"This condition..."
Kei Yamanaka sensed Mikoto Uchiha's mental state, slightly frowning.
Kazekaze was a professional medical ninja, but his knowledge of genjutsu was quite limited.
The current situation with Mikoto Uchiha wasn't simply that she had been caught in an illusion.
Rather, the enemy's Yin Release chakra had fused with her reflected genjutsu, forming an extremely stubborn force of Yin Release power that continuously clashed with her own strength!
Possibly due to prior mental injuries.
Although Mikoto Uchiha kept pushing through her body's natural exhaustion, continuously forcing out chakra to supply the consumption of her Sharingan.
This external force, however, was highly persistent and could not be eliminated quickly.
That was why she seemed mentally unstable, with her Sharingan eyes flickering erratically.
The standard method of dispelling illusions would not work for Mikoto Uchiha's current condition. Worse yet, it might even have negative side effects—disturbing her fight against that force.
And if external forces intervened, without possessing Yin Release power several times stronger than Mikoto's, one would only end up injured by the backlash from those clashing energies!
[Mind Transfer Puppet Jutsu – Ninjutsu Style]!
Kei Yamanaka clapped his hands together and activated his family's secret technique.
His overwhelming willpower instantly surged into Mikoto Uchiha's body, ruthlessly breaking deep into her consciousness.
Facing the bewildered Mikoto within her mindscape,
Kei's own Yin Release energy transformed into a tidal wave, immediately submerging that uncontrollable force completely.
"Kei's power… as always, is truly powerful."
Mikoto's conscious form watched helplessly as the force that had exhausted her was swept away like withering weeds.
She clasped her hands before her chest and bowed respectfully.
Her gentle face still held that tranquil smile, one that could bring comfort.
Yet, beneath her listless fatigue, a subtle fragility had emerged, evoking sympathy.
"Explain your mission and who you faced—quickly."
Kei waved his hand, rapidly asking Mikoto about the details of her mission.
This girl desperately needed rest at this moment.
But that dark, extreme, and maddening Yin Release power looked way too much like something from a Sharingan.
He couldn't just walk away without learning more.
"Our squad was ordered to travel to Amegakure and deliver a scroll to its leader, Sanshouo Hanzo. The first half of the mission went smoothly, but on our return journey, we encountered a group of youths wearing Ame forehead protectors, wearing black cloaks and distributing food to civilians.
Finding it suspicious, I sent my subordinates to inquire. They supposedly belonged to an organization called Akatsuki—an organization formed by war orphans whose ideology advocates peace through nonviolence."
"When we returned to the Land of Fire's borders, suddenly, a masked ninja with only one visible eye—a single three-comma Sharingan—ambushed us. Though he showed only one eye, his ocular power surpassed mine."
"If it weren't for the flying summoned beast you sold me earlier, our squad probably wouldn't have made it back."
"I probed the masked ninja's identity. He couldn't possibly be a member of our Uchiha Clan, and there was something... off about the way he talked?"
"I analyzed Hanzo of the Salamander's situation. Logically speaking, he shouldn't be attacking us, so I suspect the problem lies with this Akatsuki organization."
Mikoto Uchiha hesitated for a moment before recounting what she had experienced and her suspicions.
"...Take some time to rest."
"Yes, thank you, Kei. Once I've recovered a bit, I'll personally visit to express my gratitude."
"Don't mention it. It's not like we're strangers."
Kei Yamanaka waved his hand dismissively.
He came back to his senses.
With his own mental fortitude, he slowly calmed the still turbulent Yin Release energy within Mikoto.
He inwardly sighed—what rotten luck this girl had!
Of all people, she ended up crossing paths with Nagato and his group.
After Black Zetsu escaped last time, he'd actually considered making time to visit Amegakure and rip out Nagato's Rinnegan.
Leaving that thing unattended was always a risk.
Before that, though, he hadn't known where Nagato and the others were located.
After taking over Root, he did get access to some intelligence related to the Akatsuki, but those past few days had been hectic.
So he put the matter on hold for now.
Never did he expect—
That before he could act, Black Zetsu would make his move first!
"Was it all an act, meant to manipulate Konoha into targeting Akatsuki, setting the stage for Nagato to activate the Moon's Eye Plan?"
Various thoughts flickered through Kei's mind as he tried to determine Black Zetsu's intentions.
Was that guy feeling uneasy under Konoha's surveillance,
and came up here specifically to eliminate them permanently?
But then, earlier on, the Root division had also gathered some information on the Akatsuki, so why weren't they silenced back then?
As for collecting Sharingan eyes—
If they were really serious, Tobi should've gone straight for the Wood Release.
In that case, Mikoto Uchiha and her squad wouldn't even have survived!
"It looks like things are settled."
Kazekaze Fuwind observed the pain gradually fading from Mikoto Uchiha's face. Her mental state seemed more stable, and she had stopped exhausting her chakra—greatly relieving everyone.
The earlier condition—if it had persisted any longer, it could have caused severe damage to both mind and body.
"The foreign Yin Release energy has now been removed. Her mental strength would need time to fully recover. From here on out, I leave the rest to you," Kei told Fuwind.
Then he turned and walked out of the ward.
Without that Yin Release interference anymore, with proper recovery care, Mikoto Uchiha would soon regain her strength.
As for him using Medical Ninjutsu directly to heal her?
Eh...
Better not!
He worried explaining everything would only cause confusion.
"How is she?" asked Hiruzen Sarutobi as he stepped forward the moment Kei emerged.
Mikoto Uchiha occupied an important role within the Uchiha Clan. In recent years, she had consistently served as a bridge between the village and the Uchiha.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone through the trouble of leaving his office and sending Anbu to fetch Tsunade.
Over a dozen Uchiha clan members also anxiously studied Kei's expression.
It was an expression that seemed to dread hearing any bad news.
"It's settled..."
Kei Yamanaka repeated the words he had just said to Kazekaze Fuwind.
The Third gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
A dozen or so Uchiha ninja standing nearby also exhaled in unison, releasing their tension.
Earlier, some Uchiha ninja who had glared at Kei with anger when they heard Tsunade hadn't shown up were now thanking him profusely, expressions of gratitude on their faces.
It was as though they wanted to run over, embrace him, or even kiss him.
What a complete reversal of attitude!
Kei's gaze swept over three young Uchiha—a pair of teenagers and a girl—each wrapped in bandages and huddled together, weeping.
He knew these three must be the genin who had joined Mikoto Uchiha on the mission.
[Sensor Ninjutsu] swept over them.
As with the others, Kei found no trace of White Zetsu among the three—Black Zetsu's plan still eluded him completely.
If your goal was to lure Konoha into attacking the Akatsuki organization, wouldn't you at least leave a few sets of eyes behind to monitor things?
Whatever. Not worth burning brain cells over.
Later, he'd just hop onto [Bi Diao] and fly straight to Rain Country to rip Nagato's eyes out first.
Seeing the matter settled, Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged polite farewells and left ahead of the group.
Kei nodded toward Hino Uchiha, who stood nearby, and was about to slip away when the other called out to stop him.
"Lord Kei, might I have a moment of your time?"
"...Since Lord Hino has extended the invitation, I naturally have the time."
"Thank you for the honor of your presence. Please."
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