The terrifying instant outside Uchiha Itachi's hospital room made Ling truly realize what they were facing. This was no mere energy contamination or mental corruption, but a cunning, ancient entity of malice with a will of his own-the "Sacred Lord." He lurked in the darkness, using Sasuke, his increasingly powerful "vessel," as an anchor and a window through which to silently observe, infiltrate, and perhaps even... exert his influence.
The discovery was so alarming that Ling immediately reported it to Tsunade and Kakashi, who had been urgently recalled. The atmosphere in the Hokage's Office instantly turned ice-cold.
"A will of his own... and he can sense us through the energy connection..." Tsunade's face was grim, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the desk. "In other words, all our tracking and analysis of Sasuke, even your research, Ling, may have been exposed to his scrutiny to some extent?"
"Not entirely." Ling analyzed the situation calmly, struggling to suppress the chill inside him. "My senjutsu chakra seems to have a clear repelling and purifying effect on him. His earlier 'touch' felt more like a probe and a warning, and my senjutsu energy quickly forced him back. He probably can't 'see' us directly or clearly, but he can vaguely sense our research into the Sacred Lord's power and our intent to oppose him. More importantly, he can perceive the outside world more clearly through Sasuke."
He paused, then raised an even graver concern. "And I'm worried this connection goes both ways. The Sacred Lord can observe us through Sasuke, but could he also... use that connection to subtly deepen his corruption and control of Sasuke?"
Kakashi's Sharingan gleamed with concern. "If the Sacred Lord is that intelligent, then letting Sasuke use his power, even 'helping' him grow stronger, is most likely a way to