The Shadow of the Root and the First Cry of the Dawn Wind

The spatial tremors of the Flying Thunder God Technique subsided within the small courtyard room, and the figures of Ling and Kaguya Kimimaro appeared quietly. Naruto was still fast asleep, his steady, rhythmic breathing the only background noise in the room.

Having experienced space-time teleportation for the first time, Kaguya Kimimaro's complexion was deathly pale and his body trembled slightly. However, he steadied himself immediately. His cyan eyes swept across the unfamiliar environment with lightning speed before finally freezing on Ling, filled with unreserved loyalty and a desperate longing for orders.

Ling quickly sensed the outside world. The demeanor of Yamada, who was keeping watch, remained calm as he stayed in the front yard, seemingly unaware of anything unusual. The stealth of the Flying Thunder God Technique exceeded his expectations; this was undoubtedly an excellent trump card.

But how should he settle Kaguya Kimimaro?

A living, breathing person—especially a youth with striking silver hair and a Kekkei Genkai—appearing out of thin air in a courtyard under such close surveillance was problematic.

[Ding! Detected that the host is facing early-stage difficulties in building a force. Initiating God-Level Choice!]

[Option 1: Use the Flying Thunder God Technique again to temporarily place Kaguya Kimimaro somewhere outside the village. Reward: Basic Breath Concealment Technique. Risk: Medium. Frequent spatial turbulence may alert sensory ninjas; the outpost outside the village will require increased security.]

[Option 2: Use the Sharingan to cast a genjutsu on the guard, Yamada, making him turn a blind eye to Kaguya Kimimaro's existence. Reward: Genjutsu: Haze Servant Technique. Risk: High. Permanent spell manipulation is easily detected by the Yamanaka clan or elite Jonin.]

[Option 3: Proactively "confess" part of the truth to the Third Hokage, claiming that Kaguya Kimimaro is a parentless migrant he happened to save, and apply for his admission. Reward: Slight increase in the Third Hokage's favor; capture an original "reasonable" cover. Risk: Low, but requires accepting more precise environmental investigations, and Kaguya Kimimaro will be exposed to the public eye.]

Ling analyzed the situation rapidly. Option 1 was a stopgap measure. Option 2 was too dangerous, like walking a tightrope. Option 3 seemed to expose Kaguya Kimimaro, but given his current persona—"precocious, kind-hearted, and possessive"—saving a stray child was perfectly reasonable. The key lay in how to make the Third Hokage believe him and be willing to make an exception.

"I choose Option 3."

[Selection confirmed. Reward will be issued upon completion of the task.]

With his decision made, Ling looked at Kaguya Kimimaro and whispered, "This is my residence and a temporary sanctuary. There are watchers outside. From now on, you need to act out a scene with me."

Kaguya Kimimaro agreed without hesitation: "Yes, Master."

Ling quickly briefed him on the narrative and told him to sheathe his edge, appearing instead like a suffering, taciturn castaway.

The next morning, Ling carried Naruto, followed by Kaguya Kimimaro, who kept his head bowed and deliberately made himself appear thin and pathetic. They walked straight toward Yamada, who was pruning flowers in the front yard.

Yamada sensed the unfamiliar presence almost instantly. He spun around, a kunai appearing in his hand subconsciously, his gaze sharp as a falcon as it locked onto Kaguya Kimimaro.

"Ling! Who is he?!" Yamada's voice carried an unquestionable tone of interrogation. Under his thorough watch, a stranger had actually managed to sneak in; this was a serious dereliction of duty!

Ling wore a timely expression of "anxiety" and "pleading": "Uncle Yamada, I'm sorry. I found him behind the courtyard last night. He seemed to be badly injured, hungry, and cold, so I brought him in. His name is Kaguya Kimimaro, and he's a homeless orphan."

Yamada frowned, his gaze sweeping over Kaguya Kimimaro like a blade. The white hair, the strange cyan pupils, the pale skin, and the unhealed scars and faint shackle marks on his body—everything about him was unusual. He instinctively felt this youth was not simple.

"An orphan?" Yamada sneered. "Ling, you are young and perhaps don't understand. Some people are not as helpless as they appear. I need to take this person away!"

He stepped forward, reaching out to grab Kaguya Kimimaro. Kaguya Kimimaro's body tensed instantly; although he followed Ling's instructions, a flash of cold killing intent flickered deep in his eyes.

"No!" Ling blocked Kaguya Kimimaro, his voice firm. "Uncle Yamada, he is just a pathetic person! If you want to take him away, then take me to see Grandpa Hokage as well! I want to tell Grandpa Hokage myself!"

He brought up the Third Hokage. He knew that Yamada, acting as direct Anbu (likely belonging to "Root"), would not dare to use force against him, the Jinchuriki, without explicit orders.

Yamada's movements stalled, his expression dim and uncertain. He had indeed received orders to monitor and protect, but how to handle sudden situations, especially those involving the wishes of another Jinchuriki, was unclear.

As they reached a stalemate, an aged voice shattered the silence.

"What is going on?"

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, appeared at the courtyard entrance, likely drawn by the commotion. His gaze swept over Ling and Naruto before finally landing on Kaguya Kimimaro, his eyes turning profound.

"Lord Hiruzen!" Yamada bowed immediately and quickly stated the situation.

The Third walked up to Kaguya Kimimaro and asked gently, "Child, what is your name? Where are you from?"

Following Ling's prior instructions, Kaguya Kimimaro kept his head down and replied in a hoarse, intermittent voice: "I only know my name is Kaguya Kimimaro. I don't remember anything else. I have been wandering."

The Third reached out and pressed his hand gently on the top of Kaguya Kimimaro's head, a gentle flow of chakra pouring in. He immediately realized the bone structure in Kaguya Kimimaro's body, which was vastly different from an ordinary person, and the latent, destructive Kekkei Genkai breathing within! At the same time, he felt the exhaustion of Kaguya Kimimaro's body and the confusion buried deep in his bones.

Kekkei Genkai ninja, a wandering child, sheltered by Ling.

The Third withdrew his hand and pondered for a moment. He looked at the stubborn Ling, who was shielding Kaguya Kimimaro, then at the oblivious Naruto in his arms, and finally, his gaze settled on the void in Kaguya Kimimaro that belied his age.

A youth with a Kekkei Genkai, helpless and alone, saved by Ling—a treasure who was already special—and showing such strong protective instincts. If he forced them apart, it might incite Ling's resistance, which would be detrimental to stabilizing the Jinchuriki. Keeping this Kekkei Genkai youth in the open under surveillance might be safer than letting him wander and be secretly snatched up by other factions (like Danzo).

"Sigh." The Third sighed, as if making a difficult decision. "Since you saved him, then let him stay for now, Ling."

"Really? Thank you, Grandpa Hokage!" Ling's face showed an expression of "unexpected gain."

"However," the Third's tone shifted, becoming stern. "His status must be verified further. Yamada, strengthen the surveillance here—no, the protection. Additionally, I will arrange for the medical team to come and examine this child's body regularly."

"Yes, Hokage." Yamada bowed in agreement, his eyes flickering, unsure of what he was thinking.

[Ding! Task completed. Reward issued: Slight increase in the Third Hokage's favor; obtained an initial "reasonable" cover.]

The target task was complete. Kaguya Kimimaro was allowed to stay, and although it meant stricter surveillance, it was also a form of protection.

The Third gave a few more instructions before leaving with Yamada. Only Ling, Naruto, and Kaguya Kimimaro remained in the courtyard.

"Safe for now," Ling said to Kaguya Kimimaro. "But from now on, you must hide yourself better and get used to living here."

Kaguya Kimimaro knelt on one knee: "Yes. My life and my will are yours to command."

Ling helped him up and looked out of the courtyard, as if he could pierce through the walls to see those gazes hidden in the shadows.

"Dawn wind," he muttered softly. "The first wing is already in place. Next, it is time to seek the next one."

In the shadows, a report regarding "a youth with a vague Kekkei Genkai appearing by Uchiha Ling's side" was traveling through special channels toward the depths of Konoha, into the hands of an old man wrapped in bandages.