"What on earth happened?"
Nara Shikaku woke from his unconsciousness and sucked in a sharp breath. The many captured Konoha Ninja were even more astonished.
The ropes restraining them and the Explosive Tags had all been removed. They stared in disbelief at the figure in the dense fog, feeling as if their entire worldview had been shaken.
"They... What happened to them? Isn't that the Fourth Mizukage? And over there, why are Suikazan of the Mist and Biwa Juzo just standing there, completely motionless? Did they fall under a genjutsu?"
In the thick fog, dozens of Kirigakure Ninja stood perfectly still, their eyes unfocused. They hadn't even noticed that the hostages had been freed.
"You're in a sorry state, Mr. Shikaku. But now's not the time to be surprised. The numbers don't add up—see who's missing."
Only then did Nara Shikaku snap out of it. He hurriedly checked that the other Konoha Ninja were safe, his expression turning grim.
"Inuzuka Gaku, Akimichi Torifu... Those few aren't here. The Mist must have locked them up elsewhere. Uchiha Hanazuki, we..."
"This has nothing to do with you, Mr. Shikaku. The moment the Mist captured you, your duties on the battlefield ceased to be yours."
At those words, Nara Shikaku fell silent, unable to speak for a long while.
"I see. Even we're considered dead weight now? Understood. Please, make sure you rescue our Konoha comrades. I'm counting on you."
Before Nara Shikaku could lift his head, his vision blurred, and the damp, unbearable camp vanished before his eyes.
A huge gate appeared in front of him. Somehow, it had become the gate to Konoha.
"What is this? The village? Are we back? Weren't we at the border of the Land of Water? How did we suddenly...?"
"The Body Flicker Technique! There's no mistaking it. This is the Body Flicker Technique—Lord Namikaze Minato's technique. Why does that Uchiha kid know it?"
"Lord Shikaku, who is that kid? Who is that Uchiha Clan ninja?"
Hearing this, everyone turned to Nara Shikaku, their eyes full of curiosity and amazement.
The Konoha Ninja began chattering among themselves. Nara Shikaku straightened his back and, after a moment's thought, gave his answer hesitantly.
"Uchiha Hanazuki, a prodigy who can rival Namikaze Minato. He's Konoha's youngest Jonin, and, like Lord Minato, a young genius who made a name for himself in the Battle of Kikyo Pass."
"Besides that, I hear he's Lord Orochimaru's student. He probably came to rescue us because of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen whom Uchiha Hanazuki killed."
"In short, I can't see through that boy, and I don't know what else he's hiding. But as a comrade, he's the kind of person whose presence alone puts you at ease."
The Konoha Ninja found Nara Shikaku's assessment of Uchiha Hanazuki hard to believe. After all, Nara Shikaku was the head of the Nara Clan and was reputed to be Konoha's sharpest mind.
"Really? That cocky-looking brat deserves such praise from Lord Shikaku?"
"The proof is that we're standing in Konoha right now. We've been transported from the border of the Land of Water to the Land of Fire. As far as Space-Time Ninjutsu of this caliber goes, only Minato can rival Uchiha Hanazuki in Konoha."
"We're living proof. At this point, all we can do is believe in his power—in Uchiha Hanazuki's power."
The Konoha Ninja exchanged glances, but in the end, they could only trust Nara Shikaku's judgment.
"They're already back? Uchiha Hanazuki moves incredibly fast. No wonder he's called Flash Phantom Moon."
A powerful, aged voice rang out. Everyone turned, then bowed in unison.
"Lord Hokage!"
"No need for formalities. I want to hear your thoughts on this sudden incident, and on Uchiha Hanazuki, Shikaku."
Thin wisps of smoke curled around them. Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his hat, and his opening words made Nara Shikaku uneasy.
"I'm very sorry. I'm willing to take full responsibility for this mistake..."
"No, that's not what I mean. The main responsibility for the mistake doesn't lie with you. I only want to know how you all made it back safely in just 48 hours."
Has Uchiha Hanazuki's Body Flicker Technique already surpassed Minato's? What an extraordinary talent. I can't let Orochimaru's dangerous ideas influence him any longer...
As if he'd guessed the old man's thoughts, Nara Shikaku gave a slight nod, then turned and followed Sarutobi Hiruzen toward the Hokage Building.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
In a valley near the Land of Bears, one Kirigakure Ninja after another was trapped in an Illusion Dream, unable to escape.
Dressed in black and carrying the Kusanagi Sword, Hua Yue scanned the area and nodded slightly.
"Sage Art: Illusion Transformation. As long as they breathe in the Natural Energy in the mist, they'll inevitably fall into an illusion. Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode really does lean more toward perception and illusions."
Walking through the enemy ranks as if he were in an unguarded place, Hua Yue rescued the Konoha Ninja trapped in the genjutsu and quickly transported them to Konoha's gates.
After confirming that no one had been left behind, Hua Yue formed Hand Seals.
"Shadow Clone Technique—Release."
At the same time, at the border of the Land of Water, in front of the Fourth Mizukage...
Hua Yue studied the Fourth Mizukage's intricate eyes and fell into thought.
He had the face of a child, yet already had a son. He was a Jinchuriki, yet controlled by a Mangekyo's ocular power.
He'd devoted his life to governing the village well, only for the Three-Tails to run wild and flee in the end, beyond even his control.
He'd somehow muddled through the last years of his life, indirectly bringing about the rebellion and deaths of the second generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. The Mist's ability to recover over the next decade or so without allying with any other great nation was, in its own way, a tremendous achievement.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Since you've had such a rough time, let me help you out. You only get one chance, so make sure you seize it. Illusion..."
The mist gradually faded. The Fourth Mizukage, who had been lost in confusion, came to his senses and instinctively turned around.
The Konoha Ninja who had been imprisoned by the Mist were gone without a trace. Explosive Tags covered in jutsu traps lay scattered across the ground.
"Genjutsu? When did it happen...? Sharingan genjutsu? No, that kid didn't even have... Could it be!"
He looked around, his expression icy, and swung his weapon.
"Wind Style: Typhoon Passage!"
A fierce wind swept through, scattering the thin illusionary mist in an instant. The Kirigakure Ninja who had been caught in the genjutsu came to.
"What happened? Hadn't I already earned a promotion to Jonin for my service, and married a wife?"
"Damn it, why? That brat should already be kneeling in front of me!"
"Was it a genjutsu? We've been caught in that brat's trap from the start. Flash Phantom Moon—where is he?"