Shadow Clone Technique

For example, if a regular ninja wants to exchange for a B-Rank Ninjutsu, they must complete at least one A-Rank mission. This is during wartime; during peacetime, it would require at least three or four A-Rank missions to start.

But here's the problem: for a regular ninja with no strength or background, the purpose of exchanging for this B-Rank Ninjutsu is to improve their strength. If they don't have the strength to begin with, how can they possibly survive to complete an A-Rank mission? Doesn't this create a logical dead loop?

This isn't a matter of which came first, the chicken or the egg.

It's about whether regular ninjas fundamentally have the means to achieve initial accumulation, and whether they have the ability to break the cycle of innate limitations imposed by their birth.

Therefore, many regular ninjas, in order to break this situation, can only risk their lives and venture out, attempting to complete missions far exceeding their current strength level.

As long as a ninja survives crossing this hurdle, they will have boundless opportunities to soar, and can generally level up quickly.

In this way, the objective set by Konohagakure's higher-ups is achieved. The only ones who suffer are the lower and middle-ranking regular ninjas.

Moreover, in the minds of these top-level Konoha officials who designed this system, they believe they are acting righteously. Everything is for the sake of Konoha. Haven't you seen the continuously rising mission completion rates? This is clear proof.

Previously, everyone shied away from high-level missions, but now they actively undertake them, more obedient and proactive than beasts of burden. This shows that this policy is an excellent strategy for managing the village.

Even if there are any problems, they are insignificant and understandable. After all, isn't everything for Konoha?

Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire will ceaselessly burn.

"Sasuke, you're not thinking of using that S-Rank Mission Completion Record to exchange for a B-Rank Ninjutsu, are you?"

Seeing how happy Umino Sasuke was upon hearing about the extremely high mission rank, Akimichi Toribo, adopting the demeanor of an experienced leader, lectured him earnestly, "An S-Rank Mission Completion Record is very rare and will surely be useful to you in the future. Don't rush to exchange it for a B-Rank Ninjutsu."

"Lord Toribo, I currently only know a few low-level Water Release techniques and am in urgent need of ninjutsu."

Umino Sasuke feigned indecision, but his mind was already made up. Exchanging for low-to-mid-level ninjutsu was out of the question. An S-Rank Mission Completion Record was too valuable; he had to at least see if he could exchange it for an A-Rank Ninjutsu.

"Sasuke, I've benefited a lot from you this time, so I'll teach you one ninjutsu as compensation. As long as it's not an A-Rank Ninjutsu or a Clan Secret Jutsu, I can teach you anything I know."

Akimichi Toribo felt a pang of admiration for Sasuke's potential and was unusually generous.

In his opinion, he had already completed many high-level missions and had no need to exchange for advanced ninjutsu himself. Teaching a ninjutsu to his subordinate was a small investment to win their loyalty.

"Thank you for your generosity, Lord." Umino Sasuke was overjoyed but didn't get carried away. He thoughtfully added, "Lord Toribo, I'm already very grateful that you're using your high-level mission completion record to teach me ninjutsu. How could I possibly let you incur further expenses? When our patrol mission cycle ends tomorrow and we return to the base for renewal, I will go to the Logistics Department and make up the Mission Merit Points for exchanging ninjutsu."

Konoha Village has regulations against secretly learning and privately teaching ninjutsu.

Unless it's a unique ninjutsu or a Clan Secret Jutsu, even if a teacher imparts ninjutsu to a disciple, it requires the expenditure of mission completion records and merit points.

"Hahaha! Sasuke, you're too kind."

"It's only right, it's only right. How could I let you teach ninjutsu and incur expenses as well?"

"Alright, since you insist, I won't be polite."

Akimichi Toribo felt he was getting a great deal again. Mission completion records were precious to others, but to him, they were practically useless. He didn't need to exchange for advanced ninjutsu, nor was he pursuing ninja ranks or power. Mission Merit Points were far more practical.

At the very least, Mission Merit Points could be used at the Logistics Department to exchange for various tools and daily necessities.

"Sasuke, which ninjutsu do you want to learn?"

"Lord Toribo, I want to learn the Shadow Clone Technique."

"The Shadow Clone Technique, huh?"

Akimichi Toribo patted Sasuke's shoulder and carefully sensed him. He then earnestly advised, "Sasuke, although the Shadow Clone Technique is good and very practical, with your current chakra reserves, I suggest you reconsider."

"Lord Toribo, I know my chakra reserves are insufficient, but when we return to the base for renewal, I also plan to exchange for knowledge related to developing a second chakra nature. If I succeed, my chakra reserves should increase significantly."

Umino Sasuke laid out his plan, hoping for Akimichi Toribo's advice. After all, Akimichi Toribo came from a prominent Konoha clan and was a veteran Jonin, so he must have considerable knowledge.

"Developing a second chakra nature?"

Akimichi Toribo was taken aback, then looked at Sasuke with a hint of pity and said gravely, "Sasuke, you might be disappointed."

"Oh?" Umino Sasuke looked confused.

As Akimichi Toribo explained, he finally understood the problem: developing a second chakra nature doesn't automatically lead to a significant increase in chakra.

Rather, it requires having sufficient chakra and potential to develop a second chakra nature.

Chakra quantity is the cause, and the second chakra nature is the effect, not the other way around.

Developing a second chakra nature, to put it more accurately, is about excavating the potential for a second chakra nature already hidden within the body.

The former implies creation from nothing, while the latter implies discovery, a fundamental difference.

"Sasuke, you don't need to be discouraged. Theoretically, every ninja has the potential to develop all five chakra natures, it's just a matter of degree."

Akimichi Toribo then comforted him, "Although your aptitude for chakra is average, if you can consume large amounts of Nara Secret Medicine for nourishment and make up for the potential deficit from previous years, there's still a good chance you can increase your chakra reserves to Jonin level."

"Lord, a single dose of ordinary Nara Secret Medicine costs tens of thousands of Ryo, and you're suggesting consuming large amounts? Do I look like a rich person?"

Umino Sasuke looked disappointed, but his mind was racing. In reality, he hadn't lost hope. The so-called Nara Secret Medicine only served to nourish deficits.

Medicine has its side effects. What nourishment formula could be better than dietary therapy?

Now that he had mastered the Akimichi Clan's Digestive Technique, wasn't that the best dietary therapy?

As long as he consumed enough food, it would be converted into a continuous supply of energy, subtly nourishing all his cells. It wouldn't be long before all his previous deficits were replenished.

He might even experience a second growth spurt.