Spiraling Ring

In the end, Kurenai Yuhi chose to trust Masayo's strength and brought him to a remote Hill Villa.

Before coming here, Masayo had made thorough preparations. If negotiations failed, he would run if he couldn't win. He truly had no confidence against a genjutsu that controlled the five senses. Other than striking first, he couldn't think of any other solution.

When they arrived at the entrance, Kurenai Yuhi stopped. She sensed that the Anbu who had been monitoring Kurama Yakumo had already left. Even the two medical ninja were gone. It seemed everything had been handed over to Masayo.

"This environment... Red Sis, did you and the Hokage practically want her to develop psychological problems?!"

Masayo's speechless complaint made Kurenai Yuhi smile awkwardly.

Kurenai Yuhi led Masayo into the villa. The place was spacious, but it looked rather gloomy. The setting sun cast an eerie atmosphere over the entire estate, making one's heart tremble.

Pushing open the door to a bedroom, Masayo saw oil paintings covering every wall. The dark, bizarre style felt enclosed and oppressive, carrying the air of a horror mystery.

"Teacher Red, it seems those people have withdrawn. Is the person beside you someone newly sent by the Hokage?"

A female voice rang out from the dark room, calm and indifferent, without the slightest hint of panic. She seemed unconcerned about everything as her paintbrush continued moving across the canvas before her. The painting depicted Kurenai Yuhi being pierced through, making one's scalp tingle.

"Yakumo, it's different from what I told you before. The Hokage has agreed to let you become a ninja and join Team 12. The person beside me is Team 12's Supervising Jonin, Masayo."

Kurenai Yuhi's words caused Kurama Yakumo's brush to pause briefly before she continued painting.

"A ninja... Teacher Red, what is the point of saying that now? I've long since lost all interest in being a ninja."

Kurama Yakumo spoke blandly. Her long flaxen hair fell around her shoulders, and she wore a pale pink outer garment with an inverted triangular opening that revealed the red fishnet-like undershirt beneath. Her skin was pale.

"Sigh, as expected, bringing you here was the right choice. Red Sis, hurry and tell her the whole truth. If this continues any longer, it won't be good for either of you."

Masayo clasped his hands behind his back, gathering Fire Attribute chakra in his palms. As long as he destroyed Kurama Yakumo's canvases next, she would have no way to use her Five Senses Genjutsu. If he were dragged into that genjutsu world, he would be in trouble.

Yakumo could control the five senses and create a genjutsu world. Within it, she could harm or restore any object or human body, even directly affect reality. Moreover, those inside the genjutsu world could not use ninjutsu. However, things like Shino Aburame's Kikaichū and Hinata Hyuga's Byakugan were exceptions, belonging to special techniques.

Most of Masayo's battles relied on ninjutsu, so he had made every possible preparation. If he were truly dragged into Kurama Yakumo's genjutsu world, he would be completely at her mercy.

"The truth?"

There was not a ripple on Kurama Yakumo's face. Her calmness was almost frightening.

Encouraged by Masayo, Kurenai Yuhi finally revealed the truth of what had happened back then, as well as the misunderstandings Kurama Yakumo had endured over the years.

Clang!

Kurama Yakumo's paintbrush fell from her hand. The sealed memories she had used to protect herself unraveled, and she remembered everything.

Whoosh!

"Wind Body Flicker, Flame Slash!"

Seizing the chance, Masayo swiftly drew the Light-Concealing Sword from his back. The Fire Attribute chakra gathered in his hand coated the blade. He vanished with Wind Body Flicker, and the flame-wreathed Light-Concealing Sword cut through all of Kurama Yakumo's oil paintings, leaving her no opportunity to use the canvases for genjutsu.

Less than a second passed from drawing his sword to finishing. Every one of Kurama Yakumo's paintings had been burned away by Masayo's Flame Slash. This was a technique designed to be used with the Light-Concealing Sword.

"Waaahhh..."

The intense shock caused Kurama Yakumo's other side, a monster named Idō, to emerge.

It was a hideous monster with long ears and fangs. It appeared beside Kurama Yakumo, her other side, something born from her Kekkei Genkai. It even wore the same clothes as Kurama Yakumo.

"Sigh, so ugly!"

Masayo held the Light-Concealing Sword and stood in front of Kurenai Yuhi. Without the support of the illusion world, Idō's strength and performance were far weaker than he remembered.

"I inherited your will and took revenge for you. Wahahaha..."

Idō spat out a mass of blue flames. Masayo gathered Water Attribute chakra within the Light-Concealing Sword, and it collided with Idō's flames.

"Yakumo!"

While Masayo and Idō were fighting, Kurenai Yuhi used Body Flicker to arrive beside the terrified and helpless Kurama Yakumo.

"Yakumo, everyone has a monster in their heart. They usually exist deep within people's souls. Even if Idō is killed now, if you cannot face yourself properly, a new Idō will be born."

Masayo's fists and kicks collided with Idō's. Idō was a product of Kurama Yakumo's mind. If this had happened earlier—say, around the time of the Land of Snow mission—he might have trembled uneasily at the mere sight of it.

"Let's test my newest ninjutsu. Teacher Red, take Yakumo outside now!"

Masayo spread open his palm. Dark purple chakra gathered there, spinning irregularly. This was the Yin-Yang Rasengan he had comprehended through his training. The airflow gathering around it formed a transparent, flowing chakra wind that looked like a ring of stars.

"Spiraling Ring!"

The instant Kurenai Yuhi took Yakumo away, Masayo threw the Spiraling Ring under his control. Unlike the Rasenshuriken, the Spiraling Ring had no recoil damage, making it a suitable ninjutsu for him. It was more powerful than an ordinary Rasengan, and it also had an advanced version, the Great Spiraling Ring. This was a technique from his own secret art, as well as a move used by Uzumaki Menma in another Limited Tsukuyomi World from Masayo's memories.

Bang!

The Spiraling Ring struck Idō in the chest and sent it flying. The explosion from the Spiraling Ring blasted up sparks throughout Hill Villa. The tremendous roar drew the attention of nearby residents, and even Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Hokage's Office saw it.

Looking through the window at the distant forest, Hiruzen Sarutobi adjusted his conical hat. That direction was where Kurama Yakumo lived. "That's Kurama Yakumo's place. Such a huge disturbance... As expected, it seems everything is going smoothly for that kid Masayo... probably!"

Masayo swung the Light-Concealing Sword, tracing a streak of sword light before sheathing it. He formed hand seals with both hands and stared at Idō, who rose from the ruins in the distance completely unharmed.

"Secret Art, Spirit Transformation Shackles!"

Masayo aimed both palms at Idō. Two transparent silver chains condensed from his palms and pierced directly into Idō's body, binding it in place.

"This thing can only be destroyed by you. Yakumo, I've suppressed it. Take your power back, Yakumo."

Kurama Yakumo stepped down from Kurenai Yuhi's embrace and stared intently at Idō. This was the monster born from her negative emotions. She tightly gripped the paintbrush in her hand and charged toward Idō.