Konoha's Tatsuya

Konohagakure, Ichiraku Ramen.

Slurp…

Tatsuya, Sakawa, and Teru Yuuhi sat side-by-side at the counter, chatting and eating ramen.

It had been over ten days since he returned to the village, and Tatsuya had finally found time to get together with the two of them. Since joining Anbu Squad 11, the three of them hadn't been able to gather for a long time.

Now, Tatsuya was the renowned genius of the Akimichi clan, master of their secret technique, while Sakawa and Teru Yuuhi were still Genin. However, they were planning to register for the Chunin Exams next year and had a high chance of passing.

In the original world of Naruto, Sakawa and Teru Yuuhi were nameless characters who never even made an appearance. Here, because of the butterfly effect caused by Tatsuya, their fates had changed. Who knew where their futures would lead!

"Tatsuya, you're completely famous throughout the ninja world now. The Butterfly Mode technique, I heard that even your clan head, Ryota Akimichi-sama, hasn't mastered it. When did you learn it?" Sakawa mumbled between slurps of ramen.

Beside him, the cool and aloof Teru Yuuhi was focused on eating his ramen.

"I almost lost my life for it. I could do without that kind of fame!" Tatsuya shrugged, feigning indifference to fame and fortune.

"Tch! You're so full of it! You say you don't want it, but you're probably thrilled inside! You still haven't told me how you learned the Butterfly Mode technique!" Sakawa pouted, disbelieving.

Tatsuya beckoned Sakawa closer with a finger. Sakawa immediately leaned in obediently.

Tatsuya whispered in his ear, "Because I'm a genius!"

"Tch! You used to be worse than me! There must be some secret!" Sakawa, having been teased, felt the urge to hit someone.

Tatsuya raised his head slightly and sighed softly. "Sigh! The world of a genius is like the starry sky: you can see it, but you can't understand it!"

"Damn you!" Sakawa cursed, spewing profanities.

Beside them, Teru Yuuhi, who had been focused on his ramen, almost choked.

This kid really knows how to show off!

Having successfully shown off, Tatsuya ignored the sour Sakawa and began to observe Ichiraku Ramen's owner and his daughter, Ayame, with great interest.

In later generations, countless people believed that the owner of Ichiraku Ramen was a hidden boss, but after careful observation, Tatsuya couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.

His daughter, Ayame, was around the same age as Tatsuya and the others, and she had already blossomed into a graceful young woman. Tatsuya suspected that Ichiraku Ramen's booming business might also be due to the presence of this "edible beauty."

After finishing their ramen, the three prepared to go their separate ways.

"Why are you following me?" After Sakawa left, Teru Yuuhi, walking alongside Tatsuya, asked coldly.

"I'm going to see your Yuuhi clan's young lady!" Tatsuya said with a mischievous grin, looking at the aloof Teru Yuuhi.

"Get lost!" Teru Yuuhi stopped in his tracks, glaring at Tatsuya.

Tatsuya chuckled. "Hey! It was your clan's young lady, Kurenai Yuuhi, who invited me."

Teru Yuuhi remained expressionless, not responding.

"Alright, alright! You're really no fun. I'm going to ask Kurenai-chan for some guidance on genjutsu," Tatsuya quickly surrendered under Teru Yuuhi's death glare, shrugging.

"Guidance on genjutsu?" Teru Yuuhi pouted, still somewhat skeptical. He had long since figured out this guy's malicious intentions.

"That's right! As you know, I'm pretty good with my clan's secret techniques and sealing jutsu, but I'm weak in genjutsu. I mentioned it to your young lady during the Special Jonin selection exam, but it was postponed because of the mission. Now that I have some free time, I want to improve my skills in that area," Tatsuya explained, to have no choice but to show one's hand.

"I can take you there, but whether or not the young lady will agree to your request is not for me to say!" After staring at Tatsuya for a long time, Teru Yuuhi finally relented.

"Alright, alright! If your young lady doesn't agree, I won't stay any longer!" Tatsuya raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

Then, the two of them headed towards the Yuuhi clan's compound together.

When they arrived at the Yuuhi residence, they happened to find the beautiful Kurenai Yuuhi at home.

"Tatsuya-kun, you want to ask me for guidance on genjutsu?" Kurenai was clearly surprised to hear Tatsuya's request.

It should be known that the current Tatsuya was no longer the dead-last ninja he used to be. On the surface, both Tatsuya and Kurenai Yuuhi were Special Jonin of Konohagakure, but there was a certain gap in their actual strength and status. The current Tatsuya had made a great name for himself in the battle in the Land of Hot Springs.

Kurenai didn't understand why Tatsuya would come to her for guidance on genjutsu. In most people's perception, a powerful ninja generally wouldn't seek guidance from a weaker ninja.

"Of course, it's true! Kurenai, your Yuuhi clan's genjutsu has always been the best in Konoha. You left a particularly deep impression on me during the Special Jonin selection exam, so I wanted to come to you for guidance!" Tatsuya said with a hint of flattery in his eyes.

"Is that so? If Tatsuya-kun wants to learn, I'm of course willing to teach you everything I know!" Kurenai looked at Tatsuya for a moment, then shrugged and nodded in agreement.

Kurenai Yuuhi had always been a straightforward and strong-willed, tomboyish character. Although Tatsuya's gaze was somewhat improper, she directly ignored it. She felt completely unaffected by the tall and strong Tatsuya.

"Please teach me!" Tatsuya bowed respectfully, his attitude sincere.

For the rest of the afternoon, Tatsuya stayed at the Yuuhi residence, and Kurenai Yuuhi showed her side as a good teacher. Although her small face was taut, her explanation of genjutsu was meticulous and detailed, without any ambiguity.

Genjutsu was one of the three basic skills of a ninja. Many ninja used it, but the number of ninja who truly mastered it was very small.

In Konoha, the Yuuhi clan's strongest genjutsu might not be as powerful as the Uchiha clan's genjutsu, but it was more widespread than the Uchiha clan's genjutsu and easier for ordinary ninja to master. Without the Sharingan, the best way for Tatsuya to study genjutsu was to learn from the Yuuhi clan. Fortunately, the Yuuhi clan did not have the concept of keeping their techniques secret.

One was willing to learn, and the other was willing to teach. The learning progress was very fast, and in just half a day, Tatsuya had benefited greatly.

In the evening, the setting sun of winter was about to sink below the mountains. Under the glow of the remaining sunlight, Kyoko stood alone at the entrance of the Akimichi clan's compound.

On the street corner not far away, Tatsuya, with his hands in his pockets, walked slowly towards her.

"Kyoko, why are you here?" When he got closer, Tatsuya asked, puzzled, seeing Kyoko standing there with her head down and not speaking.

"There's a family dinner later. Uncle Rou asked me to come and wait for you," Kyoko whispered, keeping her head down.

"Oh! Then why didn't you wait inside?" Tatsuya nodded in understanding.

Kyoko shook her head, not making a sound.

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