"Forgive my bluntness, Sora," Kakashi said calmly, eyes locked on him.
"But there's still a considerable gap between you and Uchiha Shu."
Sora had expected this, and yet, hearing it aloud still brought a twinge of frustration.
Kakashi continued,
"Half a year ago, while we were both still at the Academy, I sparred with him. We fought for ten minutes, it ended in a draw."
A draw… with Kakashi?
Sure, Shu was nine back then and Kakashi only five, but five-year-old Kakashi was already on par with a competent genin.
"Shu's a real piece of work," Obito added, his tone grim.
"His personality sucks, but his talent's no joke. He mastered the Fireball Jutsu at six. He's a beast at taijutsu and shurikenjutsu, and when he was eight, he beat three genin in a row.
Lately, he's even started sparring with chūnin from his clan."
Sora felt his heart sink.
This so-called "nobody" Uchiha, barely mentioned in the original timeline, was a total monster.
What kind of jerk bullies a bunch of six- and seven-year-olds while being that overpowered?
Even with his own rapid progress, Sora felt far from confident facing someone like Uchiha Shu.
"Didn't expect to see such a fierce battle today."
A deep voice rang out from the edge of the training ground.
A tall, stern-looking shinobi in a black combat suit and Konoha's standard green jōnin vest stepped forward. By his side was a small girl with crimson eyes and raven curls, clinging to his hand.
"Shinku-senpai! Kurenai!" the group greeted them in surprise.
It was the Yūhi father-daughter duo, Yūhi Shinku, the famed Genjutsu specialist, and his daughter Kurenai.
Unbeknownst to anyone, they had been watching from the sidelines the entire time.
Shinku walked up to Sora and patted his shoulder.
"You must be Sora. Kurenai told me about you before, how you stood up to those third-year bullies to protect her and her friends.
But now that I've seen you fight… I didn't expect your talent to be this exceptional."
"Who taught you Genjutsu?" Shinku asked, eyes sharp with interest.
Sora scratched his head.
"I guess… I taught myself?"
"Self-taught?" Shinku looked genuinely astonished.
"At your age? That's incredible."
He continued,
"Not only did you successfully cast Genjutsu, but you managed to do so in the middle of a high-speed battle.
Yes, your casting technique is still crude, but I could clearly sense the immense mental energy radiating from you.
And that, spiritual power, is the essence of any Genjutsu user. It defines our potential.
You, Sora… possess a level of spiritual strength I've rarely seen in someone your age."
Sora flushed slightly.
"Thank you for the praise, Shinku-senpai."
Shinku paused thoughtfully, then said:
"Sora, would you like me to personally train you in Genjutsu?"
Sora blinked. That… he hadn't expected.
The Yūhi clan was one of Konoha's most renowned Genjutsu bloodlines. And Yūhi Shinku stood as one of the village's premier illusionists, especially in this era where the Uchiha clan had yet to produce a new prodigy.
"Of course! That would be an honor," Sora said quickly.
"I've always heard you were the best Genjutsu master in Konoha, some say not even the Uchihas can match you."
Flattery well-delivered.
"There's just one thing…" Sora hesitated, "I've been training taijutsu with Uncle Duy recently. Would it be alright if I only came for Genjutsu lessons in the afternoons?"
Shinku raised an eyebrow, then chuckled.
"Genjutsu and taijutsu together, huh? You've got big dreams."
He thought for a moment.
"If you were some average kid, I'd tell you to focus on one thing.
But you're not.
With talent like yours, and the determination I've heard about, you might just pull it off."
He glanced toward his daughter before speaking again.
"I've heard stories about your dedication. A seven-year-old pushing himself to the brink of unconsciousness during training…
If anyone can merge the paths of Genjutsu and taijutsu, it's you."
Unspoken was another reason Shinku agreed so readily:
Kurenai clearly liked this boy.
Meanwhile, deep within the Uchiha compound…
In a lavishly decorated room, a kneeling shinobi respectfully handed a scroll to an elderly man.
"Elder, one of the Sannin, Orochimaru, has taken a disciple.
This is the report on the child."
The old man, hair silver-white, accepted the scroll in silence and began reading.
But as he reached the final line, his expression darkened.
"Summon Shu. Immediately."
Moments later, a broad-shouldered ten-year-old boy entered.
He bowed deeply.
"Grandfather, you called?"
The elder handed him the scroll.
After reading it, Uchiha Shu snorted.
"So Sora had the luck to become Orochimaru's student.
No matter. Even if he's learning from a Sannin, I'll still defeat him."
The elder's voice was cold and venomous:
"I don't want you to just defeat him.
Cripple him. At least one leg.
If the opportunity presents itself… kill him."
Shu stiffened, stunned.
"Grandfather… but the Hokage himself might be present that day…"
"Even better," the old man sneered.
"Kill him right in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi. He won't dare lift a finger against you."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Once Shu had gone, the elder's face twisted with fury.
"Orochimaru…
You dared assassinate a member of our clan, steal our eyes.
You'll pay for that."
That afternoon…
Sora followed Yūhi Shinku to the Yūhi residence.
Despite not being a large clan, their home was spacious, with a serene inner courtyard.
There, master and student sat facing one another.
"Would you like some tea, Sora-kun?" Kurenai asked sweetly, holding out a cup with both hands.
"Thank you, Kurenai." He accepted it with a smile.
"And here, green bean pastries shaped like four-leaf clovers. I made them myself."
"Ahem…"
Yūhi Shinku cleared his throat with a stiff expression.
Looking at his own empty table, he suddenly regretted this arrangement.
Kurenai blushed furiously and hurried to bring her father his share before quietly retreating.
Maybe agreeing to this wasn't such a great idea after all, Shinku thought to himself.
Clearing his throat again, he regained his usual stoic demeanor.
"Sora, tell me about your Genjutsu training so far."
"Actually… I only started learning last night.
Orochimaru-sensei left me a stack of scrolls and told me to study on my own.
I've learned Mist Servant Jutsu and Hell Mirage Jutsu so far."
Shinku raised an eyebrow.
"Two Genjutsu in one night? I clearly underestimated you."
Everyone in Konoha had heard the rumors by now, Orochimaru taking a disciple was big news.
But rather than be surprised by the title "sensei," Shinku was far more amazed at Sora's Genjutsu aptitude.
"Back when I was a kid, it took me three days to learn my first illusion.
The clan treated me like a prodigy.
Compared to you… I feel a little embarrassed."
He suddenly straightened, eyes serious.
"Tell me, Sora, what do you think Genjutsu truly is?"