"Souma-kun… this is already more than enough, isn't it?"
Yūhi Kurenai finally couldn't help saying it.
"It's enough against genjutsu that it requires hand seals," Souma replied calmly. "But there are genjutsu that don't need seals at all. If you wait until the enemy activates it before responding, it'll already be too late."
"..."
That stung a little.
Kurenai's lips twitched. She glanced at Souma again and quickly realized—he wasn't taking a jab at her.
His expression was far too sincere.
"If a genjutsu doesn't use hand seals," she said after a moment's thought, "then its power and effectiveness usually drop quite a bit, don't they?"
Souma shrugged.
"Isn't the essence of genjutsu deception? If the target realizes it's an illusion, then what does it matter how strong it is?"
He paused, then added calmly:
"My principle for using any technique is concealment. Only by staying hidden can you fully leverage your abilities and deny the enemy information."
He glanced sideways.
"How did Kakashi defeat Zabuza the first time?"
"With the Sharingan," Kurenai answered.
"Exactly. He read Zabuza's hand seals."
Information decided the outcome.
When one side exposed its intent and the other didn't, the battle was already half over—assuming their strength was comparable.
If the gap was overwhelming, of course, none of that mattered. You just crushed the opponent outright.
Kurenai fell silent, thinking.
She could doubt Souma's experience with genjutsu—but never his understanding of ninjutsu logic.
His achievements had already proven that much.
After a while, she said, "If hand seals aren't used, then some kind of physical action would be needed to guide or trigger the genjutsu."
"Fingers. Or ninja tools," Souma replied.
In his view, genjutsu relied primarily on spiritual energy and chakra. Hand seals and movements were only auxiliary tools. If someone's mental power was strong enough, neither was strictly necessary.
Itachi was the clearest example.
"Ninja tools?" Kurenai froze slightly.
"Just a hypothesis," Souma said. "But I've read the Second Hokage's notes. He once proposed a concept called illusion blade techniques—using sword movements to trigger genjutsu."
He wasn't making it up.
Ōtsuki… no—Tobirama's sword notes really did mention this. Utsugi Yugao's Oboro Tsukiyo and Sarutobi Sasuke's blade styles were derived from the same concept.
That said—
Genjutsu was ultimately a side path.
In the later stages of the ninja world, aside from the Sharingan, most genjutsu simply couldn't keep up.
Even if Souma could master genjutsu, he wouldn't sink time into it. The cost–benefit ratio was terrible.
"Souma-kun… thank you," Kurenai said softly.
She understood now.
His analysis was secondary—what he was really doing was guiding her.
"I believe knowledge exchange should be fair," Souma said. "Only when both sides benefit will people continue sharing. Otherwise, sooner or later, one side will stop."
That was the very philosophy behind the research institute.
Kurenai was about to say something else when a loud voice interrupted them from afar.
"Kurenai-sensei!"
A moment later, barking echoed through the street.
Inuzuka Kiba came running over, Akamaru yipping at his heels, with Hyūga Hinata and Aburame Shino following behind, both slightly out of breath.
They first greeted Kurenai properly.
Then—
"Souma-senpai? I didn't expect to see you here."
Shino and Hinata spoke at the same time.
They exchanged looks, surprise clear in their eyes.
Do you know him too?
Only Kiba stood there scratching his head.
"Souma-senpai…?"
The name sounded familiar.
Like he'd heard it somewhere recently.
Souma smiled faintly.
"I was discussing a technique with Kurenai-senpai. We're basically done—just a few follow-ups left. I won't take up more of your time."
"No need," Kurenai said instead. "We've got a water-carrying mission anyway. Let's talk while we walk."
"Another water mission?" Kiba complained instinctively.
The moment he opened his mouth, Shino and Hinata shot him with simultaneous glares.
"Kiba," they said in unison, "raising your voice like that in front of a senior is extremely rude."
"???"
Kiba blinked.
He looked at Souma again.
This guy… felt familiar.
Then—
"Woof."
Akamaru let out a small bark.
Kiba froze.
And then it hit him.
Mom said it yesterday.
Yagyū Souma.
The legendary genius from the Academy.
Kiba instantly stiffened.
"I—I'm sorry! I didn't recognize you earlier!"
"It's fine," Souma said calmly. "Just make sure you properly study the technique I gave you. When you're done, submit a report and an analysis."
"…A report?"
Kiba's face went blank.
If he talked back, he'd get beaten at home.
By his mom.
Possibly his sister too.
After a brief internal struggle, he lowered his head and accepted his fate.
Kurenai smiled so hard her eyes nearly closed.
Seeing Kiba this quiet was rare.
Souma's pressure was no joke.
"Let's go," she said.
They headed west, Souma walking beside her.
Along the way, Kurenai spoke quietly.
"Asuma mentioned that your research institute is still short on people. I specialize in genjutsu… would I be useful?"
"Yes," Souma answered immediately. Then he paused. "But to be honest, genjutsu has a clear ceiling. As support, it's excellent—but as a main path, its upper limit isn't high."
"I know," Kurenai sighed.
As a woman, her physical strength was limited. Taijutsu had little room to grow, and her chakra reserves weren't impressive either.
She understood her flaws—she just hadn't found a way forward.
"But your genjutsu has already reached its peak," Souma added. "That's why you can stand among Konoha's jōnin."
A small, considerate compliment.
Hinata and the others were nearby—he was giving her a face.
After a while, the three students went off to carry water.
Only then did Kurenai speak again.
"I understand what you mean. I just don't know how to improve further."
Souma thought for a moment.
"Do you know about chakra scalpels and chakra needles?"
"Of course. The latter was your first original technique."
"Both can be used in combat," Souma said. "The medical corps is already experimenting with battle adaptations of chakra scalpels."
"You want me to learn them?"
Souma nodded and explained the difference.
One was for cutting—arteries, tendons.
The other was for piercing.
Neither required brute strength, but both demanded extreme chakra control.
Which was exactly what genjutsu specialists excelled at.
Kurenai fell into deep thought.
Asuma had suggested she trade for Limit Break.
But Souma, instead, pointed her toward medical ninjutsu.
Unexpected—but logical.
After all, compared to taijutsu, this suited her far better.
Souma was about to leave—
But Shino, Hinata, and Kiba were all institute members.
Since they were here, he observed for a while.
Carrying water was simple.
Yet even that revealed their differences.
Kiba was strongest physically—speed and power far beyond the others.
Shino, weakest in taijutsu, compensated with his mind. Souma could clearly sense kikaichū supporting the load beneath his buckets.
"Those bugs really are convenient," Kurenai said softly.
"Since you developed medical kikaichū, the Aburame clan's status has risen sharply," she added. "Even the Hyūga are getting a bit nervous."
"I only provided a direction," Souma replied calmly.
Though the Bodhi Seed was indeed my creation, he added silently.
"No matter what," Kurenai said quietly, "thank you. Not just for today—but for helping shape Shino."
She sighed.
"Before, I had no idea how to train them. Kiba was fine, but Hinata and Shino… especially Shino."
She had only just become a jōnin.
Teaching genjutsu? No problem.
Teaching bug users and taijutsu types? Completely out of her depth.
If not for Souma, she still wouldn't know how to unite this team.
Now, at least, she had a direction—
Build the team around Shino.
On the surface, Kiba seemed like the leader.
But Kurenai knew better.
She wasn't suitable.
She looked at Souma.
"Souma-kun… in a year or two, could you take over their training? Their families all have ties with you."
"I don't have the time," Souma shook his head.
He had the strength—but teaching kids, especially someone like Kiba, was exhausting.
"I think you'd be perfect."
"…Sigh."
If she truly believed that, she wouldn't have asked.
Then—
Kurenai thought of something.
"The research institute still needs genjutsu specialists, right?"
"Of course."
"Then let me join," she said. "I'll help research genjutsu and mental techniques. In return, please give them some guidance."
Souma's expression turned strange.
Their parents had said the same thing.
Paid similar prices.
And now she is too.
Looking at her hopeful eyes, he couldn't refuse.
"…Alright," he said. "Coincidentally, today's technique suits you perfectly. Help me refine it further."
"No problem. I'm very interested in mental defense techniques."
She nodded eagerly—then hesitated.
"It feels wrong. You created it, yet I'm benefiting again."
"Don't overthink it," Souma said. "Refine it, simplify it, make it usable for the average ninja. That's the institute's purpose."
Kurenai was silent for a long time.
Then she bowed deeply.
"I won't disappoint you. I'll also write down my genjutsu experience—it may help you and the institute."
"Thank you," Souma said sincerely.
He truly needed that knowledge.
Not for himself—
But to turn it into something others could use.
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