Knowledge is power

Months passed and mysterious events seem to revolve around Rayzen. Like a seed planted one day and bearing fruits the next day, his actions too reaped fine results that benefitted him and those around him.

He succeeded in having a basic mastery over the C-rank jutsu, Micro-Burst. Training this jutsu constantly, tempered his body from the inside a lot and as a result, he reached the peak of Strength Training in cultivation. There was a quantitative increase to his strength.

Rayzen also managed to raise the D - rank jutsu to Shisui's level, but that was just relying on his agility. He felt that the technique could be improved further, but doing so would have no benefits for him and would need more time. Since the same improvement could be made with the gradual increase in his strength through body cultivation, he decided to spent his time elsewhere.

In the months that passed, Rayzen had covered the entire syllabus of the academy. As a result, he learnt a lot of basic techniques like the E-rank Rope Escape Technique, Genjutsu Dispersion etc. Having a solid base, his visits to the library increased and his interest in class decreased.

He started using Basic Impurity Cleansing Technique on Sora, Toshiko and Shiroka too. Since the former two girls were his family and the latter, well, that was a story for another time.

While Derei and Tasu were his close friends too, Rayzen didn't do the same for them yet. He felt that it was better to study them more, you never know who would be a product of Danzo's Root. While Shiroka being a Nara, won't be recruited by baits about 'protecting the Hidden Leaf' and other bullshit.

Mikoto and Minori were the recent additions to Rayzen's inner circle of friends. Mikoto frequently joins his training session and spars along with Toshiko and Sora, while Minori too follows him around whenever she's free.

...

" Report back to class with your homeworks complete on time! Don't fool around and waste your vacation time. I'll see you again, after the winter. Class dispersed! Goodbye! "

Yoshida left after reminding the students. The students started coming out of class in their own groups as they discussed about how they would spend their vacation.

Shiroka was confused seeing Rayzen not in the usual cheery mood. Even the group felt a bit odd in his silence. Sora held his arms tightly snapping him out of his unusual mood. Seeing that he was making it weird for everyone, he smiled and said:

" What's with all the gloom? What are your plans for the vacation? "

Knowing that it was unrewarding to argue with him, the group chatted away. Mikoto, Minori and Shiroka will not leave the village. Tasu will be under training by Ryobu. Derei will be pursuing their goals within the village itself. Only Toshiko and Sora was going to a festival on a town close to the hidden leaf village.

As everyone discussed their plans, Sora asked : "You will be joining us, right Ray?"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he said with a warm smile:

"I have a lot of stuff to learn. So, I won't be going. Those of you guys , who are staying back in the village can come to me anytime if you need to train or hangout or something."

'Its not that I want to stay in the village. But I need to. Once I leave, I will be hunted by Root. Its not that I am afraid, but giving Danzo clues to my prowess, can possibly end my life faster. And I am not sure, if my prowess is enough to stop a veteran shinobi like him. I need to speed up my plans, even if it means alerting dangerous people!'

As the lively group of his moved, Rayzen was following along, lost in his own thoughts.

...

Asami was back from a mission and was at the house before Rayzen. After their usual spar, the two took bath together like usual. The two were sitting on the veranda in the backyard observing the darkening sky, while drinking warm tea and munching on snacks.

Asami has been getting stronger each day and her arsenal of techniques increased with her rising chakra. Her battle prowess was close to that of a high level chunin, while her chakra level was that of mid level chunin. And if her Sharingan is included, her battle prowess is at the peak level of chunin.

Rayzen asked in a calm tone:

" Hey Mom! Have you learnt Shadow Clone Jutsu yet? "

Asami replied a bit seriously : " No. Not yet, atleast! You do know that you should have as much chakra a Jonin to learn the technique. Otherwise, you will die from chakra drain."

Rayzen sighed.

' Without alerting anyone of my power, I won't get the Shadow Clone Jutsu... Should I forget about it for now? Wait! Uncle Takeshi is probably a Jonin. He might have it.'

Rayzen didn't intend to waste time, he left to Takeshi's house after informing Asami.

He just wanted to ask Takeshi of the Jutsu. But Arisu and his sisters caught him and he had to spend some time with them before being able to approach Takeshi.

"So you want to learn Shadow Clone Jutsu? Did your chakra level reach that of a Jonin? " asked Takeshi.

Rayzen nodded and Takeshi was excited by his nephew's rising prowess.

Takeshi took him to their usual sparring place in the backyard and started teaching him how to use the Jutsu and other associated knowledge. But Rayzen interrupted him in the middle as he asked in genuine confusion:

" Shouldn't there be some scrolls or books and more details regarding the technique? What you are teaching is just how to use the jutsu and some warnings! There is nothing on the internal workings of the jutsu."

Takeshi laughed out loud a bit as he mocked Rayzen:

" I never thought you would be this naive regarding this aspect of a ninja. Remember Rayzen, the more secret techniques you have the better your chances of survival. To a ninja, particularly a clan or a village, their techniques are their lifeblood. The Shadow Clone Jutsu is the Hidden Leaf's unique technique. And the information that you want is only accessible to the Senju clan and important Leaf personnel. We Uchiha are not even in the good books of both groups. "

From Takeshi, Rayzen learnt that a jutsu has three levels of access to information. First, the 'how to use' and caution part. The second being, the internal workings of the jutsu and further detailed information. And the final being, research notes.

He could only have first level of access to all jutsus from the hidden village apart from the academy ones. While in the clan, he has upto second level access. For complete access, he needs to be an important personnel.