"Eh…?""Eh…?""Huh!…"
Finally, everyone's attention turned to Yuhi Kurenai.
"Red, you kept something so important completely under wraps! If Kakashi hadn't told us, we'd have had no idea!" Asuma immediately spoke up.
"Ah, Father never told me either! I just found out myself!" Kurenai said, tossing her hair casually.
Her gesture left Asuma momentarily dumbfounded. At that moment, his mind wandered to the future: What would be a good name for Kurenai's child? Sarutobi Mirai? Sarutobi Konoha? Or maybe Sarutobi Kurenai?
Ran glanced at Asuma, who was lost in his daydream, and said, "Honestly, it seems like my strengths are only genjutsu and swordsmanship. The Third Hokage must have thought carefully before assigning Jonin Kurenai Yuhi as my mentor."
"Genjutsu, huh? Ran's genjutsu is pretty good. Maybe I should give him a crow as his summoning beast—it would suit him perfectly," said Aoba Yamashiro.
"This is perfect! Genjutsu is my specialty anyway! Handsome boys always have great illusion techniques," Kurenai said with a smile.
"That's awesome, Ran! Our team really needs a genjutsu master—maybe we'll get to team up in the future!" Rin chimed in cheerfully.
Watching Rin chat and laugh with Ran, Uchiha Obito felt a pang of jealousy. He quickly said, "Ran, how about a long-awaited spar? Before the Genin officially join their teams, the team leaders are still supposed to test us!"
Looking at Obito and the expectant group, Ran smiled. "Of course, no problem, Obito. After we finish eating, let's head to the stream at the Naka River."
Half an hour later, at the Naka River…
"So, Ran, the sword at your waist is called a Zanpakuto? That's…an unusual name," Rin said curiously.
"Yeah! Kakashi, look at this sword—it looks amazing! The patterns on it seem priceless!" Rin added.
The people around them murmured their agreement. At that moment, a boy with a slightly afro hairstyle, wearing a Konoha headband and sunglasses, squatted at Ran's feet, stroking his chin. "Rin, Ran's sword is really beautiful!"
In the boy's eyes, the sword was a masterpiece. Every angle exuded a mesmerizing charm. Obito examined it closely: the blade was entirely purplish-black, like a gentle breeze slicing through the night.
The subdued color conveyed both solemnity and mystery. The blade was engraved with suns, moons, stars, mountains, rivers, and animals. Faint marks on the steel seemed to bear witness to countless battles, giving it a sense of vitality.
The edge was a chaotic reverse-T pattern, like a willow leaf twisting in the wind. Its serrated design resembled a fierce, venomous snake, ready to strike the enemy at any moment. The tip glimmered with cold light. The fittings were primarily blue and black, evoking both mystery and authority.
At the sword's end hung a sky-blue tassel, soft and cloud-like, giving the blade an air of elegance and fluidity. A gentle breeze made it sway, resembling stars scattered across the sky, or flowers in a mirror, or the moon reflected on water—beautiful and untouchable.
"Want to see my special technique, Obito, everyone?" Ran asked.
"A special technique? I was just going to say, you're a newly graduated Genin—how could you possibly have one? Only experienced Genin like me, Obito, who are about to take the Chunin Exams, have special techniques," Obito said, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Alright, I'm really curious, Ran. Show us yours," Rin said eagerly.
"Could it be swordsmanship? Can we really see your secret technique?" Kakashi asked, his voice tinged with curiosity behind his mask.
"Don't worry. Come on, Obito," Ran said calmly.
Ran and Obito quickly moved to the riverbank, forming opposing hand seals. Once complete, they separated.
Ran grabbed the Zanpakuto from his right hip, holding it in front of his chest. "Here I come. Don't blink—it'll be over in an instant."
Ran softly called the name of his Zanpakuto: "Open, Fushin Jakumu!" A mysterious power shimmered along the blade. The sudden display made everyone feel dizzy, as if stepping into an illusion, before they instantly regained clarity.
"Kakashi! Is this a genjutsu combined with a sword?" Kurenai exclaimed.
"Yes, Red. It's a genjutsu. Though cast on Obito, it also subtly affects onlookers. Don't speak—just watch."
Obito, facing Ran, felt his vision blur. Ran's image suddenly appeared in his pupils. He turned sharply—and Ran had vanished.
A series of illusions flashed before him. Obito saw himself defeating Kakashi, and Rin wearing a wedding dress for him—it all felt like fate's design.
"Genjutsu! When did I fall for this?" Obito realized instantly and forced his chakra to disrupt the illusion, changing the scene.
But when Obito finally cleared his vision, he found himself still standing in place. Looking up, he was shocked to see the purplish-black blade pressed against his neck. Cold radiated from it, sending a shiver down his spine. His heartbeat surged. He realized he was in immediate danger. Before he could even react, the sword was already at his throat.
"Whoa…what just happened?" the onlookers murmured.
He had been defeated by Ran, a freshly graduated Genin—and so quickly! I just realized it, and I'm already defeated? Obito thought furiously. How could this be? Ran's grades weren't that great in school!
Still, outwardly, he said, "Ran, that was an incredible genjutsu. I lost this time, but next time I'll be ready and won't fall for it again."
"Of course, Obito. No Uchiha falls for the same trick twice!" Ran said calmly, ignoring Obito's boast and gently encouraging him.