"Big Brother Kurotsuchi, I'm sorry," Sasori said, his expression showing some shame.
Since they had met, this was the first time Sasori had failed in a mission assigned by Anya.
The arrogant Sasori immediately stepped into his mechanized suit, speaking in anger: "I'll go back right now and bring him here."
"Never mind," Anya sighed. "It's already too late — their battle must have started by now. It seems this fated clash was unavoidable after all."
Sasori's voice betrayed disbelief as he asked, "Itachi... will he really die?"
"He wants his death to awaken Sasuke." Anya pointed at his own eyes: "One of the prerequisites for awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan is experiencing intense emotional stimulation."
"But how did he deceive me?" Sasori asked in confusion: "To prevent falling victim to genjutsu, I switched my real body with a puppet at the very last moment and activated Sage Mode. With the two different chakra natures within me interfering with each other, I should have already been immune to genjutsu attacks."
At this moment, Sasori had already confirmed he must have fallen victim to Itachi's genjutsu; otherwise, he wouldn't have failed to recognize a shadow clone.
Anya looked at the Puppet: Corpse Crow in his hand with a complex expression as he spoke: "What Itachi used on you wasn't ordinary genjutsu — it was the ultimate genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami. Don't think you're the only one — this technique would've worked on me just as well."
Sasori blurted out, "How could that be? What genjutsu is so powerful?"
With nothing better to do, Anya decided to explain to Sasori: "Not only me — Kotoamatsukami works on anyone. However, its effects vary depending on the target."
Anya raised one finger: "The first category includes those with weak resistance to genjutsu and generally frail minds and willpower. Kotoamatsukami can directly infiltrate their brain without being detected, rewriting their will."
"The second category consists of those with strong genjutsu resistance and firm willpower. In this case, Kotoamatsukami can't forcibly rewrite their will, but can guide it. You fall squarely into this category."
Sasori asked, surprised: "How does it guide?"
Anya hesitated a moment before explaining: "Take this instance, for example. When you asked Itachi to leave with you, after casting Kotoamatsukami, he still agreed to follow. You'd subconsciously believe everything was fine, never questioning whether the Itachi leaving with you was actually a clone. But if he had flatly refused to go with you, attempting instead to use Kotoamatsukami to change your will, trying to eliminate your idea of taking him along, you'd immediately realize you'd fallen victim to the genjutsu."
"I see," Sasori suddenly understood, feeling somewhat better: "What about the third category?"
"It's someone like me, who already possesses advanced mastery of genjutsu, has a Mangekyo Sharingan at the same level, and whose ocular power surpasses Kotoamatsukami." Anya exhaled lightly: "Then Kotoamatsukami can only offer suggestions."
Anya waved his hand, producing two figures before them: "For instance, if I were about to kill these two, I probably wouldn't care who I killed first. However, under the influence of Kotoamatsukami, it could determine whether I decide to kill the one on the left or right first."
Sasori had already figured it out entirely. "I get it now. To put it simply, Kotoamatsukami can't make you change your mind about killing those two, but it can influence the timing."
"That's correct," Anya replied thoughtfully. "Against an opponent of equal strength, subtly planting an idea and uncovering their next move could be absolutely deadly."
Sasori let out an admiring sigh. "No wonder the Uchiha Clan inspires such fear. Even from just this Genjutsu, I can see how formidable they truly are. This power needs to remain under our control," he added, addressing Big Brother Kurotsuchi.
Anya retrieved the Crow puppet in his hand and gazed into the distance. "Itachi sharing this Genjutsu with us is also a kind of entrustment. Sigh, that child probably already decided on his fate the moment he wiped out his clan."
Now that he had access to two Kotoamatsukami abilities, the earlier plan had significantly better odds of success. It was no longer possible to stay in Kirigakure Village any longer.
Anya's expression grew serious. "Sasori, Akatsuki Organization's collection of Tailed Beasts has entered its final phase. The next step is surely going after Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails. The timing is ripe—we should initiate the Third Kage Summit and I will begin my ultimate plan."
"Very well," Sasori agreed and then pulled out a map. "The places marked with red lines indicate lakes near the Land of Fire where Three-Tails' massive body can survive. There are ten such locations altogether. As long as it truly remains nearby, we will find it here."
Anya tightly gripped the map in his hand—finally acquiring the last piece of the puzzle. Everything now lay within his grasp, requiring only patience for circumstances to evolve naturally.
Sasori quickly returned to Sunagakure Village inside a mechanized suit. Since he'd already messed up once before, from now on he would proceed with even greater caution.
At this point, after wrapping up her official duties, Terumi Mei walked over to join Anya. Her eyes immediately noticed Sasori departing and she asked curiously, "Didn't he just arrive? Why is he leaving so quickly?"
Anya teased, "He said he didn't want to ruin our little moment together. Although lately, someone became hard to meet after obtaining the gold."
"Hmph!" Naturally understanding the implication, Terumi Mei expressed slight dissatisfaction. "I've been focused on getting the village back on its feet. Once the village no longer needs me, I'll go anywhere with you."
"All right, just kidding around," Anya said. "Actually, I really admire how incredibly beautiful you look when concentrating on important tasks."
Terumi Mei lit up with joy. "Really?"
"Of course. Tonight—accompany me," Anya extended his invitation.
Terumi Mei blushed faintly, softened her stance, and silently nodded her agreement.
In Sanshouo Hanzo's area, Jiraiya-sama, wearing rain gear, had already infiltrated inside, pondering where to start investigating.
Just as Jiraiya entered Sanshouo Hanzo's area—
"Hmm?" Pain's Rinnegan pupils suddenly contracted sharply.
Beside him, Konan asked, "What's wrong?"
"Someone interrupted my rain flow—the sensation of their chakra feels extremely powerful."
Soon afterward, Hakuto arrived in front of Sanshouo Hanzo's area as well. Scanning with her Sharingan, she gasped in shock. "This can't be real—these raindrops are laced with chakra energy! Oh no—if that's true, Jiraiya-sama would have been discovered the very moment he entered. How can I warn him in time?"
[Grudge Rain] — by infusing her chakra into each drop of rain, this sensor-type ninjutsu grants absolute control over the rainfall. Only those with ocular abilities could possibly detect such a technique.
Hakuto turned the problem over in her mind again and again but couldn't find a way through — stepping inside directly would still expose her presence in an instant.
What if she could avoid getting rained on? Or better yet, exist in an intangible state?
That's right — [Spirit Transformation Technique]! Yes, that's it! While her physical body remained tangible, her soul essence was intangible. Currently, she had only mastered the Spirit Control Technique and hadn't yet learned the Division Technique. It seemed she would need to conceal her true form with care first.
This was no challenge at all for her. Smiling faintly, Hakuto activated the Ryuchi Cave Sage Art as the internal seed blossomed. Inorganic Rebirth surged forth — her entire body merged into the ground, transforming into an ordinary rock while her pure spiritual form drifted gracefully into Sanshouo Hanzo's area.
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