Raizen stood alone on the mirror-like surface of a vast lake. The wind was warm, ruffling the ripples across the water, and for a moment, the world seemed calm—too calm. He exhaled deeply, fingers poised in front of his eyes, and whispered, "Shadow Clone Technique."
Boom!
A cloud of smoke erupted beside him, and two perfect replicas of Raizen shimmered into existence on either side. He examined them critically. Since first learning the Shadow Clone Technique, he hadn't dared use it for real training. Too many clones meant too much feedback—too much information—and that could crush an unprepared mind. But now? Seven years old, mental stability decent, body disciplined, he could finally push the limits.
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's see what you two can do."
One clone grinned, a flicker of excitement in its eyes. "I've been waiting forever to train like this!"
The other clone didn't respond with words. It simply seated itself on the water, energy coiling through its body in a meditative rhythm. Raizen's eyebrow twitched. Shadow Clones talking to themselves—it was a little weird—but he didn't have time for second thoughts. His experiment had two parts: chakra refinement and ninjutsu practice.
The first clone sat quietly, gathering and refining its chakra. The second raised its hands, forming a precise series of seals. Water erupted violently from the lake, spiraling into a massive dragon that roared silently as it smashed down onto the lake's surface, sending a spray of waves into the air.
Raizen observed in silence. Thirty minutes later, the clone running ninjutsu exhausted its chakra and vanished in a puff of smoke. Instantly, every detail of its training flashed into Raizen's mind. Images, sensations, calculations—he absorbed them all. And for the first time, he realized: he could handle the feedback from a Shadow Clone. He could finally train using them without risking his sanity.
He then recalled the chakra-refining clone. The clone vanished, returning its refined chakra to Raizen's body. He felt the surge of energy flow through him. Only about a third of the chakra returned—but that was more than enough. One-third of an Amamiya clan's chakra? That was stronger than most ordinary ninjas at full power. A small smile crept across Raizen's face. Progress confirmed.
Satisfied, he departed the lake and set his sights on Changbai Town, a bustling hub in the south of the Fire Country.
Changbai Town was a vital crossroads. Trade flourished here, fueled by its position between Senju and Uchiha territories. Merchants, villagers, and ninja all converged, exchanging goods—and information. The town had become a subtle center of intelligence: employment contracts posted in taverns, whispers of missions carried from street to street.
Raizen walked in, dressed all in black, unnoticed yet alert. The air buzzed with chatter, laughter, and the occasional shout. Despite its prosperity, the town still bore the scars of war, its neutrality under the protection of Senju and Uchiha families masking the dangers beneath.
He wandered casually through the crowded streets, eyes scanning for details. This town wasn't just a waypoint—it was a lens into the state of the Fire Country. One year of travel had given him perspective, but the finer points of ninja politics, clan movements, and military developments? That required local insight.
Eventually, he arrived at a tavern and chose a corner seat. No sooner had he settled than the murmur of voices swirled in his ears, snippets of gossip and intelligence drifting across the room. Perfect.
Raizen smirked to himself. Time to see what the Warring States had been hiding this year.
...
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