Sharingan Opens · Azure Dragon Breaks Dawn

The single-tomoe Sharingan slowly spun in Ling's eyes, and the world became utterly different before him.

Orochimaru's every tiny movement was slowed down endlessly, and the flow of chakra was clearly visible. Even Shukaku's raging sandstorm revealed patterned flaws in his eyes.

"So this is the power of the Sharingan..."

Ling felt the warmth coming from his eyes. Under the Sharingan's harmonizing effect, the once-restless curse mark energy actually became docile and controllable.

The frenzy in Orochimaru's eyes nearly spilled over. "A perfect fusion! The resonance between the Sharingan and the curse mark! You are even more suited than Sasuke to become my vessel!"

"Hidden Shadow Many Snakes Hand!"

This time, dozens of giant snakes attacked from every direction, each one containing lethal chakra.

But under the Sharingan's insight, Ling easily found the weakest link in the swarm.

"Lightning Style: Chidori Current!"

He no longer condensed a lightning spear, but let Lightning Style chakra cover his whole body like flowing water. The giant snakes were flung away the instant they touched the lightning, completely unable to get close.

"It's not over yet!"

Orochimaru formed hand signs. "Winding Evil Snake!"

A massive snake-shaped shock wave came howling over, splitting the earth wherever it passed.

Ling's Sharingan precisely caught the core of the jutsu, and his hands rapidly formed signs:

"Water Style: Water Wall!"

A perfectly timed wall of water rose at the critical moment, flawlessly canceling out the snake-shaped impact. This was not an ordinary Water Wall, but the most energy-efficient version cast after prediction with the Sharingan.

"How is that possible!"

Orochimaru's expression finally changed. "He can use the Sharingan to this degree right after awakening it?"

Ling did not answer. His attention had already turned to the approaching Shukaku. In the Sharingan's field of vision, he could see the lonely figure inside Shukaku—Gaara.

"So that's it... this is the breakthrough point."

Ling suddenly changed direction. Instead of tangling with Orochimaru, he charged straight toward Shukaku.

"Trying to run?"

Orochimaru sneered, and the Kusanagi Sword was drawn again.

But this time, Ling had long since been prepared. The Sharingan had predicted all of Orochimaru's movements, and he made an unbelievable turn in midair, just barely avoiding the lethal strike.

"Sage Art: Toad Oil Bullet!"

Jiraiya made his move at just the right moment, and sticky toad oil restricted Orochimaru's movements.

"Go! Leave this to me!"

Jiraiya shouted. Sage Fukasaku on his shoulder had already begun gathering natural energy.

Ling nodded in thanks, and his speed rose again. With the Sharingan's assistance, his movement path became erratic and unpredictable, and Shukaku's sandstorm could not touch him at all.

"Gaara! Can you hear me?"

Ling used chakra to send his voice directly into Shukaku's body. In the Sharingan's vision, he saw the red-haired boy curled up in the core of the sand.

Shukaku's movements suddenly paused, and the sandstorm came to an instant standstill.

"It's working!"

Ling seized the opportunity and used Azure Dragon Break again. But this time, his goal was not to kill or wound. Instead, he precisely shattered the "love" character on Shukaku's forehead.

The armor of sand began to peel away, and Shukaku let out a pained roar. Amid the flying grains of sand, Gaara's figure flickered in and out of view.

"Now!"

Hiashi Hyuga saw the timing and fired Vacuum Palms in succession, striking Shukaku's chakra points with precision.

The Nara Clan's Shadow Possession Jutsu activated again, and Choza Akimichi's Multi-Size Technique provided solid defense. Under everyone's coordination, Shukaku's movements were completely restricted.

Ling landed on top of Shukaku's head, his Sharingan staring straight into Gaara's eyes:

"You are not alone!"

Those words exploded in Gaara's heart like a clap of thunder. The loneliness and pain he had carried all this time found an echo in that moment.

The sandstorm gradually subsided, and Shukaku's figure began to dissipate. When Gaara fell from the cocoon of sand, Temari and Kankuro caught him in time.

"We did it..."

Ling let out a long breath, and the Sharingan slowly faded away. The dizziness brought on by overusing his ocular power left him almost unable to stand.

But the crisis had not yet ended.

A sudden boom came from the direction of the Four Violet Flames Formation. The Third Hokage's figure was sent flying backward, blood dyeing his divine robe red.

"Teacher Sarutobi!"

Jiraiya's eyes nearly split with rage.

Orochimaru took the chance to break free from the entanglement and looked at Ling with a cold sneer:

"Looks like the game isn't over yet..."

In the distance, more Sound ninja and Sand ninja were surging in. And what unsettled Ling the most was that he could sense even stronger enemies approaching.

The crisis in Hidden Leaf Village was far from over.

(End of Chapter 29)