Chapter 516: Brainwashing Izumi Uchiha
Ishiro added several more layers of seals to the Porcelain Release-encased Shisui Uchiha: some to seal his chakra, some to seal his soul, and some to block his senses.
Shisui Uchiha was, after all, once a powerhouse at the pinnacle of the shinobi world. Ishiro had always been cautious; he wouldn't allow himself to capsize in a shallow ditch.
After finishing, Ishiro turned his gaze back to the passage connecting the two worlds.
Compared to when it first appeared, the passage had only shrunk slightly. If Ishiro hadn't been paying close attention, he might not have even noticed.
Ishiro mentally estimated the passage's recovery speed, then said to Sōkai and the other two, "We return to the village immediately!"
Sōkai asked, "Ishiro-sensei, aren't we going to pursue Kakashi Hatake?"
Ishiro shook his head. "We return to the village first. Compared to killing Kakashi Hatake, we have more important things to do."
Sōkai nodded.
Although Ishiro could see Sōkai's confusion, he didn't explain. With Sōkai's level of intelligence, there were plenty of things he didn't understand; this one more wouldn't make a difference.
The group briefly cleaned up the battlefield and then set off on the road back to the village.
While on Ishiro's Porcelain Release platform, Chiga asked curiously, "Ishiro-sensei, what is that passage? What's on the other side? Are there people there?"
Ishiro said, "That's a passage connected to another dimension. On the other side is the alternate dimension linked to Obito Uchiha's Mangekyou Sharingan."
"As for whether there are people... there should be. But not natives. They are the children from Kirigakure who were previously teleported in by Obito Uchiha."
Izumi Uchiha asked, "Obito Uchiha's alternate dimension? Lord Tsuchikage, how did this dimension manifest in the shinobi world?"
Ishiro replied, "If I'm not mistaken, it was because of Kakashi Hatake."
"Kakashi used the Sharingan Obito gave him to communicate with that dimension. He probably wanted to warp my Sage Art: Five Elements Great Consecutive Bullets Technique."
"And in that instant, the ninjutsu exploded, directly blasting open this passage."
Chiga asked, "Ishiro-sensei, aren't we going inside to take a look?"
Ishiro said, "What's there to see? We don't understand Space-Time Ninjutsu. Even if we looked, we wouldn't be able to research anything."
"We're returning to the village now precisely to bring Akino Atsumi here to study it."
"Professional problems require professional personnel. With Akino's mastery of Space-Time Ninjutsu, even one minute of her looking at it is better than us staring at it for a whole day."
Chiga nodded in sudden understanding, thinking to himself: "So that's how it is. No wonder Ishiro-sensei left so nonchalantly. He was going to find a specialist."
"I really thought Ishiro-sensei had a change of personality, to be able to handle such a matter so lightly."
At this moment, Ishiro looked at Sōkai and said, "Sōkai, what's wrong? You look completely drained. Was the battle just now too taxing?"
Ever since getting on the Porcelain Release platform, Sōkai had been sullen and didn't seem to want to talk.
Sōkai had used his Mangekyou Sharingan's dōjutsu again today, so Ishiro was quite concerned about his condition.
After all, Sōkai's dōjutsu still had no way to recover. Every use was one step closer to its end, unlike Izumi Uchiha.
After Izumi Uchiha digests Fugaku Uchiha's Mangekyou Sharingan dōjutsu power this time, her own dōjutsu power should increase by another leap. Ishiro had no need to worry about her at all.
Sōkai shook his head, "I'm fine, Ishiro-sensei. It's just... am I completely useless?"
"Shisui Uchiha couldn't even open his eyes, and his mental state was terrible, yet Izumi-neesan and I attacked him together and couldn't even touch him."
"If you hadn't been here, Sensei, even if Izumi-neesan and I had excitedly come to ambush him, we would have just been killed by him instead."
"I'm nothing without my Mangekyou Sharingan, and the Mangekyou Sharingan will go blind. Once my dōjutsu power is exhausted, I'll be that same dead-last again."
Ishiro rolled his eyes internally. These little brats always love to overthink things. But out loud, he said, "Shisui Uchiha is a combat genius. You truly can't compare to him."
"The Mangekyou Sharingan is indeed miraculous. After awakening it, your base strength rapidly increases, and when you use its dōjutsu, you possess Kage-level power."
"But you have to understand, the gap between you and Shisui Uchiha started in childhood."
"One day of training for these geniuses is more effective than a month for you. This gap, accumulated over years, can't be closed in a short time."
"However, don't be discouraged. Your strength is still rapidly improving, and the gap between you is constantly shrinking."
"Moreover, Shisui Uchiha has progressed very quickly these past few years. I estimate that even without his Sharingan, he is still Kage-level."
"He may have experienced a rapid growth period from Quasi-Kage to Kage-level. So, it's normal that there's a gap between you."
Sōkai was astonished. "Ishiro-sensei, you're saying Shisui Uchiha is a true Kage-level?"
Ishiro thought for a moment. "I'm not certain. Your Mangekyou Sharingan is very strange. After awakening, the ultimate Yin Release conceals a possible Kage-level aura. I can't sense it."
"Sōkai, you really don't need to compare yourself to Shisui Uchiha. It's not just you; in our entire village, among all the Kage-level shinobi, the only one who can compare to him in combat talent is probably Lord Third."
"And Lord Third's skill comes from experience accumulated over countless battles."
"Besides Lord Third, even I can only rely on raw power to crush Shisui Uchiha. I wouldn't dare compete with him in combat techniques."
"Remember, the strongest thing in Iwagakure is the Will of Stone. It's our unity. Since we can fight three-on-one, why would we choose to fight one-on-one?"
"Shinobi are not outdated samurai. We don't need to follow all those rigid rules. As long as we can defeat the enemy, nothing else matters."
"Today, our Iwa can have three Kage-level fighters ganging up on one from Konoha. Tomorrow, we can have ten ganging up on their three. What's there to be conflicted about?"
"Konoha doesn't have as many Kage-level shinobi as we do. And when they did have more, they were busy with internal conflict."
Ishiro was ostensibly speaking to Sōkai, but in reality, he was delivering a round of brainwashing to Izumi Uchiha.
Although neither of them was young, they were both Uchiha who had awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan. This type of Uchiha was the easiest to brainwash.
After observing their reactions, Ishiro continued, "Now that we've captured Shisui Uchiha alive, if you're willing, you can frequently spar with him to improve your combat skills."
Sōkai's eyes lit up, but then he sighed. "At my current strength, if I don't use my Mangekyou Sharingan, I probably wouldn't last more than a few rounds against Shisui Uchiha."
Ishiro thought for a moment. "That's simple. I can use sealing jutsu to limit his strength. You just need to control your killing intent for a while and treat him as a training partner."
"When the day comes that you can kill him with your own power, then you can do it."
Izumi Uchiha quickly said, "Lord Tsuchikage, could you also give me some opportunities to train against Shisui Uchiha?"
"My combat ability is also far worse than his."
Ishiro nodded. "Rest assured, the village treats everyone fairly. You will have your chance."
"Besides, as one of the key people in capturing Shisui Uchiha alive, your opportunities will certainly be more than others'."
Izumi Uchiha nodded happily. She, too, was very dissatisfied with her earlier performance. She greatly looked forward to the day she could defeat this traitor with her own hands.
At this time, Ishiro said, "Izumi, how about this. I plan to imprison Shisui Uchiha in the village. When the time comes, you can move over there."
"You can also participate in the mission of guarding Shisui Uchiha. That way, when there's a chance, you'll be in the perfect position to get first dibs. How about it?"
"However, guarding a former Kage-level shinobi is no easy task. Are you up for it?"
Izumi Uchiha nodded firmly. "Lord Tsuchikage, rest assured. I will definitely complete the mission."
Ishiro gave a calm nod, but inwardly, he was ecstatic.
He had kept Shisui Uchiha alive precisely to allow Izumi Uchiha to slowly integrate into Iwagakure.
For every day Iwagakure imprisoned Shisui Uchiha, Izumi Uchiha would be grateful to Ishiro for one more day.
If this continued, she would sooner or later join Iwagakure.
Chiga watched Izumi Uchiha's performance and analyzed internally: "It seems Izumi-neesan's sense of belonging to the village is getting higher and higher. She's gradually starting to adopt the identity of an Iwa shinobi."
"Ishiro-sensei is really amazing. How long has it been, and he's already conned such a powerful outsider completely."
"No wonder Ishiro-sensei can poach so many kids from other villages. All those hints and suggestions... I've really learned something!"
As they spoke, the group arrived at the Iwagakure branch base in the northwest of the Land of Fire.
Because they were in a hurry, Ishiro's group of four, plus the heavily sealed Shisui Uchiha, returned directly to Iwagakure via the teleportation formation.
Ishiro ignored the three who were experiencing teleportation for the first time and said directly, "You three go and rest first. I'll take Akino Atsumi there next."
"Yes, sir," the three replied immediately, and then they left the heavily guarded teleportation area.
The mission Ishiro had taken Sōkai and Izumi Uchiha on was complete.
But Ishiro intentionally did not take back the Iwa forehead protector he had given to Izumi Uchiha, nor did he take back her ANBU-issue uniform.
Izumi Uchiha herself didn't feel anything was wrong. Although she wasn't wearing a mask, she was still dressed in an ANBU uniform and wearing an Iwa forehead protector.
Looking every bit an Iwa shinobi, Izumi Uchiha openly escorted Shisui Uchiha to the location Ishiro had designated.
Walking behind Izumi Uchiha, Chiga had a strange look on his face. As for Sōkai, who was beside her... apologies, his intelligence wasn't high enough; he didn't notice any problem at all.
A moment later, Ishiro returned to the Land of Fire's northwest branch via the teleportation formation, bringing with him Akino Atsumi and a large quantity of materials related to Space-Time Ninjutsu.
As they left the branch for the passage, Akino Atsumi finally had a chance to ask, "Ishiro-sensei, this is the direction of the Land of Fire, right? You dragged me out of my lab in such a hurry, where are you taking me?"
Ishiro said, "Obito Uchiha is dead, but Konoha's Kakashi Hatake still has one of his Sharingan."
"Furthermore, that Sharingan has also reached the Mangekyou level, and it can also connect to Obito's alternate dimension."
"I fought Kakashi and his team today, and we happened to blast open a passage, connecting the two worlds."
"Right now, that passage between the two dimensions is closing. I'm taking you to see it, hoping you can gain something."
When Akino Atsumi first heard that Obito Uchiha was dead, she was quite regretful.
The shinobi world had lost one person who could provide her with experimental data. Several of her major breakthroughs in Space-Time Ninjutsu had been thanks to data provided by Obito Uchiha.
But when she heard there was another passage connecting two dimensions, she immediately became incredibly excited.
Akino Atsumi's introduction to Space-Time Ninjutsu had been in that gravity dimension in the Whirlpool Village.
That gravity dimension, and the seal left behind by who-knows-if-it-was-the-Uzumaki-Clan, was what gave Akino Atsumi her first real contact with space-time knowledge.
It was just that the gravity in that dimension was too strong, and Akino Atsumi couldn't enter it. The research she could conduct was very limited.
On top of that, that passage was extremely stable, so Akino Atsumi couldn't get much useful information from it at all.
Thus, Akino Atsumi asked excitedly, "Ishiro-sensei, can I enter that alternate dimension?"
Ishiro said, "You should be able to. Obito Uchiha often brought people into it."
Akino Atsumi immediately cheered, then continued to ask, "Ishiro-sensei, is that passage really closing slowly?"
Ishiro nodded. "That's right. But the speed isn't fast. We should be able to make it in time."
Akino Atsumi jumped up and down on Ishiro's Porcelain Release platform, finally calming down after a good while.
Afterward, she took out a pen and paper and began to write and draw, planning how she would study the passage.
Seeing this, Ishiro didn't interrupt. Akino Atsumi's Space-Time Ninjutsu was long past the point where an amateur like Ishiro could offer any pointers.
He just needed to provide quiet support.
A long time later, Ishiro finally brought Akino Atsumi to the passage's location.
Long before they arrived, Ishiro had already detected several Konoha ninja teams here with his Mind's Eye.
These people had all been attracted by the battle between Ishiro, Kakashi, and the others.
Ishiro paid them no mind. Before he even appeared, his Porcelain Release attacks had already arrived.
By the time Ishiro and Akino Atsumi got there, he had long since cleared the field.
Akino Atsumi was completely unaware of this. Her full attention was on the passage. Without waiting for Ishiro to speak, Akino Atsumi threw herself into studying the passage.
Ishiro used his Mind's Eye to carefully observe the vicinity, finding nothing abnormal. He also sensed the Kamui dimension; there was nothing inside it either.
After confirming it was safe, Ishiro finally had the presence of mind to observe the passage.
The passage was about half the size it was when Ishiro had left. The speed at which it was mending was about what Ishiro had estimated.
Ishiro tried entering and exiting the passage, traveling between the shinobi world and the Kamui dimension, and found that he could indeed pass through unobstructed.
Then, while watching Akino Atsumi bustle about collecting data, Ishiro interjected, "Akino, is there any way to set up a Flying Thunder God marker in this dimension, to make it easier to enter later?"
Akino Atsumi thought for a moment, then nodded. "We can try. But I'm not sure if we'll still be able to sense the Flying Thunder God marker after this dimension is completely sealed."
Ishiro said, "Then set one. Even if we can't sense it, it might still be useful."
"At the very least, we can't let Konoha have sole access to this dimension. If Konoha doesn't develop this dimension, it doesn't matter."
"But if Konoha really finds a way to develop this dimension, then the next time they open the passage, you should be able to sense the Flying Thunder God marker."
Akino Atsumi smiled and said, "Ishiro-sensei, don't worry. Let me research it first."
"Perhaps by the time I'm done, the Flying Thunder God marker can be shrunk down a lot, making it easier and simpler to deploy. We might even save a batch of resources."
Ishiro nodded, also looking forward to what Akino Atsumi described. He said no more, quietly standing guard for her.
It wasn't that Ishiro was completely idle; Akino Atsumi would occasionally ask Ishiro to record or calculate some data.
Although Ishiro didn't know what it was for, he cooperated to the best of his ability.
From the ever-brightening light in Akino Atsumi's eyes and her increasingly engrossed research, Ishiro felt that her harvest this time would definitely be enormous.
...
The perspective shifts. The underground space in the Land of Earth, where the Gedo Statue is located.
The main White Zetsu and several White Zetsu clones came to Black Zetsu's side. "Black Zetsu, we've figured it out. Obito was killed by the Tsuchikage, Izumi Uchiha, and Sōkai Uchiha."
Black Zetsu frowned and asked, "Do you know why? Who broke through Obito's dōjutsu? Why didn't he even have time to use Izanagi?"
A White Zetsu clone shook its head. "We don't know. We never expected anything to happen to Obito, so we transferred away at the first moment we were ambushed."
This was the truth. It was also a tactic that Black Zetsu and Obito Uchiha had agreed upon after suffering losses in the past. Obito Uchiha, possessing an "unbeatable" dōjutsu, would be responsible for covering the rear.
The White Zetsu clones, being weak in combat, would leave first.
It was precisely because the White Zetsu clones left early that, at first, White Zetsu didn't even know who had ambushed Obito.
He only knew that the Tsuchikage was leading the team and that there weren't many of them.
It wasn't until recently that White Zetsu learned from some special channels that Ishiro, Sōkai, and Izumi Uchiha were together.
At this point, the main White Zetsu said, "Could it be the Mangekyou Sharingan dōjutsu of Sōkai Uchiha or Izumi Uchiha?"
"Although the Tsuchikage's strength is great and his methods are many, he doesn't have any means to counter Obito's Kamui."
Black Zetsu thought for a moment. "Can we determine if it was Izumi Uchiha's dōjutsu or Sōkai Uchiha's dōjutsu?"
White Zetsu shook his head. "That's just my guess. There's no intel to prove it."
"So far, the only dōjutsu we can confirm are Izumi Uchiha's ability to absorb dōjutsu power and Sōkai Uchiha's tracking ability."
"We don't know about any other dōjutsu. However, Itachi Uchiha might know something. He has fought with both Sōkai Uchiha and Izumi Uchiha."
"Black Zetsu, do you have any way to get useful information from Itachi Uchiha?"
After hearing the main White Zetsu's words, Black Zetsu frowned and thought for a long time.
He didn't immediately answer White Zetsu's question. Instead, he asked, "Izumi Uchiha's ability to absorb dōjutsu power... can it absorb a normal Sharingan?"
White Zetsu was stunned. "That's unclear. I only know Izumi Uchiha once used this move on Shisui Uchiha. Quite a few people saw it at the time."
"Izumi Uchiha probably hasn't used this move on a three-tomoe Uchiha. But if it's effective against a Mangekyou Sharingan, it should be effective against a regular three-tomoe as well."
Black Zetsu said, "The dōjutsu power from those few Sharingan on Obito's body might have been absorbed by Izumi Uchiha, rendering them useless."
"That's why Obito couldn't use Izanagi to escape. I just don't know what method the Tsuchikage used this time to make Obito fall for it."
White Zetsu didn't actually care that much about how Obito died. He said, "Black Zetsu, what's next? Obito is dead. Who will carry out Lord Madara's plan?"
This was a headache for Black Zetsu as well. He pondered for a long time, then asked, "Has Orochimaru made any moves recently?"
White Zetsu said, "Orochimaru went to the Land of Fire some time ago. He made a move on the Hyuga Clan. It's said he has already broken the Caged Bird Seal."
An idea struck Black Zetsu. Orochimaru is after the Byakugan?
Then, as if he thought of something, he asked, "Does Orochimaru have a child from the Kaguya Clan under him?"
White Zetsu nodded. "He does. His name is Kimimaro Kaguya. It's said he has even awakened the Shikotsumyaku."
Black Zetsu's eyes lit up. Byakugan plus Shikotsumyaku... could Orochimaru have found another path?
Orochimaru didn't walk the path of the Sage of Six Paths; instead, he chose the path of the Sage of Six Paths' brother?
Although Orochimaru's path of Yin-Yang fusion might not have even begun, and was far from comparable to Madara Uchiha's, it was still an option.
This, at least, gave Black Zetsu, who had waited for a thousand years, a renewed glimmer of hope.
But he couldn't tell White Zetsu about this. Black Zetsu immediately changed the subject, asking, "White Zetsu, what do you think of Orochimaru? Is it possible for him to become Lord Madara's new spokesperson?"
White Zetsu thought for a moment. "Orochimaru is deep and calculating. We might not be his match. We have to be careful not to be used by him."
Black Zetsu scorned White Zetsu in his heart. I've been playing at conspiracy for a thousand years. I even deceived a figure like Madara Uchiha. You think I'm afraid of a mere Orochimaru?
So, Black Zetsu said, "Besides Orochimaru, we have no other choice. How about this: you transfer the majority of the White Zetsu clones, and I'll take a small portion to meet Orochimaru."
"I will find a way to cooperate with him. Even if I can't gain his trust, I have to get him to help us collect the Tailed Beasts."
"Also, Orochimaru has the Edo Tensei jutsu. Have the White Zetsu clones pay attention and find an opportunity to learn it."
White Zetsu asked in confusion, "Are you going to use Edo Tensei on Obito?"
Black Zetsu shook his head. "Not Obito."
White Zetsu thought for a moment, then said in shock, "You mean... use Edo Tensei to resurrect Lord Madara? Is that a good idea? Edo Tensei seems to have side effects."
"The soul of an Edo Tensei is constantly being depleted. If we rashly bring Lord Madara back before we've gathered all the Tailed Beasts, it probably won't be a good thing, will it?"
Black Zetsu naturally knew this, but he didn't care one bit whether Madara Uchiha's soul was damaged. All he needed was for Madara Uchiha's body to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, making it convenient for his mother to possess.
So, Black Zetsu said, "This is just a backup plan. If any accident occurs, I will immediately terminate the plan."
"Alright, it's settled. I'm going to find Orochimaru now."
(End of Chapter)
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