Her hand gently rested on Keiji's shoulder, like a quiet reassurance from a senior to a junior.
She had originally assumed that Yagetsu Keiji would be just as crude and uncouth as the people from the Land of Lightning—so she had kept delaying the mission.
But now that she saw him today, he felt more... sincere. Maybe even a bit dull in a good way.
Up close, Keiji could faintly smell a delicate fragrance.
Uchiha Hazuki offered a few comforting words before turning and leaving.
Keiji stared at her retreating figure, his eyes shimmering.
Uchiha Hazuki and Uchiha Izumi really did look alike—as mother and daughter, that wasn't surprising.
Both had a tear mole just beneath their eye.
But Hazuki looked like a more mature version of Izumi—refined and composed.
Opening the scroll in his hands, he found it contained a Genjutsu-type Lightning Release jutsu, titled Lightning Release: Blazing Flash.
To someone like Keiji, who already possessed the Sharingan, it was rather underwhelming.
Genjutsu, at its core, was the art of using chakra to infiltrate an opponent's senses and disturb them, plunging them into illusions.
They generally fell into three categories: visual, auditory, and tactile.
Examples: Visual Genjutsu like Tsukuyomi, auditory types like Demonic Illusion: Phantom Sound Chains, and tactile illusions like Izanami.
As long as the medium aligned with one of those three types, the illusion could be cast.
Even Lightning Release could serve as a medium—such as in Lightning Release: Lightning Illusion Light Pillar, a Genjutsu developed by Kumogakure's all-rounder elite Jonin, Ki.
It allowed the user to turn their entire body into blinding electricity, making the opponent assume it was just a sensory-jamming technique—allowing the Genjutsu to land seamlessly.
"Actually… merging Lightning Release into Genjutsu might not be such a bad idea."
A thought sparked in Keiji's mind.
After all, the future famed shinobi Shisui the Body Flicker used a technique called Phantom Flicker Technique, blending Sharingan Genjutsu with the Body Flicker Jutsu.
Keiji could attempt something similar.
The Uchiha name was too well-known.
Across the shinobi world, there was an unspoken rule: when fighting an Uchiha, don't look into their eyes.
But if one could cast Genjutsu through other means—it could become a secret weapon.
"I should go see Samui."
Keiji tucked the scroll into his pouch and walked out.
Right now, he was sorely lacking in offensive techniques.
So far, he could only use:
Transformation Technique
Lightning Release: Lightning Finger
Lightning Release: Iron Body
All of which were supportive in nature.
"Iron Body," in essence, was a technique meant to strengthen the body and accelerate physical development.
And "Lightning Finger" was something he had only barely learned—its power would remain limited even if he mastered it.
It likely originated as a medical jutsu, using low-level electrical current for paralysis.
At the Sushi Shop…
"…Samodo, why is Atsui here too? He's just a kid!"
Inside the sushi shop's secret chamber, Samui frowned deeply as she looked at her younger brother, who appeared about the same age as Keiji.
Being a spy was dangerous. One slip, and both of them could die here.
"The Third Raikage is placing a lot of importance on Yagetsu Keiji," rumbled Samodo in his coarse voice. Thick dreadlocks, each the width of a finger, twisted together across his scalp.
"The village went to great lengths to forge Atsui's identity. He'll be enrolling at the Ninja Academy soon, blending in as a student."
He glanced at the siblings before him.
Infiltration required enormous effort.
For the village to send in another operative meant Keiji's value had skyrocketed again.
Scanning the room, Samodo noted the presence of not just Samui and the newly-arrived Atsui, but several attendants disguised as waiters—Kumogakure spies.
A few more operatives guarded the exterior, blending into the city like ordinary workers.
They maintained the sushi shop's daily business on the surface, while secretly gathering intel from Konohagakure.
As their superior, Samodo was in charge of managing all of them.
"Big Sis, I volunteered," Atsui said firmly, his eyes shining with youthful resolve. "It's for the village."
Despite his childlike appearance—blond hair like Samui's, vibrant eyes—his left shoulder already bore the red tattoo for "Heat" (熱).
"Besides, I want to help you too."
Samui was calm—one of the qualities that made her an ideal spy. But infiltration was treacherous.
If Keiji truly was a distant nephew of the Second Raikage, bringing him home would be a monumental achievement.
Then perhaps… Samui would never have to take on another high-risk mission again.
She sighed quietly—torn between pride and sorrow.
Her little brother… was being thrown into this world far too early.
"He's an Uchiha… and a relative of the previous Raikage. You understand the weight of that," Samodo said gravely. "Last time, Keiji came looking for you. He'll likely return. Win him over."
If they could pull this off, it would be a massive victory for everyone. No more gambling with their lives in enemy territory.
"…Understood."
Samui nodded.
Samodo then gave a few more words of encouragement and instructed Atsui about the academy admission plans before sending everyone back to their posts.
Samui returned to the sushi shop absentmindedly, grabbing a white rag to wipe down the tables.
Her heart had been uneasy ever since seeing her little brother.
Not because she disliked him—but because she worried.
Then
"Do you still have squid sushi?"
Samui instinctively looked up and was about to answer "yes," when she realized
It was Yagetsu Keiji.
That uneasy feeling in her chest grew stronger.
She forced it down and glanced around—no customers nearby—then whispered, "What do you want this time?"
Samui didn't believe for a second that Keiji had come to willingly return to Kumogakure.
He was probably just here to leech something off her again.
"Some more scrolls. Preferably on sword techniques."
Keiji held out his hand.
"You think these scrolls grow on trees or something?"
Looking at his perfectly calm face, Samui felt her composure start to crack.
Samodo had told her to win Keiji over—but this guy…
He was seriously punch-worthy.
Not long ago, she'd given him two Lightning Release jutsu scrolls.
Now he was back, asking for more?
She knew well that most scrolls you could buy on the market were either low-level, mass-produced trash, or outright scams.
True jutsu were either inherited within clans or taught by personal mentors.
"Of course I know that," Keiji said leisurely, ready to deliver his pre-prepared argument.
But just then, he spotted something behind Samui—a young man with the exact same hair and eyes as her, and a visible tattoo on his shoulder.
Keiji's planned speech… silently changed course.
"Is this your little brother, Samui?"
He smiled slightly.
Samui's sea-green eyes widened in shock.
She turned around—to see her brother, now in server's uniform, sleeves rolled up in the summer heat.
Her brows furrowed deeply.
This is bad.