Chapter Summaries

Minato Namikaze brought Tsunade to examine Tang Ping and Yamaa Koji, who learned that Tsunade would keep his two hearts secret. After Team 3 was disbanded, Tang Ping found a valuable medical book Tsunade had left for him, while preparing for the approaching Third Shinobi World War.

• Minato Namikaze brought Tsunade to the hospital, where she examined Yamaa Koji and confirmed that his healed heart would not hinder his shinobi career.
• Tsunade examined Tang Ping, advised him to recover from overusing Chakra, and privately took an interest in his medical work.
• Minato Namikaze told Tang Ping and Yamaa Koji that Team 3 would be disbanded, and Tang Ping promised to seek his guidance when needed.
• Tang Ping learned that Yamaa Koji had explained his two hearts as the result of a forbidden technique and an innate condition, and Tsunade agreed to keep it secret.
• Tang Ping found a medical book on antidote production authored by Tsunade and prepared to study it while monitoring Yamaa Koji and Hinata Cang Yue.

Tang Ping received a suspicious mandatory escort mission from Root and suspected the village leadership planned to trap him. Outside Konoha, Root agents accused him of colluding with another village and moved to restrain him, just as a terrifying rustling sound began.

• Tang Ping reflected on his and his companions’ growing strength as Konoha’s peaceful period came to an end.
• A masked Root member delivered Tang Ping a vague mandatory C-Rank escort mission, which made him suspect a setup.
• Tang Ping prepared his gear, left Konoha, and traveled toward the mission rendezvous point.
• Five Root agents surrounded Tang Ping and falsely accused him of colluding with another ninja village.
• Tang Ping feigned anger and denied the charge without resisting, but the approaching agents heard a frightening rustling sound.

Tang Ping fought a Root squad, using Exploding Tags and his flame-enhanced techniques to overpower their jonin. The Root elite jonin became trapped in Tang Ping’s hidden setup, leaving Tang Ping poised to finish the fight.

• Tang Ping struck the Root members with hidden Exploding Tags while Taiyi disappeared from sight, and a Root ninja was attacked as he tried to circle behind Tang Ping.
• Tang Ping activated Flame Garment and used Golden Crow Style Taijutsu to slam the Root jonin into the ground.
• The Root jonin attacked with Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere, but Tang Ping used bursts of flame to evade and maneuver around him.
• Tang Ping baited the Root jonin into dodging a kunai rigged with an Exploding Tag, then attacked with Fire Fist.
• The Root elite jonin tried to counterattack with Wind Release, but a hidden trap left him unable to move.

Tang Ping used Chubingmaru to defeat Root’s pursuit squad, concealed the battle, and continued to the merchant caravan he was assigned to escort. The chapter left him reunited with the caravan and its chunin escort, Yamagami Satoru.

• Tang Ping ordered Chubingmaru to paralyze the Root Jonin, and the summoned lizard captured the remaining Root ninjas.
• Tang Ping reflected that he would no longer endure attacks and had Chubingmaru keep the unconscious Root ninjas as experimental subjects.
• Tang Ping burned the battlefield to obscure evidence and left while maintaining his Flame Garment.
• A Root team arrived at the scorched battlefield, suspended the pursuit, and departed for another mission.
• Tang Ping reached the merchant caravan, showed Yamagami Satoru his mission scroll, and confirmed that he had come to escort it.

Tang Ping escorted supplies to the Fire-Wind border camp and learned that clashes with Sunagakure had made the frontier increasingly dangerous. After arriving, he reunited with Honda Taka, gave him medicine for his squad, and then went to report for duty, where he saw someone who darkened his expression.

• Yamagami Satoru told Tang Ping that the convoy was carrying supplies to the Fire-Wind Border Camp, and Tang Ping learned about the hardships and dangers of the ninja world during the journey.
• Tang Ping and the convoy reached the heavily fortified border camp after nearly half a month, as Konoha rushed in supplies and reinforcements amid frequent clashes with Sand ninja.
• Tang Ping met Honda Taka, who said his squad had spent more than half a month patrolling and that their jonin instructor had been injured.
• Tang Ping secretly gave Honda Taka several bottles of Healing Potions and antidotes before Honda Taka returned to his squad.
• Tang Ping went to report for duty at the camp, but his expression darkened when he saw the person in charge.

Utatane Noken assigned Tang Ping a dangerous reconnaissance mission into the Land of Wind, using his refusal to surrender the Healing Potion formula to pressure him. As Tang Ping flew toward the border on Taiyi, he spotted a Konoha patrol under pursuit and a massive Sunagakure force advancing, signaling that war had begun.

• Utatane Noken gave Tang Ping a westward reconnaissance mission that could send him into Sunagakure territory, while offering an easy medical-station assignment as an alternative.
• Tang Ping refused the safer assignment and left to prepare for the mission, relying on his own strength and his Summoning Beasts.
• The next day, Tang Ping summoned Taiyi and flew toward the Land of Wind.
• Tang Ping spotted a Konoha patrol fleeing several Sunagakure squads and noticed more than a thousand Sunagakure ninja advancing nearby.

Tang Ping intervened to save Honda Taka from Sunagakure pursuers, then battled several squads before Pakura struck him with her tracking Flame Release. Tang Ping survived the blast, and Pakura regarded him with interest.

• Tang Ping spotted Honda Taka among the retreating Konoha squad and activated his Flame Garment before diving into battle.
• Honda Taka stayed behind to cover his teammates until Tang Ping arrived, destroyed incoming weapons, and ordered him to flee.
• Tang Ping fought the pursuing Sunagakure squads, killing a Chunin with Kotozuki: Yang before retreating under coordinated attacks.
• Pakura attacked Tang Ping with a tracking fireball that engulfed him in flames.
• Tang Ping survived the explosion, prompting Pakura to watch him closely and call him interesting.

Tang Ping survived Pakura's attacks and escaped with Taiyi while Pakura ordered Sunagakure's army to assault the border camp. After the camp's leaders chose to hold their position and evacuate vulnerable people, Tang Ping received a dangerous escort mission.

• Tang Ping used Oni Burning to defend against Pakura's surprise attack, then escaped by catching Taiyi as the giant crow flew overhead.
• Pakura ordered the Sunagakure army to accelerate its advance and breach the Land of Fire border camp that day.
• Tang Ping escorted the rescued squad back to camp, where Utatane Noken examined the intelligence scroll they had recovered.
• Tang Ping warned his friends to prepare for battle and stayed out of the camp leaders' discussion about the approaching Sunagakure army.
• Utatane Noken's group decided to hold the camp while evacuating the wounded, logistics personnel, and merchant caravans, and Tang Ping was assigned to escort them.

Tang Ping escorted wounded Konoha ninja toward the village as Pakura led Sunagakure in a surprise attack that captured the Southwest Border. Konoha prepared to fight back, but the stranded escort force received no rescue, leaving the Hokage Office divided over how to use their sacrifice.

• Kobayashi Hei assigned Tang Ping and three other teams to escort more than a dozen carriages carrying supplies and wounded ninja toward Konoha.
• Pakura led a surprise attack on the border camp, using her Scorch Release to kill Konoha ninja while Utatane Noken fought her.
• Pakura killed Utatane Noken, took the camp, and ordered a message sent to Iwagakure as the Southwest Border fell.
• The Uchiha Clan offered to fight Sunagakure, but Hiruzen Sarutobi sent them to guard against Kirigakure instead.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Orochimaru commander of two thousand ninja but did not order the stranded escort force rescued, prompting an argument in the Hokage Office.

Danzo tried to pin the Southwest Border camp’s fall on Uchiha Tang Ping and the Uchiha Clan, but Hiruzen refused, so Danzo spread the accusation through Konoha anyway. Unaware of the rumors, Tang Ping struggled to lead a battered escort convoy through Sunagakure pursuit, and Kobayashi Hei summoned him with troubling news.

• Danzo proposed blaming the Uchiha Clan for the Southwest Border camp’s fall, but Hiruzen rejected the plan despite support from Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
• Danzo ordered Root to spread a rumor that Uchiha Tang Ping’s faulty intelligence had caused the camp’s fall, turning public and some Uchiha opinion against him.
• Tang Ping tended his injuries beside a campfire while Honda Taka worried that the convoy could not survive the long journey back to Konoha under continued pursuit.
• A Genin summoned Tang Ping to meet Captain Kobayashi, who looked gravely injured alongside the other squad leaders and began delivering unfortunate news.

After learning that Konoha would send no reinforcements and was blaming him for the border camp’s fall, Tang Ping devised a way to evacuate the poisoned shinobi and volunteered to distract Sunagakure. He set out alone, planning to use the opportunity to relocate the Fusang Tree and retaliate against Danzo while maintaining an alibi.

• Kobayashi Hei told the group that no reinforcements were coming and rumors blamed Tang Ping for the border camp’s fall.
• Tang Ping proposed hiding in the Land of Rivers after he delayed the poisoned shinobi’s symptoms with medicine.
• Kobayashi Hei agreed to the plan, and Tang Ping volunteered to draw Sunagakure away as bait.
• Tang Ping gathered herbs, made medicine to ease the poison, and departed alone at night.
• Tang Ping planned to relocate the Fusang Tree and retaliate against Danzo while leading Sunagakure away.

Uchiha Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue left Konoha under disguises as the Shell Organization and infiltrated a Root branch to seize Hashirama Cells. They reached the hidden entrance and began their surprise assault, with Chubingmaru guarding the exit.

• Uchiha Tang Ping opened Konoha’s barrier for Hinata Cang Yue, and they left the village disguised as the Shell Organization.
• Hinata Cang Yue used her Byakugan to locate Root’s underground base east of Konoha.
• Tang Ping summoned Chubingmaru, and the pair followed Hinata Cang Yue through the forest while she detected and dismantled Root’s warnings.
• Hinata Cang Yue killed two hidden Root Ninja and uncovered the entrance to the base.
• Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue began infiltrating the base to find the Hashirama Cells while Chubingmaru guarded the entrance.

Hinata Cang Yue and Tang Ping broke into a Root laboratory, where Hinata used the Godly Vacuum Attack to blast through the walls and Tang Ping seized the Hashirama Cells. As Root Ninja attacked, Hinata fought them using her Tenseigan abilities, and Tang Ping rescued her from a Shadow Imitation Technique; with the cells secured, they were ready to pursue the operation’s second objective.

• Hinata Cang Yue blasted a fist-shaped passage through several thick walls with the Godly Vacuum Attack.
• Tang Ping entered the laboratory and collected the active Hashirama Cells while Hinata Cang Yue killed the researchers and fought the arriving Root Ninja.
• Hinata Cang Yue used Banshō Ten'in and Shinra Tensei to attack Root Ninja and deflect their weapons.
• A Nara Clan ninja caught Hinata Cang Yue with the Shadow Imitation Technique and sent a kunai toward her heart.
• Tang Ping knocked the kunai aside, joined Hinata Cang Yue, and confirmed that he had secured the Hashirama Cells.

Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue raided a Root base, stealing Hashirama Cells and valuable research records before destroying the facility. They escaped before Konoha’s reinforcements arrived, leaving a large group to discover the burning base.

• Tang Ping ordered Hinata Cang Yue to kill the Nara Clan ninja commanding the base while he searched the laboratory for Hashirama Cells and research records.
• Hinata Cang Yue defeated the Nara Jonin, and Tang Ping collected the records before joining the fight against Root Ninja.
• Hinata Cang Yue killed the wounded base commander, and Tang Ping set the base ablaze as they began their retreat.
• Chubingmaru ambushed and killed Root Ninja who escaped the base, then Tang Ping sent him away.
• Hinata Cang Yue spotted someone approaching from Konoha, and Tang Ping left with her before a large group reached the burning base.

Danzo assessed the destruction of his base and ordered the search for the attackers while planning to recruit Orochimaru. Tang Ping secretly traveled into the Land of Wind and transplanted the Fusang Tree in a hidden desert valley he named Hot Spring Valley.

• Danzo learned that the attack had destroyed vital research data and killed the researchers, then ordered his subordinates to find the attackers.
• Danzo suspended the research, ordered the remaining assets removed, and decided to seek Orochimaru as a collaborator.
• An Aburame Root Ninja took the head of a dead Nara Clan Ninja from the ruined laboratory to gather intelligence.
• Tang Ping sent Hinata Cang Yue back to Konoha, where she planned to join Yamaa Koji before heading to the battlefield.
• Tang Ping and Taiyi reached the Death Desert, named a hidden valley Hot Spring Valley, and planted the Fusang Tree there.

Tang Ping used Hashirama Cells to accelerate the Fusang Tree’s growth and create a new sacred land called Hot Spring Valley. After discovering it produced liquefied Natural Energy, he kept the location secret and planned to strengthen himself to master Sage Mode.

• Tang Ping injected the Fusang Tree with a potion made using his blood, then embedded most of the Hashirama Cells harvested from the Root base in its trunk.
• Overnight, the Fusang Tree grew into a towering giant, and Tang Ping found Natural Energy pooling as liquid among its roots.
• Tang Ping named the liquid Hot Spring Water and decided to conceal Hot Spring Valley because Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave would view it as a rival.
• Tang Ping planned to improve his Chakra reserves and control before attempting Sage Mode, then had Taiyi carry him and the Natural Power materials back to the Land of Fire.
• Tang Ping used his fiancée’s connections to refine Natural Power and Hashirama Cell potions, saved some active Hashirama Cells for future cultivation, and prepared to take the medicine.

Tang Ping injected his modified Natural Power Potion and traveled to the Land of Rivers, where he rescued Kobayashi Hei’s team from the Riverbank Bandit Gang. After killing the gang leader, Tang Ping rested on the island to prepare for the battles awaiting him back in the Land of Fire.

• Tang Ping injected the altered Natural Power Potion, endured its painful effects, and traveled on foot to the Land of Rivers.
• Tang Ping found Kobayashi Hei and his injured team defending themselves against the Riverbank Bandit Gang and pirates.
• Tang Ping removed his Konoha Headband, crossed the river, and ordered the bandits to leave or die.
• Tang Ping overwhelmed the attackers with a powerful Fire Release: Flame Bullet, and the rogue ninja fled.
• Tang Ping used Flame Mantle Acceleration to kill Chang Gui with a kunai, then rested on the island and looked forward to the coming war.

As Konoha’s team enjoyed a quiet assignment in the Land of Rivers, Tang Ping continued strengthening his Chakra and training his control while waiting out the widening war. Yakushi Nonō arrived to treat the poisoned wounded, signaling that the team’s respite was ending, so Tang Ping took a reconnaissance mission to pursue Sage Mode.

• Tang Ping watched impoverished island children thank him for defeating the Riverbank Bandit Gang, then practiced shaping flames with Chakra control.
• Yakushi Nonō arrived at the cave hospital and introduced herself as a medical ninja who would handle the poison.
• Tang Ping recognized Yakushi Nonō as a Root intelligence operative and suspected her arrival was connected to him.
• As Yakushi Nonō worked on antidotes, Tang Ping accepted a reconnaissance mission to a remote island to pursue Sage Mode.

Tang Ping attempted Sage Mode on a remote island, failed once, then succeeded on a second try and tested the power of his Sage Art Chakra. He ended the chapter by unleashing a devastating strike at a massive wave.

• Tang Ping summoned Taiyi to guard the island before attempting Sage Mode with Hot Spring Water.
• Tang Ping's first attempt failed, leaving him injured, but he recovered with a Healing Elixir and reflected on the process.
• Tang Ping tried again with less Natural Energy and successfully entered Sage Mode, gaining Sage Art Chakra and golden-red markings.
• Tang Ping tested his new power by creating platinum flames and casting Fire Release: Flame Mantle.
• Tang Ping gathered the flames at his fingertip and used Great Serpent Mower against a massive incoming wave.

Tang Ping demonstrated the destructive power of his new Sage Mode, then escorted Yakushi Nonō to the Land of Wind and exposed a Root ambush. After killing the attackers, he discovered that Danzo had another hidden move.

• Tang Ping unleashed a Sage-enhanced Great Serpent Mower that vaporized seawater, then exited Sage Mode and reflected on how he could improve his ability to gather Natural Energy.
• Tang Ping accepted a mission to escort Yakushi Nonō to the Land of Wind, suspecting Danzo had arranged a trap.
• Tang Ping led Yakushi Nonō and three disguised Root operatives into the Land of Wind, where Nonō left the group near an oasis.
• Tang Ping recognized the Root operatives' ambush, evaded their weapons, and killed them without attempting an interrogation.
• Tang Ping saw Danzo's true hidden move before he could leave.