Two Great Secret Techniques, at Once!

Back at his house, Yamei's consciousness entered the Sea of Derivations:

Newly acquired materials: Shadow Binding Technique, Shadow Tentacle, Shadow Gathering Technique, Partial Expansion Jutsu, Mind Transfer Jutsu, taijutsu *2, Chakra *2...

"Shikamaru really liked playing the fool to catch others off guard," Yamei remarked.

Three Nara Clan secret techniques had appeared at once! There was nothing more to say about those drop rates.

As for Choji, he had only yielded the Partial Expansion Jutsu. He probably had not learned the other Akimichi Clan Secret Techniques yet.

But even if Choji had learned them, Yamei would not have wanted them much. Just imagining himself turning into a meatball and rolling around made his whole body uncomfortable.

As for the abilities of the Inuzuka Clan and Aburame Clan... Yamei did not want those either. One clan dealt exclusively with dogs, while the other dealt exclusively with bugs...

Yamei decided to pass.

What surprised him most was that Ino already knew the Mind Transfer Jutsu!

But he immediately dismissed that thought. The Mind Transfer Jutsu was difficult; perhaps she had only just begun learning it, and his luck had been good enough for it to drop.

"Perfect. I can derive two secret techniques to play around with!"

Yamei focused on the Nara Clan's secret techniques and said solemnly, "Analyze Shadow Binding Technique, Shadow Tentacle, and Shadow Gathering Technique!"

"Analyze Secret Technique: Sensory Perception, Perception Transmission, and Mind Transfer Jutsu!"

"Analyze taijutsu and incorporate it into the Art of a Hundred Refinements."

Analysis and derivation in progress. Estimated derivation time: 8 hours.

Analysis successful! Derived secret technique: Unnamed.

Effect: Connects the consciousness of two people for communication. Maximum distance depends on your sensory range.

Analysis successful! Derived secret technique: To Be Named.

Effect: Controls dark shadows while also affecting physical objects.

Taijutsu *2 has been incorporated into the Art of a Hundred Refinements. The Art of a Hundred Refinements has been strengthened.

"I'll sleep, and when I wake up tomorrow, I'll have two more secret techniques!"

Yamei lay comfortably on his bed.

Early the next morning, Yamei was awakened by a message from the Sea of Derivations.

Yamei looked at the secret technique derived from the Yamanaka Clan's abilities and could not help frowning. "It can only connect two people? Right... it's missing the Mind Body Switch with Transfer!"

Yamei slapped his forehead. Without the Mind Body Switch with Transfer, wouldn't he only be able to connect two people?

Ino, Ino, work harder! Hurry up and learn the Mind Body Switch with Transfer too.

"I'll call this secret technique: Secret Technique: Empathy."

Yamei turned his attention to the technique derived from the Nara Clan's abilities.

Such dense Yin-nature power. It controlled dark shadows? If he fused all of the Nara Clan's secret techniques into it, would it directly create a Dark Emperor?

"I'll call this technique: Secret Technique: Shadow!"

As the two great secret techniques integrated into him, Yamei felt his control over Yin-nature power increase dramatically.

With a casual point... the shadow beneath his feet continuously changed shape before finally gathering into a tentacle that began washing him up.

"Very convenient!"

Yamei's eyes lit up. With Shadow's assistance, he quickly washed, dressed, prepared everything he needed, and headed to the Ninja Academy.

The moment he entered the classroom, Yamei felt an extremely complicated gaze. Looking over, he saw Sasuke staring at him.

Yamei froze. What was this about...? Sasuke still went home to find his brother every day, and they had barely interacted. Why was he looking at me like that?

Caught red-handed while secretly watching someone, Sasuke could not hold it together and quickly turned his head away.

Yamei chuckled at the sight and did not care. At Ino's call, he went over and sat beside her.

"Was this Yamei... really as impressive as my brother said?"

After Yamei sat down, Sasuke secretly studied him again.

After Sasuke had returned home last night, Itachi had sought him out and told him that, if he had the chance, he should get to know Yamei better. Sasuke had found that very confusing.

Then he heard Itachi say that Yamei was very strong!

That made him intensely curious about Yamei. After all, this was someone his brother acknowledged! His brother had not even acknowledged him yet!

Sasuke's slightly conflicted expression also caught Yamei's attention. After thinking for a moment, Yamei understood. It seemed Itachi had mentioned him.

Was Itachi trying to get Sasuke to build a relationship with him? It seemed that although Itachi had not said it outright, he had gradually started trusting him somewhat. Because of Shisui?

Shaking his head, Yamei soon reached lunchtime. Everyone gathered in a circle and took out their lunchboxes.

"Yamei, hurry and take out the food you cooked!" Naruto swallowed hard.

Every noon, mealtime was what he looked forward to most. Yamei's food smelled the best, and he always thoughtfully prepared extra portions.

"Naruto! You've been freeloading off Yamei this whole time! Next time, you have to treat us!" Ino defended Yamei indignantly.

"Um... I will! It's just that I don't know how to cook!" Naruto scratched his head.

"Then next time, let's have a get-together at your place," Yamei said with a smile.

"Really? That's great! Then it's settled!"

Naruto was overjoyed, his heart deeply moved. Yamei really was a good person! I finally have good friends who can come visit my home!

At that moment, Yamei suddenly noticed Sasuke taking out his lunchbox alone, preparing to eat. He could not help saying, "Sasuke, come join us. Eating alone is so boring."

Sasuke froze. He had never expected Yamei to invite him, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss. That awkward look was strangely adorable...

"Hey! Yamei, why are you inviting this guy? He doesn't even like being around us..." Naruto pouted unhappily.

"Shut up, Naruto!" Haruno Sakura smacked Naruto on the head, then looked at Sasuke. "Sasuke, come over!"

Haruno Sakura had invited Sasuke several times before, but Sasuke had ignored her every time.

Ino, Shikamaru, and the others turned to look as well.

"Could it be... Sasuke is embarrassed?" Yamei deliberately spoke with a trace of surprise in his voice.

"I... how could I possibly be embarrassed! Hmph... I'm coming over right now!" Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Sasuke sprang to his feet and walked over with a faint blush on his face.

Seeing Sasuke like that, Yamei nearly laughed out loud.

Sasuke at this age... really was adorably tsundere!

If he had been a girl, he would have been absolutely adorable!

Sasuke joining them did not change much. Everyone continued chatting and laughing as usual.

It was just that Naruto kept eating while looking as though he and Sasuke could not stand each other.

After school that afternoon, Yamei went to the training ground, with Ino and Hinata following behind him.

After learning that Yamei came to the training ground every day after school, the two girls had also suggested coming to train. Naturally, Yamei agreed.

He planned to teach Hinata and Ino the Art of a Hundred Refinements. At the same time, he intended to teach Ino the derived Secret Technique: Empathy as well.

Both girls were close to him. Since he had become stronger, it was only natural that he could help them improve as well. Although the techniques were not yet perfected, that would not affect their learning.

Moreover, once they learned the Art of a Hundred Refinements, as long as the fundamentals of taijutsu did not change, they would be able to learn the perfected techniques quickly in the future!

He would first build up their physical foundations. Taijutsu had to be cultivated from childhood; once they grew up, it would become increasingly powerful!

After all, in the future, unless it was an exceptionally powerful ninjutsu, taijutsu would be what played the greatest role most of the time. With the Art of a Hundred Refinements alone, they would have sufficient power to protect themselves!

The three trained at the training ground until the sun set, and only then did Yamei escort the two girls back to their respective homes.

The moment Yamei reached his own doorstep, his gaze suddenly shifted toward the back mountain of Konoha.