Over the past year, Uchiha Yuan had learned quite a few genjutsu from Uchiha Cai.
Some were basic, like the C-rank genjutsu Illusion:Sly Mind Affect Technique (Kori Shinchū no Jutsu), which drains the enemy's stamina by trapping them in a looping illusion as if they're lost in a maze.
There was also the C-rank genjutsu Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique (Magen: Kokoni Arazu no Jutsu), which overlays a false visual on top of what the enemy sees, making them mistake one object for another.
More advanced was Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change (Magen: Kyō Tenchi-ten), a rare reflection-type genjutsu that not only nullifies the opponent's illusion but reflects the full effect back onto the caster.
And the most difficult—also the only A-rank genjutsu Yuan had mastered—was Illusion: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique (Kokuangyo no Jutsu).
This technique was not exclusive to the Sharingan but was widely known throughout the village. It interferes with the target's vision, plunging them into a world of pitch-black darkness. Even kage-level opponents could be exposed in such conditions.
Of course, these weren't all the genjutsu Uchiha Cai knew—just the ones she could teach Yuan.
Other illusions were clan-restricted and required Yuan to awaken his three-tomoe Sharingan before he could apply for training in them.
"Yuan, my teacher told me the village is holding the chunin exams soon."
Hyuga Asana's words broke Uchiha Yuan's train of thought.
Before Yuan could respond, Yamanaka Kagetsu asked for him, "Asana, are the three of us going back to participate?"
"We do have to return to the village, but not to participate in the exams. We've been assigned a different mission."
"So… we won't get to become chunin?" Kagetsu continued.
"Once we report to the Hokage after returning, we'll be automatically promoted to chunin. Since coming to the battlefield, our team has completed one S-rank mission, six A-rank missions, and over thirty B-rank missions—not counting countless smaller ones. We've long since qualified for promotion without needing the exam."
After hearing this, Yamanaka Kagetsu was visibly happy.
Unlike Uchiha Yuan and Hyuga Asana, Kagetsu's techniques weren't particularly suited to combat. He wasn't confident he could outperform classmates in a head-to-head exam. Being promoted without taking the test was the best possible news for him.
Uchiha Yuan didn't care much about promotion. He was more curious about what mission Orochimaru had arranged for them.
"Asana, what kind of mission did Lord Orochimaru give us?" Yuan asked.
"To transport all the Water Release techniques collected during this war."
Upon hearing that, Yuan's eyes lit up. Was this… an opportunity to sneak a few for himself?
The three chatted as they returned to the Konoha camp.
"Kagetsu, go report our mission status to Lord Shikaku. I need to talk to Yuan alone," Asana said.
Kagetsu nodded and left without question. He wasn't stupid—he'd long realized that the relationship between Yuan and Asana was more than just that of normal teammates.
It was only natural they had things to discuss privately.
After watching Kagetsu leave, Asana activated her Byakugan to confirm no one was nearby, then said, "Yuan, can I trust you?"
Yuan blinked, caught off guard. Then he said, "Of course. Even if you asked me to help you kill Orochimaru right now, I'd go without hesitation."
"Then I want your help to kill a member of the Hyuga main family stationed here in camp."
"To kill a main family member? Asana, that's not really your idea, is it?"
"No. It's Lord Orochimaru's. He wants a Byakugan."
"One? What about the other eye?" Yuan asked.
"It's for the person who helps us kill the Hyuga.
That way the story can be that Mist ninja took one Byakugan and left the other."
"You don't mean Mist ninja, do you?"
"The main family member has to appear to die at the hands of the Mist, or else the branch family might suffer repercussions."
Yuan fell silent for a moment, then asked, "So what's the plan?"
"Now that the war in the Land of Bears has quieted down with no large battles, main family members have started seeking opportunities to gain merit.
A few days ago, two of them requested deployment to the front. Lord Shikaku asked Lord Orochimaru for guidance, and Orochimaru said it was up to the village.
Shikaku has now sent a request to the village. It'll take about ten days for a reply.
Usually, the village agrees to these requests. Once confirmed, the three of us will be given the task of escorting the Water Release techniques back to the village.
That gives us a perfect alibi.
After ensuring Kagetsu is safely on his way, we'll double back and ensure the Mist doesn't take both eyes."
"Asana, aren't main family members usually guarded by branch family ninja? Won't this put them in danger too?"
"Don't worry. Lord Orochimaru has already arranged for his own people to pose as the escorts. No Hyuga branch members will be involved—if they were, I wouldn't agree to it."
"I understand. I'll help. But Asana, I hope you remember one thing—you should always stay wary of Orochimaru."
"Yuan, you don't really think I trust Orochimaru just because I call him 'sensei,' do you? I appreciate what he's done for me—handling the main family and teaching me—but I've always kept my guard up. The only one I trust completely is you."
Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Asana remained clear-headed.
"Asana, why does Orochimaru want to go after the Hyuga main family? Just for a Byakugan?"
"Yes. His main goal is the Byakugan. But he also wants to study the differences between main family blood and ours."
"So Orochimaru coordinated with the Mist for this?"
"No, his subordinates did. They approached some Mist ninja offering to trade a Byakugan for cash.
After the deal, the three operatives will defect from Konoha and head to a safehouse Orochimaru prepared. I don't know where it is."
"Just those three? Won't the Mist try to double-cross them?"
"Don't worry. Lord Orochimaru will be present that day, hiding in the shadows.
He won't intervene unless something goes wrong. If the Mist tries anything, he'll 'accidentally' stumble upon the exchange and expose it."
Uchiha Yuan asked no more. Clearly, Orochimaru had planned everything out. All they had to do now was follow the script.
(To Be Continued...)