Illusionary Arts' Tiers (New book seeking collection, seeking recommendations)

"How do you view... Tobirama Senju?" Tohka Senju's voice remained steady.

This question caused Tsunade, sitting nearby, to instantly tense up again, her palms breaking into a sweat.

Tohka Senju and the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju had held conflicting political views, and after Tobirama Senju took office, he had reclaimed the power that originally belonged to Tohka.

Later, Tobirama Senju even went so far as to dissolve the Senju Clan; the two could even be said to have old grudges.

Yusuke keenly sensed that when that name was mentioned, a subtle ripple appeared in the mental space constructed by the surrounding genjutsu.

Under the influence of the genjutsu, Yusuke followed his own cognition and judgment, slowly saying: "The Second Hokage was a very formidable politician and leader."

As soon as these words were spoken, Tohka Senju's brows furrowed imperceptibly, and the surrounding air seemed to grow a few degrees colder.

Tsunade's heart beat faster, and she thought to herself: It's over, it's over. Grandma Tohka has old grudges with Second Grandpa.

Yusuke continued: "He was committed to eliminating the estrangement between the families in the village and promoting the integration of the ninja clans."

"From the perspective of the village's long-term development, many of his policies and concepts were extremely visionary."

Although these words were an objective analysis, to Tohka Senju, especially when combined with her own experience of being marginalized, they were extremely grating.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Tohka Senju's brows were already tightly knitted.

The complexion on her face, which had softened slightly due to the answers to the previous two questions, was once again shrouded in a layer of frost.

This is bad. Tsunade swallowed, deciding to find any excuse to take Yusuke and bolt.

She was terrified that if they were a second too slow, Yusuke would be on the receiving end of an elbow strike from Tohka Senju.

"But then again." Just as Tsunade was scratching her head, wanting to interrupt, Yusuke's voice sounded again.

"It is a pity that the Second Hokage passed away too early; many of his concepts were not fully implemented, and he left behind some thorny issues."

"The most serious of these is likely the way the Uchiha Clan was handled."

Tohka Senju's slightly furrowed brows relaxed a little, and the cold aura shrouding the surroundings seemed to dissipate somewhat.

She glanced at the restless Tsunade beside her, only to see Tsunade giving her a somewhat ingratiating smile, her two small fangs gleaming.

Tohka Senju gave a light snort, barely accepting Yusuke's answer, which was not perfect but at least not too offensive.

She gave a light cough, and the sound reached Yusuke's ears like a morning bell or evening drum.

Yusuke's eyes instantly regained their clarity; the previous experience felt like a brief daydream, but he clearly remembered what he had said.

I really was dancing on the edge of danger. He swallowed, though his face remained calm.

"Not bad." Tohka Senju's voice remained cold, but it lacked some of the scrutiny from before.

"For the sake of little Tsunade, you brat, you barely pass."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade immediately breathed a sigh of relief, a bright smile blooming on her face.

She leaned toward Tohka Senju: "Thank you, Grandma Tohka! I knew you were the best!"

Tohka Senju shook her head helplessly. She looked at Yusuke, her tone becoming more solemn and serious.

"I can teach you, but I have one condition: you must help Tsunade in Konoha from now on."

She didn't finish the sentence, but none of the three people present were fools; they knew what she was referring to.

That was to become Tsunade's right-hand man, helping her ascend to the position of Hokage once again and allowing the Senju Clan to rise again.

She was making an investment in Yusuke.

Yusuke said respectfully: "Yes, Teacher! I will keep it in mind."

Although Tsunade didn't like politics, she didn't say anything, instead congratulating him: "That's great, Yusuke! Grandma Tohka is the pinnacle of genjutsu in our Konoha."

"You must study hard."

Tohka Senju was an old fox; how could she not know Tsunade's little thoughts?

"You brat, you aren't even married yet, and you're already favoring an outsider?"

Tohka Senju teased, though her eyes held a trace of doting: "Alright, there's nothing for you here anymore, go back first."

"When this old woman teaches a student, I don't like having outsiders watching."

Tsunade's face turned red. She gave Tohka Senju a sweet smile: "I know, Grandma Tohka, I'll leave Yusuke to you!"

"I'll come back later."

After saying this, she left the room with light steps.

After Tsunade left, only Yusuke and Tohka Senju remained in the room, and the atmosphere seemed to become serious again.

Tohka Senju signaled for Yusuke to sit down. She poured two cups of tea in a leisurely manner and pushed one toward Yusuke.

"Since I am going to teach you genjutsu, I will first give you a clear understanding of the realm of genjutsu. Genjutsu can be roughly divided into four levels."

"The first level is the most superficial. It can only confuse the enemy for an instant, used to create an opening or interfere with hand seals. Such genjutsu can be easily broken by any experienced ninja simply by disrupting the flow of chakra within their body."

"The second level is much more sophisticated. The illusion constructed by the caster is more realistic, capable of making the target sink into it without realizing it. Unless there is external interference, it is extremely difficult to break free on one's own, usually requiring a teammate to input chakra from the outside to disrupt the flow to dispel it."

Yusuke nodded; this matched the effects of most powerful genjutsu he knew.

"The third level involves deep hypnosis on a mental level."

Tohka Senju's eyes flashed with a sharp glint: "The caster can plant a 'suggestion' within the enemy's chakra meridian system."

"Even if their chakra is disrupted the first time, it will unconsciously circulate along the path set by the genjutsu, causing them to fall back into the illusion. This is the nature of multi-layered genjutsu—it is impossible to guard against."

Yusuke felt a chill in his heart; this type of genjutsu was like a maggot on the bone, truly terrifying.

"As for the fourth level, it has touched upon the pinnacle of 'Yin Release', using spiritual energy to influence reality, creating objects from nothing, and constructing a virtual world that is nearly indistinguishable from the truth."

"The Kekkei Genkai of the Kurama Clan is the representative of this path, though it is a pity their numbers are thin and they have already declined."

Yusuke couldn't help but ask: "Teacher, what level... have you reached?"

Tohka Senju picked up her teacup and took a light sip without answering, merely casting a faint glance at Yusuke.

He knew better than to press the issue, but his assessment of this new teacher's strength rose by several levels in his mind.

"Enough, that is all for the theory."

Tohka Senju set down her teacup: "Your file states that you excel in genjutsu. Tell me about the confusion you have encountered in your current practice."

Yusuke keenly caught the phrase "your file," meaning the documents Tsunade showed him last night likely came from her.

Combined with the vanished Senju Clan, it's no wonder Teacher is confident she can help Tsunade ascend to the position of Hokage, Yusuke thought to himself.

This is for the best; this background can certainly help me escape the clutches of Shimura Danzō.

The current Senju Clan is not something Shimura Danzō can afford to provoke.

Tohka Senju observed his contemplative expression and nodded inwardly: He really is a quick-witted fellow.

Through just a few words and the other's expression, both knew that he knew what she wanted him to know.