The seawater stretched endlessly, a mesmerizing shade of azure, its gentle waves brushing softly against the shore.
After finishing his reply to Minato, Hayashi noticed Mikoto looking quietly troubled from the corner of his eye. He stretched, letting out a soft chuckle. "Don't worry, I won't die on this mission to Kirigakure. The last battle was harsh, but the results were significant."
As he spoke, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan began to spin slowly, the tomoe aligning to form intricate patterns.
"This is…" Mikoto's eyes widened in awe.
"That's right. This is the Mangekyo Sharingan I mentioned before."
With a few more rotations, Hayashi pulled Mikoto into a Genjutsu space. The activation of the Mangekyo amplified his Genjutsu to unprecedented levels. Though the Dōjutsu itself wasn't specifically a Genjutsu skill, its power now made his illusions impossible for ordinary ninja to resist.
The purpose was not to impress, but to ensure their conversation remained private. White Zetsu, or any eavesdropper, could not interfere.
Inside the illusion, Hayashi displayed the events of the day in perfect detail, stopping the moment the exploding tag detonated.
"As I said, the three-tomoe Sharingan is not the final form," he explained. "Beyond it lies the Mangekyo Sharingan, far more powerful."
He continued, "With the Mangekyo, each eye can wield two distinct Dōjutsu. Take the black flames you just saw, called Amaterasu. These are Mangekyo abilities that will not vanish until their target is completely destroyed."
Hayashi paused, then added, "My eyes hold a similar power. Both left and right are called Magatsukami."
It was common for two eyes to share a Dōjutsu name; Obito and Shisui were examples. Yet identical names could mean very different effects.
"With Kamui," Hayashi explained, "Kakashi can warp objects within sight into another dimension, while Obito must touch or approach his target to do the same. He can even phase parts of his body or his entire body through attacks. Combat styles differ entirely."
His own Mangekyo worked similarly in concept but with unique precision.
"The left eye targets enemies. Magatsukami can manipulate Karma, allowing my attacks to strike first, while rewriting events so it appears the enemy never attacked. That's why the exploding tag seemed to fail—the clone's action was undone retroactively."
Hayashi's gaze grew serious. "The effect is similar to the Reverse Light Sword, but not an instant kill. The power of the attack is tied to the opponent's technique. A Rasengan, for instance, will carry the same strength; a Great Fireball will match its intensity. Against exceptionally durable opponents, like the Third Raikage, the effect is reduced. But generally, it is unavoidable, almost conceptual in nature."
"However," he continued, "like Amaterasu, which is known as a world-consuming flame yet can be blocked by sand or a Tailed Beast Cloak, Magatsukami is powerful but not invincible. Its first kill was only a White Zetsu clone. Essentially, it often counters attacks indirectly—if the enemy strikes with a clone, only the clone is affected. It is both a blessing and a limitation."
He explained the right eye's function. "The right eye can reverse conditions upon myself. I can revert my body to a previous state, though the farther back, the more Dōjutsu power it consumes. Extreme reversals risk permanent blindness. Currently, I can only revert up to ten minutes prior. Both eyes have cooldowns and cannot be used continuously."
Mikoto considered this carefully. After a moment, she asked, "You said Amaterasu is a Mangekyo Dōjutsu. The one who attacked you… must be from the Uchiha Clan. Who could it be?"
Hayashi answered honestly, "I suspect Uchiha Fugaku."
Mikoto's eyes widened. "But… how is that possible? The current Fugaku is… weakened, decadent after multiple setbacks. How could he awaken the Mangekyo?"
"There's a chance the Mangekyo awakens upon witnessing the death of a loved one. His father, Uchiha Yama, died by my hand, and Fugaku must have been nearby."
Seeing Mikoto's lingering confusion, Hayashi explained softly, "Fugaku's father's death wasn't a simple matter—it was part of a larger conspiracy."
He began his narrative.
"Long ago, in a remote corner of the world, a towering Sky Tree grew. Its magnificence was revered, considered miraculous, and people believed a deity resided within. Gradually, it became known as the Divine Tree…"
From Kaguya to the events surrounding Madara, Hayashi recounted the history, omitting only what could not yet be explained.
"I will tell you how I know all this later," he said, "but not now. The matter of transmigration is too complex to explain yet."
Mikoto nodded quietly. "If you don't want to say, I won't push. I believe you."
"That is enough," Hayashi replied, gently holding her hand. "I told you this so you would understand, and also to explain why I must go to Kirigakure to retrieve Himeji's Byakugan."
"They plan to activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Dangerous as it is, it has immense potential. I need it to accomplish goals that could change the ninja world completely and bring lasting peace. After much thought, this is the path I've chosen."
"But first, Kaguya must be defeated. My strength alone may not suffice; this requires all of us together. Himeji's eyes could evolve into the Tenseigan, but transplanting someone else's might fail. That's why I must retrieve her eyes myself—it is necessary for what lies ahead."
Mikoto remained silent for a moment, then nodded resolutely. "You must return safely, Hayashi."