In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon.
This class was free activity time.
Asuma Sarutobi approached Kiyoshi.
Quite a few people had gathered around.
They were curious to see what other strengths Kiyoshi, this Uchiha, possessed besides Taijutsu.
In the sparring sessions over the past few months, Kiyoshi had consistently defeated opponents using only Taijutsu.
Might Guy even regarded Kiyoshi as a true friend, wanting Kiyoshi to burn his youth with him every time they met.
"Kurenai, are you very confident in Kiyoshi?" Rin Nohara asked softly.
"I wouldn't dare say for certain about other things, but in terms of Genjutsu, Kiyoshi definitely has an understanding that surpasses the average person," Kurenai Yūhi replied.
She still remembered Rin Nohara, a girl, going to see Kiyoshi almost at nightfall not long ago.
She didn't know what she went to do.
"Is that so?" Rin Nohara nodded.
The theories Kiyoshi shared with her were indeed useful. She had talked with Kakashi for a long time last time.
It had been a long time since she had seen Kakashi show such genuine interest in something.
Rin Nohara wanted to continue asking Kiyoshi for advice, but she was worried that constantly visiting might annoy him.
Because when she taught Kiyoshi, she only had to teach once. The rest was left to Kiyoshi to practice, and he would learn it shortly after.
However, she really didn't have much confidence in learning Lightning Release, she estimated it would take a long time.
"Kurenai, do you know what Kiyoshi likes?" Rin Nohara planned to appeal to his interests.
"Why are you asking that?" Kurenai Yūhi said, surprised.
Before Rin Nohara could answer, the fight between Kiyoshi and Asuma Sarutobi was about to begin.
The two girls could only turn their attention to the match.
"Come on." Kiyoshi spoke, looking calmly at Asuma Sarutobi.
A panel flashed before him.
[Trait: Apprentice Genjutsu Ninja (White)]
[Requirement: Use a standard Genjutsu.]
[Progress: (Completed).]
[ Effect: Your talent in Genjutsu is increased by 10% based on your original talent.]
[Note: Can be further advanced later.]
This Trait was acquired by Kiyoshi a few nights ago.
He had mastered the basics of [Lightning Release: Flashbang] and gained a Genjutsu Trait, which enhanced his talent.
"Remember not to use the Sharingan," Asuma Sarutobi added just before the match began.
Kiyoshi nodded.
Asuma Sarutobi glanced at Kurenai Yūhi, who was watching, and at the other students who had gathered, sensing the excitement.
He immediately refined his chakra, formed hand seals, and then fiercely looked into Kiyoshi's eyes.
Genjutsu is all about striking first.
Asuma Sarutobi saw a flash of light in Kiyoshi's palm, as if something was reflecting.
A kunai?
Asuma Sarutobi was confused but didn't dwell on it.
The immediate priority was to quickly seize the opportunity and preemptively drag Kiyoshi Uchiha into a Genjutsu's influence, which would give him a huge advantage.
Two thick tree branches spiraled out from the ground and grabbed Kiyoshi.
"I did it!" Asuma Sarutobi was delighted.
This Genjutsu was personally taught to him by his uncle, who supposedly liked to use it in his youth.
It was a technique similar to the Rank B Genjutsu [Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death].
Only, this one was Rank D.
It was called [Demonic Illusion: Branch Binding Death]!
Watching the branches drill out of the ground, the rough bark tightly wrapping around Kiyoshi, binding his hands and feet, Asuma Sarutobi couldn't help but smile.
"My Genjutsu talent isn't bad either, right, Kurenai?" Asuma Sarutobi looked toward Kurenai Yūhi with a smile.
"Huh? Kurenai?" Asuma Sarutobi realized Kurenai Yūhi was not moving.
He looked again and saw that everyone around him was motionless, fixed in place like wooden stakes.
"What is going on?" Asuma Sarutobi felt an inexplicable panic.
He started looking in other directions.
The auspicious clouds in the sky had stopped moving.
The previously noisy training ground had become silent at some point, as if he were the only person in the entire world.
Finally, just as Asuma Sarutobi was about to lose control and flee the training ground.
A familiar voice reached his ears.
"Asuma Sarutobi-kun, when did you get the delusion that you were using Genjutsu?"
Asuma Sarutobi's pupils contracted.
That was... Kiyoshi's voice!
*Clink.*
A subtle sound, like shattering glass, rang out continuously.
Asuma Sarutobi felt a cold sensation around his neck.
He looked down and saw a black kunai.
"I... I lost." Asuma Sarutobi said bitterly.
Truthfully, he didn't even know how he had lost.
"Why did Asuma Sarutobi suddenly freeze in place, and Kiyoshi Uchiha leisurely placed a kunai on his neck!"
"You must have been sleeping in class. This is obviously Genjutsu. How can we see a Genjutsu duel?"
"Oh, that makes sense."
"Kiyoshi Uchiha is indeed a member of the Uchiha clan."
Some students now looked at Kiyoshi with respect.
A few months ago, Kiyoshi was just a foreigner, a half-blood Uchiha.
Now, Kiyoshi's talent in Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu was clearly prodigious, comparable to the early-graduating Kakashi.
The general opinion of Kiyoshi had changed.
No one wanted to offend a future powerhouse.
"Utterly useless!" Obito was frustrated, feeling that Asuma Sarutobi was a failure.
Kurenai Yūhi was right there, and he lost so inexplicably.
Even if it were him, he wouldn't have been defeated in an instant at the start.
"Can you tell me why I lost?" Asuma Sarutobi's face was red and swollen, but he forced himself not to leave and asked Kiyoshi for the reason for his defeat.
He wanted to know exactly where he had gone wrong.
"You were under a Genjutsu from the very beginning." Kiyoshi retracted the kunai.
A notification from the Trait panel appeared in his mind.
[You have comprehended the Trait [Chakra Flow: Fire Release (White)].
[Trait: Chakra Flow: Fire Release (White)]
[Requirement: Defeat a young Asuma Sarutobi.]
[Progress: (Completed).]
[Effect: Your "Chakra Flow" can now imbue Fire Release onto weapons].
[Note: Can be further advanced later.]
Kiyoshi narrowed his eyes slightly.
The effect of this white Trait seemed even better than a green Trait in his opinion!
"Chakra Flow" is the act of attaching chakra to the surface of the body, such as hands, feet, hair, or even attaching it to a weapon.
The Gentle Fist's Twin Lion Fists is, in fact, a form of Chakra Flow.
In simple terms, it is "Enchantment."
It adds a status effect to a weapon.
For example, the future Asuma Sarutobi would continuously focus chakra with a Wind Release nature onto his weapon over a long period, which was called "Chakra Flow."
Special metals only make the conduction process easier.
"Because you focused too much on my eyes, you ignored my hand." Having acquired a good Trait, Kiyoshi had the patience to explain to Asuma Sarutobi, his ATM.
He raised his hand, and light appeared at his fingertips.
Lightning Release: Flashbang!
***
Read 20 Chapters early on P-atreon.com/Redestro666