Kimimaro's arrival was like a pebble tossed into an already turbulent pond, stirring even deeper ripples.
With Ling's guidance and support from Senjutsu Chakra, Kimimaro did his best to suppress any signs of his Shikotsumyaku. He played the part of a silent, frail, but abnormally obedient orphan. Like a gray shadow, he lived quietly in the small courtyard, helping Ling care for Naruto and handling whatever chores he could manage. The regular examinations by the Medical Team revealed nothing unusual. Thanks to Ling's advance warning and Kimimaro's own discipline, the symptoms of his bloodline disease were kept to a minimum.
The Konoha High Command, especially Shimura Danzō's Root, remained deeply suspicious of Kimimaro. An unknown bloodline ninja had been taken in by one of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. The situation was rife with uncertainty, and tests both overt and covert soon followed.
That afternoon, Ling was leading Kimimaro through the most basic chakra-control exercises—or so it seemed—when a cold, clammy chakra sense filled with scrutiny swept silently across the courtyard, like an invisible touch.
Kimimaro's body tensed at once. A murderous glint flashed in his green eyes, and a bone-white sheen shimmered involuntarily across his fingertips.
"Stay calm." Ling's voice sounded evenly in his mind. A tiny soul-link temporarily formed by the system—one of the minor skills he had developed by now. "It's Root. They're conducting routine surveillance. Don't react."
Kimimaro steadied his breathing and returned to his harmless appearance. The sensing presence lingered over the courtyard for a while, found nothing out of the ordinary, and withdrew like the tide.
Ling's gaze turned cold. He was fed up with this omnipresent watchfulness and probing, and it only strengthened his resolve to build a force of his own as soon as possible. Taking the initiative was always better than passively defending himself.
Night fell. After putting Naruto to sleep, Ling sat alone by the window and sank his awareness into the system.
"System, simulate and analyze the Uchiha Clan's current internal situation and the attitudes of its leading members, especially Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Fugaku."
[Simulation consumes 5% of mental energy]
[Information displayed: The Uchiha Clan Compound. The streets are sparsely populated, and the atmosphere is oppressive. The clan members' faces show resentment, anger, and alienation. In a restricted room at Naka Shrine, Uchiha Fugaku sits at the head of the room, with several hardline elders below him, passionately discussing the village's unfair treatment and the possibility of overthrowing it. Nearby sits the young Uchiha Itachi. Beneath his lowered eyelids lies unfathomable anguish and conflict. His figure seems torn apart by the shadows and sparks of the compound.]
[Key information extracted: The voices of hardliners within the Uchiha Clan have gained the upper hand, and preparations for a coup have entered a critical phase. Uchiha Itachi is on the eve of a final decision. His thoughts are leaning toward "preserving the peace between the village and the clan," and he is in immense pain. The news that Uchiha Shisui is missing—after Danzo ambushed him and stole one of his Kotoamatsukami Sharingan—torments Itachi.]
The panel vanished. Ling felt the mental strain, but the situation was critical. Time was running out faster than he had imagined! The night of the massacre was fast approaching.
He knew this was the most crucial turning point. Saving Uchiha Izumi, changing Uchiha Itachi's fate, and recruiting this elite fighter were essential to the future of Dawn Wind.
But how could he intervene? With his current standing and influence, storming the Uchiha Clan Compound to stop the massacre was pure fantasy. He would be written off as insane—and might even draw Itachi and Obito down on him together. He needed a more precise, more subtle approach.
[Ping! A major story turning point is approaching. God-Level Choice activated!]
[Option One: Anonymously report the Uchiha coup plans to the Third Hokage ahead of time, using Konoha's authority to apply pressure and delay or prevent the massacre. Reward: Anonymous Communication Scroll x1. Risk: High. This may force Danzo and Itachi to act early, causing the situation to spiral completely out of control and making the specific goal of saving anyone impossible to achieve.]
[Option Two: Infiltrate after the massacre and save only the target, Uchiha Izumi, before going into hiding. Reward: Excellent Stealth Technique (Proficient). Risk: Moderate. You may encounter Uchiha Itachi or Uchiha Obito directly, leading to a clash.]
[Option Three: Find a chance to meet Uchiha Itachi alone on the eve of the massacre and test the waters for a "plot" or a deal. Reward: Greatly increased resistance to illusions and the chance to gain Uchiha Itachi's trust early (through a deal). Risk: Extremely high. Uchiha Itachi's mental state is highly unstable, and he might kill you in an instant if the conversation goes badly!]
The risks increased with each option, but so did the potential rewards. Option One was too risky and offered no way to control the outcome precisely. Option Two was safer, but would save only one person and gain him none of Itachi's strength. Option Three was a true gamble. If he won, the rewards would be immense; if he lost, he would be doomed.
Ling's gaze sharpened. How could he succeed if he kept hesitating? He needed Itachi's strength, and he needed to change this tragedy!
"I choose Option Three!"
[Choice confirmed. Host, prepare yourself. The story event 'Eve of the Massacre' is imminent.]
Once he had made his decision, Ling grew calm instead. He began rehearsing every possible scenario and every line of dialogue that might come up when he met Itachi. He had to find the perfect opening—one that would move Itachi while keeping himself safe.
A few days later, at dusk, the setting sun dyed Konoha a deep red. Under the pretext of showing Kimimaro around the village, and with Anbu member Yamada following at a distance, Ling made his way to a secluded riverbank downstream from the Naka River. According to the simulations, this was a place where Uchiha Itachi often came alone to clear his mind when he was especially troubled.
He told Kimimaro to stand guard a little farther away, then waited quietly by the river, apparently admiring the sunset.
After some time, a figure appeared without a sound at the edge of the woods behind him. The figure wore Anbu robes and a mask, but Ling recognized that cold, weary, yet imposing chakra.
"Uchiha Ling." Itachi's voice came through his mask, devoid of emotion. "You lured me here. What do you want?"
Ling turned slowly. His face showed no surprise, and his dark eyes calmly met the fox mask before him.
"Mr. Itachi," he said, cutting straight to the point and revealing that he knew the other man's identity. His tone was casual, yet carried the certainty of someone who saw through everything. "I know you're suffering. Between your clan and the village, between peace and killing, you're carrying a burden beyond anything an ordinary person could imagine."
Itachi's body gave the slightest tremor. Beneath his mask, his gaze sharpened like a blade, and a cold killing intent locked onto Ling in an instant. The very air around them seemed to freeze.
"What are you trying to say?" His voice turned icy.
Faced with killing intent enough to suffocate a jonin, Ling merely furrowed his brow. The Sage Body stirred quietly within him, releasing a calm yet vigorous aura that dispelled much of Itachi's hostility. He continued to look at Itachi evenly.
"I understand Clan Head Fugaku's plans, and I know what Advisor Danzo has ordered." Ling spoke each word with care. Every one struck Itachi's heart like a hammer. "I also understand that you're willing to shoulder any sin and plunge into darkness to protect someone."
Itachi's killing intent seemed to take physical form. His Sharingan had surely activated behind the mask. He stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "Who are you, really?"
"Who I am doesn't matter." Ling met his gaze without backing down. "What matters is that I can offer you a third choice. One that doesn't require you to betray your own clan or stain your hands with the blood of your family—and still lets you protect peace in Konoha and the people you want to protect."
The breeze along the river stopped. The sunset stretched their shadows long across the ground. A conversation that would shape the future—and determine whether they lived or died—began in silence on the riverbank.
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