Three Divided by Two

Konoha Year 36, March 22.

On the morning of their second day in the Flower Capital, Jiraiya's four-person team got ready to set out.

Ranwu woke from her sleeping bag and found Akaseki still sitting cross-legged in the same position as last night, apparently continuing to train his chakra control...

Seeing this, Ranwu looked at Akaseki with some feeling. Since the team had been formed a few days ago, there had been countless things about Akaseki that she disliked, but when it came to diligence alone, she even somewhat "admired" him.

Of course, Ranwu absolutely could not let Akaseki know that.

Otherwise, judging by what she had learned about him these past few days, he would surely act disdainful on the surface while growing a tail inside and sticking it straight into the sky!

Akaseki truly worked hard as well...

Since he had teammates nearby, especially an elite Jonin like Jiraiya, Akaseki did not waste his nights. Other than when it was his turn to keep watch, he used Immersion to train.

Although the Sharingan could directly copy ninjutsu, and once copied, he could even use it proficiently, there was still much room for improvement in nature transformation and shape transformation—as the "physical examination results" showed.

Take B-rank ninjutsu, for example. Merely mastering them proficiently, even with exceptionally sharp battlefield instincts and the ability to use them at the right moment, would at most make someone a Special Jonin skilled in ninjutsu, or put them at the ninjutsu level of an ordinary Jonin.

If one possessed several chakra natures and had mastered a vast, comprehensive range of ninjutsu, always managing to counter an opponent, then they could barely be considered one of the stronger Jonin in terms of ninjutsu.

But...

That still did not count as being a true master!

If elite Jonin were the threshold for being considered a "master," then to reach that level through ninjutsu, one had to attain some degree of mastery in either nature transformation or shape transformation.

Merely knowing many ninjutsu imposed a very limited ceiling.

For instance, when people mentioned a "Konoha ninjutsu master" now, the first person most thought of was the Second, known as the Water God, rather than the current Third, known as the Professor of Ninjutsu...

Tobirama Senju's Water Style, both in shape transformation and nature transformation, had reached the pinnacle of the Shinobi World. Even without any special Kekkei Genkai or secret techniques, he stood at the peak of the Shinobi World with Water Style alone!

Such achievements were founded on chakra's nature and shape transformations. Unlike awakening one's eyes or learning ninjutsu, they could not be accomplished overnight with an obvious mark of success. They required steady accumulation over time before bursting forth...

The Uchiha Clan bloodline, coupled with the Immersion System, had brought Akaseki great convenience. He was currently in a period of rapid growth and was more than willing to train diligently.

When she noticed Akaseki's eyelids twitch, Ranwu immediately stepped forward and shook him awake without ceremony...

Akaseki had just emerged from Immersion when he felt Ranwu waking him.

Today's plan was about to begin...

"Do you know where the Flower Capital's black market is?" Ranwu asked Akaseki for confirmation.

"I have a rough idea. The case files said the investigators looked into several pawnshops where collateral had been deposited, but found nothing... There are so many pawnshops in the Flower Capital, yet they only investigated a few, all on the same secluded street. Obviously, everyone tacitly understands that stolen goods are bought there," Akaseki said with absolute certainty.

"Once you lure out the enemy, remember to fire a signal flare. Don't try to play hero," Ranwu reminded him.

"Don't worry." Akaseki nodded confidently.

Minato thought for a moment before saying, "Actually... it would be better if Akaseki used a Shadow Clone Technique and then followed us.

"That way, when your original body encounters the enemy at the black market, it can create another shadow clone, then dispel it. When a shadow clone disappears, the original body and other shadow clones receive its memories, so precise intelligence can be transmitted back instantly."

Akaseki froze upon hearing this, then said, "It sounds good, but I don't know how!"

Minato replied, "Lord Hokage gave me the Shadow Clone Technique as a special reward, so I shouldn't teach it to you without permission. How about... asking Teacher Jiraiya? Teacher Jiraiya definitely knows the Shadow Clone Technique."

The Shadow Clone Technique was simply too useful...

Although its clones were less stable than other physical clones, such as Water Clones and Earth Clones, it was practically a bug-level ninjutsu for reconnaissance and intelligence transmission.

Thus, ever since the Second created this technique, virtually every Konoha Jonin had learned it...

"No need. I'll teach you," Ranwu interrupted directly.

Ranwu had not used it before, but she did indeed know it.

And besides...

She was the Second's granddaughter!

To her, it counted as a family technique. She could teach it to whomever she wanted; there was nothing taboo about it.

"The Shadow Clone Technique... I'll give it a try, but I might not be able to copy it." Akaseki scratched his head.

The Shadow Clone Technique had originally been on the Uchiha Clan's learning list. However, since it was a B-rank ninjutsu, an ordinary One-Tomoe Sharingan could not copy it, so it was placed on the Two-Tomoe learning list.

But Akaseki's left eye was a Ninjutsu Eye, so he actually had a chance of copying it. He had simply prioritized learning the five basic elemental styles before and had not gotten around to this support-oriented Shadow Clone Technique—normally speaking, the Shadow Clone Technique could only serve as a support ninjutsu, and the direct combat power it provided was practically negligible, because... it consumed far too much chakra!

Ranwu demonstrated it for Akaseki...

Although it required only a single Ram hand seal, controlling the flow of chakra was not simple.

As she demonstrated, Ranwu explained, "The Ram seal's chakra-guiding tendency leans toward Water Style and Yang Style. Although the Shadow Clone Technique itself is not Water Style, nor does it truly introduce Yang Style chakra yet, its chakra control does indeed bear traces of both..."

For Akaseki, this was not easy.

After all, Akaseki had neither an affinity for Water Style chakra nor any understanding of Yang Style.

"No, no, I can't copy it." Akaseki shook his head after trying several times.

Akaseki felt helpless too...

What kind of freaks are you two?

Even after awakening my eyes, I still can't copy it, yet you two learned it before graduation?

But then Akaseki said, "How about this? I'll use an Earth Clone to follow you. When it's time to warn you, I'll directly dispel the clone."

This was the Earth Style ninjutsu Akaseki had prioritized copying from Yashiro last night.

Earth Style and Water Style, as physical chakra natures, both had C-rank physical clones.

They were easier to learn and use than the Shadow Clone Technique, though naturally their effects were not as good—roughly comparable in actual combat ability and consuming less chakra, but lacking the most important function: transmitting information.

Earth Style: Earth Clone Technique!

Akaseki performed the ninjutsu in the courtyard. A figure identical to him condensed from the ground and climbed to its feet...

After seeing this, Ranwu hesitated briefly before saying, "Then I'll go with you."

As Ranwu spoke, she formed hand seals as well. Then... with a splash, she created a Water Clone.

Though Ranwu was less accomplished than Minato with clone techniques, Water Clones were easier to control than Shadow Clones, consumed less chakra, and did not require transforming into someone else.

Minato tilted his head at the sight, then formed hand seals as well...

Poof—

A shadow clone of Minato appeared, and then...

Shadow Clone Minato, the original Ranwu, and the original Akaseki stood together. Earth Clone Akaseki, Water Clone Ranwu, and the original Minato stood together. The three split into two groups, with three people in each group!