Chapter 87: Learning From the Best
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"Shisui-sama wants you to focus on Genjutsu. I've already informed him of your prowess in it, and he believes you should focus on mastering it. While Sasuke will concentrate on Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, you will represent a different aspect of the Sharingan. Together, you'll display to the rest of the world the diverse power of the Uchiha Clan and Konoha," Kurenai explained.
Horyu nodded, contemplating the strategic implications. 'What's Shisui's angle here?' he thought. 'With the Five Kage Summit happening alongside, and possibly the Five Daimyo attending, is he aiming to showcase Konoha's strength to expand his client base or something else?'
Kurenai continued, "Your training will be intense. We need to enhance your Genjutsu abilities to their peak. It's not just about techniques; it's about making a statement with your skills."
Horyu didn't mind the focus on Genjutsu. Mastering it had been on his agenda anyway. Although being used as a backup to showcase the Uchiha Clan's diversity irked him a bit, he pushed that aside. "Will you train me, Sensei?" he asked Kurenai.
Kurenai shook her head. "Now that you've awakened your Sharingan, you'll need specialized training for the Chunin Exam. Your teacher will be someone else. I'll be working with the other Genjutsu specialist." Her voice held a hint of regret, but also confidence in Horyu's capabilities.
"Itachi-sama?" Horyu's gaze sharpened at the mention of the specialized Genjutsu training.
She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes. He's the best choice for advancing your skills in a short time. We'll talk again in a week, Horyu. Good luck."
"Thank you, Sensei." Horyu's response was curt, a mix of anticipation and determination in his voice.
As Kurenai left, a figure appeared in the training ground, his presence as overwhelming as ever. It was Uchiha Itachi, his demeanor calm yet imposing. He smiled at Horyu, a gesture that somehow held both warmth and distance. "Horyu, did Kurenai-san inform you?" Itachi's voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
"Yes, she did." Horyu stood up straight, meeting Itachi's gaze. "I'm ready to begin."
Itachi's smile broadened slightly. "Good. Let's start with an assessment of your current abilities. We need to understand your baseline before we can push your limits."
Horyu nodded, his Sharingan activating in response to the challenge. The training ground became his world, the details sharpening under the gaze of the Sharingan. He focused on Itachi, ready to absorb every lesson, every nuance of technique the legendary Uchiha could impart.
Looking at Horyu's two tomoe, Itachi squinted slightly but then relaxed. He could see that Horyu had recently awakened his Sharingan, despite its advanced stage. Initially, Itachi had wondered if Horyu was concealing his abilities, but this observation dispelled that notion. "Let's start with the basics," Itachi began, his voice calm yet commanding. "Sharingan, despite its ability to cast and see through Genjutsu, is not the same as the regular Genjutsu Shinobi use. Can you tell me why?"
Horyu, focused and attentive, considered the question. "Genjutsu typically influences the target's perception through chakra manipulation. It's an external influence. However, the Sharingan's genjutsu capabilities are more direct, linked to eye contact. It doesn't just manipulate perception; it can directly interact with the target's nervous system through visual cues."
Itachi nodded in approval. "Correct. The Sharingan can also see chakra, allowing the user to detect and counter Genjutsu. But remember, while it gives an advantage, it doesn't guarantee immunity against skilled Genjutsu users."
Horyu absorbed Itachi's words, understanding the distinction. Itachi continued, "Now, let's test your current level of Genjutsu control. Try to cast a basic illusion on me."
Horyu nodded, concentrating. He channeled his chakra, focusing on Itachi's eyes. With a subtle manipulation of his chakra flow, he attempted to create a simple illusion – a phantom image of himself shifting to the left.
Itachi, however, remained unaffected, his gaze steady. "You're relying too much on chakra quantity rather than quality. Subtlety is key in Genjutsu. Again."
Horyu tried repeatedly, each time refining his technique, focusing more on the quality of his chakra manipulation. Gradually, he noticed Itachi's slight reactions, an indication that his efforts were starting to bear fruit.
As the morning progressed, Itachi guided Horyu through various exercises, each designed to enhance his understanding and control of Genjutsu. They practiced different illusions, from simple visual misdirections to more complex sensory deceptions.
"Horyu, remember that Genjutsu is not just about deceiving the enemy. It's about controlling the battlefield, dictating the terms of the engagement," Itachi instructed as they paused for a brief rest.
Horyu nodded, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding. "It's like a game of chess, using illusions to maneuver the opponent into a trap."
"Exactly," Itachi affirmed. "Now, let's focus on defensive techniques. I'm going to cast a Genjutsu on you. Try to break free using your Sharingan."
Suddenly, the world around Horyu changed. The training ground, once familiar and solid, morphed into a disorienting landscape of swirling colors and shifting shapes. Despite knowing it was a Genjutsu, Horyu understood breaking it wouldn't be easy. This was Itachi's illusion, a testament to his mastery. Instead of struggling against it, Horyu focused on his newly acquired Sharingan to see through the deception.
The scene before him was chaotic, a barrage of sensory overload designed to confuse and disorient. To an ordinary shinobi, this would have been overwhelming, trapping them in a maze of illusion. But Horyu's Sharingan cut through the chaos, revealing the underlying structure of the Genjutsu.
Through the lens of his Sharingan, Horyu saw the intricate weave of chakra that made up the illusion. It was like viewing the world through a different spectrum, where the flow of chakra became visible, manifesting as glowing threads that intertwined and pulsed with energy. These threads were the foundation of the Genjutsu, the framework upon which the illusion was built.
Horyu noticed how the chakra threads converged at specific points, nodes of concentrated energy that served as anchors for the illusion. It was a complex network, but to his Sharingan, it was a puzzle waiting to be unraveled. He focused on these nodes, observing how they pulsed and interacted with each other.
He realized that breaking the Genjutsu wasn't about brute force. It was about understanding and manipulating these nodes. Each pulse seemed to correspond with a change in the illusion, a shift in the sensory input. By tracing the flow of chakra back to its source, Horyu could start to disrupt the Genjutsu from within.
He concentrated, his Sharingan analyzing the pattern of the chakra flow. Slowly, he began to apply his own chakra against the flow, countering the pulses at the nodes. It was a delicate operation, like defusing a bomb. One wrong move could strengthen the Genjutsu instead of weakening it.
As Horyu continued his counter-manipulation, the illusion around him began to waver. The colors started to fade, the shapes losing their definition. He could feel the Genjutsu straining under his interference, the once-stable structure beginning to crumble.
Itachi watched with a keen eye, noting the subtle shifts in Horyu's chakra as he worked to dismantle the Genjutsu. It was impressive to see a Genin, even an Uchiha, navigate through an illusion of this complexity with such composure and understanding.
Finally, with a last push of concentrated chakra, Horyu broke through the final node. The illusion shattered around him, the training ground snapping back into focus. He was back in the real world, the disorienting effects of the Genjutsu fading away.
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