Doubling the Secret Art

You'd Better Not Understand

Xu Ming listened to Orochimaru's words and sighed inwardly.

Shadow Clone techniques divide the user's chakra equally among the clones. But why does chakra have a limited share? Isn't it simply the result of the fusion between spiritual and physical energy? Theoretically, as long as I provide enough energy, the supply should be limitless.

But reality was different.

Chakra was not merely an internal energy but a foreign force—a seed that existed within the body, feeding off one's spiritual and physical essence to sustain itself.

Xu Ming fell silent, unwilling to reveal the ultimate truth to Orochimaru just yet. Sudden enlightenment could lead to the collapse of one's entire worldview.

"Why the silence?"

Orochimaru, with his sharp intuition, immediately sensed that something was amiss.

"Is my hypothesis incorrect?"

"No, your expression tells me I was right," he muttered, his piercing gaze deepening. "Then… is there something wrong with the answer?"

From Xu Ming's hesitation, Orochimaru discerned unspoken truths, and his mind raced.

"No wonder…"

He narrowed his eyes in thought.

"I've suspected for a while now—chakra is too powerful, too versatile. It feels almost unnatural, something beyond human capability."

"Human beings, with their frail constitutions, are not worthy of chakra."

Pausing, he turned to Xu Ming with a grave expression. "Is it a gift… or a curse?"

"It's a gift," Xu Ming replied after a moment of silence. Regardless of its origins, chakra was bestowed upon humanity by the Sage of Six Paths as a benevolent act.

Orochimaru exhaled, relieved.

But Xu Ming added softly, "Yet, if one seeks the truth, the gift will become a curse."

Orochimaru's expression stiffened.

"But don't worry," Xu Ming reassured him, patting his shoulder. "Most people will never reach that point. Throughout their lives, they only scratch the surface of what chakra truly is."

Orochimaru forced a wry smile, unconvinced.

"Enough thinking for today. Get some rest," Xu Ming urged, pushing him toward the bedroom. "Even if I've healed your physical fatigue, your mind is still strained. Deep sleep is the only remedy."

Orochimaru nodded, leaving behind scrolls and manuscripts scattered across the floor. He knew his limits—despite Xu Ming's treatment, his mental exhaustion had been mounting. Staying awake for a week was already pushing it.

It was time to sleep.

While Orochimaru slept, Xu Ming made his way to the Senju Clan estate. There, he found Akimichi Chifū casually sipping tea with Uzumaki Mito.

The Akimichi Clan had agreed to grant him access to their Multiplication Secret Technique.

"Honestly, I don't understand why you want this," Chifū admitted as he set down several boxes filled with documents. "The potential of the Multiplication Secret Technique is limited. Someone of your caliber should have no interest in it."

Xu Ming raised an eyebrow. "Someone like me?"

Chifū nodded seriously. "You developed Rasengan and Chidori. You introduced the concept of medical ninjutsu. You're the uncle of the Third Hokage. Why would you need my clan's secret technique?"

Having trained alongside the Third Hokage, Chifū was well aware of Xu Ming's contributions. Rasengan and Chidori had been conceived from his ideas, and the foundation of medical ninjutsu stemmed from his research.

It puzzled him—why would a visionary like Xu Ming bother with their clan's technique?

"Could it be that our Multiplication Secret Technique holds some hidden potential we've never realized?" Chifū asked hesitantly.

Xu Ming hesitated. How should he explain this?

In truth, the Multiplication Secret Technique was quite simplistic. The reason the Akimichi Clan possessed it was likely due to distant ties with Asura's descendants, giving them a fraction of Sage Body inheritance.

But in the grand scheme of things, it was nothing extraordinary.

Ino–Shika–Chō techniques were never meant to stand alone; their true strength lay in synergy. The combination of Shadow Paralysis, Mind Transfer, and Multiplication created a formidable force. Without this alliance, their individual abilities were underwhelming.

After all, the truly powerful always walked alone.

"Alright, you don't have to say anything," Chifū said, waving his hand dismissively. "Your expression says it all."

Xu Ming merely offered a polite smile. "Let's just say I find it interesting."

"No need for flattery. I'm giving you this willingly. Just remember the Akimichi Clan if you ever come across something beneficial in the future," Chifū said before leaving, the boxes of documents stacked in Uzumaki Mito's yard.

Xu Ming politely walked him out of the Senju compound. Upon returning, he found Uzumaki Mito sipping her tea, as composed as ever, as if she had just witnessed something trivial.

"Senior Mito…" Xu Ming sat down again, puzzled. "I asked for their prized clan technique, yet Uncle Chifū handed it over so easily. How?"

Uzumaki Mito set her cup down with a sigh. "Why are you suddenly so slow, child? Do you think Tobirama never studied their secret technique while he was alive?"

Xu Ming froze.

The thought had never crossed his mind.

"The Second Hokage studied it?"

"Of course," Mito said, shaking her head. "As Chifū's teacher, Tobirama examined their technique thoroughly. He even helped refine it and developed an auxiliary secret medicine."

Xu Ming scratched his head. "But I'm not the Second Hokage…"

Tobirama was the Second Hokage, a genius in ninjutsu development, and Chifū's own mentor. His prestige was far beyond Xu Ming's. How could they compare?

Mito smirked. "That's precisely why they handed it over so easily."

"The Akimichi Clan, after seeing Tobirama's analysis, realized their technique had reached its peak. There was nothing more to unlock. Unless a genius like Hashirama were born among them, they would always remain mid-tier shinobi."

Xu Ming's expression changed as he understood.

"Their disappointment in their own technique made them willing to part with it," Mito continued. "To them, handing it over to you was nothing more than a favor."

"As long as you keep it to yourself, there's no issue."

Xu Ming nodded slowly. He had assumed it would be a challenge to obtain the technique, but in reality, it was just another forgotten relic in the grand history of the shinobi world.