Time flowed slowly in the stillness of Shikkotsu Forest. Nourished by both Hashirama's life imprint and the Katsuyu Sage's power, Ling's body steadily regained its vitality, like parched earth drinking in a long-awaited rain. His severed meridians began to reconnect, and a faint glow returned to his depleted chakra pathways, but he was still far from being able to gather chakra or perform ninjutsu. He was like a shattered antique porcelain vessel being painstakingly pieced back together-fragile, and in need of time.
After confirming that Ling was out of danger and that the lingering threat of the Space-Time Rune had been eliminated, Tobirama's soul fell dormant once more in the depths of Ling's consciousness, both to conserve his strength and to avoid unnecessary expenditure. Most of the time, Ling's only company in Shikkotsu Forest was a portion of the Katsuyu Sage's consciousness.
Once Ling's condition stabilized, Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi returned to Konoha to take up their respective duties. They occasionally visited through the Reverse Summoning Technique, bringing news from the village and accounts of the outside world. Each visit stirred faint ripples in Ling's quiet heart, filling him with longing to return while making him all the more aware of how slowly he was recovering.
That day, Ling was leaning against a smooth, warm piece of jade, his eyes closed as he sensed the faint but steadily growing current of warmth within him. He tried to guide it through a meridian that remained sluggish and obstructed. Suddenly, he sensed something and opened his eyes.
Almost simultaneously, the air beside him rippled, and Tsunade appeared amid a thin cloud of smoke. Her expression lacked the ease of her usual visits; a trace of gravity and travel-weariness lingered between her brows.
"Lady Tsunade." Ling inclined his head slightly in greeting. His