Yuhi Shinku settled into a formal posture, her expression serious. "Illusion is fundamentally simple—it uses chakra to interfere with an enemy's five senses, trapping them in a false reality."
She gestured as she spoke, her movements precise and deliberate. "Vision is the primary vector. The Uchiha Sharingan is the most infamous example. There's an old saying in the ninja world: never meet an Uchiha's gaze in combat. One look and you're finished."
Kurenai listened intently, her ruby eyes tracking every movement.
"When two illusionists clash," Shinku continued, "victory depends on Yin Release—the power of the mind itself. Your spiritual strength determines whether you can break free or impose your will." She turned to Hanekawa. "Your mental fortitude is naturally exceptional. You're suited for this path."
"What about me?" Kurenai asked quickly, not wanting to be overlooked.
"Your spiritual power is also well above your peers," Shinku replied, pausing deliberately. She didn't add the rest—that if Kurenai's illusion talent rated at six thousand, Hanekawa's exceeded ten thousand. Before meeting him, Kurenai had been the strongest illusionist Shinku had ever trained, surpassed only by the Uchiha clan. But that was before.
"Enough theory," Shinku said, clapping her hands together. "Let's practice. We'll start with the Kasumi Servant Technique—a D-Rank illusion."
She slowed her hand seals deliberately, making each movement clear. A humanoid shadow materialized behind the sofa, pitch-black and radiating cold menace. It moved with unsettling slowness, more phantom than substance.
"It splits when attacked," Shinku explained. "Useful for psychological warfare, not much else. Your turn."
Hanekawa closed his eyes, visualizing the chakra flow. The hand seals came naturally—muscle memory from a life that wasn't his own, or perhaps just the system working its magic. When he opened his eyes, a black shadow stood before him, fully formed.
Shinku's breath caught. Faster than expected. Much faster.
Kurenai's hands trembled slightly as she attempted the technique. Her concentration deepened, sweat beading on her forehead. Finally, a shadow materialized—less defined than Hanekawa's, more creature than human, but undeniably present.
"Impressive, Kurenai," Shinku said warmly. "Your talent truly is exceptional."
Kurenai's jaw tightened. She'd performed the jutsu successfully, yet the praise felt hollow when measured against Hanekawa's effortless execution.
A notification bloomed in Hanekawa's mind:
[E-Rank Ninjutsu Entry: Kasumi Servant Technique]
[Trigger Condition: Successfully perform this ninjutsu]
[Effect: This ninjutsu automatically reaches proficient level]
[Note: Synthesis path available—three E-Rank illusion entries synthesize into one D-Rank illusion entry]
Oh, that's actually broken, Hanekawa thought. Three easy wins equals one medium win? I'll take it.
"Uncle Shinku, can you teach me another illusion?" he asked aloud.
"You've only just learned the Kasumi Servant Technique," Shinku cautioned. "Spend two days perfecting it. Rushing leads to sloppy fundamentals."
Hanekawa clapped his hands. The shadow appeared instantly, faster and more solid than before.
Shinku's eyes widened. "How...?"
"Proficiency comes from repetition," Hanekawa said smoothly, which was technically true if you counted the system's instant mastery as a form of repetition.
The kid went from learning to mastering in seconds, Kurenai thought, watching the shadow dissipate. How is that even possible?
"Your talent exceeds my expectations," Shinku said, genuine excitement creeping into her voice. "The ninja world hasn't produced a serious illusionist in generations. The Uchiha monopolized the field with their Sharingan." She paused, hope flickering across her face. "But perhaps... perhaps that's changing."
Oh no, Hanekawa thought. I can see where this is going. Next thing you know, I'm the savior of the Yuhi clan. No pressure.
"Teach me the second one," he said instead.
Shinku nodded. "Illusion: Naraku-ken Jutsu. It forces the victim to experience their deepest fears—a psychological assault more than a visual one."
Hanekawa had read about this technique in the original series. Orochimaru used it. Kakashi used it. It was genuinely dangerous.
He watched Shinku's demonstration carefully, then performed it himself. The chakra flowed differently this time—less about creating something external, more about projecting internal darkness.
[E-Rank Ninjutsu Entry: Illusion: Naraku-ken Jutsu]
[Trigger Condition: Successfully perform this ninjutsu]
[Effect: This ninjutsu automatically reaches proficient level]
[Note: Synthesis path available]
Two down. One more and he'd have a D-Rank entry. The completionist in him—the part that had spent three years grinding in video games—wouldn't let this go unfinished.
His chakra reserves were depleting noticeably. Most academy students could barely manage three jutsu before exhaustion set in. But Hanekawa had been training under Tsunade. His reserves were above average.
"One more," he said.
Shinku hesitated only briefly before agreeing. "Illusion: Three Absolute Sakura. It creates the illusion of falling petals, disorienting vision and judgment."
The technique was simpler than Naraku-ken, more about misdirection than psychological warfare. Hanekawa learned it quickly.
[E-Rank Ninjutsu Entry: Illusion: Three Absolute Sakura]
[Trigger Condition: Successfully perform this ninjutsu]
[Effect: This ninjutsu automatically reaches proficient level]
[Note: Synthesis path available]
Perfect. Three E-Rank entries. Time to synthesize.
[Synthesizing: Kasumi Servant Technique + Naraku-ken Jutsu + Three Absolute Sakura]
[Result: D-Rank Illusion Entry - Genjutsu Fundamentals]
[Effect: Increases illusion casting speed by 20%. Increases illusion potency by 15%. Reduces chakra consumption for illusion techniques by 10%]
Hanekawa's chakra reserves hit critical levels. He sat down heavily, breathing controlled but deliberate.
Kurenai watched the entire display in stunned silence. He learned three illusions. Mastered them. And synthesized them into something stronger. All in one afternoon.
When she finally smiled, it was genuine—the smile of someone acknowledging a superior without bitterness. "You really are something else."
"Just lucky," Hanekawa said, which was technically accurate. His luck stat was probably off the charts at this point.
Shinku looked at her daughter, then at Hanekawa, then back at her daughter. Something shifted in her expression—not disappointment, but acceptance. "The Yuhi clan has found its future."
Great, Hanekawa thought, closing his eyes as exhaustion finally caught up with him. No pressure at all.
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