Terumi Mei under the alias Cang Ping, and she recognized his wish to keep his identity concealed.
• Tang Ping praised White as a promising addition to Terumi Mei’s faction and promised her a chance at another valuable recruit if she performed well.
• Terumi Mei left to lead Kirigakure’s campaign to seize the Land of Waves and establish defensive strongholds.
• Tang Ping and his companions returned to find that Kakashi had defeated Zabuza but let him escape, and Kakashi confirmed that the group would keep guarding Tazuna until the bridge was finished.

Terumi Mei took control of Gato’s manor and shipping company, then persuaded Zabuza and White to return to New Mist Village and carry out a staged attack on Tazuna. After Team 7 left the Land of Waves, Kirigakure quietly occupied the country and began turning it into a forward base and trade hub.

• Terumi Mei forced Gato to hand over his manor and Kado Shipping after her Kirigakure forces killed his hired shinobi and subordinates.
• Terumi Mei captured Zabuza and White, convinced Zabuza to return to New Mist Village, and assigned them a staged attack on Tazuna.
• Zabuza and White attacked Tazuna with Gato’s men, were reported killed, and left the Kubikiribōchō at a grave as Team 7 and the exchange team departed.
• After Konoha’s team left, Kirigakure shinobi landed in the Land of Waves and took control of the country without attracting attention.
• Tang Ping’s forces began sending supplies to build a forward base and trade hub, while Mou Ryō’s Construction Legion prepared to build the port.

Naruto and his team returned to Konoha as the Joint Chunin Exams approached, while the Tenshukaku prepared to exploit the coming Konoha Crush to advance Pakura’s ambitions. The Tenshukaku’s ruler arrived with ten powerful Kirov-class airships, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi uneasy about the exams.

• Naruto and Sakura returned to Konoha and noticed the crowds of visitors and shinobi gathering for the Joint Chunin Exams.
• The Tenshukaku planned to use Orochimaru’s attack to kill Rasa, giving Pakura a chance to seize power in Sunagakure.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked the team leaders to recommend genin for the exams, and Yuhi Kurenai, Asuma Sarutobi, Kakashi, and Might Guy recommended their teams.
• Ten Kirov-class airships carrying the Tenshukaku’s ruler arrived at the air towers several kilometers from Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the airships and worried that the Tenshukaku’s arrival signaled more trouble.

Uchiha Mei arrived in Konoha with a Tenshukaku delegation, intending to watch the Chunin Exams and promote her organization. Uchiha Shizuka inferred that Tang Do Ping had awakened, while Mei kept the secret as the delegation reached the Hokage Building.

• Uchiha Mei and Uchiha Shizuka discussed Konoha's unchanged leadership and the damage caused by stolen Tenshukaku seeds.
• Uchiha Shizuka questioned Mei about the Tenshukaku's unusual preparations, but Mei refused to explain because Tang Do Ping's awakening was a top secret.
• Uchiha Shizuka noticed Mei had stopped mentioning a name she used to bring up often and felt reassured by her deduction.
• Uchiha Mei arrived at Konoha with priestesses and ninjas, using the visit to promote the Tenshukaku and prepare to recruit people if Konoha suffered losses.
• Utatane Koharu greeted Uchiha Mei, and the delegation proceeded to the Hokage Building.

Uchiha Mei met with Konoha’s leaders and agreed to conceal the Uchiha survivors’ identities in exchange for cooperation that gave Tenshukaku access to Konoha’s shinobi. Elsewhere, Tang Ping watched Naruto and Konohamaru clash with Kankuro, then intervened to stop an incoming stone from disrupting Kankuro’s punch.

• Uchiha Mei mocked Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other leaders over the Uchiha Clan’s destruction, while they blamed Uchiha Itachi, Kirigakure, and the Shell Organization.
• Uchiha Mei arranged to post Tenshukaku’s missions through Konoha in exchange for a share of the mission benefits, and agreed not to reveal the Uchiha survivors’ identities.
• Tang Ping watched from a tree as Konohamaru ran into Kankuro, who grabbed him and knocked Naruto face-first into the ground.
• Kankuro prepared to punch Konohamaru, but Tang Ping launched a tightly crumpled ball of leaves toward the stone flying at Kankuro’s hand.

Tang Ping watched the Sand siblings clash with Naruto’s group in Konoha and hoped the fight would turn bloody, but Gaara stopped Kankuro before it escalated. After returning to the exchange team’s residence, Tang Ping took Hinata Cang Yue aside for a private discussion.

• Tang Ping knocked aside Sasuke’s stone with a leaf, photographed the injured Konohamaru, and warned Kankuro that Konohamaru was the Third Hokage’s grandson.
• Naruto confronted Kankuro over Konohamaru’s beating, while Sakura held Naruto back and Temari warned Kankuro against worsening the incident.
• Gaara appeared behind Sasuke and ordered Kankuro to stop, then identified the Sand siblings as participants in the Joint Chunin Exams.
• Kakashi and Izumi arrived and led Tang Ping’s group back to their residence, where Uchiha Mei and several priestesses were staying under tight security.
• Hinata Cang Yue joined them, and Tang Ping took her inside for a private conversation while Izumi, Naruko, and Karin waited outside.

Tang Ping prepared a covert plan to infiltrate Mount Myōboku by sending Guren there through Naruto’s summoning of Gamabunta. With Jiraiya back in Konoha to train Naruto, Tang Ping ordered the operation to begin.

• Uchiha Mei reported that the preparations were complete, and Tang Ping used a barrier to keep their brief discussion hidden from Root’s listening devices.
• Tang Ping revealed that Guren would infiltrate Mount Myōboku while suspended inside a crystal coffin, serving as a locator for an attack by the Tenshukaku.
• Tang Ping planned to place Guren inside Gamabunta when Naruto summoned him, then use White Zetsu to connect them so she would be carried to Mount Myōboku.
• Tang Ping spent nearly half a month setting up barriers near the place where Jiraiya taught Naruto the Summoning Technique, while Hinata Cang Yue took his place in the Chunin Exams.
• Izumi told Tang Ping that Jiraiya had returned to Konoha, and Tang Ping ordered the infiltration plan to begin.

Jiraiya forced Naruto to awaken the Tailed Beast Chakra by dropping him into a deadly crevice, allowing Tang Ping and Izumi to capture and manipulate Gamabunta during Naruto’s summoning. Tang Ping then used the connection to locate Mount Myōboku, and the Tenshukaku dispatched its forces toward the mountain.

• Jiraiya sent Naruto plunging into a deep crevice to force him to access the Tailed Beast Chakra, and Naruto summoned Gamabunta at the last moment.
• Izumi used Mangekyo: Radiance to put Gamabunta under genjutsu while Tang Ping hid Guren’s crystal coffin inside the toad’s body with White Zetsu.
• Tang Ping and Izumi withdrew without triggering Konoha’s detection barrier, leaving their infiltration plan in place for Gamabunta’s return to Mount Myōboku.
• Tang Ping activated a rune-covered altar and Crystal Ball to trace Mount Myōboku through the spatial positioning ability he had developed.
• A week later, Tang Ping located Mount Myōboku north of the Land of Lightning, and the Tenshukaku sent airships, Ground Effect Vehicles, and ninja forces toward it.