Chapter 23: Mastering the Shadows

[Shinji's Perspective]

After class, I met Shinzo-sensei in the Academy's training hall. He stood in the center of the room, arms folded, eyes closed, as if lost in thought. The moment I stepped inside, his eyes snapped open, and with a single hand seal, his shadow surged forward, racing toward mine.

I instinctively prepared to resist but stopped myself—this was an opportunity. If I wanted to understand Shadow Possession Jutsu, the best way was to experience it firsthand.

The moment his shadow touched mine, an eerie sensation overtook my body. It was as if my limbs had been hijacked, my control stripped away entirely. I struggled against it, trying to analyze how it functioned. That's when I noticed something—a thin, almost imperceptible layer surrounding my body, acting as a medium for control.

I pushed against it with my chakra, trying to break free. It resisted but wavered slightly. Then, shifting tactics, I flooded my body with Cursed Energy.

The difference was instantaneous. The thin layer shattered like glass, and my body was mine again.

Shinzo-sensei raised an eyebrow. "That was… faster than expected."

I flexed my fingers. "Looks like my control over shadow techniques gives me an advantage against the Nara Clan's jutsu."

He hummed in thought. "So you understand how it works?"

"Mostly," I admitted.

Without another word, he tossed a scroll toward me. "Practice. If you get stuck, use the scroll. And don't wake me up if you have questions—ask after training is over."

I stared at him, already making his way to a corner for his usual nap. 'Just how much sleep does this guy need?'

Still, I smirked, turning my attention to the scroll. With this, I'll have another trump card in my arsenal.

From that day on, my training shifted—less physical exertion, more studying and refinement. I dove deeper into Fūinjutsu under Jiraiya-sensei's guidance while my clones tackled various other disciplines. But I quickly learned the limits of my method.

At one point, I had twenty clones training in different fields—Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Fūinjutsu, Taijutsu, and even refining my elemental chakra.

It sounded like a brilliant strategy. Until they dispelled all at once.

The resulting headache was so intense I nearly slammed my head into a wall just to make it stop. It felt like twenty sledgehammers ramming knowledge into my brain at once. Never again.

After that, I limited my clone training to one subject at a time.

While waiting for a breakthrough in my Lightning Nature transformation, I began experimenting with Rasengan modifications. I had a lot of ideas, but nothing concrete yet.

However, my focus was soon diverted elsewhere.

After my fight with Itachi, I continued to meet him for sparring sessions. It was good for both of us—facing different opponents forced me to refine my skills, while Itachi, now more distanced from his clan after his loss, found an escape in our fights.

'Uchihas and their sky-high pride…'

During one such session, Itachi suddenly asked, "Shinji, what do you think of the village's treatment of the Uchiha clan?"

His tone was casual, but I knew better. He had been thinking about this for a while.

"Why such a serious question suddenly, Itachi-san?" I said, drinking water after exhausting myself.

He gave a rare smile. "Because you're also a genius, Shinji. And who knows? Maybe one day you'll become Hokage. I'd love to see it."

I scoffed, waving him off. "Hokage? Too much work for too little benefit."

He chuckled, but I could see he was waiting for a real answer. I had already prepared one.

"The Uchiha are under strict watch because the Nine-Tails' attack showed signs of the Sharingan. Even if it wasn't someone from your clan, the one who controlled the beast was definitely an Uchiha."

Itachi listened in silence, but I could tell he had his own theories.

"As the village leader, Hiruzen-sama had to act. Moving the Uchiha out was the safest option to prevent immediate conflict, even if it meant planting the seeds of animosity."

He looked more dejected. At this rate, he'd start resenting his own clan.

"But," I continued, "As Hokage, he should have handled it differently. Instead of treating the entire Uchiha clan as suspects, he should have launched an investigation and confronted Fugaku-sama directly."

Itachi looked surprised by the shift in my tone.

"That would have caused unrest," he pointed out. "The village would still fear the Uchiha."

I shook my head. "That's where leadership comes in. A Hokage isn't just a political figure. They should be the strongest shinobi—someone who makes people feel safe no matter what. Like Shodaime Hashirama Senju. During his reign, Mito-sama was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, yet she was respected, not feared. Now? A two-year-old child is hated for something he had no control over."

Itachi's expression darkened as he absorbed my words.

'Maybe my talk-no-jutsu is working…'

After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Not everyone can be as strong as Shodaime-sama. Seeing the Nine-Tails destroy their homes, it's only natural for people to be afraid."

"You believe Hokage-sama's decision to isolate the Uchiha was right?" I asked, feigning shock.

He hesitated. "It was… drastic, but necessary."

"Maybe," I admitted. "But it's leading to something worse."

He didn't argue. Instead, he gazed at the horizon, where the sun was setting over the village.

"Shinji," he said softly, "I wish a Hokage like that led the village."

Then he walked away.

I watched him leave, wondering if I had changed his views but I didn't know that I made it worse far more worse…

Days later, the news came.

Itachi had joined Anbu.

I was completely shocked.

That wasn't supposed to happen.

In the original timeline, he wasn't recruited until he was ten. Now, at just nine, he had already joined.

'Was it because of our fight? Or… because of what I said?'

The future was shifting.

And I had no idea if it was for the better or worse.

[Six Months Later]

Time passed peacefully, with no major disturbances. Then, Jiraiya-sensei announced he was leaving the village again.

I wasn't about to let him go without a failsafe.

As he stood at the village gates, preparing to depart, I approached him with a request.

"Jiraiya-sensei, can you give me the Toad Summoning Contract?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Why? You don't have enough summons?"

I smirked. "I'm your student. And one who mainly uses summons, if I don't have Toads? What would people think?"

He laughed. "You do have a point. Alright."

He retrieved a massive scroll, unrolling it before me. "Sign your name, add your blood and handprint, and you'll be connected to Mount Myōboku. Every time you summon, you'll get a random toad until you form a contract with one."

I did as instructed, pressing my bloodied handprint onto the scroll.

I grinned. "Taming summons is my specialty."

Jiraiya laughed. "That's the spirit, kid."

What I didn't tell him was my true plan.

'No more excuses about being 'out of the village' when something happens. If I ever need him, I'll just have a toad reverse summon him back here.'

I walked back toward my house, barely suppressing a chuckle.