Genjutsu. The second pillar of the shinobi arts. It was the most underrated and obscure of the three. There were several definitions, explanations, and applications. I liked the simplest one made by some Uchiha, 'It was the method of altering the perception of reality.
Genjutsu was tough because for an average shinobi it required very good control of chakra, not at the medical ninjutsu level but still very good control. The exact mechanism was still debatable, but according to me, it used a small amount of chakra to disturb the neuronal circuits in a person's brain, altering his perception of reality.
For a regular person to project a convincing perception over another person required acute attention to detail. And that is what had been going on for some time. I had not sensed the foreign chakra at first, but as soon as my suspicion had grown I was able to sense and isolate it. Now there was a single step left.
"Kai," I said, flushing my body with my chakra. The corridor dissolved and I could see my teammates sitting in an otherwise empty classroom, with no sensei in sight.
I looked towards Shino who simply nodded, and Hinata was simply fidgeting. She awkwardly looked at me and spoke," Hi, Shinso-Kun, Shino-Kun.
I returned her greetings and looked at the only other anomaly in the room. A single red flower, in a vase.
"It's a spider lily," Hinata spoke as she got close to the flower. She was about to touch it,
"STOP. Don't touch it." She immediately stopped and I could feel both of them looking at me.
"It's most probably a test, a senior told me that most joins liked to test their students. The flower could be a part of some sort of test, we should probably have a discussion." I explained my reasoning.
"Thank you, Shinso-Kun," Hinata spoke.
"It was quick thinking Shinso-Kun," Shino's deep voice was as disturbing as it had been on day one.
I nodded and started observing the flower, its appearance was regular. The vase was also regular but something was off.
"There is something off about the flower," I spoke, as all three of us got close to the table.
"Hyuga-san, could you observe it with your byakugan,"
She nodded and made a series of hand seals, the veins around her eyes bulged. Pupil-less eyes, with bulging veins, observed the flower.
"The flower has abnormal chakra encasing it," she told me.
"I can get rid of it with my kikaichu," Shino spoke from the side.
I nodded and I could see insects moving toward it. After some time there was a cloud of smoke covering the flower and the vase and in their place was a single note. Written on it was a simple sentence. We read it and all of us spoke a single word.
"Graveyard."
Two shinobi were observing the classroom from the outside.
"They did quite well don't you think," one of them spoke. She was at least a tokubetsu jonin, evident by the mask she wore. Her purple hair was perhaps just as iconic as the sword resting on her back.
"Yeah, they got out of the genjutsu almost immediately, well except Hinata, who is immune. And they didn't rush in like idiots, showing good judgment at least for newly minted genin that is."
They were good, for peacetime. Though they could have done better, Hinata should have checked their surroundings and they should have done a small introduction, but all of those things could be taught. She had designed the test mainly to check for patience, had they rushed in without a thought, well that would not have been pleasant.
"Well, they are gonna keep you busy for some time, I have to go to HQ. Tell me if something pops up." The masked woman spoke as she vanished in a puff of smoke.
Kurenai also stood up and vanished towards the graveyard. It seemed that she was going to pass her first team.
As all three of us reached the cemetery, we found Kurenai sensei at the main gate. Her black hair was fluttering in the wind. That red Sharingan-like irises were sharp as she scanned as we assembled before her.
"Sensei, Team eight reporting for duty."
She nodded and spoke, her voice carrying authority and seriousness.
"Good work, you three. Now can any of you tell me the purpose of this exercise?"
Three of us looked at each other and I spoke, "It was a test, to check whether you would or wouldn't take us as a team."
She nodded and raised her brow at Shino, who continued in his deep voice.
"You wanted to check our basic skills and habits for our specialization."
She nodded her head and turned our female counterpart,
"And what would that be Hinata?"
"Umm, search and…. Um. Search and rescue. We are a squad specialized in search and rescue."
"Good. All of you pass. My name is Kurenai Yuhi. I am a jounin with a specialization in genjutsu. Now let's have some introductions over a nice meal."
Her tone became lighter as she said those words. A small smile came across her lips. Well, well, well, this was going to be a rollercoaster of a ride.
Goodbye easy life,and welcome to drama.