For the past few weeks, Kenzo had been searching for a child, following his Master's orders. Although he had performed similar tasks many times before, this mission was different. His Master's demands had become increasingly specific, so much so that Kenzo had been struggling with this assignment for an entire month. Deep down, he knew that failure would mean his death. Despite his best efforts, none of his usual methods had yielded results—until tonight.
The lack of progress led Kenzo to take drastic measures, which ultimately brought him here. One child had caught his interest—a child who, remarkably, showed no signs of fear or panic, even in the face of a life-or-death situation. Seeing the boy's weak physique made Kenzo's enthusiasm waver momentarily, but his curiosity remained strong as he spoke aloud.
"Would you look at that? A child who can break free from my B-rank Genjutsu technique? I don't see any severe wounds on your body, so you didn't break it through pain... How amusing. To think I might find someone who could meet 'His' expectations in such a remote place. Seems luck hasn't forsaken me yet—Kenzo of the Sound."
Kiyotaka, deeply confused and unfamiliar with the concept of Ninjutsu, was at a loss for words. He surveyed his surroundings, noticing that four other masked ninjas had arrived, though much slower than the one who had introduced himself as Kenzo of the Sound. Without understanding the reasons behind it all, Ayanokouji remained silent, lost in thought as he reviewed his recent memories.
'The piano… the stranger's words… colors… another body and its memories… dead villagers… ninjas… Ninjutsu… Genjutsu… Kenzo and this mysterious person he calls "Master"… Everything feels surreal, but I'm certain this isn't a dream or an illusion. This absurd situation... The only clear thing is that I'm in danger, and I need a way out.'
Looking up at Kenzo, he saw eyes filled with curiosity and expectation. Rather than trying to flee, Kiyotaka stayed put. After all, his opponent was at least twice his age, with a fully developed body far superior to his own. Moreover, Kenzo's mastery of Ninjutsu was beyond Kiyotaka's understanding of power.
In his previous world, there was no Ninjutsu or magic that could defy the laws of nature and physics. Such things existed only in fictional stories. Yet here, he was in a place where such powers were real, and acting without knowledge would be foolish. Confronted by Kenzo's scrutinizing gaze, Kiyotaka knew he had to appear valuable and gather as much information as possible.
"Kenzo-sama, what do you mean by Genjutsu? And who is this 'Master' of yours?"
Hearing Kiyotaka's tone, devoid of fear, Kenzo's smirk widened beneath his mask, and his eyes sparkled with anticipation. With a chuckle, he replied, excitement hidden in his voice.
"I'll show you. This will serve as both a test and an answer to your questions, brat."
As soon as Kiyotaka heard Kenzo's tone, he felt a sense of impending danger. Before he could react, a faint ringing filled his ears, and the world around him shifted. He found himself in a cave, its walls inscribed with kanji symbols in blood. Scattered around were human bodies—some male, some female, some intact, others mutated beyond recognition. Yet, they were all dead. At the cave's center stood a figure—not a man, but a monster with pale skin and golden eyes with slit pupils that stared at Kiyotaka with unsettling intensity. The killing intent in those eyes made Kiyotaka's usually stoic expression falter. He knew, instinctively, that he wouldn't stand a chance against this creature.
'This is absurd… how can a mere illusion emanate such pressure?'
Kiyotaka soon noticed his thoughts slowing, as if he were about to lose consciousness. But he resisted, determined to project the image of someone Kenzo sought. He needed to survive.
'This Genjutsu… it's a technique that targets the mind. And the figure he's showing me must be his Master. I see… it seems my freedom isn't mine, even here, far from the world of White.'
The illusion dissolved, and Kiyotaka returned to reality, his body drenched in sweat, knees threatening to buckle. Meanwhile, Kenzo's surprise and enthusiasm were evident in his voice.
"This brat managed to stay conscious through my Genjutsu, despite having no experience with it… Finally, as 'He' instructed, I've found a child with natural talent for Yin Release!"
Without giving Kiyotaka time to recover, Kenzo cast another Genjutsu, and then another. He used techniques meant to paralyze, and others that would normally make a child faint instantly. After several repetitions, he stopped, looking down at Kiyotaka's unconscious form with a widening smirk. As Ayanokouji succumbed to the relentless assault, Kenzo exclaimed.
"Our mission is complete. Clean up here and take the boy. We are returning to
The four ninjas around him nodded, setting to work erasing evidence of the battle. As they worked, Kenzo glanced at the other sleeping children. His eyes glinted with malice as he formed a hand sign, unleashing wind blades that sliced through each one. In moments, the others were dead, their bodies reduced to headless corpses.
Finally, silence returned to the night, embracing the souls of those unfortunate enough to live in this village… and perhaps cursing the one soul that did not belong here.
---
Throughout history, scientists and philosophers have strived to study the human mind, attempting to answer a question that still lacks a definitive scientific answer: What defines the human mind? Is it merely genetics and behavioral patterns developed throughout life, or is there something deeper, like a soul?
If one were to examine the concept of the mind, along with elements such as consciousness and memory, from a purely physiological standpoint, the answer might go something like this: The human mind is tied to the brain and its complex network of neurons—nothing more. On the other hand, theologians, spiritualists, and some philosophers might argue that the essence of human consciousness comes from deep within the soul.
For Kiyotaka, now inhabiting a stranger's body, this presented a perfect opportunity to explore that question.
In his dream, he observed all the events the previous owner of this body had experienced, from birth to an eventual death brought on by Genjutsu.
Ayanokouji witnessed various things unfamiliar to him, like parental compassion—something he had never experienced.
He saw people laugh, cry, and express their emotions... things he only remembered from his early days in the White Room.
He saw the early days of a child's life filled with play and peace, a stark contrast to his own days of misery and hardship.
In the end, did any of that matter? This boy had died from the fear Kenzo's Genjutsu instilled in him.
'How pathetic.'
A new body, with new DNA and memories that fully contrasted with his own, had no effect on him. To Kiyotaka, it was like watching a brief movie about a fool who had died on the first page of his life journey.
'Soul...it seems my everything,,,is a product of soul..and nothing like mere body of undeveloped child could possibly threaten my mind'
The child also had a name, but did it matter now? It did not.
'He served his purpose , and left the world, his memories, containing social life of normally raised child and overall perception of the world is nothing more than a data to be researched'
Kiyotaka was... is... and always will be Kiyotaka.
'Now that I am here, in this Shinobi world...i will survive, no matter what...i will get into secret's behind my arrival here...And i will...reach my freedom..now that i have a chance'
'I will achieve my goals...and nothing will stop me.'
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
The perfect human.
The worst human.
The Demon of 4th generation...
The one who lost his freedom...or never had it in the first place
And also...he is...
The False genius...
and
The Masterpiece.