Clearly, I Was Here First

Forbidden techniques?

At that, Sasuke Uchiha's eyes lit up slightly, but Itachi Uchiha saw right through his thoughts.

"Sasuke, do you think that as long as you master a forbidden technique, you'll become stronger?"

"Isn't that right?" Sasuke answered with the sort of naive confidence that came with being young. "They're called forbidden techniques because they must be so powerful that they can't be taught to just anyone."

Itachi let out a soft sigh and looked over the four of them. "It seems I should first explain how techniques are ranked."

"Ninjutsu is usually divided into six ranks: E, D, C, B, A, and S. But these ranks aren't based on a technique's power—they're based on how difficult it is to perform. E-rank techniques are the most basic; the Three Body Technique falls into this category. D-rank techniques are a little more complex and include some simple nature transformations and Taijutsu. Techniques above C-rank require greater chakra control and deeper chakra reserves. Most genjutsu also start at this level."

Sasuke eagerly pressed him. "What about forbidden techniques? What rank are they?"

"Forbidden techniques aren't a rank." Itachi looked at Sasuke, his voice turning serious. "They're techniques that cause serious harm to the user or violate ethical standards. Some consume the user's life force. Others require sacrificing someone else's life, while still others cause irreversible damage to the user's body. The Multi Shadow Clone Technique is one such technique."

"Forbidden techniques are banned not because they're too powerful, but because their cost is too great. Some really are astonishingly powerful, but using one even once could cost you your life. That kind of power isn't worth pursuing."

Sasuke lowered his head, lost in thought.

In other words... as long as I can pay the price, I can use forbidden techniques too?

Seeing his younger brother bow his head in thought, Itachi assumed he'd understood what he meant.

"So, Sasuke, don't blindly pursue powerful techniques. A true strong shinobi isn't measured by how many forbidden techniques he knows, but by how far he can push even ordinary ninjutsu. The Great Fireball Technique is only C-rank, but it's renowned because the Uchiha use it."

Sasuke thought it over. The Uchiha were best known for Fire Style and the Sharingan, so he put aside the idea of pursuing forbidden techniques.

"I understand."

Itachi nodded, then turned to Kiyonari. "Kiyonari, the Shadow Clone Technique is a B-rank ninjutsu. I need to check your chakra control. How about trying to climb a tree first?"

"I can do that."

Kiyonari walked up to a tree and focused chakra on the soles of his feet, creating a thin layer of adhesion.

He lifted a foot and planted it on the trunk, then charged up in a few quick steps, moving astonishingly fast. He soon reached the top and looked down from the treetop, greeted by a chorus of "Wow!"

"Is that good enough?" he called.

"You were moving too fast just now." Itachi gestured for him to come down. "I need you to go slowly, one step at a time. Don't rush. Control the amount of chakra on the soles of your feet precisely to create a steady hold."

"Got it."

Kiyonari jumped down and tried again.

First step: success.

He took his second step, and his body adhered firmly to the trunk, almost parallel to the ground.

The third step was just as easy.

Kiyonari kept walking upward. Halfway up, the adhesion beneath his feet suddenly weakened. He wobbled, then fell from the tree.

Just before he hit the ground, Itachi rushed over and caught him securely.

Watching them, Sasuke felt a hard-to-name bitterness well up inside him—especially when he saw Kiyonari lying safely in his brother's arms.

But... but I was here first! At the clan training ground, I had to watch out for Shisui. Now that we're here, I have to watch out for Kiyonari too!

Honestly, why are they all so mean?

Itachi set Kiyonari down. "If you're just training the Shadow Clone Technique, that should be enough. Try using it once, and I'll take a look."

Kiyonari took a deep breath and formed the hand seals.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

With a puff, two identical Hyuga Kiyonaris emerged from the smoke.

Itachi watched the flow of chakra through his body with his Sharingan, then said, "You're distributing too much chakra and wasting some of it. It'd be better if you could control it more precisely. Try again."

"All right."

Kiyonari nodded, dispelled the shadow clones, and formed the hand seals again.

"Still too much. Try reducing the chakra by five percent."

"That's good. Remember how much chakra you used. Now try making two shadow clones."

For the rest of their time together, Kiyonari practiced the Shadow Clone Technique over and over under Itachi's guidance, gradually increasing the number from one to three. Three was his current limit.

The memories of a shadow clone returned to the original when the technique was dispelled. If he used it in battle, he should make no more than two clones. Of course, he could gradually increase that number with continued practice.

Whether or not Senju Tobirama had done it on purpose, shadow clones weren't very durable. That was to keep them from taking too many hits and affecting the original. Even so, whenever a clone was destroyed, the memories it returned left the original feeling dazed and overwhelmed.

It was lucky that Naruto Uzumaki was so carefree, and had both the Uzumaki Constitution and Nine-Tails Chakra to back him up. With all those advantages stacked together, he could make clones as he pleased. The first time he used the technique, he summoned more than a thousand clones and joined the battle. Anyone else would have dropped dead on the spot.

"Well done." Itachi glanced at the sky. "All right, that's enough training for today. I'll treat everyone to dango so we can take a break."

"Hooray!"

Ino cheered at once. She'd been wondering how to find an excuse to stay. As for Sakura, she naturally followed her friend; besides, she'd get to spend a little more time with Sasuke.

But Sasuke showed no sign of happiness. Even after they left the training ground, he remained where he was, with a hint of discontent in his eyes.

Sasuke tugged on Itachi's clothes. "Brother, why are you bringing them along?"

Itachi looked at his younger brother, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "Sasuke, you should make more friends too. They're both excellent, and no worse than you. Besides, I can't always stay home with you."

Sasuke was reluctant to let it go. "But... it took so much just to get to come out with you once. And tomorrow, you'll be busy again."

Itachi fell silent for a moment, then pressed his joined index and middle fingers to Sasuke's forehead. "Forgive me, Sasuke. Next time."

He watched Hyuga Kiyonari's retreating figure and recalled chatting with his father the night before.

"Maybe... I won't be so busy with work in the future."