Chapter 81 (Patreon)

Seeing Kushina’s astonishment, Roy explained, “Even members of the Uchiha clan cannot instinctively see through genjutsu before awakening the Sharingan. Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique is only a D-rank genjutsu, but it forces its victim to confront their deepest fears. If I use my reiatsu to amplify that fear, the resulting emotional shock should be powerful enough to trigger the Sharingan’s awakening.”

After hearing his explanation, Kushina considered it carefully.

In theory, the method could indeed increase an Uchiha’s chances of awakening the Sharingan.

However, several conditions had to be met.

First, the target could not be particularly skilled in genjutsu. There was a reason the Hell Viewing Technique was only classified as D-rank. Anyone with even a modest talent for genjutsu could dispel it without assistance.

Second, Roy’s reiatsu had to successfully amplify the fear created by the genjutsu.

Otherwise, even if the target possessed only average talent, they would still be an Uchiha shinobi. Breaking free of such a low-level genjutsu would merely be a matter of time.

More importantly, the target could not be told about the method beforehand, and it could only be attempted once. Once they knew the fear was an illusion, it would be nearly impossible to produce the same emotional shock again.

“So, we need the cooperation of someone skilled in genjutsu.”

Kushina looked at him thoughtfully.

“Who are you planning to ask, Roy-kun? Shisui?”

“Shisui certainly meets the requirements, but this method will lose its value the moment it becomes known. If Shisui learns how it works, how are we supposed to charge the Uchiha for it?”

“That is true. Shisui may place the village above his clan, but he still wouldn’t stand by and watch us swindle money from the Uchiha.”

“How can you call it swindling? We’re charging them for valuable information. The Second Hokage spent years researching the Uchiha before reaching these conclusions.”

Unable to argue with his reasoning, Kushina stopped dwelling on whether their plan could be considered swindling.

She named several ANBU shinobi who specialized in genjutsu, each of whom ranked among the village’s finest.

Roy rejected every one of them and instead named someone Kushina had never expected.

“Nonō Yakushi?”

“That’s right. Although Nonō specializes in medical ninjutsu, she is perfectly capable of using the D-rank Hell Viewing Technique. Furthermore, her positions as both an Academy teacher and a medical-nin give her several believable reasons to enter the Uchiha district without arousing suspicion.”

Roy soon explained his entire plan.

Nonō could enter the Uchiha district under the pretext of discussing the next semester’s Academy enrollment or conducting physical examinations for the elderly.

Once she approached the person undergoing the special training, she would cast the genjutsu without drawing anyone’s attention. Roy would then use his reiatsu to amplify the illusion’s effects and push the target toward awakening the Sharingan.

An ordinary ANBU operative would find it extremely difficult to use genjutsu inside the Uchiha district without being detected.

Nonō, however, had spent many years working as a spy. She possessed the experience and patience necessary to wait for the perfect opportunity.

After hearing the full plan, Kushina understood why Roy had chosen her.

Using genjutsu on a member of the Uchiha clan within their own district was an extremely dangerous task. If they were discovered, it could easily cause unnecessary turmoil between the clan and the village.

The caster absolutely could not be exposed.

From that perspective, Nonō was indeed far more suitable than an ordinary ANBU genjutsu specialist.

“However, if you want Nonō to cooperate with you, you’ll need to reveal your existence to her, won’t you?”

Kushina gave him a peculiar look.

“You didn’t choose her because you desire her body, did you? You don’t need to worry, Roy-kun. As long as Nonō is willing, I wouldn’t mind letting her join us.”

“What are you talking about? Why would learning about my existence require her to offer me her body? Yugito has met me too!”

“So you’ve set your sights on Yugito as well?”

Kushina sighed dramatically.

“What a shame that she isn’t from Konoha. You’ll have to win her over through your own efforts, Roy-kun. Do your best. I believe in you.”

She smiled mischievously.

“With how capable you are, I’m certain you can make her unable to leave you, just like me. Konoha would gain another powerful jinchūriki, and Kumogakure would be furious.”

“I’m talking to you about making money, and you somehow turned it into an indecent conversation. Kushina, you’ve changed.”

“Well, isn’t that because Roy-kun taught me so well?”

The current Kushina was no longer someone who would blush at the slightest provocation.

Nonō Yakushi had been busy preparing lesson books written in the form of stories when an ANBU shinobi arrived and escorted her to the Hokage’s office.

After dismissing the ANBU operative, Kushina turned to her.

“Nonō Yakushi, I have an extremely important mission to entrust to you.”

Nonō was startled, but she quickly regained her composure.

“Please give me your orders, Hokage-sama.”

“There’s no need to be so nervous. Before we discuss the mission, there is someone I want to introduce to you.”

Kushina gave her a general explanation of Roy’s existence.

To her surprise, Nonō did not show the slightest hint of shock.

In truth, Nonō had long suspected that another presence lived in the house alongside Kushina and Kaorui.

One should never underestimate the observational abilities of a top-class spy.

From the daily behavior of Kushina and Kaorui alone, Nonō had already deduced that the hidden individual was a man and that he shared an unusually close relationship with both women.

At first, she had suspected that the mysterious man was Minato Namikaze.

She believed that the Fourth Hokage might have discovered something before the Nine-Tails Incident, staged his death, and hidden himself in the shadows to conduct an investigation.

Only after hearing Kushina’s explanation did she realize that her theory had been wrong.

By revealing Roy’s existence, Kushina was making it clear that she genuinely regarded Nonō as someone she could trust.

Nonō had once been a spy trained by Danzō—the very sort of person Kushina should have guarded against most carefully.

Yet Kushina had entrusted her with such an important secret.

Combined with everything Kushina had previously done for the Konoha Orphanage, that trust affected Nonō more deeply than she allowed to show.

For the first time in many years, she felt that she had found someone who truly understood her and was worthy of her complete loyalty.

She would not hesitate to risk her life for that trust.

Soon afterward, Nonō met Roy face-to-face within the world of her consciousness.

“Nonō Yakushi, place your hand on this sword. You may experience some… unusual sensations in a moment.”

For Nonō to perceive him during her everyday life, they needed to complete the Shikai ritual.

Both Kushina and Kaorui had displayed unmistakable reactions during that process.

That was also the reason Kushina had teased him earlier.

Yugito had met Roy once and even touched his Zanpakutō, but he had never performed the Shikai ritual with her. As a result, she remained unable to perceive him under ordinary circumstances.

Nonō did not know exactly what was about to happen, but she still reached out and grasped the sword without hesitation.

“Here it comes. Endure it for just a moment.”

Roy spoke the Shikai release command.

The instant he withdrew from the world of her consciousness, he drew his Zanpakutō in one swift motion, reducing the duration of her discomfort as much as possible.

Nonō was worthy of her reputation as a veteran spy. Her endurance far surpassed that of Kushina and Kaorui.

Moreover, because Roy had drawn the sword so quickly, the unusual sensation disappeared almost instantly.

Although Nonō’s expression barely changed, the faint shift in her complexion and the sudden change in her breathing betrayed what she had endured.

While Kushina explained the Sharingan-awakening plan to Nonō, Roy entered the inner world of his Shikai.

Nonō’s reflection had appeared upon the surface of the mirror.

Unlike the clear reflections belonging to Kushina and Kaorui, Nonō’s image seemed to be concealed behind a thin layer of mist.

The mirror’s frame was milky white, but faint traces of gray stained its outer edges.

As the nature of the newly awakened Shikai ability entered his mind, Roy murmured thoughtfully, “Was this shaped by all her years of living as a spy?”

【Kyōka: Grudge Serpent】

Causes the target to distrust their companions and eventually even doubt themselves. As that suspicion deepens into uncontrollable paranoia, the target’s mind gradually collapses until they ultimately die beneath the unbearable psychological strain.