Illusions in the Mist

"What on earth is going on?"

Nara Shikaku, having just regained consciousness, gasped, while the many captured Konoha ninja around him let out cries of astonishment.

The ropes and explosive tags that had bound them were all undone. They stared in disbelief at the figure standing amidst the thick fog, feeling as though their worldview had been shattered in a way they had never experienced before.

"They... what is happening to them? Isn't that the Fourth Mizukage? And over there, Mist Hidden's Suikazan Fuguki and Biwa Juzo—why are they just standing there, motionless? Have they been caught in a genjutsu?"

In the dense mist, dozens of Mist Hidden ninja stood frozen, their pupils dilated, completely unaware that the hostages had been rescued.

"You really are in a sorry state, Shikaku-san. Now is not the time for surprise. The number of hostages doesn't add up. Look and see who is missing."

Only then did Nara Shikaku snap out of his daze. He hurriedly checked on the safety of the Konoha ninja, his expression turning grim.

"Inuzuka Gaku, Akimichi Torifu... they aren't here. They must have been separated and imprisoned by the Mist in other secret locations. Uchiha Hanazuki, we..."

"This has nothing to do with you, Shikaku-san. From the moment you were captured by the Mist, the duties you held on the battlefield ceased to exist."

At these words, Nara Shikaku fell silent, unable to speak for a long time.

"I see. So even we are considered dead weight now? I understand. Please, you must save our Konoha comrades. I am begging you."

Before Nara Shikaku could even look up, he felt a blur before his eyes, and the damp, unbearable camp suddenly transformed.

The massive gate that came into view was, to his shock, the entrance to Konoha Village.

"This is? The village? We're back? Weren't we at the border of the Land of Water? How did we suddenly..."

"Body Flicker Technique. There is no mistake, this is the Body Flicker Technique. It is Namikaze Minato-sama's Body Flicker Technique. Why does that Uchiha boy know it?"

"Shikaku-sama, who exactly is that child, that ninja from the Uchiha clan?"

Hearing this, everyone instinctively turned their gaze toward Nara Shikaku, their eyes filled with curiosity and amazement.

As the Konoha ninja chattered away, Nara Shikaku straightened his back, thought for a moment, and then gave his answer with a hint of hesitation.

"Uchiha Hanazuki. A genius who can rival Namikaze Minato. He is the youngest Jonin in Konoha right now, and like Minato-sama, he is a brilliant youth who achieved great merit at the Battle of Mount Kikyo."

"Beyond that, I hear he is also a disciple of Orochimaru-sama. The fact that he was able to rush here to rescue us is likely due to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen he killed."

"In short, I cannot see through that boy, nor do I know what else he might be hiding. But as a comrade, he is the kind of person whose presence alone brings peace of mind."

Upon hearing Shikaku's assessment of Uchiha Hanazuki, the Konoha ninja found it hard to believe. After all, Nara Shikaku was the head of the Nara clan and was known as the sharpest mind among Konoha's Jonin.

"Really? Is that brat who looks so arrogant worthy of such high praise from Shikaku-sama?"

"The proof is that we are currently in Konoha Village. To teleport from the border of the Land of Water to the Land of Fire—such a level of space-time ninjutsu is something only Minato could rival in Konoha right now."

"We are the living proof. We have no choice but to trust in his power, in Uchiha Hanazuki's power."

The Konoha ninja looked at one another, ultimately having no choice but to trust Nara Shikaku's judgment.

"So, you have returned? Uchiha Hanazuki's movements are truly swift; he is well-deserving of the name Flash Phantom Moon."

An aged, powerful voice rang out. Everyone turned and bowed in unison.

"Hokage-sama!"

"No need for formalities. I wish to hear your thoughts on this sudden incident and on Uchiha Hanazuki, Shikaku."

As wisps of smoke curled around him, Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his conical hat, his first words filling Nara Shikaku with trepidation.

"I am very sorry. Regarding this failure, I am willing to take full responsibility..."

"No, that is not what I meant. The primary responsibility for this failure does not lie with you. I only wish to know how you all managed to return safely within a mere 48 hours."

Has Uchiha Hanazuki's Body Flicker Technique already surpassed even Minato's? What incredible talent. I cannot allow him to be influenced by Orochimaru's dangerous ideologies any longer...

Having vaguely guessed the truth, Nara Shikaku nodded slightly and turned to follow Sarutobi Hiruzen toward the Hokage's office.

Meanwhile, in a valley near the Land of Bears, the Mist Hidden ninja remained trapped in a dream, unable to break free.

Clad in black robes and carrying the Kusanagi Sword on his back, Hanazuki scanned his surroundings and nodded slightly.

"Sage Art: Illusion Transformation. As long as they breathe in the natural energy within the mist, they will inevitably fall into a hallucination. Ryuchi Cave's Sage Mode is indeed more inclined toward perception and illusion."

Swaggering as if he were in his own backyard, Hanazuki rescued the many trapped Konoha ninja and quickly transported them back to the gates of Konoha.

After confirming there were no omissions, Hanazuki formed hand seals.

"Shadow Clone Technique, dispel."

At the same moment, at the border of the Land of Water, before the Fourth Mizukage.

Hanazuki studied the Fourth Mizukage with his intricate, complex eyes, lost in thought.

He possessed a baby face, yet he already had a son. He was a Jinchuriki, yet he was controlled by the power of the Mangekyo.

He had spent his life trying to govern his village with all his might, only for the final outcome to be the Three-Tails running wild, leaving him unable to even control his own Tailed Beast.

He lived out the rest of his life in a daze, indirectly causing the rebellion of the second generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, leading to their deaths. The fact that the Mist Hidden was able to recuperate for the next decade without forming alliances with other great nations was truly a testament to his unintended contribution.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Since your life is so miserable, let me help you out. You only get one chance, so you had better make the most of it. Kyoka Suigetsu..."

The thin mist gradually dissipated. The Fourth Mizukage, previously lost in a daze, regained his senses and instinctively turned to look behind him.

The Konoha ninja who had been imprisoned by the Mist were gone, and the explosive tags that had been rigged with traps lay scattered across the ground.

"Genjutsu? When did he... Sharingan genjutsu? No, that brat doesn't even have... Could it be!"

Looking around, the Fourth Mizukage's expression turned icy as he swung his blade violently.

"Wind Style: Typhoon Passage!"

A gale swept through, instantly dispersing the thin, illusory mist and rousing the many Mist Hidden ninja who had been blinded by the genjutsu.

"What happened? Didn't I already earn enough merit to be promoted to Jonin and take a wife?"

"Damn it, why? That brat should have been kneeling right before my eyes!"

"Was it genjutsu? We fell into that brat's trap from the very beginning. Flash Phantom Moon, where is that guy?"