Behind the Hokage's residence.
Tenya was training in a relatively spacious area.
Not far from him, Nanase Kurama was sitting in a wheelchair, holding a sketch pad and drawing continuously.
Each was busy with their own tasks, yet they were both mindful of each other.
This indescribable tacit understanding made their interaction less constrained and more comfortable.
It seemed that they had grown accustomed to this mode of interaction.
It had been several days since Tenya rejected Danzo's invitation.
However, these days had been peaceful.
Danzo's retaliation had not come as expected.
While remaining vigilant, Tenya resumed his training.
For several consecutive days, he focused all his energy on mastering the three newly unlocked skills.
He had already fully mastered [Secret Sword: Grass Firefly] and [Smashing Fang].
As for [Explosive Star], it was more complicated.
Tenya had spent a considerable amount of time understanding the principles of this skill.
Only now did he fully comprehend all the key points of this skill.
Next, he only needed to try it out to make an [Exploding Apple].
Of course, the [Exploding Apple] was just an appetizer.
The potential of this skill was far greater.
According to the skill description, the upper limit of this skill was very high.
At the beginner level, he could create lethal weapons like the [Exploding Apple].
When cultivated to a higher level, as long as there was enough chakra, he could even create doomsday weapons like nuclear bombs.
Just thinking about it was exciting.
However, Tenya was just starting, and he was still far from creating such ultimate weapons.
He would take it step by step.
Sheathing his sword, Tenya adjusted his breathing and then looked towards Nanase in the distance.
At that moment, Nanase also put down her brush.
"What have you been drawing? Let me see!"
Tenya said with a smile as he walked towards Nanase.
"Here, take a look and tell me if it's good."
Nanase smiled faintly and turned the sketch pad towards Tenya.
Tenya looked closely.
Wasn't the person in the drawing himself?
The drawing depicted him holding a long sword. His expression was focused, and his whole body seemed to emit a sharp aura.
"It looks just like me!"
Tenya's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but give Nanase a thumbs up.
At the same time, he was curious and couldn't help but want to personally experience the Kurama Clan's genjutsu that could manipulate the five senses.
This genjutsu could only be performed by the Kurama descendants who had awakened the kekkei genkai, and Nanase had mastered this genjutsu.
Moreover, Tenya wanted to take this opportunity to see if his skill [Mind Zen] could make him immune to this genjutsu.
With this in mind, Tenya directly expressed his thoughts.
"Nanase, let's see how much you've improved. Actually, I've wanted to experience the Kurama Clan's genjutsu that manipulates the five senses for a long time." Tenya looked at Nanase, his expression a bit serious, "Come on, let's spar!"
"Tenya-kun, I haven't fully mastered that genjutsu. I'm afraid of hurting you!" Nanase shook her head unwillingly.
"It's okay, we're just trying it out, not a real fight." Tenya half-joked, "Just don't hit me so hard that I end up bruised and battered!"
After Tenya spoke, he looked at Nanase expectantly.
Perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed under Tenya's gaze, Nanase's cheeks turned slightly red.
After hesitating for a while, she finally nodded gently, agreeing.
"Alright, let's do this!"
After creating some distance, Tenya quietly waited for Nanase to make her move.
Holding her brush, Nanase lightly tapped, and Tenya's vision suddenly changed. In the blink of an eye, Nanase disappeared, replaced by a figure identical to Tenya.
Was this the version of himself from the painting?
Tenya immediately saw through it.
As expected of the Kurama Clan's genjutsu, the ability to turn illusion into reality was indeed remarkable.
The figure before him looked just like himself.
Whether it was appearance or demeanor, there was almost no difference, as if they were cast from the same mold.
At this moment, he and this other self were standing in a strange place.
Gone were the familiar grassy field and forest, replaced by a spacious dojo.
"It seems this is the illusionary space created by Nanase!"
Tenya calmed his mind, quietly watching the other self.
Suddenly, the other self moved.
With a swift step forward, it closed the distance to Tenya.
The long sword slashed with speed and ferocity.
Tenya's eyebrows twitched slightly, and his long sword instantly unsheathed, intercepting the attack.
Their battle began.
After a few rounds, Tenya noticed that the other self seemed to possess only half of his true strength and posed no threat to him.
After the initial probing, Tenya was ready to finish off his opponent, but then his vision went black, and he couldn't see anything.
Was his vision taken away?
Tenya stepped back, distancing himself from the other self.
After a brief period of discomfort, Tenya gradually adapted to the opponent's attack rhythm and regained the upper hand.
Just as Tenya was about to counterattack, he suddenly realized his hearing was also gone.
The advantage he had just gained was lost again.
He found himself on the defensive once more.
Next, his sense of smell, taste, and touch were successively stripped away.
Deprived of all five senses, the sense of helplessness was unforgettable for Tenya.
However, he did not give up.
With the aid of the skill [Mind Net], he could still fight.
Given his strength, ending this battle was easy.
But Tenya did not do so.
He found that losing his five senses gave him new insights into swordsmanship.
This was an unexpected surprise.
Additionally, Tenya attempted to activate [Mind Zen], and surprisingly, he directly broke free from the illusionary space, regaining his lost senses.
Indeed, [Mind Zen] did not disappoint him, successfully making him immune to this genjutsu.
"Tenya-kun, I can't believe you broke free from the illusionary space. It's amazing!"
Nanase's eyes were full of disbelief as she saw Tenya regain his senses.
She knew well that the Kurama Clan's genjutsu kekkei genkai was formidable.
Breaking free from the illusionary space by one's own strength was extremely rare, yet now there was another.
No wonder he was the man she admired!
Thinking of this, Nanase felt a surge of excitement.
Her face turned a lovely shade of pink, making her look incredibly cute.
"Actually, the real marvel is your Kurama Clan's genjutsu. I've truly learned something today!" Tenya smiled, sincerely saying, "Thank you for this!"
Nanase smiled and said nothing more.
"Are you alright?"
After the blush faded, Tenya noticed Nanase's pale cheeks and asked with concern.
"I'm fine, just a bit exhausted."
Nanase shook her head, her smile unchanged.
"Alright, let me take you home!"
"Okay!"
Pushing her wheelchair, the two of them chatted and laughed along the way, the atmosphere harmonious.
Occasionally, they saw children playing and running by, and a touch of envy mixed with a hint of sadness would flicker in Nanase's eyes.
Tenya noticed everything, feeling a mix of sympathy and affection for the strong girl before him.
With the current level of medical technology, it was very difficult to cure Nanase's kekkei sickness!
Even the medical expert Tsunade wouldn't dare claim she could cure her kekkei sickness.
The only thing that could possibly cure her was the Six Paths Sage's Yang Release Chakra.
In the original story, when Kakashi lost his Sharingan to Madara, Naruto used the Yang Release Chakra bestowed by the Six Paths Sage to create a new, healthy left eye for him.
If the Yang Release Chakra of the Six Paths Sage could restore a lost eye, it should be able to cure Nanase's kekkei sickness completely.
However, the timing was not right yet. Obtaining the Six Paths Sage's Yang Release Chakra would require some time.
There was no rush for this.
However, there was a method that could help Nanase get rid of her wheelchair for now.
That was to learn the jutsu [Super Beast Imitating Drawing].
Nanase already had excellent drawing skills, so learning this jutsu shouldn't be difficult for her.
Although this jutsu had obvious limitations, it would be more than sufficient for daily assistance.
"Nanase, have you heard of the jutsu [Super Beast Imitating Drawing]?"
"[Super Beast Imitating Drawing]?" Nanase was initially stunned, then nodded, "Of course, I've heard of this jutsu. But it's a special jutsu of the Root; only Root members can learn it."
"Oh?" Tenya frowned slightly, deep in thought.
In the original story, Sai learned this jutsu under Danzo's guidance after joining the Root.
Getting this jutsu from Danzo was virtually impossible.
The only other option was Orochimaru.
Given Orochimaru's nature, it was highly likely he had a copy of the [Super Beast Imitating Drawing] jutsu.
If an opportunity arose, Tenya could visit Orochimaru for it.
"Tenya-kun, why are you asking about this?" Nanase seemed worried.
"Nothing, just asking casually."
Tenya smiled and waved his hand.
"Really nothing?" Nanase still looked concerned.
"Really nothing!"
Tenya finally reassured the doubtful Nanase, while secretly planning how to obtain the [Super Beast Imitating Drawing] jutsu.