Chapter 165: The Power of the Mangekyo, Uzumaki Miri and Karin! (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Votes)
Land of Grass.
Clone Uka didn't go directly to Kusagakure to pick up Karin and the others. Instead, he went to the border of the Land of Grass, where the Iwagakure ninja were.
Since he was going to impersonate an Iwagakure ninja, he naturally had to be more convincing.
He also wanted to test the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan's ocular abilities.
"Tsk, I'm so thoughtful. It's just one mission, but I'm getting multiple benefits."
Clone Uka couldn't help but feel pleased with himself.
Of course, he absolutely wouldn't admit that he was doing this just to have more fun outside.
Unlike his main body, he didn't have the attribute of being a shut-in.
He had come to this world when he was five years old, and now it had been over ten years. His strength had reached the Six Paths level, and he was invincible in the ninja world. Couldn't he enjoy himself a little?
Was there any need to live like an ascetic monk?
With light steps, admiring the unique terrain and vegetation of the Land of Grass, Clone Uka walked into the Iwagakure defense perimeter.
However, under his mask, his Mangekyo Sharingan had quietly bloomed.
With him walking so brazenly, the Iwagakure forward reconnaissance team wasn't blind and had naturally noticed him long ago.
All three of them were Jonin, and they silently surrounded Clone Uka.
But just as the three were about to make a move, Clone Uka disappeared. He suddenly appeared in front of one of the Iwagakure ninja. Their eyes met, and he instantly hypnotized him.
"Not good!"
The other two Iwagakure ninja immediately felt something was wrong. But before they could make any move, they followed in their companion's footsteps.
"Using the Sharingan for genjutsu is indeed very smooth. Although Sharingan genjutsu is basically visual, it can also be performed without sight."
After experiencing it, Clone Uka continued to use the Mangekyo Sharingan's ocular abilities.
First, he searched the memories of the three Iwagakure ninja, digging out their secrets, such as wetting the bed at three years old and peeking at people bathing at eight.
However, his main goal was to steal their Earth Style Ninjutsu from their memories.
After reading their memories, Clone Uka used the ocular ability of his right eye to weave memories for the three, manipulating them to continue their reconnaissance patrol and altering their memories of seeing him.
After doing all this, Clone Uka quietly hid in the shadows, silently dispelling the genjutsu on the three, allowing them to gradually regain consciousness.
The three didn't realize anything was wrong and continued with their tasks as usual.
Clone Uka observed them silently for a moment, confirmed there were no problems, and then quietly reappeared. He used genjutsu to control the three again, then altered their memories, and gave them a mission.
Cooperate with the Akatsuki organization to infiltrate Kusagakure and seize a target.
Five minutes later.
Clone Uka disguised himself as an Akatsuki member using the Transformation Technique and reappeared.
The three Iwagakure ninja, who had been "hiding" in the shadows, immediately appeared. One of them asked in a deep voice, "Are you from the Akatsuki?"
"Indeed!"
Clone Uka nodded slightly.
"Then let's begin. It'll be troublesome once it's dawn!"
The three Iwagakure ninja acted decisively, immediately setting off towards Kusagakure.
Clone Uka quietly followed behind them.
The infiltration went very smoothly.
This was because there were no Konoha ninja on the outskirts.
After safely passing through three defensive lines, the trio of Iwagakure ninja were finally discovered.
"Leave this to me!"
One Iwagakure ninja charged at the Kusagakure ninja, while the other two continued forward.
And so, In the darkest moment before dawn, the last Iwagakure ninja reached the outskirts of Kusagakure, attracting a lot of attention.
Clone Uka silently entered Kusagakure and found Karin and her mother.
Hypnotize, carry, pick up, and take away!
Meanwhile, Even without Konoha's help, the three Jonin couldn't cause much trouble. Soon, two of them were killed by the Kusagakure ninja, and one was seriously injured and captured.
By the time Sarutobi Asuma and Yūhi Kurenai arrived, the battle was already over.
To be honest, some of the ninjas in Kusagakure were not weak.
Moreover, this ninja village had a characteristic similar to Konoha, which was that they knew a bit of various ninjutsu.
This was the characteristic of Kusagakure: they were good at learning techniques from other ninja villages.
However, Kusagakure lacked the number of interrogation experts and methods that Konohagakure possessed, let alone a severely injured captive.
In order to quickly ascertain the purpose of the sudden infiltration by the Stone Ninja, the leader of Kusagakure had no choice but to request Konoha's assistance.
Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, and Shizune took action. They first healed the captive, then used Genjutsu for interrogation, naturally obtaining the results with ease.
The Stone Ninja had collaborated with the Akatsuki organization to abduct a target from within Kusagakure.
Karin's Mother was not particularly valued in Kusagakure, but she was, after all, a powerful medical machine. The leader of Kusagakure immediately dispatched a team to pursue them into the Land of Rain, attempting to reclaim this medical machine and save more Kusagakure lives.
As for the name Akatsuki, even Kusagakure had heard of it.
However, Sarutobi Asuma was no longer concerned with these matters.
This operation had no flaws, and the Mangekyo's ocular techniques were extremely practical. The Stone Ninja and the Akatsuki organization perfectly served as scapegoats.
Meanwhile, the Stone Ninja learned that one of their Jonin squads had suddenly infiltrated Kusagakure, which baffled them. They assumed it was a secret mission, and the responsible leader immediately reported it to Iwagakure.
The next day.
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, was completely bewildered upon receiving the intelligence.
Had he issued such an order?
Konoha ninja were present in Kusagakure, and furthermore, Sarutobi Asuma's Shadow Clone was there. He had already decided to withdraw back to the Land of Earth.
Could someone else have issued an order behind his back?
Onoki's gaze deepened, and he then recalled the intelligence from Kumogakure.
The Fourth Raikage had been defeated by Sarutobi Asuma; this was not unexpected.
He himself had experienced the power of that brat.
However, all eight Jinchuriki had been captured.
Moreover, they were recently holding concerts?
"Is Konoha returning to the Senju era..."
Onoki muttered to himself.
Sarutobi Asuma's presence gave him the feeling that he was no less powerful than Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara in their prime.
Previously, Sarutobi Asuma had already captured the One-Tail and Three-Tails alive.
Although both had since been ransomed back by Sunagakure and Amegakure.
Given the strength Sarutobi Asuma had displayed, if he wished to seize the Tailed Beasts...
Onoki felt a sense of unease and immediately decided that the supervision of Jinchuriki must be strengthened.
...
Land of Rain, Amegakure.
At the top of a tall tower.
Figures emerged from the darkness, presenting themselves before Konan and Nagato.
The deceased Yahiko, and five other different faces.
Each of them was cold and emotionless, possessed the Rinnegan, and had black rods embedded in their bodies.
Looking at Yahiko, Konan couldn't help but feel her eyes welling up with tears.
From now on, this was the only way Yahiko could chase their dreams with them.
"From today onwards, they are Pein!"
Nagato declared, "Pein will secretly control the Akatsuki organization, and Konan, the affairs of Amegakure will primarily fall to you!"
Konan nodded, worriedly asking, "Nagato, do you have the confidence to defeat Sarutobi Asuma?"
"Konoha's Nine-Tails Attack was likely orchestrated by that Uchiha Madara, but he failed."
"Furthermore, according to the latest intelligence, Kumogakure's Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was also captured by Sarutobi Asuma!"
Nagato said calmly, "Konan, you don't need to worry. I won't make a move against Konoha unless I have absolute certainty."
"Besides, it may not even be necessary for us to act."
"The initial phase will focus on gathering intelligence and accumulating strength."
Konan felt relieved, then said with some sadness, "Those few of them want to leave."
Nagato fell silent.
He knew that "they" Konan spoke of were the core members of the original Akatsuki, who had united with the same ideals as them, aiming to achieve peace without resorting to force.
And the current Akatsuki...
Nagato lowered his gaze and said, "Let them go. With their strength, they cannot adapt to the new Akatsuki."
Konohagakure.
Around 8 AM.
Sunlight streamed into the room. Uzumaki Miri slowly opened her eyes, paused for a moment, then startled and quickly got up. Seeing her daughter sleeping soundly in the crib beside her, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She immediately scanned her surroundings with heightened vigilance.
The room was clean and decorated warmly.
It held none of the oppressive atmosphere of Kusagakure.
"Where am I?"
"What happened?"
Uzumaki Miri tried to calm herself, not to panic, and stood up, picking up her daughter.
At that moment, Sarutobi Asuma appeared at the doorway, smiling gently. "You're awake. Breakfast and baby formula have been prepared."
Uzumaki Miri was startled and looked at Sarutobi Asuma warily. "Who... who are you?"
"Why did you kidnap me from Kusagakure and bring me here?"
"What is this place?"
Sarutobi Asuma smiled and spread his hands. "You have too many questions, and I don't know where to begin."
"Let me introduce myself first then!"
Sarutobi Asuma said, "I am Sarutobi Asuma, a Jonin from Konohagakure!"
Konoha!
Uzumaki Miri's expression changed.
Sarutobi Asuma acted as if he hadn't seen it, continuing with a gentle smile. "Then, without a doubt, this is Konohagakure. You and the child are safe."
"As for why you were brought back to Konoha, it's naturally because of your Uzumaki clan identity."
Sarutobi Asuma pointed at Uzumaki Miri. "Your hair, your abilities..."
Uzumaki Miri looked panicked and quickly said, "I... I'm not a ninja. Can you please let me and my child go?"
Sarutobi Asuma was slightly taken aback.
Why did she seem more afraid of Konoha than Kusagakure?
"It seems you have a very bad impression of Konoha."
Sarutobi Asuma mused.
Uzumaki Miri took two steps back, panicking. "No... it's not like that."
"I just, I just..."
Sarutobi Asuma shook his head and pointed at Karin, who was still sleeping soundly. "Miss, do you want to return to Kusagakure, wait until the Kusagakure ninja drain you dry, and then have your daughter suffer the same fate?"
Uzumaki Miri froze, looking down at her daughter with deep sadness.
Of course, she didn't want her daughter to go through what she did.
But Konoha... would it be any better than Kusagakure?
Sarutobi Asuma said no more.
Uzumaki Miri's wariness and poor impression of Konoha likely stemmed from the fall of the Land of Whirlpools.
Given Uzumaki Miri's age, comparable to Uzumaki Kushina's, she had probably personally witnessed the destruction of her country and village, forced to become a refugee, and finally went into hiding in Kusagakure under an assumed name.
The fall of the Land of Whirlpools occurred just before the official outbreak of the Second Great Ninja War.
In fact, the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools was one of the triggers for the war's escalation.
At that time, Konoha had just gone through the First Great Ninja War. The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had died, Sarutobi Hiruzen had ascended to power at a young age, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was old, marking Konoha's weakest period.
Of course, Sarutobi Asuma did not defend Konoha.
Konoha had indeed fallen short at that time.
Uzushio Village was attacked by the major ninja villages, who then plundered its Fūinjutsu for research.
Today, the seals used by the major ninja villages for their Jinchuriki all benefit from the Fūinjutsu legacy of the Uzumaki clan.
Konoha's failure to rescue them back then was undeniable.
Otherwise, Konoha would not only have Uzumaki Kushina today.
Nagato's mother, and Uzumaki Miri before him, had genuinely experienced those life-or-death conflicts. It was understandable that they would have no goodwill towards Konoha, with whom they had a long-standing relationship, and not even seek refuge there.
Sarutobi Asuma offered no defense. "Even if you want to leave Konoha, you need to eat, right?"
"And the little one you're holding."
As soon as he finished speaking, Karin opened her eyes and began to cry loudly.
Simultaneously, Uzumaki Kushina's voice echoed from outside: "Asuma!"
Another chapter coming soon!
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