Chapter 14 — Levels of Genjutsu
"What's your opinion of… Senju Tobirama?" Senju Momoka's voice remained calm and steady.
The question immediately made Tsunade tense up, her palms sweating.
Senju Momoka and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had political disagreements. When Tobirama assumed office, he reclaimed powers originally belonging to Momoka. Later, he even disbanded the Senju clan. The two could be said to have a longstanding grudge.
Ryusuke keenly sensed that mentioning this name caused a faint ripple in the spiritual space constructed by the surrounding genjutsu.
Under the influence of the genjutsu, Ryusuke followed his own understanding and judgment, and slowly said, "The Second Hokage was an exceptionally skilled politician and leader."
At this, Momoka's brow twitched ever so slightly, and the air around them seemed to grow a few degrees colder.
Tsunade's heart raced; she thought to herself, This is bad, really bad. Grandma Momoka has old grievances with Grandpa Tobirama.
Ryusuke continued, "He worked to eliminate familial divisions within the village and promoted integration among the ninja clans.
From a long-term perspective, many of his policies and plans were extraordinarily visionary."
Although objectively phrased, these words struck Momoka sharply, especially combined with her own experiences of marginalization.
Sure enough, after hearing him, her brow furrowed tightly again.
Her face, which had previously softened slightly at the answers to the first two questions, was now once more cloaked in a chill.
"We're doomed." Tsunade swallowed hard, deciding to find any excuse to drag Ryusuke out of there before he got elbowed by Momoka.
"But then again…" Just as Tsunade scrambled for a distraction, Ryusuke's voice rang out again.
"Unfortunately, the Second Hokage passed away too early. Many of his plans were never fully realized, leaving behind some thorny issues.
Among them, the handling of the Uchiha clan was perhaps the most serious."
Momoka's furrowed brow eased slightly. The icy aura around her seemed to dissipate a bit.
She glanced at Tsunade, who sat fidgeting beside her, showing a slightly pleading smile with her small canine teeth glinting.
Momoka lightly snorted, giving a reluctant acknowledgment of Ryusuke's answer—not perfect, but at least not offensive.
She cleared her throat, the sound striking Ryusuke's ears like a morning bell.
Ryusuke's vision cleared instantly. The previous experience felt like a fleeting daydream, yet he clearly remembered everything he had said.
"That was really dancing on the edge of danger," he thought, swallowing hard but keeping his expression calm.
"Not bad," Momoka's voice remained cool, though the scrutiny had lessened slightly.
"Since it's for little Tsunade's sake, you… just barely pass."
Tsunade immediately breathed a sigh of relief, her face lighting up with a bright smile.
She leaned toward Momoka, "Thank you, Grandma Momoka! I knew you were the best!"
Momoka shook her head helplessly, then looked at Ryusuke, her tone serious.
"I can teach you, but I have one condition: that you help Tsunade in Konoha."
She didn't finish the sentence, but the three present were not fools—they knew exactly what she meant.
That was, to become Tsunade's right-hand, helping her ascend to the Hokage position again and restore the Senju clan's prominence.
This was an investment she was making in Ryusuke.
Ryusuke respectfully said, "Yes, Teacher! I will remember."
Although Tsunade disliked politics, she said nothing and congratulated him instead: "That's great, Ryusuke! Grandma Momoka is the pinnacle of Konoha's genjutsu.
You must study seriously."
Momoka, wise and experienced, immediately understood Tsunade's little scheme.
"You little girl, not even married, and already scheming?" Momoka teased, though her eyes held a hint of fondness.
"Enough, this doesn't concern you. Go back first.
I don't like having outsiders watch while I teach."
Tsunade blushed, giving a sweet smile: "Got it, Grandma Momoka. I'll leave Ryusuke in your care!
I'll come by later."
With that, she left the room lightly.
Once Tsunade departed, only Ryusuke and Momoka remained, and the atmosphere grew serious again.
Momoka motioned for Ryusuke to sit. She slowly poured two cups of tea and pushed one toward him.
"Since you are going to learn genjutsu, you should first have a clear understanding of its realm. Genjutsu can be roughly divided into four levels."
"Level One is the most basic. It can only momentarily confuse the enemy, useful for creating openings or disrupting hand signs. A slightly experienced ninja can easily break free by disrupting the flow of chakra within themselves."
"Level Two is significantly more advanced. The illusions created are more realistic, causing the target to be immersed without realizing it. Without external interference, it is extremely difficult to escape, usually requiring teammates to input chakra from outside to disrupt the flow."
Ryusuke nodded. This matched most of what he knew about powerful genjutsu.
"Level Three involves deep hypnosis of the mind."
A glint appeared in Momoka's eyes: "The caster can plant 'suggestions' within the target's chakra pathways.
Even if the chakra is disrupted the first time, the target will unconsciously follow the set path of the genjutsu, falling into the illusion again. This is what is called multi-layered genjutsu, nearly impossible to defend against."
Ryusuke felt a chill. This kind of genjutsu was like a malignant growth, terrifying in its persistence.
"As for Level Four, it touches the extreme of Yin Release, using spiritual energy to affect reality, creating near-real virtual worlds from nothing."
"The Kurama clan's kekkei genkai represents this path. Unfortunately, their numbers are few, and the clan has declined."
Ryusuke couldn't help but ask, "Teacher… which level have you reached?"
Momoka took a sip of tea, giving Ryusuke a faint glance without answering.
He wisely didn't press further but his estimation of his new teacher's strength skyrocketed several levels in his mind.
"Alright, theory ends here for now."
Momoka put down the cup: "Your files mention that you are skilled in genjutsu. Tell me, what difficulties have you encountered in your practice so far?"
Ryusuke keenly caught the phrase 'your files', realizing the material Tsunade showed him last night likely came from Momoka herself.
"With the Senju clan gone, no wonder she's confident she can help Tsunade become Hokage." Ryusuke thought.
"That also works in my favor, keeping Danzo's hands off me. The current Senju clan isn't something he can touch."
Momoka observed his thoughtful expression and nodded inwardly: This really is a sharp thinker.
In just a few exchanges and by reading his expression, both knew he understood the things she intended for him to know.