https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-120-The-Kikyo-Mountain-Orphanage-/12832172/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-122-In-This-World-What-Good-Is-Just-Being-Strong-/12832178/
Chapter 121: Better to Go Crazy Than Strain Yourself!
Chapter 121: Better to Go Crazy Than Strain Yourself!
The Orphanage at the Beginning!
It was that laboratory in the Land of Rivers.
Now, it just had a new name, and it was where Renge and Hyuga Aogetsu were stationed.
In the future, it would become Tang Ping's stronghold.
After Nara Shikaku left with a stack of signed documents, someone else came in.
Naturally, this person had been given special permission to enter without announcement.
Tall and muscular, with a bright, bald head, he looked quite peculiar.
Ninjas were typically a high-attack, low-defense class, akin to assassins.
However, Sanjima Kouji's appearance clearly indicated he was the opposite—high defense, low agility, a solid tank.
Amidst a group of assassins, a tank certainly stood out.
But no one would dare comment on his peculiarity.
In the previous battle, Sanjima Kouji had taken down Sand ninjas with a single punch each, and despite being hit by dozens of shuriken and senbon, he continued fighting with bloodied determination.
His combat style was incredibly fierce.
As a result, not only did no one look down on him because of his appearance, but many even admired him greatly.
"This is for you!"
Tang Ping tossed a scroll to the man.
The Eight Gates!
It was one of the items brought by the messenger ninjas.
Although the Konoha F4 hadn't said much, their silence spoke volumes, and Tang Ping had happily accepted the order.
Otherwise, he would have demanded something in return.
Sanjima Kouji took the scroll and left without a word.
Given their close relationship, there was no need for thanks. He was determined to master this forbidden technique to repay his buddy's help.
"Yakura, Rosha, don't let me down!"
Watching his friend leave, a smile flickered in Tang Ping's eyes.
Though the two had been defeated by him before, it wasn't because they were weak but because the Sage Mode was too powerful, and they lacked information about him.
If they faced off again now:
Even in a one-on-one battle, they would lose, but it would be extremely difficult to kill them.
Thus, Tang Ping was genuinely curious about what this newly formed ninja force would bring to the table.
He could guess what cards they were hiding.
Orochimaru!
It had been over ten days since the poisoning.
If Orochimaru hadn't found a cure by now, he wouldn't be Orochimaru. Even if he couldn't do it himself, wouldn't he go to Tsunade?
He had left, but he wasn't dead.
Yet, there had been no news of him, indicating that the village was deliberately concealing his whereabouts.
It seemed the Konoha leadership planned to use Orochimaru as a hidden ace.
That's why Tang Ping was looking forward to it. Otherwise, a one-sided battle wouldn't be entertaining at all.
A day later!
Yes, it took only a day for the newly formed thousand-strong ninja force to reach Mount Kikyo.
What is 'Konoha speed,' indeed? (Tactical lean back!)
But upon reflection, this speed made sense.
The major ninja clans, all loyal to the Hokage, could be mobilized with a single command.
Moreover, this was a chance to gain benefits, not a suicide mission, so no one was slacking off.
A thousand-strong ninja force, a large number?
Ninjas were a combat profession, always on standby. Most of the time was spent on selection and travel, while assembly and preparation took much less time.
Supplies?
They could be taken directly from the Kikyo Fortress.
This was the base of the Southwest Ninja Force, so supplies were plentiful.
After the destruction of Mount Kikyo, supplies were promptly delivered.
Ninja tools, soldier pills, and more were all available.
Standing on the mountaintop, Tang Ping observed the ninja force below, collecting supplies.
Elite!
They were private forces from the major ninja clans (unregistered ninjas), and the best of the best. Even the lowest-ranked genin had combat strength comparable to civilian chunin.
As mentioned before:
The advantages of the ninja clans far outweighed those of civilian ninjas, so they could easily outclass their peers and even take on higher ranks.
"Good morale. I hope they can live up to their reputation on the battlefield."
Tang Ping's gaze was playful.
The force was indeed elite and, in terms of raw strength, stronger than the Southwest Ninja Force.
Unfortunately, they were all private forces.
This meant they lacked the experience of blood and fire.
Large-scale battles were entirely different from small team skirmishes.
He hoped they could hold their ground.
Facing Sand ninjas with no retreat, who would fight to the death, Tang Ping was honestly not optimistic about this ninja force. Having Orochimaru as a backup was the only reason they had a chance of winning; otherwise, it would be a suicide mission.
"Tang Ping!"
Hyuga Aotsuki's sweet and mischievous voice suddenly rang out behind Tang Ping.
Yes, she had returned from the Land of Rivers.
After the battle at Kikyo Mountain, she had rushed there immediately. Besides tending to Renren, there was another important matter to attend to.
The fetal movement!
The second fetal movement for the Rinnegan had arrived.
After enduring this phase, her strength had significantly increased.
While she hadn't yet reached the Kage level, she could now handle Kage-level opponents much more easily than before.
Even if Yuki and Roshi knew her information, they wouldn't be able to win easily.
This was due to the gap in battle experience.
If both sides had similar combat experience, the odds of her winning in an open fight would be much higher.
"How was it?"
Tang Ping curiously examined Hyuga Aotsuki's eyes.
A flash of blue, deep and mysterious like the ocean, flickered within them.
"Very well... but it feels like something on the moon is calling to me!"
Hyuga Aotsuki looked up at the sky.
Even though it was daytime and the moon was invisible, her gaze seemed to pierce through space and see it.
"It's probably your bloodline seeking completion!"
Tang Ping offered his guess.
The moon was the source of the Rinnegan, tied to the Otsutsuki bloodline.
If she could complete her bloodline, she could quickly skip the fetal movement phase and enter the mature stage.
However, after recalling, Tang Ping remembered that the conflict between the main and branch families on the moon hadn't started yet.
Attacking the moon now would be asking for trouble, so he needed to wait for the right opportunity.
The best chance would be to intercept Shino on his way to meet the 'Byakugan Princess,' which would give her the opportunity to fully complete her bloodline.
"Bloodline, huh!"
Hyuga Aotsuki muttered to herself, then lowered her gaze.
She wasn't the type to chase power, but she needed strength to help Tang Ping, which was why she had been working so hard. This was the true reason for her rapid growth in strength.
As they were chatting, a group led by Nara Shikaku approached.
Here he comes, the fun is about to start!
Tang Ping's lips curled into a smile that was as hard to suppress as an AK's recoil.
Along with Sarutobi Shinno, the group included two men and one woman representing the Tensui, Sarutobi, and Nami clans, who had previously caused him trouble, plus a representative from the Uchiha clan. It was hard not to look forward to this.
The group arrived at the top of the hill where Tang Ping and Hyuga Aotsuki were standing.
"Tang Ping... Commander!"
Sarutobi Shinno looked at the young man before him with some reluctance and ultimately didn't call him 'Lord.'
He wouldn't have hesitated to call him 'Lord' if he were Orochimaru.
But Uchiha Tang Ping!
A boy barely in his teens, it was hard for him to call such a kid 'Lord,' so he simply called him by his position.
But that wasn't incorrect.
In terms of rank, he was also a commander, so it was reasonable not to call him 'Lord' when their positions were equal.
Tang Ping greeted him with a genuine smile.
"Commander Sarutobi Shinno!"
He was genuinely enjoying the discomfort of this second-generation Kage, so the issue of what to call him didn't bother him... not really.
Before the other could respond, Tang Ping's expression turned cold.
"I'm glad you came to see me, but not even a 'Lord' is too much to ask, is it? That's just plain rude!"
Yes, what kind of person are you to be on the same level as me as a commander?
Second-generation Kage... that's settled then!
Even if you have the skills to be a commander, not even a 'Lord' is too much to ask, right? It would make me seem inferior to other Kage-level ninjas.
Tang Ping's thoughts were straightforward and unadorned.
His previous life as a 'programmer' had naturally made him wary of higher-ups and second-generation figures.
In the past, he had to endure for the sake of lying low, but now that was impossible. With the Sage Mode at his disposal, he couldn't directly rebel, but he could still vent his frustrations when needed.
Of course, much of his anger was directed at the man behind Sarutobi Shinno: Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He had just reached an agreement with him, allowing Tang Ping to take the position of commander of the southwestern ninja army to fend off the Sand ninja. But then, he had gone and formed a new ninja army to dilute Tang Ping's power. Did he really think Tang Ping was that generous?
It was only because of the Eight Gates and the need to find orphans through Konoha's channels that Tang Ping had reluctantly agreed to this.
But to come 'pay respects' and not even call him 'Lord' made things difficult for him.
If it was difficult, then it wasn't going to happen.
Rather than make things hard for himself, he might as well go crazy.
Tang Ping put this philosophy into practice perfectly.
(End of Chapter)
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