Approaching the training fields, his hands stuffed inside his pockets, Shikaroku was most definitely nervous. He had asked around for assistance in learning genjutsu, and had been directed to Aiko Cho-Hon, a master of genjutsu. Shikaroku had asked her if she would be willing to train him in the art, and she had agreed to meet him in the training fields today. He didn't know exactly what was causing him to be so nervous, but as he looked around the fields he couldn't help but get a shiver down his spine.
Heading to the field where she would meet the Nara who had approached her the other day, Aiko was dressed in her casual outfit. It wasn't because she didn't want to look nice. No, she had just came back from a meeting with the Cho clan. There were several subjects and topics that required Aiko attention. Entering the field, she wouldn't sneak upon the genin. She was never one to impress somebody else. There was no point in that. ''Good day. How are you... euhm, sorry I forgot your name. I am so sorry.'' Aiko felt ashamed. She had heard his name yesterday when he had approached her. But she was so stupid to forget his name. Briefly rubbing her eyes, she tried to focus.
Turning at the sound of the woman's voice, Shikaroku made a short respectful bow. "There is no need to apologize Aiko-sama. My name is Shikaroku Nara. Thank you for coming to meet with me." He said, letting a polite smile touch his face. ''No problem. You were the one that wanted some help with genjutsu?'' Aiko asked in her usual friendly manner. She eyed the boy, but she had no real details regarding his abilities. So far, she only knew he was interested in some genjutsu training and from the Nara clan. But even a dumb baffoon would realize he was from the clan, judging by his surname.
Nodding his head, Shikaroku remembered his manners and added, "Yes. Sorry. I suppose I should have given you a little more information before asking you to meet with me." Pausing, he pondered what to say. "You may have heard about my clan, and their affinity with Yin/Yang Release. I share that affinity, and the ability to manipulate shadows. So far that is my only real skill, and... and I wish to become more useful as a shinobi, and more useful for my team. I was hoping that I could receive some training with genjutsu in order to assist with that. And I have heard that you are the best, which is why I have come to you." Shikaroku's tone was very matter-of-fact. He was not trying to butter the woman up, he was merely stating the truth.
Blushing a bit when he said he had heard she was the best, Aiko shook her head. ''I doubt I am the best, to be honest.'' Aiko wasn't sure how to react to that. She didn't like to be seen in such a manner. Still, he had spoken with a serious tone. Revealing more information, Aiko could start to sort things out. ''How is your chakra control?'' She asked, dropping the friendly tone in her voice. It was now time to be serious.
As things grew more serious, Shikaroku nodded once again. "Chakra control is something that I have been working on improving. I am not yet close to being a master, but it is decent enough. My shadow jutsu usually requires a lot of control, and so far I have been able to use it with a fair amount of precision. That being said, I must be honest with you. I have something that stops me from time to time, stops me from concentrating with my full capability. I... I am working to correct that as well." He hoped that she would not reject him on account of his problem. But Shikaroku could also understand if she would.
''First, don't push yourself. I am going to be honest with you. You're a genin, no? Don't expect that you can master chakra control that fast. It is a long course that requires patience. May I ask who your sensei is?'' Aiko asked, using a polite tone. The question was to indulge more into what she could learn from him as well trying to create some time to think on what kind of help she could offer him. It would be great if she would be able to make a kind of genjutsu training regime that he could follow with the help of a capable jounin.
"Hiron Hon" He said, after a brief pause. Shikaroku was growing a little more comfortable around Aiko, as she seemed to be very polite. "He is my sensei. Also thank you. I understand what you are saying and I will work on it. I am more willing to put in the time as well. I am not after glory, nor do I seek the short road. I simply want to learn, and I cannot do that as well on my own." Shikaroku wanted to assure her that he was going to be dedicated to learning. This wasn't something he treated lightly. His talk with Hiron had led him to want to improve himself, in any way that he could. This was the first step of a long road.
Hiron was his sensei? Aiko smiled. To her Hiron never had acted arrogant or in any way that she disliked him. But he wasn't well versed into genjutsu. At least, last time she had seen him fighting. Which was a long time ago, to be fair. First Aiko wanted to be sure if he would be sure enough to follow this road, but judging by his tone and attitude, she couldn't decline it. Maybe would Team 9 have another hard working member, which they were infamous for. ''Now, I think that you don't need to push it too far. Lets first start with a begin. Do you know any genjutsu?'' Aiko asked. At first she would start with the theory.
Looking down at first, Shikaroku was ashamed that he could not answer yes. "I do not know any at the moment unfortunately. My training up until now has been focused in the use of shadow techniques." He hoped that she would not think him a hopeless cause. Though not showing to be disappointed, Aiko had hoped he would know a kind of genjutsu. Even if it was just a starting kind of genjutsu. Pondering, she thought of a way to explain it. He was a Nara, so he was aware of Yin and Yang chakra. It would only be some work for her to explain it as it was in a way more complicated to explain than explaining nature chakra's.
''You need to first understand Ying Chakra. You already said that you can manipulate shadows and knowing your clan, can cause several effects.'' Lowering through her legs, Aiko used her right index finger to form a circle on the ground. ''Let just focus on the start. In theory, there is no such thing as 'normal' chakra. We're not talking about not nature and nature chakra. Chakra itself is divided into two 'natures' so to say. Ying and Yang.'' Aiko explained. Dividing the circle in half, she hoped she was making some sense. It was usually not the kind of information that most genins could procress very well. ''Ying is dark and is commonly seen affliated with genjutsu. Yang is light, commonly affliated with medical ninjutsu. At least, just to scratch the surface. Any questions?''
Nodding his head as she spoke, Shikaroku was glad that he at least understood what she was talking about. Yin and Yang was something that he had studied extensively in his own time. Mostly when trying to find a way to get rid of his migraines, and to increase his own skills with his clan's shadow jutsu. When she asked if he had any questions, Shikaroku shook his head. "We have a lot of information in my family records regarding Yin and Yang. It is a concept I have become quite familiar with. Unfortunately, my family records don't delve too deeply into how Yin chakra is utilized for genjutsu. It is not a practice my clan is known for I am afraid." He hoped that he didn't sound stuck up at all, nor did he want to sound like he already knew too much. Shikaroku just wanted Aiko to know that he understood what she was saying.
''That is no problem. What you need is just simple guidance. After all, genjutsu is regarded as one of the most complicated fields of ninjutsu.'' Aiko told him. Looking around, she had gained an idea. ''The best way to start genjutsu is how to understand how it feels to be placed in one. This is something I need to be careful with, but keep standing. Stil.'' Weaving handsignals, a smile appeared on Aiko's face. She then proceeded to spit a light kind of mist towards Shikaroku. ''Just keep on breathing. It may feel a bit weird, but don't panic.''
He was struck by a feeling of nervous apprehension as she told him that she was going to place him in a genjutsu. Nodding his head, Shikaroku slowly swallowed. He trusted Aiko, but he was still a little worried as to how his head would react to the strange senstation. Watching as the mist headed towards him, Shikaroku tried to calm himself. Slowing his breathing he tried to empty his mind, letting Aiko's genjutsu take its hold.
So far everything seemed normal. But there were going to be some subtle changes. Aiko placed her hands on her hips as she took several steps away from the boy. ''Focus. Keep trying to see what is real and what not.'' Was her instruction. It would be easy as first as the gras would turn yellow. Only to shift back to green as the sky would become suddenly red. The changes would be easy at first, but Aiko was going to make it harder for him. For now it would just be that he saw things in a weird fashion. She could do way worse, but for now she had to start easy.
Taking note of Aiko's words, Shikaroku focused on his surroundings. He noticed the first few differences with relative ease, it was clear that Aiko was trying to ease him into it, which was fine by him. "Umm, the grass was yellow, and uh, now the sky is red." He wasn't sure if Aiko wanted him to point out what he noticed, but even if she didn't it was reassuring for him to hear himself speak, at least knowing that his hearing hadn't been affected yet. Turning his attention back to his surroundings, Shikaroku watched closely to see if there were going to be any further changes. He expected it to get harder soon.
Grass faded away, only to come back. Then it would fade away in some spaces. The same was happening with the trees and other scenery. ''Genjutsu affects the senses of the enemy body. It can make them feel or sense something that isn't there. Or remove that. All to the advantage of the one who is casting the genjutsu.'' Aiko explained. A smile appeared on her. ''For now I have only done the sense of seeing. Lets make it more interesting.'' Shikaroku would feel that he was slowly sinking into the ground. In all of a sudden, the ground was trying to devour him into some kind of sand. ''Even experienced people fear strong genjutsu. It is frighting that you know it is an illussion, but not able to erase it.''
As he felt the sudden shift, Shikaroku threw his arms out, trying to regain his balance. This truly was a debhilitating experience. He couldn't fight off the feeling, and before long he found himself buried up to the waist. Trying to remain calm, Shikaroku focused on the fact that this wasn't real. He felt the familiar numbing sensation coming up in the back of his head, but he shook it off. Getting one of his migraines right now would be devastating. "How... how do I fight this? If I know it's not real, how do I pull myself out of the illusion?" He asked, struggling to stay calm as he sunk even deeper.
Looking down on the genin, Aiko didn't reveal any kind of emotion. Instead, the surroundings started to shift. They were now in a dessert, but Aiko seemed to be nothing more than made of a shifting kind of colors. Some details revealed that it was Aiko, but it was strange. ''That is a good question. The traditional way is to disturb your own chakra system. Form your hands together and create a disturbance in your system.'' Aiko's voice explained to him. The sand was still trying to pull down Shikaroku down, while he would feel the warm sun of the desert sun. ''Another way is pain. You may try one of them.''
Trying to focus on Aiko's advice, Shikaroku considered his options. He was half tempted to grab a kunai from his pouch right then and there and end the illusion before the earth swallowed him whole, but Shikaroku managed to fight back the urge. Slowly clasping his hands together, he tried to visualize his chakra system. Shikaroku closed his eyes in an attempt to make it easier. He could still feel himself being pulled beneath the earth, but he concentrated instead on trying to disrupt his chakra flow. The dull throbbing in the back of his head was persistent now, but Shikaroku pushed it out of his mind. He could almost picture his chakra system, almost... There. Shikaroku could feel the chakra flowing through him, as if everything was connected. It was a strange feeling, and even though he could now see his chakra system, he wasn't certain how to disrupt it. He thought about calling out once again, and asking for advice, but thought better of it. And then he had an idea. Concentrating his chakra in his hands, he began building up a decent amount. Shikaroku's head was now the only thing not completely below the earth. Waiting a moment longer, Shikaroku suddenly released the chakra from his hands, back into his system. It hit him like a physical blow and for a moment his head felt very strange. It took him a moment to realize that he couldn't feel himself sinking anymore. Slowly opening his eyes he looked at Aiko. "Did... did I do it?"
Aiko stood there as they were in the training field again. ''Look around to see the results.'' Aiko said, but her mouth didn't move. Suddenly, fire would spread around the boy. It was spreading in a rapid speed every where. And it seemed real, due the heat. Furthermore, it would even hurt if Shikaroku would come in contact with the flames. ''Seems you didn't. Not a big surprise.'' Aiko explained. She walked through the flames towards Shikaroku and snapped her right fingers. The flames suddenly died and faded away at her command. ''There. It is gone. Sorry for it, but I think experiencing some genjutsu of this level was required. To break a genjutsu, you sometimes need to delve deeper. The two traditional ways are able to break through most genjutsu, but some genjutsu are trickier. My special mist genjutsu is one of them.'' Aiko told the Nara. She then threw a more worried look in his direction. ''Though I think it is a bit too hard to explain how it works. Just know and keep in mind that genjutsu is a broad subject. Just like ninjutsu, there are a lot of variations. Sound, touch and other senses are ''ways'' on how one can be caught in a genjutsu.''
"Please do not apologize Aiko-sama. I would not be able to truly learn if you took it easy on me." Shikaroku said, a little disappointed in himself for being unable to get out of the genjutsu completely. Listening to what Aiko said, he thought he understood. "So you are saying that with genjutsu there is almost always a way to get out of it, but the trick is finding out which of your senses it is affecting, and how to counter the effects?" He fell into his own thoughts for a moment, wondering about something. His head lowered to the ground, Shikaroku folded his fingers into a triangle, thinking deeply. Finally, he looked back up at Aiko. "You mentioned that one of the common ways to combat genjutsu is to disrupt the flow of chakra within your own body. Does that mean that genjutsu affects your chakra system?"
''It does. Genjutsu is chakra of the user getting into the system of the target. From there, it targets the senses. That is why it possible for a caster of genjutsu to make their victims to see or experience things that are there. Or aren't there. It just depends on the technique.'' Aiko answered. ''Like ninjutsu, every genjutsu has a weak point. That weak point is that no genjutsu can't be broken. Some just may be harder to break out from, but if you can't break yourself from genjutsu, allies can help with using their own chakra to disrupt your chakra system.'' Taking a pause, Aiko was thinking on how she could explain it beter. ''But coming back on finding out which of your senses is affected and how to counter, that is easy when you have some experience. As a master of Silent Killing, I have heightened my senses. If one of them gets affected, I will notice it right away. That is why genjutsu is also called to be harder than ninjutsu. You need to be cunning in order to fool your foes and time it right, to make full use of the genjutsu.''
Nodding his head, Shikaroku considered Aiko's words carefully. What she was saying made sense, and Shikaroku thought he understood at least the basis of genjutsu and the best way to employ it, but he was still curious about a few things. "So if genjutsu is so reliant on deceiving your opponent into believing that what they are experiencing is real, then would it not be important to understand at least a little bit about your enemy first?" He paused for a moment, wondering how to phrase what he was trying to say. "If you know about your opponent, then you could more easily trap them in a believable genjutsu, making it harder for them to break out of it by realizing it's a trap. Is... is that kind of what you are saying?" He looked away for a moment, embarrassed. He hated sounding like a fool, but in order for him to fully understand and learn genjutsu, he was going to need to find out everything he could. And Aiko seemed like the right person to ask. Thinking about something, he had another question. "So... if genjutsu works by having the user's chakra merge into the target's chakra system, would it then be possible for the target to notice the disturbance in their chakra system if they are in tune enough with it?"
Aiko slowly ran her left hand through her red hair. It was not usual that she was being asked so many questions. Only a few students had showed interest in a field like this. Realizing that she was an expert in it, it made perfect sense that he kept asking questions. Still, she was hoping she was doing a good job with explaining genjutsu. ''Understanding how your foe works in a combat situation is always important. It gives you the advantage to know what will be effective and what not. But sometimes you must face somebody without knowing what they are capable off. For that, I would advice to prepare a way to ''test'' your foes with one or a few tactics to learn more about them.''
Pausing, Aiko thought about the next question. ''It doesn't just stop at your foe. Like what you have seen before, genjutsu can also change on how the victim sees the surroundings. If you would make them see a bush that isn't actually there, you could hide yourself or somebody to launch an ambush from it. But it has to make sense. A tree in the midst of the desert is just weird.'' Aiko tried to explain. ''So yes, that is what I am trying to say. You need to combine something that isn't real with what is real.'' For a moment, Aiko had to think about that sentence, but hoped it just made sense. After thinking twice about it, it did made sense to her.
''The last, yes. That is very possible. Sensors are the types that are the hardest to fool with genjutsu. A genjutsu is foreign chakra, thus another chakra signature, invading your chakra system. A sensor could be able to pick that up. I know for one that some dojutsu are even able to see that a chakra system is messed up due the genjutsu chakra. Combined with that you need to have knowledge on how to apply them, genjutsu isn't what many people are able to use to the max effect. It takes time and quite some experience to be good at it.''
Shikaroku was at first surprised to find that he actually understood everything that Aiko was saying. As he thought about it however, he realized that it was only because she was explaining everything so well. It helped that she was an expert in the field, and again Shikaroku felt a surge of gratitude that she was willing to help him. "I think I understand Aiko-sama. I... I really do appreciate you taking the time to help me. I know I am not a member of your team, and you did not have to take the time to speak with me. But... I, I think that this is definitely something that I would like to learn. I know it is not something that is going to be easy, but I am willing to put the effort in." He paused for a long moment. They had discussed much of the basics regarding genjutsu, but Shikaroku still wasn't sure how to actually use it on somebody. Looking up at Aiko, he wondered if it would be an okay question to ask. "How does... how does one learn how to put someone under genjutsu? I can understand that there are probably many different ways depending on the way you want the genjutsu to affect your target, and what senses you are wanting to affect, but is there some sort of general method that you use in everything? Sorry if my question is confusing Aiko-sama..."
She had to admit, he knew how to ask some interesting questions. ''Don't worry. It is a very easy question to answer.'' Aiko responded with still a friendly tone and manner. Going against what he said before, about that he appreciated that she was helping him while they had almost no ties together, Aiko decide to let that slip. If he appreciated her help, who was she to decline that? ''Your question can be answered with another question. Is there a general method of using ninjutsu in everything?~'' Aiko asked, a playful smile appearing on her lips after asking the question back.
Grinning sheepishly, Shikaroku realized that she was indeed right. "Well, technically in ninjutsu we use handseals to control our chakra and form it into different techniques. So... I suppose, does it then work the same with genjutsu?" In theory it made a lot of sense, and Shikaroku felt foolish for even asking in the first place. On the other hand he had heard stories of genjutsu being employed without the use of handseals or other such techniques. He assumed that Aiko would know of such methods, and his natural curiousity forced him to ask.
Nodding slowly, Aiko started to explain it. ''Technically, genjutsu is a field of ninjutsu. Most genjutsu require handsignals, much like ninjutsu. And as with ninjutsu, it can be formed into different techniques. The only difference is that genjutsu is based on illussions or attacking a person's senses. It doesn't thus inflicts physical damage, but more on an a emotional or inner damage. Very useful if you want to capture somebody without risking to kill them.'' Aiko said. She briefly wondered about something. ''But you were likely trying to ask on how genjutsu is deployed to trick a person. Now you know the most of genjutsu basic theory, this part is actually easy to understand.'' At least, Aiko hoped it was. It was a bit hard to say something was simple, when you already knew it or had mastered it. ''Genjutsu is like ninjutsu, what I said earlier. When you use Earth Release, you either use the surrounding earth or create it to create a desired effect. Genjutsu can be applied over the senses, which they also effect. This means that genjutsu can be 'transfered' over by eye contact, smell, touch and other senses. Some genjutsu even don't seem to require this, but still 'attack' a sense. Such genjutsu is mostly of very high level and difficult to master.''
Aiko thought about something again and then pulled out a kunai. Throwing the weapon at a tree, she pointed at it when the weapon was stuck into the bask of the tree. ''See that kunai that I just threw? You need to see it like this. The kunai is what you can call genjutsu. The tree the target. By using my aim and strength, I was able to struck genjutsu at my opponent. If you would replace my aim with my ability to form a plan or tactic and strength to the ability of performing it, you might understand on how genjutsu works. It is simple, but yet very complicated.''
Pondering for a moment, Shikaroku began nodding. A small smile touched his face as he looked from the tree back to Aiko. "So the real strength of genjutsu doesn't necessarily lie in the technique itself so much as it lies in your ability to use it to take advantage of your opponent's weaknesses?" He hoped that he was getting what she was saying. And if that was true, then Shikaroku had a whole new respect for genjutsu users. He suddenly realized something and blushed, embarrassed that he hadn't realized it earlier. "I am sorry Aiko-sama. You asked me earlier whether or not I knew any genjutsu, and I replied that I did not. But I was wrong... I had forgotten that two of the fundamental techniques that we learned in the academy. The clone technique and the transformation technique. Those were both classified as genjutsu by the instructor if I remember correctly." Trying to think back, Shikaroku wanted to remember how he had moulded his chakra in order to perform the techniques. If he could remember that, then maybe it would be easier to understand how other genjutsu was formed as well.
The woman smiled as Shikaroku told her about the fundamentel techniques. ''It is interesting you mention those. Cause one of them is merely using genjutsu to effect the sense of others, by applying genjutsu to yourself.'' Aiko explained. This reminded her of what she once had told Koike, that had inspired the later into developing a technique from that knowledge. ''The term genjutsu is often applied to techniques that are a bit more complicated than those two. But who ever told you that isn't that far from it. Everything that can be used as an illussion or way to misguide your opponent can be seen and classified as genjutsu. Even a tactic can thus be labeled as that.'' Aiko explained.
Glad that he at least wasn't completely wrong, Shikaroku wondered if he should ask his next question. "I think I understand now. Is... is there a specific genjutsu I should start with? Or should I be focused on something else?" Shikaroku had done a little research on genjutsu techniques before coming and, while he knew the theory about the techniques, he was not familiar with how to actually use them. That, he hoped, was where Aiko came in.
Thinking, Aiko was giving the question some real deep thought. In her personal opinion, it didn't really matter that much. Like ninjutsu it just depended on the fighting style and taste of the user. After a moment, Aiko answered his question. ''It is all up to what would work with your own style. Genjutsu isn't something that is one field. There are genjutsu that work in such diverse manners to immobilze the enemy, that it is hard to answer that question.'' A bit frustrated, Aiko thought more about it. ''What kind of range are you the best with? Fighting that is.''
Thinking about the question that Aiko had asked him, Shikaroku realized that it was a question he had yet to ask himself. After a long pause he looked up at Aiko, "I guess I would have to say mid-range would probably be my strongest. Most of my techniques are around there and, while I am decent enough at other ranges, I fight more comfortably mid-ranged." He hoped his answer helped, and Aiko had seemed familiar enough with his clan's shadow techniques that she might understand at least a little about his fighting style. If not, he could always give her an example to help clarify as well.
''Good. I figured that with your clan's techniques. However, that means you need to use both your hands to hold a last handsignal to make your shadow move.'' Aiko stated. ''That means that you should rely on genjutsu that immoblize a sense that makes it easier for you to catch them with your shadows.'' Aiko thought about it. She had the Hells Bells Genjutsu in her head, but that one was too advanced to teach the boy right away. It would take too long and wouldn't work right away. ''I can look for some mid ranged genjutsu. This however means that you from now on will work on your focus and chakra control. Both are vital to mid ranged genjutsu of any form.''
Nodding his head, Shikaroku had figured this would be the case. "I shall work on them both in order to improve them Aiko-sama. Hiron-sensei and I have already been trying to find a way to improve my focus, so I shall use the time that I am training alone to work on my control." He thought about what she had said about using genjutsu that would immobilze his opponent's senses and a smile formed on his face. "I would be more than happy to do some research into mid-ranged techniques as well if it will help, Aiko-sama. I do not wish for you to have to do all of the work for me, I just... when it comes down to actually practicing, I think your help would be invaluable. But only if you are wanting and able to. I don't want to take you away from training your team or anything..." He looked down, a slight blush forming.
Oh yeah, her team. Though she wouldn't need to train Koike that much, Yukara and Katsu could use some training. ''One of my students is already fully ready to take on the chuunin exams, so don't worry. I think I can train you now and then.'' Aiko said, smiling. ''Besides, it isn't that much work. Maybe I will talk briefly with Hiron on how he can do most of the help himself. That way you will get your training and required guide, while I have time to do what I must do.'' Yes, that sounded like a fair plan to her.
Smiling, Shikaroku was more than happy with that plan. Truth be told he still felt like he was out of place by asking for Aiko's help, but the fact that she was willing to continue helping him grow blew him away. "Th--thank you Aiko-sama. I... I don't know how to properly thank you for this." Bowing his head in gratitude, Shikaroku stood there for a moment in silence.
''Try to use it for something good. That is what you can repay me with.'' Aiko answered back. She was feeling a bit shy as he bowed his head for her. She didn't think that she had deserved it in any possible kind of way. Wasn't it not her task as a sensei to educate the genins when they were in need of it? He was just somebody who wanted to learn about genjutsu, a field she was good in. For a moment, Aiko realized why she didn't mind to be a jounin-sensei. It felt good to be complimented and honoured like she was now.
"I promise Aiko-sama, I won't let you down." Already thinking of ways that he could practice before they met again, Shikaroku was eager to get started. "I shall be better prepared next time. Thank you again for your time." With a smile and another bow, Shikaroku turned and began heading back home. Maybe he would be able to help his team after all...
