Haruki's body shuddered, he suddenly felt bored and break the genjutsu.
Genjutsu essentially interferes with chakra through the medium of the five senses, causing hallucinations. However, Haruki has the Wood Release and a vast amount of chakra, plus his system doesn't allow him to be easily controlled.
Uchiha Mikoto, who had been in front of him, had vanished.
It seems his three disciples know genjutsu isn't very effective against him.
Haruki's previously calm expression shifted slightly.
Looking down, he saw thick chains wrapped around his feet.
It must have been in the instant he was distracted, caused by Kushina Uzumaki's Adamante Sealing Chains.
Haruki struggled, but the chains didn't break.
Kushina has improved significantly. Her control and speed in using jutsu have both advanced greatly.
At that moment, he heard a gust of wind above him, and kunai rained down like droplets.
A short blade appeared in Haruki's hand, slicing through the air with a clang, cutting all the kunai in half.
Minato Namikaze's eyes widened from his hiding place.
Is there such a technique?
Haruki had never used a blade before, but it was undoubtedly effective, destroying all of Minato's Flying Thunder God kunai.
But Minato was not in a hurry.
The situation changed again.
The broken kunai scattered, the air suddenly burned, and dozens of fireballs rapidly vibrated, enveloping Haruki.
He let go of the short blade.
A white flash tore through the fire screen.
Then Haruki heard the sound of metal clashing.
One of the fireballs revealed a kunai.
Minato Namikaze appeared above him, the rapidly spinning chakra dispersing the remaining firelight, striking directly at Haruki.
"Nice coordination."
Haruki praised immediately. Their attack wasn't spontaneous but well-planned.
Alright, his disciples had grown wings.
He flicked his hand, connecting invisible chakra to the short blade, which swung back, cutting towards Minato.
It was a direct trade-off.
But to Haruki's surprise, Minato didn't dodge. His eyes narrowed in an instant—it was a clone.
Realizing this, Haruki's left hand formed a chakra wind blade, slicing through the Rasengan and cutting the clone, which disappeared.
He gripped the short blade again.
"Teacher, be careful."
Kushina Uzumaki's voice suddenly came from behind. Haruki turned and saw her palm on him.
A black vortex unfolded, extending several black dots.
A Four Symbols Seal?
Haruki felt his chakra slow slightly.
But he wasn't concerned, flicking Kushina's forehead with his left hand.
She cried out in pain, her trembling fists swinging out.
She knew taijutsu too.
Haruki controlled his strength, slicing her fist with the blade, causing her to cry out again.
She gave him a resentful look.
Haruki shrugged.
Then he was stunned; Minato Namikaze appeared suddenly, holding a kunai to his neck.
"Teacher, you lost."
Kushina immediately beamed, patting Minato's shoulder proudly and saying, "Didn't see that coming, did you?"
"I was careless."
Haruki looked at the Flying Thunder God mark where the Four Symbols Seal had been. So the seal was just a decoy, and Kushina's reactions were all part of the plan.
Although he had held back, it was impressive they could reach this level.
Given his current strength, almost no one in the known world could match him.
If he were serious, the Adamante Sealing Chains wouldn't have worked at the beginning.
In a few years, Minato would be able to fight the Fourth Raikage and Killer B. If he added Kushina and Mikoto, it would be quite interesting.
Minato put away the kunai and looked happily at Kushina, who had just patted his shoulder.
Mikoto also appeared promptly.
"I have good news for you." Haruki threw three sets of Chunin uniforms to them, smiling. "From today, you are all Chunin."
Kushina froze, still in the joy of defeating her teacher, and now greeted with another happiness.
Aside from a few exceptions, the most important thing for a ninja is rank promotion.
She cheered, hugging the uniform and resisting the urge to change into it immediately. "Thank you, teacher!"
Minato and Mikoto were more reserved but equally happy.
"No need to be excited. With your abilities, you'll become Jonin in two or three years."
Haruki laughed. Kakashi became a Jonin at twelve, thanks to the war, but these three are no less capable.
"Hmph, I forgive you." Kushina said with a proud expression.
"So that's why you three planned this surprise attack on me today."
Haruki knocked on Kushina's head, earning another glare.
"Alright, now that you're Chunin, you can take missions on your own. I have to teach, so I don't have time to accompany you. Minato, Mikoto, take care of Kushina."
"Hey, I don't need taking care of! I just played a big role here!"
Kushina retorted but then realized something and looked up.
"Teacher, you're not coming with us?"
"Yes." Haruki saw her disappointed expression. "What's wrong? Aren't you aiming to become Hokage? Are you reluctant to leave your teacher?"
"Hmph, who's reluctant about you!" Kushina's spirit returned.
Minato couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
But it was good that his lifelong rival would leave, increasing his chances.
Haruki nodded in satisfaction.
He liked Kushina's personality.
But it wasn't love, more like a father-daughter relationship.
Mikoto and Minato were too mature, making it a real teacher-student relationship.
"Let's go to my house for lunch."
Haruki used the lure of good food.
Kushina's eyes lit up immediately.
Annoyed as she was, she wouldn't miss a meal.
"I'll cook!"
Minato said quickly. "Kushina, I've learned a lot from the teacher, and my cooking is really good now."
Like a boy showing off to his crush.
Haruki added, "Indeed, it's not bad. How about this, Minato cooks a few dishes, Kushina judges, and if it's not good, Minato has to fulfill one of Kushina's requests. If it's good, it's the other way around. How about that?"
"Okay!" Kushina agreed immediately.
She glared at Minato, eager to see how he dared to boast about his cooking.
Minato looked gratefully at Haruki.
He knew that regardless of the result, he wouldn't lose.
After all, it would lead to more interactions.
He couldn't help but admire Haruki. This man, who won over Tsunade, was worth learning from!