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Carrying the severely injured Gaara, the squad sped through the desert. The Hidden Sand Village's medical team was already waiting at the border, but this stretch of road was still fraught with danger.

"Stay alert." Kakashi's Byakugan swept over their surroundings. "The Akatsuki Organization won't give up this easily."

As Uchiha Ling hurried along, he studied the newly acquired Improved Four Symbols Seal in his mind. This improved sealing technique was far more intricate than the original. Not only could it seal tailed beasts, it could also regulate chakra flow.

[Improved Four Symbols Seal analysis complete]

[Traits: Adjustable sealing strength, possesses chakra purification function]

[Suggestion: Can be used to further suppress the curse mark]

The discovery stirred something in Ling's heart. If he could use the Four Symbols Seal to help suppress the curse mark, perhaps he could control that power even better.

Suddenly, the system's alert sounded.

[Hostile targets detected approaching]

[Coordinates: 200 meters ahead. Number: 5]

Ling immediately raised a hand, signaling them to stop. "There's an ambush up ahead!"

Almost at the same time, the sand in front of them suddenly collapsed, and five members of the Akatsuki Organization burst out from underground. Their outfits were different from the foot soldiers they had encountered before; the black cloaks with red clouds were embroidered with silver trim.

"Akatsuki's elite unit." Kakashi instantly entered combat mode. "Protect Gaara!"

Battle erupted at once. These elite members were far stronger than the enemies from before, and every one of them possessed a unique Bloodline Limit or secret technique.

Ling faced off against a ninja who used Ice Release. In the desert environment, Ice Release's power was greatly reduced, but the opponent's combat experience was extremely seasoned.

[Target analysis: Ice Release ninja]

[Weakness: Strength limited in high-temperature environments]

[Suggestion: Use Fire Release or Lightning Release]

Ling immediately changed tactics, Lightning Release chakra forming an electric net around his body. Sure enough, the instant the Ice Release came into contact with the Lightning Release, it began to melt.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Tiger Tracking Fang!"

Lightning turned into a fierce tiger and pounced at the enemy. But right then, another Akatsuki member suddenly intervened, using Earth Release to block the attack.

"Their coordination is tight." Ling frowned. The teamwork of these elite members was astonishing.

[Abnormal chakra connection detected]

[Chakra sharing exists between targets]

The system's prompt made Ling realize the truth. So these people were sharing chakra and perception through some method. No wonder their coordination was so seamless.

"Teacher Kakashi! They're sharing chakra!" Ling shouted in warning.

Kakashi understood at once. "Attack their connection nodes!"

Within the Sharingan's field of vision, Ling clearly saw those thin lines connecting their chakra. He precisely severed several key connections, and the Akatsuki members' coordination immediately fell into chaos.

"Now!"

Naruto seized the chance and finished off one enemy with a Big Ball Rasengan. Sakura's Monster Strength Fist also knocked down another.

Seeing the situation begin to turn against them, Akatsuki's elite unit suddenly began to retreat. They threw smoke bombs and quickly vanished into the desert.

"Why aren't we chasing them while we've got the advantage?" Naruto asked in confusion.

Kakashi shook his head. "Their retreat was too orderly. It could be a trap."

Sure enough, in the direction where the Akatsuki members had disappeared, a huge barrier suddenly rose.

[Large-scale barrier technique detected]

[Identified: Improved Four Violet Flames Formation]

Ling's expression changed. "It's an improved version of the Four Violet Flames Formation!"

Strangely, however, the barrier did not advance toward them. Instead, it stabilized in the distance. Even more unsettling was that the system detected a familiar chakra.

[Chakra fluctuations of Obito Uchiha (Tobi) detected]

"He's there." Ling pointed toward the center of the barrier.

Tobi, wearing a spiral mask, slowly appeared, but his target did not seem to be battle.

"We meet again, Uchiha Ling." Tobi's voice carried a smile. "This time, I'm only here to deliver a message."

He tossed Ling a scroll. "The Akatsuki Organization formally extends an invitation to you."

Everyone froze.

"What did you say?" Naruto roared angrily.

Tobi ignored Naruto and looked straight at Ling. "Your potential shouldn't be shackled by the Hidden Leaf Village. Join us, and you can obtain true power."

Ling sneered. "Like what you did to Sasuke?"

"Sasuke is only a backup plan." Tobi spoke with deep implication. "You are the one we value most."

Kakashi stood in front of Ling. "Don't listen to his temptation."

"Don't worry, I won't demand an answer right now." Tobi's figure began to turn transparent. "Think it over. The next time we meet, I hope to hear good news."

As the spatial vortex disappeared, the Four Violet Flames Formation was also dispelled at the same time. All that remained in the desert was the scroll left behind by the Akatsuki Organization.

"What is this?" Sakura looked warily at the scroll on the ground.

Only after Ling carefully checked it with chakra did he cautiously open the scroll. The contents inside shocked him.

The scroll recorded in detail the Akatsuki Organization's observation report on Ling, including his awakening of the Sharingan, his mastery of Lightning Release nature transformation, and even the state of the curse mark inside his body. All of it had been recorded accurately.

"They've been monitoring you this whole time." Kakashi's face was grave.

Even more unsettling was that a special technique formula had been attached to the end of the scroll.

[Summoning contract formula detected]

[Effect: Can establish one-way contact with the Akatsuki Organization]

[Suggestion: Destroy immediately]

Without hesitation, Ling used Lightning Release to burn the scroll to ash.

[Ding! Hidden mission complete: Reject the Akatsuki Organization's invitation]

[Mission reward: Mangekyo Sharingan evolution progress +5%]

[Current evolution progress: 15%]

This unexpected reward jolted Ling's heart. So rejecting the Akatsuki Organization's invitation could also grant evolution progress.

On the way back to the Hidden Leaf Village, Ling began trying to use the newly acquired Four Symbols Seal. He found that with the system's assistance, this sealing technique could indeed suppress the curse mark more effectively.

[Four Symbols Seal operating normally]

[Curse mark suppression effect increased by 20%]

[Upper limit of usable curse mark power increased]

The discovery filled Ling with delight. Now he could draw on more of the curse mark's power without losing his rationality.

After returning to the Hidden Leaf Village, Ling immediately went to the Hokage's office to report the mission. After listening to the report, Tsunade's expression became unusually serious.

"The Akatsuki Organization actually values you this much..." She pondered for a moment. "Starting today, you'll receive priority protection from the Anbu."

Ling shook his head. "That would only alert the enemy. I think we should keep things as they are."

After thinking it over, Tsunade nodded in agreement. "You're right. But you must act carefully during this period."

That night, Ling went to the training ground alone. With the system's assistance, he began trying to combine the Four Symbols Seal with Lightning Release.

[Innovative ninjutsu development detected]

[Suggestion: Combine the Four Symbols Seal with Chidori]

[New technique named: Lightning Release: Sealing Chidori]

Following the system's prompt, Ling integrated the Four Symbols Seal's technique formula into Chidori. Sealing runes began to emerge within the lightning, and its power clearly increased.

[New ninjutsu development successful]

[Lightning Release: Sealing Chidori: Combines piercing power with sealing effects]

[Reward: Ninjutsu development experience +1000]

Just as Ling was preparing to continue training, the system suddenly issued a special prompt.

[Special event detected: Countdown to Sasuke's defection]

[Time remaining: 23 days]

[Hidden mission triggered: Stop Sasuke's defection]

[Mission reward: Uchiha Clan Compound Reconstruction Blueprint]

Ling's pupils suddenly contracted. Was Sasuke still going to walk the path of defection?

It seemed he had to take action within these 23 days.

(The end of Chapter Thirty-Five)