247 Naruto: Snatching the Mangekyō

"Zzzt—"

A flash of blue lightning streaked through the air as Uchiha Akira instantly appeared in front of Hikari.

"So fast! How is he this fast?!" Hikari's heart jolted with alarm.

With no time to think, she instinctively raised her hand.

Clang!

A sharp metallic ring echoed as the black staff, formed from Truth-Seeking Orbs, clashed against her blade, sending a wave of white energy rippling outward.

The ground beneath Hikari's feet cracked and shattered, while arcs of electricity crackled in the air. Before she could react, Akira's figure vanished again, moving even faster than before.

"Damn it! He's even stronger than Nagato!" Hikari's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan spun wildly, but even with its enhanced perception, it struggled to track Akira's movements.

"Zzzt—"

Another flash of blue light suddenly surged toward her, striking in an instant.

"Not good!" Hikari's heart pounded in alarm as she thrust her sword forward.

Crackle!

Lightning burst forth, engulfing her in a dazzling blue light.

But her sword had pierced only a lightning clone.

"Damn it, a lightning clone…" A numbing sensation spread through Hikari's body, locking her muscles in place.

This was no ordinary Lightning Release—this was a fusion of Senjutsu, Six Paths power, and Tenseigan chakra. Not even a Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails could fully resist its effects!

And Hikari did not possess the Rinnegan, meaning she couldn't absorb chakra. She had no choice but to endure it.

Even worse, Akira wasn't about to give her a chance to recover.

A series of sharp impacts rang out as black rods, formed from Truth-Seeking Orbs, pierced through Hikari's limbs and torso, pinning her in place.

"Hikari, can we have a proper conversation now?" Akira's voice was calm as he appeared before her, lightning still crackling around him.

Hikari's eyes were filled with disbelief.

"Your power… it surpasses even Nagato's…"

She had been utterly overwhelmed—defeated in mere moments.

"Damn, the Fifth Hokage is serious! He ended the fight that quickly?" Tsunade watched in stunned silence.

She could sense Hikari's immense power—that unmistakable, pure Ten-Tails and Six Paths chakra. It was genuine.

"There's nothing to talk about. I lost. Just kill me." Hikari's expression was cold, devoid of fear or hesitation.

Akira smiled. "No, no. Killing someone like you would be such a waste. The ninja world needs warriors of your caliber."

He then turned his gaze to another figure. "Shisui, are you ready?"

"Yes, Akira, I'm fully prepared." Uchiha Shisui's voice was steady and resolute.

Hikari's face twisted in horror. She knew exactly what Akira was planning.

During the battle against Iwagakure, Shisui had already revealed his Mangekyō ability—a genjutsu that could manipulate enemies, turning them into allies.

And Hikari's own Mangekyō ability, Hachisen, had a similar power!

"You—!" Hikari's usually calm demeanor cracked. Panic surged through her, but the Truth-Seeking Rods kept her immobilized. She could do nothing but watch as Shisui approached.

"Stay away!!" she screamed, eyes wide with terror.

But Shisui didn't falter. His steps remained steady, unwavering.

Suddenly—

A white-haired figure flickered into existence beside Hikari, a gleaming kunai slicing toward Akira's throat.

Thud!

Three black rods shot forward, impaling the attacker before he could land his strike.

Akira looked down at the now-pinned Senju Tobirama, his face betraying no surprise.

"I was expecting you, Second Hokage."

With that threat neutralized, Shisui finally reached Hikari, his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan locking onto her gaze.

"Shisui, begin," Akira commanded.

Shisui nodded. The immense power he had been gathering erupted in an instant—Kotoamatsukami activated!

Hikari froze. An alien presence seeped into her consciousness, foreign memories flooding her mind.

"Ah…" A soft, pained gasp escaped her lips.

Her expression twisted, her beautiful features contorting in agony.

The Truth-Seeking Rods embedded in her body trembled violently as an enormous surge of chakra erupted from her. The surrounding ground shattered under the force of her struggle.

Then—

Bang! Bang!

One by one, the black rods were expelled from her body!

"Ugh… you won't change my will…!" Hikari clutched her head, writhing in torment, her expression a mask of sheer agony.

Akira frowned slightly, watching her convulse on the ground.

Beside him, Shisui was tense. He had poured everything into this permanent Kotoamatsukami—every ounce of his ocular power.

He had no energy left to try again.

Logically, Hikari shouldn't have been able to resist.

Yet here she was, still fighting back.

For a moment, the two Uchiha exchanged uneasy glances, bracing for the possibility of failure.

Then—

Hikari's movements slowed.

Her body stilled, her breathing heavy.

And finally, she opened her eyes and rose to her feet.

Her gaze was eerily calm as she looked at Akira and Shisui.

"Hikari?" Akira called, uncertain.

She frowned slightly, a hint of confusion flashing across her face.

"Why are you being so formal? That's not like you."

Akira's eyes narrowed. "How do you feel?"

"I feel fine. Why?" Hikari tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled.

A slow smile spread across Akira's face.

He turned to Shisui, their eyes meeting.

In an instant, both found themselves within the illusionary realm of a genjutsu.

"Shisui, did you… rewrite her memories?" Akira asked, his tone careful.

Shisui nodded. "Yes, Akira. I was worried that forcibly altering her will might backfire, so instead, I implanted a past where her hatred was resolved."

Akira's expression darkened slightly. "And what exactly did you give her?"

Scratching the back of his head, Shisui explained, "I created a history where her resentment was quelled, and she joined Konoha as an undercover agent inside the Akatsuki."

Akira was taken aback. "You came up with all that in such a short time?"

Shisui shook his head. "Not exactly. I only set the general premise—the details were woven together by the Kotoamatsukami itself."

Akira smirked. "I see… Well, let's hope it holds."

The illusion dissipated, bringing them back to reality.

Hikari stood before them, her expression serene.

And just like that, Uchiha Hikari was no longer their enemy.