Naruto : The ultimate Troublemaker

The night had already advanced, but Shikai, seated in lotus position in his dimly lit room, struggled to find sleep.

The sealed scrolls that Shikaku had entrusted to him lay before him, shrouded in an aura of mystery. His mind oscillated between curiosity and apprehension. After a moment's hesitation, he took a deep breath and placed his hands on the first scroll.

The engraved seals on the parchment shone slightly at his touch. He focused his chakra precisely, slowly breaking the barrier that sealed the contents.

The words inscribed on the parchment seemed to vibrate with an odd power. As he read the lines, Shikai felt his heart quicken.

"Kage no Sasaki (Whispering Shadows)... an advanced Genjutsu technique," he murmured.

"It's strange that a clan that utilizes Yin Release doesn't have a ninjutsu technique, but this one is forbidden."

The text explained that this technique harnessed the surrounding shadows to plunge the enemy into a paralyzing illusion. Unlike traditional Genjutsu that required visual contact or direct manipulation of the target's chakra within their nervous system, Kage no Sasaki utilized the shadows themselves as vectors.

Once activated, the target's shadow became a dark mirror, reflecting their worst fears and creating an alternative reality. In this state, the enemy lost all ability to differentiate between reality and illusion.

Shikai now understood why this technique had been forbidden.

"Its effectiveness is undeniable, but mastering Kage no Sasaki requires a deep connection with one's inner shadows and a massive amount of chakra."

'Minimum level: Naruto!?'

The text warned that the user risked becoming trapped in the illusion themselves if they lacked mental clarity. This technique demanded absolute control over one's mind and emotions, a challenging task even for a genius with divine wisdom like Shikai.

The second scroll seemed to emit an oppressive aura. The seal that protected it resisted longer before finally yielding. As soon as he opened it, a strange sensation overcame him, as if the darkness itself was scrutinizing him.

"Kage Tensei (Shadow Reincarnation)... What is this?"

Unlike the first scroll, this one was less detailed, almost cryptic. The initial lines alluded to an ultimate technique of shadow manipulation. Where the classic techniques of the Nara clan required a light source to create tangible shadows, Kage Tensei transcended this limitation. It allowed the user to harness pure darkness, whether it be natural darkness or even total absence of light.

"A shadow without light..." Shikai murmured, captivated.

The idea was revolutionary. The Nara had always been limited by two major constraints: the need for a light source to generate shadows and the massive chakra consumption required to maintain their complex techniques. Kage Tensei promised to eliminate these weaknesses, transforming the user into a true master of the shadows.

The scroll also alluded to an almost infinite potential. With complete mastery, it would be possible to manipulate darkness offensively and defensively, solidifying it into weapons or shields, or even plunging entire areas into absolute darkness to disorient enemies.

However, there was no method to learn it.

"Some kind of blood seal for an invocation?" Shikai realized. "It seems like a double-edged weapon. It could make me invincible, but it could also destroy me. I'll stick with the Genjutsu. I'll use the other one as a last resort until I study it further."

That night, Shikai found no sleep. He had instead immersed himself in understanding the Genjutsu, even though he had no intention of using it yet due to his lack of chakra. But that didn't stop him from learning it.

***

The sun had not yet risen high in the sky when Shikai woke up, still tired from the intensity of the previous day's events. He stretched his body, his muscles sore from his fight with Kakashi and his head still heavy from mastering this S-rank Genjutsu. But there was no time to waste. Today, he had decided to visit the Yondaime, an important visit that required preparation, especially with the impending attack of the Nine-Tailed Fox.

After quickly eating breakfast, Shikai equipped his ninja pouch with ten kunai and a few shuriken. Then he left the house.

The village streets were still calm at this early hour, but activity was slowly picking up. Shopkeepers were opening their stalls, the scents of fresh bread and tea filled the air, and the first conversations mingled with the songs of birds.

As he crossed the main square, Shikai spotted a familiar figure. She had mid-length black hair and beautiful sparkling black eyes, with a beauty rivaling his friend Kushina. Mikoto Uchiha was walking calmly between the market stalls, a radiant smile on her face. She carried Sasuke, still a baby, securely attached to her back.

"Mikoto-san!" Shikai called out as he approached.

She turned around, surprised, then gave him a warm smile.

"Ah, Shikai-kun! What a nice surprise to see you here so early."

"You seem burdened," he replied, glancing at the baskets she was carrying. "Let me help you."

"That's kind," she replied with a slight laugh. "But I wouldn't want to delay you."

"Don't worry, I'm always ready to lend a hand," insisted Shikai, taking a basket from her hands.

The two began walking side by side through the increasingly lively alleys. Sasuke, curious, squirmed slightly on his mother's back, observing Shikai with wide eyes.

"You've become rare in our clan lately," Mikoto remarked.

"Yes, that's true," Shikai replied with a sigh. "Between the trainings with my masters and some personal research, I haven't had much time to come by."

"Yet there was a time when you came every week to challenge Itachi," she said with a smile.

Shikai burst into laughter. "That's right, Mikoto-san. I thought that by challenging him regularly, I would eventually beat him one day. But each time, he surpassed me without even breaking a sweat."

"He holds you in high regard, you know," Mikoto said with an affectionate look. "He doesn't have many friends, but he truly respects you. Even if he doesn't show it much with his stoic nature."