Pure Yang Release energy quietly nourished Ling's parched, damaged chakra pathways like soothing spring water. For two nights in a row, that special "nurse" had replaced his IV bag with one containing special chakra during the routine late-night shift change.
Ling's recovery accelerated noticeably. Though he still appeared weak, the burning pain and emptiness inside him had diminished by more than half. More importantly, this silent "gift" meant that the secret line of contact had been established, and the other party was continuing to commit resources.
It was time to raise the stakes.
Late on the third night, when the "nurse" silently entered his room again, Ling did not pretend to be sound asleep as he had the previous two times.
The instant she was about to touch the IV bag, Ling's eyes snapped open in the darkness. Keeping his voice low, he said clearly, "Southeast corner. The third floor tile counting down from the top. It's loose."
The "nurse" froze. Her mask concealed her expression, but Ling's Jōgan caught the sudden tension and vigilance in the chakra within her body. She neither turned nor replied. After a few seconds of silence, she finished replacing the IV solution as though nothing had happened, then wheeled the cart away.
There was not a single unnecessary sound throughout the entire process.
Ling's heartbeat quickened slightly. He knew the information had been passed on. Now, all he had to do was wait.
The wait did not last long.
About an hour later, just as Ling thought nothing more would happen that night, the window of his hospital room was silently pushed open a crack. A slender, agile figure slipped into the room like a cat in the night, landing without a sound.
The newcomer wore Anbu attire and a white fox mask with red markings, but her petite build made it clear she was a woman. There were no obvious chakra fluctuations around her. Like a ghost, she had completely evaded the perception of the Root watcher outside the window.
Ling became alert at once, but made no rash move. He simply watched her quietly.
The female Anbu approached his bedside. Her gaze swept sharply over him from behind her mask, and then she extended a gloved hand. In her palm lay the piece of medical bandage bearing his writing.
A cool, brisk female voice sounded softly through the mask, carrying a note of scrutiny that brooked no argument. "Uchiha Ling, you had better be able to prove what you wrote, and... that you're worth the risk I'm taking."
Ling did not answer immediately, first glancing out the window. His Jōgan confirmed that the watcher had made no unusual movements and clearly had not noticed this unexpected visitor's arrival. Tsunade did indeed have capable people under her command.
"I don't have it here. It's hidden somewhere else," Ling said, keeping his voice equally low and his pace steady. "But I can tell you what it is, and... what I obtained from that dead Root member."
The female Anbu said nothing. She merely watched him quietly, waiting for him to continue.
"The mission in Maple Leaf Town centered on a damaged ancient Scroll, suspected to be connected to some kind of powerful mass of negative spiritual energy. It corrupted the local priest's corpse and formed a barrier that drained the residents' lives." Ling revealed part of the truth in concise terms. "Root's appearance was no coincidence. They seemed to know about its existence beforehand. Their objective was to seize the Scroll and... silence the witnesses."
He left out the specific details of how he had detonated the Scroll and awakened his eye, stating only the objective facts.
"As for what that Root member left behind after his death..." Ling paused, watching her reaction. "It was a specially made token. I checked it. It had powerful communication and tracking runes on it, which I've already destroyed. I imagine its design and functions could provide quite a bit of interesting information about Root."
The female Anbu's figure trembled almost imperceptibly. Despite her mask, Ling could sense the shock and gravity in her gaze. A specially made token belonging to a Root member! This was unquestionably crucial physical evidence!
"Where is the token?" A hint of urgency entered her voice.
"Somewhere absolutely safe. Until I can confirm that I'll be able to meet Lord Hokage and receive a guarantee of my safety, I won't hand it over." Ling's manner was calm and firm. "Besides that, I have information about the remnants of that Scroll. It might help Lord Hokage research similar Sealing Jutsu."
He had put forward two bargaining chips: the Root Token as concrete evidence, and the ancient Scroll's remnants as information of potential value.
The female Anbu fell silent for a moment, seemingly assessing the truth and value of Ling's words. The air in the hospital room almost froze.
After a long while, she spoke slowly, lowering her voice further. "Do you know what you're doing? Accusing Danzo and his Root is tantamount to challenging the most powerful man in Konoha right now."
"I know perfectly well." Ling's gaze did not waver. "But I know even better that if I do nothing, my end will probably be worse than dying on a mission. I only want to survive and be treated fairly. I believe the Fifth Hokage, who will soon return, will be willing to uphold the village's order and... its light."
He deftly expressed his position and expectations, while elevating Tsunade to the position of a representative of "light."
The female Anbu gave him another long, searching look. "I'll pass on what you've said," she finally told him. "In the meantime, maintain the status quo. Don't do anything out of the ordinary. We'll contact you again."
With that, she stayed no longer. Her figure flickered, and she melted soundlessly into the darkness outside the window, vanishing just as she had arrived. The window closed gently, as though no one had ever been there.
Ling slowly let out a breath. Cold sweat had already soaked his back. This brief midnight conversation had been no less dangerous than walking a tightrope. But he knew he had succeeded in taking the first step. The information about the Root Token was enough to draw Tsunade's serious attention.
Life in the hospital remained peaceful over the next two days. Yet Ling could sense a subtle change in the atmosphere behind the scenes. The Root watcher outside his window seemed to have adjusted his position, becoming more concealed, but also more impatient? Meanwhile, that special late-night "Yang Release infusion" continued to arrive on schedule, seemingly a silent encouragement and promise.
Finally, on the night before Ling was due to meet the criteria for discharge, the female Anbu returned.
This time, she was concise, bringing him the news he had been hoping for.
"Tomorrow afternoon, during the routine inspection period, Acting Hokage Danzo will leave his office to preside over a brief ceremony at the Memorial Stone." She spoke quickly. "That's your only chance. In the third alley behind the hospital's back entrance, there's an abandoned ninja tool repair shop at the far end. The underground chamber. You'll only have ten minutes."
Ling's heart gave a violent leap! The time, the place, the opportunity-they had given him everything! Tsunade really did act swiftly and decisively!
"Understood." Ling nodded firmly.
"Remember, ten minutes. We won't wait if you're late." The female Anbu left him with those icy words and vanished again.
Ling lay in his hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, his emotions surging. Was it finally coming? A face-to-face meeting with Konoha's Fifth Hokage!
This would be an important turning point in his fate. Would he gain protection, or be drawn into an even deeper vortex?
He took a deep breath. A glassy glow and a trace of scarlet flashed alternately in the depths of his eyes.
Whatever happened, he had to seize those ten minutes!
He closed his eyes and began repeatedly working through every possible situation and every detail that might arise tomorrow. He pushed his Jōgan's abilities to their limit, simulating the meeting, the conversation, and even Tsunade's possible reactions...
The night was still long, and after dawn would come a high-stakes gamble that would determine his future.
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