Naruto: Aizen's Shadow in Konoha

Kyoka Suigetsu, Aizen's Zanpakuto, responded with a faint hum, followed by a burst of cerulean light emanating from the blade! Simultaneously, Aizen mimicked hand seals and declared, "Release, Kyoka Suigetsu!"

One must admit, Aizen's disguise of his Zanpakuto's activation as a jutsu was flawless! This sudden display naturally caught the attention of the Hokage and future Sannin observing from the platform. Within a split second, they unknowingly fell under Kyoka Suigetsu's thrall. A sly grin played on Aizen's lips hidden beneath his mask. That morning, he'd replaced his usual black sword with Kyoka Suigetsu. While he hadn't intended to unleash its power so early, the situation had shifted.

Of course, even deception requires a performance. Aizen conjured an ethereal mist around his battleground, momentarily disrupting his opponent's attack. The cat-masked Anbu also experienced a flicker in his vision, the surrounding environment morphing into an illusion. A sizzling sound pierced the air as several shuriken hurtled towards the Anbu, their trajectories appearing warped and distorted through Kyoka Suigetsu's influence. The sudden mist combined with the shuriken barrage overwhelmed the cat-masked Anbu.

With no time to deploy a large-scale defense, he could only grit his teeth, draw a kunai, and deflect the projectiles. His reflexes failed him partially – a shuriken grazed his left arm, another nicking his back. Aizen capitalized on this momentary opening, launching a relentless assault with his blade, forcing the Anbu on the defensive. Interestingly, Aizen remained on the offensive while still maintaining a watery barrier. Clearly, Aizen was holding back.

Unleashing his full swordsmanship or his Shunpo technique would have secured him an immediate victory. Instead, he relied solely on his physical prowess and chakra-enhanced speed, which was still on par with an Elite Chunin. From the observation platform, Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "This… it appears to be a genjutsu manipulation of light through water mist, coupled with some form of mental interference causing the opponent to perceive distorted visuals!"

"Indeed," Jiraiya chimed in, impressed. "The way he wielded the blade likely employs hypnotic suggestion within the illusion. That blue light must be tied to his water-type chakra warping the light itself. Fascinating jutsu."

Mental cues, also known as genjutsu mediums, are triggers used to activate an illusion. The most common example, seen in Uchiha Itachi's initial appearances, is the use of hand signs. However, genjutsu can also be woven through sounds, patterns, and even smells, as showcased throughout the Naruto series.

Observing Aizen's performance, Sarutobi Hiruzen offered a satisfied nod, turning to Tsunade with a sly smile. "What are your thoughts, Tsunade?" 

There are unknown hints in his sentence.

"It's decent," Tsunade conceded, "but this Jutsu relies on surprise. Once the Anbu recovers, it'll be ineffective." Indeed, Tsunade's prediction proved accurate. The cat-masked Anbu, a seasoned veteran, countered Aizen's tricks with surprising force. He swiftly dispelled the mental interference and unleashed a Wind Style jutsu to clear the mist.

"That illusion you used was Kyoka Suigetsu, wasn't it?" the Anbu addressed Aizen, a hint of warning in his voice. "It has potential, but it's still quite raw." There was a hint of kindness in his statement. While acknowledging the illusion's strength, he recognized its vulnerability – easily broken with sufficient focus. He likely hoped this wouldn't become Aizen's ace card . Aizen responded only with a knowing smile.

Before activating Kyoka Suigetsu, he had planned to shroud the real blade in a watery illusion. His technique wasn't a fake – the hand signs, the chakra fluctuations of Kyoka Suigetsu on the blue blade, and the manipulation of light to distort vision – all genuine. Only by employing a technique so authentic, mirroring Kyoka Suigetsu's true nature, could he deceive the wily Hokage, Hiruzen. This approach served two purposes: concealing Kyoka Suigetsu's full power while retaining the ability to unleash it when necessary, eliminating the need for such deliberations during critical moments. There was, of course, a hidden layer – the subtle activation of Kyoka Suigetsu's hypnosis ability.

However, since Aizen was committed to masking his strength, there was no need to unleash Kyoka Suigetsu's true potential. The prolonged engagement with the Anbu had reached a stalemate. As expected, such a display wouldn't hold the attention of Hiruzen and the others for long, prompting them to shift their focus elsewhere. Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato and the others, after the initial surprise, quickly adapted and launched their counterattacks. Minato, the prodigy, surprised everyone with his application of jutsu at the right moment! Even the skilled Anbu were momentarily overwhelmed by this rarely-seen high-level display of technique. Sarutobi Hiruzen and the future Sannin witnessed Minato's incredible reflexes repeatedly, their faces etched with astonishment.

Uchiha Fugaku, wielding his awakened Two-Tomoe Sharingan, also displayed remarkable tactical prowess. He identified his opponent's vulnerabilities and launched a strategic assault, turning the tide of the battle. His performance earned approving nods from the observing Hokage and Sannin. Even Uzumaki Kushina, with her immense chakra reserves and her relentless nature, managed to outlast her ranged opponent. The Anbu, worn down by her constant pressure, nearly fell victim to her surprise attack with sealing chains. This display of tenacity ignited a spark of admiration in the eyes of Hiruzen and the others.

However, the most unexpected standout was Senju Nawaki. From the beginning, he overwhelmed his opponent with a dazzling array of Senju clan techniques – secret taijutsu and ninjutsu executed with a flourish. He relentlessly attacked, pushing his opponent to the brink of defeat. No one anticipated that in this early graduation exam, it wouldn't be the powerful Aizen or the perennial top student Minato who would shine the brightest. Instead, the spotlight fell on Senju Nawaki. Compared to the others, Aizen, still locked in combat with his opponent, seemed rather ordinary at the moment.

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