Chương 71: Chapter 71: Yagyu's Strength, Finally Some Sense of Security
Swish—
In the dense forest, atop the treetop of a towering tree that would take several people to encircle, a figure suddenly appeared.
After carrying Kurenai for several miles, Yagyu finally set her down and checked her injuries.
Rip—
The sound of fabric tearing echoed as Yagyu tore open a part of Kurenai's clothes near the kunai wound. He sighed in relief, "It's a good thing it was from someone on our side. Otherwise, Kurenai-sensei, you might not have made it this time."
Uchiha Itachi had been careful not to strike a fatal spot on Kurenai. As someone who had been ruthless enough to eliminate his own clan, including his parents, for the sake of the village, Itachi still showed restraint toward his former comrades. A man with such conviction, inheriting the "Will of Fire" perfectly, displayed the thought process of a Hokage even at the age of seven.
If Itachi had been as ruthless as he was during the clan massacre, Yagyu would've had no choice but to flee alone, as rescuing Kurenai would've been impossible.
Excluding Nagato, a super Kage-level opponent, Uchiha Itachi was undoubtedly one of the strongest shinobi in the world.
Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, Izanagi, Izanami, Susanoo, the Totsuka Blade, the Yata Mirror, Kotoamatsukami—each of these abilities was a game-changer.
If Uchiha Madara was the one who perfected the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, then Itachi was the one who had fully tapped into the potential of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
While other Uchiha would quickly wear themselves out using their exclusive techniques or Susanoo, Itachi pushed his Mangekyō to its limits without losing his sight.
In Yagyu's previous life, there were many "What if?" debates about Itachi. People wondered, "What if he hadn't been sick?" or "What if he had the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan?" Could he have been stronger than Madara?
The fact that people even entertained these thoughts showed how powerful Itachi truly was.
In the original series, Itachi remained undefeated in battle, another testament to his strength.
Thankfully, such a dangerous person was on their side. Otherwise, Yagyu would've felt incredibly guilty.
Although Yagyu wasn't afraid of Itachi, confident that he could escape from the strongest duo of the Akatsuki, he couldn't guarantee Kurenai's safety.
Despite all his water-style jutsu, Kisame Hoshigaki proved too formidable. Yagyu was even contemplating using wood-style jutsu when Itachi created the opportunity for him to rescue Kurenai.
Before removing the kunai from Kurenai's body, Yagyu activated his three-tomoe Sharingan to assess her condition.
He sighed in relief again after the examination.
Kurenai's mental state appeared normal, meaning she hadn't fallen victim to Itachi's Tsukuyomi, his signature Mangekyō technique. Otherwise, without a medical expert like Tsunade, Kurenai would be bedridden for a week at best, or unconscious for a month at worst.
Even so, Kurenai would remain in her comatose state for a few days. Her brain's chakra pathways were currently being manipulated by a powerful Yin Release chakra, keeping her trapped in a genjutsu world.
Yagyu didn't have the ability to dispel the Yin Release chakra, and neither did Kurenai. They'd just have to wait for it to dissipate naturally.
It was clear that Itachi had taken his mission seriously.
After all, only the higher-ups in Konoha knew of Itachi's role as a double agent.
To Konoha's other shinobi, he was nothing more than an S-rank rogue ninja who had massacred his clan.
If Kurenai had remained conscious, she would've reported everything about Itachi and Kisame to Konoha.
Itachi's purpose for returning to the village was to warn Danzo, letting him know that even though the Third Hokage was dead, Uchiha Itachi was still very much alive. He also sought to find an opportunity to inform Konoha of the Akatsuki's plans to target the jinchūriki without causing unnecessary bloodshed.
After confirming that Kurenai's mental state was intact, Yagyu removed the kunai and began healing her with medical ninjutsu.
With Yagyu's chakra being the most potent in the realm of Yang Release, even his most basic medical techniques surpassed the effects of the A-rank Mystical Palm Technique.
If he allowed Kurenai to bite him, her wounds would heal almost instantly, much like Karin's healing ability.
In a short while, Kurenai's injuries were completely healed, with no scars left behind.
Once the Yin Release chakra in Kurenai's brain dissipated, she would wake up.
With that in mind, Yagyu hoisted Kurenai onto his back and began using the Body Flicker Technique at full speed, heading toward Tanzaku Town.
This time, Yagyu made it to Tanzaku Town in just three hours.
By the time they arrived, night had already fallen.
Knock, knock, knock...
Yagyu appeared at Karin's door and knocked.
"Yagyu-kun, you're here!" Karin's delighted voice called out before the door even opened.
When the wooden door finally swung open, Yagyu was greeted by a red-haired girl wearing cute white pajamas and round glasses.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Karin. I'm here to bring you to Konoha," Yagyu said with a smile.
Karin beamed with joy, but her expression quickly changed when she noticed Kurenai on Yagyu's back. "Yagyu, who is she?" she asked hurriedly.
"She's my teacher, Kurenai-sensei. She's also the person who will be vouching for you to join Konoha," Yagyu explained briefly. "We encountered some rogue ninja on the way, and she got injured and passed out. Let me bring her inside first."
"Of course, come in, Yagyu-kun!" Karin quickly stepped aside, allowing Yagyu to carry Kurenai inside.
Once inside, Karin rolled up her sleeves and offered her arm, asking worriedly, "How bad is she? Do you need me to heal her?"
"No need," Yagyu shook his head. "Kurenai-sensei is just under a genjutsu. She'll wake up once the Yin Release chakra in her brain fades. She just needs to rest for a few days."
"That's a relief," Karin sighed, visibly relaxing. Then she added with a guilty expression, "I'm sorry. This is all my fault."
After placing Kurenai on the bed, Yagyu patted Karin's head, smiling gently, "Don't overthink it. This was just a coincidence."
To shift her focus, he asked, "So, how's your progress? Have you mastered the jutsu I taught you?"
"Yes! I've already mastered the medical ninjutsu and water-style jutsu you taught me," Karin replied enthusiastically, nodding her head repeatedly.
"As expected of a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan. Your chakra control is as exceptional as one of my friends," Yagyu praised, ruffling Karin's hair even more.
"Hehe..." Karin giggled, her mood immediately improving.
Suddenly, she remembered something and asked, "By the way, Yagyu-kun, have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet," Yagyu shook his head. "I had a fight with the rogue ninjas on the way, and we've been traveling ever since."
"I'll make you something to eat right away," Karin said, heading to the kitchen.
Yagyu didn't refuse. "Before that, could you prepare some hot water? I'd like to take a bath first."
"Of course!" Karin quickly went to the bathroom to run the hot water, then went to the next room to grab clothes and set up a bed for Yagyu.
Her actions were quick and practiced, showing that this wasn't the first time she had done this.
As the ultimate caretaker, Karin had placed herself in a position of servitude, to the point where it was heartbreaking to see.
Unlike Ino, Hinata, and Sakura, Karin had only recently met Yagyu. She had been saved by him, pulled out from the depths of despair, and saw him as the only light in her life.
There's a saying: "Before seeing the light, I could bear the darkness. But after experiencing the light, the thought of losing it terrifies me."
Since meeting Yagyu, Karin had feared losing his affection and attention, which made her instinctively want to please him.
While Ino and the others wouldn't hesitate to let Yagyu cook for them when they were feeling lazy, Karin had never let him enter the kitchen during their time together.
Yagyu had tried several times to correct Karin's self-deprecating behavior, but with little success.
He figured that once Karin joined Konoha and gained Tsunade's protection, she'd realize the weight of her Uzumaki heritage, and that would eventually bring her the confidence she needed.
Until then, Yagyu had decided not to push too hard and had grown accustomed to her care.
Inside the bathroom, Yagyu finished cleaning himself and sank into the bathtub to relax.
As he gazed at the steamy ceiling, his mind calm, Yagyu began reflecting on his fight with Kisame.
After learning Tobirama Senju's water-style techniques, Yagyu's proficiency in Water Release had reached the top ranks of the shinobi world.
Even against Kisame's relentless attacks, Yagyu had held his own, although neither of them could land a decisive blow on the other.
However, neither Yagyu nor Kisame had gone all out—Kisame hadn't fused with Samehada, and Yagyu hadn't used wood-style jutsu.
If they had fought with their full strength, the outcome would've been uncertain.
After all, Yagyu hadn't yet mastered the higher-level wood-style techniques, making water-style his strongest weapon.
But even so, Yagyu felt confident that he was now a top-tier shinobi.
In any of the Five Great Nations, he would be considered a top operative—someone who could be a contender for the Kage title if no better candidate were available.
Only other elite water-style users like Kisame, high-level fire-style users, or someone with an elemental advantage could stand toe-to-toe with Yagyu.
His most significant threats were Kisame when fused with Samehada, high-level Earth Release users, and special types of shinobi, such as Uchiha Itachi with his Tsukuyomi, Uchiha Obito with his space-time jutsu, and flying shinobi.
These individuals were not only formidable but were threats that even the Five Kage might struggle to defeat.
Among his peers, Yagyu was unquestionably in a league of his own.
Realizing this brought a rare smile to Yagyu's face as he sank deeper into the bathwater, feeling a sense of relief.
After twelve years of living in this world, he finally had a sense of security!
After his bath, Yagyu changed into his pajamas and came out of the bathroom to find that Karin had already prepared a simple dinner for him.
As Yagyu ate, he chatted with Karin, his mind pondering when to teach her the sealing techniques.
Karin needed to master the sealing techniques first, as that would give Yagyu an excuse to teach them to Ino, Sakura, and Kurenai, while also allowing him to use them openly.
But Yagyu wasn't sure if Tsunade would trust Karin immediately after she joined Konoha or if she'd allow Karin to undergo the interrogation process.
If that were the case, Yagyu couldn't teach her the sealing techniques before she officially joined Konoha.
He needed to come up with a suitable reason for Karin to learn them—and it had to happen before Tsunade decided to take Karin under her wing.
Otherwise, if Tsunade suddenly gave Karin the Uzumaki Clan's sealing scrolls, Yagyu wouldn't be able to use Karin as a cover.
As a descendant of the Senju Clan, Yagyu could learn the sealing techniques from Karin, and Tsunade would likely turn a blind eye. But if he taught them to others without permission, it would be considered a breach of protocol.
That was the advantage of having something officially under your name.
He needed to figure out the perfect timing.
Swish—
Suddenly, an idea flashed through Yagyu's mind—a brilliant solution.
The solution was the Mask Storage Shrine.
If Karin were to "discover" the Uzumaki Clan's inheritance there, it would provide a solid reason for her sudden mastery of the sealing techniques.
Even if Karin underwent an interrogation upon joining Konoha, the explanation would be foolproof.
Yagyu's thoughts lightened, and he devoured his dinner quickly, much to Karin's delight.
For the next few days, Karin took care of Kurenai while Yagyu expanded his sensory range, using the Kagura Mind's Eye to cover the entire Tanzaku Town, scanning for the arrival of the Legendary Sannin.
Tsunade and Shizune didn't make him wait long.
One day, Yagyu sensed an enormous chakra presence in his mind's eye. Beside that chakra was another, about as powerful as Kurenai's.
When Yagyu activated his Sharingan, he saw that the two individuals were Tsunade and Shizune.
Their arrival meant that Orochimaru, Kabuto, Jiraiya, and Naruto weren't far behind.
At the same time, Kurenai, who had been unconscious for several days, finally awoke from her genjutsu-induced slumber.
The fact that Itachi's genjutsu had lasted several days—without even using Tsukuyomi—was a testament to how much stronger he had become in the last five years.
"Kurenai-sensei, you're awake!" Yagyu exclaimed with a feigned expression of surprise.
"Yagyu, are you alright?" were the first words Kurenai asked as she slowly opened her still-blurry eyes, causing a warm feeling to bloom in Yagyu's heart.
He gently patted her hand, smiling. "Don't worry, we're both fine. Those two rogue ninjas couldn't kill us."
"That's good... I'm sorry I dragged you down."
Kurenai's vision and consciousness gradually cleared, and the memories of being defeated by Itachi replayed in her mind. Her face flushed with embarrassment. "This is the second time I've held you back, counting Raiga Kurosuki. I must be a terrible teacher, huh?"
"Not at all, Kurenai-sensei. You're incredibly strong; it's just bad luck that you've faced opponents who counter your strengths," Yagyu reassured her with a smile. "Besides, if you hadn't taught me genjutsu, I wouldn't have been able to escape from those two."
"Enough with the flattery. I know you had to use one of your hidden trump cards to save me," Kurenai said with a self-deprecating smile. "Itachi's genjutsu mastery is the most terrifying I've ever encountered."
Still, her spirits had visibly lifted.
After glancing at the red-haired girl standing obediently beside Yagyu, Kurenai asked, "Is this the Uzumaki descendant you mentioned?"
---
Read 40+ Chapters ahead of WN:
Patréon.com/RoseWhisky
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực