Chapter 138: Shadow Clone Explosion
Kaito continued training for another week.
During this time, after finishing training with Hiruzen, Kaito would return home, close his eyes, and practice creating Vacuum Cores with his palms.
He did this to become more familiar with the formation process.
Eventually, Kaito successfully created a stable Vacuum Core inside his mouth.
He formed several hand seals and exhaled a Vacuum Bullet.
Unlike the Air Bullets technique which could fire six projectiles simultaneously, the Vacuum Bullet technique created only one at a time—but far more lethal.
It traveled in a straight line for forty meters, piercing through everything in its path!
Kaito laughed with satisfaction.
"That's incredible!"
Hiruzen also smiled.
This time, Kaito's performance matched his expectations exactly.
Though his expectations continued rising even higher.
Hiruzen said, "Well done, Kaito. You can further improve the Vacuum Bullets by creating multiple cores so you can fire several at once. Of course, this isn't easy, so don't rush it."
Kaito nodded.
He'd need to use this technique many times in the future, and his mastery would steadily improve with practice.
Hiruzen continued, "Besides Vacuum Sphere and Vacuum Bullets, more Vacuum techniques can be created by altering the shape of the Vacuum Core. But don't attempt that yet—wait a few months."
Kaito nodded. "Thank you, Gramps."
Hiruzen smiled, pleased with how obedient he seemed.
However, he soon noticed a slight smile on Kaito's face.
Kaito continued, "Gramps, it's only nine in the morning, and there's still time before training ends. Can you teach me how to channel chakra into my eyes?"
Hiruzen's eye twitched!
He exclaimed internally, Next time there are negotiations, I'm sending this shameless brat to handle them!
Kaito reasoned, "Although I'm confident in my chakra control, the eyes are delicate organs. I don't want to damage them. It would be best if you could guide me."
Hiruzen simply sighed and agreed.
He had nothing else to do anyway, since Homura was still handling his paperwork.
Hiruzen instructed Kaito on channeling chakra into the eyes, which required extremely precise control, but it proved effortless for Kaito.
After giving him some pointers, Hiruzen sent him away.
He was genuinely worried Kaito would ask him to teach even more.
Kaito also knew he'd made numerous requests of Hiruzen over the past weeks.
So he thanked him and departed.
After leaving, Kaito thought, What should I do now? Should I rent a training ground and continue practicing? Since Hiruzen took over our training, I haven't heard from Renjiro.
He considered for a moment, then walked toward the Senju compound.
He decided, It's time to claim that A-rank jutsu from Renjiro. Do I need to request something specific? I can't really remember any particularly useful A-rank techniques. Wind Blade comes to mind, but I don't urgently need it right now. I'll just ask him to give me something suitable.
Kaito headed to the Senju compound.
However, Renjiro was away on a mission.
So Kaito rented a training ground and practiced Vacuum Sphere and Vacuum Bullets.
After sending Kaito away, Hiruzen returned to his office.
Seeing Hiruzen enter, Homura was furious!
He said irritably, "Hiruzen, you finally remembered to come back?"
Hiruzen shrugged. "Today's training is finished."
Homura said coldly, "You taught one jutsu for sixteen days? At least make your excuse convincing!"
Hiruzen didn't answer.
Homura realized Hiruzen was serious.
He asked, "What exactly did you teach?"
Hiruzen replied, "Well, one of the students asked me to teach him the Vacuum techniques."
Homura's eyes widened.
"Did you actually teach him?"
Hiruzen nodded.
Homura cursed, "Hiruzen! Those techniques are far too dangerous for a ten or eleven-year-old child!"
Hiruzen waved dismissively.
"Don't worry. That kid is extremely promising and mature enough not to use them against comrades."
Homura asked, "Which student?"
Hiruzen replied, "Kaito."
Homura frowned.
"That orphan? I thought you set up this reward to appease the Uchiha clan."
Hiruzen nodded. "I also taught Mieko an A-rank technique, which is already an excellent reward. However, I discovered that Kaito is exceptionally talented and has the potential to become an elite jonin. Since he specializes in Wind Release, he'd be an excellent addition to most of our jonin teams."
Homura was surprised by Hiruzen's high praise.
He nodded. "If the village can gain another elite jonin, then there's no issue. Are you planning to bring him into ANBU?"
Hiruzen nodded.
"Yes, but recruit him when he turns thirteen. We've already broken tradition for Itachi because of the Uchiha situation. There's no need for Kaito to break tradition again. Additionally, we still need to observe his performance as a chunin."
Homura nodded.
The chunin rank was a critical stage that separated ordinary ninja from elite ninja.
Many ninja, after becoming chunin, grew tired of constant training and stopped or significantly slowed their pace.
After all, not every ninja could maintain lifelong motivation to train.
Such ninja rarely advanced further.
Konoha wouldn't waste additional resources on them.
Three days later, Renjiro appeared at the training ground where Kaito was practicing.
Kaito, who'd just begun training, sensed his arrival and stopped.
Renjiro Body Flickered beside him.
He was about to speak but then noticed holes puncturing every tree and boulder around Kaito.
He was momentarily speechless.
He looked at Kaito. "What did the Hokage teach you?"
Kaito smiled. "He taught me the Wind Release: Vacuum techniques."
Kaito extended his arm and fired a Vacuum Sphere.
Renjiro watched in astonishment as it pierced through more than a dozen trees!
He was stunned!
He thought in disbelief, Did he really convince that old man to teach him the Vacuum techniques and master them in less than three weeks? I knew he was talented in Wind Release, but to this extent?
After the shock passed, he felt pride in his student.
However, after hearing Kaito's next words, Renjiro's expression immediately darkened.
Kaito asked innocently, "Sensei, where have you been? I wanted to ask you to teach me an A-rank jutsu!"
Renjiro stared at Kaito, who looked back with an innocent smile.
He sighed. "Have you decided what jutsu you want?"
Kaito shook his head. "Sensei, I trust your judgment. You'll provide a technique that suits me best."
Renjiro nodded.
A-rank jutsu were difficult to find.
Suitable A-rank jutsu were even rarer.
Kaito did know some A-rank techniques, but most were of other chakra natures.
The remaining options were very limited, so he couldn't determine which would be most useful.
Renjiro said, "Alright, I'll teach you Shadow Clone Explosion."
Kaito thanked him. "Thank you, Sensei. Can we start now?"
Renjiro had just returned from an S-rank mission.
He'd originally planned to rest, but he still agreed.
Renjiro explained, "This technique has no hand seals. You simply create a shadow clone and make it detonate all its chakra in a self-destruct."
Kaito replied, "Sensei, that's very convenient."
Renjiro nodded. "The advantages are obvious. The limitation is range—your clone needs to be very close to the enemy to detonate effectively, while also ensuring they can't quickly escape. As for the disadvantage, because your clone uses all its chakra, you won't receive any chakra back when it disperses."
Kaito nodded.
It was exactly as he'd expected.
Kaito asked, "So how do we make the clone explode, Sensei?"
Renjiro began explaining the technique's mechanics in depth.
Kaito created several shadow clones and had them practice according to Renjiro's instructions.
Kaito observed carefully.
A few minutes later, one of the clones successfully detonated!
The explosion kicked up dust.
After it settled, he noticed a small crater where the clone had been—about two meters in radius and five centimeters deep at maximum.
Soon, the second clone also exploded.
Kaito received the memories and experiences from both clones.
He began creating more shadow clones one after another.
When one detonated, Kaito gained its experience, then created another clone to continue practicing.
Since learning the Shadow Clone Technique, Kaito's chakra reserves had increased significantly—many times over.
He could now create twenty-one standard clones that could sustain themselves until two-thirds of their chakra depleted.
If he only created clones for the sake of numbers, he could make sixty-five!
Of course, those clones couldn't use much chakra.
If he wanted his clones to use B-rank or stronger jutsu, he could only create a few.
However, since this was just learning to self-destruct, Kaito created thirty in succession.
This exhausted eighty percent of his chakra reserves!
However, his progress was extraordinary!
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