Shadow Clone Technique

Chapter 4: Shadow Clone Technique

On the way home, Ayato thought about what he had gained that day. In truth, he had gained nothing much. The current lessons were probably focused on explaining Konoha's history, and only after gradually building up enough interest in Chakra would they teach them how to extract it. Still, the textbooks had been handed out, so he could study on his own.

As for the Three Body Technique, there was no point even thinking about it in this peaceful era. The first year of instruction would likely consist only of theoretical knowledge and physical training. That year was meant for students to accumulate a certain amount of Chakra.

Ayato looked at the sky. It was still early. Studying here really was easy. At this hour, his mother's work probably had not ended yet.

However, Ayato remembered his mother telling him to come home early before he had left. He had no intention of wandering around, so he slung the books he had been given over his back and ran toward home. It was only a few kilometers, but it could count as a warm-up. It had to be said that the average physical fitness here in the world of Naruto was truly impressive.

"I'm home." After taking out his key and opening the door, Ayato called out as his mother had taught him.

Then Ayato froze. The mother he had assumed was still at work was standing there, smiling at him. The table was also filled with a lavish spread of food.

"Welcome home!!"

"Mom, why are you..." Ayato's voice was tinged with surprise.

"Of course I got off work early. After all, today was Ayato's first day of school! Of course I had to come back early." Sinai said with a smile.

"Mm." No matter what, Ayato's gaze softened. Ever since he had been an infant, he had seen how much she had sacrificed for this family. Even though he had already lived one life, he had quickly accepted Sinai as his new mother.

"Still, I'm sorry, Little Ayato. I could only take leave today. From now on, you'll still have to go to school and come home by yourself. Other children have family members to pick them up and drop them off, but I..." Sinai's mood sank. Was it because she did not want to take him?

"It's okay." Seeing his mother inexplicably fall into self-reproach, Ayato stepped forward and hugged her.

"Mm... I'm so embarrassing, needing my own child to comfort me." Sinai gave a bitter laugh, then forced herself to perk up. "To make it up to Little Ayato, you can tell Mommy what you want."

"There's nothing in particular that I want right now." After thinking about it, Ayato said that he was quite satisfied with his current life.

"Mm." Sinai seemed troubled by that, as if she genuinely wanted to do something for her son.

Ayato quickly noticed what Sinai was thinking. He should just ask for something at random.

"Oh, right. The teachers at the Ninja Academy talked about ninja history today too, didn't they? Then, Little Ayato, do you want to become a ninja?" Sinai suddenly seemed to realize something and asked with a smile.

"Mm. I want to become the strongest ninja." Ayato thought about it and did not hide it.

"Then Little Ayato can tell me what Ninjutsu you want too. Mommy has some connections." Sinai's eyes lit up as she spoke.

However, Sinai quickly realized the problem. Even if she said that, Little Ayato himself probably did not know what Ninjutsu existed. She had not used Ninjutsu in many years, and she was only a Genin to begin with, so she did not know many techniques. Should she ask one of her former companions to demonstrate some?

"Ninjutsu... The one I want right now would be the Shadow Clone Technique." Upon hearing that, Ayato voiced his truest desire.

"Huh? Shadow Clones? Why do you want that technique? It's somewhat difficult, and more importantly, it's useless in battle." Although Sinai did not know how Ayato knew about it, she did not think the technique had any use.

"Uh, there's no particular reason. I saw a Jonin use it before, and the clones were solid. I really liked it. Whether it's useful or not aside, I decided then that if I had the chance, I would definitely learn the Shadow Clone Technique." Ayato lied, since he had no way to explain the real reason.

Still, regarding Sinai's claim that it was useless in battle, Ayato could only say that he had never even considered such a lavish idea as using Shadow Clones in combat. That was practically an ability exclusive to Naruto or the Uzumaki Clan.

All Ayato needed was the Shadow Clones' ability to pass on their experiences. The difficulty was also suitable. Although the Shadow Clone Technique was Rank B Ninjutsu, Naruto had learned the even more advanced Multiple Shadow Clone Technique in a single night. Perhaps this technique's difficulty did not really match its rank.

However, there naturally had to be a reason it was ranked B. Using Shadow Clones demanded a great deal of Chakra, and only Jonin had enough Chakra to use them in battle.

After all, Shadow Clones split Chakra evenly. However, Ayato guessed that the split referred to the amount of Chakra extracted at that moment. It could not possibly directly divide the bodily energy still stored in one's body that had not yet been extracted into Chakra.

So if someone below Jonin used it, how much Chakra would a Shadow Clone contain? It probably would not be able to use any other Ninjutsu. A Shadow Clone that dispersed after one hit and could only use taijutsu was of little use in battle.

Ayato had never intended to use Shadow Clones in battle. Besides, this was his period of accumulation. Having one or even two Shadow Clones would make things much more convenient.

As for whether his body could withstand it, Ayato had never planned to train with hundreds or thousands of clones like Naruto. His plan was to begin with only one, and he had no intention of making the Shadow Clone do exhausting tasks. He would only gradually increase the number later if he felt his body could handle it.

"But this opportunity is hard to come by. I don't think trading it for the Shadow Clone Technique would be worthwhile. How about Little Ayato thinks it over carefully? Or I could ask one of my former companions to demonstrate some other Ninjutsu for you." Sinai still did not want to use the opportunity her husband had saved up before his death to obtain a technique that had little use.

Moreover, while that opportunity still existed, her husband was gone. If Sinai wanted to make an exchange later, she would still have to ask one of her former teachers for help.

Going through all that trouble just to exchange it for a useless Shadow Clone Technique—and it was not only useless, but Rank B Ninjutsu. The opportunity her husband had left behind was enough to exchange for a Shadow Clone Technique, perhaps even more than enough. Yet he was no longer here, which meant that after trading for the Shadow Clone Technique, there would basically be no chance to obtain other Ninjutsu. Sinai truly felt that instead of exchanging it for one Shadow Clone Technique, it would be better to trade for several Rank C Ninjutsu. She could get several of those!

"Hm?" Ayato blinked. He had thought his mother was merely referring to Ninjutsu his father had left behind, so he had only mentioned it casually. But from the sound of it, did he really have a chance to obtain the Shadow Clone Technique?

Ayato's eyes immediately lit up. He began earnestly showing Sinai how determined he was to obtain the Shadow Clone Technique. After Ayato wheedled and pleaded for a long while, Sinai finally agreed reluctantly.

"Fine, the Shadow Clone Technique it is. As long as you're happy. Just don't regret it later."

"I absolutely, absolutely won't regret it! Mommy's the best!" Ayato could not help cheering.

"Let's eat." Seeing Ayato's smile, Sinai smiled as well. Fine, fine. As long as Little Ayato is happy, that's all that matters. It doesn't matter whether he becomes a powerful ninja or not.