Lightning Chakra surged beneath Kakashi's feet as he utilized the Body Flicker Technique, propelling himself swiftly toward Hanawan Ichi-cho. As he arrived, the sight of the immense purple barrier before him caused his heart to sink.
"I can only try that technique," Kakashi murmured, swiftly forming hand seals.
The moment the seals were complete, Kakashi grasped his right hand with his left.
Sizzle!
A high-pitched crackling sound filled the air as the Chidori, a brilliant lightning technique, surged uncontrollably from his hand. Kakashi knew the barrier was formidable and poured more chakra into his technique. His right hand began to tremble uncontrollably as sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Raikiri!!!" Kakashi shouted, his eyes widening as he thrust his electrified hand forward.
The Raikiri slammed into the barrier with immense force, creating visible ripples and a deafening tearing sound. The barrier, though momentarily breached, began to repair itself almost immediately, filling the gap with a renewed glow. Kakashi winced in pain as he withdrew his hand, burn marks and blood oozing from his injured wrist.
"The repair gap is too short to expand the breach," Kakashi realized with frustration. He stood outside, witnessing the Hanawan Ichi-cho casino crumbling and flames rising in the distance. Putian Yilang's plan had failed, and Kakashi knew that once Putian Yilang realized he had escaped, he would become merciless.
Kakashi, feeling helpless, pulled down his blindfold and activated his Sharingan to analyze the chakra flow of the barrier. Despite his efforts, he couldn't locate its source.
"Are you going to abandon your companions again?" he chided himself internally. "Those who abandon their companions are worse than trash!"
His face remained composed, but his rapid breathing betrayed his anxiety.
"Unless you destroy it completely, this barrier can only be broken from the inside," a voice interrupted Kakashi's thoughts.
"Who?" Kakashi demanded, turning around.
Behind him stood a figure with an unremarkable appearance and no visible chakra fluctuations, but his eyes were a disturbing shade of red, with spinning black magatama within.
"Uchiha?" Kakashi wondered aloud. "No, this man is under a Sharingan genjutsu."
The figure controlled by Fang Yuan approached Kakashi with a strange smile.
"Who am I? Not the most pressing question. The real issue is what happens now, Hatake Kakashi," the figure said calmly.
Kakashi tensed as the figure spoke his name. He silently formed seals with his hands, wary of the mysterious man's intentions.
Fang Yuan, observing Kakashi's reaction, found the encounter tedious but noted the urgency.
"I'm not your enemy. At least, not right now. Be thankful that Putian Yilang isn't here. We don't have much time for dialogue, so let's move quickly."
"Putian Yilang?" Kakashi echoed.
"Yes. His technique allows him to place his eyes anywhere. He can separate part of his soul to communicate with inanimate objects and control puppets from a distance," Fang Yuan explained.
Kakashi, while not entirely surprised by the revelation, was still dismayed by the extent of Putian Yilang's infiltration and intelligence capabilities. The fact that Putian Yilang couldn't cause direct harm through his technique was a small relief.
"This information doesn't help me much. I can't enter the barrier or confront him," Kakashi said, frustration evident in his voice. The mysterious figure's sudden appearance and cryptic advice seemed to force Kakashi into a precarious position.
"No, you do have a way. I've found something interesting. If you want to enter the barrier, follow me," Fang Yuan suggested.
He didn't disclose the specific method for breaking the barrier but intended to involve Kakashi in his broader plan. Fang Yuan had recently discovered a woman in Tansho Street who resembled Putian Yilang from the wanted posters. She was dressed similarly to the women in Hanawan Ichi-cho and appeared to have a close connection with Putian Yilang.
Fang Yuan's plan was to use Kakashi's capture of this woman to threaten Putian Yilang, thereby gaining entry into Hanawan Ichi-cho. Even if Kakashi's involvement was unintended, Fang Yuan's manipulation aimed to put him in a position of control.
Fang Yuan had the advantage, as he controlled the situation while Konoha and Putian Yilang were at his mercy. Any shift in the dynamics would play into Fang Yuan's hands.