Chapter 361: Genjutsu Control
"A Genjutsu attack by an unknown individual..."
Dana frowned.
"Let's discuss this second matter first, if you please..."
Clearly, Genji had his own agenda for this secret mission. Though he called the attack the "second matter," it was the first thing he brought to the table.
"About a month ago, the Mizukage-sama was attacked by an unknown assailant outside the village. The opponent attempted to use Genjutsu to control him."
A sharp light flashed in Dana's eyes. "The fact that Elder Genji is bringing this up suggests the attempt was unsuccessful?"
"Yes and no. The assailant's Genjutsu was terrifying. Even the Mizukage-sama could not break free at the time. However, due to certain reasons, the Mizukage-sama has been intensifying his training in Genjutsu resistance. A few days later, he successfully dispelled the Genjutsu on his own."
Dana raised an eyebrow. This was an unexpected development.
Hearing the first half, he would have bet his head that Black Zetsu's group was responsible. But Yagura actually broke free?
As a Perfect Jinchuriki, Yagura's resistance should naturally be high, but in the original timeline, he was controlled for years. How did he break it this time? Was it because Madara wasn't personally maintaining it, or was Black Zetsu's technique lacking?
Dana sensed that Genji might not be telling the whole truth.
Genji continued without clarifying the details. "The village high command was shaken afterward. The Mizukage himself has no clear memory of the attack, but we immediately audited all of his actions during those few days and discovered..."
"Discovered what?"
"We discovered that during the days he was under the Genjutsu, the Mizukage was attempting to mobilize a massive amount of war materiel to be shipped to the main continent. Later, we confirmed the route led to territories controlled by Sunagakure and Iwagakure..."
Dana understood immediately. No wonder they were seeking to join the Federation.
Kirigakure had realized they could no longer remain neutral in the current state of the ninja world. They might not know exactly who was hiding in the shadows, but they were clearly being dragged into the vortex.
The grand chessboard of the ninja world was now clear. Despite the imbalance in strength, wealth, and potential, an "East-West Confrontation" had been established.
On one side was the "Anti-Cloud Alliance," led by Iwa and Suna, secretly supported by the Daimyo Courts of over a dozen nations, based on traditional feudal structures. On the other was the Cloud-Thunder Federation, led by the Cloud, occupying the eastern half of the ninja world.
In this vast world, you were either marginalized like the tiny border nations, or you were a participant in this era's upheaval.
The Mist originally thought their isolation at sea would keep them safe, but reality proved them wrong. The fire had reached them—and the first spark was a scorching one.
Normally, a village would never reveal that their Kage had been puppeted, even for a short time. Yet Genji had disclosed it openly, using it as a warning to the Cloud-Thunder Federation.
Genji took a sip of the tea—a specialty of the Land of Lightning—offered a compliment, and then continued:
"Within just a few days, several ships full of supplies sailed for the coasts of the Land of Earth and Land of Wind. By the time we reacted and sent ninja to intercept them at sea, the escorting ninja from our village had already been killed, and the supplies had vanished. Those escort ninja were innocent; they were simply following orders they believed were legitimate."
"Among the stolen goods was a critical item: Healing Talismans. More than half of the Mist's entire stockpile was shipped away... Regarding this breach of our agreement, the Mist has failed to keep its promise. Please accept our apologies, Consul-sama. We are willing to provide compensation..."
Dana and Dodai exchanged a glance. This was a massive headache.
Healing Talismans were strictly prohibited from leaking. Every single talisman in the enemy's hands represented an uncontrollable risk for Federation ninja.
"Elder Genji... how is your Mizukage's current condition?"
The Great Desert... endless swirling yellow sands!
Deep within the desert lay a forest of stone pillars that had withstood the elements for thousands of years, serving as a natural windbreak.
This had become the temporary headquarters of Sunagakure.
Inside a tent, the Third Kazekage didn't even look up as he spoke: "Denied! Pakura's squad is not permitted to return to the village. To do so will be treated as desertion. Order them to head to the border of the Land of Rain immediately. Infiltrate and sabotage. Give them the coordinates of the civilian villages we've already scouted."
The subordinate hesitated but dared to speak: "Kazekage-sama, the Land of Rain is not yet a member of the Cloud-Thunder Federation. Attacking them will only drive them into the enemy's arms..."
"Are you questioning my orders?"
The man shuddered, his face paling. "This subordinate wouldn't dare!"
The Third Kazekage sneered. "Even if we leave Amegakure alone, do you think we can win them over as allies? Hanzo the Salamander is a staunch ally of the Cloud. He hasn't officially joined yet only because the Land of Rain's geography is too dangerous and he's afraid of being the first target. He has even placed the Rain Daimyo under house arrest. Do you really think there's any point in trying to recruit them?"
The subordinate lowered his head in shame.
"Harassing the Land of Rain is meant to keep Hanzo occupied so he can't interfere elsewhere. Tell the frontline squads: ignore civilian casualties. Go all out. Our current strategy is flawless. Neither Hanzo nor the Cloud-Thunder Federation can find our main force or headquarters. I welcome them to try and find me in this desert."
The man felt like he had received a stay of execution and prepared to withdraw, but before he could leave, the Kazekage added one more thing.
"The infiltration squad for the Land of Rain... you go with them. If you survive, you can come back."
The man swallowed hard, his throat tight.
"This subordinate... obeys..."
He left with a face full of misery.
The Third Kazekage was now alone in the tent—at least on the surface.
He raised a hand, and a small amount of Iron Sand gathered at the tent entrance, forming an eyeball that floated in the air as a sentry. He then turned and walked to the back of the tent.
Rounding a partition, he came upon a long-haired man in ancient Sengoku-era armor sitting cross-legged.
The Third Kazekage dropped to one knee, bowing his head respectfully. "Madara-sama..."
Madara Uchiha did not open his eyes, appearing to be in deep meditation. The Kazekage did not dare to urge him and remained kneeling.
After a long silence, Madara opened his eyes. "The two Elders of Sunagakure... how have they been lately?"
"I am watching them closely," the Kazekage replied. "They have made some small movements, but they pose no threat."
He lowered his head further. "However, while I can still control them for now, they will inevitably resent the loss of their authority. For safety's sake, it might be best to use Genjutsu to control them..."
"Are you teaching me how to do my job?"
"This one would not dare..."
A look of irrepressible mockery appeared on Madara's face. Here was a pathetic wretch already under Genjutsu, earnestly advising him to use Genjutsu on others... Of course, in the Third Kazekage's mind, he wasn't being controlled; he believed he had been loyal to Madara Uchiha from the very beginning.
At that moment, a dark shadow emerged from the ground.
"Madara-sama, there is a situation in Kirigakure... Yagura Karatachi's Genjutsu has been broken."
Madara's brow furrowed. That Genjutsu was one he had planted personally. Although Yagura was a Jinchuriki and harder to control than someone like the Kazekage, it should have been impossible to break a Genjutsu cast by the Rinnegan.
"Who broke it?"
Black Zetsu looked surprised as well. "Unclear. The White Zetsu I stationed beside Yagura was also eliminated... It seems the opponent has some understanding of our methods."
Madara said coldly, "White Zetsu aside, my Genjutsu is not so easily undone!"
Black Zetsu shook his head. "I know... but this has alerted the Mist. Now, Yagura undergoes Genjutsu screening twice a day."
They had intended to control the Mist to harass the Federation from the coastline. They had barely managed to secure a few shipments of supplies before being discovered.
Despite the setback, Madara gave a contemptuous smile. "Interesting... Send more agents. Find out exactly what happened. Also, the matter I asked you to investigate last time... any progress?"
Black Zetsu chuckled sinisterly. "Rest assured, my Lord. We have a lead."