Kakashi's Desperation
In the days that followed, Kakashi found himself in an increasingly desperate situation. Despite being known as the "Copy Ninja," even he had his limits. Under the relentless pressure of Naruto's rapid progress, Kakashi was running out of ninjutsu to teach. Naruto's ability to master even the most complex techniques in a short amount of time left Kakashi both impressed and exhausted.
Some of the ninjutsu Kakashi taught were mundane, while others were incredibly powerful. Regardless of their complexity, Naruto absorbed them all with ease. While his proficiency and stability needed refinement, Naruto's natural talent made up for it. His progress was nothing short of astonishing.
Finally, after yet another request from Naruto, Kakashi's patience wore thin. His visible eye twitched beneath his mask, and his deadpan expression betrayed a hint of exasperation. "There's one more ninjutsu that might suit you," Kakashi said, his tone dry. "Do you want to learn it?"
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Of course! What is it?"
"Thousand Years of Death," Kakashi replied, his voice flat.
From that day on, Naruto never asked Kakashi to teach him another ninjutsu. Kakashi couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. He imagined Naruto, with his trademark gentle smile, using Kyoka Suigetsu to control his enemy's vision, then employing Shunpo to appear behind them. After a series of hand seals, Naruto would deliver the infamous Thousand Years of Death, striking the enemy's most vulnerable spot. It was the ultimate ninjutsu, tailor-made for Naruto's Bloodline Limit.
What a shame, Kakashi thought. I'll never get to see that.
The Training Ground
At Naruto's request, Sasuke agreed to test his Sharingan against Kyoka Suigetsu. The two stood facing each other in the training ground, the air thick with anticipation.
"Sorry to trouble you with this, Sasuke," Naruto said, his smile as warm as ever.
Sasuke, however, wore his usual scowl. "Hmph, just bring it on. In front of my eyes, all illusions are meaningless."
The Sharingan was renowned for its resistance to genjutsu, and Sasuke was confident that Naruto's Bloodline Limit would be useless against it.
"Alright, then. Be careful. Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu," Naruto said, releasing his Zanpakutō. The blade shattered into countless fragments, disappearing from sight.
Sasuke's vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to ripple like the surface of a pond. "So this is the trick that fooled me before," Sasuke muttered. He took a deep breath, deciding to experience Naruto's illusion with his normal eyes before activating the Sharingan.
Naruto's voice echoed softly. "The human brain is a fascinating thing. My Bloodline Limit isn't just an illusion—it's a pseudo-illusion. It doesn't just affect your vision; it deceives your brain, influencing your other senses as well."
Sasuke frowned, trying to process Naruto's explanation. "So, you're saying your illusion is so detailed that it tricks my brain into believing it's real?"
"Exactly," Naruto replied. "That's why closing your eyes can counter my ability. But most ninjas rely heavily on their vision, making them vulnerable."
Sasuke's Sharingan flared to life, the tomoe spinning rapidly. "Enough talk. Let's see if your illusion can stand up to my eyes."
Naruto nodded, and the world around Sasuke shifted once more. The training ground seemed to warp and ripple, the details so vivid that Sasuke's Sharingan struggled to distinguish reality from illusion.
Kakashi, watching from the sidelines, observed intently. He knew that Kyoka Suigetsu's true power lay in its ability to control all five senses, but Naruto was focusing solely on vision for this test. It was a clever move, allowing him to gauge the Sharingan's effectiveness against his ability while subtly showcasing its potential to Konoha's higher-ups.
Naruto moved first, his form blurring as he closed the distance between them. Sasuke's Sharingan tracked Naruto's movements, but even with its enhanced perception, he found it difficult to predict Naruto's attacks. The illusion woven by Kyoka Suigetsu was so intricate that it manipulated Sasuke's perception of space and distance.
Sasuke dodged and countered, his movements sharp and precise. But as the battle wore on, the strain on his eyes became evident. His breathing grew labored, and the chakra drain from maintaining the Sharingan was taking its toll.
"It seems you've reached your limit," Naruto said, stepping back and lowering his guard.
Sasuke glared at him, his Sharingan flickering. "I can still fight."
"You've done well," Naruto replied, his tone gentle but firm. "This is enough for today."
The experiment had yielded valuable insights. Even with only two tomoe, Sasuke's Sharingan had managed to partially resist Kyoka Suigetsu's visual manipulation. But Naruto knew that with more training and an increase in his spiritual pressure, even a three-tomoe Sharingan would struggle to break free from the illusion.