Chapter Summaries

Tang Ping explained how he saved Naruko, Karin, and Izumi by temporarily transferring their souls while he removed the Nanoweed, then rested in Konoha. He woke to a decorated village celebrating Tsunade’s appointment as Fifth Hokage, with Yamato’s trees disguising much of the damage.

• The Military Police Force found the scorched ruins and Tang Ping told them Danzo and Root had attacked him.
• Tang Ping revealed that Naruko, Karin, and Izumi had died so he could clear the Nanoweed from their bodies and return their souls using White Zetsu as temporary vessels.
• Tang Ping left the ruins with his companions to rest at an inn, while they took turns keeping watch.
• Tang Ping woke to crowds celebrating Tsunade’s appointment as Fifth Hokage and saw that Yamato had covered ruined areas with trees.

Jiraiya became the Fifth Hokage, but Tang Ping disrupted the inauguration by demanding that Hiruzen Sarutobi be punished for his wrongdoing. Jiraiya faced pressure to answer publicly as the village watched.

• Tang Ping joined Izumi, Naruko, Karin, Yamaa Koji, and Hinata Cang Yue on their way to Jiraiya's inauguration.
• The Daimyo's Envoy appointed Jiraiya as the Fifth Hokage, and Utatane Koharu brought him the Hokage Hat.
• Tang Ping stepped forward before Jiraiya could greet the villagers, and Tsunade and the Hokage Faction's leaders moved to stop him.
• Tang Ping asked what punishment Hiruzen Sarutobi would receive, then challenged the advisers' plan to delay the investigation.
• Jiraiya said Hiruzen would not escape punishment, while Utatane Koharu urged him to postpone the matter; Tang Ping prepared to reveal a hidden trump card.

Tang Ping publicly accused Hiruzen Sarutobi of mistreating Naruto and challenged the Hokage Faction to answer for it. He revealed that villagers already knew, leaving the faction unable to contain the scandal.

• Asuma defended Hiruzen, but Tang Ping mocked him over his status and failures against Sunagakure.
• Jiraiya asked Tang Ping to continue, and Tang Ping accused Hiruzen of letting Naruto be ostracized and neglected.
• Tsunade tried to stop Tang Ping, who invoked his relationship with Kushina and said he was seeking justice for her.
• Nara Shikaku argued that Naruto’s treatment had to remain secret because he was a Jinchuriki.
• Tang Ping said villagers were already discussing the matter, and the Hokage Faction was left grim-faced.

Jiraiya sentenced Sarutobi Hiruzen to life imprisonment after the truth about Naruto’s neglect became public, and the villagers blamed the Third Hokage for how they had treated Naruto. Naruto learned that he was the Fourth Hokage’s son, and Sasuke challenged him to a match.

• Tang Ping rejected Utatane Koharu’s accusation that he had leaked Jinchuriki information and blamed Sarutobi Hiruzen’s advisors for his failures.
• Jiraiya sentenced his former teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen, to imprisonment in Konoha Prison until his death.
• The villagers learned that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage’s son and blamed Sarutobi Hiruzen for letting them reject him.
• On a rooftop, Sakura asked Naruto if the Fourth Hokage was his father, and Naruto said he had never been told.
• Sasuke grew jealous of Naruto’s background and strength, then challenged him to a match.

Sasuke decided to leave after realizing Naruto had deliberately spared him, while Tang Ping met Tsunade to discuss whether he would target Shikkotsu Forest. The chapter ended with Tsunade asking Tang Ping for a definite answer on Katsuyu’s behalf.

• Sasuke saw the damage Naruto’s Rasengan had caused and realized Naruto had deliberately missed him, then left after calling Naruto his best friend.
• Kabuto watched Sasuke depart and anticipated that he would accept Orochimaru’s offer in pursuit of power.
• Tang Ping invited Tsunade to a meal, and they left the Hokage Building together as villagers discussed scandals involving the former Hokage faction.
• Tsunade and Tang Ping talked privately at an izakaya, where she praised the changes brought by airships and asked about Katsuyu’s concern.
• Tsunade asked Tang Ping whether he intended to target Shikkotsu Forest after breaching Mount Myōboku.

Tang Ping explained that Tenshukaku would spare Shikkotsu Forest as long as it stayed out of the Shinobi World's conflicts, then offered Tsunade the chance to see Nawaki or Dan Katō again. After naming several true resurrection methods, he told her what he wanted in return: to join Tenshukaku.

• Tang Ping told Tsunade that he had an agreement with Ryūchi Cave and would not target Shikkotsu Forest if it remained neutral.
• Tang Ping asked Tsunade whether she would choose Nawaki or Dan Katō if she could revive one, and she smashed the table in anger at the question.
• Tang Ping said he was serious about resurrection and listed methods including Dragon Life Reincarnation, Reanimation Jutsu, and the Sage's Talisman.
• Tsunade realized Tang Ping had a resurrection method and asked what he wanted from her.
• Tang Ping told Tsunade that he wanted her to join Tenshukaku.

Tang Ping tried to persuade Tsunade to join the Tenshukaku by appealing to her disillusionment with Konoha and promising Nawaki's revival, and she left saying she would think about it. After Tsunade concealed their conversation from Jiraiya, the Daimyo's envoy ordered Konoha to attack the Tenshukaku.

• Tang Ping argued that Konoha had betrayed Hashirama Senju's dream and offered Tsunade a chance to help create peace and revive Nawaki.
• Tsunade left Tang Ping saying she would think about his proposal, and Tang Ping recognized that she had been swayed.
• An Anbu summoned Tsunade to meet Jiraiya, and she told him Tang Ping had asked about Medical Ninjutsu and Shikkotsu Forest.
• Jiraiya suspected Tsunade had concealed something but turned to the mounting work and the approaching war with Cloud Ninja and Iwagakure.
• Nara Shikaku brought the Daimyo's envoy to the Hokage Office, where the envoy ordered Konoha to attack the Tenshukaku.

The daimyo’s envoy proposed a secret alliance in which Konoha, Iwagakure, and the Cloud Ninja would attack the Tenshukaku while the other armies abandoned their assault on Konoha. Jiraiya agreed to advance the plan after demanding compensation, leaving Operation Extinguish Fire moving forward and Tsunade uninformed.

• The envoy offered Konoha funding, supplies, and reinforcements for a joint attack on the Tenshukaku with Iwagakure and the Cloud Ninja.
• Nara Shikaku asked whether Kirigakure and Sunagakure could be persuaded to join, and the envoy claimed negotiations were progressing.
• After the envoy left, Nara Shikaku judged that Kirigakure and Sunagakure could not be relied upon, while Mitokado Homura believed the daimyo could pressure them through their resource needs.
• Jiraiya refused to inform Lady Tsunade and agreed that Konoha could join the attack if the daimyo provided sufficient compensation.
• Nara Shikaku proposed recruiting the Toad Clan of Mount Myōboku, and Jiraiya agreed to discuss it with them.
• Nara Shikaku left to respond to the envoy, and Operation Extinguish Fire rapidly moved forward.

Tang Ping learned that Nara Shikaku had secretly aided Danzo and decided to punish the Nara Clan, while he went with Hinata Cang Yue to spy on Hiruzen Sarutobi in prison. The chapter ended as Hiruzen sensed someone hiding nearby.

• Tang Ping learned that the Daimyo and nobles had organized the Fire Extinguishing Plan, which would use shinobi, airships, and Flying Corps against the Tenshukaku.
• Tang Ping discovered that Nara Shikaku had helped Danzo and resolved to suppress the Nara Clan and arrange assassinations.
• Tang Ping learned that Kimimaro was ready to be harvested for his Shikotsumyaku and planned to test how it would fuse with Hinata Hyuga's Byakugan.
• Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue used Shadow Clones as cover and infiltrated Konoha Prison to watch Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Asuma Sarutobi to guide Konohamaru and entrusted him with the clan, then sensed Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue hiding nearby.

Kakashi confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi in Konoha Prison over White Fang’s death and watched him commit suicide. As Konoha investigated the former Hokage’s death and considered using war to distract the village, Tang Ping waited for another event that night.

• Kakashi entered Konoha Prison, confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi over White Fang, and gave him the chance to take his own life with White Fang’s short sword.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi committed suicide in the prison while Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue secretly watched.
• News of Hiruzen Sarutobi’s death spread, and many villagers cursed him while the Anbu investigated the apparent suicide.
• Jiraiya rejected the suicide finding and ordered the culprit to be captured, while the Anbu questioned prison staff and Asuma.
• Nara Shikaku proposed attacking Tenshukaku to divert attention and agreed to assist with the Fire Extinguishing Plan’s next stage.
• Tang Ping waited for a famous scene to unfold in Konoha that night.

Sasuke defected from Konoha to seek power from Orochimaru, and Naruto set out to pursue him after Sakura asked for help. Jiraiya ordered Shikamaru to lead the pursuit and summoned Tang Ping to the Hokage Building.

• Tang Ping watched Kabuto, the Sound Four, and Kimimaro help Sasuke escape Konoha, suspecting Danzo had supplied them with inside information.
• Sasuke put Sakura under genjutsu, joined the group carrying the cursed-seal barrel, and left the village.
• Sakura woke up and asked Naruto to bring Sasuke back, and Naruto promised to make it his life's goal.
• Naruto told Jiraiya that Sasuke had defected to Orochimaru, prompting Jiraiya to order a pursuit mission under Shikamaru's command.
• Jiraiya sent Anbu to summon Tang Ping to the Hokage Building.

Tang Ping accepted Jiraiya’s mission to protect the Konoha pursuit team while they tried to recover Sasuke, then led Squad 404 out of the village. He prioritized the pursuers’ safety over retrieving Sasuke and followed Karin’s tracking toward them.

• Jiraiya ordered Tang Ping to take Squad 404 after Sasuke and protect the genin already pursuing him, and Tang Ping agreed to do his best to protect them.
• Tang Ping told Izumi and the others that their priority was safeguarding Konoha’s pursuit team, not recovering Sasuke.
• Tang Ping posted the Hokage’s exit order at the village gate, and Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane let the squad pass.
• Karin tracked the pursuit team as Squad 404 hurried away from Konoha.

Tang Ping’s group pursued the Sound Four, rescuing Shikamaru and reaching Kiba’s battlefield. Izumi saved Kiba from Sakon and Ukon, and Kiba fell in love with her at first sight.

• Tang Ping’s group found Choji after he defeated Jirobo, then continued onward without taking him along.
• Tang Ping killed Tayuya with Flame Finger while Shikamaru watched from below.
• At Sakon and Ukon’s battlefield, Tang Ping sent Izumi to help and explained that the pair were two people fused together.
• Sakon prepared to stab the immobilized Kiba, but Izumi knocked aside his kunai and Kiba fell in love with her at first sight.
• Izumi struck Sakon and Ukon with two rapid slashes, shredding their bodies.

Izumi defeated an attacker and left Kiba smitten, while Tang Ping watched Ino and Tenten struggle against Kidomaru and recognized Tenten’s potential with spatial techniques. When Kidomaru prepared to kill Tenten, Tang Ping moved to intervene.

• Izumi introduced herself to Kiba, asked him to convey Tenshukaku’s goodwill to the Inuzuka Clan Head, and left him bandages before departing.
• Shikamaru found Kiba, who had treated Akamaru’s injuries but was dazed after falling for Izumi.
• Tang Ping watched Ino and Tenten being overpowered by Kidomaru and explained that Tenten had exceptional potential with spatial techniques.
• Kidomaru prepared to sever Tenten’s neck with Spider Silk, and Tang Ping vanished from the treetop and appeared on the battlefield.

Tang Ping rescued Tenten from Kidomaru’s spider silk, winning her admiration as the others watched with mixed reactions. Kidomaru transformed and summoned a swarm of spiders, and Tang Ping prepared to counter with an S-rank Fire Release.

• Tang Ping stepped in front of Tenten and took Kidomaru’s spider-silk attack, then reassured her that she was safe.
• Izumi used her Sharingan to help Tang Ping make Kidomaru freeze, while Karin, Naruko, Yamaa Koji, and Hinata Cang Yue watched from above.
• Ino interrupted Tang Ping and Tenten’s moment, and Tang Ping turned to face Kidomaru as he transformed under the Cursed Seal.
• Kidomaru summoned the Rain Spider, which unleashed a swarm of small spiders, then formed a bow from Adhesive Gold to attack.
• Tang Ping swept his finger forward and unleashed an S-rank Fire Release as Ino and Tenten warned him about the spiders.

Tang Ping defeated Kidomaru with the Great Serpent Mower, then used a staged injury to court Ino and Tenten and arrange a way to bring Tenten along with Tenshukaku. After meeting Rock Lee fighting Kimimaro, Tang Ping waited for Lee to fall and ordered Naruko to deal with Kimimaro.

• Tang Ping burned away the Spider Tide and defeated Kidomaru with his S-rank Great Serpent Mower.
• Tang Ping pretended an arrow had pierced his chest, reassured Ino and Tenten, and told Tenten that Tenshukaku would cooperate with her family's Ninja Tool Shop and take her along on missions.
• Tang Ping pulled the arrow from his unharmed body and rejoined his companions, who followed him through the forest.
• Tang Ping's group found Rock Lee using Drunken Fist against Kimimaro, and Tang Ping joked about a powerful Lightning Release technique.
• After Kimimaro knocked Rock Lee unconscious, Tang Ping ordered Naruko to deal with him.

Naruko fought Kimimaro while Tang Ping watched, intending to push Kimimaro's Shikotsumyaku to its peak before extracting experimental material from him. The battle escalated when Kimimaro activated his Cursed Seal Second Stage, setting up a final test for Naruko.

• Naruko struck Kimimaro with a Rasengan, but his Shikotsumyaku protected him from serious injury and he counterattacked with bone weapons.
• Naruko used Flying Thunder God and volleys of kunai against Kimimaro, but his Willow Dance and Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets kept him fighting despite his worsening condition.
• Tang Ping told Hinata Cang Yue that Kimimaro's bloodline disease had reached its final stage and explained that he wanted the battle to push Kimimaro's bloodline to its peak.
• Tang Ping took out surgical instruments and prepared to treat Kimimaro as an experimental subject after the battle.
• Kimimaro transformed into Cursed Seal Second Stage and prepared to face Naruko in his final dance.

Naruko fought Kimimaro in his Cursed Seal Second State, using Flying Thunder God and Rasengan to survive his bone attacks and land a powerful counterstrike. After Kimimaro was driven into a crater, Naruko healed her wound with a potion, but the battle appeared to be over.

• Kimimaro overwhelmed Naruko with his durable bone attacks, while Tang Ping watched and considered Shikotsumyaku as a possible experiment for Hinata Cang Yue.
• Kimimaro unleashed a forest of bone spikes, and Naruko used Flying Thunder God to evade them rather than flee the battlefield.
• Kimimaro emerged from a bone pillar and cut Naruko’s waist, but she struck his back with a Rasengan and blasted him into the ground.
• Naruko drank an undiluted Healing Potion to heal her wound and prepared to continue fighting, then realized there was no longer any need.

Tang Ping extracted the embryonic All-Killing Ash Bones from Kimimaro, confirming that his bloodline disease came from the Kekkei Mora overwhelming his body. As his group continued onward, Karin detected a large force tracking them, and Tang Ping chose to face the hunters rather than retreat.

• Tang Ping sealed off the area and extracted Kimimaro’s spinal cord, finding that his Shikotsumyaku was the embryonic form of All-Killing Ash Bones.
• Tang Ping showed the extracted reagent to Hinata Cang Yue and hinted that Kimimaro’s potential had surprised him.
• Karin detected more than a hundred powerful opponents nearby, including multiple people with Tailed Beast-level Chakra.
• Tang Ping refused Karin’s suggestion to retreat and prepared to meet the force hunting them.
• Hinata Cang Yue entered her concealed state as the group reached its destination.

Tang Ping and his companions arrived at the Valley of the End as Sasuke abandoned Konoha and Naruto lost access to the Nine-Tails’ Chakra. A massive coalition revealed itself on the statues to confront Tang Ping, and the chapter ended with its leaders facing him across the waterfall.

• Tang Ping’s group watched Sasuke fight Naruto, and the Nine-Tails withdrew its Chakra after sensing Tang Ping’s powerful aura.
• Sasuke overpowered Naruto, slashed his Konoha headband, and declared that Naruto would always be his friend.
• Ōnoki, A, Killer B, Orochimaru, Kabuto, Danzo, Chiki Maru, and hundreds of samurai appeared on Hashirama Senju’s statue.
• Tang Ping remarked on the coalition assembled to oppose him, and Ōnoki and A voiced their grievances while Ōnoki cautioned A not to be provoked.
• After the two Kage fell silent, Orochimaru began to speak.