Direction! (Seeking follow-up reads and monthly votes)

After careful deliberation, Shita Genichi, having returned to Konoha after completing his mission, ultimately chose not to pursue sensory ninjutsu, opting for Genjutsu instead.

Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique, a visual-type Genjutsu, creates a visual deception, making what is seen different from reality.

In terms of practical combat, this Genjutsu could be said to be of little use to Shita Genichi.

Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was already enough.

However, since Shita Genichi had decided to delve deep into the field of Genjutsu, he naturally needed to study it further.

In this case, he needed to analyze different Genjutsu to expand his theoretical knowledge of the craft.

Developing ninjutsu is not that simple.

Even with the Overdraft Panel as his cheat, Shita Genichi had to possess a solid foundation, combined with unique thinking, to achieve anything.

Otherwise, it would just be a waste of time.

Since he had previously decided to focus on Genjutsu, sensory ninjutsu could be put aside for now.

As a result, Shita Genichi now possessed four Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, Demonic Illusion: Fox-Mind Technique, Demonic Illusion: Body Immobilization Technique, and Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique.

He had mastered the newly acquired Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique in just two days.

But this was not enough.

However, Hatake Sakumo himself was not skilled in Genjutsu and knew fewer techniques than Shita Genichi, so he could not teach him.

Thus, Shita Genichi had no choice but to trade his own ninjutsu with the village.

Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death!

This technique, which originated from a Mist ninja with Ice Release, had been completed and developed, earning an A-rank rating.

Temple of Nirvana Technique, Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death, Demonic Illusion: Descending Hell Technique, and Hell Viewing Technique.

One A-rank Genjutsu, one B-rank, and two D-rank.

The latter three were all gifts from Sarutobi Hiruzen, serving as support and cultivation for Shita Genichi, the genius.

In one fell swoop, Shita Genichi had swept up all the common Genjutsu in Konoha.

Temple of Nirvana Technique belongs to the hypnotic category of Genjutsu; it is difficult to practice, but not hard to break. Jonin and Chunin can easily dispel it, and even Genin proficient in Genjutsu can break it.

This "proficiency" does not refer to casting Genjutsu, but merely dispelling it... like Haruno Sakura.

It sounds a bit like a useless ability.

But as the saying goes, Shita Genichi did not want these Genjutsu solely for combat; they were primarily for research.

For a long time, he became obsessed with Genjutsu, unable to extricate himself.

Even while executing missions and sparring with Kakashi, Uchiha Namiichi, and the others, he began to use Genjutsu frequently.

Previously, Shita Genichi was accustomed to using Bringer-of-Darkness Technique to gain the initiative.

Now, he went a step further, tossing out a Genjutsu from time to time; even if it didn't land a decisive blow, it could still cause a distraction.

Yamanaka En complained directly that Shita Genichi had turned into a Genjutsu-type ninja.

In such busy days, time passed quickly.

Before he knew it, the year 43 of Konoha had passed, and the year 44 had arrived.

This year, Shita Genichi was eight years old and had grown quite a bit, reaching nearly 1.65 meters.

He was in a league of his own among his peers.

Inside the laboratory at Konoha Hospital.

Shizune and Nohara Rin watched solemnly as Shita Genichi and Tsunade worked busily.

On the operating table lay a dissected white mouse.

At this moment, Shita Genichi and Tsunade were performing a heart transplant on the mouse, while Shizune and Nohara Rin assisted, responsible for monitoring the mouse's vital signs.

Ten minutes later.

The transplant was completely finished.

Shizune immediately reported, "Blood pressure is normal."

Tsunade nodded, "No problems for now."

"Next, Shizune, Rin, it's your turn."

Shizune and Nohara Rin were both delighted and nodded quickly, "Yes!"

Shita Genichi and Tsunade stepped back, and Shizune and Nohara Rin stepped forward to handle the "chest closure" for the mouse.

"If only I had a pair of Byakugan."

Shita Genichi sighed as he took off his gloves.

Tsunade curled her lip, "The Hyuga Clan wouldn't choose the path of a medical ninja."

"Also, don't you go setting your sights on the Byakugan."

Shita Genichi immediately put on a look of grievance: "Lady Tsunade, I am a good person. Why would I ever covet the Byakugan? I was merely expressing a sentiment."

Tsunade couldn't help but curl her lip upon hearing this.

After spending so much time with this kid, she knew him well.

On the surface, he looked incredibly serious and righteous; he looked like a good person through and through.

But in reality, he was daring, reckless, and would think of anything.

He wouldn't covet the Byakugan?

It was more like he didn't dare to, right?

Tsunade felt that Shita Genichi shared many similarities with Orochimaru.

She had to be on guard and ensure he didn't do anything reckless.

Yet, Shita Genichi truly felt it was a pity that the Hyuga Clan didn't train a few medical ninjas.

Tsunade changed the subject: "How is your potion research coming along?"

Shita Genichi replied languidly: "Almost there."

Tsunade glanced at the operations being performed by Shizune and Nohara Rin, then added: "Haven't you already mastered the Yin Seal?"

Shita Genichi spread his hands: "The potion is for rapidly replenishing physical energy; it doesn't conflict with the Yin Seal."

"Besides, once the potion is developed, it can also make money."

"Lady Tsunade, it's not like you don't know that research is incredibly expensive."

Tsunade gave a soft huff: "You still haven't given up on Ice Release?"

Shita Genichi shook his head: "I only have a sample from one person for Ice Release. I can't exactly go and wipe out the entire Yuki Clan in Kirigakure, can I?"

Once Obito controls the Fourth Mizukage in the future, he could go to the Land of Water to collect corpses from the Yuki Clan.

If those events were still to happen, that is.

It wasn't just the Yuki Clan; there was also the Kaguya Clan.

During the reigns of the Third Mizukage and the Fourth Mizukage, the bloodline clans of Kirigakure withered significantly.

And then there was the Hozuki Clan... perhaps he could pay an early visit to the grave of the Second Mizukage?

Shita Genichi's thoughts drifted far away.

Seeing that Shizune and the others were about to finish, Tsunade said: "Whether it is organ transplantation or bone marrow cell transplantation, you need to put more effort into anti-rejection measures."

Shita Genichi nodded: "Lady Tsunade is right. I will invest a sum of money into it next month."

Tsunade nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

The kid was sensible.

Shita Genichi, however, didn't care about that bit of money. Deepening his relationship and cooperation with Tsunade, while also sharing the results—what a great deal. Others wouldn't even have such an opportunity if they wanted it.

Although Tsunade received funding from the village, it wasn't infinite.

Plus, with her spendthrift habits, no amount of money was ever enough to burn through.

Not to mention that investment in medical research was a bottomless pit.

Shizune and the others finishing up meant the surgery was a success.

But this wasn't the end. Next, they had to observe the lab mice for rejection reactions and monitor their survival period.

This was the key.

And this process was also a process of drug testing.

Specifically, the anti-rejection drugs that Tsunade had been developing.

Simple organ transplant surgery had long since ceased to be a problem.

From last year until now, the hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, and kidneys of lab mice had all been transplanted, but the rejection rates and survival periods were not ideal.

And this was only the first step.

Next, they would have to experiment on monkeys.

Only then would they move on to human experimentation.

During this process, the development of the drugs would also become increasingly mature.

And this was not something that could be achieved in a year or two.

It's a good thing I can overdraw from the future...

Walking out of the laboratory, Shita Genichi stretched his back.

Today was March 18th, another day to overdraw from the future.