Multiple Shadow Clone Technique

"Draw!"

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have received a C-Rank reward...]

"Tokitsumori!"

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have received a B-Rank reward...]

He rewound time four times in a row.

The stabbing pain in his right eye grew more intense, and a trail of bloody tears slid down his cheek.

Gentō gritted his teeth, knowing he had nearly reached the limit of his ocular technique.

He could force himself to use Tokitsumori just once more at most. If the next draw failed to yield an A-Rank reward, he would have to rewind time to preserve his draw attempt, then wait for his eye to recover before trying again.

One more time!

The fifth draw began.

The wheel stopped.

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have received an A-Rank reward: A-Rank ninjutsu, Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.]

A vast flood of memories poured into his mind.

Hand seals, chakra distribution, combat experience, and techniques for controlling countless shadow clones acting simultaneously.

Gentō let out a long breath.

Finally.

And a top-quality A-Rank ninjutsu at that.

After all, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was a forbidden technique kept in the Scroll of Seals!

He opened his eyes and wiped the blood from his face, elated.

This was a huge haul.

Mastering the nature of wind release chakra had deepened his understanding of chakra as a form of energy.

And the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was about as practical as it got.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

Gentō formed hand seals with both hands.

With a soft poof, the white smoke dispersed, revealing two shadow clones standing before him, each identical to him.

The biggest difference between shadow clones and ordinary clones was that shadow clones had physical bodies.

Anything the original could do, a shadow clone could do too.

And once a shadow clone was dispelled, all its sensations and memories would instantly return to the original.

The drawbacks were obvious too.

Each shadow clone took a large portion of the original's chakra. Ordinary ninja simply could not afford to use them.

Even with enough chakra, the flood of memories returning when the clones vanished could overwhelm the mind, causing anything from headaches to mental collapse.

That was also why it had been classified as a forbidden technique.

But for Gentō, who had mastered yin release chakra, that little mental shock was no issue at all.

Just then, a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind.

[Ding! Host has triggered a main quest.]

[Main quest issued: Nine-Tails' Rampage.]

[Quest description: Kushina Uzumaki is nearing childbirth. The seal containing the Nine-Tails within her will weaken after her child is born, and Obito Uchiha will seize this opportunity to unleash the Nine-Tails' Rampage! Save Kushina during the Nine-Tails' Rampage!]

[Quest reward: Draw attempts ×1.]

Gentō's gaze sharpened.

Was the Nine-Tails' Rampage finally about to happen?

But on closer thought, Sasuke and Naruto had been born around the same time in the original story.

Now that Sasuke had already been born, Naruto's birth really could not be far off.

As for how to save Kushina...

Openly revealing Obito's conspiracy-and even Madara's and Black Zetsu's-to the Konoha High Command was still unrealistic.

After pondering it for a long time, Gentō gradually reached a decision.

The next day, Gentō stood outside Kushina's home, carrying two bags of fruit.

He knocked on the door.

The door soon opened.

A young man with blond hair appeared in the doorway.

It was Minato Namikaze.

Gentō froze for a moment.

Minato was actually home today? That was a first.

He quickly collected himself and nodded politely.

"Minato, I've come to visit Kushina."

A flicker of surprise crossed Minato's eyes, but he asked no further questions and stepped aside.

"Please, come in."

Shortly after they entered the sitting room, Kushina joined them.

She wore loose house clothes, her belly already heavily swollen, and walked with slow steps.

Her features had softened a little since before, but she was as cheerful as ever. She smiled when she saw Gentō.

"Hey, Gentō! What brings you here?"

At the sight of Kushina, the alluring image of her bathing in the hot spring flashed unbidden through Gentō's mind, and he hurriedly looked away.

They exchanged a few pleasantries.

Minato sat to one side, saying little, with a gentle smile on his face.

Kushina, on the other hand, chattered away about how cumbersome her body had become lately, how rarely Minato came home, and the little clothes and shoes they had prepared.

Gentō listened, considering how to broach the subject.

At last, he asked:

"If you don't mind me asking, when did the hospital say your due date was?"

The room suddenly fell silent.

Minato's smile froze on his face.

His expression darkened instantly.

"Gentō, don't you think that's an inappropriate question to ask?"