Control

Before them stood a massive, thick tree.

The main trunk bore countless scratch marks from shuriken.

A young boy with a sword strapped to his back panted as he gazed at the tree.

"How is this possible?! That guy Shiyu actually climbed to the top so easily?" Nao Hatake looked up resentfully, spotting Shiyu practicing other ninjutsu at the tree's summit.

"Miss Kurenai, Nao Hatake, you two need to try harder. Shiyu has already passed the chakra control test; he's not just climbing trees, he's already mastered walking on water," Hizashi nodded in satisfaction as he watched Shiyu.

"No! I can't let that guy keep surpassing me!" Nao Hatake possessed his own pride. He climbed the tree again, but in his haste, his chakra control faltered, and he fell to the ground once more.

Hinata Kurenai thought to herself, Come on! I have to break through my limits and not become a burden to the team! I need to become a strong ninja so I can help the person I like!

Because of this, Kurenai trained harder than usual, her chakra control becoming more adept.

Meanwhile, Shiyu stood alone at the treetop, studying the ninjutsu he had recently copied.

Kakashi the Sharingan copied over a thousand ninjutsu, but chakra storage is a big problem. However, for me, nothing is a problem. Shiyu mused.

After all, with the purest Otsutsuki bloodline, Shiyu possessed an immense chakra reserve. Even as a newly promoted Genin, he had chakra levels surpassing those of a typical Kage.

"This D-rank Body Flicker Technique is really practical!" Shiyu exclaimed excitedly. He then vanished instantly, reappearing in another location.

If a regular ninja used this against me, they'd be dead for sure! Shiyu realized that by copying the Body Flicker Technique, his usage and control of chakra had elevated the technique by almost a full rank.

It was similar to how he used destructive Fire Style jutsu; in his hands, they often possessed more terrifying power than in others'.

After an unknown amount of practice, Shiyu had completely mastered the D-rank Body Flicker Technique. He then proceeded to familiarize himself with the ninjutsu he had recently copied.

"Finally, I can practice hand seal speed," Shiyu said. He knew that in the ninja world, there were not only ninjas like Haku who could form seals with one hand, but also super-beings like Itachi Uchiha who could perform six seals in one second.

"Child, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar."

Shiyu practiced for a long time, sweat beads the size of soybeans dripping from his forehead.

"Everyone, it's about time. We need to keep moving," Hizashi reminded them. Shiyu nodded in response.

"Good harvest today. You all worked hard too," Shiyu said, addressing his five Shadow Clones.

Shiyu was well aware of the "bug" in Shadow Clone training: upon dispelling the clones, everything they learned, their experience, and their fatigue were instantly transferred back to the original body.

Snap! Shiyu dispelled his Shadow Clones. The proficiency in hand seals and a day's worth of insights were instantly returned to his main body.

"What a fulfilling haul, though I am a bit tired." Shiyu leaped effortlessly back to Hizashi's side.

Nao Hatake and Hinata Kurenai reassembled with the group.

"Hmm, very good. But don't push yourselves too hard from now on. We need to conserve our strength for the upcoming mission," Hizashi told the three of them.

"Understood!" the three replied in unison.

"I can't believe these brats are becoming more reliable! My apologies, I misjudged them earlier," Mr. Noguchi said sheepishly.

"As long as the mission is completed," Shiyu said, not blaming Mr. Noguchi.

Over the next few days, Hizashi led the group without encountering any intense battles. Shiyu continued to train using his Shadow Clones.

As they neared their destination, Shiyu could perform three seals per second. This hand seal speed should not be underestimated; it already surpassed most ninjas in the ninja world, possibly on par with a future adult Kakashi Hatake. Future Kakashi's hand seal speed was likely among the top five in the ninja world.

After walking for a while longer, they could clearly sense an increase in the surrounding human population and a decrease in vegetation. They had arrived at their destination—the Artisan Village.

"Thank you, everyone! Finally! We've finally reached the village!" Mr. Noguchi exclaimed excitedly. After settling them, he walked into the village.

"Shiyu? Do you feel anything?" Hizashi inquired.

"Something feels off," Shiyu replied honestly. The entire Artisan Village gave him a sense of emptiness, with only a few scattered visitors, their faces filled with panic and wariness.

"It does seem a bit strange. Everyone seems to be carrying weapons," Nao Hatake immediately noticed the abnormality in these people.

"Indeed. Everyone, be careful. Mr. Noguchi, is there danger?" Hinata Kurenai couldn't help but ask.

Just as the group was filled with questions, Mr. Noguchi reappeared.

Mr. Noguchi came out with a wide, somewhat strange smile.

"That's wonderful! The composition of the Meteorite Iron has been fully researched! Your mission is complete! Congratulations!" Before Mr. Noguchi could even reach them, the group sensed something was wrong.

Suddenly, Noguchi attacked, throwing several shuriken towards the closest individuals, Kakashi and Kurenai.

"Watch out!!!" Shiyu used his Body Flicker Technique, instantly appearing behind Kakashi and Kurenai and pushing them aside.

The "Mr. Noguchi's" attack missed, and he was greatly surprised.

"Body Flicker Technique!? A brat from Konoha, this strong? Haha! How interesting!" The "Mr. Noguchi" sneered, then with a bang, transformed back into his true form.

"You are!" Hizashi immediately prepared for battle.

"Hmph! I'm an old acquaintance of yours!" The ninja had transformed into a rogue ninja from Kumogakure.

"Be careful! There are many people around!" Hizashi's Byakugan spotted countless ninjas surrounding them.

"What is the reason? Why are you relentlessly pursuing us!" Nao Hatake demanded.

"Hmph! Brat! Our objective conflicts with your mission, so we'll just have to eliminate you!" the rogue Kumogakure ninja said with a bloodthirsty grin. "You won't get away this time!"