Gradually, Isobu in the consciousness space also realized something was off.
There was a fundamental problem with the "direction" within this strange mist.
"Ryosuke, what the hell is going on?"
Taking advantage of the brief pause in movement, Isobu asked Mizuki Ryosuke.
"It's because there's something wrong with this 'fog.'"
Ryosuke answered firmly, his sharp mind piecing together the anomaly.
This was not an ordinary mist like the Hiding in Mist Technique (Kirigakure no Jutsu).
Instead, it contained the power of Yin Release (Yin-ton).
More precisely, it was pure Yin energy—a manipulation of the mind rather than the body.
Because of this, even a powerful Wind Release technique wouldn't be able to disperse it, nor could it even create fluctuations within it.
To fully understand this "mist," one had to grasp the properties of Yin and Yang Release.
Although Yin-Yang Release (Onmyōton) was the supreme power of the Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, it operated differently from the Five Basic Nature Transformations.
Yin Release represented the power of the spirit (Seishin).
Yang Release, in contrast, governed the body (Nikudan).
A classic example of Yin-based techniques would be the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Transfer Jutsu, which manipulates consciousness.
Meanwhile, a Yang-based technique would be the Akimichi Clan's Multi-Size Jutsu, which physically alters the user's body.
(Note: Illusions, or Genjutsu, are not directly classified under Yin Release but are a distinct form of ninjutsu.)
With this understanding, the nature of this mist became clear.
Since it was formed from Yin Release, its effects targeted the mind, not the body.
No matter how thick it appeared, its true power lay in warping perception.
Mizuki Ryosuke quickly deduced the cause of his disorientation—the reason he couldn't distinguish left from right or anticipate sudden impacts.
Inside this mist, the victim's perception was being manipulated.
For example, if his brain gave a command to move left, his body might instead interpret it as right.
However, this effect was not constant—it fluctuated unpredictably.
At one moment, left could mean right, but in the next, right could mean backward instead.
That was why Ryosuke kept shifting directions based on Isobu's guidance.
And the sudden impact Ryosuke had felt earlier?
It wasn't an attack.
It was actually a fall—a result of his own misaligned perception.
He recalled the floating sensation he had experienced when first being pulled into this space.
That sensation wasn't an illusion.
Rather, his mind was being tricked into perceiving floating while, in reality, his body was falling.
With this realization, Mizuki Ryosuke had fully understood the nature of the mist.
Little by little, he was adapting to its twisted laws.
By now, he could correctly determine his direction for at least one second before the mist's influence shifted again.
According to Isobu, Terumi Mei wasn't far—less than one kilometer away.
Yet, because of the mist's interference, it took Ryosuke nearly ten minutes to reach her.
"Just five meters ahead."
At last, Isobu's voice rang in Ryosuke's mind.
Even at this short distance, however, he still couldn't see Terumi Mei through the dense fog.
He advanced cautiously—only for something unexpected to happen.
Whoosh!
A slender hand, wielding a sharp weapon glistening with cold light, suddenly lunged from the mist!
Clang!
The weapon struck, but instead of piercing flesh, it scraped against Ryosuke's Ice Armor, producing a metallic clang.
Without hesitation, Ryosuke reacted—his grip tightening around the attacker's wrist as he pulled them close.
It was Terumi Mei.
In such disorienting conditions, an accidental attack was inevitable.
Thankfully, Ryosuke had already activated his Ice Armor, leaving him unharmed.
Seeing his face through the fog, Terumi Mei's tense body finally relaxed.
Her strength gave out as she collapsed into Ryosuke's arms.
At this close range, they could finally see each other clearly within the mist.
Terumi Mei's usually neat hairstyle was a mess.
More importantly—her left eye, normally concealed by her long bangs, was now exposed.
For the first time, Ryosuke saw the secret she had been hiding.
Her left eye was a completely different color from her right.
Terumi Mei had heterochromatic eyes.
But before Ryosuke could say anything, her bangs shifted back into place, concealing her left eye once more.
Her sudden panic at the exposure was clear.
She opened her mouth as if to speak—
But no sound came out.
The mist had an additional effect—absolute silence.
Ryosuke's pupils narrowed sharply, his eyes flashing with anger.
Only ten minutes had passed since they were separated—
Yet Terumi Mei's condition had deteriorated drastically.
Her normally rosy complexion was deathly pale.
Her long, chestnut hair was tangled.
Her lips, usually full of color, were now ashen, with traces of blood at the corners of her mouth.
And that wasn't all.
Her left arm hung limply at her side, completely motionless.
It was either severely injured or broken.
But worst of all—
Her chest and abdomen were bleeding heavily from a deep wound, staining her clothes crimson.
Cough… Cough…
She coughed weakly, and fresh blood spilled from her lips.
What happened?!
How could Terumi Mei have suffered such serious injuries?!
Suddenly, a terrible thought crossed Ryosuke's mind.
He forcibly suppressed his anger, regaining control of his emotions.
Frost Armor – Saint Cloth Form!
In an instant, massive wings of ice unfurled from Ryosuke's back, curling around him and Terumi Mei.
The translucent ice wings formed a closed dome, shielding them from external threats.
With this defensive barrier, most attacks would be neutralized.
Gently, Ryosuke lowered Terumi Mei onto the ground.
She tried to speak again, but the silent mist prevented any words from reaching his ears.
Even with one arm disabled, she struggled to use hand signs—only to cough violently, more blood spilling from her mouth.
Seeing this, Ryosuke reached out—his hand brushing against her forehead.
Their eyes met.
His gaze was firm, yet reassuring.
At that moment, for reasons she couldn't explain, Terumi Mei's fear melted away.
As long as Mizuki Ryosuke was here, she felt that nothing could harm her.
But there was no time to dwell on emotions.
Her wounds were severe.
If he didn't act immediately, Terumi Mei's life would be in danger.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 100+ CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Kora_1