Within the illusion, Sasuke gently lifted Kurenai Yuhi's chin with his fingers and whispered,
"How about it, Sensei? Have I mastered this Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death?"
His magnetic voice brushed against her ears, his breath warm against her skin.
Kurenai's heart pounded uncontrollably, a blush creeping onto her beautiful face.
"You… You've mastered it… Sasuke, now please… let your sensei go."
Flustered, Kurenai stammered, her mind clouded by the genjutsu.
Normally, a genjutsu of this level wouldn't hold her so helpless, but at this moment, it was as if she couldn't even muster the strength to gather chakra.
Sasuke smirked slightly. "Sensei, this isn't acceptable. Isn't breaking illusions a fundamental skill?"
"You—! Enough, stop playing around and release me!"
Kurenai struggled, but under Sasuke's control, she no longer held the composure of a genjutsu master.
Seeing that she was about to get truly upset, Sasuke finally dispelled the genjutsu.
As she regained control, Kurenai exhaled deeply, relief washing over her.
That was embarrassing… I was completely caught in his illusion…
She quickly composed herself, grateful that Sasuke hadn't taken things too far. If he had…
She shot Sasuke a sharp look, then assumed a stern teacherly demeanor, poking his forehead with her finger.
"Well, well, Sasuke… Who would have thought you'd be bold enough to tease your sensei? How bad of you."
Sasuke chuckled inwardly. Oh, I'll show you how bad I can be… just wait.
Despite the minor embarrassment, Kurenai's crimson eyes held a flicker of admiration.
Even though she was caught off guard, Sasuke's skill was undeniable.
At such a young age, he already possesses this level of genjutsu mastery… Just how terrifying will he be once he reaches his prime?
Kurenai sighed inwardly, comparing him to the other students she had trained.
There's no contest. Sasuke is simply on another level…
---
At that moment, Kiba sneezed loudly.
"Ugh, what's going on? Why isn't Sensei here today?"
He rubbed his nose, frowning.
"Dammit, Kurenai-sensei only cares about training Sasuke these days!"
Shino adjusted his sunglasses. "Kiba, don't let your emotions get the best of you. This is Sensei's decision."
"What?! That's ridiculous! Who's the real student here?!"
Kiba growled before storming off into the forest, Akamaru barking alongside him.
---
Over the following weeks, Sasuke continued receiving Kurenai's guidance in genjutsu, learning all of her best techniques.
But that wasn't all. He also sought out Might Guy, eager to undergo systematic training in taijutsu.
At Konoha Hospital, Rock Lee lay on a hospital bed, his expression dark with despair.
He had learned the truth about his injury—his ninja career was in jeopardy.
Might Guy sat beside him, visibly distressed. His beloved student's pain weighed heavily on him.
Sasuke, standing nearby, sighed.
"Guy-sensei, even though Lee's injury is severe, if Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, were to treat him, he should recover."
Might Guy nodded but quickly frowned.
"But Tsunade-sama has been missing for years… Who knows where she is now?"
"Don't worry." Sasuke's voice was firm. "After the Chūnin Exams, I'll personally bring her back."
Might Guy and Lee's eyes widened.
"Sasuke, are you serious?"
"Of course."
Might Guy smiled. "Alright then! In return, I'll train you in taijutsu with everything I've got!"
Sasuke grinned.
---
On the edge of a massive cliff, Might Guy explained the intricacies of taijutsu.
Sasuke listened intently before nodding.
"It seems taijutsu doesn't have shortcuts like ninjutsu does…"
His intelligence and comprehension were extraordinary, but raw physical strength could only be honed through relentless effort.
No matter what, within this month, I need to unlock my first Celestial Point!
Determined, Sasuke leaped from the cliff, using only his physical strength to climb his way back up, over and over again.
For the next month, he dedicated himself entirely to taijutsu training under Might Guy's guidance.
His body grew stronger, his muscles becoming more defined. His endurance and reflexes sharpened significantly.
At the same time, he noticed a change in Kurenai's gaze—every time they trained, her eyes lingered on him a little longer.
She had taught him every genjutsu she knew, and with his keen intellect, he had already started developing his own variations.
His power was growing rapidly.
---
During this time, Sasuke also observed Naruto's progress under Jiraiya's guidance.
Naruto was gradually adapting to Kurama's chakra, strengthening his control over the Nine-Tails' power.
Sasuke smirked. "The Fourth Hokage really set everything up perfectly for his son."
With his natural Sage Body and Jiraiya's teachings, Naruto's growth was inevitable.
Still, against Neji in the Chūnin Exams, he would have a tough fight ahead.
Hyuga Neji was a genius, no doubt.
But compared to Naruto, who had a legendary lineage and monstrous potential, the gap was clear.
Not that it mattered to Sasuke.
At this point, his strength had already reached a different level.
The level of a Kage.
---
A dark chamber beneath the Naka Shrine.
Sasuke sat cross-legged, his Sharingan gleaming in the dim light.
After a month of intense physical training, he had reached the perfect moment to unlock the First Celestial Point.
Channeling chakra through his body, he concentrated on a key energy node located in his lower abdomen.
The Celestial Forge was an ancient taijutsu system that tapped into the forces of nature, reinforcing the body beyond human limits.
Unlike the Eight Gates, which sacrificed the body's vitality for temporary bursts of power, the Celestial Forge drew energy from external forces—strengthening the user without causing self-damage.
As his chakra condensed, faint traces of celestial energy flickered in his core, like a distant star igniting for the first time.
Beyond the ninja world, a celestial body known as Pojun shone brilliantly in the cosmos.
At this moment, its radiance intensified, sending down unseen energy toward Sasuke.
I can see it…!
With his heightened perception, Sasuke visualized the formation of a Celestial Point within him.
A swirling vortex of energy gathered around him, visible only to those attuned to the celestial forces.
His body, tempered by months of training, was rapidly strengthening—his muscles refined, his endurance enhanced, his speed sharpened.
---
At the Chūnin Exam arena, the crowd roared with excitement.
The first match had just ended—Naruto had defeated Hyuga Neji using Kurama's chakra, stunning the audience.
Even high-ranking figures like the Third Hokage and the disguised Orochimaru watched with interest.
"Sasuke still hasn't arrived?"
Naruto scratched his head in confusion.
Shikamaru sighed. "How troublesome… Even that Sound ninja guy is missing."
The proctor, Genma Shiranui, frowned.
"Hokage-sama, Uchiha Sasuke is nowhere to be found."
From behind his mask, Orochimaru smirked.
Interesting… So where are you, Sasuke?