Chapter 350: Obito's Eyes Are Really Useful
Yakumaru scoffed. "What, did you get lost on the road of life? Or help an old lady cross the street? Or maybe you were just staring at the clouds, contemplating life?"
"It was actual work."
Kakashi sighed, knowing his reputation all too well. As he sat down, he got straight to the point. "It's about the war prisoners. A delegation from the Land of Snow will be visiting the Land of Fire soon, and a group of captured ninja will be returned."
The three of them paused.
Shisui frowned. "The Land of Snow is really letting us ransom back our people?"
This had been discussed in the previous negotiations, and both the Land of Snow and the Land of Water had supported the idea. However, no one actually believed they would release the captives.
Most assumed it was just a diplomatic gesture—one that would be delayed indefinitely.
After all, the current situation was clear. Thanks to the Akatsuki's interference, the great nations had lost a staggering number of shinobi. As long as the Land of Snow and its allies refused to release prisoners and continued consolidating their position, victory was inevitable for them.
Who would be foolish enough to give up such a strategic advantage?
"It's only a hundred people. The higher-ups spent a fortune to ransom them, just to stabilize morale."
As Kakashi spoke, he discreetly activated a small soundproof barrier.
"The prisoners come from various nations, so representatives from those countries will be arriving in Konoha to take custody."
"I see." Yakumaru and the others immediately understood.
"Keep this information under wraps," Kakashi reminded them. "I don't want to deal with Tsunade lecturing me after she gets an earful from the higher-ups."
With that, he casually reached for the food on Yakumaru's plate. But after one bite, the overwhelming sweetness nearly made him gag.
Damn it, he had forgotten—Yakumaru had an insatiable sweet tooth.
With no other choice, Kakashi placed an order and grabbed a drink while waiting.
He hadn't lied—he really had been busy all day and hadn't eaten a thing.
"I ordered extra sweet food, so you probably won't like it. Here, have this to hold you over until the barbecue arrives."
Seeing how hungry Kakashi was, Yakumaru kindly opened the small box his shadow clone had bought and handed it over.
"…Tempura?"
Kakashi's expression stiffened. He stared at the box in his hands, unwilling to move.
This was his most hated food.
That oily texture, that weird taste… After eating it once, he swore he'd never eat it again.
"This was my gift for you at lunchtime, Kakashi. You will finish it, right?"
Yakumaru emphasized the word lunchtime heavily.
They were supposed to meet for lunch. Couldn't Kakashi have given them a heads-up if he was going to be late?
Reading his expression, Kakashi glanced at Guy and Shisui, only to see them both avoiding his gaze.
With no escape, he resigned himself to his fate and stuffed a piece into his mouth.
…
After the meal, Shisui mulled over Kakashi's words as he made his way toward the training grounds at the edge of the Uchiha district.
There, Itachi was waiting obediently.
"Have you been waiting long?" Shisui greeted him with a smile.
"No," Itachi shook his head. "You're right on time."
As they passed each other, their eyes met, and suddenly, Itachi grabbed Shisui's wrist.
"What's wrong?" Shisui asked.
"I need your help with something."
Itachi lifted his head, a strange smile tugging at his lips.
Then, without warning, his hand shot toward Shisui's eyes—only to stop just before touching them.
In that instant, a pattern flickered within his Sharingan.
"…So you're after my Sharingan?"
Shisui's Mangekyō had already activated.
He took two steps back, carefully studying the figure before him.
The impersonation was well-prepared. This fake knew both his and Itachi's habits inside out.
If he hadn't already been aware that the Akatsuki had creatures like White Zetsu—if he hadn't made a habit of observing his comrades' micro-expressions—he might have fallen for it.
Unsure of the Akatsuki's true goal, Shisui decided not to overthink it and simply follow standard protocol for an attack.
"Let's take this one to the Interrogation Department. We also need to find the real Itachi."
Whoever this imposter was, they had to have come into contact with Itachi to copy his form.
Until he confirmed Itachi's safety, he couldn't afford to kill them.
Just as Shisui placed a hand on the White Zetsu's shoulder, the supposedly trapped enemy suddenly spun around and grabbed him instead.
"Too naïve. Kamui!"
Before Shisui could react, a swirling vortex of black space engulfed him, dragging him into another dimension.
…
The moment he entered the Kamui dimension, Shisui broke free with a burst of strength, retreating several dozen meters. His gaze was wary as he scanned the area.
"…This is Obito's Mangekyō ability. Who are you?"
White Zetsu didn't answer.
Instead, he turned toward the shadows.
"The target's here. What are you waiting for? We don't have time to waste."
A woman's clear voice rang out.
"Obito's eyes are so useful."
From the darkness, Kurama Tamako and Hikari stepped forward, standing beside White Zetsu.
"As long as you have someone you trust, ambushing people is effortless—and nearly undetectable."
Today, they weren't just outnumbering their target. They were ganging up on him with overwhelming force.
Shisui's expression darkened.
(Hikari is her real name. But most people know her as Nanashi.)
The Akatsuki's Nanashi and Tamako… Weren't they supposed to be under the Land of Snow's control?
So that's how it was.
It seemed his chances of survival were slim.
With a wry smile, Shisui asked, "I just want to know… Is Itachi safe?"
"It's not difficult for me to obtain a child's chakra," White Zetsu replied.
"…Then I can rest easy."
Shisui's tone hardened.
In the blink of an eye, twenty clones surrounded his enemies.
"If you want my eyes, it won't be that easy!"
"…So this is 'Shunshin no Shisui'?"
Kurama Tamako narrowed her eyes at the mirage-like clones surrounding them.
"A teleportation technique that allows movement between clones… It's similar to the Yuki clan's Demonic Ice Mirrors. Over short distances, it's nearly on par with space-time ninjutsu.
"Too bad your opponents today are us."
The moment her words fell, several more figures emerged from the depths of the Kamui dimension.
Recognizing their attire, Shisui's heart sank.
The Nara, Yamanaka, and Uchiha clans…
This was impossible.
"Shadow Imitation Technique!"
"Mind Body Switch Technique!"
"Tsukuyomi!"
In mere moments, the legendary "Shunshin no Shisui" was completely immobilized by a barrage of control techniques.
He didn't even have time to destroy his own eyes.
"There's no need for such a scary expression."
Kurama Tamako smiled as she lightly patted Shisui's tense face.
"We only need to borrow your eyes. We won't take your life."
"Light, Yachihoko, Transfer Seal."
"Yamanaka, work with Light's Yachihoko to rewrite his recent memories. Make sure he returns without any signs of tampering."
"Tch, stop calling me 'Light.' I haven't accepted that name!"
Hikari grumbled, but he still stepped forward, activating his ocular jutsu.
Meanwhile, White Zetsu used the transplanted Kamui Mangekyō to further suppress Shisui's willpower.
As he watched the process unfold, he couldn't help but sigh.
Having an independent space for this operation really was convenient.
If this had been done in the open, even if Shisui couldn't escape, he would've been able to send a distress signal.
Obito's eyes really were useful.
(End of Chapter)