12dz Chapter 532 I want to ask you to teach me illusion magic
Chapter 532 I want to ask you to teach me illusion magic
When everything calmed down, Zhang Hai found himself standing in the center of the Hokage's office, just a few steps from the desk. Minato and Kushina were both looking at him with puzzled expressions, seemingly confused by his earlier "talking to himself." Uncle Shinku sat behind his desk, a meaningful smile on his face, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.
"Oh? Zhang Hai, you're quite clever." Uncle Zhen Hong put down his pen and said with a smile, "You saw through my illusion so quickly, and even knew it was a double nesting. No wonder White Fang took you as his disciple; you do have some extraordinary abilities."
Zhang Hai's face was somewhat grim; the "illusion journey" he had just experienced left him feeling deeply cheated. He took a deep breath to calm his turmoil. It seemed that this Uncle Zhenhong was far more unfathomable than he had imagined.
Hearing Zhang Hai's words, Minato, though puzzled, obediently nodded. He knew Zhang Hai's temperament; once he made a decision, even if he didn't show it outwardly, he would never easily change his mind. Besides, Kushina did need rest and a safe environment.
"Then I'll leave Kushina in your care, Zhang Hai." Minato carefully handed Kushina to Zhang Hai, then said gently to Kushina, "Go back with Zhang Hai and get some rest. I'll be back soon."
Although Kushina was reluctant, she was persuaded by Minato and Zhang Hai, and was also quite tired from the previous fright. She looked at Minato, then at Zhang Hai, and finally nodded gently: "Yes, Minato, be careful... wait for me."
Minato smiled gently, then without further hesitation, bowed to Uncle Shinku and said, "Uncle Shinku, I'll go ahead and head to the western front immediately!" With that, he transformed into a golden light and vanished instantly from the office doorway, speeding westward towards Konoha Village.
Once Minato and Kushina had completely disappeared outside the door, only Zhang Hai and Uncle Shinku remained in the office. The air seemed to freeze for a moment, carrying a subtle tension. Uncle Shinku put down the documents in his hand, his deep gaze falling on Zhang Hai, a slight smile playing on his lips, but that smile contained a certain insight.
"Alright, now it's just the two of us left." Uncle Shinku spoke gently, his voice carrying a hint of coaxing. "Zhang Hai, you were so eager to get Minato and Kushina out of here, and you even deliberately tricked me into using genjutsu. Surely you weren't complaining about my decision, were you? Tell me, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Zhang Hai stood still, not rushing to answer. He looked at Uncle Zhenhong. Although the old man looked kind, the layers of illusion he had just used demonstrated his unfathomable strength and understanding of people's hearts. He stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point: "Uncle Zhenhong, I would like to ask you to teach me illusion magic."
Uncle Zhenhong's smile froze for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected Zhang Hai to make such a request. "Illusion technique?" He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Have you learned all the sword techniques that White Fang taught you? His swordsmanship is unparalleled in the ninja world. If you can master his true skills, it will be enough for you to gain a foothold on the battlefield."
Zhang Hai's eyes held a hint of disdain: "Of course I need to learn swordsmanship, and I've almost mastered it. But how does that conflict with my learning illusion magic? I need more well-rounded abilities. My recent experience made me realize that relying solely on physical skills and perception is simply insufficient against an illusion master like yourself." He wasn't simply looking to become stronger; rather, he had developed a deep interest in illusion magic, a power capable of manipulating minds. That intangible yet decisive ability to sway the situation was far more appealing to him than the blood and gore of hand-to-hand combat.
Uncle Zhenhong looked into Zhang Hai's earnest and persistent eyes, and was about to speak when there was another knock on the office door.
"Please come in," Uncle Zhenhong said.
The door opened, and a young girl with a high ponytail walked in. She had short, glossy black hair, deep red eyes, and wore the standard Jonin vest of Konoha. She was tall and slender, with a heroic air. She was none other than Kurenai Yuhi, Konoha's new generation of genjutsu prodigy.
As soon as Kurenai entered, she saw Zhang Hai standing there, and her brows furrowed slightly. She first bowed to Uncle Shinku, and then spoke directly, her tone tinged with displeasure: "Uncle Shinku, I overheard some conversations outside just now. Are you planning to teach him illusion magic?" She was naturally referring to Zhang Hai.
Uncle Shinku smiled but didn't answer directly. Instead, he looked at Kurenai Yuhi with a hint of consideration in his eyes.
Kurenai's gaze also fell on Zhang Hai, her eyes filled with obvious resistance: "Uncle Kurenai, the essence of genjutsu lies in understanding people's hearts, precise control of chakra, and the demands on mental strength. These aren't things just anyone can learn. And..." She hesitated, but her dissatisfaction with Zhang Hai was unmistakable. Although she and Zhang Hai were both in Konoha, they didn't interact much. She only knew he was White Fang's disciple, with a withdrawn personality and a dislike for socializing. In her view, such a personality seemed somewhat incompatible with the delicate ninjutsu of genjutsu.
Uncle Shinku turned his gaze away and said to Zhang Hai, "The most important thing in learning illusion techniques is indeed talent. And, to be honest, I'm currently very busy and don't have time to personally teach you. However..." He changed the subject, looking at Kurenai Yuhi with a mysterious smile, "Since Kurenai is here too, among the younger generation of Konoha, no one has more outstanding talent in illusion techniques than Kurenai. Why don't we let Kurenai teach you illusion techniques?"
Upon hearing Uncle Shinku's suggestion, Kurenai's expression immediately changed. Without a second thought, she refused, "Uncle Shinku, I object! I... I have a mission to complete, I don't have time..."
"No time?" Zhang Hai's lips curled into a mocking smile. He knew this was the best way to provoke Yuhi Kurenai. He glanced at Yuhi Kurenai sideways, his tone laced with disdainful provocation, "You? A little brat, not even fully grown up yet, and you want to teach me illusion magic? Forget it, don't mess up my head. Illusion magic is something you have to learn from a real master."
"What did you say?!" Kurenai's face flushed instantly. She hated being called a "little brat," and Zhang Hai's contemptuous gaze and tone were an insult to her status as a genius of illusion magic. She already had a fiery temper, and now she was burning with rage. "You say I can't teach you?! Fine! Today I'm going to teach you anyway! If you can't learn, I'll laugh at you every day, and see how you'll ever show your face in Konoha again!"
She strode forward, grabbed Zhang Hai by the collar, and before Uncle Zhenhong could say anything, dragged him toward the door: "Come on! Come with me now! I'll show you what a real master is!"