Chapter Summaries

Tang Ping burned the Root Ninja corpses, then fought off a Sunagakure ambush using his enhanced Chakra and Flame Garment. After defeating dozens of attackers, he found evidence that Konoha had leaked his information and planned to use it to demand benefits when he returned.

• Tang Ping burned nearby Root Ninja corpses to erase evidence before the Sunagakure ninja closed in.
• Tang Ping concluded that Danzo had leaked his information and decided to fight rather than flee.
• Tang Ping used Flame Garment, Rocket Jump, and Fire Fist to attack the Sunagakure ninja and evade their Wind Release techniques.
• Tang Ping used mobile warfare to defeat dozens of Sunagakure ninja over half an hour.
• Tang Ping found a detailed intelligence scroll among the bodies and decided to use the leak as leverage after returning.

Tang Ping returned to Konoha’s Southwest Camp after his mission and reported to Orochimaru, revealing evidence that someone in the village had leaked information. Orochimaru offered him an A-rank ninjutsu or equivalent resources, and Tang Ping prepared to name his price.

• Tang Ping used Taiyi to cross into the Land of Fire, then canceled the summoning and traveled toward the Southwest Camp on foot.
• A Konoha patrol escorted Tang Ping to camp, where personnel verified his identity and allowed him to move freely.
• A messenger brought Tang Ping to Orochimaru’s main tent, where Orochimaru asked why the accompanying Anbu squad had disappeared.
• Tang Ping claimed the squad had scattered during a Sunagakure ambush and presented a scroll suggesting a leak from within Konoha.
• Orochimaru said he would investigate and offered Tang Ping one A-rank ninjutsu or equivalent resources as his mission reward.

Tang Ping chose the dangerous A-Rank Fire Release technique Fire Armor Avatar from Lord Orochimaru and secured permission to select his own squad members. He recruited Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji, and the newly registered Squad 404 left camp to practice in private.

• Tang Ping selected Fire Armor Avatar, and Lord Orochimaru lent him its scroll for three days and promised him a mission afterward.
• Tang Ping asked to choose his own subordinates, and Lord Orochimaru granted permission.
• Tang Ping recruited Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji through the Logistics Office, forming Squad 404.
• Tang Ping led Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji to an open area outside camp, where Hinata Cang Yue used her Byakugan to check their surroundings.

Tang Ping checked Yamaa Koji’s successful Second Heart modification and learned that Hinata Cang Yue had reached a bottleneck. After three days of studying an A-Rank fire technique, he accepted a dangerous escort mission in Sunagakure’s sphere of influence to repay his debt to Orochimaru.

• Tang Ping confirmed that Yamaa Koji’s Second Heart had greatly increased his strength and stamina, while Hinata Cang Yue reported no change in her abilities.
• Tang Ping announced that the team would take its first mission in three days and tasked Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji with an investigation while he studied Fire Armor Avatar.
• Tang Ping used a Clarity Elixir and Natural Power Potion to study the A-Rank technique and develop it as a template for senjutsu.
• Three days later, Tang Ping returned the scroll to Orochimaru and accepted an escort mission carrying goods from the Land of Wind to the Land of Fire.
• Tang Ping learned that the mission was in Sunagakure’s sphere of influence and that several other teams would assist him, then met the teams assigned to the mission.

Uchiha Tang Ping led three genin squads to escort a heavily guarded caravan through the Land of Wind, while testing his new Tactical Belts and Clarity Elixir. As the convoy neared the Land of Rivers, Hinata Cang Yue sensed pursuers among them, including a kage-level expert.

• Tang Ping took command of the mission and led the squads along a route through the Land of Rivers, away from the war zone.
• Tang Ping gave Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji Tactical Belts stocked with potions, then drank a Clarity Elixir to speed up his research while traveling.
• The team passed an island where bandits had slaughtered the residents, and Tang Ping recognized the bodies of several children.
• Tang Ping's team found the merchant and his five heavily loaded carriages in the Land of Wind, confirmed their identities, and set out immediately.
• As the convoy neared the Land of Rivers, Hinata Cang Yue warned Tang Ping that pursuers were approaching, including a kage-level expert.

Tang Ping ordered Squad 404 to turn back and intercept Rasa’s pursuing force, keeping the battle away from the convoy. After Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji engaged the Sunagakure ninja, Tang Ping faced Rasa as the kage-level battle began.

• Tang Ping sent the convoy and three squads ahead while Squad 404 turned back to intercept the pursuers.
• Tang Ping explained that they needed to choose a battlefield away from the convoy, and Squad 404 encountered Rasa and six Sunagakure ninja.
• Yamaa Koji raised a sandstorm to cover the squad’s movements, and Hinata Cang Yue used her Razor's Edge technique to kill one opponent.
• Yamaa Koji traded a waist wound for a killing blow against another Sunagakure ninja.
• Tang Ping activated Flame Garment and confronted Rasa, who used a Sand Clone to approach from behind.
• Hinata Cang Yue warned Tang Ping in time for him to evade Rasa’s sneak attack, and Rasa launched a tidal wave of Gold Dust at him.

Tang Ping revealed his new Fire Release: Zhurong and battled Rasa, who tried to crush him with increasingly powerful Magnet Release techniques. As Rasa prepared to drop Gold Dust Cube, Tang Ping gathered heat and light into Zhurong’s finger for a final attack.

• Tang Ping’s Fire Armor Avatar blocked Rasa’s Gold Dust Burial, and Tang Ping combined it with Flame Mantle to create the Rank S ninjutsu Fire Release: Zhurong.
• Rasa attacked with Gold Dust Boundary Method, but Tang Ping answered with Zhurong’s Fire Fist, forcing Rasa into the air on a Sand Cushion.
• Rasa sealed the battlefield with golden spears and formed a massive Gold Dust Cube above Tang Ping.
• Tang Ping swallowed Soldier Pills and drew the surrounding heat and light into Zhurong’s index finger, preparing Great Serpent Mower to meet Rasa’s Gold Dust Cube.

Tang Ping, Hinata Cang Yue, and Yamaa Koji forced Rasa to retreat after Tang Ping’s Zhurong flames weakened his golden sand and Hinata Cang Yue’s attack shattered it. The squad escaped the Land of Wind, then learned that Orochimaru’s shipment had been used to expose spies rather than to deliberately endanger them.

• Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue combined their attacks to destroy Rasa’s golden sand cube, and Rasa decided not to risk a serious injury against the squad.
• Rasa tried to bestow a title on Tang Ping, but Tang Ping rejected it and said they would settle the contest another time.
• Rasa left, and Tang Ping stopped Hinata Cang Yue from pursuing him before leading the squad out of the Land of Wind.
• Rasa later marked Tang Ping’s squad for close attention because of Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue’s strength.
• Mitarashi Shishio met the squad with Konoha ninja and explained that Orochimaru had used the shipment to lure out spies, without knowing Rasa would pursue them.
• The squad returned to camp, where Tang Ping learned what the shipment contained.

Tang Ping received an S-Rank mission reward after his squad escaped Rasa, then was assigned by Danzo to manage logistics. He welcomed the safe, time-rich post and began taking over the camp’s supplies.

• Orochimaru awarded Tang Ping’s squad an additional S-Rank Mission for surviving Rasa’s attack.
• Orochimaru told Tang Ping that Danzo had ordered him to manage logistics, and Tang Ping accepted the assignment.
• Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji reacted angrily to Danzo’s scheme, but Tang Ping explained that the job would give him the time he needed.
• Tang Ping went to the warehouse area, where a Nara Clan administrator handed over the logistics records and left.

Tang Ping took charge of the camp’s logistics and found the work easy, while uncovering inflated procurement prices and a chance to profit. After studying the supply system, he arranged for Honda Taka’s family trading company to bring goods into the war zone under escort.

• Danzo assigned Tang Ping to manage logistics for a camp of just over a thousand ninja.
• Tang Ping reviewed inventory and purchase records, judged the logistics work simple, and spotted prices inflated above market rates.
• Tang Ping realized the procurement system offered ways to make money and considered how his strength and allies could protect his plans.
• After observing logistics procedures for several days, Tang Ping summoned Honda Taka and proposed working with his family’s trading company.
• Tang Ping explained that the company could supply the camp with goods escorted by logistics squads, and Honda Taka agreed.

Konoha’s logistics convoy safely reached Inaba Castle and the Southwest Shinobi Army camp, while Tang Ping’s partnership with the Honda Trading Company earned a large profit. After paying Kobayashi Hei for leading the escort, Tang Ping secured his agreement to a long-term partnership and turned his attention to goods brought with the convoy.

• Konoha shinobi escorted a large merged convoy through the southwest, with Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji secretly overseeing its safety.
• Honda Katsu and Honda Taka celebrated the trading company’s expected profits and agreed to follow Tang Ping’s requests.
• The convoy entered Inaba Castle under Konoha’s name, sold goods, and bought local specialties for the return journey.
• At camp, Tang Ping paid Kobayashi Hei three million ryo for leading the escort, and Kobayashi Hei accepted his proposal for a long-term partnership.
• Tang Ping looked to Yamaa Koji and Hinata Cang Yue after the convoy brought additional goods to the Logistics Office.

Tang Ping prepared to continue his surgical research in the Land of Rivers while Danzo leaked intelligence about his profits to Konoha's powerful families. The families confronted Tang Ping in Orochimaru's tent over his use of the Logistics Office, and Tang Ping began his defense.

• Tang Ping told Hinata Cang Yue to prepare an Operating Room in the Land of Rivers and ordered Yamaa Koji to get in peak condition for further surgeries.
• Tang Ping reflected on the ten million ryo he had earned and the expenses his research would require as his fame faded at the Logistics Office.
• Danzo ordered a subordinate to send intelligence about Tang Ping's profits to the Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitokado families.
• Orochi­maru's messenger summoned Tang Ping to the main tent, where three jonin from the families accused him of using the Logistics Office for personal profit.
• Tang Ping admitted the accusation, and Orochimaru asked him to explain himself as the family jonin demanded his arrest.

Tang Ping confronted three clan ninja over their clans’ embezzlement of village funds and their accusations that he had profited from his position. He left them unable to retaliate openly, while Orochimaru’s growing interest in him made Tang Ping wary.

• Tang Ping accused the Sarutobi, Tane, and Mito Clan ninja of draining Konoha and said he had account books to prove it.
• The three ninja defended their clans’ missing funds as losses that had supposedly strengthened the village.
• When a Sarutobi Clan woman accused him of abusing his position for profit, Tang Ping admitted he had made money and demanded that everyone be punished publicly.
• Tang Ping’s willingness to expose the corruption stunned the three ninja, while Orochimaru watched him with curiosity and made Tang Ping uneasy.
• The Sarutobi Clan woman warned that Tang Ping’s accusations could cause chaos, but he pointed out that their own actions had risked the village’s stability.
• The three ninja refrained from using violence because Tang Ping was too formidable to confront casually.

Orochimaru ended the confrontation between Tang Ping and three clan representatives, then ordered Tang Ping to join a force intercepting Sunagakure’s assault. Tang Ping left his teammates behind and headed toward the fighting as Konoha’s squads moved out to delay the enemy.

• Orochimaru forbade the three clan representatives from causing trouble in camp, and Tang Ping thanked him before returning to his tent.
• Hinata Cang Yue offered to attack the clans, but Tang Ping refused and asked whether their laboratory in the Land of Rivers was ready; she confirmed it was complete.
• Explosions announced Sunagakure’s approaching attack, and a messenger ordered Tang Ping to assemble at Training Ground 12.
• Orochimaru briefed the assembled ninja to intercept Sunagakure and buy time for the other Konoha forces to withdraw.
• Tang Ping told Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji to wait, then joined the squads as they advanced and encountered the invading Sunagakure forces.

Konoha’s forces burned away Sunagakure’s poisoned forest trap, and Orochimaru summoned Manda to break through the enemy ranks. Tang Ping summoned the rapidly grown Taiyi, while Pakura’s Scorch Release appeared to kill Manda—though Hinata Cang Yue revealed that it had shed its skin and its real body was underground.

• Orochimaru ordered Konoha’s ninja to take antidotes and use Fire Release to clear the poison and vegetation.
• Orochimaru summoned Manda, which demanded a hundred sacrifices before charging through Sunagakure’s formation and swallowing ninja.
• Tang Ping summoned Taiyi, whose enormous size drew attention from both Konoha’s ninja and Manda.
• Pakura unleashed Scorch Release and appeared to kill Manda, dealing a heavy blow to Konoha’s morale.
• Hinata Cang Yue used her Byakugan to tell Tang Ping that Manda had shed its skin and hidden underground.
• Manda’s real body burst from the ground behind Pakura, but her circling fireballs exploded and engulfed the area.

Pakura, Chiyo, and Ebizo cornered Orochimaru and forced him onto the defensive. Orochimaru looked toward Tang Ping and Squad 404 as he sought help, while they fought a Sunagakure squad nearby.

• Pakura survived the blast that wounded Manda, but Orochimaru ambushed her with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands and she escaped with a counterattack.
• Chiyo and Ebizo joined Pakura, surrounding Orochimaru and revealing that the encounter was a trap.
• Chiyo summoned the Chikamatsu Puppet Brigade while Orochimaru unleashed Manda's Serpent Swarm; Pakura engaged the snakes and Ebizo moved to fight Manda.
• Pakura and Chiyo's teamwork put Orochimaru at a disadvantage, so he shifted the battle and searched for an ally.
• Orochimaru spotted Tang Ping leading Squad 404 against a Sunagakure squad, where Yamaa Koji fought the jonin captain and Tang Ping and Hinata Cang Yue faced two chunin.

Tang Ping joined Orochimaru’s battle against Pakura, using Flame Garment and coordinated attacks with Taiyi while Chiyo’s puppets and Ebizo kept Manda pinned with seals. As Pakura pressed him with Scorch Release, Tang Ping unleashed Fire Armor Avatar and began casting his strongest Ninjutsu in his normal state.

• Orochimaru called Tang Ping to hold Pakura back, and Tang Ping warned Yamaa Koji and Hinata Cang Yue to keep their strength concealed.
• Tang Ping used Flame Garment and Rocket Jump to attack Pakura, but Chiyo’s puppets intercepted him until Taiyi’s fire attack drove them away.
• Tang Ping charged Pakura again alongside Orochimaru, but her Scorch Release explosion forced him to abandon his strike.
• Ebizo’s sealing techniques covered Manda in runes while Tang Ping and Pakura continued fighting.
• Tang Ping took a Shuriken hit to buy time, then used Fire Armor Avatar to block Pakura’s incoming Scorch Release and began casting his strongest normal-state Ninjutsu.

Tang Ping fought Pakura to a draw with his improved Zhurong ninjutsu as Sunagakure's main force arrived and Orochimaru ordered a retreat. Tang Ping's strength was proven, but troubling news reached him before he could enjoy his new reputation.

• Tang Ping activated his improved Zhurong and fought off Pakura's Scorch Release attacks without letting them break through his defenses.
• Pakura used Overheating Kill against Tang Ping's Great Serpent Mower, and their flames clashed in a stalemate.
• Orochimaru released Manda from the summoning before the flames could reach him, then ordered the Konoha forces to retreat as Sunagakure's main force arrived.
• Tang Ping joined Hinata Cang Yue and Yamaa Koji and withdrew after exchanging glances with Pakura.
• Tang Ping's performance confirmed that his earlier escape from two Kage-level opponents had come from genuine strength, but bad news arrived before he could celebrate.

After Orochimaru was poisoned by Chiyo, Tang Ping agreed to hold off Sunagakure until Konoha sent reinforcements. With no suitable commander available, Konoha's leaders appointed Tang Ping as temporary commander-in-chief, leaving him to face the advancing Sand forces.

• Orochimaru told Tang Ping that Chiyo had poisoned him and asked him to hold off Sunagakure's pursuit.
• Orochimaru sent intelligence about his condition to Konoha, then vomited up writhing flesh and resolved to find a cure.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other Konoha leaders debated who could replace Orochimaru, but rejected candidates including Shikaku and Tsunade.
• Danzo refused to lead the front himself and proposed that Tang Ping temporarily take over as commander-in-chief.
• Hiruzen approved Danzo's proposal, and Konoha sent Tang Ping his appointment while reinforcements set out.

Tang Ping was appointed temporary commander-in-chief of the Southwest Shinobi Army after Orochimaru received a classified mission, despite Tang Ping’s reluctance. He accepted the post and immediately claimed control of logistics, hoping to profit while preparing to face Sunagakure.

• Orochimaru announced that Tang Ping would temporarily take his place as commander-in-chief, with Mitarashi Shishio and Nara Tabito remaining as deputies.
• Tang Ping objected to the appointment, but Orochimaru praised his potential and confirmed that he would have the commander's full authority until a replacement arrived.
• Tang Ping accepted the post, asked Orochimaru to press the village to send reinforcements, and learned that he had also been promoted to jonin.
• After Orochimaru left, Tang Ping took the commander's seat and told the jonin they only needed to obey his orders.
• Tang Ping declared that he would oversee the Logistics Office as well, then the meeting ended and the jonin departed.