Chapter 20 - Genjutsu Tutoring

Near the end of the training session, Mikumo slumped down for a rest on the ground. Her tiredness slowly calmed down with each breath.

Shinku stood next to her, not even a bit winded.

"Good, your foundations are solid. In terms of the three shinobi basics, Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu, you're already Genin level or above in all of them. Your Genjutsu in particular is very strong, I doubt anyone at Chunin level could easily escape."

Mikumo nodded happily at the evaluation.

"As for your physique and chakra pool, it's very surprising, to say the least. You already have more chakra than many Chunin, and your physique is well balanced. Many members of the Kurama clan have an imbalance towards Yin chakra, and that affects their Spiritual Energy. This imbalance causes them to have difficulty increasing their physical energy, thus resulting in a weak physique. My previous student was the same way."

Mikumo nodded in understanding.

"I see, it's probably because of my Senju blood. The Senju are known to have an abundance of Yang chakra."

Shinku raised an eyebrow and was a bit surprised at what Mikumo said.

"You're related to the Senju, Mikumo?"

"Mhm, my grandmother on my mother's side is Towa Senju. She's the head advisor of the Senju clan."

"Wait, really? Towa-sama? The new head advisor? If you are directly related to an elder in the Senju clan, why haven't you been reintegrated yet?"

Mikumo laughed and then answered simply.

"I don't like politics."

Shinku was a little stunned by Mikumo's plain answer but then chuckled and nodded in understanding.

"Hahaha, I see, I understand. Well, this confirms my theory at least. The training program that I developed for my previous student was composed mostly of physical training to offset the imbalance of spiritual and physical energy. Since your body already has a good balance, it's no wonder you have such a high amount of chakra already. This balance will also help you have finer control over your Yin chakra, thus alleviating the negative effects of the Kurama clan's Kekkei Genkai."

Mikumo nodded happily and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay sensei, now that you know what I'm capable of, I want to learn a new genjutsu!"

Shinku thought for a moment and nodded.

"Sure, what do you want to learn?"

"I want to learn a genjutsu that can utilize my Kekkai Genkai, but before that, sensei, do you know how to use Kokuangyo no Jutsu?" (Bringer of Darkness Technique)

Shinku was a little surprised to hear the jutsu name.

"Indeed, I do. Actually, I'm the only one in the village who can use this jutsu currently."

Mikumo stood up excitedly and raised her hand.

"Perfect! I want you to teach me that jutsu and another jutsu that can make use of my Kekkai Genkai!"

Shinku scratched his chin with a serious expression and thought for a moment.

"Hm, I can help you create a jutsu that utilizes your Kekkai Genkai, but I can't teach you Kokuangyo no Jutsu. Not only is it a village secret, but it's also an A-Rank technique. It's still too early for you."

Mikumo nodded her head and then held her chin for a moment while pondering something.

"What if you just guide me in my training for Kokuangyo no Jutsu? Actually, I already have the training method for it. It was passed down to me from my grandmother."

"What? Really?"

"Mhm, turns out, my grandaunt was the person who invented this technique."

Mikumo then drew in closer to whisper something to Shinku. Shinku gulped nervously as he felt like he was about to hear something he shouldn't hear.

"This technique is actually a derivative of a much stronger, S-Rank jutsu. Kokuryo no Jutsu (Dark Domain Technique). It can cut off the victim's sight, hearing, and smell, not just vision."

Shinku was taken back by the information he just received and took a few breaths to calm himself down.

"Have you told this to anyone else?"

Mikumo shook her head, and Shinku sighed in relief.

"Mikumo, you must keep this information to yourself. If people find out you possess an S-Rank jutsu, there's no telling what might happen, especially during wartime. I will help you master Kokuangyo no Jutsu when the time is right. For now, you can study it, but you mustn't use it unless it's a life or death situation."

Mikumo nodded nervously in agreement.

'Ah yeah, that's right. In this world, there is no shortage of people hungry for power that would target me for A-Rank jutsu, never mind S-Rank.'

"What about a jutsu for my Kekkei Genkai?"

"That we can do, though I'm not sure what kind of Jutsu you're interested in. Personally, I'm a combat-focused genjutsu user, which is why I practice kenjutsu as well."

Shinku said as he unsheathed his sword.

"In combination with Kokuangyo no Jutsu, I made a name for myself in the bingo book during the previous war."

Mikumo nodded, remembering the stories her grandmother told her about her grandaunt Toka Senju. Shinku then continued to explain his usage of genjutsu in combat.

"Kokuangyo no Jutsu is perfect for assassination, as it requires a lot of chakra and focus to break free from, leaving the enemy open for attack. However, because of the cost, it's only recommended that you use it for single-target assassination. When faced with multiple enemies, it's best for you to use binding genjutsu to support your team as you pick off stray targets. If you're ever in a situation where the enemy has the number's advantage, then you should use concealing genjutsu to retreat toward your team. This is the basics of combat for a genjutsu specialist."

"I see, pretty simple and straightforward, always try to find an advantageous fight, and use my genjutsu to control the battlefield."

"Correct, this is why genjutsu users are often targeted the most after medical ninjas. Our abilities to control the battlefield and assist our teammates are key to a successful engagement. However, there are many requirements to effectively perform your role. One, you must be able to use highly effective genjutsu, or else you'll be nothing more than a wall decoration. Two, you must be able to survive direct confrontation with oftentimes several enemies at once. Three, you maintain your chakra levels at all times. Effective genjutsu are chakra demanding, and in order for you to maintain one and two, you must have precise chakra control and awareness, not only of yourself but your team and your enemies as well."

Mikumo starts sweating at the influx of information received by Shinku.

"There's a lot that goes into it, wow."

Shinku laughed and nodded in agreement.

"Haha, indeed. This is why there are very few ninjas who specialize in genjutsu. On a basic level, we're not as useful as the life-saving abilities of a medical ninja, and we're not as strong in assassination as a regular combat ninja. However, I believe at a certain point, a genjutsu specialist can become someone who freely controls the battlefield and possess the most agency in saving the lives of their teammates, and ending the lives of their enemies."

"Hmm, I get it. Are you capable of accomplishing this, sensei?"

Shinku chuckled nervously and scratched his cheek.

"Well, to a certain extent, yes. What I've taught you so far has come from my experience on the battlefield. I was not born with a particularly strong physique nor talent for many ninjutsu, the one thing I was good at was genjutsu, so I found a way to make myself as useful as possible on the battlefield. I prefer modest techniques with high flexibility and utility. However, if I were to be surrounded by multiple jonin or even a few elite jonin, I doubt I could survive the encounter like Sakumo could."

"Is that so? Well, good thing you have me, sensei. I'll show the world that a genjutsu specialist can stand toe to toe with a Kage level combat ninja, just you wait and see!"

Mikumo exclaimed while patting herself on the chest. Shinku smiled gently at her proclamation and laughed happily.

"Haha, I believe you can do it. If anyone else said such a thing I might not believe them, but even I have to admit, I've never seen anyone with as much genjutsu talent as you."

Mikumo blushed a little at the frank compliment.

"I won't let you down, sensei!"

"Heh, alright, let's move on to the next topic at hand. Let's work on that Kekkei Genkai of yours. What kind of genjutsu do you want to learn?"

Mikumo's eyes shone with excitement as the conversation finally reached the point she was looking forward to.