I really hope he ends up with Samui, I feel like Kurenai was never close with him. He and Samui have shared parts of their past with each other something he has never done with Kurenai. And I think it would be kind of a dick move to blow her off for his estranged ex.

I know I am still 9 chapters behind, and maybe its wrong, but you made it so simple to dislike kurani and hope for a relationship between Naruto and Samui. That i hope he doesnt go back to Kurani but instead see how things go with Samui.

Here is some constructive criticism, you need to work on your characters dialogue. All the characters sound completely the same and the speech is far too mechanical. Also people are rarely as explicit when talking about their emotions, and when one of the themes seem to be about lies, misconceptions, manipulation etc. It doesn't fit that well.

Why is naruto so sure her feelings where real? He should doubt everything about her after reading the report but no apparently just from one conversation he knows that she does have feelings for him. Why doesn't he think that she is still under the mission to seduce him? It is really weak story telling for naruto to be ablw to see thought her when he wasn't able to do that all the time in the first 30 chapters

I really loved this chapter, it really gave us some room to breath while at the same time allowing the characters some more chance to grow and reflect while letting us see how Hinata has changed over the years, seeing that her crush (/Infatuation) has cooled down somewhat and see more of Naruto as who he is.
We also get to hear a little bit that she has a better relationship with Neji.

Well done 3

Okay now I feel sorry for Kurenai, when they first talked when Naruto came back I was confused on what I should think because at one point in that conversation I did believe she loved him.

I voted for Samui because I found Kurenai/Naruto a weird pair because of their age, not because of the age difference, but their age. Naruto was 12 and she was at least dubbel that. If they were together at the age he is now I wouldn't have a problem with it because Naruto is at an age where he could be in a realistic relationship.

I really hope Kurenai won't give up on him an make a mistake like sleeping with Asuma because of her grief...

What does this actually mean, does she know he knows about the mission?
Does it mean she thinks she doesn't forgive her because of her reaction?
Or could it be she actually started to care for him and that is why she feels guilty?

I have a theorie, it being that in some way kuruma influenced or changed the genjutsu naruto was going to use because of his hatred of the uchiha.

With that being said, the story took a big leap in quality the last few chapters, i don't have the feeling of unease or something being wrong anymore, so good job!

PS. I realilize that these chapters have been out for a while, but that doesn't mean I can't congratulate the author for his growth.

Okay so first things first, the chapters have become better than in the beginning, although there is still a certain sense of unease, with this I mean that the explanations and character interactions between them feel like they don't make sense, I can't really explain it because it's a feeling I get from reading.

The second thing is that that the characters feel like they have been pulled more towards a neutral zone in retrospect to the original fanfic, and in this fic Naruto's character growth has been toned down.

on to something else is why Naruto won't deceive the other ninja by acting like his 'former' self, which isn't really necessary because he didn't really change (as he just told his enemy what his specialty is, and Naruto at that point didn't know the ninja knew him from the bingo book).
And even if he changed enough so it would be effective to act like his 'former' self, if he just told his teammates his plan then the problem that was said it would be, wouldn't be a problem.

And before you say he wouldn't talk to them because of the relationship he has with them, it was further established that he is willing to go out of his comfort-zone if it is for good of the team and mission (and I think the exam is mission level worthy, don't you think?).

PS. before you think I'm hating on the story or the writer who was gracious enough to take over the (in my opinion) masterpiece that was Master of Genjutsu, I criticize this fic because I think the author could do better and improve on what he has build and grow, not in anyway do I write this to make the author feel bad or doubt himself, I just think it is better to get to the point than sugarcoat it.

And the fact is that, as it is right know, this fic is a downgrade to its predecessor. But we are still in early part of the story and I will see how this story and the author will grow.

Really awesome story line..Hope you go on to finish this!

I haven't finished this chapter yet, but what happened to capturing one ( inaro or tsunami)? If it wasn't an illusion then they would have killed both of them.

Logic is trow out of the window it seems.

How does Naruto know she doesn't use speed in her fighting style?
In Master of Genjustu it was explained that she uses misdirection (with her beauty), while here it is just assumed.
Although I like that you want to put your own spin to this story, but currently the chapters feel heavenly edited with pieces missing, destroying my immersion.

This is a copy of another story I know, yet at least that one had narcotics kill the bandits. Why would kumo of all place put him in the bingo book when all he did was preform a illusion that did nothing but scare some lowly bandits? At least the other author got it right and had him earn it by making his genjustu deadly.

Damn that was good, like FUCK me quite bloody good, it was a good blend of how two perspective of individual clash and portrayed that essentially can be said that either side was in the right to do what they did. One can say that Sarutobi was right in his decision considering his experiences in this things but Naruto is right with having the rights to know and be aware of many things that was hidden to him so in the end there's no bad people or a villain in this situation, just people who have different opinions on how to go with things in life.

Absolutely extatic for the next arc and looking forward to how you build on your work. Good luck! appreciating the quick updates