Temple of Nirvana Jutsu—a large-scale hypnotic Genjutsu. Those caught in it see white feathers falling before their eyes; their gaze is drawn to the drifting down, their eyelids become heavy, and they fall into a deep, peaceful slumber.
Yagami activated his Sharingan and began to study the technique. Without the Sharingan, this jutsu required dispersing chakra into the surrounding air, using the atmosphere as the medium for the illusion. With the Sharingan active, one only needed to make eye contact with the target to complete the cast. Using the Sharingan allowed for higher chakra delivery efficiency and a more potent effect.
The learning process was surprisingly smooth. In just half an hour, Yagami had essentially mastered the technique. Lacking a test subject, however, he couldn't be certain of its effectiveness.
Three or four hours later, Purple Cat found him.
"Captain, I've learned the Temple of Nirvana Jutsu!"
Yagami noted that her spiritual energy was indeed formidable for her to master it so quickly. "Oh? Then use it on me. Try to put me to sleep."
Purple Cat formed three hand signs. Yagami felt a wave of chakra emanate from her, which manifested visually as a flurry of white feathers. His eyelids grew heavy, and a wave of drowsiness washed over him.
"Very good, Purple Cat. I've already fallen under it... Release!"
Since there was a significant gap in their overall strength, Yagami broke the Genjutsu with ease. Purple Cat looked disappointed. "Captain, couldn't you have lied to me? Just pretend to fall asleep to make me happy?"
Yagami replied, "I can't lie to you. If I faked it and you misjudged the potency of your jutsu, you'd be in grave danger if you encountered a truly powerful enemy. Don't be discouraged. I'll teach you a trick."
Yagami formed the signs himself and immediately cast the same Genjutsu. Purple Cat felt her eyelids sink instantly as the feathers filled her vision. She fell into a deep sleep before she could even react.
Some time later, Purple Cat woke up. She found herself lying on a bench in the locker room. The room was empty except for her and the Fox standing nearby. She sat up and reflexively checked her clothes, realizing she had been completely incapacitated and had no idea how long she had been out.
Yagami set down a scroll and said, "Purple Cat, why are you checking if your clothes are still on? Even if I wanted to do something, I wouldn't do it while you're unconscious. You know me—I prefer it when you're an active participant."
Purple Cat's ears turned bright red. She stammered, "I-I'm not afraid of you doing anything. It's just a biological instinct to be scared after losing consciousness like that."
Yagami said, "I'll teach you a trick for the Temple of Nirvana Jutsu."
"A trick? Captain, the scroll you gave me didn't mention any tricks."
"The scroll contains the original version. It doesn't have tips because I just figured this out myself."
Purple Cat was incredulous. Not only had he learned it in a fraction of the time, but he had already optimized it? "Captain, I didn't know your Genjutsu was this strong. I thought I had talent because I learned it in three hours."
"Don't sell yourself short. You're just not as good as me; it doesn't mean you lack talent." Yagami reached out and pressed a finger to a specific spot on her head. "This is the hypothalamus, the key part of the brain that regulates sleep. When you release the Genjutsu, focus your chakra to attack this specific area. It has a miraculous effect."
Purple Cat's eyes widened. She had never considered such a physiological approach. Yagami flicked her reddened ear. "You just reminded me—maybe I should try hypnotizing you so I can have my way with you tonight?"
"I want to enjoy it too! If I'm asleep, I won't feel a thing."
Yagami threw a kunai, pinning it into the door frame to lock it. "No, I still want to try 'total surrender' with you."
"No, I don't want to."
Yagami muttered, "When will I get my own office? The locker room is inconvenient."
"But the locker room is exciting!"
The next morning, Yagami left the locker room and stood outside the Battalion Commander's office, waiting for potential missions. If no missions came by noon, he wouldn't need to wait further. Soon, Unit Leader Hippo arrived as well, waiting alongside him.
The door opened, and Yellow Dog stepped out. "Fox, come with me. We're going to see the Head of the Jonin Standby Station."
Yagami stood up, assuming Nara Shikaku had a mission for him. Behind him, Hippo bolted upright. Yagami turned, confused. 'Shikaku wants to see me, why are you so excited, Hippo?'
Hippo couldn't help but ask, "Commander, is Fox...?"
Yellow Dog nodded. "Yes. Fox is undergoing the Jonin assessment. Keep working hard, Hippo. Once your strength reaches the requirement, I'll write you a recommendation too."
Under his mask, Yagami was stunned. 'What? I'm becoming a Jonin?'
Yellow Dog tossed him a scroll, which Yagami caught reflexively. Opening it, he saw it was indeed an official Jonin recommendation form. On the way, Yellow Dog explained:
"A Jonin recommendation must be initiated by the Hokage or a high-level advisor, and at least ten active Jonin must sign off on it. Once the Head of the Jonin Station passes you through the assessment, and the Hokage gives final approval, you'll be announced at the Jonin assembly. Then, you're a Jonin. Your recommendation was initiated by the Hokage himself. Perform well and show off the strength of the Anbu; otherwise, those regular Jonin will keep thinking we're just mindless assassination machines."
"Understood, Captain."
The second floor of the Hokage building belonged to the Jonin Standby Station. It housed the Head's office, a large assembly hall for 200 people, and an assessment room. Nominally, the Jonin Assembly was the highest decision-making body in the village, though in practice, they followed the Hokage's lead. Becoming a Jonin meant entering the true core of the village. In the chaos of battle, all ninja must follow the orders of any nearby Jonin without question.
Yellow Dog led Yagami into the assessment room. Nara Shikaku sat on the presiding platform, with ten Jonin—including Yellow Dog—standing behind him. Shikaku was looking over Yagami's file. "Sit," he said.
Yagami sat on the lone mat in the center of the room. Shikaku read from the scroll:
"Fox. Anbu Unit Leader. Entered Anbu in Year 38. To date, has completed five S-rank missions. The most notable being the White Field River campaign, where he assisted the Water Style battalion and eliminated the wife of Camel Thorn. During the Land of Rivers war, the Hidden Sand officially recognized him with the title 'Copper Fox.' His mission success rate is exceptionally high. His record is more than sufficient for promotion."
Shikaku signed the scroll, then opened another.
"Next is the second phase: the interview. I will ask three questions. You must answer each immediately. Any hesitation will result in a failure. First question: If Lord Hokage ordered you to kill the daughter of Advisor Mitokado Homura, how would you complete the mission?"
Yagami froze. 'Is this question even appropriate?'
***
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