Chapter 65: The Barrier Division
Training Ground 88.
"The Eight Scents of Fire?
Genjutsu?
Your teacher taught you this?"
Every word Iruka spoke made Mizuki feel more uncomfortable. This "Eight Scents" mentioned in the Genjutsu must have been those eight flavors he just experienced. To hell with Eight Scents!
The fact that it was Iruka's "Teacher" meant it wasn't an Academy instructor or Lord Third himself; that left only Iruka's former squad leader, Tonbo Tobitake.
Damn it. They aren't even on the same team anymore, yet he's still teaching him new ninjutsu. Why don't I have a teacher like that?
Mizuki wore a smile on his face, but the jealousy in his heart had twisted into something ugly. He knew Tonbo Tobitake. Two years ago, Mizuki had sparred with the rapidly improving Iruka and, given their relationship, knew exactly who his mentor was.
If it hadn't been for the training methods he "stole" from Iruka, Mizuki wouldn't have been promoted to Chunin so quickly. Back then, Mizuki used to think how lucky he would be if his teacher were Tonbo Tobitake instead of Iruka—that pathetic little orphan who lost his parents to the Nine-Tails.
But even now, after the team had disbanded, Tonbo was still being so good to Iruka. Mizuki was consumed by envy. Why did Lord Third, Tonbo Tobitake, and everyone else treat Iruka so well? Why was the spotlight always on him, while Mizuki remained obscure, forced to rely entirely on himself?
"Ah, your teacher is truly wonderful to teach you such a secret technique. I'm fine, really—your progress is what matters most," Mizuki laughed it off as if it were nothing.
Seeing that Big Brother Mizuki didn't mind, Iruka breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hehe, Tonbo-sensei is amazing, but he has a wicked sense of humor. For instance, this Genjutsu... well, you felt it, right? Its use in actual combat isn't that great. Sensei taught it to me so I could use it to intimidate students and make them study harder," Iruka scratched his head and chuckled.
Students. Hearing that word, a flash of gloom crossed Mizuki's eyes. He remembered that he and Iruka had passed the Academy instructor trials at the same time, but because of a previous incident where he allegedly killed a teammate to complete a mission, his teaching certification had been delayed.
Mizuki felt a burning hatred. Lord White Fang was condemned by thousands for failing a mission to save his comrades; yet Mizuki, who chose the mission over a teammate (and didn't even directly admit to the killing), had his entire career path stalled.
He hated it. He hated the Hokage's favoritism and he hated the ambiguity of Konoha's system. Why was nothing he did ever recognized?
Konoha Library of Techniques.
Tonbo Tobitake had no idea that Iruka had already found his first test subject. At this moment, he was staring at the scroll right in front of him: Bringer-of-Darkness.
"Hmm? This jutsu was created by the First Hokage?" Tonbo raised an eyebrow at the creator's name.
It was quite a surprise that this technique, designed to counter the Sharingan, was created by Hashirama Senju. Previously, he had assumed it was Tobirama's creation. Hashirama, you old fox, you were a ninjutsu development master too. Truly worthy of the title 'God of Shinobi'.
It was both unexpected and logical. During the Warring States period, the Senju and Uchiha were the two strongest rival clans. It made sense for them to develop techniques specifically to counter the other's abilities. With Hashirama's talent, it wasn't hard to believe.
"You have only one hour. If you don't memorize the entire formula, you'll have to wait for another opportunity," a squad of ANBU guarded him, preventing him from taking the scroll. This was a forbidden jutsu, one of Konoha's highest secrets.
Tonbo wasn't surprised. He had already gone through several layers of security just to see the original scroll. His sensory perception radiated outward. The symbols in the scroll became like little dancing figures in his mind; every seal, every formula, and every detail was rapidly etched into his memory.
When his perception reached the edges of the room, it was blocked by a barrier, allowing him only to observe what was inside the chamber.
Fifteen minutes later, Tonbo finished learning the technique. He couldn't be too fast; he had to hold back a little. It was a massive harvest.
Bringer-of-Darkness: Rank A difficulty. A short-to-mid-range supplementary Genjutsu. It strips the enemy of their sight, plunging them into a silk-like abyss of darkness. It is a Genjutsu that robs the light. The underlying principle was incredibly complex—no wonder it could counter the Sharingan.
However, it had its flaws. If the user performed it incorrectly, they could fall into the abyss of darkness themselves and lose their own sight.
"An excellent Genjutsu. I have another reference for my visual-based illusions."
Tonbo was very satisfied. Specifically, the fact that even the Sharingan could be caught by this was exactly the material he needed. The Sharingan has powerful insight and can observe chakra movement; against such an enemy, ordinary Genjutsu is much less effective.
Tonbo knew that the only reason he had caught Shisui so quickly before was because of the information gap. If they fought again, Shisui would know he was a Genjutsu-type ninja and would be on guard. His innate Genjutsu defense could block the enemy's insight for a while, but it couldn't protect his outgoing chakra. If Shisui were determined enough, he could resist most of Tonbo's illusions.
Ultimately, most Genjutsu work by using one's chakra to disrupt the enemy's chakra. That kind is easy to break. Techniques like Kotoamatsukami, Eye of the Creator, and Izanami were the exceptions.
With Bringer-of-Darkness as a reference, he could absorb its experience and find a way to target powerful ocular jutsu. After all, the Ninja World was essentially world of "Legendary Eyes." This was crucial.
Konoha Barrier Division, Secret Training Ground.
"Just the three of you?" Tonbo asked, looking at the three people before him.
"Yes, Master Tonbo. We are the ninjas responsible for barrier maintenance and sensory barriers. We are here to learn from you under Lord Third's orders."
The leader was a Chunin with a forehead protector and the White Eyes of the Hyuga. The two behind him were of average appearance.
Tonbo was a bit surprised. "From the Hyuga clan?"
"Yes, sir. Tetsume Hyuga," the ninja introduced himself.
It seemed every department had members from the great clans. As one of the strongest clans, it wasn't unusual for a Hyuga to be working in the Barrier Division.
Tonbo nodded. "In that case, let's begin. I assume Lord Third told you why I was appointed as the captain of this Barrier Development Team?"
"Yes. Lord Hokage said it is to develop a defensive barrier capable of responding to ultra-large-scale area attacks," Tetsume Hyuga nodded. The other two followed suit.
There was no sign of defiance. They knew the importance of the Barrier Division, and the Hokage wouldn't do anything pointless. Since this man was sent by the Hokage, it proved his capability.
"Then, the first step of developing the ultra-large defensive barrier, Inverted Golden Bell, begins now..."
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