Teaching

"Using shadows as the hub, splitting the mind like a Shadow Clone to multitask, using a technique similar to the Mind Body Switch Technique to target the opponent's mind and consciousness, achieving the goal of controlling the enemy and turning them into puppets under one's control.

"To successfully create this technique, there are simply too many aspects involved. From your concept, this is a sustained ninjutsu, which means the Chakra consumption will be immense. If I remember correctly, the Nara Clan isn't a clan known for abundant Chakra, is it?"

Orochimaru showed no surprise at Kagetsu's concept for the Shadow Puppet Technique. He himself loved research and aspired to learn every unknown ninjutsu in the world. Kagetsu's creativity pleased him greatly.

Even though this technique was based on the Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Technique and, unlike Active Static Blood Armor, was something he could neither master nor learn, that did not stop him from wanting to see it created.

"My constitution is much better than that of my clansmen. The burden and effects that the Shadow Secret Technique places on my body and mind aren't as severe as they are for the others. I'll create it first, then slowly improve it afterward. Wasn't the Second Hokage the same?" Kagetsu did not seem unwilling to accept this.

Creation itself, supported by the Talent Card, was a means of increasing one's strength.

Otherwise, whether it was the advanced Secret Ninjutsu within the Nara Clan or Orochimaru, a teacher who had mastered countless ninjutsu and Forbidden Techniques and possessed all seven Chakra natures, both could teach him according to his aptitude and provide him with systematic ninjutsu.

For most ninja, the ninjutsu selected this way was enough, at least until they became Elite Jonin.

As for becoming a Jonin, most had some special skill. Only those who reached Elite Jonin or a village Kage-level needed to create techniques and fighting styles truly suited to themselves, based on experience, capable of bringing their own strength to its utmost limit.

Orochimaru smiled.

Compared to the First Hokage's simple and brutal ninjutsu, the Second Hokage used all manner of Forbidden Techniques and innovative ninjutsu to deal with enemies in targeted ways.

The difference between the two Hokage was that the First Hokage was the type to bulldoze through everything, able to rely on Wood Release forever. The Second Hokage had more of a scientist's fighting style, creating corresponding ninjutsu specifically according to his opponent.

For example, the Shadow Clone was created to deal with the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan. The Flying Thunder God Slash could likewise be said to have been created to counter the Mangekyo's extreme insight, far surpassing the Three Tomoe.

But once these techniques had fulfilled their purpose, they were basically shelved. Many of them were unfinished prototypes, or techniques suited only to Tobirama Senju's own fighting style. The threshold for learning them was also terrifyingly high, enough to classify them as Forbidden Techniques.

Those without sufficient talent were unworthy of learning my techniques.

Even those who met the requirements to learn them would usually refine the original ninjutsu according to their own fighting style.

For instance, Namikaze Minato, who had learned the Flying Thunder God, successfully combined it with the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Technique, creating his own version of the Flying Thunder God, one better suited to and more capable of bringing out his extraordinary reaction speed and dynamic vision.

Neither Kagetsu nor Orochimaru continued discussing the issue of Chakra. There were still many ways to alleviate, or even solve, such a problem.

For example, the Uzumaki Clan's Yin Seal.

Though the Uzumaki Clan was gone, Kushina Uzumaki and Tsunade still knew that technique.

However, Kagetsu did not expect to obtain it anytime soon. This kind of Sealing Technique could be considered a clan's most core secret art. If one was neither family nor disciple, then in the ninja world, where ninjutsu was one's foundation, how could anyone possibly teach it so easily?

Even in the future, the only ones able to learn and use Orochimaru-style Ninjutsu and taijutsu would be Mitarashi Anko, Yakushi Kabuto, and Uchiha Sasuke.

Master-disciple inheritance and bloodline inheritance.

These were the two main ways ninjutsu was passed down in the current ninja world.

Under the ninja world's closed and monopolistic system regarding ninjutsu, no matter how good your relationship was with someone, if you wanted to learn their core ninjutsu without becoming their disciple, it was like returning to an era when knowledge and classical texts were controlled by aristocratic clans, then visiting a well-connected family friend to ask to borrow their texts and prestige.

Having grown up in the Nara Clan, Kagetsu naturally understood this. Even while learning Medical Ninjutsu from Tsunade and creating Active Static Blood Armor, though there had been many chances to ask, he had never taken the initiative to inquire about Forbidden Techniques such as the Yin Seal.

The Mystical Palm Technique, Delicate Illness Extraction Technique, Yin Healing Wound Destruction, and other Medical Ninjutsu such as healing techniques were not personal or clan Secret Ninjutsu.

"Creating a technique is not difficult. As long as you understand Chakra, the human body, and hand seals well enough, and have enough time, sooner or later you can create new ninjutsu.

"But most such ninjutsu are either impractical or carry some enormous hidden danger. Some are eliminated by time, while others are continuously altered and perfected over generations.

"The establishment of ninja villages was a great integration and upheaval in ninjutsu. Here, obtaining knowledge and ninjutsu is less difficult. Those with talent will eventually be able to create ninjutsu unique to themselves.

"I was like that, and so are you." Orochimaru placed a hand on Kagetsu's head and spoke softly. Who wasn't a genius capable of creating an entire ninjutsu system?

Uchiha clan meeting.

Compared to the excited and cheerful atmosphere of the previous several Uchiha clan meetings, the atmosphere at this gathering was especially grave and oppressive.

Smack!

The heavy, solemn atmosphere was shattered by a crisp sound. Uchiha Tekka, a black dot on his forehead and a Jonin flak jacket on his body, slammed both hands onto the table and abruptly rose to his feet.

"What does the Third Hokage think he's doing?! That Pill was developed by the Technology Development Department only because our Uchiha Clan gave it our full support. He didn't stop it back then, but now that the Pill has been successfully developed, he's jumping out to snatch the fruits of our labor?"

"This is suppression of our Uchiha Clan! He doesn't want to see our strength grow!" Another Uchiha Jonin standing beside Uchiha Tekka, Uchiha Inaho, also wearing a Jonin flak jacket, angrily took up the words.

The many Uchiha attending the clan meeting immediately began speaking up.

The effects of the Pill had already been exaggerated to near-mythical proportions within the clan. More importantly, there were genuine examples in Uchiha Minghuo, Inaho, Tekka, and several others. Their ocular power and strength had indeed risen considerably over the recent period.

During the sparring at the previous clan meeting, the three of them had made a stunning debut that shocked the other clansmen.

Now, every Uchiha Jonin was eagerly awaiting the next batch of Pills, yet the order from the Konoha High Command was something they could not accept.

"We cannot let the Third Hokage and the others succeed! Clan Head!" Uchiha Tekka looked toward Uchiha Fugaku, the Clan Head.

"This is not the Third Hokage's intention." Seeing the clan meeting's rising fury, Fugaku pressed a hand downward, signaling for his clansmen to calm down. As the Clan Head, and because of the prestige brought by the Pills, the agitated Uchiha clansmen gradually quieted down and waited for Fugaku's next words.

"Shisui, explain the situation." Under his clansmen's gazes, Fugaku did not continue speaking. Instead, he looked toward Uchiha Shisui, who had been standing quietly all along, and called him forward.

"Shisui?"

"What does this have to do with him?"

"Isn't Shisui serving under Orochimaru-sama?"

"Does he have news from Orochimaru-sama?"

Amid the scattered murmurs and converging gazes, Shisui stepped out from the crowd. He was only about half as tall as most of those present and was still growing.

"This is not the Third Hokage's intention. It is the will of Root's leader, Shimura Danzō, and the two Advisors," Shisui said calmly under the gazes of his many clansmen.

"How do you know?" An Uchiha clansman frowned slightly.

"Orochimaru-sama told me," Shisui answered calmly in the face of the question.

"That Danzo again!"

The moment Shimura Danzō's name was mentioned, the Uchiha present immediately began gritting their teeth. If there was one member of the Konoha High Command they hated most, it was undoubtedly Shimura Danzō.

Because only he tirelessly sought trouble with the Uchiha Clan. Even with their relatively limited information, they all knew Shimura Danzō's attitude toward the Uchiha.

"We can discuss Shimura Danzō later. What we need to determine now is Orochimaru's stance." A warm, steady voice rang out, and Shisui followed it with his gaze to a composed middle-aged man.

Uchiha Yashiro!

One of the few calm-minded members of the clan, he possessed sound analytical ability and the leadership needed to command the other clansmen. When Fugaku rose to the position of Clan Head, it was Uchiha Yashiro's support that had allowed him to quickly suppress internal disagreements and stabilize his position without wasting time.

"Orochimaru-sama's stance is that research and the supply of Pills can continue, but our support cannot stop," Shisui repeated Orochimaru's words.

"What about Shimura Danzō and the Advisors? Can he refuse them?" Uchiha Yashiro's face brightened with joy, but then darkened again. Orochimaru's stance was certainly good news, but unless the issue with Shimura Danzō and the Advisors was resolved, no one could determine the final outcome.

"The Technology Development Department currently still has autonomy, after all, the village does not provide funding." Following Orochimaru's instructions, Shisui earnestly told his clansmen, "According to the information Orochimaru-sama obtained, this proposal did not receive the Third Hokage's approval. It was merely an order Shimura Danzō issued by borrowing the Third Hokage's authority."

"I knew it was that old dog Shimura Danzō causing trouble!" An Uchiha Jonin spoke angrily.

At least half of the resentment the Uchiha had accumulated was related to Danzo. If possible, anyone present would hope Shimura Danzō suddenly dropped dead or died on the battlefield.

"This time, reason is on our side! The Technology Development Department's funding is provided by our Uchiha Clan, so it is only natural that the Technology Development Department develops Pills to enhance ocular power for us.

"After all, our investment has been so great that it has already affected some clansmen's training and daily lives. Clan Head, at the next Jonin Meeting, you can raise an objection to the Third Hokage." Uchiha Yashiro did not vent his emotions alongside the others. Instead, he addressed Fugaku, who sat at the head of the gathering.

"I will. I'll first communicate properly with Senior Orochimaru." Fugaku nodded and agreed. Looking at Shisui in the distance, Fugaku felt deeply satisfied.

What the Uchiha lacked was a channel for obtaining information from the upper ranks. There was not a single Uchiha clansman in the entire Anbu, nor was there a single Uchiha clansman beside the Hokage. Because of the Uchiha's arrogance, their relationships with the other ninja clans were not close either.

Aside from the Jonin Meeting, the great Uchiha clan did not even have a single channel through which they could learn of developments in the upper ranks. They could only passively find out after things had already happened.

But now that they had Shisui, they finally had an upper-level intelligence channel that would keep them from being so passive. At least for now, Shisui was still highly valued on Orochimaru's side.

"You modified your Shadow Secret Technique very well. By giving the shadow a will, you eliminated the hand seals needed to maintain the Shadow Secret Technique. That effectively frees up your hands."

Watching Kagetsu activate the Shadow Secret Technique without forming hand seals, Namikaze Minato smiled and praised him. "To achieve this, your attainments in the nature transformation and shape transformation of Yin Attribute Chakra are already very high.

"If I remember correctly, the Nara Clan's primary Chakra attribute is generally Yin Attribute Chakra, isn't it?"

"Yes." Kagetsu nodded.

"Yin Release Chakra consumes mental energy and is tied to the body. Honestly, with the Nara Clan's constitution and your current age, being able to use Yin Release to this extent means that even among the talent-rich Nara Clan, you possess exceptional talent," Minato said honestly.

Most ordinary ninja initially possessed one or two Chakra attributes among lightning, water, wind, fire, and earth. Chakra of these attributes was refined by mixing spiritual energy with physical energy.

But beyond those, there were the special Yin and Yang Chakra attributes. One focused on the mind, while the other focused on the body.

Yin Attribute Chakra, capable of creating material forms from nothingness, consumed too much mental energy and needed to absorb physical energy in order to stabilize itself. Thus, ninja skilled in using Yin Attribute Chakra either suffered immense mental strain or bore an enormous physical burden.

The reason Kagetsu could take an unconventional path and progress so rapidly with the Shadow Secret Technique based on Yin Attribute Chakra was not only due to the Nara Clan's powerful spiritual energy. The constitution granted by his Talent Card was also of utmost importance.

The boost to his constitution allowed Kagetsu to consume mental energy and refine more Yin Attribute Chakra. Compared to clansmen his age, he could squeeze out more Yin Attribute Chakra, remain active longer each day, and not need to consider the heavy burden placed on his body.

Though he always appeared lazy in daily life, compared with clansmen who needed medicine to nourish their bodies, he had not yet reached such a miserable state.

"Yin Attribute Chakra itself has absolute advantages in controlling people's minds and bodies. Your concept is correct. What you need now are Sealing Technique formulas that can complement your Shadow Secret Technique.

"Formulas capable of sealing a person's mind, controlling their body, and reading the memories that have left a deep impression. This requires a brain capable of processing information extremely quickly, and as a member of the Nara Clan, you possess that as well. All I can help you with is examining whether the Sealing Technique formulas are effective and correct," Minato said with a sigh.