Kagami smiled as he pulled out a scroll from the shelves of the library, it was something he never thought he could do but always wanted to try. A power that could devastate a man's mind or rewrite battles... it could protect home bases or create devastating amounts of suffering.
Genjutsu!
Really it was the stories of the second Hokage, a master of kenjutsu, water control, seals, and sensory jutsu with a knack for casting powerful genjutsu that he used against the Uchiha in the Warring Clans era that inspired him. Hearing from Shibi that Sasuke was deemed the level of a solid chunin really brought that memory the forefront. He wanted to best Sasuke, to prove his worth as a ninja loudly and publically. Defeating the so-called Uchiha prodigy would be a great way to do just that.
Of course, the Second Hokage was an inspiration beyond just his usage of genjutsu, the man was an immensely powerful Ninja skilled in so many fields, it made Kagami want to try it all just to see where he could be great! Kenjutsu, A new taijutsu, Chakra control, the body flicker and extra studying was hard enough, adding genjutsu would require some sacrifices which he could accept. He could read less on random subjects and shift his schedule around or he could mix chakra control exercise into his conditioning, like sticking leaves to himself while doing his katas over the pond and rivers etc.
With some excitement, he took the scroll out and left with it along with two other scrolls on genjutsu. The first scroll was a general genjutsu scroll, on the process and warnings surrounding Genjutsu. Mainly to be careful less you lock someone or yourself in an uncrafted illusion, which was why there were set illusions that could and would be cast. It also warned that it required intense chakra control, focus, will and imagination. He was sure he had all of these, so he went ahead with his plans.
The other scrolls were on the Hell's viewing illusion and the False surroundings Illusion. One to attack and one for defense, one to fight and one to protect a physical place. The two ends of illusions. One that was created through attacking the senses, the other by bending light and affecting the other senses externally. If you could master those two genjutsu, you mastered the basics of all illusions. They also told you which type of illusion you could specialize in. He wanted to master them, and damn it he would!
Also, before he left the library, he grabbed a scroll one elemental training. He had a butt load of chakra, it seemed silly to not at least know what his element was and how to use it, Even if to prepare it for the future... He knew most Jonin knew two elements, so this would be a good time to get started. Maybe for preparing for this or the next chunin exams! Either way, it was important.
"GAMI!" He cringed, hearing Naruto calling his name, rushing to him with a happy grin. "What are you doing?"
Sighing, he smiled at his brother. "Studying." he would have said more, but to be honest he did not want to share with Naruto and risk others knowing what he was training in. Secrecy was the way of the Ninja, his revealing stuff to Shino and Shibi was a failing he was not proud of. He needed to do better and so he would. "What's up, Ru?"
"I didn't see you all yesterday, you left early and came in late!" Naruto pouted. "I wanted to tell you I passed my genin test, I am officially on Team Seven!"
Frowning, Kagami tipped his head. "Explain?" And so Naruto did, telling him of the bell test and so on, of being poked in the butt by the porn reading Kakashi and so on. How the man tied Naruto to a log and Sakura mocked him for being an orphan and so on...that Sasuke essentially won the Bell test by feeding a hungry, tied up Naruto. It almost made Kagami glad to be on the reserves. Glad to be free of their odd teacher. "Has he told you what you'll be learning?"
"Oh, not really..."
"What is your team's focus?"
"Huh?"
Sighing, Kagami rubbed his head. "Naruto, every team has a specialty. Ino's team is a capture and interrogation team, Shino's team is a tracking team... what is yours?"
"Not... sure?" Naruto rubbed his head, looking as sheepish as always.
"With you and Sasuke, I am guessing direct combat... I would study and get a better taijutsu if I were you, Ru, With your clones you'd be a real asset. "
"I hate studying, why you like you stuffy, dusty books and scrolls is beyond me!"
And just like that, any plans to teach Naruto the tree climbing exercise and better taijutsu vanished. 'If he is not willing to study, I won't help him. I cannot hold his hand forever, he needs to learn...' "Whatever, Naruto... I got training to do, go to your team and kick ass, okay?"
"Will do, Believe it!" Naruto jumped and shot off, rushing to embarrass himself as he almost always did, leaving Kagami to sigh as his brother rushed off.
"How we are related, I will never, ever know." Sighing, he sat at Ichiraku's and read up on the Elemental scroll for half an hour, eating a protein-heavy meal, before rushing off to buy chakra paper before going to get his training started.
:::
"Demon Illusion- False Surroundings!" Kagami tried, for the hundreth time, to cast the illusion. He got it, technically, but it was not enough. The jutsu was shimmery, more like a mirage than anything else. It was so frustrating but it was progress he guessed. "I guess I should take a break... might as well test out my element." Grabbing the paper from his pouch, he channeled his chakra into it... and saw the paper split down the middle. "So I am a wind element... the rarest of all kinds, both cool and annoying. The scrolls says that this is the best for close to mid range combat, which works for me. I wonder what I can do with it... it say that wind, fire and lightning can be channeled through blades to enhance them. Could be fun to try that... but I need to get scroll on training my wind element... I guess I could spend an hour a day on just that. No jutsu yet, just mastering the Element itself. Fun... it will give me a serious edge in combat, giving me more potency with my blade, which really will help given my inexperience.
Awesome. Illusions, Taijutsu, Wind chakra and Kenjutsu with a speed focus... I am unique, unlike the clan kids. I am something that will stand out, thrive and be noticed. I will gain power and be a real threat... I like it. It might not be my end goal, but it is a great start and it will make me stand out and very dangerous... and that is worth everything!"
After a half hour break, he would try his illusions again. The damn thing would take a few weeks to master, the scroll suggested it was a focus and control issue, something he could fix with time. He had two months until the Chunin exams, he would master these tricks before then and he would be good enough to thrive.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was really fun, I have never seen this combo for a Naruto or Twin story.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.