"Unusual jutsu? Can you describe them in detail?" asked Orochimaru.
"That guy used two techniques I've never seen before in our fight," replied Uchiha Mei.
"The first was Water Style: Water Mirror Technique. I was attacking Yagura Karatachi with a fire-style jutsu when he conjured a water mirror out of nowhere. A reflection identical to me appeared inside it. It used the same fire-style jutsu as I did—same scale, same power—and canceled out my attack.
I suspect this technique creates a duplicate of the enemy and mimics their ninjutsu with equal power.
The second jutsu was Water Style: Tranquil Water Reflection. It also generated a water mirror, but this one was defensive in nature—designed to block large-scale enemy attacks and reflect small-scale ninjutsu.
My Fireball Jutsu, for example, was bounced right back at me."
After Mei's description, the people in the tent looked at each other. Clearly, none of them had ever heard of such strange water-style techniques.
Although Leaf Village has many water-style jutsu—thanks to the Senju clan's natural water affinity and Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, a famous Water Style user—even Konoha, with its rich water-style library, had no record of these two techniques. That alone showed how rare and mysterious Yagura Karatachi's jutsu were.
"Then Mei, how did you escape from the Fourth Mizukage?" Nara Shikaku asked.
"Apologies, I can't share that," Mei replied. "It involves one of the Uchiha clan's most closely guarded secret techniques."
Shikaku glanced at Mei's ashen right eye and didn't press further.
Orochimaru, on the other hand, stared at it with interest.
Ever since Orochimaru allied with Danzo, he had obtained many research notes on the Sharingan—some allegedly left behind by the Second Hokage himself.
From those notes, Orochimaru learned of two special ocular techniques unique to the Uchiha: Izanagi and Izanami. Both require sacrificing the Sharingan eye to activate.
While Orochimaru knew of these genjutsu by name, he had never seen them used firsthand.
Seeing Mei's grayed-out pupil, Orochimaru immediately thought of those two techniques.
Uchiha Mei felt uncomfortable under Orochimaru's gaze and said coldly, "Lord Orochimaru, I'm not feeling well. If there's nothing else, I'd like to excuse myself."
Orochimaru nodded. "You've all worked hard. The village won't forget your service. Go rest."
Mei turned to Uchiha Yuan. "Yuan, come with me."
"But, Mei-senpai, I'm still on duty—"
"I'll assign another team to take over this mission," Orochimaru interrupted.
Yuan thanked Orochimaru and followed Mei outside.
Shibi Aburame then called to Asana and Kagetsu to follow as well.
After the five of them left Orochimaru's tent, Mei's expression darkened.
"Damn Orochimaru. The way he looked at me was disgusting," Mei said coldly.
Yuan was startled. He quickly tugged Mei's sleeve. "Mei-senpai, careful what you say. Someone might be listening."
"I know you're upset, but now's not the time to be saying that," Shibi added.
Mei scoffed and didn't say more.
The five of them walked to the Uchiha encampment.
After making sure no one else was around, Mei turned to Shibi and asked, "Shibi, do Hyuga Jiyan and Akimichi Dingyan have families?"
"Dingyan wasn't married. His parents have passed, and he only has a younger brother—not a ninja, didn't attend the academy," Shibi replied.
"I'm not sure about Jiyan's situation. Asana, do you know?" he asked.
"Jiyan-senpai was married. He had a two-year-old son. He once asked me to look after his family if he didn't make it back," Asana said sadly.
"Don't worry. We'll take care of his family," Mei promised.
Shibi nodded in agreement. After that, the group fell silent.
At that moment, Asana and Kagetsu were filled with guilt. After all, Jiyan and Dingyan had taken the mission in their place.
Now that both had died, Asana and Kagetsu didn't know how to feel.
Yuan also felt uncomfortable. The strength of the Uchiha was closely tied to their Sharingan. Even though Mei survived, he had lost his right eye—his power would inevitably suffer.
This was a serious blow for any Uchiha.
After a long silence, Mei turned to Shibi and said, "Sorry, Shibi, but I have something to say to Yuan alone. Let's talk another time."
"Alright. Asana, Kagetsu, let's go. Yuan, we'll meet at the usual spot tomorrow at 8 a.m."
Yuan nodded, watching his teacher and teammates leave.
After they left, Yuan bowed and said, "I'm sorry, Mei-senpai."
"Why apologize?"
"Your eye…"
"I told you, this has nothing to do with you. Even without you, I couldn't have avoided this mission. If you really feel guilty, then grow stronger—fast.
Then, kill the Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi. Offer his head as tribute for my lost Sharingan."
Yuan's expression turned solemn. "Understood. Mei-senpai, don't worry. I'll kill Yagura and avenge your Sharingan."
"Hahaha! That's the spirit! That's how an Uchiha should think!" Mei clapped him on the shoulder.
"I could hear you laughing from outside. Looks like you're in a good mood," came a voice. "I was worried losing your eye would get you down, so I brought some sake. But it looks like I wasted my effort."
Uchiha Cai lifted the tent flap and walked in.
"I can't afford to look weak in front of Yuan, can I?"
"Fair enough. Want a drink?"
"Definitely."
Cai smiled and tossed a jug of sake to Mei.
(To Be Continued...)