Kakashi's early return and his pointed warning were like a stone dropped into a still lake, sending ripples through Ling's heart. He was certain that the seemingly lazy Copy Ninja had noticed far more than he let on. The pressure from Sasuke, who had yet to awaken his Sharingan, might be an excuse that worked on most people, but it was nowhere near enough to dispel Kakashi's suspicions entirely.
Over the following days, Ling completely changed his training routine. He drastically cut back on practicing Rending Space and Water Release Shape Transformation in the real world, relying instead on Tobirama's theoretical deductions and simulations within the spiritual space. His physical body devoted itself almost entirely to the contents of the Chunin-Level Chakra Control Scroll Kakashi had given him.
The training methods in the scroll were downright brutal-they required him to control ten slender steel needles with chakra at once, each tracing a different pattern in the air without a single collision; or to spread chakra evenly across the shifting surface of a basin of water and keep it perfectly still, even while the basin was being lightly tapped from below.
These exercises demanded extraordinarily precise chakra control and were mentally exhausting, but their effects were unmistakable. Ling could feel his control over every thread of chakra improving, becoming ever finer and more exact. This even helped him control pure water with greater ease.
More importantly, during this training, his chakra fluctuations were suppressed to the utmost, almost blending into natural energy and becoming difficult for anyone outside to detect.
Hmph. That boy from the Hatake Clan stumbled into giving you exactly what you need right now, Tobirama remarked. This kind of control is the most fundamental foundation for advanced Water Release and Flying Thunder God. Train it to its limit, and your chakra will obey your every thought as naturally as your own limbs. Keep going! Use this opportunity to make your foundations utterly solid.
Ling focused on nothing else. During the day, he attended school and maintained his persona; after class, he immersed himself in this tedious but effective training. The Hatake Residence became unusually "quiet," with not a trace of abnormal chakra fluctuations escaping.
Naturally, this change did not go unnoticed by the watchers.
One evening a few days later, Ling was practicing Still Water Surface in the courtyard, fine beads of sweat gathering at his temples. Kakashi appeared silently on the veranda and leaned against the sliding door. His single eye watched the utterly motionless water in the basin, a barely perceptible flicker of surprise passing through it.
Ling's progress was faster than he had expected. This level of control already far surpassed that of an ordinary Chunin and was even approaching Special Jōnin standards. Talent and "Uchiha pressure" alone could not fully explain such speed. This kind of control required more than talent-it also demanded some form of... exceptionally sophisticated guidance and extremely rigorous self-discipline.
"Chakra is a ninja's source of energy." Kakashi suddenly spoke, his voice as languid as ever, though his words immediately sharpened Ling's attention. "But if you can't control an enormous amount of power precisely, it can hurt you instead, or even expose fatal openings."
Ling stopped training and looked at Kakashi, waiting for him to continue. He knew this was far more than idle conversation.
Kakashi scratched his unruly hair, seemingly considering how to phrase his words. "Hmm... it's like a sharp blade. It can hurt your enemy, but it can also cut you. Some people are born with an extraordinary affinity for that 'blade,' but only the effort they put into honing themselves can determine whether it truly belongs to them in the end, rather than controlling them."
He gave Ling a meaningful look. "You seem to have been rather impatient about sharpening your 'blade' lately. Is it only because of... that boy from the Uchiha Clan?"
Here it comes. Kakashi's probe.
Ling understood. Kakashi must have connected the unusual fluctuations from his recent nighttime training with the control he had displayed during the practical assessment-control beyond anything his peers could comprehend. He suspected that Ling had received some form of "special" guidance or acquired some kind of "dangerous" power. The fact that Sasuke had not yet awakened his Sharingan clearly did not carry enough weight with Kakashi.
Ling remained calm, his explanation already prepared. "That's one reason. Sasuke-kun is very good with shuriken and taijutsu. I can only make up for the difference in speed and strength through better control." He paused, showing just the right hint of a boy's competitive spirit and anxiety. "And... I've heard that the Uchiha Clan has a powerful kekkei genkai called the Sharingan. If he awakens that power before we fight again, my current strength won't be nearly enough. I have to become as strong as I can before then."
He attributed his motivation to his apprehension about the Uchiha's latent power and his own insecurity. This explained why he trained so desperately while also implying that his knowledge of the Sharingan came from something he had "heard," which suited his identity.
Kakashi's single eye narrowed slightly, as though he were judging the truth of Ling's words. The Sharingan... that explanation did touch on some of his own complicated feelings. A child training desperately out of fear of the Uchiha's power sounded perfectly reasonable.
Good, Tobirama commented within the spiritual space. Emphasizing fear of an unknown power, rather than one already displayed, better explains your "excessive" effort. Kakashi himself has complicated feelings about the Sharingan. Those words will make him empathize with you to some extent.
Sure enough, Kakashi fell silent for several seconds, and a little of his languid air faded.
"The Sharingan... is indeed a very powerful ability." His tone was subtle, as though he did not want to dwell on the subject. "But fear itself can also become an obstacle. Controlling your power is important, but controlling your own heart is just as important."
He paused before changing tack. "Your training is heading in the right direction. But control at this level isn't something you can develop overnight. Too much pressure will only backfire. A little... 'relaxation' and steady progress are necessary too."
Ling keenly noticed that when Kakashi said "relaxation" and "steady progress," his gaze seemed to drift casually toward a certain direction beyond the courtyard.
He was reminding Ling that the surveillance was still there and might even have intensified because of his recent "impatience." At the same time, he was hinting that he knew Ling had noticed the surveillance, and that... perhaps he did not entirely approve of it. He believed Ling should build up his strength rather than reveal himself too soon.
It was an exceedingly subtle statement of where he stood.
"I understand, Mr. Kakashi." Ling lowered his head. "I'll be careful about pacing myself."
Kakashi nodded and said nothing more. He vanished as silently as he had appeared.
Ling looked at the basin, where ripples had begun to move across the water again. Its surface reflected the sinking sun and his face.
That brief conversation with Kakashi had been like a silent clash. Neither had spoken openly, yet both had conveyed important information through their words.
Kakashi: I've noticed your abnormalities, and I'm suspicious of you. But I'm also warning you of danger, and to some extent... I'm on your side-or at least not on the watchers' side. I advise you to stay hidden and build up your strength.
Ling: I've sensed the danger-the surveillance and the Uchiha's potential threat-so I'm working hard to become stronger. My actions have a reasonable motive: fear of an unknown power. And I've received your warning.
For the moment, the probe ended in an unspoken understanding.
Ling knew Kakashi's suspicions had not been completely dispelled. This was only a temporary reassurance. Danzo's Root would not give up simply because he had gone quiet for a while, either.
But at least he had established one thing: for now, Kakashi could be regarded as a limited "potential buffer," one he would have to handle carefully.
That was enough.
He sank his awareness into the spiritual space.
Teacher Tobirama, let's continue. Ling's gaze sharpened. I can't stop the training from Mr. Kakashi's scroll, but we have to redouble our work on the advanced theories of Rending Space and Water Release inside the spiritual space!
Under pressure, his desire to train only burned hotter. He knew that true safety could come only from strength beyond anyone else's reach.
The sun sank completely below the horizon, and night enveloped the Hatake Residence. Everything seemed to settle into peace once more. Beneath that peace, however, probing, vigilance, training, and plotting continued in a silent but fierce struggle.
In the distant Hokage's Office, the image in the Third's crystal ball finally settled on Ling training diligently in the courtyard. Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a smoke ring, his gaze unfathomable. No one knew what the old man was thinking at that moment.
Meanwhile, deep inside Root's underground base, Danzo listened to Aburame Ryoma's report, his fingers tapping lightly against the back of his chair.
"The fluctuations... disappeared? He's focusing on basic control training?" His voice was low. "Did he notice, or... did Kakashi say something?"
"We cannot determine that. The target has been extremely restrained lately. His training consists of standard exercises, with no abnormalities. Kakashi Hatake did return home and have a brief conversation with the target. They discussed apprehension about the Uchiha's power and the importance of training his control," Aburame Ryoma answered calmly.
Danzo was silent for a moment.
"Apprehension about the Uchiha? An interesting excuse." He spoke slowly. "Continue the surveillance. There's no need to approach him. Just make sure he never leaves our sight. A seed of genius requires patience while we wait for the moment it breaks through the soil. The more it hides, the greater its value... when it finally reveals itself."
Before you continue