At the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass.
Outside the vast forests, on the lush green grasslands.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
Yu gasped heavily, his hand pressed against his forehead in pain. Unusually, fine beads of sweat dotted his face. The grassy surroundings and the bodies of dozens of Cloud Ninja lay around him. Everything that had just happened felt like a dream.
"What jutsu is this? Shisui..."
Yu's face was pale, his eyes filled with disbelief as he looked at Shisui before him.
"Your spiritual energy is so strong..."
"How is this possible? A normal ninja would have passed out long ago..."
However, Shisui, standing opposite Yu, also had an expression of incredulity written all over his face.
"Kotoamatsukami: Beams of Light..."
"It's a Mangekyo Sharingan Genjutsu that pulls the enemy's mind into a space completely controlled by oneself, inflicting immense damage and instantly turning the enemy's spirit to dust..."
The black tomoe in the shape of a four-cornered pinwheel within the Mangekyo Sharingan gradually faded away. Shisui looked at Yu with profound astonishment.
He hadn't expected Yu's spiritual energy to be so formidable. Even under the devastating mental assault of the Mangekyo Sharingan Genjutsu he had cast, Yu was able to withstand it.
In fact, ever since Yu had dealt with those dozens of Cloud Ninja just now, Yu had felt something was amiss from the moment Shisui mysteriously appeared before him. However, he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Kotoamatsukami: Beams of Light?"
Upon hearing Shisui's response, Yu's expression suddenly became clear. Since Shisui's sudden appearance after he had dealt with dozens of Cloud Ninja, Yu had vaguely sensed that something was wrong.
And it turns out he had fallen under Shisui's Genjutsu. Everything that had happened earlier was all part of the Genjutsu.
Shisui's words caused Yu to involuntarily recall everything he had experienced in the Genjutsu space just now. Not Tsukuyomi, but surpassing Tsukuyomi—Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan indeed harbored such an ultimate Genjutsu.
If Shisui's intention hadn't been just to incapacitate him and take him back to Konoha, Yu's spirit might truly have been obliterated within the Genjutsu space just now.
However, it's no wonder. Shisui, hailed as the strongest Genjutsu Ninja, has always been an enigmatic figure, even in the anime.
"No, that's not right... There's still something unexplained..."
"How did you manage to evade my Sensing and suddenly appear in front of me to use Genjutsu? This is impossible..."
After understanding the cause and effect, Yu finally calmed down, but his gaze still held some confusion as he looked at the enigmatic Shisui before him.
His Observation Haki had been monitoring Shisui's Chakra flow the entire time, so there was no reason he shouldn't have noticed Shisui using Genjutsu.
"Could it be..."
Yu suddenly widened his eyes as he thought of an answer—Kotoamatsukami.
Yes, it was Kotoamatsukami. Only that ultimate Genjutsu, the highest-level Genjutsu eye of the Uchiha Clan, could achieve such a miraculous effect—.
"Your mind is indeed meticulous. Nothing escapes your notice..."
Seeing the expression on Yu's face, Shisui knew he had guessed the answer. A bitter smile appeared on his face. "Yes, it's Kotoamatsukami..."
"If I hadn't used Kotoamatsukami on you earlier, I couldn't have deceived your eyes and appeared before you to use Genjutsu..."
Damn it...
Hearing this, Yu couldn't help but tighten his fist. He hadn't realized unconsciously when he had already been influenced by Kotoamatsukami.
It's truly terrifying...
Yu stared vigilantly at Shisui in front of him. Everything he had just experienced forced him to reconsider his definition of the "strongest Genjutsu Ninja" before him.
"When did this happen? I was completely unaware..."
Yu puzzled over it. He began to recall his past interactions with Shisui. He had always been cautious against Shisui's Genjutsu, using his Observation Haki to sense both sides' Chakra flow during their interactions. How could he still have fallen under Kotoamatsukami's Genjutsu?
Could it have been that time...
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Yu's mind like lightning.
"It seems you've remembered..."
Feeling Yu's wary gaze, Shisui's face showed a more pronounced bitter smile, tinged with a hint of guilt. "It was during the time when you suppressed the Uchiha Clan rebellion. When we were having a conversation on Naka River..."
"Your vigilance is very strong. If there were too much deviation from your own will and thoughts, you would easily notice it... So, I did not alter your other wills and thoughts."
"I used my Mangekyo Sharingan's Dojutsu, Kotoamatsukami, to implant a subconscious suggestion in your brain. It made you automatically ignore my presence the next time you saw me and slightly enhance your feelings for the people you cared for in Konoha in hope that holds you back."
"On the basis of that Genjutsu, I cast another Genjutsu. That's why I was able to approach you without being detected by your Sensing, creating the conditions for me to use Kotoamatsukami: Beams of Light on you just now."
"It was indeed at that time..."
Recalling his mission to suppress the Uchiha Clan conspiracy rebellion and his conversation with Shisui on Naka River, Yu finally realized it all.
"But why did you do this?!" After hearing Shisui's explanation, Yu spoke in a deep voice, his eyes hiding anger from feeling betrayed.
Kotoamatsukami truly deserved its reputation as the most terrifying Genjutsu in the world. It could actually covertly modify someone's will and thoughts without their awareness.
During their last conversation on Naka River, Shisui used Kotoamatsukami on Yu to subconsciously ignore his presence the next time they met. It was this subtle and imperceptible seed planted in his mind that temporarily made Shisui a blind spot in Yu's vision and thoughts. That's why Yu had no warning when Shisui suddenly appeared and used his Genjutsu.
But what truly angered Yu was — Shisui could be considered his closest friend in Konoha, someone who had even risked his life alongside Yu on missions. Why would he use Kotoamatsukami on him at that moment for no reason?
"I'm sorry, Yu."
Facing Yu's questioning, Shisui silently lowered his head, guilt deeply hidden in his crimson eyes.
For Shisui, who normally cherished friends and comrades the most, secretly using a Genjutsu like Kotoamatsukami on Yu whom he had known since childhood was undoubtedly a torment and anguish.
"Yu, come back to Konoha with me..."
"I really hope you can turn back. Konoha needs your strength to protect..."
After struggling in silence for a moment, Shisui finally spoke.
"Enough! Don't speak these meaningless words to me!"
"We already discussed all of this clearly enough in that Genjutsu realm just now!"
Before Shisui could finish his words, Yu interrupted angrily.
"You still have one last chance..."
"Tell me, why did you do this?!"
With a gaze that was both complex and cautious, Yu's tone gradually turned cold. Shisui's current explanation clearly did not make sense.
At the time of suppressing the Uchiha Clan rebellion, Yu had not shown any intention of leaving Konoha. How could Shisui possibly use Kotoamatsukami on him without reason? What hidden reasons did Shisui have behind this matter?
----
Support me on patreon for More advanced chapters up to 50 so far patreon.com/DemonWriter