CHAPTER 60

A ninja's abilities can be categorized into three primary disciplines: Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu. Among them, Genjutsu is the most insidious and difficult to guard against, especially when wielded by the Uchiha. The prowess of Sharingan-based illusions is legendary, from the near-instantaneous effects of Tsukuyomi to the mind-altering potency of Kotoamatsukami. Even lesser illusions, when properly applied, can decisively shift the tide of battle.

For Mizuki Ryosuke, who thrived on meticulous preparation, Genjutsu was a silent menace capable of instant downfall. The Naruto manga contains no shortage of victims who fell prey to the Uchiha's illusions—Orochimaru, despite his genius, was immobilized with a mere glance from Itachi. Deidara, an elite artist of explosive combat, obsessed over countering Sharingan after his humiliating defeat. These incidents served as dire warnings—Uchiha illusions were inescapable death traps.

Even among illusionists, the Uchiha stood at the apex. It was common knowledge that ordinary shinobi could attempt to break free from Genjutsu by disrupting their chakra flow, yet this method was virtually useless against Sharingan-based illusions. Mizuki Ryosuke, understanding this fatal weakness, developed a secret technique—Extreme Cold Nerves.

The core principle of Genjutsu involves manipulating sensory input by hijacking neural signals with chakra interference. Sight, sound, and even touch can be forged into falsehoods, deceiving the target into perceiving an illusory reality. But what if the brain's neural activity was forcibly interrupted, frozen in a momentary state of shock? In theory, this could create a short-lived immunity to all forms of Genjutsu.

Extreme Cold Nerves was precisely such a technique. By briefly inducing a self-inflicted neural freeze, it prevented external chakra interference. However, this technique had a grave drawback—it was inherently self-destructive. Prolonged use could permanently damage brain function, meaning Ryosuke could only employ it for short bursts.

At the moment of stepping into the underground chamber, Ryosuke had already activated Extreme Cold Nerves, prepared for the inevitable assault of Uchiha Madara's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. The legendary shinobi was unlikely to waste time with idle talk—Madara was a man of swift and decisive action.

As expected, Madara had immediately tested him with Genjutsu. By resisting the Eternal Mangekyō illusion, Ryosuke subtly planted the notion that standard illusions were ineffective against him.

Then came a pivotal moment—Madara did not immediately engage. Instead, he allowed Black Zetsu to act first.

This was a revelation.

The lion does not hunt with half-measures. Uchiha Madara was not a man to casually send an underling into battle unless necessary. For him to hold back implied a severe physical limitation.

The weaker Madara's condition, the safer Ryosuke's position became.

Displaying Strength—A Calculated Move

Mizuki Ryosuke had anticipated the worst—a direct confrontation with Madara. Instead, Black Zetsu became his stepping stone.

To maximize his impact and prove his worth, Ryosuke unleashed one of his trump cards—Ice Release: Mahābhārata.

With a single devastating strike, Black Zetsu was obliterated.

This demonstration solidified Ryosuke's position. Strength, intelligence, and potential—he had fulfilled all the criteria of a "useful pawn" in Madara's eyes.

The faint smirk on Madara's lips confirmed it. Ryosuke's first objective was complete.

Now came the crucial phase—earning Madara's approval.

If physical strength made him qualified, ideological alignment would determine whether Madara truly acknowledged him.

Despite knowing the truth, Ryosuke feigned ignorance and stared directly into Madara's Eternal Mangekyō, unflinching.

"How did you break the Magic Mirror Illusion and find me?" Ryosuke asked.

Madara, intrigued, did not attack. Instead, he responded with calculated amusement.

"Magic Mirror Illusion?" he echoed, smirking. "An original technique? Interesting. It was nearly flawless."

Madara's tone was that of a teacher evaluating an impressive student. But then, his smirk deepened.

"Your mistake…" he continued, "was your murderous intent. No matter how perfect an illusion, the moment you prepared to strike, I sensed it."

Ryosuke mentally cursed himself. A momentary lapse… but one I will not repeat.

He quickly composed himself and pressed forward with calculated boldness.

"Uchiha Madara… the legendary shinobi who stood alongside Senju Hashirama, the Ninja World's Shura."

"Why are you here?" Ryosuke asked, his tone laced with defiance.

Madara's Amusement—A Test of Will

Madara's response was unexpected.

He threw back his head and laughed—a deep, eerie laughter that echoed through the cavern.

"Hahahaha!!!"

Ryosuke's boldness had genuinely amused him.

"Boy," Madara said, his voice brimming with restrained menace, "you are the first in decades to speak to me like this."

The temperature in the chamber seemed to drop as Madara's gaze darkened, the weight of his tyrannical presence settling over Ryosuke.

Even so, Ryosuke refused to break eye contact.

"If I am to stand before the Ninja World's Shura, I must at least do so with dignity," he declared, eyes alight with unyielding resolve.

A spark of interest flashed in Madara's eyes.

But just as Madara was about to test him personally, Ryosuke raised a hand.

"Facing Madara Uchiha like this would be disgraceful," he said. "Allow me to correct that."

He closed his eyes and pressed his hands together.

Poof!

A cold mist burst forth, revealing the shocking truth—Mizuki Ryosuke had never been here.

The Ryosuke who had fought was nothing more than an Ice Clone infused with half his chakra!

The real Mizuki Ryosuke emerged from the shadows, his true body stepping forward for the first time.

Madara's eyes narrowed in sharp intrigue.

For all his perception, for all the Sharingan's power, even he had failed to see through Ryosuke's deception.

At that moment, Madara's thoughts shifted.

Such talent… such deception…

Perhaps, this boy was the one he had been waiting for all along.

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