Chapter 23 — Tsunade, Are You Targeting Me?
Senju Training Grounds.
Hikaru's face darkened. In the end, he still had to have Tsunade teach him the Super Strength Technique.
"The Super Strength Technique requires precise chakra control. This extraordinary power comes from mastering the flow of chakra—by concentrating chakra in your fists and fingers in a single instant, you achieve a destructive force far beyond what the body alone can produce."
Tsunade explained the principle, not expecting Hikaru to master it immediately. This technique seemed simple, but it was extremely difficult. It required specialized knowledge, such as the human body's pressure points and meridian structure—things one must understand thoroughly.
She herself had trained from a young age, spending a whole year to master it.
…
"Super Strength — Heavenly Foot of Pain!"
Tsunade leaped into the air, her golden hair flying. She gathered a massive amount of chakra into her right leg, spinning and flipping from bottom to top in a full 360-degree rotation, slamming her foot toward the ground.
"BOOM!"
A deafening explosion shook the earth. A massive crater opened where her kick struck.
"Unbelievable!"
It was hard to imagine such a seemingly delicate woman possessing such terrifying destructive power. Truly, she lived up to her reputation.
Hikaru's eyes shone with admiration. Humbly, he asked to learn the technique, determined to master it.
Tsunade grinned proudly and pulled out a space scroll. "Unseal—"
With a poof, white smoke cleared to reveal two towering stacks of books.
"小 brat, if you want to learn the Senju secret techniques, you must read all of these books. Otherwise, you'll never learn them."
Tsunade smiled triumphantly, then glared at Senju Nawaki. "And you! As a member of the Senju clan, failing to master even the secret techniques is utterly shameful."
"Uh…" Nawaki's head spun. This technique was incredibly difficult. To learn it, he would have to absorb tons of specialized knowledge. The thick books felt like celestial texts—dizzying and overwhelming.
Hikaru, however, accepted the books with solemn gratitude. These were precisely the professional insights he had been missing.
At that moment, Kushina arrived, taking Hikaru's hand. "Since you've finished learning, let's go eat something."
…
Kinoshita Residence.
"Ahhh~"
Hikaru clutched the books, groaning in pain. They were thick and tedious.
His eyes ached from reading. He seriously suspected Tsunade was deliberately making things difficult for him.
Chakra applications, human anatomy—these were useful enough. But medical manuals? Battlefield first aid? What the hell?
He was only trying to learn a Super Strength Technique, not become a medical ninja!
"Brother! Brother!"
Hikaru shouted, knowing Kinoshita Muraichi was nearby. Don't ask why—after six years together, he already knew his brother's curious nature.
Ever since returning from the Senju training grounds today, he had felt Muraichi's probing gaze occasionally on him.
As expected, Muraichi appeared instantly. "What is it?"
Hikaru sprang up, grabbed his brother's arm, and said, "Please, teach me the Shadow Clone Technique!"
"Uh… (︶︿︶)"
Muraichi was slightly disappointed. He had hoped his little brother would recount the day's events, but instead, he asked to learn a jutsu.
However, seeing the thick stack of books, he understood why Hikaru wanted to learn the Shadow Clone Technique.
His expression turned serious. He stared at Hikaru. "I can teach you, but there's one condition: when you're at school or with your friends, you absolutely cannot use Shadow Clones. Can you do that?"
"Yes!" Hikaru nodded emphatically.
"Very well, then go fetch Minato."
One in a hurry, two in a hurry—if he was going to teach, he might as well teach them both at once and save trouble.
…
"Today we'll focus on learning the Shadow Clone Technique and the Binding Jutsu."
Kinoshita Muraichi spoke casually, explaining in detail the hand seals and chakra flow required for the Shadow Clone Technique.
The Shadow Clone Technique is a B-rank jutsu developed by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. Unlike ordinary clone techniques, these clones are physical, capable of attacking, and can be applied to other jutsu. Generally, it is used for reconnaissance.
He formed the "壬" seal, and with a poof, two Kinoshita Muraichi clones appeared in the training ground.
"This is the Shadow Clone Technique!"
Hikaru's heart raced with excitement. Finally, he was learning this jutsu. Every time he had asked Muraichi before, he had been scolded, excused on the grounds that they were still children.
Although disappointed at the delay, he understood that this jutsu was not suitable for early training. While it could accelerate progress, it also came at a cost—relationships and bonds could be weakened.
Bonds are a simple word, but they require sincerity, especially in interactions with others.
Take Uchiha Itachi, for example. In the Ninja Academy, he used Shadow Clones constantly. While he developed tremendous skill, he was also extremely lonely, with no friends at all.
This early maturity seemed impressive, but in reality, it was immature. The life of a ninja is a solitary one. Only in childhood is there time to make friends; after leaving the academy at age twelve, relationships are mostly hierarchical—superiors and subordinates.
Moreover, using Shadow Clones socially is considered extremely impolite.
After the explanation, Hikaru realized the Shadow Clone Technique was quite similar to ordinary clone jutsu—just a slight adjustment to chakra flow made it far more convenient.
He formed the "壬" seal with his hands. "Shadow Clone Technique!"
Half of his chakra instantly drained. With a poof, a small boy appeared—Hikaru's very own clone.
"Success! (๑＞＜๑)"
Hikaru exclaimed excitedly. "Number One, go study!"
Number One shouted, "Why do I have to go? I'm you! If you don't like studying, I don't like it either, dummy!"
"You will go. I'm the original, and anyway, who said I don't like studying? I just don't have the time."
Hikaru was a bit exasperated. This clone actually had its own thoughts—this wouldn't do. A tool must accept its role as a tool.
Under the original's authority, Number One looked dejected and reluctantly turned to leave.
Watching the clone depart, Hikaru felt a pang of guilt. It was as if he had tricked himself.
"Sorry, Number One. You'll get used to it eventually. (ง•̀_•́)ง"
Both Muraichi and the clone were already helpless before him. Muraichi warned, "When a clone returns, its memories will merge with yours. Use them carefully, or your mind could collapse. With your current mental strength, no more than three at once. Otherwise, it's life-threatening."
Hikaru nodded, though inwardly he felt his limits were higher. Mental strain was basically a measure of mental power, and having lived two lives, his mental capacity far exceeded that of his peers.
Compared to him, Minato was purely gifted, and quickly mastered Shadow Clones.
Today, Hikaru had learned two jutsu: the B-rank Shadow Clone Technique and the D-rank Binding Jutsu.
The Binding Jutsu, also called the Immobilization Technique, restrains a target. Although rated D-rank, when used skillfully, it can have surprising effects.
In the original story, Uchiha Itachi used Binding Jutsu to immobilize Orochimaru, then defeated him with the illusionary jutsu Magic Shackles.