Chapter 159: A-Rank Kekkei Genkai Technique!
The incident with the undead attacker had come to a temporary close. However, the critical intelligence that had come to light—the "Edo Tensei," "Uchiha Madara," and other top-secret information—needed to be reported to both Konoha and the front-line headquarters as soon as possible.
Namikaze Minato took the special kunai from Nara Keisuke. He, too, could sense the unique chakra emanating from it, but he wisely refrained from trying to trace its origin. If the source of that chakra truly was the "Uchiha Madara" that Kagami spoke of—the man who had founded Konoha alongside the God of Shinobi—then they would need to be fully prepared before making any moves.
"Minato-san, you should report the situation here to the village and to Orochimaru," Keisuke reminded him. "We are, after all, still tasked with destroying Iwagakure's supply lines... We need to discuss our next steps with the higher-ups."
Minato nodded in agreement. He bit his thumb again and summoned the small, goggle-wearing toad.
"Minato-sama!" Kōsuke the toad cried out in delight upon seeing him. "It's wonderful to see you are unharmed!"
"Thank you for your concern, Kōsuke," Minato replied with a gentle smile. "Have the Third Hokage-sama and Orochimaru-sama received the last report?"
"Konoha has received the message, and the Third Hokage-sama has used a summoning to relay it to the front," Kōsuke responded immediately. "But he has not yet informed me of any subsequent orders."
"That's fine, Kōsuke. I need you to deliver another piece of intelligence to the village, but this time..." Minato hesitated for a moment before making his decision. "For now, there is no need to relay this information to Orochimaru-sama on the front line."
Kōsuke didn't understand Minato's reasoning, but that didn't stop him from nodding obediently. "Of course, Minato-sama!"
"One moment."
Minato quickly took out a small, blank scroll and began to write furiously, documenting every crucial detail of the "Edo Tensei Attacker Incident" before giving it to Kōsuke to take back to the village. Meanwhile, Keisuke had a Shadow Doppelganger bring the rest of the team down from the sky. A short while later, the Shadow Creature landed on the riverbank, and everyone was reunited.
"Minato-sensei!" / "Captain!"
Amidst the concerned greetings, Kōsuke returned via a reverse summoning, carrying a new scroll.
"Thank you for your help, Kōsuke." Minato took the scroll, not forgetting to express his gratitude.
"You're too kind, Minato-sama!" A human-like expression of joy appeared on the toad's face.
Minato quickly reviewed the orders sent by Sarutobi Hiruzen. A moment later, he closed the scroll.
"According to the Third Hokage-sama's orders, our eight-man team will be temporarily split into two. Keisuke, you will take the injured Kakashi, as well as this unknown white creature, and return to the front-line base to rest. I will lead Shisui-kun, Hyūga-san, Shizune-san, Obito, and Rin to continue the disruption operation behind Iwagakure lines. And Keisuke, I'll hold onto this special kunai for the time being."
"Sensei—" Hatake Kakashi frowned, about to protest that he could continue fighting.
"These are Lord Hokage's orders, Kakashi," Minato said with feigned seriousness.
Faced with the dual authority of his "Hokage" and "Teacher," Kakashi finally abandoned the idea of insisting. In stark contrast to the ever-diligent Kakashi, Nara Keisuke's reaction was far more carefree.
"Excellent! Well, I'm off to rest then. See you all later!"
Keisuke waved at his teammates with a broad smile. He used his Shadow Gathering Jutsu to drag the white creature along and beckoned for Kakashi to follow him.
"Oh, by the way, Minato-san, did the Third Hokage-sama say anything about relaying the details of this incident to Orochimaru?"
"No..." Minato's expression was subtle as he recalled the contents of the scroll. "The Third Hokage-sama advised us not to inform Orochimaru of this matter for the time being."
"Great. That saves me a debriefing."
Keisuke waved to the others again, then steered the Shadow Creature back towards the Konoha camp with Kakashi in tow.
Along the way, Keisuke checked his system panel. The A-rank mission had been marked as complete the moment Minato placed the Four Symbols Seal on Uchiha Kagami.
[You have defeated the A-Rank Ninja Battle Mission target!]
[You have obtained one A-Rank Shinobi Secret Scroll!]
'An A-rank scroll from Uchiha Kagami. Let's see what's inside!'
Keisuke focused on the virtual scroll on his panel and, with a thought, opened it.
'At the very least, it should be an A-rank water jutsu, right?'
[Opening...]
[Contents of this A-Rank Shinobi Secret Scroll: Technique]
[A-Rank Kekkei Genkai Technique: Genjutsu: Sharingan]
[Description: The ultimate hypnotic eye! Throws the opponent's mind into complete chaos!]
[Effect: By utilizing the Sharingan's powers of insight and spiritual energy manipulation, the user can inject Yin Release chakra into an enemy's mind through eye contact alone, without the need for hand seals. Genjutsu: Sharingan can instantly trap the target in a terrifying illusion, causing them to lose control of their body. It is especially effective against special chakra-based lifeforms created by Yin-Yang Release.]
[Evaluation: Since when were you under the impression that I wasn't using Kyōka Suigetsu?]
'Not the Kekkei Genkai itself, but a genjutsu that uses it?'
Keisuke raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by the reward. 'Does the Uchiha clan really have an A-rank genjutsu that doesn't even have a formal name?'
He wasn't surprised to get a genjutsu ability from Kagami's scroll. An Uchiha who couldn't use genjutsu would be the real anomaly, especially the ancestor of Uchiha Shisui. Though there was no scientific proof, there was anecdotal evidence that Uchiha with close blood ties had a chance of awakening the same Mangekyo Sharingan abilities. The most famous example, of course, was the strongest Fire Release and the ultimate jutsu of compassion shared by Itachi and Sasuke—Amaterasu.
As for why Kagami hadn't used his Sharingan at all during the fight, Keisuke guessed he was trying to hide his identity. As a result, his trump card remained thoroughly unplayed. Keisuke had been bracing himself for a Mangekyo, even preparing to go full Gundam, because an A-rank Uchiha who only used Water Style was just bizarre. But in the end, Kagami didn't use even the most basic Sharingan. Keisuke had no idea what was going on in his head.
Then again, not being able to understand the Uchiha mindset was probably a good thing.
Keisuke pushed aside his stray thoughts and focused on the effects of "Genjutsu: Sharingan." Some Kekkei Genkai abilities, like "Boil Release: Peerless Monstrous Strength," were impossible for him to use directly. But others, he could replicate through his own means.
'Just like with Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change, all this jutsu requires is the Sharingan's ability to perceive and manipulate spiritual energy.' A feeling of delight washed over him. 'For someone with the Lacquer Eye, that's no trouble at all! This A-rank technique, 'Genjutsu: Sharingan,' will soon become the A-rank technique, 'Genjutsu: Lacquer Eye'!'
Keisuke raised a hand and adjusted the sunglasses on his nose. 'It's about time I said goodbye to these little shades...'
He guided the Shadow Creature back to the Konoha camp at high speed. Just before landing, Kakashi silently leaped off its back, muttered a quiet "thanks," and walked away.
Out of a sense of humanitarian duty, Keisuke called after him, "You're injured, don't forget to see a doctor!"
Kakashi's retreating figure stumbled slightly before he picked up his pace.
'I wonder what'll become of that white-haired kid...' Keisuke shook his head, ordering the Shadow Creature to conceal the white being with its Shadow Invisibility Technique before heading to the main command tent.
'The Battle of Kannabi Bridge is over with no casualties. Of the two young heroes from the original story, one still has both of his eyes, and the other... hasn't even awakened his Sharingan yet. The fate of Team Minato...'
Mulling over their future, Keisuke entered the tent. The once-bustling command center was now occupied by only Orochimaru. To press their advantage, he had sent out nearly every sensor ninja in the camp to meticulously search the Land of Grass for any remaining Iwa forces. With no one else around, Keisuke dropped his usual polite pretense. He gave a formulaic report of the mission and a brief explanation for his return.
Remembering Hiruzen's warning, he didn't bother mentioning Uchiha Kagami or anything related to him.
"It seems that sudden water-style attacker was no match for you and Minato-kun," Orochimaru said, not sensing anything amiss. Though he was also puzzled by the man's appearance, considering the combined strength of Keisuke and Minato, especially their unique abilities... even Orochimaru himself would get a headache facing that duo. It was only logical that the interloper was dealt with easily.
"Since Sarutobi-sensei has arranged for you to return and rest, you may remain in the camp for two days," Orochimaru said. "As for the S-rank mission to repel the Iwa front, I will add its completion to your personal record."
[S-Rank Mission [Stone Battlefield] has been completed!]
[You have obtained one S-Rank [Shinobi Secret Scroll]!]
I didn't even notice. Another S-rank mission completed... The thought flashed through Keisuke's mind, but his face remained impassive. Instead, a cold smile touched his lips.
"Orochimaru, we can talk about missions later. Right now, there's only one thing I want to know...
"Where is my Five-Tails?!"
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