[Fourth Update — Let's push the rankings! More chapters coming!!]
"Clan Head… how does it taste?"
Mikoto sat quietly by the table, her large eyes fixed on Ryujin as he ate. A trace of nervousness lingered in her expression.
Even after bringing him meals for years…
Every single time, she still worried.
What if he didn't like it?
What if it wasn't good enough?
Ryujin took a few more bites of the fish before nodding slightly.
"It's good. Better than last time. Your cooking has improved again."
This wasn't empty praise.
When Mikoto had first started cooking, it had been… disastrous. Bad enough that even Ryujin had struggled not to spit it out. Sometimes the fish wasn't even fully cooked—half-raw, barely edible.
But back then—
She had only been five.
Just managing to prepare a meal was already impressive.
Over the years, however, she had improved steadily. Now, her cooking could easily rival that of professional chefs in ninja restaurants—especially when it came to fish.
Because Ryujin liked it.
He still remembered the countless times she had gone down to the river, jumping straight into the water to catch fish with her own hands. More than once, she had come back completely soaked. More than once, she had fallen ill because of it.
For a shinobi, getting sick wasn't common.
But Mikoto had insisted.
Again and again.
And now—
Her effort showed.
The fish was fragrant, tender, and completely free of any unpleasant taste.
"As long as you like it," Mikoto said softly, her face lighting up with relief.
Ryujin continued eating before asking casually,
"How's your chakra control training going?"
Because of how often she visited, he would occasionally guide her training. And under his instruction—
Her progress had been extraordinary.
"Mm! Clan Head, I've already mastered chakra control and basic usage!"
Mikoto nodded eagerly, her voice filled with excitement.
With Ryujin's guidance, combined with her own natural talent, she had already become one of the top students among her peers—a true prodigy within the Uchiha Clan.
Ryujin nodded in approval.
"Good. Since that's the case… today I'll teach you a new technique."
"Really?!"
Mikoto's eyes lit up instantly.
"You have time to teach me today?"
For her, training with him wasn't just an opportunity—
It was something she genuinely cherished.
After finishing the meal and cleaning up, Ryujin led her out of the compound toward a secluded training ground he used personally.
"Mikoto," he said, glancing at her, "today, I'll teach you how to use the Shadow Clone Technique for training."
"Shadow Clone…?"
She tilted her head slightly, puzzled.
Ryujin nodded.
"This technique isn't just for combat. When used properly, it can accelerate training to an unbelievable degree."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"When a shadow clone is dispelled, all of its experiences return to the original body—memory, knowledge… and training results."
Mikoto froze, her brows knitting together as she processed his words.
Then—
Her eyes widened.
"Does that mean… if I create a hundred shadow clones and have them practice throwing kunai…"
"When they disappear… all that experience returns to me?"
Ryujin smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
"In that sense, your training speed can increase exponentially. You could call it… a cheat-level technique."
Mikoto's eyes sparkled.
She understood immediately.
She always did.
That was part of why Ryujin chose to teach her.
She didn't just listen—
She grasped.
"But there's a condition," Ryujin added, his tone shifting slightly.
"When the experience returns…"
"So does the fatigue."
He looked at her, a faint smirk forming.
"If you overdo it—say, a thousand clones—then all that exhaustion hits you at once."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"You could die."
"D-Die?!"
Mikoto's eyes widened in shock, her small face turning pale.
She had never heard of training that could kill someone.
Ryujin chuckled inwardly.
Her reaction was exactly what he expected.
Teasing her a little…
Wasn't so bad.
"That's why this technique is classified as forbidden," he continued calmly. "Not everyone can use it safely."
"That's… terrifying…"
Even so—
Mikoto didn't hesitate.
She threw herself into learning the technique with full focus.
Under Ryujin's guidance, the afternoon passed in the blink of an eye. By the end of it, she could already create over a dozen shadow clones, each training simultaneously.
Her talent was undeniable.
Of course—
Still far from his level.
As for how Ryujin himself had learned the technique…
As a transmigrator—and the Clan Head of the Uchiha—once he knew such a method existed, there was no way he wouldn't obtain it.
It had taken effort.
A lot of effort.
But in the end—
It was worth it.
While Mikoto continued training diligently, Ryujin, having nothing urgent to handle, reopened the Multiverse Communication Guild.
This time, he examined its functions more carefully.
There were quite a few features.
But one, in particular, caught his attention.
The video function.
"…It can even do this?"
He explored it briefly.
Not only could members initiate video calls—
They could also send images and recorded clips.
Ryujin lifted his gaze.
Not far away, multiple versions of Mikoto were training simultaneously, each one focused, each one pushing her limits.
He activated the recording function.
Within moments—
A one-minute clip was captured.
"…Interesting."
Without much thought, he uploaded the video to the guild.
After all, to him, this so-called Multiverse Communication Guild…
Was nothing more than a tool for passing time.
As the strongest member in the group, there was little he could gain from it.
Might as well use it…
For entertainment.