185

Haruto woke up early, the first light of dawn creeping through his window. After a couple of hours working through his taijutsu forms and chakra exercises, he headed back to his apartment for a big meal. With the amount of training he put his body through, fueling up was essential. Once he had eaten, he felt his energy returning, muscles primed for the challenge ahead.

Today was going to be different. Daichi was training with Kushina, and Shisui was busy with his clan for the next few weeks, leaving Haruto with some extra time on his hands. But instead of resting, he was set to meet an old friend of Sakumo's who would be training him in a new genjutsu technique. Haruto didn't know what to expect, but the opportunity to expand his skillset was too important to pass up.

He made his way to Training Ground 2, arriving early as usual. The quiet space allowed him to focus, sharpening his mind for what was to come. There wasn't much information about this new instructor, and that added an air of mystery to the whole situation. The forested edge of the training grounds was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls. Haruto's eyes drifted across the trees, soaking in the natural beauty, but his senses remained on high alert. His experience as a shinobi had taught him that tranquility often preceded challenge.

As he stood there, scanning the surroundings, the sound of a slow, uneven shuffle caught his attention. He turned to see an old man hobbling toward him. The man had a weathered face, his silver hair shot through with patches of black. His most notable feature, however, was his wooden peg leg, which thudded against the ground with each step. The scars etched into the right side of his face and his hardened expression told the story of a man who had seen more than his share of battle.

Haruto's senses were on high alert. The man approached steadily, but just as Haruto focused on him, everything shifted. Suddenly, Haruto found himself standing in the middle of a burning building, flames roaring around him, the heat searing his skin. The wooden beams creaked under the pressure of the fire, and the acrid smell of smoke filled his lungs. His mind raced, his heartbeat quickening as the illusion took hold.

But his two-mind ability kicked in. One part of him stayed grounded, instantly recognizing the illusion for what it was, while the other worked to break it. The sensation of heat and danger faded quickly as his second mind anchored him in reality, providing clarity.

With a surge of chakra, the flames vanished, the illusion collapsing as the familiar training grounds snapped back into focus. Haruto barely had a second to react as a shuriken came flying toward him. Instinctively, he dodged to the side, the weapon slicing the air where he had stood just moments before.

"What the hell?" Haruto muttered as he regained his balance, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The sudden shift from illusion to reality had caught him off guard, but his body's reflexes had saved him.

The old man laughed, his voice gruff and full of amusement. "Not bad, kid. If you couldn't even break out of that basic genjutsu, there's no way you'd be ready for what comes next."

Haruto steadied himself, his eyes narrowing as he regarded the man more closely. Hisato Mura, the man Sakumo had spoken of, was clearly a master of genjutsu. The illusion had been flawless, and the follow-up shuriken proved he wasn't pulling any punches.

"Who are you?" Haruto asked, his voice measured but tense.

Hisato grinned, leaning slightly on his peg leg. "Hisato Mura. Sakumo thinks you've got what it takes to learn from me. Guess we'll see if he's right."

Haruto remained silent, his gaze locked on Hisato. He could already tell that this training was going to be unlike anything he had experienced before. Hisato's words were more than just a challenge—they were a promise. The old man wasn't going to go easy on him, and Haruto knew he had to be ready for whatever came next.

Hisato moved closer, his good eye studying Haruto intently. "You broke that genjutsu fast. Impressive. But to truly master this technique, you'll need more than just quick reactions. You'll need control, focus… and the guts to handle what it demands."

Haruto squared his shoulders, meeting Hisato's gaze with steady determination. He wasn't afraid of the challenge ahead, and if anyone was going to push him to his limits, it looked like Hisato Mura was the man to do it.

Haruto stared at the grizzled, scarred man before him, fully aware that the training ahead would be brutal but crucial for his growth.