The afternoon sun poured in through the academy windows, but few students seemed to notice—or care. Some scribbled in their notebooks half-heartedly. Others were already dozing off at their desks, including Akabane, who looked particularly peaceful in his nap.
Hiruzen-sensei stood at the front, undeterred.
"The Transformation Jutsu is one of the most versatile techniques," he lectured steadily. "It can be used for disguise, infiltration, and even combat. In fact, the Inuzuka Clan's ninken also utilize this jutsu to assist their partners…"
He paced calmly across the room.
"There are also the Clone Jutsu and the Substitution Jutsu. All three are foundational, and a true ninja must master them."
Jiraiya blinked, sitting up straighter.
"Whoa… he's actually teaching us real ninjutsu," he whispered to himself, for once listening intently.
Usually, Jiraiya struggled with theory, but something about this lesson felt different. It was clearer. More vivid.
Across the room, Tsunade's brow furrowed.
"…No. Something's off."
She leaned forward, scrutinizing the lecture. It wasn't that the content was wrong—it was too right. Hiruzen's lesson was filled with details and strategies even Chuunin struggled to grasp.
Her eyes scanned the classroom. Everyone sat quietly. Too quietly.
Then her gaze locked on Akabane—slumped over his desk, eyes shut, breathing slow.
Tsunade's jaw clenched. "This is Genjutsu."
The realization hit her like a kunai.
And the caster? The peacefully sleeping Akabane.
She nearly stood up, but paused, struck by the fact that she herself had been caught in it. And not just her—everyone.
"This isn't normal. How did he cast such a precise Genjutsu… on the entire class?"
She wasn't the only one who noticed.
Orochimaru had sensed the illusion earlier. But instead of speaking out, he chose to observe. The depth and clarity of the illusion impressed even him.
For someone like Orochimaru, knowledge wasn't just power—it was survival. And despite his pride, he listened closely to the lesson Akabane had woven into the illusion.
Eventually, Shikato stirred from his nap. He yawned, looked around, and noticed how oddly focused Tsunade and the others were.
"…This is definitely Genjutsu," he muttered.
He glanced at Akabane.
"You used a jutsu on everyone just so you could nap?" he whispered.
Akabane opened one eye lazily. "Shh. Don't ruin it. I had sensei teach everything I already mastered. It's efficient."
"Unbelievable," Shikato sighed.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen's illusion continued, moving into more advanced tactics. In the real world, the actual Hiruzen had noticed nothing—yet.
Just then, Orochimaru spoke up softly, voice tinged with admiration.
"…Akabane-kun. Thank you."
Akabane blinked and sat up slightly. "Don't mention it."
To him, it was just a clever shortcut. But to Orochimaru, it was a rare opportunity to absorb knowledge well beyond their level.
However, Jiraiya had other plans.
He quietly formed a hand sign behind his back.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A replica appeared, pulsing with chakra—and the Genjutsu shattered like glass.
In that instant, reality snapped back into focus.
Tsunade's eyes widened. She turned toward Akabane, fury igniting across her face.
"AKABANEEEEE!!!"
The roar shook the classroom.
"Uh oh," Akabane muttered.
BOOM!
Her fist came down like a hammer, obliterating his desk. The room plunged into chaos. Students screamed. Desks toppled. Jiraiya dove behind a bench.
Even he looked scared.
"Did he just—did she just—?"
"Is Akabane dead?" Shikato whispered.
"No… that was his clone," Orochimaru noted calmly.
Akabane had just barely escaped, replacing himself with a clone at the last second.
But Tsunade was far from done.
"COME OUT, YOU COWARD! I PROMISE TO BE GENTLE!" she shouted, stomping through the wreckage.
"No, she won't," Jiraiya whispered, trembling.
Hiruzen finally intervened.
"Tsunade! Enough!"
"But he—"
"I SAID ENOUGH."
She froze, but her clenched fists and blazing eyes said it all—she hated being tricked.
Hiruzen sighed and looked around. No Akabane. His brows furrowed.
"…Did he use Transformation Jutsu?"
He scanned the room—and spotted two brooms in the corner. One upright, one lying flat.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
He approached and stared at the brooms.
"Akabane," he called sternly, "come out."
A moment passed.
Then the fallen broom shimmered, and Akabane reappeared, brushing himself off with an easy smile.
"Fine, fine. I'm here."
Hiruzen blinked in disbelief. He'd guessed the wrong broom.
"Do I still need to take my Transformation test this afternoon?" Akabane asked, grinning. "I feel like I've already demonstrated enough."
"Yes, you do," Hiruzen growled, though the corners of his mouth twitched. He couldn't deny it—Akabane's control of Genjutsu and Transformation Jutsu was beyond impressive.
"How did you dodge Tsunade's punch?" Orochimaru asked, still analyzing.
"Clone Jutsu," Akabane said simply. "Split-second timing."
"But you're not from a physical combat clan," Orochimaru murmured. "How…?"
That was the question on everyone's mind.
The Kurama Clan was known for their Genjutsu prowess, but not physical strength. And Akabane? He'd always seemed like the weakest of them all. A dreamer. A comic artist. Not a fighter.
But now?
He had their full attention.
Mastery of Genjutsu. Clean use of Clone and Transformation Jutsu. And a mind sharp enough to weaponize all three.
He had tricked a class full of ninja students, survived a Tsunade punch, and even fooled Hiruzen for a moment.
Akabane might've looked like the lazy slacker of the class—but beneath the surface, something else was blooming.
Something dangerous.