Kurenai Yūhi asked in surprise, echoing the same suspicion held by Hiruzen and the others. "Otherwise, why would your genjutsu never work on you?"
"Do you know what the Sharingan is, for us Uchiha? Simply put, it's the pinnacle of Yin Release."
"Yin Release represents spiritual energy. Even without the Sharingan activated, our spiritual energy surpasses that of ordinary people, making us naturally resistant to genjutsu,"
Kouki explained, confidently spouting nonsense. Kurenai, impressed by his seemingly professional explanation, was completely taken in.
"Then why do you wear sunglasses?" Kurenai asked.
"Don't laugh, but my first time on the battlefield, I was terrified. My eyes were filled with fear."
"But that made me an easy target; enemies attacked first. So, I started wearing sunglasses to hide my fear!"
"It also makes me seem mysterious, like some kind of enigmatic master. Don't you think I seem unfathomably deep?"
"Pfft!" Kurenai almost burst out laughing. "You're such a unique Uchiha!"
After a few more jokes, Kurenai's expression turned serious. "Kouki, I'm so sorry. I never imagined I'd cause you so much trouble."
While apologizing, she couldn't help but curse Asuma. "That bastard Asuma is so despicable! How could he do that? He's a complete thug!"
Kouki found Kurenai's outburst amusing. Seeing her intense dislike for Asuma, he couldn't help but think, Could I be breaking up this couple?
Asuma's wife, I shall take care of her! The thought crossed his mind.
"If you really want to apologize, treat me to some yakitori," Kouki said with a smile. "I'll forgive you when I'm full!"
"Of course! I wanted to thank you for helping me with my genjutsu training, anyway!" Kurenai's eyes lit up, readily agreeing.
"Let's go, I'm going to make you pay," Kouki said, not bothering with polite refusals. "Let's get Guy too."
"No problem!" Kurenai readily agreed.
Kouki and Kurenai summoned Might Guy, and the three of them went to a yakitori restaurant. They ordered drinks and grilled meat, chatting and laughing, the atmosphere relaxed and friendly.
It felt like an old-fashioned gathering with friends.
…
Under the Kannabi Bridge, a secret base.
"Huff huff huff!"
"Bang bang bang!"
A White Zetsu with a rather… unique facial design was sparring with a boy around Kouki's age.
If Kouki were present, he would recognize the White Zetsu—the eccentric, excrement-obsessed Tobi!
The boy was Obito, presumed dead by Konoha after a long search. Rescued by Madara Uchiha, he'd spent six months recovering and training, nearly back to full strength.
"I must regain my strength, find Kakashi and the others!" Obito thought fiercely. This desire fueled his relentless training.
"Obito remains fixated on Kakashi, Rin, and Konoha, making him difficult to use."
"Fortunately, I've prepared… Obito's almost recovered; my plans can proceed."
"Obito, when you witness the woman you cherish most die at the hands of your best friend, I believe you will undergo a transformation!"
The aging, frail Madara Uchiha watched Obito's intense training, his thoughts swirling.
"Inform the Mizukage. He's to attack Konoha according to the plan, capturing Rin. She must be taken alive!"
Madara Uchiha gave his orders casually.
"Understood," a White Zetsu emerged from the ground, responding before disappearing again.
Obito, immersed in his training, remained oblivious to everything. He was filled with hope for the future. The thought of rejoining Kakashi and Rin spurred him on.
…
Konoha, a yakitori restaurant.
Crackle crackle! Sizzle sizzle!
The sounds of intensely burning charcoal and meat sizzling on the grill filled the air.
"This is delicious! The last time I had yakitori was a year ago," Might Guy devoured the food with gusto, emulating Akimichi Chōji's legendary appetite.
He wasn't exaggerating; his father, Might Dai, was a ridiculed genin with little work and even less money.
"Then eat up, go ahead, it's not my money," Kouki said with a smirk, slapping the table. "Boss, another order!"
"You're really not being polite," Kurenai said, playfully scolding him.
The three of them ate, drank, and laughed, enjoying the camaraderie.
After a satisfying meal, Kurenai paid the bill. As they stepped out, they noticed an unusually thick fog had enveloped the streets.
"Why is it suddenly foggy?"
"Yeah, it's really thick!"
They were surprised but not overly concerned; fog was a natural phenomenon, albeit uncommon.
Kouki initially dismissed it, but soon realized something was wrong. The fog was thickening far too rapidly.
From leaving the restaurant to reaching the street corner, only a few minutes had passed, yet the fog had become several times denser. Visibility was down to a few meters.
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