The rain fell endlessly, drumming against the canvas of the camp tents with a constant pattering sound.
Fortunately, thanks to the skilled earth-release shinobi from Konoha, the drainage channels they had constructed were of excellent quality. There wasn't a trace of stagnant water anywhere in the camp.
Inside the command tent, Hoshiyomi, Shinku, Minato, and Kuugetsu sat around a low table, chatting idly. Jiraiya was not among them—after recovering from his injuries, he had hurried back to train his students.
After witnessing the strength of both Kuugetsu and Minato, Jiraiya had felt an itch of competitiveness. He couldn't help but wonder: when Yahiko and the others reached Minato and Kuyo's age, would they be capable of such feats?
Hoshiyomi sipped from his steaming cup of tea, then turned to Minato with a question:
"Lately, I've noticed you've been sparring with the jōnin in the camp whenever you're free. So—what's the result?"
Minato, still carrying that warm, sunlike modesty of his, replied humbly:
"Everyone goes easy on me."
Shinku, munching on a biscuit, teased him:
"Come on, Minato. Being modest is fine, but too much humility isn't good either. You've been overwhelming them in every spar, yet you claim they're holding back? If those uncles and elders heard you say that, their feelings would be crushed."
Minato scratched his head in embarrassment, but insisted:
"The seniors really have been holding back. During our matches, none of them used large-scale jutsu. If they had, I wouldn't have been able to handle it."
At that, Hoshiyomi silently reached a conclusion. Minato had already broken through to the jōnin level. That excuse about them not using large-scale jutsu was just cover.
After all, Minato's speed with the Body Flicker now rivaled Hoshiyomi's Shunpo. At such speed, even seasoned jōnin struggled to keep up, let alone form seals to unleash powerful techniques.
And Minato was still only eleven or twelve years old. His talent was at least on par with Kakashi's, perhaps even greater.
Kakashi's promotion had been special circumstances in canon—White Fang's death during the Third War, Jiraiya and Tsunade leaving the village, and aside from Orochimaru, Shisui, and Minato, Konoha had very few top-tier fighters to rely on.
In Hoshiyomi's view, if it came to a real life-or-death battle right now, Minato could absolutely defeat twelve-year-old jōnin Kakashi.
The thought brought a smile to Hoshiyomi's lips.
"Just as your Uncle Makoto said, there's no need to be that humble. When we rotate over to the Sand front, you'll lead your own squad on missions. Once you've gained some experience commanding, I'll speak to the Third Hokage myself and recommend you for promotion to jōnin."
At those words, Kuyu's ears twitched. A flicker of envy flashed in her eyes, only to be replaced by disappointment a moment later.
Someone like her—afraid of battle, hesitant even to kill—wasn't fit to be a jōnin.
Hoshiyomi noticed her expression immediately. He reached out and ruffled her hair gently.
"Do you want to become a jōnin too?"
"N-no… I'm still a long way off from that."
Kuugetsu denied it, but in her eyes burned an undeniable longing. Having been doubted for so long, of course she yearned for the day when she could become a village jōnin—when those who mocked and bullied her would have no choice but to acknowledge her worth.
In truth, Hoshiyomi had kept close watch over her growth since she came to the battlefield. Especially after obtaining the Sword of Kusanagi: Chokuto, her training had become relentless.
Now, with her two-tomoe Sharingan combined with the Uchiha-style kenjutsu, her combat strength was in no way inferior to Minato's.
If Minato perfectly inherited Hoshiyomi's speed and assassination talent, then Kuugetsu had perfectly inherited his mastery of kenjutsu.
Her swordsmanship had shed its former rawness. Even without relying on Uchiha-style kenjutsu, her performance in everyday training was impressive.
The only obstacle left was her personality. That fearfulness still held her back. She was just one step away from jōnin.
If she could overcome that final flaw, she would be a fully qualified jōnin.
Seeing that longing flicker again in her eyes, Hoshiyomi decided the time had come to strike while the iron was hot—to help her confront her split personality once and for all.
He drew a deep breath and said to her:
"I think it's about time."
Kuugetsu's body trembled slightly. Of course she knew what he meant by "about time." But to actually face the other version of herself… she felt utterly at a loss.
She glanced up at him, then quickly lowered her head again, murmuring:
"I… I don't know what to do."
Hoshiyomi clenched his teeth, then made up his mind.
"I know a jōnin back in the village, Kato Dan. His clan possesses a unique Spirit Transformation Technique that allows him to enter another's mindscape.
I plan to ask for his help—to enter your mind and speak directly with your other self. That way, we can finally uncover the truth behind why you developed this second persona.
Deep down, you know it too. A split personality doesn't just appear without cause. Something must have triggered it."
At his words, Kuugetsu's pupils contracted sharply. Beneath the table, her index fingers fidgeted and tapped in agitation. The conflict in her expression was unmistakable.
After a long silence, she finally made up her mind. She gave Hoshiyomi a small, hesitant nod and whispered, lacking confidence:
"Then… let's try it."
For someone as timid as Kuugetsu, such a decision was no small feat.
Hoshiyomi and Shinku exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with unconcealed excitement. Among those on the Iwa front—besides Hokushin—they had spent the most time with Kuugetsu, and they were the most curious about her dual personality.
At last, they would get to uncover the truth. Their hearts raced with anticipation.
With Kuugetsu's consent, Hoshiyomi sent her and Minato back to their own tents, while he and Shinku remained to explore how this might work.
Clearly, Hoshiyomi had done his homework beforehand. After long discussion, they devised a plan that seemed highly feasible in theory.
Hoshiyomi named it the Dream-Weaving Technique.
Its principle was akin to a modern-day Wi-Fi bridge—requiring three distinct secret techniques working in tandem: Shinku's genjutsu Dream Eater Tapir, Dan's Spirit Transformation Technique, and the Yamanaka clan's secret techniques.
First, Dan would use his Spirit Transformation Technique to enter Kuugetsu's mindscape and communicate with her other self. Next, a Yamanaka would employ their Mind Perception Transmission Technique as a conduit between Dan and Shinku, transmitting everything Dan witnessed directly to Shinku.
Finally, Shinku would apply his Dream Eater Tapir genjutsu to hypnotize Hoshiyomi, allowing him to experience in real time everything Dan perceived inside Kuugetsu's mindscape.
With the combination of these three secret techniques, even someone like Hoshiyomi—who knew nothing of genjutsu—could watch the story unfold within Kuugetsu's heart.
Author's Notes:
When I was writing this, I had a sudden burst of inspiration and came up with this technique. I think this concept is quite interesting.