Shadow Clone Technique

For example, if an ordinary ninja wanted to exchange for a B-Rank Ninjutsu, he had to complete at least one A-Rank Mission. That was during wartime; in peacetime, he would need at least three or four A-Rank Missions.

But here was the problem: ordinary ninjas had neither strength nor backing. The purpose of exchanging for a B-Rank Ninjutsu was to improve their strength, but without strength to begin with, how could they survive an A-Rank Mission? Did that not create a logical dead end?

This was not a question of whether the egg came first or the chicken.

It was a question of whether ordinary ninjas could complete their initial accumulation at all—whether they had the ability to break free from the innate shackles imposed by their birth.

Therefore, many ordinary ninjas could only risk their lives and take dangerous chances, attempting missions that exceeded their own level of strength in order to break this situation.

As long as a ninja survived that hurdle, the sea would be wide enough for fish to leap and the sky high enough for birds to soar. They could basically rise another level very quickly.

In this way, the purpose behind the policy created by Konoha's high command was achieved. The only ones who suffered were the ordinary ninjas of the lower and middle ranks.

Moreover, in the minds of those Konoha high command officials responsible for such top-level planning, they were still righteous. Everything was for Konoha. Had they not seen the mission completion rate climbing steadily? That was clear proof.

In the past, everyone had shied away from high-level missions. Now, they actively sought them out, more obedient and proactive than draft animals. This showed that the policy was an excellent measure for governing the village.

Even if there were any problems, they were insignificant trifles that could be understood. After all, everything was for Konoha, wasn't it?

Wherever Konoha's leaves danced, the fire burned without end.

"Sasuke, you aren't planning to use this S-Rank Mission Completion Record to exchange for a B-Rank Ninjutsu, are you?"

After seeing how delighted Umino Sasuke was upon hearing how extraordinarily high the mission's rank was, Akimichi Toribo assumed the air of an experienced leader and earnestly advised him, "S-Rank Mission Completion Records are hard to come by. You will definitely need it in the future, so don't rush to exchange it for a B-Rank Ninjutsu."

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

Umino Sasuke put on an indecisive expression, but he had long since made up his mind. There was no way he would exchange it for low- or mid-level ninjutsu. An S-Rank Mission Completion Record was far too precious; at the very least, he had to see whether he could use it to exchange for an A-Rank Ninjutsu.

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

Akimichi Toribo had taken a liking to his talent and was uncharacteristically generous.

In his view, he had completed quite a few high-level missions and had no need to exchange for Advanced Ninjutsu. Teaching one or two techniques to a subordinate could be considered an investment in winning him over.

"Thank you for your favor, my lord." Umino Sasuke was overjoyed, but he did not lose his head. Instead, he thoughtfully said, "Lord Toribo, I am already deeply grateful that you are willing to use your own high-level mission completion records to teach me ninjutsu. How could I let you spend more? Tomorrow, when the patrol mission cycle ends and we return to the station to renew our posts, I will go to the Logistics Department and make up the Mission Merit Points required to exchange for the ninjutsu."

Konoha had rules forbidding the secret learning and private transmission of ninjutsu.

Unless it was an exclusive technique or a Clan Secret Jutsu, even a teacher teaching ninjutsu to a disciple required mission completion records and merit points.

"Hahaha! Sasuke, you are far too polite."

"It is only proper. How could I let you teach me ninjutsu and spend your money as well?"

"Very well. Since you insist, I will not stand on ceremony."

Akimichi Toribo felt that he had gotten another bargain. Mission completion records were precious to others, but they were utterly useless to him. He neither needed to exchange for Advanced Ninjutsu nor pursued ninja titles or power. Mission Merit Points were much more practical.

At the very least, Mission Merit Points could be used at the Logistics Department to exchange for all kinds of blades and daily supplies.

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

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

"The Shadow Clone Technique?"

Akimichi Toribo patted Umino Sasuke on the shoulder and carefully sensed him for a moment before earnestly persuading him, "Sasuke, while the Shadow Clone Technique is good and very practical, given your chakra reserves, I still suggest that you reconsider."

"Lord Toribo, I also know that my chakra reserves are lacking. However, when we return to the station to renew our posts this time, I also plan to exchange for knowledge related to developing a second chakra nature. If I succeed, my chakra reserves should surely greatly increase."

Umino Sasuke laid out his plan in full, wanting to see whether Akimichi Toribo had any advice. After all, Akimichi Toribo came from a great Konoha clan and was a veteran Konoha jonin, so his knowledge was surely extensive.

"Developing a second chakra nature?"

Akimichi Toribo froze, then looked at Umino Sasuke with some sympathy and said solemnly, "Sasuke, you may be disappointed."

"Oh?" Umino Sasuke looked puzzled.

Only after Akimichi Toribo explained did he finally understand the issue. Developing a second chakra nature did not mean one's chakra reserves would greatly increase.

Rather, only those with sufficient chakra and potential could develop a second chakra nature.

Chakra reserves were the cause, while a second chakra nature was the result—not the other way around.

Though it was called developing a second chakra nature, a more accurate way to put it was excavating the potential for a second chakra nature hidden within the body.

Development implied creating something from nothing, while excavating potential meant discovering something that was already there. The two were fundamentally different.

"Sasuke, there is no need to be discouraged. In theory, every ninja has the potential to develop all chakra natures. It is merely a matter of how much potential they possess."

Then Akimichi Toribo comforted him further. "Although your aptitude in chakra is average, if you consume a large amount of Nara Secret Medicine to nourish yourself and make up for the potential your body has lacked over the years, you will still have a good chance of raising your chakra reserves to jonin level."

"My lord, even one ordinary dose of Nara Secret Medicine costs tens of thousands of ryo. A large amount? Do I look like a wealthy man?"

Umino Sasuke looked disappointed, but his mind was racing. In truth, he had not lost confidence. The so-called Nara Secret Medicine merely replenished bodily deficiencies.

Medicine was toxic in some measure. What nourishing prescription could compare to dietary nourishment?

Now that he had mastered the Akimichi Clan's Digestive Technique, was that not the best method of dietary nourishment?

As long as he ate enough food and converted it into a constant stream of energy that gradually nourished every cell in his body, it would not be long before all the deficiencies his body had accumulated in the past were fully replenished.

He might even undergo a second growth spurt.