"Tsk, it's a castrated version!"
Masahiko flipped through the manual and quickly discovered it wasn't the Konoha Style: Willow; it was really just research related to light, shadow, and movement-based Genjutsu.
As for sound-based Genjutsu, not a single word was mentioned in there.
He didn't mind it, though.
He kept a calm mind.
When it comes to freebies, any amount is a profit.
Masahiko's abilities in Genjutsu were indeed average, but he had learned the basics, and his exchanges with Kurenai Yuhi had strengthened his foundation further.
Therefore...
He could understand some of the research in this booklet, though it was a bit obscure.
"I see..."
"Genjutsu targets the spirit and perception. Techniques like Konoha Style: Willow aren't just simple movement-based Genjutsu; they must be paired with Chakra to create illusions that reinforce the suggestive effects."
"The essence of movement-based Genjutsu is the intrusion of spirit and Chakra..."
Masahiko understood a little better now.
A faint spark of inspiration flickered in his mind, but for the moment, he couldn't connect the dots—
After thinking for a long time, Masahiko let out a soft sigh.
His reservoir of knowledge was insufficient, so he was stuck on a certain link of the Genjutsu, preventing his inspiration from connecting into a proper Ninjutsu concept.
Inspiration is fleeting.
Masahiko noted down a mind map in his notebook, recording his current thoughts as much as possible before continuing his study of the notes.
After a long while, he stretched and sighed inwardly:
"Senju Tobirama was truly a genius!"
A man without a special Bloodline Limit created incredible techniques in multiple fields, and even killed Uchiha Izuna, who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan... a true role model for our generation!
"Those two guys, Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi, haven't even learned half of his skills, yet their ambitions are each bigger than the last..."
Even though he still had to make a living under the two of them, it didn't stop Masahiko from judging them in his heart.
He studied the manual repeatedly, and when he really couldn't figure it out, he didn't waste energy on self-doubt.
Besides research, there was another channel to quickly improve his strength—
The System!
"It's not certain yet if getting close to the Uchiha can quickly increase screen time in the short term... Over the next few days, I should play it safe and try to get more of Naruto's screen time."
...It was another weekend.
On the road outside the Village, Naruto was carrying two buckets of water, laughing as he sprinted through the street.
"Idiots! Come and catch me!"
Behind him, three young Ninjas were exasperated, chasing after him with distorted, angry expressions.
But they just couldn't catch up... Damn it!
They were fuming. Behind them, their leading Jonin walked leisurely: "Can't even catch a child? Are you really Genin?"
Hearing this, the three became desperate.
"Go!"
With a shout, the three used Body Flicker to move forward, simultaneously forming hand seals.
In an instant, clones appeared one after another.
The moment Naruto turned around, one of them finished the last seal and pointed a finger at him.
Genjutsu: False Surroundings Technique!
Naruto didn't notice anything wrong and kept running wildly, his smile bright and arrogant: "Idiots like you can actually become Genin..."
After running for a while, he suddenly felt the world spinning.
The next moment, everything before his eyes changed. When he looked again, he saw the three surrounding him, holding water buckets that had already spilled more than half, their faces dark.
"Hang him up."
The three were boiling with rage, their faces full of disgust and resentment. Naruto looked around blankly, still not knowing how he had been caught.
It wasn't until he was hung up that he realized with hindsight—
He must have fallen into a Genjutsu.
Earlier, it looked like he was still maintaining the distance, but in reality, he had been caught long ago.
"Damn it, let me down!"
The three looked up, still not satisfied.
"This brat..."
"You damn brat, what have you done? The water we worked so hard to carry!"
"How does someone like you even deserve to attend the Ninja Academy?"
They shouted curses one after another.
From behind, the leading Jonin arrived, swept a cold gaze over them, and said flatly, "Is it not embarrassing enough that you let a child steal your buckets?"
"Teacher..."
"If I had my way, you'd all go back to the academy for remedial training. The way you are now, you'd just be throwing your lives away on the battlefield."
The Jonin's tone was icy.
Then, he glanced at Naruto. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly turned his head to look behind him.
Before long, a figure came running over.
"Are you... Jonin Shirakumo?"
"Yes."
Shirakumo Hayama sized up the newcomer, lost in thought. "Are you Yagyu Masahiko?"
"Yes, he is my student. I heard a commotion just now, so I came to take a look."
Yagyu Masahiko glanced at the scene. "I am very sorry."
"It's nothing. It's just that their skills were inferior."
Shirakumo Hayama shook his head slightly, glanced at Naruto, and said, "I'll leave him to you to handle."
"Thank you very much for your tolerance."
Masahiko bowed slightly.
Naruto, hanging in the air, curled his lip, his expression falling, but he didn't dare say anything.
Shirakumo Hayama was about to leave, but he glanced back, suddenly feeling a bit interested: "What do you plan to do?"
Naruto widened his eyes, looking at Masahiko.
Just when he thought Masahiko would let him down... "He likes carrying water buckets, so I'll let him carry them to his heart's content."
Masahiko's smile was kind, and then he picked Naruto up and headed toward the Village. "If you finish your missions early, you might still see him."
At that moment, Naruto's whole body trembled, suddenly having a bad feeling... A moment later, on the street.
"Mop it quickly. Don't think about leaving today until you've finished mopping."
Masahiko's expression and tone were gentle, but he didn't show Naruto any mercy.
Naruto gritted his teeth. "Why do I have to clean the street?"
"Don't want to clean?"
Masahiko smiled. "That's fine too. Then I'll hang you in front of the Hokage Building with a sign around your neck so everyone knows what 'good deed' you've done this time."
"You... you're really hateful!"
Naruto's fists clenched.
He could already imagine how nasty the things those people would say would be if he were actually hung up there.
"It seems you've made your choice."
Masahiko was still smiling, but there was no warmth in his eyes.
He took a step forward. This simple movement made Naruto subconsciously take half a step back.
"You know what they'll say, don't you?"
"..."
Naruto hung his head, silently picked up the bucket and mop, and walked toward the street.
A few minutes later, on the street, quite a few people were watching the excitement from not far away, whispering to each other:
"It's him again!"
"Yeah, that..."
"Shh! Do you want to die? But... heh, he must have done something annoying again, right?"
"Serves him right!"
They didn't hide their disgust in the slightest.
Masahiko watched from a distance, a hidden trace of indifference and disgust flashing in his eyes.
Stupid, short-sighted, venting anger... with just a little manipulation, one could control their words and heartstrings.
When the time comes, they would shamelessly beg for Naruto's help, as if time could wash away the previous humiliation.
But.
Without their stupidity, Masahiko wouldn't be able to make Naruto change step by step.
He looked at Naruto's back, wondering if this push would make the future Naruto become Uzumaki Naruto or Uzumaki Menma... Of course.
It could also be somewhere in between... The corners of Masahiko's mouth curled up as he walked forward, standing beside Naruto and sweeping a cold gaze over the villagers.
The villagers immediately didn't dare to watch anymore and left timidly.
Naruto looked at the departing villagers, his hands gripping the mop and bucket a bit tighter, then whispered, "Thank you."
But immediately after, he regretted it.
Clearly, the person who punished him was also this man!
Masahiko laughed, "Did you forget I'm the one who made you mop the floor? Keep mopping, don't think you can escape the punishment you deserve!"
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