Chapter Summaries

At the Konoha Arena, Tang Ping watched the Chunin Exams and considered using a new seal to free Hyuga branch family members from the Caged Bird. As Sasuke and Gaara’s match was about to begin, Sasuke still had not arrived.

• Naruko told Tang Ping that his disguised self had been eliminated by Uchiha Sasuke.
• Tang Ping and Uchiha Mei discussed sealing the Caged Bird while preserving its ability to destroy the Byakugan upon death, and they chose Hanabi as a possible test subject.
• Naruto defeated Neji with a punch after bursting out of the ground.
• Shikamaru lost to Temari, and Kankuro conceded his match against Shino.
• The arena prepared for Sasuke versus Gaara, but Sasuke had not arrived when the referee began the countdown.

Tang Ping’s group watched Sasuke face Gaara at the Chunin Exams while preparing to exploit Orochimaru’s attack on Konoha. The match escalated as Gaara began transforming, and Yakushi Kabuto’s genjutsu plunged the arena into chaos.

• Tang Ping told Uchiha Mei and Hinata Cang Yue that they should keep their preparations hidden and watch for a chance to save Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Sasuke used Chidori against Gaara’s sand defense, drawing astonished reactions from the spectators.
• Tang Ping told Karin that he believed Gaara’s mother had Uzumaki Clan blood, and Karin noted that Gaara might not accept that identity.
• Gaara lost control and began transforming, forcing Sasuke back with a monstrous sand claw.
• Yakushi Kabuto cast Nirvana Temple Technique over the arena, causing spectators to collapse as shinobi shouted warnings and an unexpected development unfolded at the main Viewing Platform.

Orochimaru revealed himself as the Fourth Kazekage and launched the Konoha Crush, while Pakura’s forces and Tang Ping’s fires drove the village into chaos. As Konoha’s clans and Jiraiya joined the defense and Sunagakure tried to evacuate Gaara, a surge of liquid heralded another threat.

• Orochimaru revealed his disguise as the Fourth Kazekage and confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi as Sunagakure forces attacked Konoha.
• Pakura led hundreds of Sunagakure ninja toward Konoha’s warehouses, while fires fueled by Tang Ping’s incendiary materials spread through the village.
• Jiraiya, Akimichi Choza, Hinata Sōji, and other Konoha clans entered the battle, and Jiraiya charged at Pakura.
• Pakura instructed Zi Luo to continue toward the warehouses before facing Jiraiya, while Zi Luo fought through the Military Police Force.
• Baki ordered Temari and Kankuro to take Gaara away, and Konoha’s jonin assigned Naruto and the other rookies to pursue them.
• Tang Ping and his companions remained disguised as unconscious spectators as liquid began to surge nearby.

Yakushi Kabuto’s sabotage sent burning Black Oil toward the arena, but Maruboshi Kosuke’s powerful Water Release blocked the flames while Konoha and Tenshukaku rescued the spectators. Tang Ping disguised himself and slipped into the barrier around Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru, whose duel began under the Four Violet Flames Formation.

• Yakushi Kabuto detonated an Exploding Tag, igniting the Black Oil and sending a Flame Waterfall toward the spectators.
• Maruboshi Kosuke used Water Release: Water Formation Wall to stop the flames, and Tang Ping recognized him as a Konoha Genin.
• Uchiha Mei led Tenshukaku’s group in helping Konoha evacuate the spectators as the ninja rescued unconscious people.
• Tang Ping vanished and Hinata Cang Yue took his appearance, while Tang Ping headed toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru’s rooftop battle.
• Orochimaru’s allies raised the Four Violet Flames Formation around the rooftop, and Hiruzen Sarutobi sent the Anbu to protect the village.
• Tang Ping hid inside the barrier as Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to face Orochimaru alone.

Tang Ping intervened in the fight between Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Byakugan Wolf, whose attack nearly pulled Hiruzen into the Kamui Dimension. He disguised his rescue as a confrontation over the Shell Organization’s identity and attacked the Byakugan Wolf.

• The Byakugan Wolf appeared beside Orochimaru, claimed to belong to the Shell Organization, and joined him in attacking Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• The Byakugan Wolf caught Hiruzen’s fist and began using his space-time ability to pull him into the Kamui Dimension.
• A giant tongue struck the Byakugan Wolf and sent Hiruzen flying, interrupting the attempted capture.
• Tang Ping emerged after dismissing Chubingmaru, and the Byakugan Wolf accused him of impersonating the Shell Organization.
• Tang Ping accused the Byakugan Wolf of impersonation and lunged at him, leaving Orochimaru and Hiruzen to face each other.

Tang Ping watched Orochimaru summon the First and Second Hokage with Impure World Reincarnation during the Konoha Crush. The reincarnated Hokage appeared far stronger than expected, and Tang Ping suspected Byakugan Wolf’s sacrifices had empowered them.

• Tang Ping attacked Byakugan Wolf with Lava Release, but his opponent remained intangible, while Tang Ping reflected that he had other ways to counter him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gained the advantage over Orochimaru in close combat, but Orochimaru retreated and used Impure World Reincarnation.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped a third coffin from emerging, but Orochimaru successfully summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.
• Tobirama Senju demanded to know what had happened to Konoha, and Hiruzen Sarutobi explained Orochimaru and Sunagakure’s attack.
• Tang Ping interrupted the Hokage’s conversation and sensed that the reincarnated Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju were unusually powerful.
• Tang Ping suspected that Byakugan Wolf had supplied the Impure World Reincarnation sacrifices that strengthened the two Hokage.

Tang Ping watched Orochimaru use White Zetsu sacrifices to resurrect Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, then saw them attack Hiruzen Sarutobi while Konoha burned. Hashirama began gathering Chakra for a powerful technique, leaving the battle poised to escalate.

• Tang Ping suspected the sacrifices were White Zetsu and worried Orochimaru might use them for further experiments, but decided against killing him.
• Hashirama Senju questioned Tang Ping, who identified himself as a member of the Shell Organization and said he had come to deal with Byakugan Wolf.
• Orochimaru used control talismans to suppress Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju's intelligence before setting them against Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Byakugan Wolf withdrew after warning the Shell Organization, while Tang Ping watched the two resurrected Hokage overpower Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Tobirama Senju attacked with Water Release, Hashirama Senju kicked Hiruzen Sarutobi away, then Hashirama gathered Chakra to unleash a major technique.

Hashirama Senju unleashed his full Tree World Advent, and Tang Ping answered with his Sage Art: Lava World Advent. Their techniques devastated the arena as Konoha’s shinobi evacuated spectators and prepared to defend the village.

• Hashirama Senju used Tree World Advent, sending massive roots through the arena and ensnaring the Third Hokage and Enma.
• Tang Ping entered Sage Mode and used Sage Art: Lava World Advent against Hashirama’s Wood Release.
• Lava flooded half the arena and burned the roots, while the roots continued growing and checked the spreading lava.
• Konoha’s shinobi and Sunagakure’s forces watched from a distance as the two techniques reduced the arena to ruins.
• Kakashi ordered Konoha’s personnel to stop the Sunagakure shinobi and protect the village, leaving the battle to the Third Hokage.

Danzo and Asuma watched the Konoha Crush from Hokage Rock, each scheming to use Hiruzen Sarutobi’s death to advance Asuma’s bid for Hokage. In the arena, Tang Ping faced Orochimaru’s reanimated Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, then drew Hashirama into a direct fight and revealed his Yang Release and Sage Body.

• Danzo watched Orochimaru’s reanimated army and revealed his partnership with Orochimaru in the Konoha Crush Plan.
• Asuma supported Danzo’s betrayal of Hiruzen Sarutobi because he expected his father’s death to improve his own chances of becoming Hokage.
• Tang Ping faced Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Orochimaru after the battle transformed the arena into forest and magma and left Hiruzen Sarutobi and Enma incapacitated.
• Tang Ping asked Orochimaru to release Hashirama Senju’s control so Hashirama could fight him directly.
• Orochimaru released Hashirama Senju, who recognized Tang Ping’s Yang Release and Sage Body, astonishing Orochimaru.

Tang Ping and Hashirama Senju tested each other in close combat before Hashirama revealed his plan to send Orochimaru and the Second Hokage after Hiruzen Sarutobi. The fight escalated into a clash between Hashirama’s Wood Human and Tang Ping’s Zhurong True Body.

• Hashirama Senju attacked Tang Ping with Wood Release: Great Forest Technique, and Tang Ping stopped the roots with his Sage Art: Magma Claw Technique.
• Hashirama Senju charged into close combat, but Tang Ping punched through his chest; Hashirama praised Tang Ping’s taijutsu as his opponent’s Impure World Reincarnation body began repairing itself.
• Hashirama Senju declared that he had to kill Tang Ping for Konoha and revealed that Orochimaru was hunting Hiruzen Sarutobi with the Second Hokage.
• Hashirama Senju formed the Wood Human Technique, and Tang Ping answered by summoning his Sage Art: Zhurong True Body.
• Hashirama Senju advanced with the Wood Human and began using another Wood Release technique.

Tang Ping defeated Hashirama Senju’s Wood Human and Wood Dragon with the Sage Art: Ama-no-Murakumo Sword, then tried to seal Hashirama before Orochimaru rescued him. Orochimaru retreated, while Jiraiya remained occupied fighting Pakura.

• Tang Ping used the Ama-no-Murakumo Sword to cut through Hashirama Senju’s Wood Dragon, Wood Human, and the forest beyond, leaving Hashirama’s Reanimation Body slowly recovering.
• Tang Ping realized that extreme heat could hinder a Reanimation Body’s regeneration and raised a sealing altar to claim Hashirama’s soul.
• Orochimaru used a long tongue to snatch Hashirama away and withdrew both Reanimation Bodies into another space.
• Tang Ping let Orochimaru escape because he had come to save Hiruzen Sarutobi, not fight for Konoha, and considered Orochimaru useful to Tenshukaku.
• Jiraiya shouted at Orochimaru but could not pursue him because he was still fighting Pakura, whose attacks kept him from entering Sage Mode.

Pakura helped Sunagakure’s forces escape Konoha and then went to retrieve Rasa’s children, intending to strengthen her bid for Kazekage. As Gaara and Naruto’s summoned beasts clashed, Tang Ping secretly contacted Pakura and told her to seriously injure Gamabunta without raising suspicion.

• With Orochimaru and Pakura withdrawn, Sunagakure’s faltering shinobi began retreating from Konoha, while Zi Luo’s raid on the warehouses yielded valuable resources.
• Pakura and Zi Luo carved a path for the retreating Sunagakure forces, and Pakura decided the rescue would help her gain support to become Kazekage.
• Konoha’s clans refused to commit elite forces to pursue the retreating Sunagakure shinobi while their people fought fires and rescued civilians.
• Pakura left the retreating troops to retrieve Gaara and his siblings, who had been intercepted by the Konoha 12.
• Pakura watched Gaara’s tanuki battle Gamabunta and heard Tang Ping secretly instruct her to seriously injure the toad without making anyone suspicious.

Tang Ping had Pakura attack Shukaku and Gamabunta to keep the toad at Mount Myōboku as a locator for the approaching Tenshukaku army. The battle began with Pakura unleashing her Heavenly Cursed Seal, while Sasuke watched Naruto and felt jealous of his growing power.

• Tang Ping rejoined the exchange team after leaving Konoha and arranged for Hinata Cang Yue to return to the village unnoticed.
• Karin sensed Pakura, and Tang Ping explained that Gamabunta needed to remain at Mount Myōboku so Guren could keep reporting its shifting location.
• Tang Ping observed Sasuke watching Naruto summon Gamabunta and predicted that Sasuke’s jealousy would lead him away from Konoha’s path.
• Pakura activated the third stage of her Heavenly Cursed Seal and attacked Shukaku and Gamabunta with Scorch Release fireballs.
• Shukaku rose quickly and fired a Drill Air Bullet at Pakura, who dodged it and gathered more Scorch Release fireballs around herself.

Pakura defeated Shukaku and Gamabunta, then woke Gaara and rescued Temari and Kankuro before Konoha's pursuers arrived. The Konoha Crush Plan ended on the surface, but its wider consequences were only beginning.

• Pakura used an enhanced Scorch Release to blast Shukaku, then evaded Gamabunta's sword and battered him until he dismissed the Summoning Technique and fled to Mount Myōboku.
• Pakura struck Shukaku again and again, forcing him to retreat into Gaara and end his transformation.
• Pakura woke Gaara and told him they needed to rescue Temari and Kankuro before Konoha's pursuers arrived.
• Pakura rescued Temari and Kankuro, then left with Gaara while Kakashi revealed himself from behind a tree.
• The Konoha Crush Plan came to an apparent end, though its consequences had only begun.

After the Konoha Crush left the village devastated, its leaders failed to agree on a response while Tenshukaku prepared to march against Mount Myōboku. Iwagakure and Kumogakure mobilized against Konoha, and Tang Ping finally left the village as the Shinobi World edged toward war.

• Konoha's leaders argued over rebuilding, border defenses, and retaliation against Sunagakure, but made no decisions while Hiruzen Sarutobi remained unconscious.
• Uchiha Mei rejected further meetings and led Tenshukaku's representatives out of Konoha to join Naruko, Karin, and the force assembling for the Mount Myōboku campaign.
• Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure's jonin to gather and prepare to exploit Konoha's weakness.
• Fourth Raikage A led Killer B, Dodai, and Cloud Ninja toward the border.
• Tang Ping finally left Konoha as tensions spread across the Shinobi World.

Tang Ping arrived at the Tenshukaku fleet assembled near Mount Myōboku and prepared to launch a full-scale assault on the toad holy land. After confirming the force was ready, he ordered the attack.

• Tang Ping flew across the Land of Lightning on a Golden Crow and reached the concealed area where Mount Myōboku's entrance shifted.
• Tang Ping found thirty Kirov Airships, three Ground Effect Vehicles, shinobi, and the Flying Corps assembled for the operation.
• Tenshukaku shinobi verified Tang Ping's identity as Cang Ping and escorted him aboard the flagship, the Blazing Sun, where Izumi received him.
• Izumi told Tang Ping that preparations were complete, and he entered the command room to find the senior officers and Four Kids gathered.
• Tang Ping ordered the assembled forces to attack Mount Myōboku.

The Great Toad Sage sensed an approaching threat and ordered Mount Myōboku searched, but the toads found no clues. Tang Ping’s force reached the hidden entrance and charged through its mist, arriving at Mount Myōboku.

• The Great Toad Sage woke with a sense of unease and ordered the toads to search Mount Myōboku, but they could not find the injured Gamabunta.
• The Great Toad Sage warned Fukasaku and Shima that its prophecy might be about to come true, and Shima suggested calling Jiraiya for help.
• Tang Ping led his forces to the suspected entrance while Uchiha Mei and Hinata Cang Yue reassured him, and Karin detected movement ahead.
• Tang Ping summoned Chubingmaru to scout through the mist, then ordered the Blazing Sun and the other vehicles to charge when the lizard remained unharmed.
• The Blazing Sun and the accompanying forces passed through the mist and arrived at Mount Myōboku.

Tang Ping led Tenshukaku’s invasion of Mount Myōboku, aiming to seize the sage location and strike at the Great Toad Sage before it could escape. As artillery and thousands of ninja overwhelmed the toads, Tang Ping confronted Fukasaku and Shima, and smiled when the airships reached their positions.

• Tang Ping ordered the operation to begin after Chubingmaru killed toads guarding Mount Myōboku’s entrance.
• The Flying Corps and thirty Kirov Airships spread out to encircle Mount Myōboku while the Ground Effect Vehicles stopped at the rough terrain.
• Tang Ping led Uchiha Mei and an elite force of four thousand ninja toward the Great Toad Sage as Yashiro ordered the artillery to clear their path.
• Fukasaku and Shima heard the invasion and gathered Mount Myōboku’s forces, including nearly ten toads as powerful as Gamabunta.
• Tang Ping’s forces met Fukasaku and Shima, and Fukasaku invoked Konoha’s alliance while Tang Ping dismissed the threat of the Hokage’s rebuke.
• Tang Ping smiled when the Kirov Airships arrived at their positions.

Tang Ping’s forces sealed Mount Myōboku with a powerful barrier and began a massive aerial bombardment, inflicting heavy casualties on the gathered toads. The Mount Myōboku leaders then charged Tenshukaku’s army to force the bombing to stop.

• Kirov Airships formed a Six-Point Sealing Formation that trapped Mount Myōboku and blocked the toads from escaping through summoning.
• Tang Ping taunted Sage Shima, while Fukasaku warned her not to fall for his provocation.
• Uchiha Mei entered her Demonification state as Tenshukaku’s forces prepared to fight the toads with ninja swords and Exploding Tags.
• The Flying Corps dropped Airburst Bombs and Incendiary Bombs, blasting through the toads with metal fragments and flames.
• Shima, Fukasaku, Gamabunta, and the other Mount Myōboku leaders led a charge toward Tenshukaku’s army to force the aerial bombardment to stop.

The coalition fought Mount Myōboku’s forces while Tang Ping advanced toward the Great Toad Sage, protected by his allies. He entered the enormous temple, ready to face the unknown power within.

• The toads used Tongue Battle Slash to drag down soldiers from the Flying Corps, forcing the flyers to climb higher and bomb less accurately.
• Uchiha Mei, Uchiha Sho, and the other coalition fighters engaged Mount Myōboku’s strongest warriors while Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue stayed near the formation’s center.
• Uchiha Mei wounded Fukasaku and held him back, while Uchiha Sho kept Shima occupied and Karin used her Adamantine Sealing Chains to pull a giant toad aside.
• Tang Ping crossed the battlefield as his allies blocked the defenders, and Hinata Cang Yue disappeared from view.
• Tang Ping reached the Great Toad Sage’s temple, considered the danger of facing an unknown opponent, and entered.