"I think Genjutsu is a way to manipulate the enemy's senses," Sora said after some thought. "It creates illusions to distract or weaken their perception during battle, so you can strike at the right moment."
Yūhi Shinku nodded.
"That's its function in combat, you're not wrong.
But that's not the essence of Genjutsu."
He sipped his tea, voice calm but firm.
"At its core, Genjutsu is the synergistic application of chakra and mental energy.
It's a battle that takes place entirely on the spiritual level."
"There are two types of Genjutsu," he continued.
"The first kind ensnares the enemy without them realizing it. They become trapped in an illusion, fully immersed, never even suspecting they've been caught.
The jutsu you know, like Mist Servant and Hell Mirage, fall under this category."
"The second type is different. The target knows they're in an illusion, but can't escape it.
Techniques like Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death, Paralysis Genjutsu, and many Sharingan-based illusions fall into this second category."
Sora listened with full attention, nodding like a diligent student.
This was the first time he'd heard of Genjutsu being classified this way.
It was clear, Shinku wasn't just giving him random tips.
He intended to pass down the entire Genjutsu system, starting from the foundation.
Pleased with Sora's seriousness, Shinku continued:
"There's a lot to learn. Let's start by analyzing your fight with Kakashi.
You made some critical mistakes in your casting."
Sora pulled out a notebook and started jotting things down.
"First," Shinku said, "your casting speed was far too slow.
And even worse, you made your intentions too obvious.
For a Genjutsu specialist, it's forbidden to perform hand signs in full view of the enemy. Once your target realizes you're about to cast an illusion, the effectiveness plummets.
Instead, use the terrain, obstruct their line of sight, combine with Ninjutsu distractions, or hide behind cover while you cast."
"Second," he pointed toward the courtyard,
"you failed to make use of your surroundings."
Sora looked around.
The Yūhi courtyard was large and well-maintained.
A small pond sat in the center, home to a few swimming fish. Rows of maple trees lined the edges, their leaves gently fluttering to the ground.
But when he turned his head again, Shinku was gone.
The entire courtyard vanished into darkness.
Suddenly, a bandaged face appeared in front of him. Loose skin sagged over his cheeks. A grotesque X-shaped scar split his jaw.
His expression was as cold as death.
"Sora Hanyū," the man hissed.
"Become one of my soldiers… or die."
Danzo.
Sora's heart leapt. He staggered back,
Only to slam into something behind him.
A man in a swirling spiral mask grabbed his throat with one hand.
"Ghh, !"
Sora gasped for air, but nothing came.
He felt like he was suffocating.
"Die beneath my blade."
In a flash, Madara Uchiha appeared before him, arms crossed, towering above like a god of death.
Behind him rose the giant blue form of a Perfect Susanoo, its ethereal blade already slashing downward.
"Release."
A calm voice echoed in the void.
Everything vanished.
Sora blinked. He was back in the peaceful courtyard.
Yūhi Shinku took another sip of tea, looking unbothered.
"That was Hell Mirage Jutsu. I used the falling maple leaves to trigger the illusion, causing you to experience your deepest fears."
Sora rubbed his neck, still shaken.
"So in my heart… I fear Danzo, Obito's descent into darkness, and Madara…"
He couldn't help but wonder.
Without even noticing, he'd fallen into such a vivid, terrifying illusion.
The Days That Followed
Sora settled into a structured and intense routine.
Mornings were spent outside the Hidden Leaf Village, training in taijutsu alongside Might Duy and Guy.
He pushed his body to the brink every session, always bringing high-protein, nutrient-packed breakfasts, and following up with a hearty lunch to refuel.
Afternoons were devoted to Genjutsu.
At Shinku's home, he listened attentively to lessons, often while snacking on pastries and sweets handmade by Kurenai.
Sometimes he'd even stay for dinner, enjoying Kurenai's warm home-cooked meals.
Perhaps driven by jealousy, Shinku soon changed his teaching method.
After covering the theory, he moved on to something more direct, and brutal.
He made Sora experience the Genjutsu firsthand.
Every day, Sora was subjected to illusions designed to instill fear, despair, and emotional torment.
A ruthless but highly effective method.
Evenings were Sora's personal time.
He would return home and secretly practice refining his Door-Door Fruit powers.
He noticed that his chakra consumption when opening doors was gradually decreasing. The change was small, but unmistakable.
Devil Fruit abilities always required active development.
In One Piece, CP9's Blueno used the Door-Door Fruit in very limited ways, opening walls, executing spinning kicks, entering alternate dimensions.
Sora, however, was determined to take it further.
What if "doors" didn't only mean physical ones?
What if they also meant conceptual doors?
He had bold ideas:
> Door-Door Fruit × Flying Thunder God Technique = Unlimited teleportation?
> Door-Door Fruit × Sealing Arts = A chakra vault stronger than Yin Seal, capable of storing Senjutsu or even Tailed Beast chakra?
> Door-Door Fruit × Edo Tensei = Could it open the literal gates to the Underworld?
The possibilities thrilled him, but he knew each idea would require time and learning to realize.
Still, with each passing day, his growth was visible:
> His Genjutsu casting became faster and cleaner.
> His body tougher, more durable.
> His chakra pool steadily expanded.
> His door-opening speed increased, and energy drain decreased.
The tangible progress gave him endless motivation.
"Shinku-senpai, Kurenai, I'm heading out now. See you tomorrow!"
After another full lesson and a delicious dinner, Sora cheerfully waved goodbye.
As he walked home under the evening sky, his mind drifted back to the details of Shinku's Tree Binding Death Illusion, picturing how spiritual energy and chakra wove together into phantom roots.
Whoosh!
A sudden gust behind him, a sharp slicing sound cut through the air.
Sora threw himself to the side.
A shuriken whizzed past where he'd just been standing.
"Someone's trying to kill me!"
He instantly drew a kunai and scanned his surroundings, but saw nothing unusual.
"Hah!"
A shadow dropped from above.
A masked shinobi wearing a black hummingbird mask dove toward him, leg extended in a vicious kick.
Sora raised his kunai, but the blow sent him flying.
The attacker flipped mid-air and followed up with a powerful axe kick.
Sora crossed his arms to block and managed to absorb the hit, though the force drove him to one knee.
Using the ground as leverage, he shoved the attacker away and bolted toward a nearby alley.
If I can just get out of sight, I can use a Door and disappear!
But before he got far, another figure dropped into view ahead, wearing a black tanuki mask.
An ambush. There's more than one…
<150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter>