Feedback - Chakra Sense Resonance!

"Next, you'll be researching another direction of Yang Release—entity transformation."

Xu Ming spoke casually, "I've already arranged to obtain secret information from the Akimichi clan. It should arrive in a few days. Until then, you should start by studying the Shadow Clone Technique."

"Shadow Clone?" Orochimaru was taken aback.

"Exactly. Don't you find the A-rank ninjutsu of Yang Release's nature transformation fascinating?" Xu Ming asked.

"What's so interesting about it?" Orochimaru replied, confused.

Xu Ming chuckled and explained, "The Shadow Clone evenly divides the user's chakra. Once a clone is created, the original body retains only half of its normal chakra. The lost half cannot be replenished through refinement. In other words…

The Shadow Clone reduces the chakra limit of the original body!"

"Wait…" Orochimaru froze, blinking in surprise as he fell into deep thought.

Splitting chakra was one thing, but reducing the body's maximum chakra capacity? That was an entirely different matter. Furthermore, when a Shadow Clone is dispelled, its memories and experiences return to the original body, suggesting a special connection between them.

"Where do I start?" Orochimaru's curiosity was piqued. Mysterious and unexplored ninjutsu always intrigued him.

"Shadow Clone was originally developed by the Second Hokage. You can borrow his research notes from the Senju clan," Xu Ming suggested. "With your medical ninjutsu project, you've already built a good relationship with them, so borrowing the notes shouldn't be difficult."

"Tch… You planned all of this, didn't you?" Orochimaru shot him a look.

"And? Aren't you tempted?" Xu Ming smirked confidently.

"Ugh… If I could take you in a fight, I'd punch you right now!" Orochimaru grumbled.

And so, he followed Xu Ming's lead, starting his research with the Shadow Clone Technique to explore the physical transformation of Yang Release.

Snap…

A vibrant green glow.

Snap…

A second burst of green light.

Snap, snap, snap…

Over and over, Xu Ming visited Orochimaru, infusing him with Yang Release chakra every time he had brunch.

As expected, after seven days without sleep, Orochimaru still felt completely refreshed and energized. Even his skin looked slightly smoother.

This high-intensity research routine yielded unexpected results for Xu Ming as well.

[You have perfectly mastered the A-rank Yang Release secret technique: Chakra Sense Resonance!]

[- You can now sense the chakra you have released and retrieve it before it is absorbed by a living being or dissipates.]

"…?"

Xu Ming stared at the message, a question mark forming in his mind.

A strong sense of déjà vu washed over him.

This ability… didn't it resemble the way the Divine Tree absorbed chakra?

By scattering chakra like seeds into a host, allowing it to take root and draw on the host's physical and spiritual energy, he could extract life force back into himself.

Essentially, it was a method of life force usurpation.

"Damn… does this mean the Shadow Clone Technique's underlying mechanism is actually this dangerous?"

"Or did Orochimaru take his research in an entirely different direction?"

Xu Ming was alarmed.

Without wasting time, he rushed to Orochimaru's house.

Lately, Orochimaru had been fully absorbed in studying the Second Hokage's research notes.

"Hey, Orochimaru, dinner ready yet?"

Xu Ming entered Orochimaru's house through the window, as usual, greeting him with a casual tone.

Inside, Orochimaru sat cross-legged amidst a mess of scrolls and research papers scattered across the floor.

Seeing Xu Ming, he gave him an odd look.

"Are you using some kind of surveillance jutsu on me?"

"Of course not!" Xu Ming feigned surprise.

"Then why do you always show up exactly when I make a breakthrough?" Orochimaru asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes.

"It just means we have a telepathic bond." Xu Ming spoke earnestly, nearly placing a hand over his heart.

"Tch…"

Orochimaru scoffed in contempt before turning his attention back to his scrolls.

"Hey, hey, what's with that attitude?"

"It's called 'contempt.'"

"You—!"

"Enough nonsense. I found something in the Second Hokage's notes," Orochimaru cut him off, his expression turning serious.

"The Second Hokage studied the Shadow Clone Technique extensively. He discovered that maintaining a Shadow Clone caused subtle changes in the original body. These changes closely resembled the Senju clan's Yang Release techniques."

"In other words, the Shadow Clone Technique was a byproduct of his research into Yang Release secrets."

"What the Second Hokage was really trying to develop was Yang Release Chakra Mode!"

Orochimaru's voice carried a weight of certainty, like metal striking stone.

Many outsiders would laugh at such a claim.

But for those with knowledge, this revelation could cause an uproar.

It meant that this technique, widely used across the ninja world, had a much deeper purpose and origin.

"Is this your own conclusion?" Xu Ming asked, exhaling deeply.

"No. I merely pieced together the scattered thoughts in the Second Hokage's notes and took half a step forward."

Orochimaru shook his head. "I believe the Second Hokage had already theorized something similar but chose not to record it."

"That's still impressive." Xu Ming's admiration didn't waver.

Finding the correct answer within a mess of disorganized clues required remarkable intelligence.

Orochimaru had an extraordinary talent for identifying patterns and connections others overlooked.

"So, what's your personal take on the Shadow Clone Technique?" Xu Ming asked.

"I believe it's a form of non-physical limb creation."

"Its core function is no different from the Akimichi clan's Multi-Size Technique. Both involve expanding a person's body."

Orochimaru's tone was solemn as he continued, "The difference is that the Multi-Size Technique physically expands muscle and nerves, which remain connected to the body, so the user can still feel them. However, the Shadow Clone Technique creates a separate entity connected only through chakra. Since chakra doesn't experience pain, we don't perceive it the same way."

"But something still doesn't add up."

"I still don't understand why the Shadow Clone Technique takes away the main body's chakra limit." Orochimaru admitted, furrowing his brows in thought.