Chapter 22: Uh-oh, Seiji's Got Even More Leverage Now
Hazuki's hand gently rested on Seiji's shoulder—a gesture meant to comfort a junior.
She had originally assumed Uchiha Seiji, being from the Land of Lightning, would be crude and uncultured. That was part of why she'd kept delaying the task of delivering the scroll.
But now that they had met in person, she found herself surprised.
He came across as simple, sincere—even a little endearing.
At this close distance, Seiji could even catch a faint, pleasant scent from her.
Hazuki spoke a few gentle words before taking her leave.
Seiji's gaze lingered on her retreating back, eyes flickering with thought.
Hazuki and her daughter Izumi looked quite alike—both had beauty marks beneath their eyes.
Though, Hazuki resembled a more mature version of Izumi.
Seiji unfolded the scroll in his hand. It detailed a genjutsu-type Lightning Release technique called Lightning Style: Blazing Flash (Raiden: Ressenkō).
For someone like Seiji—who already possessed the Sharingan—it was a bit underwhelming.
Genjutsu, at its core, works by channeling chakra into the opponent's body, disrupting their senses and plunging them into illusion.
It can generally be categorized into three types:
Visual-based (like Tsukuyomi)
Auditory-based (like Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant)
Tactile-based (like Ephemeral Technique)
As long as the medium fits within one of these categories, genjutsu can be triggered through it.
Lightning Release, surprisingly, could also serve as a medium for genjutsu.
One such example was Lightning Illusion: Pillar Flash, developed by Kumo's all-rounder elite jonin, C.
It cloaked the body in bright lightning, tricking the enemy into thinking it was a sensory-jamming jutsu—making it easy for them to fall into the illusion unnoticed.
"No... maybe weaving genjutsu into Lightning Release isn't a bad path after all," Seiji mused.
He suddenly thought of the famous Shunshin Shisui—whose Phantom Shunshin Technique combined Sharingan genjutsu with the Body Flicker Technique.
Perhaps he could do something similar.
The Uchiha name was simply too well-known.
In the ninja world, everyone knew not to make eye contact with a Sharingan user.
So if he could use genjutsu through other means… it would become an unexpected weapon.
"Time to go find Samui."
Seiji tucked the scroll into his pouch and continued on his way.
He was still sorely lacking in offensive techniques.
Right now, the only jutsu he could use were:
Transformation Jutsu
Lightning Style: Spark Finger
Lightning Style: Iron Body
All of them were support-focused.
Iron Body was essentially a training technique, designed to rapidly enhance physical development.
And Spark Finger, which he had only just learned, barely functioned at the beginner level.
Even if he improved it, its power would remain limited.
It probably started as a medical jutsu—its weak electrical current ideal for numbing or stimulating tissue.
Sushi Shop:
"…Samado, why is Atsui here too? He's just a kid!"
In the hidden room of the sushi shop, Samui frowned deeply as she looked at her younger brother, who was about the same age as Seiji.
Being a spy was a dangerous mission. One slip-up, and they could both end up dead.
"The Third Raikage takes the matter of Yotsuki Seiji very seriously. We can't afford to screw this up," said Samado, his voice rough and deep.
Thick dreadlocks, each as wide as a finger, were tightly packed atop his head.
He glanced at the siblings before him.
"In fact, the village went to great lengths to establish Atsui's cover. He'll be enrolling in the Ninja Academy next—part of his infiltration."
Espionage was no easy job. It consumed a lot of resources.
Yet the village had still decided to send someone else in.
That could only mean one thing—Yotsuki Seiji's value had increased again.
Samado surveyed everyone in the secret room.
Aside from Samui and the newly arrived Atsui, a few attendants were present—undercover operatives sent by Kumogakure.
There were more outside as well, keeping watch.
They all maintained the illusion of running a normal sushi restaurant, while secretly gathering intelligence on Konoha.
Samado, as their superior, oversaw them all.
"Big sis, this is for the village. I volunteered," Atsui said with conviction.
He looked like a kid, shaking his golden hair just like Samui's—but his left shoulder already bore a red tattoo reading "Heat."
"Besides, I want to help you," he added.
Samui was a calm and composed woman, which made her a perfect fit for undercover work.
But infiltration was always dangerous.
Word had it that Yotsuki Seiji was a distant nephew of the Second Raikage—bringing him back would be a tremendous achievement.
And then, maybe… Samui wouldn't have to keep doing these life-threatening missions.
Samui said nothing, only let out a soft sigh.
She felt both touched and deeply pained.
Her brother was still so young… and yet already being used like this?
"He's an Uchiha and a relative of the former Raikage. You know what that's worth," Samado said after a brief pause, his voice more solemn now.
"He came to you last time, and he'll likely come again. You need to win him over."
Pulling this off would mean glory for everyone.
No need to risk their lives in enemy territory anymore.
No more sleepless nights.
"…Understood," Samui replied with a nod.
After offering a few more words of encouragement, Samado briefed Atsui on his upcoming school enrollment and sent the others back to work.
Samui returned to the front of the sushi shop, distracted.
She absentmindedly picked up a white cloth and began wiping the tables.
Ever since seeing her brother again, her thoughts had been in turmoil.
Not because she disliked him.
But because she was worried.
"Still got squid sushi?"
A familiar voice brought her out of her thoughts.
Samui looked up on instinct—just about to reply with a "yes"—when she realized it was him: Yotsuki Seiji.
That sense of unease in her heart intensified.
She forced it down, glanced around to make sure no other customers were near, then leaned in and asked softly:
"What do you want this time?"
She doubted Seiji had any intentions of returning to Kumogakure.
More likely, he was here to freeload again.
"More scrolls," Seiji said casually. "Preferably something with sword techniques."
"You think these things grow on trees?"
Samui looked at him, irritated by how naturally he asked for such favors.
Samado had told her to build a connection with Seiji, sure—but this guy was seriously pushing it.
She'd just given him two Lightning Release scrolls not long ago, and now he was back asking for more.
Scrolls available for purchase on the market were mostly weak or fraudulent.
Real techniques were usually passed down within clans, or taught by a mentor who deemed you worthy.
"I know that," Seiji replied lazily, clearly preparing some excuse.
But then, his gaze shifted—his eyes landing just behind Samui.
He caught sight of a man with the same hair color and eye color as Samui, wearing a waiter's uniform.
On his left shoulder was that same tattoo—"Heat."
His original excuse vanished from his lips.
Luck was on his side today.
"This must be your little brother, right? Samui?"
A slow smirk curved Seiji's lips.
Samui's sky-blue eyes widened in shock.
She turned around—and sure enough, there was her brother, dressed like an employee, his sleeves rolled up to reveal the tattoo.
Her expression immediately darkened, brows furrowing tightly.
This is bad. Really bad.
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