A genius who overshadowed his generation, Nascent Sage Mode! (Fourth and fifth updates)

Genjutsu and swordsmanship are inherently one, complementing each other.

Ninja battles are never a contest of individual Ninjutsu, but a comprehensive contest that integrates all techniques.

And now, Qingyu has already shown signs of this integration and mastery.

Yūhi Shinku decided to no longer hold back.

Since Qingyu's Genjutsu skills have reached a level that can affect him, he will have to show his true abilities.

"Ninja Art: Darkness Technique."

Yūhi Shinku quickly Hand Seals, gathering Yin Release Chakra around her before unleashing it in all directions.

In an instant, the sky over the entire training ground darkened.

Darkness enveloped an area of several tens of meters around Qingyu, completely swallowing her up.

The ninjas watching from the sidelines gasped in surprise, and several of them instinctively took a few steps back.

Their ability to see Genjutsu indicates that the Genjutsu are omnipresent and can affect them as well.

Otherwise, the mental battles between Genjutsu ninjas are completely invisible to outsiders.

"This is Senior Shinku's 'Ninja Art: Darkness Technique.' In an environment where there is absolutely no vision, even the Sharingan is useless."

"It is said that this was created in imitation of the 'Bringer-of-Darkness Technique'."

Sarutobi Asuma lowered his voice.

Yūhi Kurenai clenched her fists, her red eyes fixed intently on the darkness.

You can't see anything in the dark.

She knew how powerful this technique was; once trapped inside, even sound and smell would be interfered with by Yin Release Chakra, causing one to completely lose their sense of direction.

In that environment, the father could launch an attack from any angle.

Can Qingyu handle it?

In the darkness.

Qingyu's vision was shrouded in pure darkness.

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly rotated in its socket, but all it could see was pitch black.

They're definitely got some skills.

Qingyu pondered to herself.

At the same time, he also wanted to understand why Yūhi Shinku, despite her seemingly strong character design, died during the Night of the Nine-Tails.

This Genjutsu is specifically designed for human targets.

It's completely ineffective against beings as massive as the Tailed Beast.

Barrier - Heavenly Canopy Magic Array!

Qingyu immediately activated her Sensory Barrier, covering the surrounding area.

Within the Sensory Barrier, the fluctuations of Yūhi Shinku's Chakra were clearly visible.

It's right there.

Qingyu concentrated his Chakra in his fist and then unleashed a punch.

Strength of a Hundred!

Boom!

The fist slammed into the air, compressing it into a visible white shockwave, before colliding with the blade swung by Yūhi Shinku in the next second.

A loud bang erupted between the blade and the fist, and the shockwave spread outward from the point of impact, dispersing a portion of the Yin Release Chakra of the "Ninja Art: Darkness Technique".

Yūhi Shinku felt a sudden numbness in her hand, and almost dropped her Ninja Blade.

How could his location be detected so precisely in the absolute silence of darkness?

He underestimated Qingyu.

The darkness gradually dissipated, and sunlight once again shone on the training field.

Everyone gasped in shock at the sight before them.

Qingyu stood still, her right fist in a punching stance.

Yūhi Shinku actually took several steps back, her face pale.

"Father—he's actually at a disadvantage?"

Yūhi Kurenai's eyes widened.

She had expected Qingyu to be very strong, but she hadn't anticipated that Qingyu would become so much stronger in just a few months.

But now, not only has Father failed to suppress Qingyu in Genjutsu, but he has also lost in Taijutsu combat.

"So this is the battle of Genjutsu."

Sarutobi Asuma was watching the battle, witnessed this scene.

He tried his best in Genjutsu, but found that he was simply not cut out for it.

Genjutsu is highly dependent on talent.

In the arena, Qingyu and Yūhi Shinku's sparring continues.

The two blades clashed in mid-air more than a dozen times.

Qingyu's speed increased, and the dynamic vision of her Three-Tomoe Sharingan broke down every single movement of Yūhi Shinku into perfect detail.

Meanwhile, Yūhi Shinku's Genjutsu were escalating, as he tried to find a weakness in Qingyu's movements and end the sparring match with a powerful enough Genjutsu.

But Qingyu didn't give him that chance.

Sharingan Genjutsu!

The moment their eyes met, Qingyu activated the Genjutsu attack Sharingan in his Sharingan.

Yūhi Shinku felt a powerful Yin Release Chakra impact her consciousness, and her mind went blank for a moment.

It's that trick again!

His Chakra surged, and he successfully broke the Genjutsu in Setsuna.

The moment his vision returned, he saw a sky full of sword shadows.

Leaf Village Style: Willow!

The Muramasa in Qingyu's hand conjured dozens of sword shadows, each wrapped in Wind Release Chakra, slashing at Yūhi Shinku's entire body from different angles.

These sword shadows were a mix of real and feints, intertwined so seamlessly that it was impossible to distinguish which strike was the actual attack.

Before she could think any further, Yūhi Shinku channeled her Chakra to the fullest extent, completely expelling the Genjutsu from her consciousness, and then used the "Body Flicker Technique" to retreat rapidly backward.

Bang!

His back slammed into the trunk of a large tree, causing it to shake violently and leaves to fall like rain.

Where he had been standing, Qingyu's blade had already fallen.

Laugh!

The ground was cleaved by Wind Release Chakra, creating a deep trench that sent soil and gravel swirling to both sides.

The ravine stretched for more than two meters, its edges as smooth as a mirror, a testament to the power of the strike.

Yūhi Shinku leaned against the tree trunk and glanced down at her right arm.

The sleeve of the Jonin vest was cut open, revealing a shallow bloodstain on the exposed skin.

Although I avoided a vital spot, I was still grazed by the wind blade attached to the blade.

"Amazing, truly amazing, Qingyu ----"

The Yūhi Shinku.

He, a renowned Jonin famous for many years, was actually forced into this situation by a young man who had only recently been promoted Chunin.

Although he was partly careless, an injury is an injury.

In battles between ninjas, victory or defeat can often be decided by a single momentary misjudgment.

"But who did you learn this Genjutsu from?"

Yūhi Shinku was very curious.

"It was Senior Kosuke who taught me."

Qingyu Muramasa and walked up to Yūhi Shinku.

Is that so?

Yūhi Shinku nodded, understanding dawning on her.

Maruboshi Kosuke, that seemingly unremarkable Eternal Genin, actually possesses such abilities.

"Shinku- senpai, let me heal your wounds."

Qingyu stretched out his hand, and a ball of pale green medical Chakra lit up in his palm, which he placed on the wound on Yūhi Shinku's right arm.

The muscles around the wound healed slowly under the guidance of medical Chakra, and the bleeding quickly stopped, leaving only a faint red mark.

Sarutobi Asuma leaned closer and asked curiously, "Shinku- senpai, you were holding back just now, weren't you?"

No, I didn't release any water.

Yūhi Shinku shook her head.

"Although there was an element of carelessness on my part, Qingyu's Genjutsu and swordsmanship have indeed reached a very high level."

"On a real battlefield, this tactic would leave most enemies with no chance to retaliate."

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Asuma paused in his act of chewing on a lollipop.

He knew that Yūhi Shinku wasn't the type to praise people casually; she was very strict and rigid.

The fact that he said those words shows that Qingyu's strength truly exceeded his expectations.

Sarutobi Asuma silently calculated his chances of winning against Qingyu and then decisively gave up the idea of sparring with Qingyu.

Fortunately, he didn't propose a sparring match as soon as they met, otherwise he would have been incredibly embarrassed.

After hearing her father's words, Yūhi Kurenai quickly went to his side.

"Father, are you alright?"

"It's just a minor injury."

Yūhi Shinku raised her right arm and stretched it.

The wound has completely healed, leaving no scar.

His medical skills are so good.

Yūhi Shinku sighed once more.

Seeing that her father was alright, Yūhi Kurenai was finally relieved.

"Hong, if you have nothing else to do, you can go and Genjutsu with Qingyu more often. He's very talented in Genjutsu, and you can learn from each other."

Yūhi Kurenai paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes, I will."

She turned to look at Qingyu and suddenly asked, "Father, do you think it's possible for me to be as strong as Qingyu?"

Yūhi Shinku heard this question and looked at her daughter's earnest face, a feeling of pity suddenly welled up in her heart.

Generally speaking, the Shinobi World is vast and boundless.

But as the Shinobi World changes generation after generation, there will always be a ninja with unparalleled talent who overwhelms his peers and becomes an insurmountable barrier in front of everyone.

It was precisely because of this that he vaguely sensed that Qingyu might be such a being.

Just like Hashirama Senju then, all the ninjas of his generation, no matter how hard they tried or how excellent they were, could only look up at his back in the end.

To live in the same era as such a genius is both a blessing and a curse.

"Go for it, Red!"

Yūhi Shinku encouraged her daughter.

Yūhi Kurenai took it as her father encouraging her, and nodded again.

"I will!"

Just then, another line of text popped up in front of Qingyu's eyes.

[Collectible trait detected: Advanced Genjutsu]

[C-Rank Trait: Advanced Genjutsu]

[Effect: Increases resistance to Genjutsu by 60%.]

[Crafting: Defeating five Genjutsu- type ninjas will upgrade the trait to a higher level]

Qingyu closed the panel.

This trait fell from Yūhi Shinku.

Increased resistance to Genjutsu. For someone with the Sharingan, this trait isn't particularly cost-effective, but an extra layer of protection is always good.

However, the upgrade requirement—"defeat five Genjutsu- type ninjas"—will take some time. There aren't many Genjutsu- type ninjas in Konoha. Yūhi Shinku is one, Shisui Uchiha is another, and we're still short three. I'll ask Kurenai later if she can introduce me to some of the senior members of the Genjutsu team, or we can just wait until we encounter Genjutsu -type ninjas from Kirigakure next time.

"Qingyu, do you want to have dinner together tonight?"

Yūhi Kurenai's voice pulled Qingyu back to reality from her thoughts.

"I've been studying cooking lately, and although it's still not as good as yours, it's much tastier than the rice balls I used to make."

Her hands were behind her back, her body leaned slightly forward, and she looked up at Qingyu.

Qingyu looked at Yūhi Kurenai's bright red eyes and nodded with a smile.

"Good.

Two weeks have passed.

The fog on the sea had not yet dissipated, and the campsite was shrouded in a hazy white mist.

Tsunade walked out of her Camp Tent.

She was busy until late last night again.

But early in the morning, she still habitually wanted to see what Qingyu was doing.

That brat, ever since he learned "Body Pathway Derangement," has spent most of his free time practicing "Senjutsu."

--

Even with the Slug watching over her, she couldn't help but worry.

After all, cultivating "Senjutsu" is risky.

Natural Energy is a double-edged sword; absorbing too much can turn you into Toad or a snake, as has happened at Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave.

Although the "Senjutsu" of Shikkotsu Forest are relatively mild, one should not let one's guard down.

Tsunade walked through the camp's corridor toward Qingyu's Camp Tent.

Opening the curtain, Tsunade found Qingyu sitting cross-legged on the bed.

He closed his eyes, his breathing was steady, and his body was motionless, as if he had become one with the surrounding nature.

Tsunade glanced at him and felt that Qingyu's demeanor seemed to have changed somewhat.

What surprised Tsunade the most was the slug on Qingyu's shoulder.

The Slug's body is as big as an arm.

Her tentacles swayed gently, continuously channeling a stream of Chakra imbued with Natural Energy into Qingyu's body.

A layer of Natural Energy appeared on Qingyu's skin, and the Natural Energy in the surrounding air, which was originally invisible to the naked eye, was now slowly rotating around him, like an invisible Uzumaki.

The eyeshadow around his eyes was a shade darker than usual, with a faint hint of red.

That's a characteristic of "Sage Mode".

Tsunade held her breath and stood still.

Within his body, three types of energy—physical energy, spiritual energy, and Natural Energy —are fused together in a near-perfect ratio.

This balance is extremely fragile; the slightest deviation can lead to failure.

But Qingyu maintained this balance steadily, as naturally as breathing.

After an unknown amount of time, Qingyu slowly opened her eyes.

A pale golden luster appeared in his pupils, and the color of his eyeshadow extended from the pale red at the corner of his eye towards his temple, forming a thin line.

Although it's not a complete "Sage Mode," his current "Senjutsu Chakra" reserves are still insufficient, and he needs to continue accumulating them.

But without a doubt, Qingyu can also activate "Sage Mode" for a few seconds.

Using a "Sage Technique" shouldn't be a problem; it's somewhat similar to Minato Namikaze's "Sage Mode."

"Sister Tsunade."

Qingyu glanced at Tsunade, who was standing not far away, and smiled slightly.

He had sensed Tsunade's arrival long ago.

His perception has been greatly enhanced; he can clearly perceive everything around him even with his eyes closed.

Tsunade quickly walked up to Qingyu and pinched his cheek.

"You little rascal, you're making such a fast pace."

"I really owe a lot to Lord Slug for his help."

Qingyu the Slug on her shoulder.

"Lord Slug, has Qingyu begun attempting cultivation in the outside world?"

Tsunade asked in surprise.

She knew that Qingyu had laid a solid foundation in the Shikkotsu Forest, but she didn't expect that he would be able to try cultivating in the outside world so soon.

The Slug's antennae twitched gently, and a soft female voice said with a hint of relief, "Yes, Lady Tsunade, the Natural Energy outside is thinner than in the Holy Land, so if you want to put your Senjutsu into practice, you need to train outside."

The training within the sacred grounds only lays the foundation, teaching practitioners how to guide Natural Energy and what Natural Energy is like. Outside, the conditions won't be as favorable.

She paused, then continued, "Furthermore, before entering 'Sage Mode,' one must ensure sufficient stillness to accumulate enough 'Senjutsu Chakra.' Lord Qingyu has an exceptionally high talent in this area; he can enter the state almost instantly."

Upon hearing Tsunade's brown-gold eyes.

"Hmph, perhaps you are the only person besides my grandfather who knows 'Senjutsu'."

Tsunade spoke with a smile.