[Ding! Main Quest – Stage One: "Join Any God's Familia" – Completed!]
[Distributing rewards…]
In the next instant, Ryota's vision suddenly plunged into darkness.
Not due to intoxication, but rather an extremely unfamiliar sensation—like his very soul had briefly been pulled into some separate space.
His ears filled with the ceaseless hum of streaming data.
Immediately afterward, the mechanical voice spoke again:
[Reward 1: Sharingan Exclusive Skill "Genjutsu: Sharingan" Unlocked!]
· "Genjutsu: Sharingan" can be activated simply by making eye contact with a target. Although not overwhelmingly powerful like "Tsukuyomi," it fully maximizes the hypnotic prowess of the Sharingan.
· By plunging the enemy into illusions and fear, you can strip them of their freedom to act and disrupt their judgment!
Ryota felt a subtle stir of chakra within him. A slight tension formed between his eyebrows, and a faint thread of mental energy ignited within his consciousness.
A brand-new sense of perception had quietly been bestowed upon him!
Before he could fully adjust, the second mechanical announcement immediately followed:
[Reward 2: "Demonic Illusions: Shackle Stakes"]
· Advanced Genjutsu skill.
· Upon activation, generates a "chain-like" binding construct within the enemy's consciousness, forcibly restraining their mental body and inducing a forced [Paralyzed State] accompanied by momentary loss of control.
· Binding Duration: 3~6 seconds.
Ryota felt a jolt in his heart.
A vivid image flashed through his mind—one deeply imprinted from watching Naruto in his previous life:
Uchiha Itachi had effortlessly immobilized Orochimaru with a single genjutsu.
Then Orochimaru had suffered defeat and fled the Akatsuki organization.
"Who would've thought…"
Ryota chuckled softly, his voice carrying an ironic sigh.
"I trained so desperately, hid so cautiously, all just to avoid running into Uchiha Itachi in the Trial Space."
"And now, ironically enough, I've gained his genjutsu skill."
"Life truly has a twisted sense of humor."
Fate had come full circle.
In the end, he'd stepped onto the very path he'd once feared.
But this time, the one wielding the Sharingan, the one who held this genjutsu, was him!
Just then, a figure staggered drunkenly out from the banquet hall.
He had black hair, black eyes, spiky hair exposing his forehead, an average build—not fat, not thin—and a typical "background character" face.
Raul Nord.
A core member of Loki Familia's second-tier team, level 4, who often served as a supporter to the first-tier members.
Raul hiccuped, his cheeks flushed red from alcohol.
He'd apparently come out for some fresh air and hadn't expected to bump right into Ryota, who was standing in the hallway, lost in thought.
"Ah…?"
Raul squinted, then recognized him and immediately gave him a drunken, friendly grin, waving unsteadily:
"Hey, newbie! You also out here for some fresh air?"
But at that exact moment, Ryota suddenly looked up.
His Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly!
"Oh no!"
Ryota's heart tightened—but it was already too late!
Scarlet light quietly emerged, reflected clearly in Raul's blurry eyes.
In the next second, Raul's movements abruptly halted, his entire body freezing in place like a puppet whose strings had been suddenly cut. His gaze turned instantly vacant.
"Guh…"
Raul's body went limp, his feet slipping, about to crash spectacularly onto the floor!
Ryota's expression changed drastically. He dashed forward in three quick strides, grasping Raul's shoulder with one hand and supporting his waist with the other, barely saving him from an embarrassing faceplant.
"Damn it…!"
Ryota cursed quietly, embarrassment flooding his face.
It really wasn't intentional!
He'd just been testing out his new Sharingan abilities.
Still immersed in recalling the mechanics of "Genjutsu: Sharingan," he'd subconsciously gathered a bit of chakra into his eyes, attempting to sense that elusive mental pull.
Then he'd casually thought to himself:
"Should I try activating it?"
The very next second, Raul had stumbled out, drunkenly greeting him with a smile.
And then—instantly fell under his genjutsu.
It was all just an absurd coincidence!!
"Just how sensitive is this skill's activation…? Am I gonna have to start wearing sunglasses everywhere?"
"If someone happens to make eye contact with me on the street, will they all just collapse on the spot?"
But Ryota quickly dismissed this ridiculous idea.
Clearly, he'd just gotten the skill and hadn't controlled it properly yet!
Meanwhile, Raul—still supported by Ryota—remained in a dazed state, mumbling unintelligible words, clearly trapped in the illusion.
Ryota sighed helplessly, lightly patting Raul's cheek while whispering urgently:
"Hey, wake up, wake up! I swear I just glanced at you, brother…"
Raul shuddered as if jolted by electricity, finally trembling awake.
"Eh…?"
He stared blankly for a few seconds, pupils slowly regaining focus, looking dazedly at Ryota in front of him.
"Ahahaha…"
Raul sheepishly scratched his spiky black hair, laughing awkwardly:
"I—I must've had way too much to drink… I feel like I just had the weirdest nightmare…"
"In my dream… you turned into a terrifying flame monster, and just a glare from you made me collapse. It felt so real!"
Ryota forced a smile, "No worries, drinking too much can make you dream of some strange things."
Internally, he was relieved—Raul had helpfully provided an explanation himself.
Otherwise, he'd have to rack his brain coming up with some excuse!
Looking at Raul's innocent face, Ryota felt he genuinely owed the man a favor.
"Well, I'm gonna head to the restroom first—"
Raul waved dizzily, stumbling off down the other end of the hallway.
Only after Raul's figure disappeared around the corner did Ryota finally breathe a sigh of relief, sitting down on the steps and gently rubbing his forehead.
Just as he was thinking, a crisp "ding" echoed clearly in his ears.
That familiar mechanical voice sounded once again, clear as an electric current:
[Side Quest – First Stage Activated!]
[City Exploration Trial – Lv.1]
[Quest Objective: Explore Orario's Three Iconic Landmarks (0/3)]
[Quest Rewards: Large amount of Chakra, Three Basic Jutsu!]