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This made Konoha's genjutsu users the most numerous among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Apart from Konoha, likely all the ninja from other countries and villages combined wouldn't match Konoha's numbers in this area.
In genjutsu, the Uchiha held a natural advantage.
"But we can't really tell what's happening this way either."
From the initial excitement, Naruto, among the crowd, had lost interest.
For him, even mastering ninjutsu was difficult, let alone genjutsu.
This stuff was incomprehensible.
This kid sure talks a lot.
Kazuki couldn't help but glance at Naruto, making him shrink his neck and immediately shut his mouth.
"For ninja skilled in genjutsu, by the time you realize you're under genjutsu control, it's usually already too late. So when you face such ninja, you must be careful, careful, and then more careful."
Some things, no matter how much you say, aren't as effective as experiencing them firsthand.
Seeing Naruto's dismissive attitude, Kazuki knew that for children this age, such warnings had limited impact.
Only after they'd suffered some setbacks would they understand the power of genjutsu.
Suddenly, Shisui and Itachi, who had been standing still, shuddered simultaneously, retreating several steps.
Both looked somewhat unwell. Clearly, in their genjutsu clash, both had suffered minor setbacks.
Being injured in a genjutsu battle meant mental damage. For a period afterward, Shisui and Itachi would likely keep a low profile.
It would probably be a long time before they'd have the urge to fight each other again.
"Tch, is that it?"
Hoping to see more of the thrilling spectacle, Naruto was unhappy to see them suddenly stop.
Keep fighting! Why did you stop?
Kazuki was speechless. He raised a hand and snapped his fingers. Naruto instinctively turned his head, and then...
His eyes began to glaze over. He slowly turned his head to look at the people around him, soon showing an expression that was three parts lecherous, seven parts excited, muttering, "Sakura..."
"???"
What the heck!!!
Naruto's reaction startled everyone around. They hastily backed away.
Especially Chōji Akimichi, who was closest to Naruto, felt Naruto's gaze toward him was... off.
This idiot... Did he fall under the Lord Advisor's genjutsu and mistake me for Sakura?
Thinking this, Chōji couldn't help but shiver, retreating repeatedly.
But as he retreated, Naruto advanced. Chōji kept retreating, Naruto kept advancing.
"Sakura, don't leave me..."
Sakura, the person in question, was utterly stunned, her eyes wide, jaw practically on the ground.
The group of young companions was also frozen, some looking fearfully at Kazuki.
What genjutsu did Lord Advisor use on Naruto?
This is terrifying.
He chased, he fled...
Watching Chōji being chased by Naruto, the onlookers couldn't help but cast sympathetic glances.
Kazuki's expression was rather peculiar.
Didn't the Nine-Tails help Naruto break the genjutsu?
Kazuki had used genjutsu on Naruto to teach him a lesson.
With the Nine-Tails present, ordinary genjutsu should have been easily broken. But the Nine-Tails showed no reaction.
What Kazuki didn't know was that inside the seal, the Nine-Tails was currently laughing so hard it was slapping the ground with its massive paws.
Lately, the Nine-Tails had been trying to tempt Naruto, but Naruto simply wouldn't take the bait.
Feeling displeased, the Nine-Tails had no intention of helping Naruto break the genjutsu. Instead, it was happily watching the show from inside the seal.
It had even withdrawn the chakra that usually influenced Naruto.
"Naruto, calm down! I'm not Sakura! Sakura is over there!!!"
Chōji felt like he was about to break down.
I was just watching the show! How did watching turn me into the heroine? This is a recipe for social death!
Unfortunately, Naruto was undeterred, opening his arms to embrace Chōji.
Finally reaching his limit, Chōji punched Naruto in the face, sending him flying.
The entire camp fell into an eerie silence.
Hit by the punch, Naruto, who had been sent flying several meters and landed on the ground, woke up.
"Oww! That hurts! Who hit me?"
"Chōji?"
Looking at Chōji, who was still holding his fist in a punching pose, Naruto clutched his already swollen cheek and cried out plaintively.
"Chōji, why did you hit me?"
"I'm warning you, don't come any closer! The Sakura you like is over there! Don't get near me, or I'll hit you again!"
Naruto was awake now, but once bitten, twice shy. Fearing Naruto might pounce again, Chōji decisively warned him not to approach.
You like Sakura, huh?
Want to hug Sakura, huh?
She's over there. Go find her, don't come to me.
"Chōji, what nonsense are you talking about?! I don't like that violent girl at all!!!"
Having his secret crush exposed, Naruto was mortified. His face flushed red as he loudly denied it.
Like Sakura?
Don't be ridiculous. I don't like her—at least I can't admit it openly. How embarrassing.
"....."
Sakura, described by Naruto as a "violent girl," had metaphorical black lines on her forehead. Her fists clenched so tight they turned white; she really wanted to hit someone.
"Uh..."
Seems like... killing intent?
Sensing something, Naruto, body stiff, slowly turned his head.
It's over.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Someone started laughing first. Hearing the laughter, everyone else, who had been holding back, burst into uproarious laughter.
The main characters—Naruto, Sakura, and Chōji—covered their heads and ran, especially Naruto and Chōji.
No one had expected a small genjutsu to lead to such a hilariously embarrassing incident.
Even Kazuki himself hadn't anticipated it.
He had merely used genjutsu to guide Naruto a bit, but the kid ended up exposing his inner thoughts and mistaking Chōji for Sakura.
From the looks of it, he'd wanted to hug and even kiss him.
It seemed Naruto's crush with Sakura exceeded ordinary imagination.
Just like Sakura's liking for Sasuke—she'd rather become a rogue ninja and follow him.
You could think Sakura was foolish, that her personality was flawed, or that her skills were lacking.
But her affection for Sasuke had reached an almost fanatical level.
In fact, regarding matters of the heart, Naruto and Sakura were somewhat similar.
In the original story, if not for Hinata's various sacrifices, even risking her life, nearly losing herself, would Naruto REALLY see her?
It seemed unlikely.
Here, just a little guidance had resulted in a monumental social death.
However, such a spectacle was nothing to Naruto. Within two hours, he'd be bouncing around again. But Sakura and Chōji would suffer.
This incident would undoubtedly become an unforgettable dark history for both of them.
"Alright, everyone, disperse. Go do whatever you need to. No need to gather here and make a fuss."
With the main parties unable to bear it and having fled first, Kazuki waved his hand, dispersing the crowd.
They'd played, eaten good food, watched a fight—time to rest. No need for everyone to stand around in the camp like gate guardians.