Chapter 188: 189
You're right, genjutsu requires intense concentration, especially for a technique as advanced as the one Hisato is teaching Haruto. Let's adjust the explanation to be more specific about the complexity of the genjutsu, the focus required, and how that leaves a shinobi vulnerable. Here's a revised version:
Chapter: A Test of Focus
Haruto was utterly exhausted. It had been a relentless week of non-stop training with Hisato, and even with his tier 2 stamina and cognitive abilities, his body was reaching its limits. Every day felt like a grueling challenge designed to break him, both physically and mentally. Hisato had essentially become a curse word in his mind—Haruto had muttered more than a few choice words under his breath, cursing the old man for pushing him so hard. But something inside Haruto refused to give up. His former life as an MMA fighter had taught him that the only way forward was to fight through the pain.
As he showed up expecting another round of intense training, Haruto was surprised to see Hisato sitting down for once, his crutch propped against his chair. The old man wasn't standing or throwing out new commands.
"Come," Hisato grunted, gesturing to Haruto. "Let me test you."
Haruto approached cautiously, unsure of what kind of test this would be. Hisato's gaze was intense, as though he was evaluating everything at once—the way Haruto moved, the way he reacted.
"You've been through a lot this week," Hisato started, his voice low. "But now I want to see if you're ready for what's next."
Haruto stood tall, ready to meet the challenge head-on.
"You're aware that genjutsu requires more than just chakra control, right?" Hisato asked, his good eye narrowing. "The genjutsu I specialize in is no ordinary illusion. It's powerful, yes, but it's also extremely demanding. It requires a level of concentration that leaves the user vulnerable to attacks from the outside. That's why this jutsu… why my body is broken. It's why my sons are dead."
Haruto's attention sharpened at that. Hisato's sons had died because of this technique?
"They were strong shinobi," Hisato continued, his voice rough with emotion. "But they couldn't handle the balance. This particular genjutsu requires a single-minded focus to maintain, but the moment you lose sight of your surroundings, you become a target. It takes everything you've got just to keep the illusion going."
Haruto swallowed, realizing that the training was leading up to something far more dangerous than he had anticipated. This wasn't just about learning a new technique. It was about mastering it in a way that wouldn't leave him defenseless in battle.
Hisato shifted slightly, leaning forward. "You have potential, kid. But I need to know if you can maintain that balance. If you can truly handle it."
With that, Hisato began the test. Haruto barely had time to react before the air shimmered around him. Hisato cast a basic genjutsu, one that twisted the surroundings and made it feel like the world was warping. At the same time, kunai came flying at him from multiple angles.
Haruto's two-mind ability kicked in instinctively. One part of his mind focused on identifying and breaking the genjutsu, while the other concentrated on dodging and deflecting the kunai. His senses sharpened as he registered the subtle chakra disruption, shattering the illusion almost as soon as it took hold.
He dodged a kunai aimed at his side, then ducked to avoid another that sailed over his head. His movements were fluid, precise, and his focus remained sharp.
What the hell? Haruto thought as he sidestepped another attack. Hisato wasn't playing around.
The old man chuckled from his seat. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all. I wanted to see how well you could handle multitasking while under pressure. This technique requires all of your attention. But if you can't maintain awareness of your surroundings, you'll end up like my sons—dead before you even know what hit you."
Haruto straightened, feeling a sense of pride swell within him. He had passed the test with flying colors, though Hisato had no idea about his two-mind ability. That secret had given him an edge most others wouldn't have.
Hisato stood, grabbing his crutch before hobbling over to Haruto. "You've got potential, boy. More than I expected. But don't get cocky. This was just a warm-up."
The old man reached into his tattered cloak and pulled out a scroll. "Here. This is the B-rank version of the jutsu. Study it, learn it, and come back when you've got the basics down. Ask questions if you need to."
Haruto accepted the scroll with a nod, feeling the weight of the moment settle on him. He was ready for this. He created a shadow clone, and they both sat down to read the scroll. His photographic memory allowed him to absorb the information quickly, and within moments, he was breaking down the structure of the jutsu.
Throughout the day, Haruto and his clone worked tirelessly, practicing the intricacies of the genjutsu. Every two hours, he would dispel the clone and absorb its knowledge, speeding up the learning process. His tier 2 cognitive ability, combined with the two-mind technique, made it easier for him to grasp the finer points of the jutsu's structure and execution.
By the end of the day, Haruto had the basics down. He wasn't a master yet, but he was well on his way.
Hisato watched from the sidelines, hiding his growing respect for the boy's quick adaptation. Most shinobi would've taken days, even weeks, to grasp the foundation of the technique. Haruto had managed it in one day.
The old man grunted as he turned away, refusing to show how impressed he was. "Get some rest," he muttered. "Tomorrow, we'll see if you can actually use it in combat."
Haruto nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. As he headed home, his muscles aching from the exertion, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. He had passed the first test, and now he was ready for the next challenge.
Hisato watched Haruto walk away, a small, almost imperceptible smile crossing his scarred face. He wouldn't say it out loud, but the kid had something special. Something that reminded him of his own younger self, back when he still had hope for the future. But this wasn't the time for sentimentality. Haruto still had a long way to go, and Hisato was going to make sure the boy was prepared for what lay ahead.
Hisato leaned on his crutch and headed back to his worn-down house.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone