Chapter 41: Kagura Mind’s Eye
Konohagakure.
Second floor of an apartment building. Uchiha Mirai stands at the door with two delicate cakes in hand, knocking.
"Kushina!"
A few seconds later, the door opens, and Uzumaki Kushina stands with her hands on her hips.
"Brat, can't you just be nice and call me sister?"
"Here, a gift for you." Mirai ignores her protest and holds out the cakes.
Kushina's face softens immediately, a smile replacing her frown.
"Mirai, what brings you here today?"
Mirai replies without missing a beat, "Last time I visited, I accidentally upset you. This time, I came specifically to apologize."
"Oh? Now that doesn't sound like you." Kushina's tone is skeptical. "And it's been nearly a month since then."
Mirai smiles innocently. "I've been busy preparing for the Chunin Exams lately."
"Also, I was hoping you'd give me some guidance."
"Oh? You want my guidance?" Kushina raises an eyebrow. "Wouldn't Minato be a better choice for that?"
Mirai chuckles and shakes his head. "He's already given me plenty of help. I thought a fresh perspective might reveal something new."
"And besides… everyone says you're an exceptional kunoichi."
Kushina huffs in delight at the compliment, clearly pleased.
"Brat, you've got a good eye. Alright, I'll help you out."
Since she couldn't leave the village for missions anymore, her days had become monotonous—either shopping or staying at home. So when Mirai asked for her guidance, she agreed instantly.
With the door locked behind them, the two set off toward Hokage Rock. Reaching the back of the mountain, Kushina gestures for Mirai to step forward.
"Alright, kid, show me what you've got."
"Kushina, you better be prepared."
"That's my line! Come at me with all you've got!"
Kushina gives a playful snort. Mirai hurls several shuriken while weaving hand signs rapidly.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu! Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
Instantly, hundreds of flame-wrapped shuriken streak toward Kushina from all directions.
"Not bad, kid." Laughing, Kushina unleashes a torrent of chakra. "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
It's just a C-rank jutsu, but with Kushina's chakra, its power is monstrous. The fierce gust scatters the fiery shuriken in seconds.
Mirai appears by Kushina's side, aiming a kick at her. She raises her arm to block.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
They clash repeatedly, the sound of their strikes echoing in the quiet surroundings.
"This woman's physical strength is off the charts," Mirai mutters to himself.
His physical abilities far exceeded those of ordinary people, but sparring with Kushina in taijutsu still left him slightly on the defensive.
He's unaware, however, that Kushina is just as shocked. A kid barely in his teens, able to go toe-to-toe with her in taijutsu? Minato was right—Mirai really is a monster.
After a few moments, Mirai pretends to be outmatched and steps back.
"Kushina, was that enough for you?"
"Do you have any feedback for me?"
Kushina rolls her eyes. "I have nothing to say. With strength like yours, you shouldn't be taking the Chunin Exams. You should go straight to the Jonin assessment."
Ding! Congratulations, host! You've successfully obtained the reward: Kagura Mind's Eye!
(T/N: The Mind's Eye of the Kagura is a technique that allows one to sense chakra from exceptional distances in great detail. These sensory capabilities bless Karin with abilities that even surpass dōjutsu with comparable powers.)
Hearing the system's message in his mind, Mirai feels a sudden, intense clarity wash over him.
The rustling of leaves, birdsong, the faint hum of insects—all sounds and sights become sharper and more vivid.
Mirai realizes his sensory abilities have drastically increased. Following the instructions that flood his mind, he closes his eyes and activates the "Kagura Mind's Eye."
In an instant, he senses six chakra signatures hidden nearby. Farther out, more chakra sources appear, like red dots scattered across a black map.
"The closer ones must be ANBU and Root agents monitoring Kushina," he thinks to himself. "And each distant chakra source probably marks a shinobi."
Based on his estimate, Kagura Mind's Eye allows him to sense chakra sources up to nearly ten kilometers away—a range ten times greater than the Byakugan's.
Even more impressive, he can distinguish the strength of each chakra signature.
With this secret technique, he essentially gains a god-like perspective, eliminating any chance of being ambushed or caught off guard. It's practically game-breaking!
"What's with you, kid?" Kushina's voice pulls Mirai out of his thoughts.
With a grateful smile, Mirai replies, "Kushina, thanks so much for today."
"I'll treat you to a meal sometime."
In two training sessions with Kushina, he'd gained both the Uzumaki Clan's body and the Kagura Mind's Eye. The sheer fortune of it left him thrilled.
For now, though, it was time to return and further explore Kagura Mind's Eye.
"Well then… goodbye!"
"Makes no sense. I hadn't even given you any feedback yet…" Kushina mutters as she watches him leave. This kid really was impossible to figure out.
"Kushina, Mirai is an Uchiha clan ninja. Lord Hokage prefers you don't get too close to him."
As Mirai departs, an ANBU agent appears beside Kushina, his voice a low warning.
"Hmph! Tell that old man to stop meddling, or I'll tear his office apart!" Kushina snaps.
It's bad enough that she's under constant surveillance and restricted to the village, but now they want to dictate who she can talk to? They really thought she'd put up with everything?
If it weren't for Minato, she would've confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi ages ago.
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