Can Shadow Clones Also Have Children?

Several months had passed since the last mission to suppress bandits. During this time, Hyuuga Nen had completed a few similar assignments, but he had mostly been stationed at the mines to stand guard.

In the intervals between missions, Hyuuga Nen focused his time and energy on sealing techniques. The deeper he delved into the study of seals, the more he felt the vastness and profundity of the art.

In a sense, sealing techniques are omnipotent, Hyuuga Nen thought, sitting on his bed while examining a scroll.

The Seal of Resilience can be combined with other ninjutsu to amplify their effects. It seems my father developed this technique to break the Caged Bird curse seal. However, looking at it now, my father failed; after all, the effect of the Seal of Resilience seems to run counter to his goal.

Regardless, my primary task now is to master the Seal of Resilience. Once combined with the Shadow Clone Technique, the chakra consumption will decrease, allowing the clones to be maintained for longer periods. Then, I can use shadow clones to complete most of my tasks, leaving more time for cultivation.

Moreover, this ninjutsu will be helpful for my future situation, Hyuuga Nen concluded, considering what might happen if his identity were ever discovered.

Late at night, while Hyuuga Nen was sleeping, he suddenly heard what sounded like a pebble hitting his window. He immediately went to the window and saw a dark shadow not far away, running toward the forest.

"Finally, I've been waiting for over half a year," Hyuuga Nen said. He performed the Shadow Clone Technique, leaving the clone in the room to continue sleeping while he vaulted out the window to pursue the shadow.

The figure ahead stopped and turned to face Hyuuga Nen; it was Kuromaru.

Hyuuga Nen approached Kuromaru, but before he could speak, Kuromaru tossed a scroll at him. Hyuuga Nen opened it and examined it carefully.

The scroll contained the Extraction of Malady Technique, which Hyuuga Nen needed most, along with the Mystical Palm Technique and, at the bottom, the underlying concepts of medical ninjutsu. It was far better than the solitary Hemostasis Technique his father had left him last time.

"It couldn't have been easy to get these, could it?" Hyuuga Nen asked, looking at Kuromaru with a hint of concern.

"These two medical ninjutsu were exchanged using the contributions your father accumulated over time. As for the rest of the content, it wasn't difficult for him to acquire."

"Even so, your father has already attracted the attention of Konoha's upper echelons. After all, it isn't just the medical ninjutsu; he has also exchanged many sealing techniques from them previously."

"Will that cause any problems?" Hyuuga Nen asked.

"Not for now. After all, on the surface, your father is a member of the Hyuga Branch House who believes in and practices the Will of Fire, and is loyal to the Hyuga Main House," Kuromaru said, a strange expression crossing his face.

"And what about the Hyuga Main House?"

"The Hyuga Main House? They are quite dissatisfied with his obsession with sealing techniques, but since his true colors haven't been exposed, they haven't taken any specific action against him."

"I understand." Hearing this, Hyuuga Nen felt relieved.

"This is the last time your father will provide you with cultivation resources. After all, since the war ended, your father has primarily been tasked with guarding the Hyuga Main House and rarely takes on other missions. Furthermore, he has already given you everything he possesses; from now on, you must rely on yourself," Kuromaru said, looking at Hyuuga Nen solemnly.

"I understand," Hyuuga Nen replied with a nod.

"Also, during this time, your father has come to realize that your birth was merely a moment of impulse. He believes he shouldn't impose his own dissatisfaction with the Hyuga Main House onto you. He has no other requests for you now; he only hopes you can survive."

Hyuuga Nen felt speechless at this, but he did not refute it.

Looking at the formula for the Extraction of Malady Technique, Hyuuga Nen asked, "What about my mother? Did he have anything to say about her?"

Kuromaru paused, seemingly caught off guard by the question. He lowered his head and remained silent for a moment, as if contemplating how to answer.

Hyuuga Nen didn't speak either, watching Kuromaru quietly as he waited for an answer.

Kuromaru looked up and said with some difficulty, "Your father didn't have any words for her, but I believe he feels a sense of guilt toward your mother. After all, he did use her."

"Heh." Hyuuga Nen didn't say anything, merely letting out a mocking laugh.

Seeing Hyuuga Nen's attitude, Kuromaru felt puzzled. "You don't seem very angry?"

"Without expectations, there is no disappointment."

"Without expectations, there is no disappointment," Kuromaru repeated, murmuring the words to himself.

Hyuuga Nen truly didn't feel angry at his father's actions; he only felt it was a pity for Rika.

"After all, your father only met your mother once—the time he was severely injured. And he already had a fiancée at that time," Kuromaru defended.

"A fiancée? Only met once? That can't be right. According to my mother, they met at least three times. Why would you say only once?" Hyuuga Nen asked, looking at Kuromaru in confusion.

"As a member of the Hyuga Branch House, your father had fewer opportunities to go out than others, so he used shadow clones for the subsequent two meetings."

"You know about your father's sealing techniques. Through them, his shadow clones can remain active for long periods. By using this method, he could accomplish things that ordinary Hyuga clansmen could not."

Hyuuga Nen fell silent for a moment, seemingly at a loss for words.

"So, are you saying that a shadow clone can also perform the task of fathering a child?" Hyuuga Nen asked again.

Hearing this, Kuromaru's eyes widened and his mouth hung open. He stammered, "Th-th-that is definitely impossible."

"So, my father used shadow clones for the last two meetings, but since a shadow clone cannot conceive a child, he must have used the clone to carry his genetic material to achieve his goal. He might have even used genjutsu in the process, am I right?"

As Hyuuga Nen spoke, he felt a massive shock.

"Your father never told me the specific process, but your guess is likely correct," Kuromaru said, looking at Hyuuga Nen with a lack of conviction.

"So he is living happily with his wife and child now, while my mother was nothing more than a tool from start to finish?"

"Uh, your father's wife died in the war, leaving behind only one child," Kuromaru said.

"So, I have a brother or a sister?"

"Yes, he is your half-brother. His name is Hyuga Taka. If you meet him in the future, do not attack him. I do not want to see you brothers killing each other."

"I will keep that in mind," Hyuuga Nen agreed to Kuromaru's request.

"This is my summoning scroll. Leave your name on it," Kuromaru said, tossing a scroll over.

Hyuuga Nen opened the scroll and found it completely blank. This is a new scroll, likely created to prevent others from discovering it, he thought as he wrote his name.

"We have now signed the summoning contract, but you must not summon me unless it is a matter of life and death. Otherwise, it will be very easy for others to discover your identity. Do you understand?" Kuromaru looked at Hyuuga Nen with a serious expression.

"I am well aware of that," Hyuuga Nen answered firmly.

"Your father has already prepared himself to die for the worst-case scenario, though I do not know if you possess the same resolve. Regardless, I still wish to say this to you: do not die," Kuromaru said, looking at Hyuuga Nen.

"I am very clear about my current situation, and naturally, I do not wish to die. I will use all my strength to seize every opportunity to survive, so rest assured."

Hearing this, Kuromaru felt relieved. "Very well, I must be going. Take care of yourself."

Watching Kuromaru's retreating figure, Hyuuga Nen stood under the moonlight, lost in thought.