Genjutsu in the Mist

"What exactly happened?"

Nara Shikaku, who had just awakened from unconsciousness, sucked in a sharp breath. The many captured Konoha Ninja were even more astonished.

The ropes and Explosive Tags restraining them had all been removed. They stared in disbelief at the figure within the dense mist, feeling as though their understanding of the world had been shattered.

"What... what is going on? Isn't that the Fourth Mizukage? And over there—Kirigakure's Fuguki Suikazan and Juzo Biwa. Why are they standing there without moving? Are they under Genjutsu?"

Within the thick fog, dozens of Kirigakure ninja stood motionless, their pupils unfocused. They did not even notice that the hostages had been rescued.

"You really are in a sorry state, Mr. Shikaku. This isn't the time to be surprised. The number of hostages doesn't match. Check who's missing."

Only then did Nara Shikaku snap back to his senses. He hurriedly checked on the Konoha Ninja, and his expression turned grim.

"Inuzuka Ago, Akimichi Torikaede... They aren't here. Kirigakure has likely imprisoned them separately in other hidden locations. Uchiha Huayue, we..."

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

At those words, Nara Shikaku fell silent, unable to speak for a long while.

"I see. So even we've been judged as burdens holding you back. Understood. Please, make sure you rescue Konoha's comrades. I'm begging you."

Before Nara Shikaku could raise his head, his vision blurred, and the unbearably damp camp abruptly changed.

The massive gates before them had somehow become Konoha's gates.

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

"The Body Flicker Technique! There's no mistake—this is the Body Flicker Technique! Lord Minato's Body Flicker Technique! Why does that Uchiha child know the Body Flicker Technique?"

"Lord Shikaku, who exactly is that child? That Uchiha Clan ninja?"

At that, everyone instinctively turned their gazes toward Nara Shikaku, their eyes filled with curiosity and astonishment.

As the Konoha Ninja discussed it among themselves, Nara Shikaku straightened his back. After a brief moment of thought, he hesitantly gave his answer.

"Uchiha Huayue. A genius comparable to Namikaze Minato, currently Konoha's youngest jōnin. Like Lord Minato, he is a gifted youth who rendered outstanding service in the Battle of Kikyō Pass."

"Besides that, I heard he is also Lord Orochimaru's disciple. The reason he came to rescue us this time is likely connected to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen Uchiha Huayue killed."

"In any case, I cannot see through that boy, nor do I know what else he is hiding. But as a comrade, he is the kind of person whose appearance alone puts people at ease."

The Konoha Ninja found Shikaku's assessment of Uchiha Huayue hard to believe. After all, Nara Shikaku was the head of the Nara Clan and a jōnin hailed as one of Konoha's finest minds.

"Really? That brat who looks so full of himself deserves such praise from Lord Shikaku?"

"The proof is the Konoha we are standing in now. To teleport from the border of the Land of Water to the Land of Fire—when it comes to Space-Time Ninjutsu of this level, only Minato in Konoha can probably compare with Uchiha Huayue."

"We are living proof. Right now, we have no choice but to believe in his strength—Uchiha Huayue's strength."

The Konoha Ninja exchanged looks, and in the end, they could only trust Nara Shikaku's judgment.

"So you've returned already? Uchiha Huayue moves remarkably fast. Just as expected of Body Flicker Gengetsu."

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

"Lord Hokage!"

"No need for formalities. I want to hear your thoughts on this unexpected incident, as well as your opinion of Uchiha Huayue, Shikaku."

Wisps of smoke drifted around him as Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his hat. The moment he spoke, Nara Shikaku became deeply apprehensive.

"I am very sorry. I am willing to bear full responsibility for this failure..."

"No, that is not what I mean. The main responsibility for this failure does not lie with you. I only wish to know how you returned safely in just forty-eight hours."

Has Uchiha Huayue's Body Flicker Technique already become stronger than Minato's? What extraordinary talent. I cannot let him continue to be influenced by Orochimaru's dangerous ideas...

Seeming to vaguely understand something, Nara Shikaku nodded slightly, then followed Sarutobi Hiruzen toward the Hokage Office Building.

While one flower bloomed, another branch told its tale.

In a valley near the Land of Bears, Kirigakure ninja after Kirigakure ninja remained trapped in illusions, unable to break free for a long time.

Dressed in a Black Cloak and carrying the Kusanagi Sword on his back, Huayue swept his gaze across the area and nodded faintly.

"Sage Art: Transformation. As long as they breathe in the Natural Energy within the mist, they will inevitably fall into hallucinations. Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode truly leans more toward perception and illusions."

Strolling about as though no one else existed, Huayue rescued the many Konoha Ninja trapped in Genjutsu and swiftly teleported them to Konoha's gates.

After confirming that no one had been overlooked, Huayue formed hand seals.

"Shadow Clone Technique, release."

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

His exquisite, intricate eyes examined the Fourth Mizukage before him as Huayue sank into thought.

He clearly had a baby face, yet he already had a son. He was clearly a Jinchūriki, yet he was controlled by a Mangekyō ocular technique.

He spent his life doing his utmost to govern his village well, yet in the end, after the Three-Tails went berserk, he simply fled. He could not even control his own Tailed Beast.

He muddleheadedly lived out the last part of his life, indirectly causing the Second Generation Seven Ninja Swordsmen to rebel. Some died, and some died. Kirigakure was able to recuperate over the next decade or so without forming alliances with any other major nation, and he truly deserved much of the credit.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Since you're so miserable, I'll help you out. You only get one chance, so you'd better seize it. Kyoka Suigetsu..."

The thin mist gradually dispersed. The Fourth Mizukage, who had been lost in confusion, regained his senses and instinctively turned to look behind him.

The Konoha Ninja previously imprisoned by Kirigakure had vanished without a trace. Bundles of Explosive Tags covered in formula traps lay scattered all over the ground.

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

Looking around, the Fourth Mizukage's expression turned icy. He abruptly swung the weapon in his hand.

"Wind Release: Typhoon Pass!"

A violent gale swept through, instantly dispersing the thin illusory mist. The many Kirigakure ninja who had been blinded by Genjutsu awakened.

"What happened? Hadn't I already been promoted to jōnin through my achievements and married wives and concubines?"

"Damn it, why? That brat should have been kneeling before me by now!"

"Was it Genjutsu? We fell into that brat's trap from the very beginning. Where is Body Flicker Gengetsu?"