Konoha's gates came into view, its familiar bustle and vitality washing over Team 7. After surviving a life-or-death mission, they felt as though they had been away for a lifetime. Once the ninja in the watchtower confirmed their identities, they respectfully let them through.
"We're finally back!" Naruto took a deep breath and spread his arms dramatically, as if he wanted to embrace the entire village. The movement tugged at the wound on his back, leaving him grimacing in pain again.
"Idiot," Sasuke muttered. But as his gaze swept over the village, a barely perceptible trace of relief flickered in his eyes.
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief as well. At last, she no longer had to spend every moment on edge.
Kakashi had returned to his usual laid-back manner. Scratching his silver hair, he said, "Well, let's all get some proper rest first. But before that... we need to report to Lord Hokage." His gaze lingered briefly on Ling.
The Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his broad desk as always, wisps of smoke curling from his pipe. He listened to Kakashi's concise, objective mission report without showing much emotion. Only when he heard about their encounter with Zabuza Momochi, Haku's Ice Release kekkei genkai, Naruto's severe injuries triggering a leak of Nine-Tails chakra, and Zabuza turning on Gato and killing him did his brow crease slightly and his pipe pause for a moment.
Once Kakashi finished his report, the Third slowly exhaled a smoke ring. "Thank you for your hard work, Kakashi. And you as well, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Ling. The risks of this mission far exceeded our expectations. You did very well, successfully protecting your client and eliminating the threat."
His gaze passed over them, lingering a moment longer on Naruto and Sasuke. "It seems you've all grown considerably. Go to the Medical Corps for a thorough examination first, especially Naruto. Your mission payment and additional rewards will be issued once they've been calculated."
"Yes, Grandpa Hokage!" The moment Naruto heard there would be a reward, he forgot all about his pain.
Sasuke and Sakura also bowed and took their leave.
Ling was about to follow them out when the Third spoke gently. "Ling, stay a moment."
Kakashi glanced at Ling, signaling with his eyes that he had nothing to worry about, then led Naruto and the others out of the office.
The door closed, leaving only the Third and Ling in the office. The atmosphere seemed to shift.
The Third set down his pipe and folded his hands on the desk, his gaze turning deep and appraising. "Ling, Kakashi made special mention of your performance in his report. Calm judgment, excellent control of Water Release, defense and interference at critical moments, even your final reconnaissance of the surrounding area... for a newly graduated genin, it was nothing short of remarkable."
Ling lowered his head slightly, his voice calm. "I only did what I was supposed to, Lord Hokage. Kakashi-sensei taught me well, and cooperation with my teammates was just as important."
"There's no need to be so modest." The Third smiled, though the scrutiny in his eyes did not diminish. "Your Water Release, particularly that defensive technique, seems rather unusual. According to Kakashi's description, both its hardness and its Shape Transformation far surpassed an ordinary Water Formation Wall."
Ling inwardly tensed, knowing this was the real point of the conversation. He had already prepared his explanation. "Yes. That comes from my focused practice in chakra Shape Transformation, and... perhaps a special affinity for water nature chakra inherited from my mother's clan. I call it the 'Pure Water' property. I'm still exploring it."
"Pure Water?" A gleam of interest flashed in the Third's eyes. "The Yuki Clan's Ice Release does indeed stem from taking water nature transformation to its limits. It seems you've inherited that talent. Good. Konoha needs more outstanding ninja. Keep working hard, but remember: growing stronger requires a solid foundation and the right direction."
"Yes. I'll keep your guidance in mind, Lord Hokage," Ling answered respectfully. He knew the Third's words were encouragement, but also a reminder and... a warning. He was hinting that Ling should neither stray down the wrong path nor hide too much.
"Off you go. Get some proper rest." The Third waved a hand and picked up his pipe again, returning to the image of a kindly old man.
Ling bowed and left the Hokage's Office. As the door closed, he could feel that gaze lingering on his back for another moment.
[Hmph, sly old fox.] Tobirama's voice sounded right on cue. [Encouragement on the surface, probing and a warning underneath. He's surely already received intelligence about Gato's wealth from that Anbu, Yugao. He'll think more highly of you, but he'll be more wary too. Still, you answered well, attributing your abilities to your bloodline and your own exploration. You left no trace of me.]
"Did he believe me?"
[Whether he believes you doesn't matter,] Tobirama said coldly. [What he needs is your ability and your loyalty to the village. As long as you don't step out of line, he's happy to see another prodigy in Konoha. As for secrets, what ninja doesn't have a few? So long as that secret doesn't threaten the village, he can tolerate it for now.]
When Ling arrived at the Medical Corps, Naruto was already shouting and protesting as he was held down for further examinations, mainly to check for the effects of the Nine-Tails chakra leak. Sasuke's and Sakura's examinations were much simpler.
Tsunade was away from the village, and the attending physician marveled at Naruto's recovery speed. In the end, he merely instructed Naruto to rest more and get plenty of nutrition. The examination of Sasuke's Sharingan proved somewhat troublesome. Ordinary medical ninja had no way to thoroughly analyze this kekkei genkai. They could only confirm that the eyeballs themselves had suffered no physical damage and recommend regular monitoring.
By the time they left the hospital, dusk was approaching.
"Hey, hey! To celebrate finishing the mission and my recovery, I'm treating everyone to Ichiraku Ramen!" Naruto, the first to regain his energy, made the suggestion loudly while clutching his still-sore backside.
"Hmph. All you ever think about is eating, dead last." Sasuke sounded disdainful, but he did not refuse outright.
"Sure, sounds great!" Sakura immediately agreed.
Kakashi yawned. "Ah... you go ahead. I've got something to do..." Before he had even finished speaking, he vanished in a puff of white smoke.
In the end, all three turned to Ling.
Ling had intended to go home, review what he had gained from the mission, and begin Tobirama's next training regimen. But faced with Naruto's expectant eyes and Sasuke's seemingly indifferent yet sidelong glance, he nodded. "All right."
Ichiraku Ramen was filled with rising steam and mouthwatering aromas. Naruto wolfed down his food while loudly boasting about his heavily embellished "heroic exploits." Sasuke ate quietly, occasionally interjecting a scathing remark. Sakura smiled beside them, now and then looking worriedly from Sasuke to Naruto.
Ling sat to one side, eating his noodles slowly and taking in the bustle and peace. This ordinary companionship was a new and unfamiliar experience for him. Perhaps... it wasn't so bad.
Yet beneath that peace, the undercurrents never stopped.
In the Hokage's Office, the Third studied the preliminary report submitted by the Anbu on the handling of Gato's wealth, his gaze deep. At the end of the report was a note on Ling Hatake's role in the incident: "Method of intelligence acquisition unknown, but results were exceptionally accurate."
In the Root Base, Danzo listened to his subordinate's report, tapping his fingers slowly against the back of his chair. "Ling Hatake... suspected Yuki bloodline... exceptional Water Release talent and tactical value... demonstrated composure and decision-making beyond a genin's level during the Land of Waves mission..." An inscrutable gleam flickered in his lone eye. "It seems we need to reassess his value. Continue observing him and look for an opportunity to make contact."
Far away in Otogakure, in the Land of Rice Fields, a small snake quietly slithered into a dimly lit base and delivered an encrypted intelligence report to its master. The report read simply: "Sasuke Uchiha's Sharingan evolved during the Land of Waves mission. Currently possesses two tomoe in one eye. Companions: Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Naruto Uzumaki, Kakashi Hatake, Sakura Haruno, and... Ling Hatake, whose Water Release performance was exceptionally outstanding."
Orochimaru licked his lips, his golden serpentine eyes brimming with interest. "Hehehe... the Uchiha prodigy... and an unexpected bonus... Konoha really is becoming more and more interesting..."
The turmoil in the Land of Waves had subsided, but beneath the shadows of Konoha's trees, a greater storm was quietly gathering. And Team 7, fresh from its trial by fire, was about to be swept into the heart of this new era's maelstrom.
Before you continue