Special Training

"All right, all right... I'll feed you!" Akaseki said, using another Big Red Bite on the Little Tanuki Beast.

A look of satisfaction spread across the Little Tanuki Beast's face. It burped, then ran over to another mask.

Like the first, this mask had a white base and red markings, but it resembled a tiger or leopard.

And just like before...

The mask had been sealed to the wall so firmly that no one could remove it. Yet after the Little Tanuki Beast called out to it a few times, it came loose on its own and landed on the beast's back.

"By the way, you can't keep eating for free. I've got..." Akaseki had just taken out the Summoning Contract Scroll Teacher Jiraiya had given him.

But with the second mask on its back, the Little Tanuki Beast seemed exhausted, as though it had done something terribly strenuous. It lay down and fell asleep again before Akaseki could finish.

Akaseki: ...

Just then, Ranwu came in carrying two grilled fish. Seeing that the Little Tanuki Beast had moved and now had another mask on its back, she clicked her tongue in amazement. "Huh? It woke up again?"

"Yeah. It wakes up to eat, then goes right back to sleep," Akaseki said helplessly.

"But it's picked up another mask... There has to be a limit," Ranwu said with conviction, handing him the two grilled fish.

Akaseki took them and pulled a Military Ration Pill from his waist pouch. One pill and two grilled fish: that was dinner.

"Hurry up and eat. We'll start training once you're full," Ranwu urged.

"You promised you'd practice Taijutsu with me afterward," Akaseki said with a pout.

"I know... You want to do it too, but you make it sound like I begged you!" Ranwu complained.

As a ninja, Akaseki could eat quickly. In no time, both fish were gone.

Then Akaseki and Ranwu began what they had arranged earlier...

The two sat cross-legged facing each other, each looking a little nervous.

"I never thought I'd do this with someone from the Uchiha Clan."

"And I never thought I'd take this step with... the granddaughter of the Second Hokage, whom I admire more than anyone."

"All right. Let's begin..."

Sharingan, activate! False Surroundings Technique!

Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!

Both formed Hand Seals and cast their techniques at the same time...

That was right. They had agreed to practice Genjutsu together after dinner.

Ranwu's greatest strength was undoubtedly Water Style, especially changes in its nature. But her chakra affinities were water, earth, wind, Yin, and Yang—a strong "3+2" spread.

That was more well-rounded than Akaseki's "3+1" spread of fire, lightning, earth, and Yin.

Ranwu still had plenty of room to grow. One day, she might even become an all-round ninja with all seven affinities, like her grandfather.

So after her Water Style training hit a bottleneck, Ranwu began studying other techniques, particularly the many secret techniques her grandfather had left behind.

The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was an A-rank Genjutsu designed to disrupt opponents at short to medium range.

Despite its A-rank difficulty, its range was limited and its effect was narrow: it only robbed the target of sight, with no direct means of dealing damage...

Yet Tobirama Senju, who had developed countless secret techniques, considered it one of his finest. The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique had one exceptional quality—its ability to take away sight was devastatingly effective!

It could shut down even the Sharingan, blocking not just vision but ocular techniques as well...

Ranwu had been studying the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique lately. An A-rank Genjutsu was extremely difficult even for her, and she had made little progress.

Then, over the past few days, she'd had a chance to train against Akaseki.

Akaseki's role was to activate his Sharingan and cast a Genjutsu on Ranwu, while she countered with the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, which was theoretically also a Genjutsu.

That put Akaseki's Sharingan at constant risk of being "sealed," making his Genjutsu harder to sustain. Ranwu, meanwhile, was under the constant influence of Sharingan Genjutsu, and her half-learned Bringer-of-Darkness Technique couldn't take effect right away...

Their Yin Release chakra tangled together, each pressing into the other as they fought to break through first!

The struggle was good practice for both of their Genjutsu.

Of course, since Ranwu had come to Akaseki for help, he had set a condition: he would help her practice Genjutsu, but afterward she had to spend a few nights with him... practicing Taijutsu!

Ranwu really did need the practice more.

She hadn't even grasped the basics of the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique yet. She couldn't use it in a real fight.

By comparison, Akaseki could already use his C-rank and B-rank Genjutsu in combat, and with the Sharingan's boost, they worked quite well.

Still, that showed just how powerful the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was. Even unfinished, it could contend with Akaseki's Genjutsu if Ranwu was given enough time. In fact, Akaseki couldn't shake the feeling that...

"Whew... All right, let's stop. I need a breather." After signaling to Ranwu, Akaseki deactivated his Sharingan.

"Done already?" Ranwu asked with a slight frown.

Akaseki couldn't help complaining. "The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique counters the Sharingan way too hard!"

Competing through Genjutsu was one thing, but the technique kept targeting his Sharingan with its sealing power...

"Grandpa said he developed the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique to disrupt enemies in close combat. Your Sharingan just happened to get caught by it," Ranwu said matter-of-factly.

Akaseki: ...

Akaseki immediately looked as though everything had clicked into place.

"But are you sure this isn't too difficult for you to learn right now?" Akaseki asked.

It was an A-rank Genjutsu...

Akaseki couldn't even copy it!

"No. Teacher Jiraiya knows I'm learning it too," Ranwu said firmly.

Learning it had been Ranwu's decision, but she had discussed it with Teacher Jiraiya.

Akaseki could understand why Teacher Jiraiya had agreed. No matter how difficult the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was, it was at least safer than the Strength of a Hundred!

Ranwu loved training in difficult techniques, and sometimes she pushed herself too hard.

Jiraiya tailored his teaching to her. He didn't interfere much with her drive to improve, only asking her to tell him before she started learning anything new. She hardly needed him to teach her techniques; who knew how many Secret Techniques and forbidden techniques her family had?

Jiraiya took a similarly hands-off approach with Akaseki, mostly clearing up his questions and teaching him general combat skills. After all, Akaseki was an Uchiha who had already awakened the Sharingan. Jiraiya didn't think he knew better than the Uchiha Clan how to teach him.

Minato, by contrast, received more direct guidance. He was currently training his sensory abilities. Jiraiya had discovered that Minato was gifted not only in ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu, but also as a sensory ninja!

Though they remained on the island, none of the three had let their training lapse.

Akaseki and Ranwu weren't the only ones training together at the Mask Storage Hall. Down by the shore, Minato pressed one finger into the sand, sensing how many crab burrows surrounded him...