Undercurrents Stirring: The Shadow of Akatsuki

Hidden Leaf Village's reconstruction proceeded in an orderly fashion under Tsunade's command. However, beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were stirring.

Early one morning a week later, Ling ran into Kakashi at the training ground. The silver-haired Jonin was leaning against a tree with Make-Out Paradise in his hands, but Ling could tell his attention was not on the book at all.

"Teacher Kakashi."

Kakashi closed the book, his lone eye sizing Ling up. "I hear you awakened the Sharingan."

Ling nodded, and a single tomoe instantly appeared in his left eye.

"Very good control," Kakashi said calmly. "But the Sharingan is both power and a curse. Relying on it too much will make you lose yourself."

"I understand." Ling withdrew the Sharingan. "I'm learning how to balance this power."

Kakashi was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "How much do you know about the Akatsuki Organization?"

Ling's heart tightened. "Only that they're an organization made up of S-rank rogue ninja, and their goal is to collect the tailed beasts."

"Looks like Lady Tsunade already told you." Kakashi looked toward the distant Hokage Rock. "Recently, traces of Akatsuki Organization members have appeared all over. Hidden Sand Village's One-Tail and Hidden Cloud Village's Two-Tails have both already been targeted by them."

Ling thought of the events in the original story, and a sense of urgency rose in his heart. "We need to prepare in advance."

"Exactly." Kakashi nodded. "So starting today, I'll be giving you special training."

***

The special training took place deep inside the Forest of Death.

"The Sharingan's greatest advantages lie in insight and copying." Kakashi demonstrated a hand-seal sequence. "But more importantly, it can see through the flow of chakra."

Ling observed with total focus. In the Sharingan's vision, the flow of Kakashi's chakra was clearly visible.

"Now, try copying this jutsu."

Kakashi finished forming seals, and a flash of lightning streaked out.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Tiger Tracking Fang!"

Lightning-nature chakra transformed into the shape of a fierce tiger and rampaged through the forest.

Ling took a deep breath, his Sharingan spinning rapidly. He precisely copied Kakashi's hand-seal sequence and chakra flow.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Tiger Tracking Fang!"

Although its power was not equal to Kakashi's, the form was already quite complete.

"Not bad." Kakashi gave him rare praise. "But..."

He suddenly appeared behind Ling, a kunai pressed against his back.

"The Sharingan also has blind spots. Relying too much on sight will make you neglect your other senses."

Cold sweat poured down Ling's back. Even in the Sharingan's vision, he had completely failed to notice Kakashi's movement.

"Next, you have to learn to switch between vision and perception during battle."

Kakashi's training was exceptionally harsh. For an entire day, Ling hovered on the edge of life and death. But the gains were also enormous; he became more and more skilled at using the Sharingan.

***

At dusk, an unexpected visitor arrived at the training ground.

"Uchiha Ling."

Ling turned his head and saw Sasuke standing at the edge of the woods. After not seeing him for a month, his aura had become even colder and darker.

"I'm leaving," Sasuke said bluntly.

Kakashi sighed. "So you decided after all?"

Sasuke did not answer. Instead, he looked at Ling. "Before I leave, I want to have a serious fight with you."

Ling could feel the fighting intent in Sasuke's eyes. This was not a spar, but a real duel.

"Fine."

The two stood facing each other, with Kakashi acting as referee.

"Begin!"

Sasuke made the first move, the cry of Chidori tearing through the air. His speed was more than twice as fast as during the preliminaries.

Ling activated his Sharingan and barely dodged the attack. The lightning brushed past his cheek, leaving a streak of blood behind.

"Is this all you've got?" Sasuke sneered. "Looks like the Sharingan is truly wasted on you."

Ling did not respond, focusing completely on observing Sasuke's movements. In the Sharingan's vision, he could see that ominous chakra inside Sasuke's body—that was the power of the curse mark.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Cutter!"

Sasuke went all out, his speed rising again. This time, Ling did not choose to dodge.

"Lightning Release: Azure Dragon Break!"

The two surges of lightning-nature chakra collided violently, and blinding light illuminated the entire forest. In the instant the lightning clashed, Ling saw the madness in Sasuke's eyes.

"Why..." Sasuke panted. "Why are you stopping me from gaining power?"

"Because this isn't the right path!" Ling shouted back. "If you're ruled by power, you'll only lose yourself in the end!"

A trace of wavering flashed through Sasuke's eyes, but it was quickly drowned by an even deeper darkness.

"You don't understand anything!"

Black curse-mark patterns began spreading across his body. Just as the battle was about to escalate, Kakashi appeared between the two of them.

"That's enough."

Kakashi's Sharingan stared straight at Sasuke. "Choosing to leave is your freedom, but don't forget, you are still a ninja of Hidden Leaf Village."

Sasuke gave a cold snort, turned, and left. In the night, his back looked especially lonely.

"You're just letting him go like this?" Ling asked.

Kakashi looked in the direction where Sasuke had disappeared. "Everyone has a path they must walk. All we can do is believe he will eventually find the right direction."

But Ling knew that at the end of this path would be the tragedy of brothers killing each other. And he had to stop that ending.

***

Early the next morning, Ling was urgently summoned to the Hokage's office.

Tsunade's expression was exceptionally grave. "We just received intelligence. The Akatsuki Organization has officially made a move against the One-Tail's jinchuriki."

She pushed an intelligence scroll in front of Ling. "Hidden Sand Village is asking for help. We need to organize a support unit immediately."

Ling looked at the contents of the scroll, his heart shaking. The wheels of history were accelerating forward.

"For this mission, I want you to go with them."

Tsunade looked straight into Ling's eyes. "It's time for you to see just how cruel the real ninja world is."

(Chapter Thirty-Two, End)