Kyoka Suigetsu: the strongest illusion-type Zanpakuto.
Its ability—to completely dominate the opponent's five senses. Appearance, form, mass, sensation, even smell—all could be manipulated at will. The most terrifying aspect was that once someone had witnessed Kyoka Suigetsu's Shikai even once, their five senses would forever be playthings for Naruto.
However, Kyoka Suigetsu was not invincible. It was difficult to control experts whose chakra and Reiatsu far surpassed his own. Additionally, manipulating the five senses consumed a massive amount of energy. Until he gained sufficient strength, Naruto couldn't use Kyoka Suigetsu for extended periods. But controlling the five senses of new students like Sasuke was still a piece of cake.
This was Naruto's current understanding of Kyoka Suigetsu.
He could have chosen to keep Kyoka Suigetsu hidden indefinitely. But considering Konoha's surveillance on him and the persona he had been carefully cultivating in the Third Hokage's eyes, he decided to expose his "Kekkei Genkai." This would be beneficial for his future plans.
At the Konoha Training Ground.
Naruto, Kyoka Suigetsu in hand, began his daily Zanjutsu training. Today's battle with Sasuke had given him a deeper understanding of his Zanpakuto. The ability was indeed freakishly powerful, but not invincible. At least at this stage, Naruto's chakra and Reiatsu weren't strong enough. He couldn't rely too heavily on Kyoka Suigetsu; he still needed to develop his Zanjutsu, Kido, and Ninjutsu.
"Genjutsu... seems pretty good," Naruto chuckled softly, recalling the details of today's fight.
In the earlier battle, Sasuke, whom he had stabbed, had fainted from the intense pain. Consequently, Naruto had rightfully become the number one genius of their year. The shocking news that the Uchiha prodigy, wielder of the Sharingan, had been defeated by Naruto quickly spread throughout the Ninja Academy, even startling the upper echelons of Konoha.
"A disappearing sword, a mysterious Kekkei Genkai." The Third Hokage, having learned the details, looked shocked. There was pleasant surprise, but even more so, apprehension. He wouldn't doubt Naruto's Will of Fire, but this mysterious Kekkei Genkai would undoubtedly become an opening for Danzo to exploit.
"Hiruzen, did you hear? Naruto has awakened an incredible Kekkei Genkai! Hand him over to Root, and I will cultivate him well." Danzo, though late, made his inevitable appearance, his eyes filled with greed.
Kekkei Genkai were the cornerstone of a hidden village's combat strength. Every rare Kekkei Genkai could display terrifying prowess on the battlefield. Konoha had its Wood Release, Sharingan, Byakugan, and the Kurama Clan's genjutsu. Other villages had abilities like the Shikotsumyaku and Ice Release. For a hidden village, Kekkei Genkai were indispensable and highly coveted. Every ninja who awakened a rare Kekkei Genkai was an invaluable resource.
Most Kekkei Genkai were inherited, but mutations were not impossible. Neither of Naruto's parents had displayed a Kekkei Genkai similar to Kyoka Suigetsu, so his was likely a mutation, making it of great research value to Root. If Naruto joined Root, he would inevitably face brainwashing and be used for breeding purposes. Danzo would surely stop at nothing to "mass-produce" this type of Kekkei Genkai and bring it under his control.
For the Third Hokage, Naruto was currently developing according to his plans, making new friends at the Ninja Academy, and would also form bonds. These were all factors tying him to Konoha. Awakening a Kekkei Genkai was actually a good thing. In the future, if Naruto married and had children, they would also inherit the Kekkei Genkai, and Konoha could gain another family affiliated with and loyal to the Hokage. The Third Hokage had already planned out everything for Naruto.
Therefore, he naturally wouldn't hand Naruto over like that.
He suddenly remembered a day when Naruto had asked him with a nervous expression, "Grandpa Hokage, if a Konoha person awakens a strange ability, are they still a Konoha person?"
At the time, he had smiled and replied, "You're talking about Kekkei Genkai, aren't you? For a ninja, the power they possess is merely a tool to carry out their beliefs. As long as they inherit the Will of Fire, even if they awaken many strange abilities, they will always be a part of Konoha."
After hearing those words, the Third Hokage had clearly sensed Naruto seem to heave a sigh of relief. Back then, he had thought Naruto had discovered the Nine-Tails within him.
Looking at it now… perhaps Naruto had already awakened his Kekkei Genkai at that time. This child, even after awakening a Kekkei Genkai, he didn't dare to show it, afraid he'd have to leave Konoha because of it? The Third Hokage chuckled inwardly, a guess forming in his mind. But this guess still needed further verification.
"I have already tailor-made a series of growth plans for Naruto. Everything is currently under control." He clasped his hands behind his back, looking at the slowly setting sun, his tone filled with a deep sigh. "Minato dedicated himself to Konoha. Now, the gift he left behind, Naruto, is also radiating light. He will be our Konoha's hope."
"Don't forget—" The Third Hokage turned around, only to find the office empty.
"Where… is this?" Sasuke slowly regained consciousness. The first thing he saw was a white ceiling, the scent of hospital disinfectant filling his nostrils.
"Sasuke, you're awake," his mother's gentle, concerned voice sounded beside him.
"Kaa-san." Sasuke tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his abdomen.
"Don't move, your wound hasn't healed yet." Mikoto quickly stopped Sasuke, helped him lie back down, and tucked him in, complaining, "That Naruto, honestly. He doesn't know how to hold back."
"Did I lose?" Sasuke lay on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. He couldn't believe that even after awakening his Sharingan, he had lost so badly. He didn't even know how he had been defeated. His memory stopped at the words, "The sky, in truth, is colorless. It hasn't deceived you. It's merely that your own eyes have deceived you."
Mikoto was still muttering her complaints, "Naruto seems like such a mature and stable child, how could he be so heavy-handed in this match…"
"No, Kaa-san." Sasuke suddenly interrupted Mikoto's complaints, a smile of understanding blooming on his face as he pointed to his eyes. "Naruto was telling me not to over-rely on my eyes."
Kyoka Suigetsu.
A water-system Kekkei Genkai. It uses the reflection of mist and water currents to disturb the enemy's vision, thereby creating illusions. This counts as Water Style, I suppose.
That night, the Third Hokage emerged from Naruto's house. Just moments before, he had learned the details of Naruto's "Kekkei Genkai" and had even experienced it firsthand. It was a decent Kekkei Genkai, but its effects were inextricably linked to chakra. One could say it was tailor-made for Naruto. However, it also had a fatal flaw: merely disturbing vision was too limited.
"From what I can see, the Kekkei Genkai has potential. It will depend on how Naruto develops it in the future."
"A Kekkei Genkai that can disturb vision at its initial awakening… perhaps later it can disturb other senses. Overall, the potential is quite good."
"It seems Naruto has the potential to become a genjutsu-type ninja," the Third Hokage murmured to himself.
What the Third Hokage didn't know, however, was that Naruto had concealed Kyoka Suigetsu's true abilities. This was a terrifying Zanpakuto capable of controlling all five senses.