Under the glow of the streetlights, two figures walked side by side through the evening air.
The warm lamp light, the rustling thickets, their elongated shadows, the distant hum of voices, and the chirping of insects—everything coalesced into a picturesque scene of tranquility.
Ahead, a park bench came into view. Yuhi Kurenai walked over, sat down, and patted the empty space beside her. "Sit."
"Alright."
Yagyu Masahiko took a seat and continued their previous conversation. "Perhaps my understanding is shallow, but the way I see it, unless one possesses a unique Kekkei Genkai, the essence of Genjutsu remains the disruption of the target's chakra flow to manipulate their perception..."
Kurenai listened intently, pondering his words before nodding with a grave expression. "I see what you mean. You're saying that if one only specializes in Genjutsu, they lack the decisive ability to secure a victory?"
"Exactly. Especially when facing a master of illusion. Over-reliance on a single specialty can often become a fatal weakness." Masahiko sighed theatrically. "That is the lesson I learned after exchanging blows with that Anbu senior."
"Oh?" Kurenai smiled with piqued interest. "So, your opponent really was an Anbu expert?"
"Yes. A formidable shinobi. Incredible speed, terrifying kenjutsu, and flawless ninjutsu. He was an impeccable enemy. I was completely outmatched." Masahiko let out a soft, self-deprecating sigh.
"I heard from Ebisu that he was defeated in a single exchange, whereas you managed to destroy two of the opponent's Shadow Clones." Kurenai pursed her lips in a gentle smile. "By comparison, you're already quite amazing."
"Maybe I'm being arrogant, but I believe that only by comparing oneself to the strong can one ignite their fighting spirit and grow stronger, faster," Masahiko replied calmly.
Hearing this, Kurenai couldn't help but let out a pleasant laugh.
These words...
"You really don't bother hiding your attitude toward Ebisu, do you?"
"Because we walk different paths." Masahiko's voice was placid. "He believes that only the elite, or the descendants of the elite, are qualified to become strong. I, obviously, do not fit into that category."
Kurenai was briefly stunned. Her smile faded as she turned her head to gaze at him, remaining silent for a long time. It wasn't until Masahiko looked back at her that she seemed to snap out of her reverie.
"You're right..."
She looked up at the moon hanging in the night sky.
"People like you, or Might Duy-senpai and Guy... what you lack is simply an opportunity. But often, to seize that opportunity, you have to pay a much higher price than others..." She sighed, her expression complex. "Compared to us—people like Ebisu or myself who come from decent backgrounds—the road to becoming a ninja is far smoother."
Masahiko offered a faint smile. "Life is long. A few bumps in the road mean nothing. It is true for you, true for me, and true for Yakumo."
"Yes, life is long. Neither of us should give up!" Kurenai smiled warmly. She stood up, her hands clasped gently in front of her, exuding a quiet grace. "I have to wake up early tomorrow, so I'll be going. Thank you for your advice. Also... tomorrow morning, could I ask you to pick up Yakumo?"
She explained, "A few days ago, Yakumo's parents told me they plan to move house tomorrow. I'm worried the main branch of the Kurama clan might give them trouble."
"Rest assured, leave it to me. And please, be careful on your mission." Masahiko nodded solemnly.
Seeing his confidence, Kurenai looked relieved. The two waved goodbye under the streetlights before turning and walking separate ways into the night.
The Next Day.
[Water Style: Wave Riding Strike: Skilled]
Upon reaching B-Rank Ninjutsu, the proficiency gained from the [Basic Advancement] feature was becoming negligible. Currently, its greatest utility was merely providing a virtual training ground.
However, the benefits it had provided thus far were already immense.
As for supplementary Ninjutsu...
"You wish to apply for the C-Rank Ninjutsu, Water Style: Wild Water Wave?"
"Yes." Masahiko nodded.
Water Style: Wild Water Wave (Suiton: Mizurappa) was a fundamental technique for water manipulation. As a Tokubetsu Jōnin (Special Jōnin), the application process was not difficult for him; it merely required a small fee and some of his allowance.
The administrative ninja recorded the request, bowed, and spoke respectfully. "Shall we have the scroll delivered directly through the Academy channels?"
"That will be fine. Thank you for your trouble."
Masahiko nodded slightly, then turned to head toward the Kurama clan's estate.
However, when he arrived at Kurama Yakumo's home, the situation was already tense. A man stood at the gate, surrounded by a crowd of Kurama clan members, young and old.
"Murakumo, you..."
"Your name represents the hope the family placed in you! Yet now, you intend to take that 'only hope' and abandon the clan?!"
"Do you truly intend to betray the family?!"
Roars of unwillingness and resentment filled the air, the atmosphere thick with negative emotions.
Standing at the front, Kurama Murakumo—Yakumo's father—had his brows locked tight in a pained expression, but he remained silent.
From a distance, Masahiko could see a figure on the second-floor balcony. The young girl held a sketchbook, her gaze cold and detached.
No wonder Kurenai was worried...
Just as the crowd began to press forward aggressively, a figure flickered and appeared instantly beside Kurama Murakumo.
"Murakumo-senpai, what is happening here?"
"It's you!" Murakumo was surprised, not expecting Masahiko to show up.
Masahiko nodded politely. "Before Kurenai left, she asked me to escort Yakumo to school today." He then turned his gaze toward the angry mob at the gate. "What is all this?"
The members of the Kurama clan choked on their words, their momentum stalling as they collectively looked toward a man in the center of the crowd—Kurama Unkai.
It was clear Unkai was the instigator of today's confrontation.
" Sigh..." Murakumo let out a weary breath and stepped forward. "Yakumo's body is too weak. She cannot support the weight of the clan's expectations. Since you all refuse to give up on forcing her, our family has no choice but to leave."
"If there comes a day when she is willing to bear that burden herself, we will return." Murakumo's attitude hardened. "But if you insist on troubling my family today, I will file a formal complaint with the Hokage-sama and request his protection."
"Brother, you..." Kurama Unkai looked at him with profound disappointment. "You are too foolish!"
"To pin all our hopes on a child with a frail body and congenital defects... have you no shame?"
Hearing this, Masahiko couldn't help but chuckle. "Do none of you have hands or feet? Without a Kekkei Genkai, is your clan destined to perish?"
"What do you know?!" Kurama Unkai glared at him coldly, then sneered. "Ah, I remember now. Kurenai once brought you into Murakumo's home, and shortly after, this happens..."
"This guy must be trying to split the Kurama clan!" someone in the crowd shouted.
The agitation grew. The noise swelled into a clamor.
"Get out of our clan district!"
Suddenly, objects began to fly—radishes, cabbages, and other debris were hurled violently toward Masahiko.
"Foolish people."
Masahiko's hands formed seals in a strange, esoteric posture, and in the same motion, he drew the blade at his waist.
In a split second, six afterimages appeared.
Shing!
Blade light flashed in a mesmerizing web. Every single object thrown through the air was sliced neatly in two, the pieces deflecting harmlessly to the sides.
The entire crowd recoiled in shock, retreating several steps. Without realizing it, Kurama Unkai was left exposed at the very front.
Those were Shadow Clones, undoubtedly... but just now, a blade flashed from the position of every single clone. It was like an illusion, yet undeniably real.
This level of strength...
Is this guy really just a Taijutsu instructor at the Academy?
Kurama Unkai opened his mouth to speak, but before he could make a sound, he felt a sudden gust of wind.
In the blink of an eye, a figure was standing right beside him, whispering directly into his ear.
"If you understood your clan's Kekkei Genkai well enough, you would realize that your behavior right now is suicidal. If you don't want to die, get lost."
Masahiko didn't look at him; his gaze was fixed on the second floor.
Kurama Unkai followed his line of sight. Up on the balcony, the young girl was waving her paintbrush across the canvas.
The next moment, Unkai's jaw unhinged. An uncontrollable barking sound—"Woof! Woof!"—began to erupt from his own throat.
And then—
A savage dog literally drilled its way out of his mouth, its claws raking violently across his face.
Blood sprayed. Deep claw marks tore from his forehead to his chin.
Kurama Unkai screamed in agony.
"Unkai!"
"What are you doing?!"
"Report this to the Hokage! We're filing a complaint!"
The mob screamed and shouted, retreating in terror.
Masahiko's face flashed with a look of utter mockery. He swept his gaze over the Kurama clan members, then looked down at the writhing Kurama Unkai and sighed softly.
"Do you still not understand? I am actually saving you."
"We... let's go!"
Kurama Unkai's face was pale as a sheet. He looked up at the balcony, his eyes filled with thick, unadulterated terror.
In that fleeting moment just now, he had felt the genuine threat of death.
Kurama Yakumo...
She really dared to do it. And she truly had the power to make it happen!