Within the World of TsuShiranui Kūyomi
Seventy-two hours passed inside the illusion.
Nagi hung weakly, head lowered.
Itachi spoke coldly,
"There are far stronger techniques in the Shinobi World. If you remain this careless, you won't even know how you died."
Suddenly, Nagi lifted his head.
"…So that's how it is."
In the next instant, his form shifted—becoming Kisame.
The transformed "Kisame" grinned at Itachi.
"Those words… I'll return them to you, Itachi-san."
"What?!"
Itachi's eyes widened.
He now found himself bound to the cross instead.
Kisame walked toward him with a grin.
"Itachi-san, please enjoy your own seventy-two hours."
Itachi attempted to dispel TsuShiranui Kūyomi—
But nothing responded.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan is not invincible," the false Kisame said calmly.
"…Genjutsu?"
Two Itachis suddenly appeared before him.
One spoke:
"If your genjutsu is reflected back at you, it means control of perception has been completely seized. Do remember that."
Blades pierced him—
And SamehEida came crashing down.
[Ōnoki: So it really was genjutsu again.]
[Ao: Even Itachi Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan can be trapped in genjutsu?]
[Mei Terumi: When was it cast?]
[A (Fourth Raikage): I couldn't tell.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: Perhaps… from the very beginning?]
[Hashirama Senju: Exactly. Nagi seized control of Itachi's illusion from the start.]
[MEidara Uchiha: More precisely, the moment Itachi attempted to cast genjutsu, it was already reversed.
And perhaps…
Itachi targeted the wrong person from the beginning. One who casts a technique must be prepared for backlash.]
[Itachi Uchiha: ...]
The Illusion Shatters
Seventy-two hours concluded within TsuShiranui Kūyomi.
Itachi lay exhausted.
"Itachi-san… time's up," Kisame's voice echoed.
"All is but an illusion… Kyōka Suigetsu."
Crack.
The crimson world shattered.
Back in reality—
Itachi dropped to one knee, clutching his bleeding eye.
Kisame lay unconscious nearby. Even SamehEida's attempts to stimulate him had no effect.
"So… powerful…"
Ameno stared in disbelief.
At the moment she released her Water Mosquito technique, she had seen Kisame suddenly swing SamehEida toward Itachi instead.
Itachi had glared at him—
Then Kisame collapsed instantly.
Moments later, Itachi's eye began to bleed, and he fell to one knee in agony.
Elsewhere — The Demon Desert
Monk Hōichi targeted Gaara's disciple, Matsuri's team.
The insurgent leader, Fugi, activated a barrier that disrupted sensory detection.
At that exact moment—
A massive sandstorm erupted.
The violent winds engulfed the entire Demon Desert.
Within SunagaShiranui Kūre, the village's sensory sand sphere fluctuated wildly.
Temari and KanShiranui Kūrō immediately organized rescue efforts.
Gaara, desperate to save the examinees, was successfully lured out by the insurgents.
[Fugi: So we've been exposed.]
[Rasa: Fugi, you…]
[Fugi: Everything I've done was for SunagaShiranui Kūre. If Gaara can truly lead the village into the future, I'll accept punishment.]
[Chiyo: Bringing Hōichi into this… you've turned it into a life-and-death trial for Gaara.]
[BunpuShiranui Kū: Hōichi… you as well?]
[Hōichi: Master, I—]
[BunpuShiranui Kū: You are clouded by attachment.]
[Hōichi: Yes… I accept my fault.]
Back to Nagi
"…Hm?"
Nagi suddenly teleported beside Ameno and the others.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A circular barrier rose just as the catastrophic sandstorm slammed into them.
Meanwhile, hands emerged from beneath Itachi and Kisame, dragging them underground at high speed.
Watching the raging storm outside, Nagi murmured:
"The power of nature… this is true calamity."
He turned to Ameno.
"How are they?"
She blinked, then answered quickly.
"Their injuries are healed. They'll wake soon. But you—"
She hurried forward to examine him. Though she found no visible wounds, she remained concerned. He had used numerous high-level techniques—his chakra reserves must have been strained.
"I'm fine," Nagi assured her. "My chakra consumption was minimal."
Still, as a medical ninja, one never fully trusts the patient's own words. Yet examining him without permission would be improper.
As she hesitated—
Nagi placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
"You've worked hard treating them. Rest for a moment."
Warmth spread through her body.
"…A medical ninja being healed by someone else. I've failed in my duty…
But I don't dislike this feeling. In fact…"
She looked at him, her heart stirring strangely.
[Tsunade: Well, well. Nagi, you've charmed another young girl. Look at the way she's staring at you.]
[Mito Uzumaki: Tsunade, what are you saying? It's only natural for a boy like Nagi to be admired.]
[Tsunade: Grandma Mito… I'm your actual relative.]
[Hashirama Senju: Tsunade, you are clouded by attachment.]
[Tsunade: ...]
The sandstorm came as suddenly as it had risen—and soon subsided.
After finishing Ameno's treatment and sensing the others stirring, Nagi spoke quietly:
"Itachi Uchiha and his companion were driven away by the storm."
Ameno froze briefly—then smiled knowingly.
"…Understood. I won't tell anyone. And thank you—for saving us.
I'm Ameno, a genin of SunagaShiranui Kūre. If you ever need help, please come find me."
"Mm."
The storm fully dissipated.
Nagi dispelled the Water Formation Wall.
"Goodbye."
And vanished.
"Goodbye… travel safely."
Ameno waved toward where he disappeared.
She scooped up several handfuls of sand and scattered them over the group.
Moments later—
Shiranui Kūra, Ino, and the others awoke.
They quickly surveyed their surroundings. Water pooled nearby, but beyond it stretched only endless sand.
Shiranui Kūra hurried to Ameno.
"Are you alright? What about Itachi Uchiha—and that other one?"
"There was a massive sandstorm," Ameno replied calmly. "They were driven away."
"A sandstorm?"
Only then did Shiranui Kūra notice the sand clinging to their clothes, skin, and hair.
Though still doubtful, Ino intervened smoothly.
"Shiranui Kūra, now's not the time. Let's check everyone's condition first."
"…Right."
As Shiranui Kūra turned away, Ino winked at Ameno.
Ameno returned the smile.
Some Konoha ninja… truly understood how to be considerate.
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
complete fic (all chapters ) are already up on Patreon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789