Konoha's Tatsuya

In a secluded grove, Tatsuya stood still, index and middle fingers extended and crossed to form a plus sign.

Poof!

A shadow clone of Tatsuya appeared beside him.

This was Tatsuya practicing the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which he'd just redeemed from the village using his merit points. Since he couldn't quickly improve his physical stats and chakra reserves in a short amount of time, Tatsuya was planning to develop a new cheat: using shadow clones for training.

As for the Senjutsu he'd recently obtained from Orochimaru, Tatsuya wasn't about to rashly start practicing it until his bio-chip had completely analyzed it. Senjutsu training was extremely risky, and relying on his own fumbling attempts to master it quickly was unrealistic.

The Shadow Clone Jutsu, a B-rank ninjutsu created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, used chakra to create physical clones. These clones could act and fight just like the original. Unlike the standard Clone Jutsu, the Shadow Clone Jutsu produced clones with actual substance.

In the ninja world, the Shadow Clone Jutsu was undoubtedly an incredible cheat. Shadow clones not only possessed the consciousness and a degree of resilience of the original user, but when they dispelled, their memories and experiences would return to the original. This was the function Tatsuya valued most.

For someone who was still relatively new to the ninja world, the Shadow Clone Jutsu was undoubtedly the best choice for quickly accumulating ninjutsu experience. Ten years later, the destined child, Naruto, would use Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu to develop the incredibly powerful S-rank ninjutsu, the Rasenshuriken.

However, using this jutsu for training and developing ninjutsu had very strict requirements.

First, one had to be able to withstand the mental backlash from the clones' dispersal. In a typical battle, since the duration was short and the clones didn't experience much, the accumulated experience and memories weren't significant, and the impact on the ninja was minimal. However, if used for sustained ninjutsu training and development, the mental backlash from multiple clones dispelling simultaneously was extraordinary. In the ninja world, only a freak like Naruto could create so many clones to mess around with; any other ninja wouldn't dare.

This wasn't a problem for Tatsuya, who could use his bio-chip to store memories.

Second, one needed strong vitality and a large amount of chakra. In the original story, Naruto, born into the Uzumaki clan, naturally possessed an incredibly strong constitution. Coupled with half of the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, acting as a rechargeable battery, he could use Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu without restraint.

Although Tatsuya didn't have Naruto's monstrous physique and inexhaustible chakra, with the Fujinhoin and the Body Activation Secret Technique, he could quickly replenish his spent chakra. He could at least create a few clones for basic training and research.

The only downside was that it was expensive! To quickly replenish his chakra, Tatsuya needed to constantly stock up on a large amount of food.

To quickly give himself more self-preservation power, Tatsuya had temporarily given up on his research and development ideas. He planned to use almost all of his financial resources to support his food consumption.

After the Nine-Tails' attack, Tatsuya began training according to his own plan. He was desperate to increase his strength again.

"Butterfly Mode Secret Technique analysis complete. This technique requires a large amount of chakra and life energy. The host is advised to use it with caution."

Just as Tatsuya was busy practicing the Shadow Clone Jutsu, the bio-chip's pleasant notification sound echoed in his mind. A large amount of information about the key points of the Akimichi clan's Butterfly Mode Secret Technique began to become part of Tatsuya's memory.

After carefully reviewing this memory, Tatsuya had no choice but to give up on the idea of trying out the power of Butterfly Mode. The power of Butterfly Mode was indeed formidable, capable of instantly unleashing over ten times his normal combat strength, but the price was also enormous.

According to the bio-chip's estimate, with Tatsuya's current physical condition, using Butterfly Mode would only last a few minutes at most. Afterward, it would severely damage his body, requiring at least half a year to recover. This secret technique could only be used as a last resort, a final trump card.

"Begin analysis of Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Sighing, Tatsuya began to use the bio-chip to analyze the Shadow Clone Jutsu. The bio-chip's analysis would help Tatsuya understand the Shadow Clone Jutsu more deeply. Moreover, if the existing database information could be optimized or integrated during the bio-chip's analysis, it could automatically trigger a search.

After spending half a day in the dense forest, Tatsuya had completely mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu. The rest was just continuous practice to improve his proficiency.

The lingering glow of the autumn sun spilled across the land as Tatsuya appeared at the entrance to the Akimichi clan's compound.

As he walked down the street, Tatsuya suddenly stopped, his eyes flashing with a mixture of extreme surprise and disgust as he looked at the figures approaching him.

Danzo, flanked by two Root members, was walking towards Tatsuya. Judging by his route, he had probably just come from Clan Head Sakawa.

"You are Akimichi Tatsuya?" Danzo stopped in front of Tatsuya, his voice raspy and unpleasant.

"Elder Danzo," Tatsuya replied, his expression calm. He bowed respectfully and then simply walked around him. He had absolutely no desire to engage in even the slightest bit of social pretense with that ugly old face, under the gaze of that remaining, sinister eye.

Watching Tatsuya walk away, a sudden surge of coldness flashed in Danzo's eye. He remained silent for a few seconds before continuing on his way. Danzo's visit to the Akimichi clan today had not achieved his objective.

Returning to the clan grounds, Tatsuya didn't go straight home. Instead, he went to visit Uncle Rou first. At Uncle Rou's house, Tatsuya found that Kyoko and Kei were also there.

The moment he opened the door, Tatsuya was once again tackled by that little rascal, Kei.

"Kyoko, why have you been here so often lately?" Tatsuya asked, struggling to push Kei off him and looking at Kyoko curiously.

Hearing Tatsuya's question, Kyoko's pretty face instantly turned bright red. She didn't answer, but instead blushed furiously and ran away. Tatsuya was left standing there, utterly bewildered.

Unable to understand the thoughts of a young girl, Tatsuya didn't dwell on it and turned to enter the inner room.

Inside, Uncle Rou, his body wrapped in bandages, was leaning back against the sofa. After a few days of rest, his injuries had clearly improved significantly.

"Uncle Rou, I just saw Elder Danzo in the clan grounds. It looked like he had just come from the Clan Head's place," Tatsuya said, steering the conversation to Danzo after a few moments of small talk.

Hearing Tatsuya mention Danzo, Rou's face displayed a mocking expression. "He's been in the darkness for too long; he's even forgotten a ninja's basic patience. The Fourth just died, and he's already itching to jump out!"

Hearing this, Tatsuya understood. He now knew the purpose of Danzo's visit to the Akimichi clan today. After the Fourth Hokage's death, the position of Hokage was vacant, and that old geezer Danzo wanted to stir things up again! However, judging by the tone of Uncle Rou's voice, Danzo was destined to be disappointed!