Chương 192: 193
Haruto arrived at the training grounds early, eager to continue his training with Hisato. The past week had been grueling, but his two-mind ability and tier 2 cognitive upgrade helped him push beyond what most genin could handle. The endless hours of physical and mental strain didn't bother him as much as they would have in the past, and despite Hisato's relentless methods, Haruto found himself thriving under the pressure. Even Hisato, who rarely gave any praise, had shown subtle signs of acknowledgment, though he'd never say it out loud.
This week, however, had taken a different turn. Instead of the physical grind, Hisato arranged for Haruto to practice on a real chunin team that wanted to improve their genjutsu resistance. Among the team of three, one stood out in particular: Katsume, their 18-year-old leader.
Katsume, a kunoichi with dark brown eyes and long black hair tied back tightly, was not from a prestigious clan, but she carried herself with the confidence of a seasoned warrior. Her kenjutsu skills were sharp, her reflexes quick, and her focus unyielding. Though she was the youngest of her team, she led with authority, and her sword skills set her apart from many. At first, Katsume's team had been skeptical of training with a genin, but their arrogance quickly faded once they faced Haruto in action.
From the first session, Haruto applied Hisato's version of the False Surroundings Technique on the team. Hisato's genjutsu was more intricate than the standard version, weaving illusions that didn't just affect vision but manipulated the perception of space and movement. For Katsume's team, navigating through these shifting realities became a real challenge.
Haruto was able to cast the illusion on all three chunin without losing track of his surroundings, thanks to his unique ability to multitask. The two-mind technique allowed him to keep one part of his mind focused on maintaining the genjutsu while the other stayed alert to the physical world. This was a challenge most genjutsu users struggled with—Hisato himself had suffered the consequences of being too focused on the illusion, and he had drilled this lesson into Haruto from the start.
The training continued throughout the week, with each session growing more intense. Hisato added more pressure by throwing dulled shuriken at the chunin team while they were caught in Haruto's genjutsu. Though the shuriken couldn't cut, they left painful bruises if they hit, and the added threat forced the chunin to stay alert, even while trapped in the illusion.
At first, Katsume's team struggled. They were caught off-guard by the complexity of the genjutsu and found it difficult to resist while dodging Hisato's attacks. Haruto's control was strong, and his sensory chakra allowed him to monitor their movements, making it easier to anticipate their attempts to break free. His focus was unmatched, and it quickly became clear that his two-mind ability was a significant advantage.
By midweek, however, the chunin team began to adapt. Katsume, in particular, impressed Haruto with her sharp instincts. She had developed a keen sense of when the illusion was being cast and learned to fight through the disorientation it caused. Her teammates followed her lead, and together, they began resisting the genjutsu for longer periods, forcing Haruto to push his control even further.
On the final day of the week, the training had become a real challenge for both sides. Haruto found himself working harder to keep the illusion intact as Katsume's team resisted with increasing success. Hisato continued to throw shuriken at unexpected moments, forcing everyone to stay on their toes.
Despite the difficulty, Haruto's progress was undeniable. He could now cast Hisato's specialized genjutsu on five to seven weaker ninja with ease, and even against a skilled team like Katsume's, he could hold his own. If he focused his energy on one target, he could overwhelm even a more experienced opponent, though it required more effort. His ability to multitask—using the genjutsu while remaining fully aware of his surroundings—was something that set him apart from others who had trained in this art.
By the end of the final session, Katsume's team was bruised and exhausted, but grateful. Haruto, ever diligent, offered to heal their injuries using his medical ninjutsu. Katsume, who had grown to respect him over the week, accepted his help with a nod, her pride no longer an issue. Her teammates were equally grateful, impressed by the fact that this genin was not only proficient in genjutsu but also a skilled medic.
"You're a medical-nin too?" Katsume had asked, watching as Haruto worked.
He nodded, keeping his focus as he healed the worst of the bruises. "It helps with chakra control."
Katsume smiled slightly, clearly impressed by the genin who had initially seemed out of place. The training had proven Haruto to be far more capable than they had expected.
As the chunin team left the training grounds, Hisato stood off to the side, observing in silence. He watched Haruto closely, his usual gruff demeanor slightly softened by what he had witnessed over the past week. Haruto had done more than just improve—he had excelled, pushing past limits that Hisato had once thought were unbreakable.
When Haruto approached Hisato, expecting more harsh feedback, the old man simply grunted. "Good job, kid," he said in his grizzled voice, the praise hidden beneath layers of his usual gruffness. "You've done well. There's nothing more I can teach you. You've got the basics down, and you can improve on your own from here."
Haruto blinked in surprise, not expecting the sudden end to his training. Hisato had pushed him so hard that it felt strange for the training to be over so abruptly. But as he looked at Hisato, he could see that the old man had faith in him. That, more than anything, was the true reward.
Haruto nodded. "Thank you, sensei."
Hisato waved him off, grumbling something about not needing to be thanked, but Haruto could see the faintest trace of a smile on his scarred face.
As Haruto left the training grounds, exhausted but satisfied, Hisato watched him go. For the first time in years, Hisato felt a glimmer of hope. The kid had what it took to carry on his legacy, and that was something he hadn't thought possible in a long time. As he stood there, staring into the distance, he felt a fire reignite within him.
"I'll find out what really happened to you, my son," Hisato muttered under his breath, his hand tightening around his crutch. "And when I do, they'll remember my name…"
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