15 Chapter 15: Success!

The clash of metal resounded, producing a small spark.

"I didn't expect your perception to be so keen," Kurenai remarked in admiration while fending off Sato's attack.

"It's all thanks to Teacher Kurenai. You gave me an opportunity," Sato truthfully replied, acknowledging the role played by his mentor.

It was also the reason why he held back his strength.

After a brief exchange, Sato had already assessed Kurenai's abilities.

This woman was not his match.

Even without activating Sharingan, Sato's naked eyes identified several vulnerabilities in Kurenai's defense.

This indicated that Kurenai lacked proficiency in hand-to-hand combat and physical skills, relying heavily on her expertise in genjutsu as a Jōnin.

However, her greatest illusion was countered by Sato's Three Tomoe Sharingan.

If Sato unleashed his full power, he could swiftly defeat or even kill Kurenai.

Sato also recognized Kurenai's upper limit.

She had no hope of becoming an Elite Jōnin in her lifetime.

Elite Jōnin were exceptional ninja, some of whom had reached the pinnacle of combat proficiency in multiple aspects or possessed advantageous attributes.

A specialist ninja, when confronted with a formidable opponent who excelled in all areas or possessed restraining abilities, would be no different from a common fish.

This was why Kurenai , who excelled in genjutsu, had been instantly defeated upon encountering Uchiha Itachi.

Having assessed Kurenai's abilities, Sato began cooperating with her more convincingly.

After blocking a few more strikes, Sato suddenly unveiled a surprising move that caught Kurenai off guard.

The sound of "clang!" echoed through the air as Sato held a kunai in his right hand and swiftly formed a one-handed seal with his left.

"Water Style: Water Waves!" he exclaimed.

With both fingers extended upright, Sato leaped backward and spewed forth a cascade of water resembling a waterfall, attempting to engulf the setting sun and Kurenai.

Rather than evading instantly, Kurenai abruptly squatted down, and her mature form transformed into petals, vanishing as the waterfall-like water surged into the sky.

In the next moment, Sato found his body immobilized.

At some point, he had been bound to a tree.

Then, the vanished Kurenai reappeared before him, smiling, and asked, "Can you break free from my illusion?"

"Easy," Sato replied arrogantly.

His confident tone surprised Kurenai.

Immediately after, Kurenai's beautiful eyes widened.

Boom!

The sound of a bursting balloon reached Sato's ears, and he, who had been bound by the magical tree, dissipated into a cloud of white smoke, disappearing.

"Shadow Clone! Using that level of Water Style, it turned out to be a Shadow Clone!?" Kurenai exclaimed, her expression displaying a hint of disappointment.

However, what surprised her even more lay ahead.

"Gentle Fist Art..."

Following the gentle voice, Kurenai's body suddenly stiffened, an instinctual warning that she was being targeted by some form of attack.

Just as Kurenai was about to turn around and investigate, she found herself faced with a pair of red eyes.

"Oops!" exclaimed Kurenai, her face changing.

Then, a potent Yin Release Chakra forcibly invaded Kurenai Yuhi's mind through her senses.

"Illusion: Fox Heart Technique!"

Under Sato's skillful manipulation, Kurenai couldn't evade being ensnared in the illusionary labyrinth.

Although she quickly broke free from the C-level Fox Heart Technique, she discovered Sato, along with two other individuals, standing before her, each holding a bell.

"...Excellent teamwork. I've lost," Kurenai admitted, observing the bells in their hands, understanding the strategy employed by Sato and his teammates.

Perception was not infallible; it was merely another method of utilizing Yin Release Chakra, just like illusions. Given sufficient mastery over Yin Release Chakra, the illusions created could deceive even perception-type ninja.

However, this applied only to ordinary perception-type ninja.

The Three Tomoe Sharingan, both a master of illusions and a nightmare for genjutsu users,.

Without specific targeting, Kurenai's leakage of chakra couldn't hide Hinata, who remained concealed in the shadows.

When Hinata finally made her move, the Kurenai in front of their eyes was undeniably the real one, not an illusory deception of their senses.

Seizing the opportunity after spouting a waterfall-like torrent of water, Sato separated himself from the Shadow Clone, employing the Transformation Technique to disguise himself as an inconspicuous pebble.

Having trained in hand seals since the age of three and having devoured Shisui's body, Sato's comprehension had skyrocketed. He now possessed incredible speed in performing hand seals and had mastered one-handed hand seal techniques.

All of his actions were completed in less than a second.

Since Sato was visible to the naked eye, and as a guide Jōnin, Kurenai couldn't possibly maintain her Perception Technique continuously, rendering her unaware of Sato's tactics.

However, Hinata witnessed Sato's actions in their entirety.

This was also the signal Sato had planned.

Subsequently, Hinata made her move at last.

Just as Kurenai lost her composure and turned around, Sato's figure unexpectedly appeared again, successfully ensnaring her within an illusion.

While Kurenai was trapped in the maze, Shino controlled his insects remotely and retrieved the bell from Kurenai's waist.

This... was Sato's strategy.

In truth, Sato could have acquired all three bells by himself.

He didn't need to activate Sharingan.

With his exceptional Body Flicker Technique mastery, Kurenai, who was not proficient in such a skill, would have been unable to react, unless she maintained her Perception Technique constantly.

Moreover, Kurenai had been consistently leaking chakra. After each illusionary technique, it was her actual body that reappeared.

Without a serious-minded Jōnin present and with Sato possessing a larger chakra reserve than Kurenai, he had numerous ways to succeed.

However, that wasn't his objective.

After all, the theme of the survival exercise was unity and cooperation.

Thus, Sato had no choice but to deliberately suppress his strength and employ acting skills to provide Kurenai with a satisfactory answer.

And this answer genuinely pleased Kurenai.

Although the two illusions performed by Sato were of low-level D and C rank, Sato's Yin Release Chakra had greatly surprised Kurenai.

Even when being cautious, she could easily fall into these low-level illusions.

If advanced-level illusions were employed, she would have no chance against opponents of her caliber.

Thinking about the upcoming Chūnin Exams, which were just around the corner, Kurenai's mind became flooded with a crazy idea.

Unaware of what Kurenai was contemplating, Sato shook his head and said, "We were able to obtain the bell because you didn't take it seriously,Ms Kurenai."

"If you lose, you lose, and it's not like the teacher can't handle losing."

Upon hearing Sato's words, Kurenai grew fonder of this modest student and smiled, saying, "As a reward, I'll treat you to some barbecue."

With that, Kurenai led Team 8, full of high hopes, to Konoha's most famous barbecue restaurant for their first team dinner.

As the survival exercise for Team 8 concluded swiftly, they didn't encounter Team 10, led by Sarutobi Asuma, before finishing their meal.