Shadow Clone Jutsu 10: Fish-Man Karate vs.
Shadow Clone Jutsu Hashirama Senju accepting disciples wasn’t exactly a secret.
But the identities of those disciples had never been publicly revealed.
So for most of the Senju Clan, this was the first time they learned Ethan had been personally trained by the clan head himself.
“So far, nobody else has successfully learned Wood Release!” “And did you see that battlefield?!
The Uchiha got completely crushed!” “He’s a monster…” “He might actually inherit Lord Hashirama’s power!” By the time Ethan’s squad returned to the Senju compound, word of the ambush had already spread through the entire clan.
But strangely enough, what shocked people most wasn’t how many Uchiha Ethan defeated.
It was the fact that he could use Wood Release at all.
No one understood the significance of Wood Release better than the Senju themselves.
And now— a second user had appeared.
Overnight, Ethan became the center of attention throughout the clan.
Not long afterward, a direct summons arrived from Hashirama himself.
A clan guard escorted Ethan through the Senju compound toward the residence of the clan head.
Hashirama didn’t keep him waiting long.
The future First Hokage emerged from the courtyard with his younger brother beside him, as always.
Tobirama Senju.
Even standing silently, Tobirama radiated pressure completely different from Hashirama’s warmth.
Hashirama smiled and waved Ethan over.
“Show me your Wood Release.” Ethan nodded immediately.
Chakra flowed through his body.
Trees rose smoothly from the earth under his control.
Simple techniques.
Nothing flashy.
Just the foundational Wood Release exercises Hashirama had personally taught him.
But even so— Hashirama’s eyes lit up.
The precision.
The fluidity.
The total lack of instability.
Every detail revealed extraordinary compatibility with Wood Release.
Unlike ordinary ninjutsu, Kekkei Genkai techniques carried enormous risks.
If Chakra Nature Fusion failed, the backlash could permanently damage the user’s body—or worse, cripple their bloodline entirely.
Only those with extremely compatible genetics could reduce that danger.
And even then— failure was common.
Wood Release was especially unforgiving.
A failed attempt often consumed the user’s vitality itself.
Most of the young Senju selected by Hashirama had ended up bedridden after attempting to learn it.
Which only made Ethan’s existence more valuable.
Deep down, Hashirama had already begun suspecting something unsettling: There might never be a third Wood Release user after him.
Meanwhile, Tobirama had remained silent from the moment Ethan arrived.
Unlike Hashirama’s approachable demeanor, Tobirama’s gaze felt cold and razor sharp.
Analytical.
Calculating.
As though dissecting Ethan piece by piece.
He understood better than anyone how absurd it was to master Wood Release this quickly.
Especially at Ethan’s age.
Ethan disliked that stare instantly.
So he glared back.
Without hesitation.
Tobirama blinked.
Someone from the clan actually dared glare at him?
And a child, no less?
“Hahaha!” Hashirama burst into laughter immediately.
“Tobirama, stop intimidating him.” “He’s still a kid.” Tobirama ignored the teasing completely.
“He may be a child,” he said calmly, “but he’s not ordinary.” His eyes narrowed slightly.
“He’s already capable of using advanced Wood Release techniques.” Then he added bluntly: “At the same age, his talent may have already surpassed yours.” Hashirama fell silent for a moment before nodding slowly.
As the creator of Wood Release itself, nobody understood the significance better than him.
This was a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
Someone who needed proper guidance.
And while Hashirama was unmatched in power— teaching had never been his specialty.
Tobirama, however, excelled at it.
The future founder of the Ninja Academy understood education and systemized training far better.
Hashirama suddenly clapped a hand onto Ethan’s shoulder.
“From now on, you’ll study under Tobirama.” Ethan maintained a calm expression.
Internally?
He was thrilled.
Tobirama Senju.
The greatest inventor in shinobi history.
Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Flying Thunder God Technique.
Edo Tensei.
One forbidden technique after another.
Even Orochimaru couldn’t compare to the sheer insanity of Tobirama’s genius.
Studying under him would be a massive opportunity.
Unfortunately, Tobirama immediately poured cold water on his excitement.
“First, improve your taijutsu.” His voice was flat and practical.
“People always mention ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu together.” “But taijutsu is the foundation.” He crossed his arms.
“No matter how talented you are with ninjutsu, poor close-combat ability will get you killed on the battlefield.” Then his expression softened slightly.
“I planned to test you today.” “But you just returned from a mission.” “Rest first.” “Come see me tomorrow morning.” This time, Ethan nodded obediently.
After he left, the two brothers continued discussing his future long into the night.
The next morning, Ethan arrived early.
And naturally— he shamelessly ate breakfast at the Senju residence first.
Just like his counterpart in the Pirate World, Ethan had no surviving family here either.
Most days he either bought food from small village stalls or mooched meals off other people.
Mostly the second option.
In fact, being an orphan had been one of Hashirama’s conditions when selecting disciples.
If Wood Release could change someone’s fate— Hashirama genuinely wanted it to.
After breakfast, Tobirama brought Ethan to a private training ground hidden deep within the forest.
The clearing wasn’t large, but it contained everything needed for combat drills.
Training dummies.
Targets.
Weapon racks.
The surrounding trees were scarred with old impact marks from years of practice.
Tobirama stopped in the center of the clearing.
“Show me your taijutsu.” Then he formed a one-handed seal.
Smoke burst outward.
A Shadow Clone appeared beside him instantly.
Tobirama intended to evaluate Ethan personally through the clone.
Ethan didn’t underestimate it in the slightest.
Shadow Clones reflected the strength of their creator.
A Hokage-level clone was still terrifying.
Before awakening the Soul Palace, taijutsu had absolutely been Ethan’s greatest weakness.
Most of his time had gone into studying Wood Release.
But after synchronizing with Pirate-World Ethan?
That weakness had practically vanished.
The Shadow Clone rushed forward at astonishing speed.
Watching from behind, Tobirama frowned slightly.
Ethan’s reaction looked slow.
Too slow.
For a brief instant, Tobirama was already preparing to fail him entirely.
Then Ethan moved.
His feet planted firmly into the ground.
He lowered into a wide horse stance.
One fist drew back tightly against his waist like a compressed spring.
He exhaled once.
Then punched.
The moment his fist shot forward— Tobirama’s expression changed.
Even from several meters away, he felt the violent pressure tearing through the air.
Fish-Man Karate: Two Thousand Tile True Punch.
The strike carried enough force to pulverize stone.
The Shadow Clone attempted to counter— But Ethan’s punch landed first.
BOOM.
The clone exploded instantly into smoke.