Just Yūhi Kurenai's Mission

"Enough."

After Hyuga Sho had gone through the Hell Viewing Technique for the tenth time, Yūhi Kurenai refused to use Genjutsu again.

"First, my chakra amount is already running low."

Yūhi Kurenai took a deep breath.

A trace of exhaustion appeared on her adorable, slightly baby-faced cheeks.

"Besides, your Genjutsu resistance training was a great success. Basically, no one your age can put you under Genjutsu anymore."

"What do you mean?"

Hyuga Sho, who had still been blown away by a nuclear missile in the tenth illusion, did not understand what Yūhi Kurenai meant.

"..."

Yūhi Kurenai silently stared into Hyuga Sho's eyes.

For so long that Hyuga Sho thought she was about to use another Genjutsu...

"You're different from everyone I've ever met. You don't feel fear."

Yūhi Kurenai admitted it.

Hyuga Sho had not been lying.

He truly feared nothing.

Ten rounds of Genjutsu resistance training.

Hyuga Sho had not shown a fearful expression even once.

On the contrary.

Yūhi Kurenai herself had become afraid.

"Your will is exceptionally firm. Every time, you question whether the Genjutsu is real and increasingly spot its flaws."

Yūhi Kurenai paused.

"The construction of Genjutsu is based on the caster's intelligence—in other words, their level of Genjutsu. With my ability, I can no longer sustain many more Genjutsu capable of deceiving your brain."

Yūhi Kurenai raised a finger.

"At most three more times, and I'll be completely unable to affect you with the Hell Viewing Technique."

"So that's how it is..."

After thinking for a few seconds, Hyuga Sho understood what Yūhi Kurenai meant.

Genjutsu was a virtual phenomenon constructed from supernatural energy.

The key to breaking this virtual phenomenon was not oneself.

It was the brain's subconscious.

The subconscious rejected it and saw through the phenomenon.

Then the effect of the Genjutsu would weaken, or even fail entirely.

The Genjutsu resistance training Yūhi Kurenai had conducted for Hyuga Sho...

Had strengthened the subconscious within Hyuga Sho's brain.

After using it repeatedly, Hyuga Sho could become immune to it.

"Can you tell me why you fear nothing?"

Curiosity toward Hyuga Sho filled Yūhi Kurenai's gemlike eyes.

"It's not much of a secret."

Hyuga Sho shook his head.

"Keep training me. Once I successfully become immune to the Hell Viewing Technique, I'll tell you."

That afternoon, at dusk.

Yūhi Kurenai had already completed the full set of Genjutsu resistance training for Hyuga Sho.

She rubbed her temples and sighed.

"No one in the entire Ninja Academy can put you under Genjutsu anymore."

Hyuga Sho really was a monster.

"Really?" Hyuga Sho frowned, somewhat unconvinced.

"Hmph! Who do you think I am? I'm the daughter of the famed Shinobi World 'Genjutsu Ninja, Yūhi Shinkurō.' Even Hatake Kakashi's mastery of Genjutsu is inferior to mine."

Hyuga Sho's doubt made Yūhi Kurenai a little angry.

She had her own pride too.

"Then that's great."

Hyuga Sho's response caught Yūhi Kurenai by surprise.

Hyuga Sho, who would challenge Kakashi sooner or later, now had another powerful advantage.

Just imagine it.

When Kakashi smugly used Genjutsu, thinking he had caught him...

Only to suddenly get countered.

What kind of expression would Kakashi have?

Hyuga Sho... greatly anticipated that moment.

"Alright, now you can tell me the secret of why you fear nothing, right?"

"Of course."

Hyuga Sho replied.

"I've experienced many cruel things, including death. But compared to fear, I hate having no power even more."

Because he had once seen countless darknesses.

Hyuga Sho's heart had become incomparably pure.

That was why he feared nothing.

That was why he yearned so intensely for power.

"Is it because you're a Branch Family Member?"

Staring at Hyuga Sho's departing back, Yūhi Kurenai still could not understand what he meant.

The next day.

Hyuga Sho arrived at the Ninja Academy.

"Asuma, morning."

"Mm, morning to you too."

Asuma had originally been somewhat listless, but the moment he saw Hyuga Sho, his blood began to boil.

"Ahem..."

Asuma coughed, trying hard to suppress his unsettled emotions.

"Hyuga Sho, come find me alone during break today. I have something to tell you..."

After mysteriously dropping those words, Asuma left.

The first class ended.

Asuma got up, and Hyuga Sho followed him.

The two came to the rooftop, looking down at the campus below and the vast expanse of Konoha.

"The wind is a little noisy today..."

Leaning against the railing, Asuma opened with that line.

He thought it sounded incredibly cool.

Unfortunately, Hyuga Sho gave him no flattering response whatsoever.

"As expected of you!"

Asuma turned around. Rather than getting angry, he was delighted!

If it had been Ebisu or anyone else, they would have already rushed over to flatter him like huskies.

"Asuma—my father gave me that name. In English, Asuma means beautiful and introverted..."

Crack!

Asuma crushed the drink bottle in his hand.

At the same time, he began sharing the secret he had wanted to tell Hyuga Sho today.

"Even though this name sounds so girly, no one calls me that. Whenever people see me, they only see me as the 'Naruto's son.'"

Asuma stared ahead, and his gaze gradually filled with resentment.

"No one recognizes me. I can't stand living like this anymore!"

"Is that so?"

Hyuga Sho stepped forward and leaned against the railing as well.

"Young Master Asuma... no, Asuma. At least Yūhi Kurenai and I recognize you, don't we?"

Asuma: "!"

"Not as Naruto's son, nor as Sarutobi Asuma. Just Asuma. That's the only you we know."

"Hyuga Sho... you..."

Asuma turned his head, his face full of disbelief.

Whoosh—

The wind picked up on the rooftop.

It lifted Asuma's hair.

It also lifted Hyuga Sho's hair, revealing his handsome profile.

"The wind really is a little noisy today."

Hyuga Sho said with a smile.

Then sand blew into Asuma's eyes.

A moment later.

Asuma vigorously rubbed his eye sockets.

"Hmph! I, Sarutobi Asuma, swear that I'll forge a path of my own! Just wait and see!"

Asuma leaped down from the rooftop.

Leaving Hyuga Sho alone.

"Asuma, actually..."

Hyuga Sho stepped away from the railing.

He looked down at Sarutobi Asuma, who was being flattered and surrounded by others below.

The next moment, Hyuga Sho shook his head.

"...it was just Yūhi Kurenai's mission."

The emotionless Training Machine, Hyuga Sho, calmly turned around and entered the stairwell.