A New Mission
Uchiha Ying had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan at birth. One eye held the power of spatial manipulation, capable of creating pocket dimensions similar to the ninja world. The other granted him the ability of replication, allowing him to copy any person he touched into his ocular space. With sufficient chakra, these copies could even possess the same abilities as the original.
"Right now, neither ability seems to function, but they feel…merged with this 'dreamscape,'" he mused. Could his accidental journey decades into the future have caused some unforeseen change in his Sharingan, resulting in this dreamscape ability?
Ying pondered the connection between his eyes and this bizarre space while exploring the remaining functions of his rediscovered Mangekyo Sharingan. Aside from enhanced dynamic vision and chakra sensory perception, the only ability remaining was…
"Intangibility!" He willed the power into action, reaching out to touch a nearby mirror. His entire arm passed through the glass as if it were mere air. "It just consumes a ridiculous amount of chakra." He felt his reserves dwindling after only a short time. "It seems my Sharingan has returned, but only a fraction of its former power."
Still, gazing at the Mangekyo Sharingan reflected in the mirror, Ying recognized its potential for intimidation. A mask concealing his face, leaving only those crimson eyes visible, might scare off most enemies without a fight.
"Hmph. Time for my own tale of an inescapable god," he declared, finally feeling capable of defending himself against Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
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"Speaking of which," he thought, "I still haven't figured out whether Tsunade's…are bigger than Kaguya's…" Last night, inside Tsunade's office, his mind and eyes had been completely captivated by something far more enticing than comparisons. He fantasized about having both women side-by-side in bed someday; then he could truly compare. Unfortunately, he couldn't bring Tsunade, Kaguya, or Hinata out of their respective scenarios.
"Y-Ying… Good morning…" Hinata arrived at Team Eight's meeting point early, surprised to find Ying already there. She blamed her tardiness on the need to wash her underwear every morning… The nightly 'dreams' and the resulting laundry filled her with shame. Worse, those dreams made her hyper-aware of Ying. His voice triggered memories of whispered sweet nothings, a brush of his arm brought back the sensation of his touch all over her body, and even a glimpse of his lips conjured the feeling of his kisses everywhere. The maids back home had a word for a girl who had such dreams every night: wanton.
"Ugh, I'm so shameless…" Hinata struggled to suppress her reactions around Ying. If he knew about her fantasies, he would surely hate her. She knew she would despise any boy who fantasized about her in such a way. "I absolutely cannot let Ying find out!" she resolved, her body flushed just from his presence.
From Ying's perspective, Hinata's behavior was puzzling. Could that accidental brush against her chest during training at the Academy have affected her so deeply? He found it amusing how the timid, doe-eyed girl blushed crimson and avoided his gaze. He wondered if, were she not a ninja, a single punch would make her cry for hours.
"Hinata, do you hate me?" he asked.
"No! I don't! I…" she blurted out instantly. Hate was not an option where Ying was concerned.
"Then why do you always keep your distance?" With each step he took forward, she retreated, until she was backed against the wall, resigned to his approaching figure and unwavering gaze.
"I…" *Don't come any closer! I won't be able to control myself…* She felt faint as he practically cornered her, her Byakugan almost as red as her face. *I'm going to pass out… And if this continues… I'll… I'll wet myself…*
"Witnessing this lovey-dovey display first thing in the morning is quite inauspicious," Shino Aburame's timely arrival interrupted Ying's advance, rescuing Hinata from imminent collapse.
"N-No! Shino, it's not like that! Ying and I aren't…" Hinata protested. She didn't mind being misunderstood, but she couldn't bear for Ying to suffer the same fate because of her impure thoughts.
"Shino? You're early today."
"Sensei said we have a new mission." Shino had hoped for a smooth team dynamic. With the Uchiha, the Hyuga, and himself, they should have breezed through missions and rapidly improved their skills. Instead, he'd become a glorified third wheel and errand boy. Two teammates perpetually flirting, a biased teacher… Only he seemed dedicated to completing the village's tasks. And afterward, the Uchiha would add insult to injury with comments like, "Shino, your bugs are so handy for catching stray cats and dogs." It was truly disheartening.
"A new mission?" Ying recalled the matter. Unlike other genin teams, Team Eight, with their insect and Byakugan advantages, made short work of low-level missions. To prevent complacency, Kurenai had requested higher-ranked assignments. However, Ying suspected this new mission was likely a cover for something else, something related to his secret meeting with Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Hokage's office.