The Day, Outside the Yuhi Residence.

  "Kyoichi-sensei? What brings you here?"

  Yuhi Kurenai was visibly surprised.

  It was almost unthinkable for Kanda Kyoichi to visit her of his own accord. She g his outfit and couldn't help but wonder...

  Was he here to invite her for m training?

  "Is Shinku-senpai home?"

  "Yes, he is. Father, Sensei is here to see you!"

  Kurenai paused for a moment, unsure of the situation.

  He’s here to see my father?

  Though fused, she wasted no time and called out.

  Yuhi Shinku wasn’t on any missions, so when he heard Kyoichi had e, he was somewhat surprised. However, he quickly appeared in the courtyard.

  "Please, e in, Kyoichi-sensei."

  "Shinku-senpai, the reason I’m visiting today is to seek yuidan genjutsu."

  "Oh? You’re ied isu as well?"

  Yuhi Shinku raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

  In Konoha, aside from the Uchiha , very few pursued ih studies of genjutsu. Most ninja sidered it suffit to merely know how to dispel illusions or master a few basic teiques.

  It was rare for someoo show such dedication and actively seek advice.

  "I’ve been having some thoughts tely."

  "Sensei always cims he’s not great at genjutsu, but his teiques are incredible! He even has a sword teique that creates illusions," Kurenai interjected, eager to defend Kyoichi’s humility.

  Illusionary Sword Teique?

  Shinku was startled.

  Ba the day, the Sed Hokage had also experimented with bining swordsmanship asu. However, his research had seemingly ended without much success—or at least, the public wasn’t aware of as. Could it be that Kyoichi’s teique was based on those foundations?

  After his initial surprise, Shinku’s expression turned serious. "I do have some genjutsu scrolls..."

  "No need for that. I think there’s been a misuanding, Shinku-senpai. I’m not here for scrolls. I’d like you to help me test the effey genjutsu and provide feedback. As one of Konoha’s genjutsu experts, you were the first person who came to mind."

  Kyoichi crified the situation.

  Shinku had likely assumed Kyoichi was here to request materials, but in truth, Kyoichi had already developed a preliminary framework for iisu into his swordsmanship. What he needed now was feedback to refine his teique.

  "My apologies. Please, let’s begin."

  "Thank you!"

  Kyoichi adjusted his posture slightly, then drew his sword in one swift motion.

  For an instant, there was a brilliant fsh of light.

  Shinku instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes, but the blinding light left his vision momentarily impaired.

  As the sound of the bde returning to its sheath echoed, Shinku lowered his hand, blinking a few times before realization dawned.

  "You’re using the bde to reflect light, amplifying it with chakra to create a fsh that disorients oppos. But... this isn’t genjutsu!"

  Genjutsu could be dispelled retively quickly.

  However...

  This blinding fsh couldn’t be tered unless one avoided direct eye ta that fleeting moment. It wasn’t a ventional illusion teique.

  "That’s correct. My iaido ssh is fast enough to capitalize on the momentary blindness. But if the speed isn’t suffit, I was thinking of incorporatisu as a supplementary effect."

  "Incorporatisu could work depending ouation. For instance, if I were wearing gsses or caught the fsh from my peripheral vision, the effect might diminish."

  Shinku offered several suggestions.

  As expected of a genjutsu master, each piece of advice was highly practical.

  Kyoichi then demonstrated a simplified version of his "Willow" teique—this time iing guidisu through the bde’s motion.

  Shinku watched ily, then ented, "Your movements could be further streamlihe genjutsu doesn’t necessarily o be eled through the bde—it could be triggered by a haure or eveed before drawing the sword. Sometimes, casting an illusion first and following up with the sword strike yields better results."

  Though not a swordsman, Shinku’s insights into binisu with bat were invaluable.

  Kyoichi absorbed everything he said, gaining a wealth of knowledge.

  Meanwhile, Kurenai stood to the side, utterly engrossed.

  Kyoichi’s approach to genjutsu was pletely different from what she had learned growing up. It opened her eyes to a whole new perspective—who would’ve thought illusions could be used this way?

  "By the way, since I’m here today, Kurenai, let me firm: are you certain you want to study mediinjutsu?"

  "Yes! I’ve discussed it thhly with my father, and he fully supports my decision."

  Kurenai’s voice was firm, without a hint of hesitation.

  Learning mediinjutsu required signifit effort, but the bes to her team would be immense. She wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass her by.

  "Alright. I have a few books here for you. If there’s anything you don’t uand, feel free to ask me."

  Kyoichi handed her several medical texts.

  The tents were already familiar to him, thanks to the "Basic Mediinjutsu" knowledge granted by the system. Teag Kurenai wouldn’t be a problem.

  As she g the authors of the books, Kurenai’s eyes widened in astonishment.

  "These... these are written by Lady Tsunade!"

  "Thank you so much, Sensei!"

  "This... is incredible!"

  Shinku was even more shocked.

  These were inal manuscripts, plete with annotations in Tsunade’s handwriting.

  He knew for a fact that the Kanda family had no prior ties to Tsunade. For Kyoichi to possess these books, he must have established tact with her retly.

  Unbelievable!

  Shinku couldn’t help but feel pleased.

  While it wasn’t the same as receiving direstru from Tsunade, having access to these books was an unparalleled privilege.

  Kyoichi truly was araordinary teacher.

  ---

  After bidding farewell to the Yuhis, Kyoichi left to tinue his training.

  Even with his Senju-like stitution, he wasn’t a Sage, so maintaining his physical fitness required sistent effort.

  As he ran through the vilge, he couldn’t help but notice the ges.

  Under his influence, Konoha had bee a hive of activity.

  Previously, only a handful of ninja—like Might Duy and his son, or Kakashi—trained diligently in the ms.

  But now...

  Even Asuma, Shisui, and lesser-known ninja like Genma Shiranui and Ebisu were out running, their heavy breaths filling the air as they pushed themselves to the limit.

  Eae seemed determio outdo the other.

  Especially when Kyoichi passed by—everyone gave it their all, as if unwilling to show weakness.

  And this wasn’t just a one-off occurrence.

  Every day, Kyoichi withe same se.

  Konoha had ehe age of the ninja grind!

  Kyoichi couldn’t help but feel a sense of aplishment.

  Without him, would such a petitive atmosphere eve?

  After some time, Kyoichi found himself passing a tavern. Inside, he spotted Orochimaru and Jiraiya sitting together.

  He was about to pretend he hadn’t seen them when Jiraiya pushed aside the curtain and called out:

  "Hey, kid from the Kanda family, e have a drink with us!"

  Jiraiya raised his sake cup, grinning.

  Kyoichi sighed, helpless. "Apologies, Lord Jiraiya, Lord Orochimaru, but I don’t drink."

  "No problem. If not for the drink, then e for the food. Today was supposed to be a reunion of the Sannin, but Tsunade isn’t here... You’ll have to fill in for her."

  Orochimaru smirked faintly.

  With the invitation worded like that, Kyoichi had no choice but to sit down.

  Gcell