Lightning Release: Lightning Clone!
This was the Ninjutsu recorded on the scroll.
So the bloodstain on this scroll...
Uchiha Ao suddenly remembered that the other man had often gone on missions outside the village lately. This scroll was very likely spoils of war.
As for why it was Lightning Clone, he thought it over briefly and understood what Brother Jing had in mind.
Although the two of them hadn't gotten along particularly well, the original owner and Kagami Uchiha had often sparred, so he knew all the Ninjutsu Kagami had mastered. Aside from the Fire Release commonly used by the Uchiha, the only thing he had to save his life was the Substitution Technique.
After returning from this mission, Kagami had probably heard that he'd nearly died. So he'd thought to copy the life-saving Ninjutsu he'd seized from Cloud Village a few days earlier and give him a copy.
Thinking of this, a warm feeling rose in Uchiha Ao's heart.
No wonder Shisui, the ancestor who'd been willing to take his own life to preserve the relationship between the village and the Uchiha Clan, was so considerate and valued his bonds with others.
"I'll remember this favor, I, Uchiha Ao!"
The reason he was so excited was really the nature of Lightning Release. Its chakra could stimulate the activity of the body's cells.
With its boost, a user's attack power, defense, and speed would all improve to some extent.
The techniques that took this to the extreme were the Lightning Release Armor created by the Second Raikage and the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Lightning Release: Lightning Clone might not be as powerful as the secret technique passed down through generations of the Raikage.
But using Lightning Release chakra in itself could stimulate the body's growth!
As long as he slowly explored its effects with the help of his Destiny, he believed that one day he could strengthen his body as quickly as the Raikage.
"If I can just master Lightning Release, then I can use Lightning Release chakra to slowly stimulate my cells, and combine that with my daily, intense training. It shouldn't be long before I can open the First Gate of the Eight Inner Gates!"
In the original story, one major reason Might Guy couldn't use Lightning Release to strengthen his body was his poor Ninjutsu Talent. Otherwise, with Lightning Release on top of everything else, that kick of his really might have ended the story!
Fortunately, he could learn most complicated Ninjutsu, which made up for Kaiser Kai's weakness.
As for the near-death state that kick would bring, it was still a long way off, but he already had a rough plan in mind!
As he pondered, Uchiha Ao read through the contents of Lightning Release: Lightning Clone several more times. Once he'd committed them to memory, he began forming Hand Seals.
Poof!
A cloud of white smoke dissipated.
Two figures, one fat and one thin, stood in the room.
"Uh, I released too much chakra..."
Uchiha Ao scratched his head.
He glanced at the panel before him. There was still no progress for Lightning Release: Lightning Clone.
"Looks like it only counts as progress if I release it correctly. Still, even that failed attempt gave me some insight. I'm close..."
Hmm... maybe it was because he hadn't shouted the name.
Thinking this, he called out:
"Lightning Release: Lightning Clone Technique!"
Poof!
A thin, paper-like person appeared where he stood...
"Hey, I refuse to believe I can't get this!"
Poof!
Poof!
An hour later.
"Ha... ha..."
Uchiha Ao braced one hand against the ground, panting heavily.
"Finally... I finally did it!"
[Ninjutsu: Lightning Release: Lightning Clone 1/100...]
It really was an A-rank Ninjutsu. He'd even taken a Ration Pill along the way before he finally mastered Lightning Release: Lightning Clone.
His talent for learning Ninjutsu was decent, and his Destiny helped too, but the complexity of an A-rank Ninjutsu was beyond imagination.
Whether it was controlling chakra or forming Hand Seals, a single mistake could ruin everything.
That was why it had taken him only an hour to master it.
After all, this technique was so advanced that even the Sharingan would have trouble copying it.
"I've got 40% of my chakra left..."
Uchiha Ao took a deep breath. Though he swayed as he stood, his eyes shone brightly.
"That idea... I can finally test it!"
The next morning, at the Hokage's Office.
Little Tsunade, her hair tied in a high ponytail, clung to Tobirama Senju's arm and swung it back and forth.
"Granduncle, play dice with me! I've been so bored these past few days. At the Ninja Academy, all I do is learn basic things or get pestered by that White-haired Annoyance.
Come on~ Just one round!"
Tobirama Senju rubbed his forehead helplessly and sighed inwardly. How did Big Brother's gambling habit get passed down to this little girl, skipping a generation?
Seeing that the Hokage seemed reluctant, Utatane Koharu, who was on duty that day, crouched beside Tsunade. Wearing a black cheongsam that accentuated her curves, she shifted, making the two soft mounds beneath her clothes bounce.
"Lady Tsunade, why don't you let the Hokage rest for a while? He spent all last night looking over intelligence reports again. If you want to gamble, how about I play with you?"
"No!"
Tsunade turned her head and refused.
"Every time I play with you, I win one round and lose one round. It's so boring."
"I want to play with Granduncle. His luck is the worst. I'm going to win all the Silver Taels he has!"
A vein popped on Tobirama Senju's forehead.
Utatane Koharu forced a smile. "I promise I'll let you win this time."
She was innocent, too. Every time, she'd planned to lose on purpose, but somehow she always messed up and ended up neither winning nor losing.
She suspected there was something special about this Princess.
In the end, Tobirama Senju couldn't take any more of the Little Demon King's pestering. He grabbed Little Tsunade by the back of her collar and said coldly:
"One round! If you lose, you go back to school. If you win, I'll give you ten thousand Silver Taels, and then you go back to school!"
Little Tsunade grinned.
"Okay!"
Tobirama Senju produced a Dice Cup from who knew where. As he shook it, he explained the rules:
"One to three is low; four to six is high!"
Bang!
The Dice Cup slammed onto the table.
"Bet high or low!"
Tobirama Senju still wore a cold expression, looking quite imposing.
Utatane Koharu rubbed her forehead helplessly.
Hokage-sama, why are you taking this so seriously with a child?
"Hmm..."
Tsunade wasn't intimidated at all. Instead, she scrunched up her little face, rested her index finger against her lips, and hesitated for a long while before saying:
"Low... No, high!
High!"
"Are you sure?"
Tobirama Senju glanced at her.
"Mm!"
Tsunade swallowed and nodded firmly.
"You're not changing your mind?"
"Mm, I'm not changing it!"
"Good!"
The lid lifted.
The die on the Dice Tray showed four red dots on top.
"Yay! I won!
Your luck really is terrible, Granduncle!"
Tsunade jumped up excitedly.
Tobirama Senju took a banknote from his pocket and tossed it over, waving her away in annoyance.
"Get out of here. Go on, get out!"
"Coming!"
Tsunade laughed, took the money pouch, and ran off in a flash.
Utatane Koharu smiled behind pursed lips. She bent over to put away the Dice Cup, then poured Tobirama Senju a cup of tea.
"It was three. Hokage-sama, you really spoil Lady Tsunade."
Tobirama Senju lifted the teacup and took a sip. For once, a hint of warmth appeared on his usually icy face.
"That girl's just like Big Brother in every way..."
Utatane Koharu knew better than to respond. She folded her hands and quietly stepped aside.
She knew the Hokage was reminiscing about the sun Konoha had once had. He wasn't talking to her.
After a moment of silence, a figure suddenly appeared in the middle of the room and dropped to one knee.
"Hokage-sama, there's trouble at the border!"
Before you continue