Chapter 24: Broke, So Might as Well Entertain Kurenai
After leaving the house, Seiji pulled out the kenjutsu scroll and glanced over it.
It was titled: "Kumogakure Sword Style: Soaring Bird."
The principle behind it was simple—using Lightning Release to activate the body's cells and temporarily boost speed, overwhelming opponents with sheer velocity.
"I'll need to get a sword," Seiji thought, slipping the scroll away.
The problem was, he wasn't a full-fledged ninja yet.
He couldn't accept missions or earn money.
At best, he could discreetly smuggle a few scrolls out of Kumogakure to build up his strength—but tools and money? Out of the question.
Anything beyond his current means would immediately attract attention. People would start asking questions about where a no-name kid like him got such things.
Ninja tools weren't handed out for free.
Even someone like Nara Shikamaru had to call a few exploding tags and smoke bombs "precious items."
Being a ninja meant gambling your life for a paycheck—tools used during a mission came out of your own wallet.
Only cheap items like kunai and shuriken were considered disposable and commonly used.
Even the prestigious Uchiha clan didn't cover all expenses.
In Itachi Shinden, Shisui's father lost a leg during a mission and had to rely on a young Shisui to support the family. That said a lot about the burden placed on shinobi.
And Seiji's current situation? Even worse.
The stipend the Uchiha clan gave him each month barely covered basic living costs.
He could afford some snacks if he saved, but a decent blade? Way out of reach.
"If it comes down to it, I'll just buy a wooden sword and make do."
It would suffice until he graduated.
Once he became a Genin, he could start accepting missions and afford a proper blade.
"Seiji-kun!"
Just as he was brooding over his lack of funds, a voice called out from the distance.
He turned to see Kurenai Yuhi running toward him.
"Need something?" Seiji asked blandly.
She wasn't his type. He preferred mature women.
Kurenai was still far too young.
"Didn't you say last time that you'd help me practice genjutsu when you had time?"
Her crimson eyes looked up at him earnestly, lips slightly parted.
Seiji thought back—he had said something like that.
But he'd been too busy lately trying to unlock the "Iron Body" skill via constant Lightning Release training.
That promise had slipped his mind.
"Did you… forget?" Kurenai asked with a small frown, clearly disheartened.
She had taken it seriously—had even gone through tons of study material to prepare.
"…Fine," Seiji nodded.
It was a good chance to test his genjutsu skills anyway.
In the academy, he hadn't yet had a real opportunity to try out his Sharingan's illusions.
The instructors only taught basic theory and beginner-level genjutsu.
So he agreed and followed Kurenai to a quiet training ground.
—
"Isn't that Uchiha Seiji?"
Obito Uchiha wiped sweat from his brow after helping an elderly woman, then caught sight of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.
That deep-blue Uchiha robe and the taller frame—he couldn't mistake it.
Ever since Seiji had come to the academy, Obito couldn't forget that back view.
Whenever Seiji and Rin Nohara were chatting about advanced ninjutsu theory, Obito could only stand behind them, clueless.
"Why is he good at everything? Physically strong and book-smart?"
Obito squinted.
Was this guy really from the Land of Lightning?
He was starting to think the intelligence report had to be fake.
Since Seiji's arrival, his power had skyrocketed.
To someone like Obito, who was always at the bottom of the class, Seiji looked more like a real Uchiha than he did.
Because most Uchiha… were elites.
"When did he get close to Kurenai?"
He didn't get it.
How did Seiji get involved with the heiress of the Yuhi clan?
"Obito, thank you so much!" the elderly woman said in a trembling voice.
"Ah, it's nothing!" Obito replied cheerfully, waving it off.
He loved being appreciated.
"Still helping old ladies, huh?"
Sarutobi Asuma strolled up, hands in his jacket pockets, a lollipop stick poking out from his mouth.
He always felt off if he wasn't chewing on something.
"Have you seen Kurenai?" Asuma added, not waiting for a response.
"She went into the woods with Seiji," Obito answered quickly, pointing toward Training Ground Three.
"…With Seiji?" Asuma's voice suddenly jumped.
That didn't make sense.
Why would Seiji know Kurenai?
"Over there," Obito said, then quickly helped the elderly woman away.
He couldn't stand guys like Asuma—pampered sons of big-shot clan leaders.
Always circling around Kurenai like a loyal dog.
Pathetic.
Asuma immediately took off in the direction Obito had pointed.
—
Once they reached a quiet, secluded forest clearing, Kurenai Yuhi turned to look at Seiji.
"Are you ready?"
"Ready."
Seiji gave a calm nod.
"Good."
Kurenai formed a hand seal, then pulled three shuriken from the pouch on her hip.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The shuriken shot toward Seiji like darts.
His black pupils spun rapidly—then, with a flick of his wrist, he deflected each shuriken with his kunai.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
All three fell harmlessly to the ground, embedding themselves into the soil.
That was just the opening.
Since this was a genjutsu spar, it clearly wouldn't end there.
In the next instant, Kurenai rushed forward, kunai in hand, slashing at Seiji.
He blocked it with his own, the two black kunai clashing and locking in front of them.
"He's strong…"
Kurenai thought to herself.
She could feel the strain in her wrist—Seiji had definitely been training his taijutsu. His strength was no joke.
Time to cast it…
While their kunai were still locked, a clone suddenly emerged from behind Kurenai.
It looked exactly like her—but its entire body shimmered faintly, surrounded by floating cherry blossoms.
Demonic Illusion: Lingering Phantom Blossom Technique!
The clone lunged forward, aiming to strike Seiji directly.
"That technique…"
Seiji immediately recognized it.
A signature genjutsu of the Yuhi clan, designed for misdirection and surprise.
It had even appeared in Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm—a move that combined standard Clone Technique with an illusion-based attack.
Normal clones were just chakra projections, unable to interact with the physical world. They served only to confuse.
But this Clone added an illusionary pain component—making the victim feel real damage.
"Why isn't he dodging…?"
Kurenai frowned.
Her clone was already attacking, yet Seiji stood there as if frozen, still locked in the kunai struggle with her.
He didn't flinch, didn't even blink.
He looked like a statue.
In a flash, doubt flickered across her mind.
And just as the clone's kunai was about to pierce Seiji—Kurenai immediately moved to dispel the technique.
"Impressive genjutsu… though it seems fairly low-tier."
A warm breath brushed against the back of her neck.
Kurenai's pupils contracted.
Seiji… was behind her.
---