"The first time I discovered this ability?" Yakumo Kurama began to recall. "After being abandoned by Kurenai-sensei, I was confined to Mioka Villa. The only thing I could do every day was paint. It was from that time that I discovered this ability."
"Is that so?" Sakura Haruno frowned and asked, "Have you ever tried not using an easel as a medium?"
Yakumo shook her head. "I couldn't do it. I tried before, but I couldn't concentrate no matter what. Later, I gave up..."
"Hmm? Wait a minute," Sakura Haruno suddenly interrupted. "Are you saying that when you use Genjutsu True Creation, you need to concentrate?"
"Yes," Yakumo nodded. "Only when I'm painting can I use Genjutsu True Creation."
"Hmm, so you need painting to enhance your concentration?" Sakura Haruno stroked her chin, her mind constantly pondering the connection. Finally, she said, "Perhaps you don't need painting to cast the genjutsu, but rather, you just need a medium to release the thoughts in your mind."
Sakura Haruno thought of the demon-masked figure that had emerged from Yakumo's dark side. Besides the Waterfall of Truth, the only other instance Sakura knew of where one's dark side could be manifested was Yakumo.
Since the demon-masked figure was a tangible entity manifested from Yakumo's subconscious, it must have been due to the ability of Genjutsu True Creation. This meant that the true use of Genjutsu True Creation was to "make thoughts reality."
"Yakumo!" Sakura Haruno's voice trembled with a hint of excitement. She felt as if she were gradually opening a Pandora's Box. If Yakumo truly mastered this power perfectly, then, as long as she wished, the entire ninja world could be overturned by her.
"Hmm?" Yakumo looked at Sakura Haruno, puzzled, wondering why her tone was suddenly trembling.
"If you possessed the power to overturn the world, what would you want to do?" Sakura Haruno asked.
"..." Yakumo was taken aback by Sakura Haruno's question, but she still thought about it seriously and said, "I want to know the truth about what happened back then. If Konoha really did kill my parents, I will take revenge on Konoha."
"Is that all?" Sakura Haruno pressed. "And after that?"
"After that?" Yakumo shook her head. "After that, I will fulfill my contract with you. I will help you accomplish what you want to accomplish."
"Is that so..." Sakura Haruno nodded. "Then, I will begin your training now."
No matter how strong Yakumo became, it wouldn't affect Sakura Haruno. From their first encounter, it was basically certain that chakra-based genjutsu would have no effect on her when she was using Seijutsu. Even if Yakumo completely mastered Genjutsu True Creation, she wouldn't pose much of a threat to Sakura.
Sakura Haruno's only concern was that her plans might be disrupted by Yakumo. If any part of the process went out of control, it would be incredibly difficult to restart the plan.
But if Yakumo's abilities were used well, collecting the Tailed Beasts would become considerably easier for her. In short, Yakumo was a double-edged sword: a sharp blade if used well, but one that could injure herself if used poorly.
"First, the first step is to stand still!" Sakura Haruno said slowly.
"Under... Hmm? Stand still!?" Yakumo was about to say "understood" when she suddenly reacted. "What kind of training is standing still?"
"Of course, there are conditions," Sakura Haruno said. She then formed the Boar seal with her hands. A continuous series of poof-poof-poof sounds followed, and in no time, the clearing was filled with Sakura Harunos.
"While you are standing, I need you to count, starting from one. You cannot pause in between, and you absolutely cannot make any mistakes," Sakura Haruno said. "Until I am satisfied."
"Does this have anything to do with genjutsu?" Yakumo asked, puzzled. Seeing all the Sakura Harunos around her staring at her, Yakumo felt very uncomfortable.
"Of course, it does," Sakura Haruno said, nodding seriously. "I told you, given your physical condition, you don't need to train like an ordinary ninja. You need to have your own combat style!"
"Heh, fighting by counting numbers?" Yakumo's tone was rather sarcastic.
"Of course not," Sakura Haruno said, not minding. She continued, "This is just the first stage. If you want to become a ninja, then do as I say!"
Sakura Haruno's tone became slightly stern as she looked at Yakumo for the last sentence.
Yakumo seemed to be taken aback by Sakura Haruno's stern tone. After a moment of silence, she said, "I understand."
Subsequently, Yakumo stood motionless on the spot, beginning to count out loud, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6." "8" "9, 10, 11...."
"Start over!" Sakura Haruno interrupted Yakumo.
"Wh-why?" Yakumo was a bit confused.
"You didn't count 7 and 8 just now," Sakura Haruno said faintly.
"Ah..." Yakumo frowned, thinking for a moment. Her expression suddenly showed realization. It seemed she had indeed skipped 7 and 8 directly. But...
"It was your clones interfering with me," Yakumo said, dissatisfied.
Sakura Haruno nodded, her expression unchanging. "That's right. But you didn't count 7 and 8. Start over!"
"..." Yakumo's face flushed crimson. This was completely unreasonable.
However, after an intense internal struggle, Yakumo, succumbing to Sakura Haruno's pressure, had no choice but to start counting again.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11..."
Yakumo proceeded smoothly at the beginning, until...
"22, 23, 24..."
"24," Sakura's clones chimed in unison at that moment.
Yakumo glanced at the clone that had spoken but ignored it and continued counting.
"25," Yakumo. "25," Sakura's clone. "26," Yakumo. "27," Sakura's clone. "28...." Yakumo.
"Start over!" Sakura Haruno interrupted, her expression impassive.
"...." Yakumo suddenly felt the urge to beat Sakura to death, if only she weren't outmatched.
Forced by Sakura Haruno's superior strength, Yakumo suppressed her resentment and had no choice but to start over.
"1, 2, 3..."
"57," Yakumo. "57," Sakura's clone. "58," Yakumo. "59," Sakura's clone. "60..." Yakumo.
"Start over!" Sakura Haruno said coldly, her face taut, holding her breath to keep from laughing out loud. Otherwise, it would be difficult to lead the team.
"..." Yakumo was on the verge of breaking down at this point. Her face flushed red as she demanded, "What exactly do you mean by this?"
"I'm teaching you how to use your own abilities," Sakura Haruno said, composing herself.
"Hmph, my ability is genjutsu, not counting numbers. I don't understand what the point of doing this is," Yakumo finally couldn't help but ask loudly.
"To focus your mental strength!" Sakura Haruno explained with a shrug. "In my deduction, the reason Genjutsu True Creation requires an easel is because you can't concentrate your mental power. You can't visualize the image you need to release out of thin air, so you need the easel as an aid to concentrate."
"However, in a ninja battle, situations change rapidly. You won't have time to present these images on an easel. In my vision, only by improving your mental focus can you possibly release Genjutsu True Creation without an easel."
"If you can release Genjutsu True Creation without an easel, then do you know what that means!!" Sakura Haruno stared into Yakumo's eyes, her question like a soul-piercing inquiry.
Gulp. Yakumo unconsciously swallowed. A thin sheen of sweat appeared on her temples.
"It means... I will become a god," Yakumo said with difficulty.