It wasn't even certain that he'd gain anything from this. And whether Samui would give it to him was another question entirely.
This was just to… open the door.
Yes, just open a door.
Keiji understood all too well that, with his current identity and strength, he wasn't in a position to obtain anything of significant value directly from Kumogakure.
Rather than overreaching, it was wiser to lower his stance and ask for a minor benefit.
Offering a D-rank ninjutsu as a bargaining chip wouldn't pose any threat to Samui—nor arouse her suspicion.
It was a way to test her boundaries.
Keiji stood under the dim light, his shadow cast long behind him.
"See you next time, Miss Samui."
He tucked the scroll neatly into his ninja pouch and turned to leave.
This matter wasn't over yet.
If this time he offered a D-rank technique, then next time, his "sincerity" would have to increase.
And perhaps, trigger an emotional… fluctuation in his Sharingan.
Before heading back, Keiji stopped by a sushi shop to pick up a takeout box.
Halfway home, someone suddenly bumped into him.
The sushi box in his hand dropped with a splat, scattering across the pavement.
"I'm so sorry! I'm really sorry!"
The girl had slightly curled hair and a touch of baby fat on her cheeks. She bowed apologetically.
"I'll… I'll replace your sushi!"
Yuhi Kurenai looked at the rice and fillings now spilled on the ground, her face full of regret.
When she looked up and saw who she'd bumped into—she realized it was a classmate.
"Wait… You're Keiji, right? I'm so sorry!"
"It's fine, Kurenai."
Keiji shook his head.
The sushi was merely a cover.
He needed a reasonable excuse to go to the shop. It would've looked odd if he went in and left without buying anything.
Last time, he stayed inside for quite a while. This time, just a few minutes.
Buying sushi kept suspicions at bay.
"No way, I have to buy you another one," Kurenai insisted. She grabbed his wrist, determined to make up for it.
"They're closed by now."
"You bought it from the sushi shop on the back-left street, right?"
"Mm."
"No wonder. They always close in the evening."
Kurenai lowered her head, unsure what to do next.
Back at the Ninja Academy, she'd been curious about Keiji's Sharingan and had thought about discussing genjutsu with him.
And now she'd ruined his sushi—wasn't that just making a terrible first impression?
"You can repay me with something else," Keiji said calmly.
Kurenai's eyes lit up immediately. She agreed without hesitation.
Ten minutes later, the two arrived at a nearby restaurant.
Kurenai skillfully ordered a variety of dishes, then handed the menu to Keiji.
He glanced over it—mostly fish, with several preparations of octopus being the most prominent.
He casually chose a dish and set the menu down.
Soon, the table was filled with food.
The largest portion was wasabi-marinated octopus.
His system notes had recorded Kurenai's preferences: she liked shochu, vodka, and wasabi octopus. She disliked cake.
"Keiji, does the Sharingan enhance genjutsu ability after it awakens?" Kurenai asked, after taking a bite of the wasabi octopus.
"It does enhance it, but the extent depends on one's own skill," Keiji replied, looking at her.
The Sharingan certainly offered a boost, but only to a limited degree.
If the user was already adept at genjutsu, the Sharingan would amplify it.
For example, in the era of The Book of Rin, both Kakashi and Kurenai were prominent users.
Kurenai had a "Gen" stat of 10, while Kakashi, even with a fully awakened Sharingan, had a "Gen" stat of 8.
Kakashi's Sharingan was far more useful for copying jutsu than performing genjutsu.
"Then… Keiji, would you have time to discuss genjutsu techniques with me?" Kurenai asked, her ruby eyes locking onto his.
According to Keiji's explanation, her theory was correct.
If she worked hard enough, she could catch up to the Uchiha in genjutsu—and uphold her father's legacy.
"I can, but it'll have to wait. I have a training match with Obito tomorrow, and after school I'll be focusing on chakra control and ninjutsu practice."
Keiji gave her a brief once-over.
Cute.
That was his honest assessment.
Still, he preferred the future Kurenai—the one with the charm of a mature woman.
But even now, this "beautiful thing" had a flavor all its own.
Keiji felt a warmth stirring behind his left eye.
Of course, it was still too early.
Even so, having genjutsu discussions with this younger Kurenai wasn't a bad thing.
The Uchiha's genjutsu typically revolved around the Sharingan. Techniques performed without it were rare.
And yet, the Yuhi Clan had still managed to establish themselves as genjutsu specialists—even under the Uchiha's looming reputation.
Clearly, they had some real skill.
"This is great!"
Kurenai's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, overjoyed.
She silently praised Keiji for being approachable and kind.
Maybe… people from the Land of Lightning were just that reasonable?
She never realized why Keiji had really agreed to her request.
Meanwhile, deep inside the secret room of the sushi shop...
"Lord Samoto."
Samui bowed respectfully.
"Yagetsu Keiji came?" Samoto asked.
"…He asked for a D-rank scroll," Samui replied, hesitating.
She briefly explained how Keiji had received the scroll for [Lightning Style: Iron Body].
But she didn't give the full story—instead, she downplayed it, making it sound like Keiji was simply dissatisfied with the scroll provided.
She didn't mention that it was her own words that prompted his request.
Her calm demeanor betrayed no emotion, as though discussing something mundane.
"Good. From now on, you'll continue interacting with Yagetsu Keiji. Bring him into our fold—whatever it takes," Samoto instructed with satisfaction, his attention still on the scroll request.
It was best that Keiji had shown desire.
Most shinobi determined their fighting style early in their careers.
Once Keiji got used to using Lightning Release techniques, he'd inevitably come back for more.
While the Uchiha had decent Lightning Release, it was nothing compared to Kumogakure—renowned for specializing in that very nature.
The Uchiha's real strength was in Fire Release. Their clan crest was even a paper fan wreathed in flames—a symbol of those who command fire.
"The Uchiha's kekkei genkai could greatly strengthen our village."
Samoto picked up a piece of sushi from the table and swallowed it.
If he succeeded here, would he still have to run around doing spy work?
All this undercover work in Konoha—dangerous, exhausting—was only to build enough merit to climb higher in the ranks back home.
If not for the political gains, no one in their right mind would take on such a risky mission, where one wrong step could get them discarded.
"…Also, Lord Samoto, I…"
After a moment's hesitation, Samui bit her lip.
She felt it might be best to come clean—about everything.