Chapter 25: "Kurenai, You Gotta Believe in Yourself—Keep Exploding Gold for Me in the Future!"
That single move completely disrupted Kurenai's rhythm.
She didn't have time to pull back—her pink-colored clone stabbed its kunai straight through the Seiji standing before her.
But… there was no sensation.
It passed through as if it had struck air.
Seiji's figure shimmered, then slowly faded away.
"When… when did you cast the genjutsu?" Kurenai froze.
A warm breath still brushed her neck—but now it was followed by a cold chill.
A kunai was at her throat.
She had lost.
And she didn't even know how.
"You've lost," Seiji said flatly as he lowered the kunai. Just then—
You have unlocked the Trait: [Pride of the Illusionist (White)].
[Trait: Pride of the Illusionist (White)]
Condition Fulfilled: Defeat Kurenai Yuhi during your time at the Ninja Academy to prove that the Uchiha's genjutsu reigns supreme.
Progress: 100%
Effect: Increases your genjutsu ability by 5%.
Note: Can be upgraded.
"That works too?" Seiji blinked.
So defeating someone could unlock traits?
But then… why didn't defeating Obito give him anything?
Was it because Obito's stats were still too low?
Or maybe it was just RNG?
He rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
As he was mulling it over, Kurenai turned around—her crystal-clear red eyes wide with disbelief.
She had lost. Just like that.
Shame burned through her. She felt like she had let down her father—and the entire Yuhi clan.
"I… I lost." Kurenai bit her lower lip. "When exactly did I fall into your illusion?"
"Did you forget something?" Seiji pointed to his eyes.
His left eye, previously black, had turned crimson—one tomoe slowly spinning within it.
Kurenai's cheeks instantly flushed red.
She had made a rookie mistake.
Never lock eyes with a Sharingan.
"But… but your eye wasn't red a moment ago!" Kurenai stammered.
If she'd seen his eye turning red, she would've never made eye contact.
"So… do you think you're faster at reacting—" Seiji leaned in slightly. "—or that I'm faster at activating and deactivating my eye?"
The Sharingan had no casting animation—no warm-up or cooldown.
It could activate and deactivate in a blink.
Genjutsu cast through the Sharingan was transmitted via visual contact. Any ninja with basic knowledge knew never to stare directly into an Uchiha's eyes.
When the Sharingan was used to cast an illusion, the user's gaze had to focus directly on the target.
In essence, the Sharingan converted visual chakra into a unique electromagnetic signal.
Chakra was still chakra—but its transformations were vast.
For example, Tsunade's A-rank technique "Body Pathway Derangement" converted chakra into electronic impulses to create a disorienting bio-electric field—an incredibly advanced application.
Too bad Tsunade never explored that path deeper. She only used it to disrupt motor control.
"Kurenai, did you know? Light and electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed?"
Seiji spoke evenly, not worried if she could understand—Ninja Academy did include basic physics and math. They even showed up on the Chūnin Exams written test.
"The moment you looked at me, I activated the Sharingan and placed you under hypnosis. The genjutsu you cast just now? You weren't attacking me—you were attacking thin air. I simply walked around behind you."
"…!"
Kurenai's eyes widened even more.
She… didn't know any of that.
She had let her guard down.
From now on, it wasn't just about avoiding eye contact with the Sharingan—as soon as you saw a Uchiha, you'd better avert your gaze immediately.
"Kurenai, there you are."
Rustling came from the bushes in the distance. Sarutobi Asuma emerged, panting heavily.
So Kurenai had just been sparring with Seiji using genjutsu. Asuma let out a breath of relief.
He had long since secretly regarded Kurenai as his future wife, so naturally, he had a possessive streak.
"Uchiha Seiji has already awakened the Sharingan. Of all things to compare with him, you picked genjutsu? Taking on an Uchiha at their own game—that's just asking for trouble."
Asuma shook his head, already preparing to talk Kurenai out of getting too involved with Seiji. His mother, Biwako Sarutobi, had warned him plenty: "Dealing with the Uchiha is never just personal—it always touches politics. Be careful."
That's why Asuma preferred to keep his distance—polite, cordial, but never too close.
Get too entangled, and who knows what kind of trouble might follow.
"..."
Kurenai quietly listened to Asuma's words—her hands instinctively clenching at her sides.
So just because she wasn't an Uchiha, she wasn't worthy of learning genjutsu? That's what he was implying.
"Asuma… what exactly are you trying to say?"
Her tone turned cold.
She had always looked up to her father, Yuhi Shinku, who had dedicated his life to mastering genjutsu.
And now Asuma was essentially invalidating all of that?
"Kurenai, you're misunderstanding. What I meant was—"
Asuma immediately sensed something was wrong from her expression.
He'd misspoken.
What he wanted to say was that there was no need to go head-to-head with an Uchiha in their strongest domain—but his wording had clearly been off.
"Sarutobi Asuma," Seiji interjected before Asuma could explain. "Kurenai's genjutsu is top-tier in our class. Few can match her—not even Kakashi, if we're strictly talking about genjutsu."
He spoke with measured calm.
Genjutsu targets the enemy's five senses, manipulating the chakra flowing through their neural system. It's a technique that demands not just skill—but an exceptional intellect.
"That's why I admire her."
"Even though the Uchiha have a reputation in genjutsu, Kurenai still dared to challenge that reputation head-on. That kind of resolve—her ninja way—is something that will definitely lead to greatness in the future."
Seiji gave Asuma a sharp, deliberate glance—his way of scolding the boy's arrogance. He praised Kurenai with genuine respect.
After all, the Trait reward needed proper nurturing.
In the future, Kurenai would go on to complete 14 S-rank missions, 138 A-rank missions, and countless others of varying degrees.
She peaked early in her career—but her reputation was forever marred after her encounter with Itachi and Kisame.
Still, her performance wasn't bad. Kurenai could at least hold her ground for a few moments under Itachi's genjutsu.
Orochimaru? One glance from Itachi and he was paralyzed.
That's just how deep the gap in genjutsu mastery could run.
Later on, Kurenai would leave the battlefield after giving birth, withdrawing from ninja affairs and giving up on furthering her genjutsu expertise.
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"Seiji…"
Kurenai was momentarily stunned.
She hadn't expected someone from the Land of Lightning to speak with such tact—and warmth.
"That's right, Kurenai. Believe in yourself."
Seiji turned to her, his voice sincere.
Keep believing in your strength. Keep sharpening your skills.
(And hopefully, keep triggering more Trait drops…)
Of course, that last part Seiji kept silently to himself.
No need to say everything out loud.
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