The strike threw Kurenai Yuhi's mind into chaos. She didn't have time to stop herself — her pink clone's kunai pierced right through the figure before her.
Yet… there was no sensation at all.
It was like she had stabbed through empty air.
Keiji's figure twisted slightly, then faded into nothing.
"When… when did you cast the genjutsu?"
A warm breath grazed Kurenai's neck — followed by a sudden chill.
A kunai was already at her throat.
Kurenai asked bitterly.
Just like that… she lost. And she didn't even know how.
How could the Keiji she saw right in front of her have only been an illusion?
How had he gotten behind her?
"You've lost," Keiji said flatly as he lowered the kunai.
[You have unlocked the tag: "Pride of Illusion (White)"]
[Tag: Pride of Illusion (White)]
[Condition: Defeat Kurenai Yuhi at her Ninja Academy level to prove the Uchiha clan's genjutsu supremacy.]
[Progress: (Complete)]
[Effect: Your genjutsu ability increases by 5% based on your current stats.]
[Note: Can be evolved further.]
"…Seriously?" Keiji blinked.
So you can sometimes unlock tags by defeating people?
Why didn't anything drop when I beat Obito?
Was it because his stats were too low?
Or was it just RNG?
Keiji stroked his chin, deep in thought.
While he pondered, Kurenai turned toward him, her crystal-clear eyes wide with disbelief.
She had lost — so quickly.
She felt she had let down her father and the Yuhi name.
"I… I lost." Kurenai bit her lip hard. "When did I fall into your genjutsu?"
"Did you forget something?" Keiji pointed to his eyes.
His left eye — which had been black just moments ago — turned scarlet, with a single tomoe spinning gently inside.
Kurenai's face turned crimson in an instant.
She had made a rookie mistake.
Never look directly into a Sharingan!
"But… your eyes weren't red just now!" Kurenai protested.
If she had seen the telltale red of the Sharingan, she would've looked away immediately.
Keiji smirked, "Do you really think your reflexes are faster… than how fast I can activate and deactivate my Sharingan?"
There's no delay in the Sharingan. It can be turned on and off instantly.
And its genjutsu works through visual transmission.
That's why every ninja with even a shred of knowledge knows: Never make eye contact with an Uchiha.
When using genjutsu through the Sharingan, an Uchiha must lock eyes with the target — that's how they transmit their dojutsu chakra into the opponent's mind.
This process essentially converts the dojutsu's chakra into a kind of special electromagnetic wave.
dojutsu chakra is a subtype of chakra — a very unique one.
And chakra itself has many forms and properties.
Tsunade's A-rank technique "Body Pathway Derangement" can even manipulate chakra into electronic form to create an electric field — a highly advanced application.
Unfortunately, Tsunade didn't explore it further. That technique only served to disrupt the enemy's bodily coordination.
"Did you know, Kurenai, that the speed of light and the speed of electromagnetic waves are the same?" Keiji asked casually, unconcerned whether she'd understand.
After all, the ninja academy did teach basic physics and math. Even the written portion of the Chunin Exams covered them.
"The moment I looked at you, I activated my Sharingan and hypnotized you. What you thought was your genjutsu attack — was actually you casting into thin air while I slowly walked behind you."
"!"
Kurenai's eyes widened in shock.
It was the first time she had ever heard of something like this.
She had let her guard down.
From now on, it wasn't enough to avoid just the Sharingan… she'd have to avert her gaze anytime she even saw an Uchiha!
"Kurenai! You're here."
A rustle came from the bushes in the distance. Sarutobi Asuma emerged, panting heavily.
So Kurenai was just sparring with Keiji in genjutsu…
Asuma let out a small sigh of relief.
He had already mentally labeled Kurenai as his future wife. He couldn't help feeling a bit possessive.
"Uchiha Keiji has already awakened his Sharingan. Of all the things to compete on, why genjutsu? Facing off against an Uchiha with genjutsu is the worst possible matchup," Asuma said, shaking his head. He wanted to convince Kurenai to avoid further contact with Keiji.
His mother, Biwako Sarutobi, had warned him that dealing with the Uchiha was often politically sensitive — one had to tread carefully.
That's why Asuma felt it was best to keep a respectful distance. Casual talk was fine, but anything deeper could cause problems.
"…"
Kurenai listened quietly, unconsciously clenching her fists.
So… just because she wasn't an Uchiha, she had no right to pursue genjutsu?
Wasn't that way too hurtful?
"Asuma, what do you mean by that?" Her tone turned cold.
Her greatest hero was her father, Shinku Yuhi — a man who dedicated his entire life to the study of genjutsu.
And here Asuma was, casually invalidating all of it.
"You're misunderstanding me, Kurenai, I didn't mean—" Asuma saw her expression and immediately realized his words were poorly chosen.
He meant that it was unwise to fight an Uchiha in their specialty — not that Kurenai should give up genjutsu.
But before he could explain himself, Keiji interrupted:
"Sarutobi Asuma, Kurenai's genjutsu is excellent. Few in our class can match her — even Kakashi wouldn't stand a chance if we're talking genjutsu alone."
Genjutsu attacks the enemy's five senses and controls the chakra flowing through their nervous system. It's a technique that demands extreme intelligence.
"So I admire Kurenai," Keiji continued. "Even though the Uchiha are renowned for genjutsu, she still dares to challenge that authority. That kind of ninja spirit… guarantees a remarkable future."
Keiji wasn't just speaking for effect — that tag drop had earned her his praise.
He openly criticized Asuma's juvenile remarks and gave Kurenai the recognition she deserved.
After all, in the original timeline, Kurenai completed 14 S-rank missions, 138 A-rank missions, and countless others.
She peaked early, but her reputation suffered after a fateful battle against Itachi and Kisame.
Still, her genjutsu could stand up to Itachi's for at least a few exchanges — and that alone was no small feat.
Even Orochimaru was instantly defeated by a glance from Itachi.
It just showed that in genjutsu, the gulf in skill can be absolute.
Later, Kurenai stepped back from the frontlines after having a child, choosing not to pursue genjutsu further.
"Keiji…" Kurenai murmured, stunned. She never expected such gentle words from this sharp-tongued ninja from the Land of Lightning.
"That's right, Kurenai — you need to believe in yourself," Keiji said firmly.
Believe in your strength. Keep growing.
…And hopefully, keep triggering those skill tags.
Of course, that last part he kept entirely to himself.