Yes, Kurenai. You must believe in yourself," Raizen said softly, turning to her.
Focus on improving your abilities, trust your skills… and let me see if I can earn more terms along the way.
Of course, the latter thought remained silent in his mind, a private hope and gentle encouragement.
Kurenai Yuhi's voice was soft, almost like tangled red silk being tugged, carrying a mixture of frustration and disbelief.
"But… I lost to you."
Her dark, curling hair gleamed faintly in the sunlight. Her red eyes shimmered, revealing hidden grievance at her unexpected defeat.
Raizen, ever calculating and seeking term progression, offered encouragement:
That doesn't mean you won't grow. Maybe next time, you could win. The Sharingan isn't invincible."
Indeed, the Sharingan could be powerful, but mastery required more than just the ocular ability itself.
To make a Mangekyō Sharingan truly potent, one had to accumulate tomoe, synchronize it with their inner heart and mind, and continuously evolve its power.
Raizen considered it analogous to the real-world kaleidoscope: multiple colored fragments rotate, forming new patterns.
Similarly, the Mangekyō Sharingan uses rotating tomoe combined with the wielder's mental fragments to construct a unique pattern, directly linked to their inner spiritual strength.
This spiritual strength corresponded to the Uchiha's inherited Yin-style chakra, passed down from the Sage of Six Paths and encoded in their bloodline.
Hearing this, Kurenai's eyes sparkled faintly, and her expression brightened.
"Okay, Raizen, I will prove myself!"
Her red eyes, once frustrated, now burned with determination, a tiny flame of youthful confidence igniting within her.
Her father, Yuhi Shinku, was a powerful genjutsu master among Konoha's jonin. Rumors even suggested his genjutsu could reflect Mangekyō Sharingan
techniques....though there was no definitive confirmation in manga or anime. Regardless, Shinku's skills were formidable, yet not omnipotent.
Even if his genjutsu could counter a Mangekyō, the number of such eyes in the ninja world was minuscule.
Raizen observed Kurenai's unyielding gaze, understanding the stubborn pride of a child determined to grow stronger.
He said nothing, only nodded slightly, a subtle, meaningful smile on his lips.
Grow stronger. The stronger you become, the more terms you might unlock for me.
Asuma Sarutobi, realizing the tension, coughed and attempted to salvage his previous words, trying to mediate.
But Kurenai, silent and resolute, quickly walked away, leaving Asuma scrambling to catch up and soothe her.
Raizen remained behind, focused on his own training. His technique, Raiton
Iron Fist, required fine control of deeper muscles, bones, and internal organs....areas that ordinary electrical training could not reach.
He stepped onto a gentle river, running atop the water.
This method simultaneously enhanced chakra control and physical endurance, though it drained chakra rap
idly.
Only his substantial chakra reserves allowed him to maintain this rigorous practice.
By evening, Raizen returned home, sweat-soaked and exhausted. At the doorway, he noticed a familiar red figure—Kurenai Yuhi.
> How did she find his home again?
Even Kakashi hadn't located him so easily. And Kurenai had not been there before.
Raizen's tone remained calm, almost detached:
।
> "Are you ready to prove yourself again?"
Kurenai's response revealed her true
motivation: she wished to exchange genjutsu knowledge, blending practice with theoretical insight to accelerate her growth.
Even though I've practiced, my theory is lacking. Your understanding must be exceptional; learning together will make me stronger faster."
In her hands was a scroll, clearly intended for their joint genjutsu study.
Raizen frowned slightly. His time was precious; he could not waste it frivolously.
Yet, practical considerations arose: Kurenai, unlike Samui, was still youthful, so there was no problematic distraction from her presence.
Unless she matured into a full-fledged woman in the future, she wouldn't trigger his Sharingan reflexes.
"Are you short on money?" Kurenai asked, surprised upon hearing that Raizen had planned to take odd jobs at a sushi restaurant.
Raizen confirmed with a subtle nod.
Kurenai hurriedly checked her pockets and found around 800 ryō, gifted by her father. She offered it as a tutoring fee, eager to facilitate the exchange.
Raizen allowed her in. Now, acquiring a small tanto or other ninja tools would be easy, funded legitimately.
> His eyes, once observant and calculating, now glimmered at the prospect: a source of money and potential new terms.
Raizen wiped the sweat from his face and began explaining his insights into genjutsu, while Kurenai listened intently, her head nodding with focus.
The golden light of sunset spilled across the room, casting a warm glow on the pair. Their dialogue strengthened not only Kurenai's skill but also Raizen's mastery of theory, a mutual benefit disguised as mentorship.
In the following days, Raizen prepaid Kurenai's tutoring fee for three months, allowing him to purchase a second-hand small tanto.
In the courtyard, leaves danced in the wind, brushing across the golden ground. Raizen's dark eyes fixed on a drifting leaf, his left hand gripping the tanto's sheath.
A stronger wind blew past, hinting at the challenges and growth awaiting both mentor and student.
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