"My dream..."
Fenghuo fell into deep thought.
He had transmigrated into the world of Naruto and step by step, he had made modest progress. But it was far from enough. In just a few years, the Third Great Ninja War would erupt, followed by the Nine-Tails' attack on the village, the Uchiha clan's downfall, the Fourth Great Ninja War… and the ultimate enemy, Otsutsuki Kaguya.
Compared to all that, he was still leagues behind.
"My dream is… to fly into the sky and stand beside Otsu—cough, shoulder to shoulder with the moon!"
Fenghuo roared with dramatic conviction.
"Nani?"
Yuhi Shinku's eyelid twitched. Judging by Fenghuo's expression, he wasn't joking—but what kind of dream was that?
Flying into the sky to walk beside the moon?
The evening sun blazed red in the sky, and the cold wind scattered the fallen leaves. Shinku's mind was in chaos—this boy's dream had just shaken his worldview.
"Fenghuo, that's a really weird dream," Obito complained honestly. "Why would you want to fly to the moon?"
Fenghuo cast him a condescending glance and scoffed inwardly: Foolish mortals can't comprehend the thoughts of a great prophet. Just go wash up and get to bed.
"Yeah, Fenghuo, what's up there?" Kurenai asked curiously.
"You wouldn't understand even if I explained."
Fenghuo kept his answer vague, especially since Yuhi Shinku was present. It wasn't the time to be careless.
Once the conversation had settled, Fenghuo brought up his real request.
"Uncle Shinku, I'd like to learn genjutsu from you."
Yuhi Shinku was a bit surprised. After all, the Uchiha were known for their innate talent in genjutsu—even superior to most clans in Konoha. But remembering that the Third Hokage himself had taken an interest in Fenghuo, and knowing that Fenghuo's personality didn't quite align with the traditional Uchiha mold, it made sense he might seek out a different teacher.
"But… as far as I know, you're currently training taijutsu under Might Duy," Shinku said with a furrowed brow. "If you start studying genjutsu with me, I'm worried you won't have the energy for both."
"Don't worry, Uncle Shinku," Fenghuo replied confidently. "Taijutsu training drains stamina, while genjutsu focuses on mental strength. They won't conflict."
"Father, I want to learn genjutsu too!" Kurenai chirped, tugging on her father's sleeve.
Asuma, watching from nearby, looked like he wanted to say the same—but wisely kept his mouth shut.
Yuhi Shinku thought for a moment, then sighed and shook his head.
"So… that's a no?" Fenghuo said, disappointed. He was a little frustrated—this was directly related to unlocking new depths in his Sharingan.
"I'm sorry," Shinku said. "As a Jōnin, I'm often away on high-level missions. A-rank, sometimes S-rank. They can take days or even months. I just wouldn't have the time to teach you properly."
He wasn't wrong. Might Duy, a Genin, mostly took D-rank missions that rarely left the village. But Shinku's workload was on a completely different level.
"However," he continued, smiling, "I can recommend someone who's also highly skilled in genjutsu."
Fenghuo tilted his head, skeptical. Besides the Uchiha, who else in Konoha has elite-level genjutsu...? Then he froze.
"The head of the Kurama Clan—Kurama Congyun!"
Of course...! Fenghuo's heart thumped in his chest.
The Kurama Clan was an ancient line in Konoha, once rivaling the Uchiha in genjutsu prowess. Though their Kekkei Genkai was rare and their lack of talent in ninjutsu and taijutsu had led to decline, once every few generations, a prodigy would be born—able to completely dominate the five senses.
"Congyun and I are old friends," said Shinku. "I'm sure he'd be willing to guide you."
"Really?! Thank you so much!" Fenghuo beamed.
"As for you," Shinku added, turning to his daughter, "you're still a bit young. I'll teach you once you graduate from the Academy."
"Oh..." Kurenai pouted, then stuck her tongue out at Fenghuo.
Asuma's jealousy was practically visible.
That evening, after Obito, Rin, and Asuma left, Fenghuo accompanied Yuhi Shinku and Kurenai through the snowy streets toward the Kurama compound.
"The Kurama Clan used to be ranked among the great noble houses of Konoha," Shinku explained, "famous for their genjutsu. But their Kekkei Genkai is hard to awaken, and they're not suited for direct combat. So they gradually faded from prominence. Still, don't underestimate them."
"Got it, Uncle Shinku!" Fenghuo nodded earnestly.
The Kurama genjutsu ability was exactly what his Sharingan needed exposure to.
"Dad, how much farther?" Kurenai whined, her feet soaked from walking through the snow.
"Come here." Shinku smiled, picking her up into his arms.
"Thanks, Daddy!" She stuck her tongue out at Fenghuo again from the safety of her father's embrace.
Fenghuo reached up and pinched her cheek in retaliation.
She responded with a silly face that made him laugh.
Eventually, they reached a secluded mansion at the village's edge.
After knocking, the door opened to reveal Kurama Congyun.
He looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties, but his haggard appearance made him seem older. His features were sharp, and his aura… a bit unhinged.
"Congyun, I'll leave this to you," Shinku said with a smile.
Congyun eyed Fenghuo and scoffed.
"An Uchiha, wanting to learn genjutsu from the Kurama Clan? That's rich. But since you asked, I won't refuse. Just don't expect me to teach him our secret techniques."
"Of course," Shinku replied calmly. **"Just give him some guidance."
"Hmph." Congyun snorted.
With that, Shinku handed Kurenai off to Fenghuo for a moment, then quickly made his exit—clearly not eager to argue further.
Now alone, Fenghuo and Kurama Congyun stood in awkward silence.
They exchanged a glance—then simultaneously turned their heads, mutually unimpressed.
"Typical Uchiha brat," Congyun muttered, not even bothering to hide his contempt. "Come on, let's get this over with."
He led Fenghuo into the shadowy backyard.
"If you want to understand genjutsu," Congyun said coldly, "the fastest way is to experience it."
Suddenly, his head twisted at an unnatural angle—180 degrees. His eyes bled profusely, his tongue lolled out, dripping with saliva as he stared at Fenghuo with grotesque intensity.
"Let your senses be the guide!"
Fenghuo's breath caught in his throat. The corridor beneath him rippled and transformed into a pool of blood. A nauseating metallic stench filled the air.
All around, ancient trees twisted upward, their gnarled branches clawing at the sky like cursed fingers.
Above them, the moon had turned blood red.
"It feels… real!" Fenghuo's mind reeled. His sight, smell, even touch—all his senses were convinced this was reality.
My five senses… they've all been hijacked.
He pinched his cheek hard—but there was no pain.
"Enjoy yourself, kid. Hahaha…" Congyun's voice echoed in the warped world.
Fenghuo groaned internally. I came here to study genjutsu, not to be mentally broken!
Has this guy been holed up at home for too long and finally gone insane?!