"What on earth happened?"
Nara Shikaku sucked in a sharp breath as he awoke from unconsciousness. 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 figures in the thick mist, feeling as though everything they knew had been turned upside down.
"They... What's going on? Isn't that the Fourth Mizukage? And over there—why are Suikazan the Pufferfish and Biwa Juzo just standing there without moving? Did they fall under a genjutsu?"
Dozens of Kirigakure Ninja stood motionless in the dense fog, their pupils unfocused. They didn't even notice the hostages being freed.
"You're in a sorry state, Shikaku. Now's not the time to be surprised. The number of hostages doesn't add up. Check who's missing."
Only then did Nara Shikaku come to his senses. He hurriedly checked that the Konoha Ninja were safe, his expression turning grim.
"Inuzuka Gaku, Akimichi Torifu... They're not here. The Mist must have imprisoned them in separate, secret locations. Uchiha Hanazuki, we..."
"This has nothing to do with you, Shikaku. The moment the Mist captured you, the duties you'd been carrying out on the battlefield ceased to matter."
Nara Shikaku fell silent at those words, unable to speak for a long while.
"I see. So even we're considered dead weight now? Understood. Please, make sure you save our comrades from Konoha. I'm counting on you."
Before Nara Shikaku could look up, his vision blurred. The damp, miserable camp had suddenly changed.
The enormous gate before them had become Konoha's entrance.
"What is this? The village? We're back? Weren't we at the border of the Land of Water? How did we suddenly...?"
"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 shinobi from the Uchiha Clan?"
At that, everyone turned to Nara Shikaku, their eyes full of curiosity and surprise.
The Konoha Ninja murmured among themselves. Nara Shikaku straightened his back, thought for a moment, then gave them his answer, though not without hesitation.
"Uchiha Hanazuki, a genius who can rival Namikaze Minato. He's currently Konoha's youngest Jonin, and like Lord Minato, he's a young prodigy who distinguished 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 that Uchiha Hanazuki killed."
"Anyway, 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 very presence puts you at ease."
The Konoha Ninja found Shikaku's assessment of Uchiha Hanazuki hard to believe. After all, Nara Shikaku was the head of the Nara Clan and reputed to be the sharpest mind among Konoha's Jonin.
"Really? That arrogant-looking brat deserves such praise from Lord Shikaku?"
"The proof is that we're standing in Konoha right now. We were transported from the border of the Land of Water into the Land of Fire. As far as I know, only Minato could rival Uchiha Hanazuki in Space-Time Ninjutsu."
"We're living proof. Right now, we have no choice but to 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 certainly moved quickly. No wonder they call him Flash Illusion Moon."
A powerful, elderly voice rang out. Everyone turned, then bowed in unison.
"Lord Hokage!"
"No need for formalities. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this sudden incident, and on Uchiha Hanazuki, Shikaku."
Smoke curled around them as Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his hat. His words made Nara Shikaku anxious.
"I'm very sorry. I'm willing to take full responsibility for this failure..."
"No, that's not what I mean. The failure wasn't primarily your fault. I just want to know how you returned safely in a mere 48 hours."
Had Uchiha Hanazuki's Body Flicker Technique already surpassed Minato's? What incredible talent. He couldn't let Orochimaru's dangerous ideas influence the boy any further...
Guessing what Sarutobi Hiruzen was thinking, Nara Shikaku nodded slightly, then followed him toward the Hokage Office Building.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
In a valley near the Land of Bears, one Kirigakure Ninja after another remained trapped in a dream, unable to escape.
Dressed in black and carrying the Kusanagi Sword on his back, Hanazuki surveyed the area and gave a slight nod.
"Sage Art: Illusion Transformation. Anyone who breathes in the Natural Energy within the mist inevitably falls into an illusion. The Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave really does lean more toward perception and illusions."
As if strolling through an empty place, Hanazuki freed the Konoha Ninja trapped in the genjutsu and swiftly transported them to the entrance of Konoha.
After confirming that no one had been left behind, Hanazuki formed Hand Seals.
"Shadow Clone Technique. Release."
At the same time, at the border of the Land of Water, the Fourth Mizukage stood before him.
Hanazuki studied the Fourth Mizukage with his intricate eyes and sank into thought.
He had a baby face, yet already had a son. He was a Jinchūriki, yet controlled by a Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu.
He'd spent his life working tirelessly to govern his village well, only to flee when the Three-Tails went berserk, unable even to control a Tailed Beast.
He'd muddled through the last few years of his life, indirectly leading the second generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to rebel or die. The Mist's ability to recover over the next decade or so without allying with any other great nation was, in its own way, quite a feat.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Since you've had such a rough time, I'll help you out. You'll only get one chance, so make sure you take it. Illusion..."
The thin mist gradually faded, and the Fourth Mizukage, who'd been lost in confusion, came to his senses. He instinctively turned around.
The Konoha Ninja who'd been imprisoned by the Mist had vanished without a trace. The Explosive Tags covered in spell traps were scattered across the ground.
"A genjutsu? When did it happen...? A Sharingan genjutsu? No, that brat doesn't even have... Could it be...?"
He swept his gaze around, his expression darkening as he swung his weapon.
"Wind Style: Typhoon Passage!"
A gale swept through, instantly scattering the thin illusionary mist and rousing the Kirigakure Ninja trapped in the genjutsu.
"What happened? Hadn't I already earned a promotion to Jonin through my battle record and married a wife?"
"Damn it, why? That brat should've been kneeling before me!"
"Was it a genjutsu? We fell into that brat's trap from the very beginning. Flash Illusion Moon—where is he?"
Before you continue