Ling stood beside the hot spring in Shikkotsu Forest, feeling the power surge through his body. His newly regenerated chakra pathways were broad and resilient, azure senjutsu chakra coursing through them like mighty rivers, far purer and more concentrated than before his injury. Hashirama's life imprint had not only healed his wounds; like a seed, it had elevated the very essence of his power, bringing his affinity with natural energy to unprecedented heights.
He slowly raised a hand without forming hand seals. With a slight shift of his will, countless water molecules in the surrounding air gathered naturally, forming a crystal-clear, fist-sized sphere above his palm. Its interior was far from still. Countless tiny runes flickered into existence and vanished within its azure light, radiating a refreshing purity and tremendous vitality.
"Sage Art: Pure Water Release: Dew of Life." Tobirama's voice held a trace of barely perceptible approval. "This goes beyond shape manipulation. You've incorporated an understanding of life energy and how to guide it. It seems this ordeal wasn't entirely a bad thing for you."
Ling could feel the immense purifying and healing power contained within the seemingly gentle sphere. He softly pushed it toward a nearby luminescent plant that had wilted somewhat under the earlier energy shock. The sphere touched a leaf and silently merged into it. The plant recovered at a visible rate, its leaves unfurling and its glow brightening once more.
"It's not enough." Ling dispersed the sphere, his gaze sharp. "This level is adequate for healing, but to completely purify that deeply rooted corruption, or even confront its source, I need... purifying power with greater penetration and destructive force."
He closed his eyes, and his vast senjutsu chakra began circulating in a different pattern. The surrounding air seemed to cool by several degrees. Dense moisture