Returning to his bedroom, Sasuke once again reflected on the events of the past year. Indeed, it had been a full year since his last battle with Itachi, a year in which Sasuke’s abilities had undergone a dramatic transformation. Now, Sasuke was just over four years old.

Each day, he would create three shadow clones: one dedicated to refining chakra, another to training in taijutsu, kenjutsu, and kunai throwing, and the third focused on enhancing his mental strength, while his true self concentrated on ninjutsu. Throughout this year, Sasuke’s taijutsu, kenjutsu, ninjutsu, and chakra had all seen significant progress, with only his genjutsu skills lagging behind. This wasn’t due to a lack of effort but rather because there were no suitable genjutsu for him to learn, even though his mental strength had grown considerably.

"How can I improve my genjutsu?" Sasuke pondered, recalling how he had been utterly suppressed under Itachi’s genjutsu a year ago, bringing a wave of melancholy over him. His chakra reserves were now two to three times that of a Chūnin, and his taijutsu had reached the level of a Genin, though this was primarily because his small body limited further advancement. In terms of ninjutsu, however, Sasuke had made the most rapid progress. He had learned three new jutsus: "Lightning Release: False Darkness" (spitting lightning from the mouth to attack enemies), "Lightning Release: Lightning Ball" (releasing a lightning ball to attack enemies), and "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique" (a C-rank jutsu where multiple fireballs are spit out in quick succession, resembling the fruit of a phoenix flower, with their trajectory controlled by chakra, which can also be enhanced with shuriken). Not only had Sasuke mastered these techniques, but he could also use them with great flexibility.

In terms of genjutsu, Sasuke longed to learn techniques like "Izanagi," "Tsukuyomi," and "Darkness Illusion," but he was uncertain whether he would ever master such powerful illusions in his lifetime.

"Am I truly so gifted in genjutsu, yet have no suitable techniques to learn?" Sasuke thought, on the verge of despair.

"No! If I waste such potential, I’d be a fool. If no genjutsu exists for me to learn, then I will create my own," Sasuke resolved with determination.

If he were to create a genjutsu, he would base it on Itachi’s "Tsukuyomi." His current abilities weren’t strong enough to create an overwhelmingly powerful genjutsu, so he decided to create one that could evolve as his power grew. And so, he chose "Eighteen Levels of Hell" as the framework for his genjutsu.

Sasuke stood up, took out a sheet of paper, and wrote the words "Eighteen Levels of Hell" in bold strokes.

The first level of the Eighteen Levels of Hell is the Tongue-Pulling Hell: those who sow discord, slander, deceive with smooth words, or lie will be condemned to this hell after death. Here, demons pry open their mouths, clamp their tongues with iron tongs, and slowly pull them out—lengthening them before finally cutting them off.

The second level is the Scissor Hell: if a woman’s husband dies and she remains chaste, but someone encourages her to remarry or arranges a match for her, that person will be sent to this hell after death, where their ten fingers will be cut off. If the husband is still alive, the punishment will be even more severe.

The third level is the Iron Tree Hell: those who instigate discord among family members, sow enmity between father and son, brother and brother, or husband and wife, will be condemned to this hell after death. The trees are covered in sharp blades, and the condemned are hung from these iron trees, their flesh torn apart by the blades. Afterward, they will also suffer in the Tongue-Pulling and Steamer Hells.

The fourth level is the Mirror Hell: those who commit crimes in life but manage to escape punishment through deceit or bribery will be sent to this hell when they arrive in the underworld.

The fifth level is the Steamer Hell: those who spread rumors, slander others, or falsely accuse others will be sent to this hell after death, where they will be steamed alive in a cauldron. After being steamed, they will be blown by cold winds, reshaped, and then continue to suffer the same fate.

The sixth level is the Copper Pillar Hell: those who deliberately set fires, either to destroy evidence or out of malice, will be sent to this hell after death. Here, demons strip them naked and force them to embrace a one-meter-wide, two-meter-high copper pillar heated to red-hot by burning coals inside.

The seventh level is the Mountain of Knives Hell: those who show disrespect to deities, or kill animals such as cows, horses, cats, or dogs—even if they have never killed a human—will be sent to this hell after death.

The eighth level is the Ice Mountain Hell: wicked women who murder their husbands, commit adultery, or maliciously abort their pregnancies will be sent to this hell after death. Here, they are stripped naked and left on an ice mountain. Additionally, those addicted to gambling, who neglect their parents, or who lack humanity and righteousness will also be condemned to this hell.

The ninth level is the Boiling Oil Hell: those who commit illegal acts, oppress the weak, falsely accuse others, or seize others’ property will be stripped naked and thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil, the severity of their punishment depending on the gravity of their sins. Sometimes, those with especially heavy sins, just released from the Ice Mountain Hell, will be sent to the Boiling Oil Hell.

The tenth level is the Pit of Oxen Hell: those who kill livestock without remorse, building their happiness on the suffering of animals, will be sent to this hell after death. Once thrown into the pit, they will be attacked by wild oxen, gored by their horns, and trampled underfoot.

The eleventh level is the Crushing Stone Hell: those who give birth to children but, due to the child being born with a disability, or because of a preference for male children, drown or abandon their infants, will be sent to this hell after death. Here, they will be crushed to death under heavy stones in a square stone pit.

The twelfth level is the Mortar and Pestle Hell: this hell is reserved for those who, in life, waste food or desecrate grains. After death, they are sent to this hell, where they are ground to death in a mortar.

The thirteenth level is the Blood Pool Hell: those who show no respect to others, neglect their parents, or are dishonorable will be sent to this hell after death, where they will suffer in a pool of blood. Additionally, those who die from difficult childbirth, vomiting blood, or bleeding to death will also be condemned to this hell.

The fourteenth level is the Wrongful Death Hell: those who do not cherish life and commit suicide will be sent to this prison after death, forever barred from reincarnation.

The fifteenth level is the Dismemberment Hell: those who desecrate graves or unearth the dead will be sent to this hell after death, where they will be dismembered alive.

The sixteenth level is the Volcano Hell: those who embezzle public funds, accept bribes, or steal will be sent to this hell after death, where they will be driven into a volcano to be burned alive. Additionally, monks and Taoists who break their vows will also be driven into the volcano.

The seventeenth level is the Grinding Stone Hell: those who desecrate grains or steal will be sent to this hell after death, where they will be ground into meat paste, only to be reformed and ground again.

The eighteenth level is the Saw Hell: those who cut corners, deceive their superiors, abduct women and children, or engage in unfair trade will be sent to this hell after death. They will be stripped naked, tied to a wooden stake in a spread-eagle position, and sawed in half from the groin to the head.