Chapter 104: The Kurama Story
The Gates of Konoha.
"Alright, this is as far as I go. I've taught you about everything I can; you can take the team back now," Tonbo Tobitake said to Asuma.
The Near-Guard Agency members behind Asuma looked visibly overjoyed upon hearing this. Do they know how they spent this past month? They never want to come back. They had initially thought that since he was a commoner, he wouldn't dare do anything to them, but they hadn't expected his Genjutsu to be so... creative.
"Then I'm off. Kurenai..." Asuma looked at Yuhi Kurenai with a face full of reluctance. He felt that the month had passed far too quickly.
He had made up his mind: as soon as he returned to the Capital, he would resign from his position as a Guardian Ninja and return to Konoha to assist the old man. The old man was too lonely raising Konohamaru by himself, and his older brother was away all year round; it wasn't right.
Yuhi Kurenai: "Goodbye."
Asuma led the team away, looking back every three steps. Seeing the smile on Kurenai's face only strengthened his resolve.
The mission was over. Watching the team disappear into the distance, Tonbo felt relaxed again. He then turned to Kurama Murakumo beside him. "Murakumo-senpai, um, I was wondering if you have some time? I've heard much of your clan's talent for Genjutsu, and I've long looked forward to discussing it. Would you be open to an exchange of ideas?"
Over the past month, Tonbo had already gained some useful insights by picking up various Genjutsu tips and logic from the two of them, but he wasn't satisfied. The Kurama clan was the only family he knew of that possessed a genuine Genjutsu Bloodline Limit—something far rarer in the ninja world than even the Sharingan.
"No problem. I was actually hoping to chat with you as well. Your attainments in Genjutsu will likely surpass most of my clan's ancestors," Murakumo laughed.
"Much appreciated," Tonbo replied.
The Kurama Clan Estate.
"Murakumo-senpai, has your family gone out? I don't see anyone else around," Tonbo remarked as he walked down the corridor, sensing his surroundings. Aside from a few cleaning ladies, there were very few people in the massive manor.
He didn't see Kurama Yakumo from the original story. In fact, his perception didn't pick up a single child in the vicinity.
"Oh, my wife is out at the hot springs with some friends. She's not home right now," Kurama Murakumo explained, leading the way.
"I've heard that every few generations, your clan produces a brilliant genius. I wonder if your daughter might be one?"
Tonbo had long coveted the legendary reality-warping power of the Kurama bloodline. Having finally secured an opportunity to enter their home, he wanted to see that power for himself. His recent progress with "Illusory Taijutsu" was rapid, but he believed that if he could get close to someone like Yakumo and experience her Genjutsu firsthand, he would find a way to replicate the logic.
"Daughter? My wife and I don't have any children yet," Murakumo laughed awkwardly.
"None?" Tonbo was stunned.
Murakumo thought Tonbo found it strange that someone his age had no children. "Sigh! There's no helping it. Neither my wife nor I have a constitution suited for conceiving children. It's been a great regret of mine all these years. In that regard, I truly envy you for having both a son and a daughter." His tone was genuinely envious.
"However, our clan's Bloodline Limit is a bit different from the legends outside." Murakumo's face wore a complex expression—somewhere between relief and regret.
Tonbo: "..."
No way. If there's no Kurama Yakumo, it means the world's direction isn't exactly like the anime I watched.
"Have a seat first, I'll go look for some records." Murakumo brought him to the parlor and then headed to the study, returning with a massive, heavy volume.
"This is?"
"These are the thoughts and theories on Genjutsu left behind by our ancestors. Because our clan's secret techniques are unsuitable for outsiders, this volume on 'Genjutsu Logic and Analysis' was created instead. However, the value of this book is no less than that of a secret technique."
A secret technique, as a family's inheritance, is never lightly shared—especially since the Kurama clan was no small family, but one that continuously produced Jonin.
Tonbo took the book and opened the cover. In the author's credits, a familiar name caught his eye.
"Kurama Yakumo?"
Tonbo saw the name at the very top of the list: Third Head of the Kurama Clan — Kurama Yakumo. Below her were the names of other clan members who had contributed to the work.
"Haha, yes. Kurama Yakumo. She is the source of the legend you heard," Murakumo laughed.
"What do you mean?" Tonbo was confused.
"Kurama Yakumo, the Third Head, was the origin of the Kurama bloodline. The legend that a genius appears every few generations comes from her. During the Warring States period, the Kurama clan was quite famous in the Land of Fire, using Genjutsu to compete with other clans for resources. Fearing for the clan's survival after seeing so many members die in battle, Ancestor Yakumo developed a forbidden Bloodline Limit technique: Genjutsu Reincarnation. As long as the Kurama bloodline exists, a bloodline genius will appear every few generations to deter other families and allow the clan to develop in peace."
Tonbo was floored. This was ridiculous. Seeing his confusion, Murakumo continued.
"Does it sound like this forbidden technique isn't really a curse, but rather a very beneficial inheritance technique? Haha, but as the Warring States ended and the Kurama joined Konoha, we found that the purpose of this technique was no longer necessary, and it might even threaten us!"
Murakumo sighed. The ancestor's intentions were good, but reality rarely follows a set path. Who could have predicted the rise of the Hidden Village system?
"Why?" Tonbo was completely hooked.
Good lord. Even with his current talent, strength, and accumulated knowledge, a technique like that felt impossible to complete. If he could learn it, could he provide a "safety net" for his own descendants? It didn't matter if they weren't a genius every single time, but he knew the importance of a pity system.
If a genius appeared every few generations, even if they didn't have the population base of the Senju, Uchiha, Sarutobi, or Shimura to produce geniuses every single year, they would at least avoid the fate of the Fuma or Izuno clans, where the chance of producing a Jonin was nearly zero. This could ensure the continuation of his bloodline—the mark he would leave on this world.
He would eventually die; he had never planned on living forever. He just wanted to live well while he was alive. If he could leave behind his own mark, that would be perfect. And this forbidden technique was exactly what he wanted.
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