Bab 190: 191
The next week of training focused on reinforcing everything Haruto had learned about the False Surroundings Technique and applying it in various combat scenarios. Hisato pushed him to use the genjutsu in different situations—during combat, while on the move, and even while multitasking with other jutsu. The constant variation forced Haruto to think creatively, adapting the jutsu to whatever challenge Hisato threw at him.
Haruto practiced casting the illusion during sparring sessions, creating false landscapes to disorient his opponents or making himself appear somewhere he wasn't. Hisato set up a series of increasingly difficult challenges, and each one forced Haruto to refine his control. The more Haruto practiced, the more confident he became in weaving the False Surroundings Technique into his fighting style, but the focus and precision required for each use was still demanding.
Midway through the week, when Haruto thought he had a solid grasp of the technique, Hisato handed him a set of scrolls—personal notes the older man had made about the False Surroundings Technique during his years as a genjutsu master. Haruto had expected cold, technical instructions, but the writings were surprisingly insightful.
"These are notes from my prime," Hisato grumbled, as Haruto unrolled one of the scrolls. "Some of it won't make sense now, but if you keep at it, it will."
The notes were specifically about the False Surroundings Technique. Hisato had written about the nuances of the jutsu, explaining the importance of subtlety and control. He stressed that it wasn't enough to just create an illusion—what mattered was how the illusion was maintained and manipulated during battle. Hisato's insights provided Haruto with a deeper understanding of the technique, explaining how to seamlessly weave it into the rhythm of combat without losing focus on the real battlefield.
One part of the notes emphasized how crucial it was to keep a connection between the illusion and the opponent's expectations. "A perfect genjutsu," Hisato wrote, "doesn't create something ridiculous or unbelievable. It plays on what the target expects to see and then subtly alters it." This advice struck Haruto as a key element of mastery: creating believable deceptions rather than flashy, obvious ones.
As Haruto studied the scrolls, he realized Hisato had a genius-level understanding of genjutsu's psychological aspects. The old man knew how to manipulate an enemy's perception without overwhelming them, making his illusions all the more convincing. Hisato had also written about how critical it was to remain aware of your surroundings while maintaining the illusion—a skill most shinobi struggled with, but one Haruto excelled at thanks to his two-mind ability.
Each night, Haruto read through Hisato's notes and applied what he learned during the next day's training. The scrolls helped him break down the jutsu into more manageable steps, giving him new strategies to strengthen his control. His ability to multitask became his greatest asset. While other shinobi had to focus solely on maintaining the genjutsu, Haruto's unique advantage allowed him to stay aware of the real battlefield while keeping the illusion intact.
Hisato continued to cast genjutsu on Haruto to push him mentally, forcing him to resist illusions while still using the technique offensively. The repetition of these exercises—along with Haruto's relentless determination—helped him progress faster than Hisato had anticipated.
Despite his physical and mental exhaustion, Haruto could feel his skill level rising. The old man's training methods were brutal, but they worked. Haruto's understanding of the False Surroundings Technique deepened with every session. He practiced creating complex illusions and sustaining them while evading attacks or setting up counterattacks, pushing himself further than ever.
Whenever Haruto took a break to eat, Hisato would watch him in disbelief. The amount of food the kid could put away in the middle of such intense training was staggering. Even clans known for their heavy appetites, like the Akimichi, would be impressed. "How does he eat this much and stay so skinny?" Hisato grumbled to himself, shaking his head. But Haruto's ability to recover quickly after eating meant that they could resume training faster than expected, keeping the pressure on.
By the end of the week, Haruto had a solid grasp of the False Surroundings Technique. He had not only learned the basics but had begun to truly understand the depth and potential of the jutsu. Hisato, though never openly complimentary, watched Haruto's progress with a critical eye. While the old man was inwardly impressed, he kept his thoughts to himself. There was still much more work to do, and he had no intention of going easy on Haruto anytime soon.
As Haruto dragged himself home each night, exhausted but satisfied with his progress, he couldn't help but feel that he had crossed an important threshold in his training. His mastery of the genjutsu was far from complete, but he had taken a major step forward. Meanwhile, Hisato observed from the sidelines, his weathered face giving nothing away. He knew Haruto had the potential to surpass even his own abilities one day—but he would never tell the boy that. Not yet.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone