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Haruto landed on his bed, feeling surprisingly less exhausted than he had all week. The soreness in his muscles had dulled, replaced with a sense of satisfaction. For once, today hadn't just been about physical endurance or surviving Hisato's relentless training. Today, he had actually gotten to learn the jutsu—a significant step forward. While it was still just the B-rank version, it was the first tangible progress he'd made in his training. His mind raced with the possibilities.

As he lay there, Haruto's thoughts focused on the details of the B-rank genjutsu Hisato had handed him. This was the Genjutsu: False Surroundings Technique, a more advanced version of a standard illusion technique. The scroll had explained that while it wasn't on the level of Hisato's specialized S-rank technique, it was still incredibly useful in confusing and disorienting opponents in combat.

The B-rank False Surroundings genjutsu worked by altering the target's perception of their environment. It created a convincing illusion of the world around them, whether by making a forest seem denser, moving trees out of place, or shifting the landscape in ways that could mislead an opponent into making the wrong move. It didn't physically change the environment, but rather manipulated the senses of the target, making them believe the illusion was real.

What made this jutsu so effective was its versatility. Haruto could use it to confuse enemies in a group by making them see false paths or hide dangers like traps, or he could focus on a single opponent, making them see a completely fabricated battlefield. The challenge, though, was in the concentration required to maintain the illusion, especially when fighting multiple enemies. It wasn't just about creating the illusion—it was about maintaining its credibility while under pressure.

This version of the jutsu wasn't as complex as the S-rank variant Hisato had mentioned, but it still required a high level of control. Haruto had to make sure that the illusion looked natural. If his enemies realized they were caught in a genjutsu, it could fall apart, and the entire strategy would collapse with it. Precision and attention to detail were key—Haruto had to be able to manipulate the environment in subtle, convincing ways.

One of the greatest strengths of this B-rank jutsu was its ability to mislead without causing suspicion. Unlike more overt genjutsu that might trap an enemy in a nightmare or force them into a mental battle, this technique was stealthy. The victim might not even realize they were under a genjutsu until it was too late, thinking they had simply miscalculated or taken a wrong turn.

For Haruto, this was the perfect jutsu to complement his fighting style. With his two-mind ability, he could maintain the illusion while staying fully aware of his surroundings, something that gave him a massive advantage. Hisato had emphasized that multitasking was the key weakness of most genjutsu users—they focused too much on keeping the illusion intact and often lost track of their surroundings. That's why this technique had claimed the lives of Hisato's sons, who couldn't balance the demands of the jutsu and the battlefield.

But Haruto was different. With his two-mind ability, he could maintain the genjutsu in one part of his mind, while the other half stayed sharp, analyzing the environment for threats or planning his next move. This advantage, combined with his already impressive chakra control, made it clear why Sakumo had insisted he learn from Hisato.

The day's training had given him the basics. He had spent hours with his shadow clone running through the hand seals and working on the chakra flow required to cast the jutsu. It took time to get the balance right, but with each failed attempt, Haruto absorbed the clone's memories, refining his technique. After several hours, he had finally managed to create a basic illusion of a clearing, altering the layout of a few trees. It was a small success, but it was proof that the jutsu was within his reach.

Still, he knew there was a long road ahead. This B-rank jutsu was just the foundation. Hisato's S-rank version—the one that had cost his sons their lives—was the ultimate goal. But for now, Haruto was content with mastering the fundamentals.

As he stretched out on his bed, he allowed his mind to wander, imagining how he could use the False Surroundings technique in combat. It wasn't a flashy jutsu, but it was deadly in the right hands. He pictured scenarios where he could use it to deceive enemies, leading them into traps or causing them to waste precious time searching for him in a maze of false imagery.

Haruto felt a thrill of excitement at the thought. The versatility of genjutsu, combined with his two-mind ability, opened up endless possibilities. He was starting to see why Hisato had placed so much value on this type of jutsu, even if it came with heavy risks.

As he lay there, Haruto mentally reviewed the hand seals again, going over the sequences in his mind. Tomorrow, he would dive back into practice, pushing himself to perfect the technique. He had the basics down, but there was still a lot of fine-tuning to be done before he could consider it a weapon in his arsenal.

With a small smile, he turned over, already thinking about the challenges that lay ahead. Learning the False Surroundings Technique had been a major step forward, and it had reignited his drive.