Illusionary World

"Haha, when it comes to matters of the soul, you've come to the right place with the Yamanaka Clan. We can head straight to seal that monster now, and we'll still make it back in time for lunch!"

You're actually from the Akimichi Clan, aren't you!

Thinking about food even when we're about to fight?

Kimura Takuya grumbled inwardly.

Since ordinary ninjutsu cannot be used within this illusionary realm, they had to rely on this guy's Soul Sealing Technique, so he spoke up to offer a reminder.

"This is the illusionary world of Yakumo Kurama; everything here is under her control, and she is invincible in this world. And that monster is essentially Yakumo Kurama's subconscious, so it is also invincible here. Do not be careless later. Although I have temporarily severed the connection between your five senses and your brains, if the brain dies in this world, our physical brains in the outside world will suffer brain death as well!"

Seeing that Yamanaka Muku had put away his flippancy and begun to grow serious, Kimura Takuya continued.

"When you encounter that monster later, restrain it immediately. We will find Yakumo Kurama and have her finish off the monster, and that will settle it. Kurenai-sensei, when you find Yakumo, just focus on soothing her emotions."

Unknowingly, Kimura Takuya had seized the initiative within this three-man squad.

A Special Jonin and an Elite Jonin were both listening to his instructions without even realizing it.

This left Kurenai Yuhi, who hadn't said much, feeling somewhat surprised.

This child is unexpectedly reliable.

Kurenai smiled slightly, nodded at Kimura Takuya, and agreed with his arrangements.

The trio began to explore this illusionary world.

The sky was dim and overcast with thick clouds.

On the dilapidated, deserted streets, the houses were all rotting and collapsed.

"We are still in Konoha; this is the territory of the Kurama Clan."

Kimura Takuya identified the environment within the illusion.

He pointed to the street ahead and continued speaking to Kurenai Yuhi and Yamanaka Muku.

"Yakumo Kurama should be at her home; let's go take a look. Muku-senpai, be prepared—if you encounter the monster, restrain it immediately."

Yamanaka Muku sensed his surroundings, confirmed that his sealing technique was still usable, and nodded to Kimura Takuya.

"Rest assured, as long as that monster dares to show itself, I will definitely keep it locked down."

The three cautiously approached the home of Yakumo Kurama, none of them noticing that the scenery behind them was gradually fading into nothingness.

At the entrance of the Kurama residence, Yakumo Kurama stood there, staring at her own house.

The scene felt familiar.

It was exactly the same as what Kimura Takuya had seen in reality when the Kurama house was on fire.

Sure enough, the house suddenly burst into flames, the fire appearing out of thin air.

Yet Yakumo Kurama remained motionless, unresponsive even when called.

Kurenai Yuhi stepped forward, reaching out to embrace Yakumo in an attempt to wake her.

It was completely useless; Yakumo remained as still as a statue.

Kimura Takuya wanted to rush into the house to save people, as Yakumo's parents should still be trapped inside.

However, his Transformation Technique could not be used within Yakumo's illusion.

Or rather, everyone's ninjutsu was unusable in this realm.

Except for soul-based techniques, no other arts could be performed.

Because everyone was currently in a soul form, possessing only soul energy but no physical energy, they were unable to refine chakra.

Without chakra, it was naturally impossible to use ninjutsu.

While deep in thought, Kimura Takuya felt a sense of unease; he felt as if something was wrong.

He felt as though he could still utilize certain abilities.

Abilities.

Not ninjutsu.

He took out a blade and secretly sliced a small cut on his finger.

As blood flowed out, he focused his mind, and the wound healed instantly.

Kimura Takuya couldn't help but be shocked.

In reality, a wound like this would take at least six hours to fully heal given his own regenerative abilities.

Yet now, it took only a single thought.

It seemed that within this illusion, his regenerative capabilities had been enhanced.

Why?

This was Yakumo Kurama's illusion; what did it have to do with him?

No.

That wasn't right.

It wasn't the illusion's doing!

It was a matter of the soul. In reality, he was healing his physical body, but here, he was healing his soul.

His power originated from his soul; when his physical body was damaged, his soul had to interfere with reality to mend the flesh.

That consumed more energy and was much slower.

But within this illusion, his soul could restore itself directly.

Therefore, he was invincible here as well.

This illusion couldn't hurt him at all!

Having figured out his own ability, Kimura Takuya charged straight into the burning building.

"Hey, kid! You told us to be cautious, so why are you being so reckless yourself?"

"No time to explain. Protect Kurenai Yuhi and Yakumo, I'm going to save the others."

"Damn brat, I just realized—we're two Jonin, so why are we taking orders from a Genin like you?"

Yamanaka Muku looked indignant, yet he still carried out Kimura Takuya's instructions.

Kurenai Yuhi watched the burning building with concern. She didn't know how Kimura Takuya was resisting the flames, but she knew for certain that she couldn't.

Beyond Ninjutsu, her Genjutsu couldn't be cast here either.

She could only hold Yakumo Kurama, attempting to wake her up.

But to Kurenai's shock, the Yakumo Kurama in her arms suddenly pulled out a kunai and stabbed it straight toward her heart!

Pfft!

"Yakumo?"

Kurenai Yuhi was stunned, retreating several steps in an instant, clutching her chest as she swayed unsteadily.

Seeing this, Yamanaka Muku took action immediately, regardless of what was happening with Yakumo Kurama.

He decided to restrain her first and ask questions later.

He formed hand seals in an instant, and black chains erupted from his palms, lunging toward Yakumo Kurama.

With a few coils, he had her bound tight.

"Got her. Nani? What is going on?"

Yamanaka Muku had just thought he had her under control.

But then he saw Yakumo Kurama begin to fade away bit by bit, like a pencil sketch being erased!

"How is this possible? My Soul Sealing Technique isn't as simple as it looks. It's a sealing art for the soul! How could she escape that?"

While Yamanaka Muku was astonished, he caught sight of Kurenai Yuhi collapsed on the ground and rushed over to help her up.

"Senior Kurenai, are you alright?"

"I, I'm fine. The kunai was blocked by my ribs; it didn't pierce my heart."

Bang!

The window of the burning house in front of them shattered.

Kimura Takuya jumped out, carrying Yakumo Kurama's parents.

He felt something strange, as if his soul-sensing ability had suddenly been blocked.

His vision went black for a moment before returning to normal.

Then, he saw Kurenai Yuhi lying injured on the ground, with Yakumo Kurama nowhere to be seen.

"Kurenai-sensei, what happened to you? Where is Yakumo?"

Seeing the scene before him, Kimura Takuya was shocked.

He then listened as Yamanaka Muku recounted Yakumo Kurama's bizarre behavior.

"It's my fault. I didn't expect that monster to impersonate Yakumo."

It was indeed Kimura Takuya's fault; he hadn't anticipated that the monster would pull such a stunt, exploiting his own cognitive bias.

It had recreated a scene he had witnessed, leading him to believe the person before him was truly Yakumo Kurama.

And to avoid raising suspicion, he had never mentioned to the others that the monster could take on Yakumo's appearance.

Although he had already severed the five senses of everyone in reality, they would remain unharmed upon returning to the real world as long as they had not sustained brain injuries.

However, if they were to die within this illusion, they would truly die in reality as well!

A single lapse in judgment had nearly led to a grave mistake.

He raised his hand and pressed it vaguely over the wound on Kurenai Yuhi, releasing his soul power through the air.

The wound healed rapidly, at an astonishing speed.

"Is this Medical Ninjutsu? Takuya, can you use Ninjutsu?"

"No, this is just a Soul Healing Technique. I cannot use other Ninjutsu either."

Kimura Takuya fabricated a name, then turned to heal Yakumo's parents.

Before long, Yakumo's parents regained consciousness.