Mist Veil Moon, The Ninja Way

"Thank you, Mrs. Yamanaka." Yamei took the bouquet and turned to Ino. "Bye, Ino."

"Ah... bye, Yamei!" Ino quickly looked up.

Watching Yamei's retreating back, Ino seemed lost in thought.

"Little Ino, you've already made friends with him so quickly?" Mrs. Yamanaka feigned exaggerated surprise.

"I saw him when I came in just now, so we just got acquainted, Mom." Ino was a little flustered.

"Haha, making more friends is a good thing." Mrs. Yamanaka ruffled Ino's hair.

Meanwhile, Yūhi Kurenai had been waiting for a while and, feeling a bit worried, was about to go look for Yamei when she saw a little boy hand her two bouquets of flowers.

"Kurenai, these two bouquets are for you."

Yūhi Kurenai froze. After taking the flowers, she asked incredulously, "So these were the two bouquets you wanted?"

"What do you mean, 'just' two bouquets!"

Yamei retorted indignantly, "These are bellflowers and yellow roses!"

Yūhi Kurenai blinked her confused, ruby-red eyes. "Is there a meaning to them?"

"The flower language of bellflowers is sincere and unchanging love, and the flower language of yellow roses is eternal smiles."

As he spoke, he ignored Yūhi Kurenai's slightly stunned expression, stood on tiptoe, hooked her chin with his index finger, and asked, "So, Kurenai, do you understand now?"

Slap!

Yūhi Kurenai's pretty face flushed slightly as she slapped Yamei's hand away and glared at him. "You're too young to be learning bad habits! I'm confiscating these flowers!"

Holding the two bouquets and the other items in his hands, Yūhi Kurenai walked ahead quickly.

Seeing this, Yamei chuckled softly. If you're shy, just say so. You're only twenty, acting like you're so old. (Yūhi Kurenai was seemingly born in Konoha year 36.)

After having dinner at Yūhi Kurenai's house that afternoon, Yamei returned home. Lying on his bed, he looked at the progress of the Sea of Derivations with growing excitement.

Time finally reached nine o'clock. The Sea of Derivations countdown began: thirty seconds...

3... 2... 1...

[Analysis successful, Derivative Genjutsu: Unnamed.]

[Effect: Combines binding, illusion, phantasm, and attack, while being immune to most genjutsu.]

[It can confuse the five senses, and also make people see the person or thing they fear most or wish for most deep within their hearts, even altering perception and thought!]

Seeing these effects, Yamei was stunned.

The effects of this genjutsu were terrifying!

Illusion, binding, phantasm, and attack all in one – it was truly a case of "whoever sees it dies," wasn't it?

And it even came with its own defense mechanism, how thoughtful!

This derived genjutsu had definitely reached S-rank! Perhaps even surpassed it!

This was the product of fusing almost all of Yūhi Kurenai's genjutsu with some of Shinku Yuhi's genjutsu!

Moreover, it wasn't a completely finalized genjutsu; he could continuously invest acquired genjutsu materials to strengthen it!

In the future, what would the Infinite Tsukuyomi even be? Perhaps his genjutsu could reach the point of "using illusion to reverse reality"!

"The name... let's call it Mist Veil Moon!"

Yamei pondered for a moment before settling on the name for the genjutsu, which would be his primary method for now!

"In a while, Kurenai will take me to the Ninja Academy, and it's time for me to embark on the Ninja Way."

Yamei took out the Chakra Refining Technique that Yūhi Kurenai had given him and began to refine his own chakra.

Before long, a wisp of chakra formed in his meridians, followed by a much larger amount of chakra merging into his meridians!

Simultaneously, knowledge of taijutsu, the Three Basic Jutsu, genjutsu, and more entered his brain.

Yamei knew that the Sea of Derivations had officially activated. From now on, materials obtained through the Magic Hand would directly become a part of his strength.

For example, the taijutsu and Three Basic Jutsu he originally knew were now mastered by Yamei, and he had also grasped the corresponding nature transformation for his chakra.

His three portions of chakra, each equivalent to the total chakra of a Chunin-level ninja, combined amounted to the chakra level of a Kage.

Yamei's current strength didn't seem very weak; he just lacked sufficient offensive ninjutsu.

Over the next month or so, Yamei began his training journey.

After learning that Yamei had started training, Yūhi Kurenai devised a training plan for him.

As usual, Yamei bought some medicinal herbs for an herbal bath and a piece of meat from the apothecary and headed home. Suddenly, a commotion up ahead caught his attention.

"That looks like... someone from the Uchiha Clan."

Yamei cautiously squeezed through the crowd and saw a member of the Uchiha Guard arguing with a stall vendor.

Judging by the accustomed looks of the onlookers, this didn't seem to be the first time.

He took a quick look around and suddenly noticed two Uchiha Guard members standing beside him. His eyes lit up.

"What a great opportunity."

His eyes lit up, and he immediately put on a frightened expression. He cautiously approached the two people, reaching out to touch the backs of their hands.

Magic Hand!

[Materials obtained: Uchiha Throwing Technique, Uchiha Style Swordsmanship, Uchiha Style Taijutsu, Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique.]

"What a shame! I didn't get Uchiha bloodline. Is it because their bloodlines aren't pure enough?" Yamei was filled with regret.

"Little one, where are your adults? Why are you here alone?" The two Uchiha clansmen also lowered their heads and asked.

"I... I came out to buy meat, but... there were too many people, and I couldn't get through..." Yamei immediately put on a pitiful act.

"I'll take you out. It's too dangerous for you here." One of the Uchiha clansmen was about to lead Yamei away.

"Thank you, brother," Yamei said with a smile.

As expected of a clan of love. Although sometimes they're tsundere and stubborn.

"Careful!"

Suddenly, a shout came from behind. A kitchen knife flew through the crowd, heading straight for Yamei!

The Uchiha clansman beside him's pupils constricted, and he reached out to intercept! However, he was just a Genin, and his reaction was completely inadequate!

The kitchen knife magnified in his pupils. Yamei's Chakra circulated wildly within him. Just as he was about to dodge, he suddenly felt himself being embraced.

Thump!

With a roll, Yamei looked up at the man who had hugged him.

Uchiha Shisui!

"Little one, you weren't scared, were you?" Shisui smiled.

"I... I'm fine."

Yamei put on a look of panic, but inwardly he was ecstatic. He quickly activated the ability of Magic Hand.

[Materials obtained: Body Flicker Blade Technique, Genjutsu: Binding Technique, Uchiha Bloodline Power!]

Jackpot! Jackpot!

Double jackpot!

The famous Body Flicker Blade Technique of Body Flicker Shisui, and the Uchiha Bloodline Power!

This is it, I'm taking off!

"It's good that you're alright," Shisui said with a gentle smile as he stood up. He looked at the Uchiha clansman beside him, "You two handle the fight, I'll take him home."

"Yes, Captain."

"Shall I take you home?" Shisui looked at Yamei.

"Okay. Thank you, brother," Yamei nodded gratefully.

As expected of Shisui, so gentle and kind to the villagers.

Unfortunately, you'll be dead next year...

Yamei glanced at Shisui with a hint of pity.

Shisui was stunned. He... seemed to see regret in the eyes of this little boy?

It must be my imagination. He's so young... how could he understand such emotions.

"Little one, what's your name?"

"My name is Hyakawa Yamei."

"My name is Uchiha Shisui... Do you have anyone at home?"

As they exchanged questions and answers, they quickly arrived at Yamei's home.

"Thank you for escorting me back, Shisui-brother."

"It's nothing. Then I'll be going now."

He took a deep look at Shisui's retreating back, and a smile appeared on Yamei's lips.

Left behind a seed... perhaps at some unknown moment, it will bear abundant fruit.