My Techniques are a bit off

Promoted to Special Jonin, Encountering the Akatsuki, Fighting with Everything He Had—

Link had already played out the scenario in his mind. The moment he saw the black cloak adorned with red clouds, he instinctively lowered his gaze and began to retreat.

There was no choice. No matter who was in front of him, keeping a distance was always the safest bet, especially avoiding eye contact with Itachi Uchiha.

This guy's preferred combat style was silent and stealthy ambushes. A casual conversation could end with someone ensnared in a genjutsu—a classic ninja strategy.

And not just any genjutsu, but the infamous Tsukuyomi. According to the databooks, its range was classified as "close," about five meters or less. The best approach was to maintain distance and avoid eye contact.

Once within range and locking eyes, the target would be dragged into a nightmarish world for three days and nights.

"Itachi!" Sasuke Uchiha called out his opponent's name.

"Sasuke. It's been a while," Itachi said, his Sharingan activating, three tomoe spinning as he observed his brother. Seeing Sasuke had also activated his three-tomoe Sharingan, Itachi's expression remained calm, though he was slightly surprised.

Kisame Hoshigaki, carrying his massive blade, grinned. "Oh ho, I didn't expect to see a second pair of Sharingan today."

"Don't look at him. He's a genjutsu specialist," Link curtly warned his teammates, who were foolishly trying to maintain eye contact with their opponent.

Homecoming mist? But the Konoha Crush plan just ended yesterday—why are they here? They're supposed to be after Naruto, right? Or is this about Sasuke?

A whirlwind of thoughts spun through Link's mind as he activated the Mystical Palm Technique, swiftly casting both a Clone Jutsu and a Transformation Jutsu.

"Boom!" His clothes tore as his transformed, larger body emerged.

This time, let's settle this with Rashōmon. Convenient timing too— Without pausing, Link completed a summoning jutsu and called for help. Slamming his hand on the ground, he unleashed another jutsu.

"Boom!" Rashōmon gates rose behind the four of them.

Creak! The gates opened, and figures stepped out. The first was his father, clad in Anbu gear. The second was Fugaku Uchiha. Surprisingly, there was a third figure—Baki.

What?! Link stared at the Sunagakure Jonin, baffled. How is my summoning jutsu connecting to him?

His father, in full Anbu attire, took the front. Fugaku stepped out, glancing briefly at Sasuke before his gaze landed on Itachi. His expression grew complex, and his Sharingan activated, three tomoe spinning.

"Itachi," Fugaku said, calling his son's name.

The three Uchiha stood silently, tension thick in the air.

"Wow," Kisame broke the moment. "Three pairs of Sharingan. I thought, Itachi, you'd killed off the entire clan?"

"If it weren't for this mission, I wouldn't have known you even had a brother. Fascin—"

"Shut up, Kisame," Itachi cut him off coldly. His eyes shifted to Fugaku, who had stepped forward. "Father. It's been a long time."

Kisame's surprised expression hinted at realization. So that kid's jutsu... is it a forbidden technique that transcends the boundary between life and death?

"We are the Akatsuki," Itachi said, his gaze sweeping past the group until it landed on Link, who had carefully avoided direct eye contact. "We've come to recruit you—"

"Link."

"You've come to Konoha to recruit a newly promoted Special Jonin?" Link asked.

"No choice; it's the leader's order," Itachi replied, his tone calm. "But it seems you're not interested in joining us."

"A pity."

"So it's going to be a fight?" Kisame formed hand seals and leapt back, spewing a torrent of water below.

"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

"Whoosh!" A massive wave surged forward with violent force. The group, all at least Chūnin-level, easily evaded the initial attack by leaping into the air. But the assault wasn't over.

From the crest of the waves emerged shark-shaped water bullets, one for each person.

"Fireball Jutsu!" Fugaku Uchiha, mid-air, spewed fireballs, incinerating the water bullets aimed at himself, Sasuke, and Link. Landing on the water's surface, he charged toward the two Akatsuki members.

Kisame's ability to produce such a large-scale Water Release technique in a dry area marked him as a high-chakra, ninjutsu-focused opponent. Closing the distance was the best strategy.

Sasuke followed closely, running across the water. He even tossed a kunai to his father, moving with perfect synchronicity.

"Sorry, son."

His father was less fortunate, sacrificing himself to shield Iris and Ami from three water bullets. His body shattered and returned to the afterlife.

Unlike Edo Tensei, the Rashōmon summoning didn't grant immortality. While the deceased retained their chakra and physical capabilities, they lacked Edo Tensei's unkillable bodies and limitless chakra.

Baki, still confused, sliced through a water bullet before landing beside Link.

"The war's over, isn't it?" he asked.

"If you want another chance at life, help out," Link replied calmly, standing atop the Rashōmon gate.

Baki's expression remained neutral, but after a deep glance at Link, he charged into the fray. For a soul tethered to the living world, such a threat was highly effective.

If Baki's appearance rules out needing a physical medium for summoning, it's not tied to objects or bloodlines. It feels more... spiritual.

Link remained stationary, knowing full well he was the Akatsuki's target. Charging in would be playing into their hands.

Whether it was Tsukuyomi or Kotoamatsukami, getting caught once would likely mean game over. Sharingan-enhanced genjutsu was unreasonably powerful, and Sunagakure tactics dictated that facing a Sharingan user alone meant fleeing, while two could potentially manage a fight.

In Uchiha skirmishes, lacking three-tomoe Sharingan made close combat impossible. A single genjutsu would instantly incapacitate someone—there was no time for counterplay.

And this was Konoha, his home turf. If not for Sasuke's impulsive charge, Link would've preferred for everyone to stay back, letting Fugaku and his Father fight Itachi while Kisame engaged Baki, waiting for reinforcements from other Jonin.

Standing silently atop the gate, Link pondered the mechanics of summoning.

He had no emotional ties to Baki, no shared bloodline, and barely any verbal communication. So what exactly connected them?

Suddenly, he recalled Baki's gaze just before his death and felt a spark of understanding.

~~~

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