A month was both a long and a short time to prepare for an exam that would determine their fate.
On the surface, Konoha was peaceful, making preparations for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams finals. Invitations had been sent to the daimyō and nobles of other nations, and the village was decked out with lanterns and decorations, its atmosphere festive. Beneath all the bustle and anticipation, however, cold undercurrents were surging.
Uchiha Ling's life seemed to have settled into a familiar routine. During the day, he still attended the Ninja Academy as a special student, but the lessons had become little more than a formality. He mostly used the academy's training grounds and library to shore up his foundations and study more complex chakra forms and nature transformations. In particular, he focused on deepening his mastery of Wind Release, trying to integrate it more perfectly into his use of Flying Thunder God.
Night was when he truly came alive. Using Flying Thunder God, he traveled frequently between Konoha and Tanzaku Town.
The mood at the Tanzaku Town hideout was serious and tense.
"Have you confirmed Sunagakure and the Sound Ninja's final plans?" Ling asked Uchiha Izumi, who was in charge of gathering intelligence.
Izumi spread several maps covered in complex markings across the table. "Based on the information Haku and Zabuza gathered, we can confirm most of it. Sunagakure's elite forces will blend into the spectators, under Baki's command. The Sound Ninja will mainly lie in wait near the edge of the Forest of Death and several key barrier nodes around the village. Their signal to launch the full assault will likely come when Gaara loses control and One-Tail Shukaku appears."
Ling nodded, his gaze sweeping over the red marks on the map. "The Konoha Crush Plan... So it's happening after all. What's our response?"
Clutching Kubikiribōchō, Zabuza bared his white teeth in a grin. "As you ordered, the surviving Uchiha have been split into three groups. I'll lead one to stand by on the outskirts. Izumi and Haku will lead the other two, blending into the stands and positioning themselves near important village facilities. Once the chaos begins, they'll prioritize protecting noncombatants and eliminating any Sunagakure or Sound Ninja who infiltrate the village. As for that big guy, Shukaku..." He glanced at Kimimaro.
"I'll hold him off and create an opening for you, Lord Ling," Kimimaro said evenly.
Ling considered this for a moment. "That's not enough. Shukaku's power is extraordinary. It's too risky to send you alone. Haku, your Ice Release is especially effective at restricting large targets. Back Kimimaro up. Remember, your mission is to delay and restrain him, not kill him. The real key is Gaara himself, and... the one controlling things from behind the scenes."
He turned to Izumi. "What about Root?"
Izumi's expression grew grave. "Danzo has been unusually active lately, and the Root ninja under his command have been moving around suspiciously. It seems they're secretly preparing something. Our people found them quietly reinforcing some ancient barriers beneath the village, though we don't know why. There are also signs that he may try to target you or the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto, while everything is in chaos."
A cold glint flashed in Ling's eyes. Danzo really hadn't given up. He wanted to profit from the chaos, and might even be planning to recreate the Nine-Tails' rampage, then blame Sunagakure or the Sound Ninja. He could step in afterward to clean up the mess and seize power.
"If he wants to touch Naruto, he'll have to answer to the Kunai in my hand." Ling's voice was icy. "Notify every member of Dawn Wind: if they spot Root making any suspicious moves, especially against Naruto or the Uchiha, they don't need to ask for permission. They can make their own decisions and use any means necessary to fight back!"
"Yes!" everyone answered in unison, their killing intent unmistakable.
With the external arrangements settled, Ling turned his attention back to himself. His greatest gain over the past month hadn't been greater proficiency in ninjutsu, but a stronger fusion with the Nine-Tails Chakra. The clash with Orochimaru and Gaara had pushed him, and after countless days and nights of communication and adjustment, his fusion rate had quietly risen to 12%. He could now draw on that power more steadily and for longer, and his Tailed Beast Cloak had grown more solid.
At the same time, he hadn't stopped exploring the power of the Uchiha. His One-Tomoe Sharingan hadn't evolved, but he had become far more precise in using its abilities to perceive, copy, and cast genjutsu.
That night, as Ling trained in the courtyard, an unexpected visitor quietly arrived: Hatake Kakashi.
"Hey, Ling." Kakashi still seemed as laid-back as ever, but his exposed eye held a hint of scrutiny. "About the Cursed Seal on Sasuke's neck..."
Ling understood. Kakashi had come because of the "gift" Orochimaru had left behind. He didn't hide what he knew, telling Kakashi about the dangers of the Cursed Seal and his suspicions that it was connected to Orochimaru, while leaving out the details of his own direct confrontation with him.
When Kakashi had heard him out, his visible eye sharpened. "So it really was him... It looks like the Chunin Ninja Exams won't be peaceful after all. Ling, you... seem to know a lot."
Ling met his gaze calmly. "I'm just better at observing and thinking than most people, Mr. Kakashi. Naruto, Sasuke, and I all have to do our best to survive in this maelstrom."
Kakashi studied him for a long moment but didn't press further. He simply patted Ling on the shoulder. "Protect yourself and Naruto. The storm ahead may be fierce."
After Kakashi left, Ling stood in the courtyard and looked up at the stars. He could feel the air in Konoha growing almost still, heavy with the oppressive sense that a storm was about to break.
Orochimaru's fangs, Sunagakure's ambition, Danzo's schemes, and the plans he and Dawn Wind had set in motion... Everything would collide in a few days, that afternoon, with a thunderous crash!
The calm before the storm was about to be shattered for good.
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