"My first S-rank technique... [Shadow Clone Technique]!"
Nara Shikadan stared at the panel, excitement and satisfaction bubbling up inside him.
But before he could fully appreciate the technique's effects, several new messages popped up:
[Learned S-rank technique: Shadow Clone Technique. Your [Ninjutsu] and [Knowledge] attributes have increased! Overall Evaluation improved!]
[Ninjutsu: B+ → A-]
[Intelligence: B → B+]
[Overall Evaluation: C+ → B- (Special Jōnin)]
"An S-rank Yin Release ninjutsu derived from the clan's secret techniques... my power's taken a huge leap!"
Shikadan could feel spiritual energy surging through his system, practically overflowing.
"If only my physical stats could keep up… My overall evaluation might be even higher."
He glanced at his [Ninjutsu], now over 10,000 points—then at [Stamina], still pitifully stuck in the double digits.
With a sigh, Shikadan pulled a pill from his ninja pouch and swallowed it.
[Stamina +10]
"And don't even get me started on [Taijutsu], [Strength], and [Speed]—still stuck at E-rank…"
Despite this, Shikadan remained optimistic.
"My [Ninjutsu] and [Knowledge] are already top-tier. [Stamina] has a clear upgrade path now, so I should start diverting some energy to the other three attributes. I don't need to kick mountains apart, but I also can't afford to be a complete weakling."
Looking over his current stat spread, Shikadan's attribute panel resembled a lopsided clock:
[Ninjutsu] and [Knowledge] were like the minute and second hands—fast, precise, reliable.
[Stamina] was the hour hand—slow, but at least moving.
[Taijutsu], [Strength], and [Speed] were basically day-month-year. Not moving fast.
"The only issue is that I still haven't found a reliable way to train those three."
But that could wait.
His current control-style combat approach masked his physical shortcomings well enough—for now.
"Let's focus on the [Shadow Clone Technique] first."
Shikadan reread the ability description:
"No hand seals. Yin Release clone. Virtual-real conversion. Consciousness carrier."
All four effects were outrageously powerful.
He was especially intrigued by the virtual-real conversion.
"Wait… there is a famous time-space jutsu in the ninja world with a similar effect—Uchiha Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan ability, Kamui!"
A legendary ability that ignored cause and effect, bypassed conventional defenses, and could even warp space itself.
"If I embed my consciousness into the Shadow Clone, does that mean I can enter a 'virtualized' state that ignores physical attacks too?"
Shikadan knew the comparison was far from exact—Kamui was a high-level space-time technique.
But for most enemies, a shadow and a dimensional pocket were equally untouchable.
"Who cares if it's not Kamui? If it works, it works!"
More importantly, Shikadan had the tactical awareness to actually put this theory into practice.
He opened his [Techniques] tab and scrolled back to one of the C-rank jutsu he had just learned:
[C-Rank Secret Technique: Flat Shadow Technique]
[Description: Upon activation, the user merges into their own shadow, flattening their body like paper.]
[Effect: Infuses chakra into one's shadow to become paper-thin and invisible while merging into the shadow. Excellent stealth capability.]
[Technique Evaluation: "I will always love paper men.JPG"]
This was not a typical Nara-style jutsu.
More suited for solo assassination than team-based combat, Flat Shadow Technique stood out from the rest of the clan's tactical repertoire.
Shikadan had no idea which quirky ancestor developed it—but he was glad they had.
Because now, he could combine it with [Shadow Clone Technique] to form a devastating strategy.
"Step one: Create a shell Shadow Clone using the [Shadow Clone Technique].
Step two: Use [Flat Shadow Technique] to hide myself inside its shadow.
Step three: Transfer my spiritual consciousness into the clone using the consciousness carrier function."
A flawless decoy.
The clone could use all his Yin Release techniques, and the virtualization made it immune to most direct attacks. It would fight better than his actual body—and no one would suspect he was hidden within it.
"With A-rank [Ninjutsu] and B+ [Intelligence], my clone is already at Elite Jōnin level…"
And best of all—
It was just a clone attack.
Evening had fallen.
There were still countless scrolls and records to study in Shadow Pavilion, but time was limited.
Shikadan reluctantly put down the last scroll and returned home.
It had been an incredibly productive day.
Back at the dinner table, the family gathered for their meal.
"Little Horn," Nara Shusuke spoke up between bites, "I heard from Hirako about the Third Kazekage's disappearance. The clan leader has already sent out a war-preparation order."
"I'll finish my research as soon as I can," he added, "then move to the village with Hirako. Kikyo Castle is no longer safe."
Shikadan nodded as he chewed his rice.
"Speaking of your research—the one about linking clan secret techniques with the nervous system—I can help find a high-level medical ninja to assist."
Shusuke had long struggled to make progress without expert guidance.
Shikadan, however, had two elite medical ninjas in his contact list.
"You mean Yakushi Nono?" Shusuke asked, his expression unreadable.
"You two… have a good relationship?"
"Very good," Shikadan answered truthfully.
Shusuke studied his son's face, then shook his head.
"You misunderstood what I meant."
"What Shusuke means is…" Nara Hirako interrupted sharply, "…can you marry Nono?"
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Shikadan nearly choked on his rice. His face turned red.
"Don't make a fuss, Little Horn," Hirako said as she passed him a cup of warm water, completely unfazed. "I'm just stating facts."
"It's not like Shusuke doesn't know any elite medical ninja himself. So why hasn't he asked for help before? Have you ever thought about that?"
"Our family survives by developing and protecting secret techniques. We never share research records with outsiders—no matter how skilled they are."
"So, Little Horn," Shusuke said seriously, "I have another suggestion—Go study medicine, and inherit the research institute yourself."
Then I can finally retire and live peacefully with my dear wife, he added silently.
Shikadan drank the water in one long gulp.
"Shusuke, you know Little Horn's condition," Hirako said, arms crossed. "You expect him to learn Yang Release medical ninjutsu?"
She shook her head.
"Better for him to just marry Nono. Or even better—Tsunade! I won't interfere with your personal life, Little Horn. I support free love. So go get her!"
The next morning.
Shikadan reported to the clan leader as promised.
Today, Nara Shikano wore a full military uniform and carried a massive scroll taller than he was on his back.
"Good morning, Chief," Shikadan greeted warmly.
He was hoping for more S-rank missions—and more S-rank [Ninja Secret Scrolls]!
"Shikadan," Shikano said, handing him two small scrolls, "these are the two rewards I mentioned yesterday."
One million ryo in monthly research funds.
Top-quality chakra metal for forging ninja tools.
The early bird catches the worm.
Shikadan accepted both scrolls reverently, storing them carefully in his ninja pouch.
"Thank you, Chief."
"Also, take this," Shikano added, producing a third scroll. "You'll need to deliver it to the Third Hokage at his office."
Shikadan blinked.
A mission scroll… but not for me? For the Hokage?
He followed the clan leader in confused silence.
"Chief… what exactly are we doing today?"
Shikano glanced back with a faint smile.
"Remember what I said about the two special rewards?"
"They're not in Konoha Village."
"They're in the capital of the Land of Fire—Kyoto."