The moment he was attacked by Genjutsu, Hyuga Mirai immediately sensed it. Because he had personally come to the Uchiha clan, he had maintained a constant state of Spirit Division Technique.
A spiritual body had been separated from within him, similar to a Jinchuriki with a Tailed Beast, making him immune to ordinary Genjutsu. Even Genjutsu cast with the Sharingan had no effect on him, because the separated spirit was not within his sealed body, rendering the Sharingan powerless.
"Release!"
Ayaka Uzumaki immediately broke free of the Genjutsu and found several shuriken flying toward her from all directions.
However, shuriken and kunai posed no threat to her—even with explosive tags attached.
Six golden chains extended from Ayaka Uzumaki's back, swiftly striking down all the shuriken.
"Damn it… I embarrassed myself in front of Lord Mirai..."
After breaking free, Ayaka sensed the source of the Genjutsu—some distance away.
"Genjutsu can be cast from that far away? Lord Mirai, I'll go deal with her!"
Seeing her roll up her sleeves, Hyuga Mirai shook his head and said, "Forget it. The flower petal you stepped on earlier likely triggered the trap and Genjutsu. Ultimately, it was your carelessness. When we get back, I'll design a new training regimen for you."
"But Lord Mirai, she's heading our way. Shouldn't we take her out?"
Mirai replied, "She's an old friend. I'll handle it. Ayaka, we'll split up and meet at the agreed location later."
"I understand, Lord Mirai."
Although Ayaka felt uncertain, she obediently followed his instructions. Konoha's defenses and barriers were like glass to her. Before leaving, Mirai patted her shoulder to shake off the cherry blossom that had landed on her.
After they parted, Mirai moved in another direction. Through his Byakugan, he saw Kurenai Yuhi rushing toward him at high speed.
Soon, he stopped mid-leap and tilted his body to dodge a shuriken from behind. But just like triggering a trap, more shuriken and kunai came at him from various directions.
"Kurenai, your shuriken throws are sharp, but you know they're useless against me. Also, your technique is too predictable."
Before he finished speaking, thick branches extended from a tree and bound him in an instant.
"Genjutsu? When was it cast?"
Surprised, Mirai recalled that some of the earlier shuriken were imbued with chakra. He thought they were powered up—he didn't expect them to be the Genjutsu's trigger.
As he recollected, Kurenai emerged from the tree trunk. Looking up, he saw her familiar, beautiful face, her gem-like red eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Looks like you've progressed far beyond my expectations, Kurenai. I shouldn't have judged you by your past self."
The layered tactic she had just used—camouflaging Genjutsu with an attack—was enough to throw off most shinobi.
"This must be the unique Genjutsu style of the real Kurenai. Impressive."
Kurenai heard Mirai's words and felt like all her training and effort were futile. Though Mirai was now caught in her Genjutsu, she couldn't bring herself to finish it.
"You left Konoha and abandoned your comrades. Why come back?"
Mirai paused before answering, "Because I had something to do. Honestly, I've already accomplished my goal. If we hadn't run into each other, I would've left by now."
"What did you do?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that. But if you really want to know, ask around tomorrow. You'll find out."
"You're in no position to stay silent. While you were gone, I studied a lot of interrogation methods from the interrogation unit."
"Including shaky hands?"
Mirai chuckled, seeing Kurenai's hand trembling slightly while holding a kunai, as if she were trying to push through an electric field just inches from his neck.
A hint of embarrassment crossed her face. Despite her complicated feelings, being exposed by Mirai made her feel even more flustered.
"Don't underestimate me."
"When facing enemies, you should minimize talking—words can give away intel. I remember teaching you that. So have you forgotten, or do you not see me as an enemy, Kurenai?"
As Mirai spoke, he remembered the small but meaningful help Kurenai had given him in the past. Though minor, she had never refused him when it counted.
The moment he was caught in Genjutsu, his spirit body had already dispelled it. Now, in his true vision, Kurenai stood in front of him, biting her lip in hesitation. Her kunai-wielding hand was still some distance from his neck.
Far off, news had already spread through Konoha that Hyuga Mirai had returned and made a move on Kushina Uzumaki. The remaining ANBU had been dispatched to track him.
They would likely arrive in this area soon.
"Kurenai, you've grown, but there are still limits."
In a flash, Mirai dodged the kunai and grabbed Kurenai's neck with the same arm she had been using to hold it, reversing the situation completely.
She hadn't realized her Genjutsu had already been broken. Now, she was subdued by Mirai, the cold touch of metal on her neck unmistakable.
"When did you break it?" she asked bitterly.
"Right from the start. Genjutsu doesn't work on me. You're the only one I've told that, Kurenai."
Hearing that, Kurenai felt even more unwilling. She had trained hard and gained recognition in Konoha as a Genjutsu Jonin. But the gap between them only widened. Even her specialty was useless—should she switch to Taijutsu?
"Konoha's ANBU are nearly here. Let's catch up another time, Kurenai. I'll take my leave."
Hearing this, Kurenai's eyes turned determined. She resolved to stop him, even at the cost of injury.
But just as the thought formed, she felt a tap on her forehead and lost consciousness.
Mirai gently laid her against a tree and vanished.
Soon after, an ANBU squad arrived and immediately noticed traces of combat.
The squad leader signaled, and the four members dispersed to search. Before long, one of them called out, "Captain, over here!"
The others rushed over and saw kunai and shuriken embedded in the surrounding trees, with a Konoha ninja lying under another.
"It's Jonin Kurenai Yuhi. Looks like Hyuga Mirai left from here. They crossed paths and fought. She lost."
The ANBU captain ordered, "Kari, take Jonin Kurenai to Konoha Hospital and notify the Hokage. The rest of you, follow me."
"Yes, Captain!"
The female squad captain carried Kurenai back toward the village. Though she had no visible injuries, Gentle Fist affects internal organs—she had to be checked at the hospital.
Due to the incident involving the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, not only ANBU but also Root had joined the investigation.
At the Uchiha compound, despite its distance from the village, the ANBU commotion didn't go unnoticed by the police force.
When the police tried to head out to investigate, they were blocked by two ANBU squads and ordered not to approach the village center.
This was suggested by Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, and approved by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Kushina Uzumaki had yet to regain consciousness, and Naruto Uzumaki had also been sent to Konoha Hospital. Four teams, covert and overt, were stationed there to guard him against any further attacks.
Although the Uchiha Police Force was furious at this order, they didn't want a nighttime confrontation with ANBU. Since it had nothing to do with them directly, they reluctantly agreed to stand down.
Even Uchiha Fugaku was woken up. When Tekkō arrived, he asked, "Tekkō, what's going on?"
"Not sure, Clan Head. ANBU has forbidden any of our people from heading into the village. Should we investigate privately?"
Fugaku thought for a moment and said, "No need for now. We'll ask around tomorrow. What about Mikio?"
"No issues. He went to bed after nightfall. Our clansmen are rotating to keep watch. No one's been near his place," Tekkō replied confidently. Before coming here, he had checked in himself—Mikio was fast asleep, undisturbed.
"Good."
Fugaku nodded and sighed. "I wonder when we'll finally have peace again."
"Clan Head, that ANBU order… it was over the line."
Tekkō knew it wasn't the right time, but he couldn't help feeling frustrated. The village didn't even trust them to know what was going on?
"I know, Tekkō. Believe me, things will change soon."
Before Fugaku could finish, a member of the police force rushed in with a grim look.
"Clan Head, the ANBU are demanding to search the premises!"
(End of Chapter)