Chapter 98: Shadow Clone Technique!

[ We reached more then 500k visualization so far, as a gesture of gratitude, tomorrw Double Chapter ^.^]

Ren returned home shortly after his confrontation with Ganryu. The satisfaction of having landed a hit on the Jonin filled him with pride, but he knew the real work was only just beginning. Clutching the scroll Ganryu had thrown to him, he retreated to his room, determined to dedicate the afternoon to mastering the new technique.

With steady but respectful hands, he opened the scroll. It was packed with detailed notes and precise diagrams, highlighting the complexity of a technique that might appear simple to those unaware of its intricacies.

There's a significant Yang component in the Shadow Clone Technique, Ren reflected, studying the initial diagrams intently.

While the Water Clone Technique primarily uses water as its base, the chakra in the Shadow Clone is equally divided, creating a complete physical copy. This makes it radically different from the illusionary clones I've studied so far.

Each page of the scroll was a revelation. It contained exercises for splitting and balancing chakra, accompanied by warnings about the dangers of poor control.

This is far more useful than I imagined, Ren thought, examining a diagram depicting the flow of energy. If I can master these principles, not only will I learn the Shadow Clone Technique, but my overall control will improve as well.

One diagram, in particular, caught his attention. It showed how an uneven division of chakra could cause turbulence in the system, resulting in unstable energy feedback or damage to the nervous system.

"Fascinating…" he murmured, poring over the scroll's intricate details. "If the chakra isn't split precisely, any excess disperses wastefully, creating instability."

Ren decided to practice the instructions immediately. Sitting cross-legged, he tried to divide his chakra into two equal flows. But the energy, like a rushing river, resisted every attempt at separation. For an hour, he fought against his nature, managing to maintain the distinct flows for only seconds before they re-merged.

This sequence is more complex than I remember from the stories, he thought, memorizing every motion. It's not enough to split the chakra; it must be precisely distributed between two separate entities.

The notes on the scroll were thorough but filled with caution. The Shadow Clone was not a mere illusion; it was a physical copy that divided the user's chakra equally. A mistake in control could lead to severe consequences, especially for those with limited reserves.

Naruto was really fortunate, Ren mused, practicing the seals without channeling energy. "With nearly limitless reserves, everything is simpler. I'll have to be far more precise."

Unable to contain his excitement, Ren rose to try out the technique. He headed to a secluded clearing he had discovered during his explorations. His first attempt was a complete failure—the chakra dissipated into the air without producing any result. On the second attempt, the energy seemed to outright refuse to respond, leaving Ren staring at nothing.

It's like trying to separate water with your hands, he thought, trying to stay calm. It seems so intuitive in theory, but in practice…

After an hour of fruitless attempts, Ren stopped, exhausted. I had already almost depleted my chakra during the fight with Ganryu, he realized. "And there's not even a sign of a shadow clone," he muttered, staring at the ground. But his eyes showed no trace of surrender. This was only the beginning.

Later, Ren visited Tatsumi as usual to continue their work on Fuinjutsu seals. That day's tasks included familiar seals Ren had already mastered, but the boy was determined to use every opportunity to improve.

As he worked with focus, Ren's mind wandered back to the Shadow Clone Technique and how chakra control intertwined with seals. Suddenly, he looked up at Tatsumi and asked, "Master, is it possible to create two seals simultaneously?"

Tatsumi raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question, but his face remained calm and contemplative. "Anything is possible in Fuinjutsu," he replied thoughtfully, "but it's an extremely arduous challenge. Even I, a Seal Master, would find it difficult. When I collaborated with a Grand Seal Master on a particular seal, it was a complex endeavor."

Ren froze for a moment, his eyes lighting up with curiosity. The phrase "Grand Seal Master" caught him "What kind of seal was it?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, trying not to seem too intrusive.

Tatsumi, however, grew somber for a brief moment. The smile faded from his face, replaced by a pensive expression. "It was a protection seal, let's say, designed to contain an immense force…" he said, stopping abruptly. He seemed lost in his memories, his hands gripping the tools he was using more tightly. "But for now, focus on your work. It's still too early for you."

Ren noticed the change in tone but decided not to press the issue. Too bad—I couldn't gather any useful information this time, he thought, gritting his teeth with a hint of disappointment. Yet, as he focused on the meticulous work in front of him, determination reignited in his eyes. But no matter. I will master the Shadow Clone Technique.

---

Returning home, Ren immediately noticed that something was different. Light streamed through the windows of the living room, and a familiar, out-of-place laugh made him slow his steps. "What's going on?" he wondered, instinctively clenching his hands as he set his bag down by the door.

Cautiously, he entered. The cheerful sounds became clearer: his mother's calm voice, the unmistakable, lively tone of Kurara, and another voice—higher-pitched and tinged with mischief—that instantly put him on edge. He stepped into the living room, and the scene unfolded before him.

Kurara and Yukiko were seated, chatting like old friends, while his mother, Yuki, watched them with a warm smile. The room seemed smaller, as though their presence had taken up all the available space. Ren stopped in the doorway, his gaze shifting from one face to another.

"Kurara came by with her friend Yukiko tonight. What a charming girl," Yuki said warmly, as though there was nothing unusual about the scene.

A wave of exhaustion swept over Ren. "Kurara? Invited? And Yukiko?" he thought, the words echoing in his head with a mix of disbelief and annoyance.

As if one weren't enough, now there are two.

"Hey, Ren," Kurara called out, raising a hand in greeting. 

Yukiko, on the other hand, observed him with a sly smile, her hands resting casually on her knees. "So this is your little hideout, Mizutani?" she said, her voice dripping with irony that Ren immediately found irritating.

He brought a hand to his forehead, trying to hide his growing frustration.

I can't even be the master of my own house anymore, he thought, forcing his expression to remain neutral as he slowly approached. Each step felt like a surrender to an inevitable fate.

Kurara watched him intently, her cold, impenetrable gaze reminiscent of a feline studying its prey. There was no hint of genuine amusement on her face, just a calm indifference that made her intentions difficult to read. "Shall we eat?" she said flatly.

Yukiko chuckled, adding provocatively, "Maybe he's overthinking things. Did we disturb you, Ren?"

Ren clenched his jaw slightly, but his mother's calm tone interrupted before he could respond. "Relax, Ren. Kurara wanted to spend some time with us and brought Yukiko along. It's nice to have company once in a while."

Company? Ren thought, struggling not to show how out of place he felt.This feels more like an invasion than a visit.

But he said nothing, offering only a slight nod as he reluctantly sat at the side of the room, watching the two girls who seemed completely at ease.

Elsewhere, in the dim light of a hidden cave, Obito and Zetsu prepared to take the next step in their plan. The faint glow barely illuminated their figures, while the shadows danced on the damp walls, heightening the tension in the air.

"Everything is ready" Zetsu said in a voice laced with malice and satisfaction. His tone was slightly distorted, almost unsettling. His eyes gleamed with a sinister interest, as though he was already savoring the chaos to come.

Obito, his face hidden behind his mask, nodded slowly. "Once the first step is taken, there will be no turning back." His voice was flat, yet there was an unyielding determination that conveyed an unshakable certainty.

Zetsu leaned forward, his serpentine figure twisting slightly. "You know this move will destabilize everything. The reactions will be violent, and the chaos... The chaos will be perfect." A sinister grin stretched across his face, distorting his already unnerving features.

Obito remained still, his gaze fixed on the darkness of the cave. "The village won't immediately sound the alarm," he said, breaking the silence. "My chakra signature was recorded years ago. I can move without arousing suspicion—at least at first."

Zetsu watched him with a mix of curiosity and a faint, malicious smile. "Always one step ahead, as usual," he said, his tone teetering between admiration and mockery.

The scene was set. The plans were in motion. And in the stillness of the cave, a storm of chaos quietly began to brew.

[ Hi there! Ito-kun here ^.^ 

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