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Thank you all so much for your incredible reviews and the powerstones you've been dropping! Your support truly means the world to me, and I'm beyond grateful for every single one of you who takes the time to read and engage with this story. This chapter is dedicated to all of you—you're the fuel that keeps this going!

Haruto stretched his arms out, feeling the pleasant soreness from his morning training session. The day felt different, though, as Sakumo, their jonin sensei, had just been called away on a mission and would be gone for a few weeks. This meant the team had some time off. Shisui, however, wouldn't be free—he had clan training scheduled for the next few weeks. Daichi had his own training with Kushina Uzumaki, leaving Haruto wondering how best to use his time.

Before Sakumo had left, Haruto had asked him something that had been on his mind for a while: "How can I gain access to more jutsu?"

It was a question that had been nagging at him. Daichi had Kushina, who provided him with guidance and access to Uzumaki techniques. Shisui, of course, had his Uchiha clan's vast jutsu library and their powerful techniques. Haruto, though driven and resourceful, had always felt a little isolated in his training. He had worked hard with the resources he had, but now, he felt like he was hitting a wall. He needed access to more advanced jutsu if he was going to keep up.

Sakumo had explained it to him clearly. Once Haruto became a chunin, he would start earning merit points for every mission. These points could be exchanged for jutsu scrolls, specialized tools, and various resources to aid his growth. In fact, Haruto had already earned a significant number of merit points through the B-rank missions he had completed with his team. But because he was still technically a genin, he didn't have access to them yet.

Haruto had nodded, though the thought of waiting until he became a chunin frustrated him. He didn't want his progress to be held back by his rank. He wanted to keep growing now.

Sakumo had noticed the frustration in Haruto's eyes and had offered something that had taken him by surprise. "Haruto," he had said, "I still owe you a request for impressing me during that 3-vs-1 drill when you faced off against your teammates."

Haruto blinked in surprise. He had forgotten about that.

"I've already fulfilled Daichi's and Shisui's requests," Sakumo had continued. "Daichi asked for a new jutsu, and Shisui requested additional training with me. But you never made your request."

Haruto thought for a moment. His initial question about more access to jutsu came to mind, but there was something else that had piqued his interest. Before he could respond, Sakumo continued, his tone more serious.

"You've impressed me, Haruto," Sakumo had said, "and I've noticed something about your abilities. Your multitasking ability gives you an edge—especially in combat. Your ability to stay aware of your surroundings while managing complex jutsu is better than even some of the most experienced jonin I've worked with."

Haruto raised a mental eyebrow at that. His two-mind ability—the system's gift—had certainly given him an edge, though Sakumo wasn't aware of the specifics. He assumed it was a natural ability, but Haruto knew it was far more. He could split his consciousness, allowing him to handle complex tasks, analyze his surroundings, and remain aware of multiple things simultaneously. It had helped him immensely in battle, especially when using techniques like the Thunder Scalpel, where precision and awareness were critical.

Sakumo continued, his expression thoughtful. "Your Thunder Scalpel is an impressive jutsu, but what makes it even more interesting is your ability to use it while staying active in your environment. It's not an easy jutsu to maintain, yet you're able to use it passively and still stay sharp."

Haruto couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at his sensei's words, but at the same time, it made him reflect. He had always felt confident—sometimes overly so—in his abilities, and his multitasking technique had only amplified that confidence. The system's advantages gave him a strategic edge that most other shinobi didn't have. But Sakumo's words made him realize something: he needed to stop thinking he was the smartest in the room.

Sakumo's voice broke through his thoughts. "You've mastered your jutsu well, but there's always room for improvement. You need to be careful not to rely too heavily on one technique, no matter how powerful it is. Versatility is key, and you do that better than most, but I think you can continue to push those boundaries.

Haruto nodded. He knew Sakumo was right. His Thunder Scalpel was powerful, but he didn't want to become predictable by relying on it too much. His ability to use the jutsu while staying engaged with his surroundings was a strength, but he needed to continue expanding his skillset.

Then Sakumo paused, his expression becoming more thoughtful. "You know, I don't actually specialize in genjutsu, but I have an old friend who does. He's got a special version of the Genjutsu: False Surroundings Technique that I think would be a perfect fit for you. With your multitasking ability, you'd be able to alter the enemy's perception of the battlefield while attacking them without losing focus."

Haruto blinked. A specialized version of False Surroundings Technique? He had never heard of this genjutsu in the anime. What could be so special about it? He trusted his sensei, though, and nodded.

"Good," Sakumo said, smiling slightly. "Be at Training Field 2 in two days. I'll set it up."

As Sakumo walked away, Haruto found himself more curious than ever. What kind of genjutsu would this be? And more importantly, who was this friend of Sakumo's that could teach it? He couldn't help but wonder why a genjutsu like this was never mentioned in the canon timeline he knew.

Sakumo, for his part, was already thinking ahead, wondering how he would convince his grumpy old friend to agree to train Haruto. The kid had potential, but getting the old man to agree might be a challenge in itself.