Kushina didn't understand the true value of Tsukuyomi and Kotoamatsukami, but she knew her boyfriend well.
If it was a technique that Kei Yamanaka considered extremely valuable, it had to be incredibly powerful!
Still, compared to Tsukuyomi and Kotoamatsukami,
she was far more intrigued by the genjutsu Kei had just used.
A genjutsu capable of making someone experience six entire years within an illusion in just six days? Just thinking about it was terrifying.
"Kei, what's the name of that genjutsu you just used?"
"...Drink up, this Bowl of Mengpo Soup?"
Kei Yamanaka made up a name on the spot.
This type of illusion, requiring intricate world-building and character creation, wasn't suited for fast-paced combat.
Moreover, the characters created by the genjutsu could never match the intelligence of real people.
For adults with a complete perception of reality, illusions would always remain just illusions.
As for completely erasing the target's original memories and replacing them with fabricated ones through this technique...
The moment the idea surfaced in Kei's mind, he immediately dismissed it.
Not only would fabricating over a decade's worth of memories be extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive,
mass memory deletion would also cause irreversible and profound damage to the target's mind and mental health.
Wouldn't it just be easier to kill them instead?
However...
"If I advance the illusion based on the target's own memories and desires... A personalized version of Tsukuyomi without forced personality reversal?"
Kei's eyes gleamed brightly.
Who knew how to tap into others' memories and deepest desires better than he did?
A personalized Tsukuyomi!
He should find someone to test this idea out soon.
"E=(′o｀*))) Sigh~ Kei, next time if you create any new techniques, let me name them for you."
Kushina groaned, covering her face with one hand.
That name definitely fit her boyfriend's usual style.
"Sure thing."
Kei gently tousled Kushina's hair affectionately,
then stood up and walked into his study, quickly jotting down notes on the genjutsu concept.
Looking up, he saw Kushina sitting cross-legged in the study, her chakra swirling around her as she started training again.
So he turned back to focus on the scroll before him,
continuing to refine and expand his vision for Tsukuyomi and Kotoamatsukami.
Before long,
Maito Gai, Kurenai Yuhi, and Genma Shiranami arrived at his doorstep looking somewhat embarrassed.
Although Kei had taken on the position of Deputy Director of the Anbu Training Department,
perhaps due to political constraints,
the Third Hokage hadn't assigned the Three Little Troublemakers a new team leader jounin, leaving them still under Kei's command.
He split off another shadow clone, sending it to train the little trio.
But before he could dive back into his genjutsu research, another Anbu messenger arrived with news: Hiruzen had requested Tsunade to head to Konoha Hospital.
Glancing at Tsunade, who remained deeply immersed in her own illusions,
Kei could only leave another shadow clone to continue researching genjutsu while he followed the Anbu officer toward Konoha Hospital.
"Damn it! I'm turning into Konoha's poster child for hard work!"
He muttered bitterly,
then used the Body Flicker Technique and swiftly darted across the rooftops of the village.
He was already considering whom he could persuade to join Root to help relieve the pressure.
Danzo had stretched himself far too thin.
Because of the recent tensions in the ninja world, intelligence reports from every nation and village continued to pour into the Intelligence Unit.
Hardly a day passed without a slew of missions needing to be assigned and completed.
The Combat Unit occasionally captured high-value prisoners, while the Interrogation Unit churned out report after report.
The Research & Development Division and Training Section were even more of a headache—aside from regular progress updates, they constantly demanded funds, experimental materials, equipment, and other supplies under frequently shifting justifications.
He had once seen Danzo frequently rush into the Hokage's office and assumed the job couldn't be too difficult.
Only after taking over did he truly grasp just how burdensome all these responsibilities were.
If it weren't for having fully absorbed Danzo's memories and emulated his methods accordingly…
He honestly doubted whether he could manage everything on his own.
"So who can I possibly convince... Should I elevate some existing Root operatives?"
Kei Yamanaka pondered for a moment while rapidly flipping through names inside his mind.
Previously, he had already informed Ino–Shika–Cho that he had eliminated Danzo and secretly taken over management of Root.
Hayato Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi showed at least some surprise.
But Shikaku Nara didn't even feign interest—he outright declined and suggested Kei should go invite whoever he needed himself, clearly having guessed his plan once realizing his strength.
However, the younger members of the Nara clan lacked experience, and their contributions to Root would likely be minimal.
As for the older generation—they were brilliant, yet maddeningly apathetic.
Under normal circumstances, convincing them to join willingly would be nearly impossible!
While the Yamanaka clan didn't have as many clever minds as the Naras, those actually useful to him probably wouldn't want to join Root anyway.
As for the Akimichis...
The younger Akimichis were pleasant enough, but expecting them to handle complex strategic tasks would be unreasonable.
Then there were the existing Root members left.
"Maybe I'll screen them later and alter their memories?"
Still lost deep in thought, Kei followed the Anbu toward Konoha Hospital.
As he stepped onto the second floor, he encountered a large group of Uchiha ninja standing silently in the corridor, hands clasped behind their backs, flanking the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was accompanied by two Anbu.
"Where is Tsunade?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with slight confusion upon seeing only Kei arriving alone.
"Tsunade learned that Kakashi had shown improvement through psychological therapy and wished to undergo similar treatment herself."
Kei deliberately kept his explanation vague.
The news of Tsunade developing hemophobia had been tightly sealed off by Konoha's Leadership.
With so many people around here, it wouldn't take long before the entire village found out if someone blurted it out directly.
Several Uchiha clan members visibly stepped forward angrily upon hearing this, clearly ready to question Kei why he hadn't woken up Tsunade.
Yet before any of them could speak, an elderly Uchiha elder raised his hand and stopped them all behind him.
His sharp gaze swept across those eager to speak out,
forcing every single one of them to bite back their objections.
Most average ninja remained unaware of Kei's true identity.
But as an elder of the Uchiha Clan, he had always kept a close eye on changes within the village leadership. Could he really not recognize the newly appointed deputy head of Root?
To question the deputy head of Root right in front of Lord Hokage!
Was he getting too used to an easy life?
Hiruzen Sarutobi already understood what Kei Yamanaka meant—Tsunade was treating her hemophobia.
He stepped into the conversation and turned to the elder Uchiha beside him.
"Though young, Kei specializes more in treating mental trauma than Tsunade does. Mikoto Uchiha's external injuries aren't serious; having him treat her is more appropriate."
"We appreciate your help, Lord Kei."
The elder Uchiha bowed respectfully to Kei Yamanaka, showing a very friendly attitude.
"You're too kind, Elder Hino. I shall do my best," Kei replied with a bow.
This elder before them, Hino of the Uchiha, was one of the remaining veterans from the Warring States era.
Within the clan, he had always aligned himself closely with the village.
And he actively encouraged clan members to move beyond the confines of the security forces and become more involved in the village's daily affairs and missions.
Among the Uchiha, he was regarded as one of the visionary leaders who understood the larger picture.
Although Kei hadn't met him many times before, Root's files had clearly laid out his entire history.
Click—
The door to the ward opened.
Medical Ninja Kazekaze Fuwind stepped out of the room, after overhearing their earlier discussion. He turned to Kei and said,
"Kei, check on the patient's condition first. Hmm... it seems like she might still be caught in a genjutsu?"
"Alright!"
Kei nodded respectfully toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elder Uchiha, then quickly entered the ward.
Because of Kushina, he had known Mikoto Uchiha since they were children.
Seeing her hurt, how could he stand by doing nothing when he had the ability to help?
As he stepped into the ward,
Kei looked at the pale-faced Mikoto Uchiha and first glanced at the IV bag hanging beside the bed.
It was only a standard intravenous solution for replenishing physical energy.
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