Hidden Sand Calls for Aid, the Mysterious Masked Man Reappears

Inside the Hokage's office, Tsunade placed Hidden Sand Village's urgent request for aid on the desk. Just then, a long-lost system notification suddenly rang out in Ling's mind.

[Ding! Major plot node detected: Kazekage Rescue Mission]

[Special mission issued: rescue Gaara before Shukaku the One-Tail is extracted]

[Mission reward: Sealing Technique: Four Symbols Seal (Improved Version)]

[Failure penalty: randomly strip one acquired ability]

Ling's heart jolted. The system had reactivated at this critical moment, and the mission requirements were even harsher than in the original work.

"The Akatsuki Organization's target is the tailed beasts." Tsunade's voice pulled his attention back to reality. "We must rescue the Kazekage before the One-Tail is extracted."

Kakashi asked in a low voice, "The intelligence shows there are two members of the Akatsuki Organization: Deidara and Sasori."

"According to the intelligence sent by Hidden Sand Village, Deidara specializes in long-range explosions, while Sasori is a puppeteer." Tsunade looked at Ling. "For this mission, I want you to pay special attention to gathering intelligence on the abilities of the Akatsuki Organization's members."

[Ding! Side mission triggered: gather information on the abilities of the Akatsuki Organization's members]

[Mission reward: corresponding rewards will be issued based on the quantity and quality of the gathered intelligence]

Ling silently took note of this side mission. The system's reactivation gave him a bit more confidence in this mission.

***

On the road to the Land of Wind, Ling traveled while organizing the system information. The system, which had been silent for a month, seemed to have reactivated because he had come into contact with the main storyline.

"System, display current status."

[Host: Uchiha Ling]

[Bloodline Limit: Sharingan (Single Tomoe)]

[Special status: Curse Mark (suppressed)]

[Current missions: rescue the Kazekage (main), gather intelligence (side)]

[System energy: 73% (recovering)]

Seeing that the system energy was recovering, Ling let out a breath of relief. It seemed the previous silence had been due to insufficient energy.

When they crossed the border, they encountered an Akatsuki scouting unit. During the battle, Ling deliberately used his Sharingan to record each enemy's fighting style.

[Ding! Combat data from peripheral members of the Akatsuki Organization collected. Reward: chakra recovery speed +5%]

The notification lifted Ling's spirits. It seemed the rewards for side missions were issued immediately.

When they changed course and crossed a canyon, they ran into a barrier blocking the way. As Ling was breaking the barrier, the system gave a key prompt.

[Five Elements Seal variant detected. Recommended cracking method: attack the five nodes—Kan, Li, Dui, Zhen, and Xun—simultaneously]

With the system's assistance, the barrier was quickly broken. But the one who appeared before them was Tobi, wearing a spiral mask.

"Uchiha Ling, we finally meet."

The instant Tobi appeared, the system issued a rapid warning.

[Warning! Space-time ninjutsu fluctuations detected]

[Warning! Target's chakra intensity exceeds detection limit]

[Recommendation: retreat immediately]

Ling was horrified. The system was actually unable to detect Tobi's full strength. This was the first time.

When Tobi used Kamui, the system once again provided critical information.

[Mangekyo Sharingan ability detected: Kamui]

[Ability analysis: space-time ninjutsu; can transfer targets to a different dimension]

[Weakness analysis: the technique requires sustained focus during activation; movement or interference can interrupt it]

It was precisely thanks to this prompt that Ling could accurately find the opening and use Chidori Sharp Spear to interrupt Kamui.

After Tobi left, the system gave a new prompt.

[Successfully repelled powerful enemy. Reward: space-time ninjutsu resistance (beginner)]

[Important intelligence collected: ability data on Obito Uchiha (suspected). Reward: Sharingan experience +100]

Obito Uchiha? Ling's heart shook violently. The system had actually given the masked man's true identity outright?

"Are you all right?" Kakashi asked with concern.

Ling shook his head and suppressed the shock in his heart. "I'm fine. That person just now... was very strong."

"Indeed." Kakashi's expression was grave. "His space-time ninjutsu is unprecedented. It seems the Akatsuki Organization is far more dangerous than we imagined."

As they continued on their way, Ling carefully studied the ability he had just obtained. Although space-time ninjutsu resistance was only beginner level, it already made him more sensitive to spatial fluctuations. And the increase in Sharingan experience made him feel a clear improvement in his ocular power.

[Sharingan experience: 100/1000]

[Hint: accumulating enough experience can upgrade it to the Two-Tomoe Sharingan]

This discovery greatly raised Ling's spirits. If he could upgrade his Sharingan during the mission, he would have an even better chance of rescuing Gaara.

At dusk, they finally arrived at Hidden Sand Village. The scene before them made everyone suck in a cold breath.

The once-magnificent Hidden Sand Village was now riddled everywhere with craters left by explosions. The most conspicuous sight was the huge empty hole above the village, clearly the place where Gaara had fought his final desperate battle.

"We're too late." Kankuro lay on a hospital bed, his voice weak. "Gaara... has already been taken to the Akatsuki's hideout."

Temari added, "According to the intelligence, the Akatsuki's hideout is within the Land of Rivers. But..."

"But what?" Kakashi pressed.

"The exact location of the hideout is hidden by a barrier. Our people can't find it," Temari said through gritted teeth.

Ling immediately asked the system in his mind, "Can you detect the location of the Akatsuki Organization's hideout?"

[Must approach target area before precise scanning can be performed]

[Currently available: approximate direction—50 kilometers southeast]

With the system's guidance, Ling immediately said, "I know the approximate direction. It's about fifty kilometers to the southeast."

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

"How do you know?" Sakura asked in confusion.

"A special sensory ability of the Sharingan." Ling found an excuse. "I can feel powerful chakra fluctuations there."

Kakashi gave Ling a deep look, but did not ask further. "In that case, we move out immediately. We don't have much time."

Under the cover of night, the rescue team set out again. This time, with the system's assistance, Ling had a bit more confidence in completing the mission.

But when he thought that he was about to face Deidara and Sasori, two Kage-level powerhouses, his mood remained heavy. Especially since, although the system had recovered, its energy was only at 73%. Whether it could support him through the entire battle was still unknown.

"System, display the currently available combat support functions."

[Currently available: combat prediction (consumes energy), weakness analysis (consumes energy), chakra optimization (passive)]

[Warning: system will enter dormant state when energy drops below 30%]

Ling calculated silently. He had to use the system functions wisely if he wanted them to have the greatest effect at the critical moment.

The distant mountains were faintly visible under the moonlight. The Akatsuki Organization's hideout was right there. And a brutal battle was waiting for them.

(End of Chapter Thirty-Three)