Chapter 44: Illusion
"Why isn't she moving?" Whispers spread through the audience on the second floor.
"Idiot, she's under a genjutsu! That red-eyed girl cast it. Lady Yukina is caught in it!"
"Genjutsu? I didn't see any hand seals!"
"You weren't watching closely enough!"
"I was watching intently! When did you see any seals?"
"Uh... I didn't see them either."
"What are you talking about then?"
The eleven- and twelve-year-olds whispered in confusion, unable to understand why Yukina had stopped moving after only a couple of hits. The concept of genjutsu was foreign to many of them.
Meanwhile, the Jonin on the second floor exchanged concerned glances. Five or six of them were lined up, including Namikaze Minato, who frowned.
Narakumi no Jutsu performed without seals? As expected of Mr. Makoto's daughter. When he recommended her for the Chunin Exam, the Third Hokage was hesitant, but it seems Kurenai truly has the ability to compete.
Moreover, genjutsu specialists are rare, and ones with such talent are even rarer.
However, Yukina is in danger.
Minato glanced at Uzumaki Kushina beside him, who also frowned, her fists clenched tightly as she watched Yukina, motionless in the field.
Damn! This is my fault. I didn't teach them how to counter genjutsu! I didn't expect a genjutsu prodigy in this exam! Narakumi no Jutsu without seals...
I'm sorry, Yukina! This is my fault as your teacher!
On the other side, the Sannin observed with keen interest.
"Oh? A genjutsu prodigy? Yuhi Kurenai?" Orochimaru said, intrigued, watching both Yukina and Kurenai.
"This is truly rare," Tsunade said with surprise.
Jiraiya looked at Yukina and sighed. "The outcome of this match is decided. Kushina isn't proficient in genjutsu, and Yukina likely hasn't learned to break it."
"Unraveling genjutsu requires talent. Even if you know how, without the corresponding talent, you can't break free," Orochimaru added.
"That's right," Jiraiya nodded.
Jiraiya seems quite interested in Lady Yukina.
Tsunade thought, glancing at Jiraiya while taking out a scroll to write something.
In the genjutsu, Yukina's view of swirling green leaves changed. The meridians around her eyes bulged, extending to her temples as the Byakugan activated.
Suddenly, the leaves scattered, revealing a bloodied Kiba right in front of her, their noses almost touching. His silent eyes stared into hers, blood flowing from his eyes, mouth, and nose.
Yukina's complexion changed dramatically.
Kiba!
She almost cried out. In front of her, Kiba's body was riddled with wounds. His left hand torn, dangling at an impossible angle, his right foot missing, his body covered in burns. The right side of his face was scorched and peeling, exposing raw muscle.
Panic and pain twisted in her heart, growing worse. She stepped back, fear filling her eyes as her vision widened. She saw not only Kiba but also Hirohiko and her father, all in similarly horrific states, staring at her with lifeless eyes.
As if blaming her for their deaths, accusing her of failing to save them!
"No!" Yukina cried out.
Her white eyes were blood red, the setting sun casting the sky in red, the blood on the ground reflecting the horror.
This can't be real! It's an illusion!
Yukina shook her head, trying to dispel the vision. But when she opened her eyes, the red was even brighter!
Calm down, Yukina! You must calm down!
She panted heavily, reminding herself this was an illusion, Narakumi no Jutsu, making her see her worst fears.
Illusion manipulates chakra to create false images... as the book described, there's a way!
Kurenai, now in front of her, prepared to place a kunai on her neck to declare victory.
The movements reflected in Kiba's and Hirohiko's eyes. Both looked grim.
Is Yukina really going to lose to this genjutsu?
"It's over! Lady Yukina was defeated by genjutsu. She's too young. Genius or not, she's still inexperienced," said a ninja, the oldest participant at around fifteen.
"That's it? Nothing more to see."
"Yeah, I thought she'd put up a fight, but after two hits, she's done. Her opponent looks unscathed!"
"Yeah, this so-called genius is nothing special!"
Gradually, contemptuous remarks filled the field.
I'm sorry, Yukina. I didn't plan this well enough.
Uzumaki Kushina clenched her fists in guilt.
Namikaze Minato sighed, shaking his head.
The outcome seems decided.
The Sannin shook their heads, Tsunade writing something again.
Hyuga Yutaka frowned deeply, glaring at Kurenai.
The Chunin test officer began to raise his hands, ready to announce the match over.
A slight smile of relief and victory appeared on Kurenai's face. She won!
"Slap!"
Suddenly, blood splattered from Kurenai's abdomen.
"Tenketsu!"
With a crisp sound, Yukina's three fingers struck Kurenai's abdomen with the Gentle Fist, pain evident in her white eyes. Kurenai's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Clang!"
Kunai fell to the ground, and Kurenai collapsed against Yukina, unconscious.
Silence enveloped the audience!
Just as Kurenai was about to place the kunai on Yukina's neck, she moved, striking Kurenai with a precise Gentle Fist blow, knocking her out.
What just happened?
Did she break the genjutsu?
"But I didn't teach her how to break genjutsu!" Uzumaki Kushina whispered in disbelief.
Namikaze Minato looked surprised, as did the Jonin and Sannin, their expressions showing utter shock.
All the ninjas participating in the Chunin Exam, including Kiba and Hirohiko, were similarly stunned.
The Chunin test officer stood there, slack-jawed.
A kunai was deeply embedded in Yukina's thigh, blood flowing steadily down to the ground.
Using pain to break the genjutsu?
Minato, the Jonin, Sannin, and the Chunin test officer all shared this thought, shocked at Yukina's resilience.
The eldest lady of the Hyuga family is so strong!
At that moment, three figures flew down simultaneously, rushing toward Yukina.
"Lady Yukina, are you alright? Why... how..." Hyuga Yutaka ran over, worry written all over his face.
But Kiba and Hirohiko reached Yukina first. Kiba crouched to pull out the kunai and bandage her wound.
Yukina, supporting the unconscious Kurenai, shouted, "Don't move!"
There was anxiety and panic in her voice.
"Impertinent! What are you doing to Lady Yukina?" Hyuga Yutaka shouted angrily, delivering a fierce palm strike at Kiba.
Kiba froze, Hirohiko stopping abruptly. Kiba looked up at Yukina, seeing her panicked and slightly flushed.
"Boom!"
Kiba received a heavy punch on the head, a large bump forming.
"Smack!"
Hyuga Yutaka's palm was easily caught.
"It hurts!" Kiba cried out.
Hyuga Yutaka looked up to see a blond man with a gentle smile holding his hand—Namikaze Minato!
Minato's gentle smile eased the anger in Yutaka's heart. He looked at Kiba.
"You idiot!" Uzumaki Kushina stood behind Kiba, scolding him.
Kiba squatted, hands on his head, tears nearly falling.
Kushina, what's going on? This punch hurt way more than usual!
"How can you touch a girl's leg indiscriminately!" Uzumaki Kushina scolded Kiba, her voice low but firm. She then stepped forward to check Yukina's injuries.
Hirohiko, witnessing the scene, turned around slowly with his usual poker face, covering his mouth with one hand and shrugging his shoulders, trying to suppress his laughter.
Kiba, covering his head with an innocent expression, felt utterly wronged.
I feel so wronged!