Shinnō: You're thanking me?

Shinnō walked toward Retsuo with a beaming smile.

By the time he pushed open the door, he had already worked out the whole cause-and-effect chain. There was no harm in guiding the Dark Chakra in advance. Retsuo would be subtly influenced by the Dark Chakra, making it more convenient for him to recruit him in the future.

Kid, surrender! What difference is there between a nine-year-old Uchiha genius and a newborn baby in front of me, Shinnō? Even if you've awakened the Sharingan—

After shooting a glance at the bewildered Shinji, Shinnō stood on the other side of Retsuo, whose body happened to block Shinji's view.

"Uchiha Retsuo, your condition is very poor."

He pretended to inspect Retsuo's equipment and deliberately furrowed his brow. "You were laughing loudly just now, weren't you? When conducting this experiment, you must keep your emotions stable. Let me help you."

With that, he immediately began forming hand seals.

Shinji did not react at all. She had no idea who was friend or foe.

It's coming! Retsuo secretly went on guard. During the previous experiments, he had never laughed wildly. Instead, he had charged the barrier very inefficiently. This was the first time he had laughed wildly in front of Shinnō.

Although he had guessed that Shinnō possessed some treasure like a Zero-Tails Seed, that had only been speculation. Now that things had reached this point, it was impossible not to feel nervous.

Moreover, even though he was certain that Shinnō could not see the Yin Release Barrier, his data would still be recorded.

Retsuo did not believe Shinnō could figure anything out right now. That was absolutely far beyond his analytical abilities. But who could guarantee that this great scientist could not uncover some useful information through persistent data mining?

In short, Retsuo was facing a formidable enemy. He had been mentally prepared for these drawbacks when he decided to participate in Shinnō's experiment. Let's see what kind of tricks you can come up with.

However, a moment later, if he had not witnessed it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that what Shinnō had cast through his hand seals was actually a Genjutsu...

At this moment, the Yin Release Barrier was still expanded with the support of Void Fire. From Retsuo's perspective, Shinnō's Genjutsu seemed like a dark sky spreading over him.

The laboratory's ceiling lights shone against the pitch-black sky, creating intense refraction. But soon, the dark sky closed up like a giant bubble, cutting off the last ray of light.

Then it contracted and invaded the Yin Release Barrier.

Retsuo remained calm and composed. Even without the Yin Release Barrier, he was still an Uchiha. What difference was there between using Genjutsu in front of an Uchiha and throwing Shuriken at one?

Moreover, he had already completely mastered Mirror Heaven and Earth Turn. Heh, you didn't see that coming, did you?

I'll scatter your ashes to the winds!

However, just as Retsuo was about to savor this Genjutsu, he suddenly discovered that the moment the dark-sky bubble touched the Yin Release Barrier, it began deflating like an inflated balloon. With a series of rapid whooshes, it vanished!

It had not really vanished. Instead, it had burrowed into the Yin Release Barrier and settled inside, like a huge, pitch-black jelly. Just like Shinji's Cat Bandit God, it began roaming around.

What's going on? Does this place have cheap rent or something? Never mind, never mind. It was water without a source anyway. It would disappear soon.

By now, Shinnō had lowered his hands and asked with concern, "Retsuo, how do you feel? This is the Mind Soothing Technique I created myself. Do you feel much better?"

Retsuo pulled a face. What the hell is a Mind Soothing Technique? It has no character at all! You might as well name it [Black Super Fantasy Dance: Great Yu Divine God's Twenty-Two Forms]. At least if you model the style after the Fourth Hokage, it might leave people with some impression.

He hurriedly put on a bewildered expression. "What? Mr. Shinnō, what did you say happened to me?"

"It's nothing, nothing." Shinnō waved his hand with a beaming smile, feeling that everything was perfectly fine.

Unexpectedly, Uchiha Retsuo's expression suddenly changed drastically!

Shinnō's heart jolted. His risky guidance of the Dark Chakra was bound to have many drawbacks and hidden dangers. Could it be that the hidden danger had already appeared?

This fast?

Then Uchiha Retsuo remained frozen in that "drastically changed expression" for quite some time, leaving Shinji and Shinnō staring at each other.

Just as Shinnō was about to take action, Uchiha Retsuo suddenly said, "Thank you, Mr. Shinnō. You really are a wonderful person."

Shinnō did not understand, but he was deeply shaken...

On the other side, Retsuo and Shinji went straight to the Hokage Building, where Tenma was already waiting.

Tenma had learned the Cat Travel Mad God Technique right after Shinji. He could not help but sigh with emotion.

To ordinary Ninja Academy students like them, ninjutsu was already incredibly powerful, while Genjutsu was completely unattainable. Who would have thought Genjutsu was actually easier to learn, as long as it was taught properly?

Retsuo had no time to correct his mistaken idea, because they were about to meet the Third Hokage. He still felt somewhat awkward.

The main reason was that he could not let go of what had happened that day. That shameless old man Sarutobi Hiruzen had actually reconciled with Danzo almost immediately after being publicly humiliated by him. It really was a case of lovers quarreling in bed and making up by the time they left it.

Retsuo had originally fantasized about an irreparable rift appearing between the two of them. Not only had his expectations fallen through, but the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. That was also why he had kept delaying his application for early graduation.

Then he saw Kakashi at the entrance of the Hokage Building...

Kakashi rolled his dead-fish eyes and walked straight past. Retsuo instead stopped and asked, "Big brother Kakashi, how's the work in Root?"

"We all kill for Konoha. There's no difference."

After saying that, Kakashi hurried away, only to hear Retsuo say to someone behind him, "See that? Kakashi is my big brother. Got it?"

Kakashi nearly stumbled as he walked away. "That kid!"

However, Retsuo was actually in a terrible mood too. Seeing Kakashi had suddenly reminded him of something: Sarutobi Hiruzen had already returned from the Land of Fire...

The assassination incident involving Danzo from the Original Timeline really had not happened!

That change was far too significant. In the Original Timeline, Kakashi had turned away from Danzo during the assassination and successfully returned to Sarutobi Hiruzen's side.

Thinking of this, Retsuo cursed inwardly, Damn it! Doesn't that mean Kakashi is now wholeheartedly following Danzo?

This change is seriously vile...

Compared with Tenma's excitement, Shinji was somewhat uneasy. It was hard to say whether it was because they were about to do something shocking or because of what had happened earlier.

A civilian ninja graduating early had never happened in the history of Konohagakure, excluding wartime. Even the mighty Fourth Hokage had been a good student who completed Ninja Academy in the normal manner.

But as for them, they were graduating by jumping off the train. Tenma felt nothing, but she had already heard a whole basketful of gossip. It was not only shocking but also scandalous.

As for what had happened earlier, she had held back from asking. At first, she had not noticed anything, but Mr. Shinnō's series of expressions at the very end had left her unable to let it go.

It had been the expression of a great villain...

Only at the very end had Retsuo's solemn thanks made it somewhat comical.

"Retsuo, what exactly are you and Shinnō up to? Are you hiding something from us?"

Another pleasant Monday had arrived. As usual, I'm collecting votes. By the way, it's already been two weeks since the new-book period began. Thank you all for your support. There will be ten updates today, and I'll post a single chapter around noon to chat with everyone.