Chapter 124: The Kaleidoscope Sharingan?
Chapter 124: The Kaleidoscope Sharingan?
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two dark figures sped swiftly through the forest, leaving only a fleeting trace of their presence.
While the plan was to stir up a hornet's nest and draw attention, it didn't mean that they had to wait for Uyi Xuan Yue and Sasuke to trek relentlessly through the heart of the Land of Fire on their quest for senjutsu.
Senjutsu, or the manipulation of natural energy, was most famously practiced by the three great holy lands in the ninja world.
Aside from them, there were also a few individuals or factions who, by chance, had acquired the ability to harness natural energy.
Jugo and the monks of the Fire Temple, who possessed the talent of the Sage Clan, were examples of this.
The next stop on Uyi Xuan Yue's journey was a place where people had also mastered the use of natural energy and had even developed incredibly powerful techniques. These techniques were so formidable that Konoha had designated them as forbidden jutsu and prohibited their dissemination.
Konoha had even gone as far as to forge a pact with this group, promising to send aid should their clan ever come under attack.
"I hope this trip bears fruit," Uyi Xuan Yue muttered, gazing up at a towering mountain that loomed in the distance.
This excursion served multiple purposes: to divert Konoha's attention and protect the secrets of Lock Front Village, to gain a deeper understanding of the Kaleidoscope Sharingan and expedite the analysis of Yin-attribute chakra, and to find a solution to the issues encountered in the development of senjutsu.
Although the term "Sage Clan" had the character for "immortal" in it, it did not refer to the Sage Mode.
While Uyi Xuan Yue had gained some inspiration from studying it, it was not nearly enough.
Now, all eyes were on the distant Mount Kazekami.
With a determined glance, Uyi Xuan Yue quickened their pace, rushing towards the mountain. Sasuke followed silently behind.
Fire Temple.
When Kakashi Hatake led Team 7 and Team 8 from Konoha to the Fire Temple, the first thing that greeted them was the sight of the once-renowned sealing iron wall, now reduced to ruins.
Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi's girlfriend, had often heard her partner speak of the Land and the Fire Temple. She knew full well the power of the sealing iron wall that had once deterred many outsiders.
Looking at the remnants before them, she gravely remarked, "The person alongside Sasuke must be formidable indeed to be able to break through the sealing iron wall head-on."
No one would suspect Sasuke to be responsible.
He had only left the village less than a year ago, and it was impossible for his strength to have grown so rapidly.
"An Uchiha, then," Kakashi mused to himself as he nodded in agreement. Leading the group into the Fire Temple, they were guided by a monk to meet with the abbot, Chiriku.
Despite appearing somewhat weary, Chiriku was unharmed and greeted the visitors with a respectful bow.
Kakashi and the other veteran jonin of Konoha were familiar to Chiriku.
Without wasting time on formalities, Chiriku addressed Kakashi, "I had expected Asuma to be leading the team this time."
Kakashi, understanding the relationship between Asuma and Chiriku, didn't take offense. "Asuma's team is on another mission and won't be back for a while. Due to the intelligence regarding the Sharingan ninja, I'm leading this mission instead."
"So, Chiriku, can you confirm that the person accompanying Sasuke is indeed an Uchiha, as the intelligence suggested?" Kakashi asked gravely.
Upon hearing this, Chiriku recalled the encounter with the masked man, and his eyes narrowed as he nodded. "I witnessed it with my own eyes. There's no doubt that his eyes were the Sharingan. My training in the Sage Clan's techniques usually grants me resistance to most genjutsu. However, I'm ashamed to admit that in just an instant, I fell under his genjutsu and couldn't break free until he left."
Even a strong warrior like Chiriku had been unable to resist?
Kakashi turned to the master of illusions by his side, Kurenai Yuhi.
Understanding Kakashi's unspoken question, Kurenai shook her head slightly to indicate that even she couldn't accomplish such a task.
"A powerful Uchiha genjutsu user? Someone like Itachi? Or perhaps a Mangekyou Sharingan user?"
Kakashi's mind raced with possibilities.
If it were the latter, then things just got a lot more complicated.
Recalling the outcome of his battle with Uchiha Itachi, Kakashi's heart sank slightly.
Kakashi then earnestly questioned Jirou about the physical characteristics of the Uchiha clan members.
Jirou shook his head, indicating that the man had always worn a white spiral mask, making it difficult to identify him beyond the fact that he was likely an adult male.
However, thanks to the descriptions provided by the monks who had previously encountered Sasuke, Kakashi and his team now had a very clear understanding of Sasuke.
"A three-tomoe Sharingan, lightning-attribute chakra control, and the Chidori ninjutsu. You've made remarkable progress in a short time, Sasuke."
Kakashi's feelings were complicated.
Suddenly, he found himself empathizing with Sasuke's actions.
"As expected of your disciple, Kakashi!" Gai patted Kakashi's shoulder in consolation.
Kakashi felt helpless. "Gai, you didn't have to say that out loud."
Although he knew Gai didn't mean anything by it, Kakashi felt that he couldn't quite live up to those words.
"A three-tomoe Sharingan user would be difficult to handle without the help of another jonin." Shino finally spoke up, finishing his thought.
But when he pushed up his sunglasses and looked around, he found that no one had responded to his statement.
"It's like this again."
Shino quietly lowered his head, retreating back into his shell.
Although no one had immediately responded, what Shino said was true.
Even Kiba, with his disdain, asserted that he could take down Sasuke by himself.
As jonin who had witnessed the battles of Uchiha ninjas firsthand, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Gai were all too aware of the power of a three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Looks like we'll have to change our battle strategy," Kakashi said.
The original plan was for the three jonin to take on the masked Uchiha while the rest of the team handled Sasuke.
However, Sasuke's strength far exceeded their expectations.
Now, it was necessary to assign a jonin to Sasuke to ensure the mission's success.
Hearing this, Gai expressed his willingness to follow Kakashi's lead, and Kurenai also had no objections.
Thus, Kakashi and his team quickly formulated a new battle plan. After bidding Jirou farewell, they set off in the direction that Hiyuki and Sasuke had taken, beginning their pursuit.
"Byakugan!"
Hinata activated her Byakugan, swiftly searching for any traces within a one-kilometer radius.
"Hinata."
Neji, seeing Hinata's unusually serious expression, realized something and turned solemn as well as he activated his Byakugan to assist her.
They weren't the only ones; Kiba and Akamaru, guided by the scents they had picked up at the Fire Temple, began to sniff around.
Shino also summoned his army of bugs, sending them out in all directions to search.
This was the reason why Tsunade had specifically instructed them to bring Team 8 along.
As the tracking team, this was their forte.
It didn't take long for the three of them to find a lead.
Led by Team 8, the group quickly set off, chasing after Hiyuki and Sasuke in a direction that was largely consistent with their departure.
(End of Chapter)
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