After striking that heart-stopping deal with Uchiha Itachi, Ling returned to the small courtyard. Everything seemed as usual on the surface, but inside, his nerves were tauter than ever. The night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre hung over him like the Sword of Damocles, and he had only hours left.
He needed more manpower and a more meticulous plan. He and Kimimaro alone were nowhere near strong enough to help Itachi carry out the "cleanup" and "evacuation" that night.
Late at night, after confirming that Naruto and Kimimaro were both asleep—or pretending to be—Ling once again connected to the system's anonymous channel. This time, he wasn't content to passively wait for missions to be issued.
"System, screen the current Shinobi World for targets who meet these conditions: they possess special talents or a Kekkei Genkai, are in dire straits or have a great void within them, are easy to guide and recruit, and are located relatively close to the Land of Fire. Exclude core members whose loyalty is firmly rooted in the major shinobi villages."
[Screening in progress... Based on the host's permissions and available intelligence, the following targets are recommended:] [1. Haku (an orphan of the Yuki Clan), located near the border between the Land of Water and the Land of Waves. Possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai. Currently wandering, and longs to find "a reason to exist" and "someone who needs him." Condition: hungry, weak, and shunned by the locals.] [2. Zabuza Momochi (missing-nin), located near the Land of Water. Skilled in the Silent Killing Technique and proficient in Water Release. Condition: on the run after failing to assassinate the Mizukage, short on reliable companions and money, and filled with hatred for the Bloody Mist Village.]
Haku and Zabuza! Ling's eyes lit up. They were indeed a combination brimming with potential. Haku possessed the rare Ice Release and an innate kindness that made him easy to guide, while Zabuza had extensive combat experience and the strength of an elite jonin. Recruiting them together could quickly make up for Dawn Wind's shortcomings in direct combat and special abilities.
He immediately posted a new mission through the anonymous channel. This time, it wasn't a rescue mission but a recruitment mission. The details were sent directly to reputable bounty broker middlemen operating near the Land of Water.
[Mission Type: Recruitment/Guidance.] [Target A: Haku (Yuki Clan orphan). Location: Land of Waves border... Traits... Recruitment method: Provide food and shelter, and promise him that "you are needed."] [Target B: Zabuza Momochi. Location: ... Recruitment method: Provide ample financial support and the possibility of a long-term partnership to bring down the Bloody Mist Village.] [Requirements: Safely guide the targets to the eastern border of the Land of Fire (provide new Flying Thunder God coordinates). Reward: Double the payment of the previous rescue mission.]
His substantial initial funds instantly dwindled by more than half, but Ling considered the investment well worth it. If successful, Dawn Wind would finally have the beginnings of a proper organization.
Having taken care of the recruitment, Ling didn't rest. He had to make sure the plan for the night of the massacre was foolproof. He used the system's simulation function again, this time investing even more of his mental energy.
"System, run the highest-precision simulation of the 'Uchiha Clan Massacre,' based on my deal with Uchiha Itachi. Project every possible complication and the corresponding countermeasures."
[Highest-precision simulation initiated... Consuming 30% of the host's mental energy...] [Scenario loaded: Uchiha Clan Compound, night.] [Simulation begins...] [Branch 1: Plan proceeds smoothly. Uchiha Itachi provides an accurate list; the host uses a large-scale genjutsu scroll (to be obtained in advance) to create confusion; Kimimaro and the newly recruited forces (Haku/Zabuza, if they arrive in time) assist in evacuating non-radical clan members; Itachi eliminates the primary targets... Success rate: 71.3%. Main risk: Uchiha Obito (Masked Man) intervenes.] [Branch 2: Uchiha Itachi changes his mind at the last moment and carries out his original massacre plan. The host must activate the contingency plan, forcibly rescue Uchiha Izumi, and save as many other noncombatants as possible, clashing with Itachi and possibly Obito... Success rate: 28.5%. Risk: Extremely high. The host's identity may be exposed, leading to a complete break with Konoha.] [Branch 3: Danzo detects something amiss, and Root intervenes ahead of time. Root, the Uchiha radicals, Itachi, and the host's forces become embroiled in a chaotic, multi-sided battle... Success rate: 15.1%. Risk: Maximum. The situation spirals completely out of control, and civil war may break out within Konoha.] [Critical missing item identified: Large-scale genjutsu/barrier scroll (to create initial confusion and cover).] [Key figure risk alert: Uchiha Obito (space-time abilities, extremely powerful, motives unknown, greatest variable).]
The heavy drain on his mental energy left Ling dizzy, but he had gained crucial information. The success rate was barely over seventy percent, and Obito was indeed the greatest variable! What's more, he lacked an opening diversion capable of instantly covering the entire Uchiha Clan Compound.
Large-scale genjutsu or barrier scrolls... Such things were extremely rare and usually kept under strict control by the villages. How could he get one in such a short time?
[Ding! A resource shortage has been detected. God-Level Choice triggered!] [Option One: Infiltrate Konoha's Scroll of Seals vault and steal a related forbidden technique scroll. Reward: Forbidden Technique—Mirror Heaven and Earth Reversal (anti-genjutsu). Risk: Extremely high. This would directly violate Konoha's greatest taboo; discovery would mean certain death.] [Option Two: Use the black market to offer a high bounty for the purchase of such a scroll. Reward: Slight increase in black-market merchants' goodwill. Risk: Moderate. The cost would be enormous, and he might be swindled or his information leaked.] [Option Three: Use the Flying Thunder God Technique to raid the secret vault of a noble or wealthy merchant somewhere in the Land of Fire (available intelligence indicates that relevant items are stored there). Reward: Random insight into a chakra nature transformation. Risk: Moderate to high. This could draw scrutiny from civilian powers, and the operation would have to be precise and swift.]
Ling weighed his options quickly. Option one was too reckless, and option two was far too uncertain. Option three... It carried risks too, but with the Flying Thunder God Technique's mobility, his chances of success were relatively high. He could also replenish his desperately low funds.
"I choose option three."
[Choice confirmed. Target information transmitted: Eastern Land of Fire, secret vault in the residence of the daimyo's cousin. It contains the 'Genjutsu: Haze Mirage Scroll' (large-scale genjutsu), as well as a large quantity of gold and silver.]
The target was locked in! A cold glint flashed in Ling's eyes. It was time for the name Dawn Wind to leave its first mark on the Shinobi World, even if that mark remained hidden in the dark.
He looked out at the deep night beyond the window. The final preparations before the night of the massacre had to begin at once. He needed to recover his mental energy as quickly as possible, then go alone to "retrieve" the crucial scroll and funds.
The calm before the storm was the most oppressive. And Ling was ready to stir these stagnant waters himself.
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