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My Journey as Fourth Kazekage 150
🕑 Added 2025-04-17 16:00:30 +0000 UTCChapter 150: Genjutsu
Under the cover of darkness, atop the rooftops of Sunagakure, the head of the ANBU, Baki, stood firm. Behind him were five masked ANBU operatives, their gazes fixed on two specific locations within the village, the designated lodgings for the guests from Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
Tonight, while Sunagakure hosted the banquet for the Land of Demons' envoys, disturbances had unsurprisingly erupted in these two areas.
An ANBU operative kneeled before Baki, kneeling on one knee.
"Baki-sama, Samoi of Kumo has provoked a confrontation with our guards under the pretense of demanding alcohol!"
Another operative appeared immediately after, reporting,
"The same goes for Iwa, their shinobi, Ganon, is causing a scene under the same excuse."
Baki let out a cold scoff.
"Hmph. They can't even be bothered to come up with a better excuse? What about the others?"
"Our operatives stationed inside the buildings haven't detected any movement, but…"
The ANBU hesitated before continuing.
"We suspect those remaining in their rooms are merely clones."
Baki's eyes narrowed in displeasure.
"Test that theory."
"Hai!"
The two operatives vanished in an instant. Meanwhile, Baki turned to the five ANBU behind him.
"Heighten the surveillance. Monitor every corner of the village."
---
Due to the festival, there was no curfew in Sunagakure tonight.
Sara and Kanna happily carried their prepared gifts, heading to Kunmi's residence as invited guests.
However, as they passed through the lively crowds and arrived at the street bordering the Sand Clan's compound, the sudden silence unnerved Sara.
Though the distant sounds of celebration still echoed in their ears, the street before them was eerily empty, only a massive wall separating it from the bustling world beyond.
Kanna, having grown up in Sunagakure, noticed Sara's unease and whispered an explanation.
"It’s always like this here. Beyond that wall is the Sand Clan’s estate. Ordinary villagers avoid this area, so it’s usually quiet."
"Ah, I see…"
Sara nodded in understanding. As a former princess, she was familiar with the solemn quiet near royal palaces.
Unconcerned, the two cheerfully proceeded down the deserted street.
Neither noticed the world behind them slowly fading away.
From the shadows, a dark figure emerged, hands forming a seal.
"Illusion Arts: False Surroundings Technique!"
---
Sara and Kanna soon reached the end of the street, where an aged gate stood before them. Kunmi greeted them warmly at the entrance, inviting them inside. However, something felt off to Sara. She couldn’t pinpoint what, yet an inexplicable unease settled in her chest.
Kunmi and Kanna exchanged puzzled glances.
"What’s wrong?"
Sara wanted to voice her doubts, but strangely, a persistent voice in her mind kept telling her not to overthink it and that she was just distracted.
After a moment of hesitation, Sara reluctantly nodded.
"It’s... it’s nothing..."
And so, the conversation continued cheerfully. Yet the more they talked, the more uneasy Sara felt.
First, the world around her felt unnaturally silent, as if frozen in a painting. Only Kunmi’s voice reached her ears, while Kanna’s words sounded muffled, distant. Second, Kunmi was acting strangely. In her memories, he was a shy, quiet boy. But now, he wouldn’t stop talking, and his questions were oddly fixated on her mother.
Something was wrong. But that insistent voice in her head kept dismissing her suspicions.
Then, she noticed that the gifts they had prepared for Kunmi were gone.
"Huh?!"
Her confusion deepened. When she tried to recall what had happened to them, she realized she couldn’t remember how they had even arrived here, or entered the house. It all felt like... a dream.
"Wait, dream?!"
The word triggered a memory from her ninja academy lessons.
Her instructor had once said:
"The sensation of being trapped in a genjutsu... is like being stuck in a dream."
A genjutsu. She had been caught in an illusion!
But why?
Her pulse quickened, but she forced herself to stay calm. The priority was breaking free.
Though first-year students weren’t taught ninjutsu or chakra control, Sara, as the shrine maiden’s daughter, had received early training from her mother.
Clasping her hands together, she focused her chakra.
"Release!"
In an instant, Kunmi’s house dissolved around her.
Her vision cleared, and before she knew it, she was still standing in the deserted alley outside the Sand Clan’s compound. Beside her, Kanna stood frozen, eyes glazed over.
Though bewildered, Sara immediately placed a hand on Kanna’s shoulder.
"Release!"
Kanna jolted back to awareness, blinking in confusion.
"Kanna, we were caught in a genjutsu!"
Sara whispered urgently, scanning their surroundings.
"Wha…?!"
Before Kanna could process the shock, a harsh, hurried voice cut through the silence.
"Tch! How did this brat break the genjutsu?!"
"I-I don’t know!"
Both girls whirled toward the sound,
Two towering figures emerged from the shadows, their attire distinctly not Sunagakure’s. Their forehead protectors gleamed in the dim light.
Kanna’s face paled.
"K-Kumo-nin?!"
"Damn it!"
The two shinobi’s expressions darkened. As jōnin, they couldn’t fathom how a mere academy student had dispelled their illusion. But hesitation wasn’t an option.
They lunged.
Sara and Kanna’s bodies were locked in fear!
This was it. They were about to be silenced.
But then, a whip of black iron sand snapped around their waists, yanking them backward. A small figure blurred past them as a familiar voice shouted,
"Go and get someone for help!!!"
