Orochimaru's night raid was like a boulder thrown into Konoha's tranquil lake, sending up countless waves.
The next day, the atmosphere in the Hokage's office was unbearably grim. Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the report presented by the Anbu, his face livid. The traces of Nine-Tails Chakra left at the scene, the sinister scent of snakes, and the substitution log that had been corroded all pointed to one person: one of the disciples he had once been proudest of—Orochimaru!
"He actually dared to sneak into the village and go straight after a Jinchūriki!" The Third Hokage's voice was full of fury and anguish. Orochimaru's audacity had exceeded his expectations. What unsettled him even more was that Uchiha Ling had managed to drive Orochimaru back. Though he had relied on the Nine-Tails' power, the strength he had displayed, his devotion, and his elusive Flying Thunder God Technique had all raised the Hokage's assessment of the boy once again.
He summoned Ling at once.
"Ling, you know what happened last night, right?" The Third Hokage tried to keep his tone calm.
Ling nodded, wearing just the right amount of "fear" and "exhaustion" on his face. "Yes, Grandpa Hokage. A terrifying man suddenly appeared and tried to take Naruto away. In my panic, I don't know how, but I used that red power. Then he left."
He simplified the incident into an instinctive reaction in a moment of crisis, doing his best to disguise the fact that he had deliberately controlled and used the Nine-Tails Chakra to attack.
The Third Hokage looked at him deeply but didn't press further. He knew Ling was hiding something, but dealing with the threat Orochimaru posed was more important for now. "You did well. You protected Naruto and yourself. That man is Orochimaru, an S-rank rogue ninja wanted by Konoha. He's extremely dangerous. From now on, security for you and Naruto will be raised to the highest level."
He paused, his tone turning serious. "Also, about your use of the Flying Thunder God Technique—"
Ling's heart tightened. He understood that this was the real point.
"The Flying Thunder God is a Space-Time Ninjutsu that the Second and Fourth Hokage were renowned for. It's extraordinarily difficult to master and involves the village's core tactics," the Third Hokage said slowly. "Where did you learn it? Of course, if you don't want to say, I won't force you. But I hope you understand that great power must be matched by the corresponding responsibility and restraint."
Ling had already prepared his explanation. He lifted his head, his gaze "honest." "It happened by chance. While I was training in the forest outside the village, I found a damaged scroll. It recorded some incomplete knowledge about spatial markings and movement. I practiced on my own and didn't expect it to work, but I've only learned the most basic parts." He blamed it all on a "chance encounter" and "talent," explaining where he had learned it while making himself seem less capable.
The Third Hokage studied him as if judging whether his words were true, then sighed. "If it was a stroke of fortune, then it was your good fortune. But the Flying Thunder God Technique is of great importance. From now on, unless necessary, try not to use it casually inside the village, lest you cause needless panic and attract unwanted attention."
"I understand, Grandpa Hokage," Ling replied respectfully. He knew the Third Hokage had accepted that he possessed the Flying Thunder God, but had also drawn a line he must not cross.
After leaving the Hokage's office, Ling returned to the small courtyard. A new, more elite Anbu detail had already taken up position, practically turning the courtyard into an iron fortress. Ling could sense that sensory ninja from the Yamanaka Clan and the Hyuga Clan were among them.
Rather than simply guarding against external threats, this level of "protection" felt more like a deeper form of surveillance and control. Ling sneered inwardly but kept his expression impassive.
He used the Flying Thunder God to slip away to Tanzaku Town, where he informed the Dawn Wind members of the news that Orochimaru might be taking an interest in them. He once again stressed the importance of lying low.
"Orochimaru..." A strange glint flashed in Kimimaro's eyes. He seemed to remember that name, and that it might have something to do with his past.
"Don't worry," Ling reassured him. "Right now, his main targets are me and Konoha. As long as we don't expose ourselves, he won't spend too much effort looking for us just yet. Use this time to keep getting stronger."
After taking care of things outside the village, Ling turned his focus back to himself. His brief clash with Orochimaru had made him clearly aware of the gap between himself and a true Kage Level fighter. If not for the Flying Thunder God's unpredictability and the Nine-Tails Chakra catching Orochimaru off guard, he could never have driven him back.
"System, show me my detailed status."
[Host: Uchiha Ling] [Age: 6] [Bloodline: Uchiha (One-Tomoe Sharingan), Sage Body (Beginner)] [Chakra Nature: Fire, Wind, Yang, Water (Trace), Lightning (Weak)] [Core Abilities: Nine-Tails Chakra Form (Can grow, current synchronization: 7%), Flying Thunder God Technique (Incomplete)] [Special Status: Eight Trigrams Seal (Half of the Nine-Tails), Absolute Bond with Uzumaki Naruto]
His synchronization had risen to 7%. So danger really could spur his growth. But it still wasn't enough!
He began training in a more systematic way. During the day at the Ninja Academy, he was no longer content with simply outshining others in theory. Instead, he selectively "consulted" his instructors about advanced chakra shape transformation, nature transformation and fusion, and Sealing Jutsu, further expanding his theoretical knowledge. At night, he trained his Taijutsu hard within the courtyard barrier, practiced the Flying Thunder God, and tried to communicate with the Nine-Tails Chakra on a deeper level, while taking care to stay safe.
He knew that simply lying low and defending himself wouldn't solve the problem. He needed a bigger stage, an opportunity for him and Dawn Wind to truly make a name for themselves—and a chance to escape the current situation of being "protected" to excess.
That opportunity came soon enough.
Several months later, during a routine report to the Third Hokage on his "studies," the Third Hokage casually remarked:
"Ling, your strength and maturity far exceed those of children your age. Keeping you cooped up at the academy may be a waste. The village is preparing for the next Chunin Ninja Exams. Although they're mainly for Genin, perhaps you could participate as a special observer or an unofficial entrant. You'd get to see what ninja from other countries are like. What do you think?"
The Chunin Exams!
Ling's heart gave a sudden leap. He knew that, according to the original timeline, this would be the beginning of the Konoha Crush Plan and a major turning point in the story! Though events seemed to have come earlier because of his involvement, what was destined to happen would happen in the end.
This was a crisis, but also a tremendous opportunity! There was so much he could do amid the chaos: protect Naruto, defeat Orochimaru, show off his strength, and even reap some benefits!
He suppressed the turmoil inside him and put on an appropriately "curious" and "eager" expression. "The Chunin Exams? That sounds interesting. Thank you for giving me this chance, Grandpa Hokage. I'll watch and learn carefully."
Leaving the Hokage's office, Ling looked up at the brilliant blue sky, the corners of his mouth curling into a cold smile.
The storm was coming, and he was ready to ride the waves.
The Chunin Exams would be the prologue to his and Dawn Wind's official debut on the Shinobi World stage!
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