Ever since Shikatoki revealed his talent, his status within the Nara Clan had become practically untouchable.
From the Clan Head and elders at the top to the children at the bottom, everyone knew that the Nara Clan had produced a genius rarely seen in a hundred years.
Even Tobirama Senju had heard about it.
“Teacher Tobirama, I didn’t expect the first standout of this generation to be a child from the Nara Clan,” Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked.
Tobirama nodded.
“The boy is indeed promising.
Being willing to change what already exists is a good quality.
Keep a closer eye on him from now on and allocate some additional resources his way when appropriate.”
“Understood.”
Hiruzen nodded.
For Tobirama Senju, a master of forbidden techniques, merely following established conventions could only be considered acceptable.
Only innovation and change could truly catch his attention.
After all, without exaggeration, nearly eighty percent of the forbidden techniques recorded in Konoha’s Scroll of Seals had been developed by Tobirama Senju.
According to unofficial history, things supposedly went something like this—
Tobirama Senju: “Big Brother, I developed a new jutsu.”
Hashirama Senju: “Is it Water Release?”
Tobirama Senju: “No.”
Hashirama Senju: “Put it in the Scroll of Seals.”
At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the Hokage’s office.
“Come in.”
Danzō Shimura entered, looking as though he had just returned from a long journey.
At this point, Danzō had yet to become the one-eyed old man of the future.
Nor did he possess that gloomy, sinister air.
Instead, he was handsome, energetic, and surprisingly bright-looking.
And in front of Tobirama Senju, he was every bit the obedient student.
“Teacher, I have something important to report.”
Danzō’s expression was solemn.
Tobirama put away the Academy student roster.
“Speak.”
“According to reports from our spies stationed throughout the various nations, several countries have recently begun making suspicious movements.
Iwagakure and Kumogakure in particular.”
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
More than a decade had passed since the end of the First Shinobi World War.
The various nations had spent those years recovering and rebuilding their strength.
But after the successive deaths of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, the other nations had once again begun baring their fangs at the tempting prize that was Konoha.
Tobirama’s expression darkened.
“Mobilise shinobi and gather intelligence.
Do not act rashly.”
“Yes!”
Outside Konoha, the political situation was becoming increasingly turbulent.
Inside the village, however, everything remained peaceful.
Three months had passed since the start of the Academy term.
During those three months, Shikatoki had continuously strengthened his taijutsu and refined his chakra.
The Substitution Technique was indeed an incredible jutsu.
But first, he needed the reaction speed to actually use it in time.
His modified Shadow Imitation Technique was certainly underhanded enough.
But insufficient chakra reserves remained a serious weakness.
Being devious was all well and good.
But think about it.
Your opponent finally manages to figure out how your techniques work, only to discover that you can beat them senseless in close combat too.
Wouldn’t that be the ultimate form of underhandedness?
“Everyone, tomorrow will be your first practical combat exercise since entering the Academy.
Lord Hokage will personally attend to observe.”
Their teacher looked over the class.
“After you return home today, make sure you prepare yourselves properly.”
“Class dismissed.”
The teacher left.
Shikatoki immediately stood up.
“Minato, I have something to do tonight.
We’ll train together tomorrow morning.”
After saying goodbye, Shikatoki quickly left.
When he returned home, Shikaomi Nara had already been waiting for him.
“Nephew, about that Cult of Jashin in Yugakure you mentioned—I sent people to investigate, but they couldn’t find anything.”
Shikaomi handed him a scroll.
“And this is the genjutsu you asked for.
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique.”
“Thanks, Uncle.
I’m going back to my room.”
“Alright.
I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.
Your aunt made chicken soup today.”
“Got it.”
Back in his room, Shikatoki fell into thought.
“At this point in time, Hidan probably hasn’t even been born yet.
Whether the Cult of Jashin is already in Yugakure really is hard to say.”
When Shikatoki had first started thinking about improving the damage reflected through shadows, the first ability that came to mind was Hidan’s Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood.
After obtaining an opponent’s blood, Hidan could return any damage inflicted upon himself directly to his target, regardless of whether it was ninjutsu or physical damage.
And Hidan’s damage transfer was simultaneous.
If he stabbed himself through the heart, his opponent’s heart would also be injured.
If Shikatoki could apply something like that to his shadows…
The image was so beautiful that he almost didn’t dare imagine it.
“No rush.
Let’s test the genjutsu first.”
[Current Templates: Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique…]
Over the past three months, with the backing of the Nara Clan, Shikatoki had gained access to plenty of material.
Forbidden techniques might have been difficult to obtain, but ordinary ninjutsu certainly wasn’t.
Through repeated experimentation, Shikatoki had discovered that the modified Shadow Imitation Technique had poor compatibility with all five basic chakra natures.
That was understandable.
The Nara Clan’s secret techniques were fundamentally based on Yin Release.
Naturally, Shikatoki turned his attention towards Yin Release as well.
However, he hadn’t recklessly started experimenting immediately.
Instead, he had spent the past three months cramming as much advanced knowledge into his head as possible.
If nothing else, as a child who had transmigrated from China, he was certainly among the people most accustomed to intensive cramming.
The Skill Editor itself was simple.
But its potential applications were enormous.
That meant Shikatoki needed to understand as much about this world as possible.
“Add Template: Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique to Shadow Imitation Technique: Modified Version.”
[Notice: Adding a template will increase chakra consumption according to the template’s compatibility.]
[Reminder: Templates may be removed at any time.]
[Add Template: Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique?]
“Add it.”
[Shadow Imitation Technique: Modified Version: The user’s shadow must first touch the enemy’s shadow.
The enemy’s shadow can then be extracted and made to fight its original owner.
Damage sustained by the shadow will be reflected back onto its original owner.]
[Loaded Template:]
[Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique — Compatibility: High: When the shadow disperses, a Fear effect will be triggered simultaneously.]
“Yes!”
Seeing the result, Shikatoki couldn’t help pumping his fist.
Why had he chosen Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique?
There were only two reasons.
First, Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique was a D-rank genjutsu.
Its chakra consumption was low.
Second—and much more importantly—was its core effect.
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique forced its target to witness the image they feared most, dealing a psychological blow.
Against skilled shinobi, such a low-level genjutsu normally had almost no effect.
But Shikatoki could guarantee several things.
No hand seals.
Instant activation.
And complete surprise.
More importantly, pain would normally break a person free from genjutsu.
However, the pain reflected from the shadow and the activation of the genjutsu occurred simultaneously.
The pain therefore wouldn’t cancel the effect.
That meant the victim would experience a brief instant of confusion.
And in a battle between experts, a single instant could decide everything.
“Not bad.
Not bad at all.”
Shikatoki rubbed his chin.
“Now I urgently need a test subject.
Who should I use?
Little Sun?”
The first person who came to mind was naturally his best friend, Minato Namikaze.
Minato Namikaze: You only remember I exist when you need someone to beat up?!
Shikatoki immediately dismissed the idea.
During the past three months, Minato had already suffered so much from Shikatoki’s devious skill set that he refused to spar with him using ninjutsu anymore.
Even when Minato agreed to spar, it was taijutsu only.
Whenever that happened, Minato would reveal an unusually cruel smile.
Shikatoki’s rapid improvement in taijutsu over the past three months owed a great deal to Minato.
“Tsk!
What a shame that Minato can’t be the first one to experience it.”
Shikatoki grinned.
“Looks like I’ll have to let tomorrow’s little lab rats test the waters instead.
Hehehehe~!”
With his Shadow Imitation Technique improved once again, Shikatoki was in an excellent mood.
He enjoyed a satisfying dinner and went straight to sleep.
Early the next morning, by the time Shikatoki and Minato arrived at the Academy, plenty of people were already there.
The atmosphere felt strangely tense.
“Shikatoki…
we aren’t late, are we?”
Minato asked cautiously.
Shikatoki wasn’t entirely sure either.
“Probably not.”
When they entered the classroom, they discovered that everyone else had already arrived.
Their entrance immediately became extremely conspicuous.
Their teacher looked towards them.
His expression instantly softened.
The two of them consistently ranked first and second in every examination.
They were model students.
Today’s practical exercise would largely depend on these two producing an impressive performance.
“Sensei, we’re not late, right?”
“No.
Go sit down.”
Once the two had taken their seats, the teacher spoke solemnly.
“Lord Hokage will personally observe your battles today.”
“Regardless of whether you come from a shinobi clan, you must perform to the best of your ability.”
“If one of the village’s higher-ups takes notice of you, this could become a major opportunity.”
“Yes!”
Hope appeared in the eyes of many children.
Shikatoki looked around and sighed faintly.
He wasn’t trying to discourage them.
But in this world, the gap between civilians and shinobi clans was like an invisible chasm.
Since Kaguya Ōtsutsuki first arrived on this planet, how many Minato Namikazes had there ever been?
Even Minato himself only gradually began revealing his brilliance after receiving focused training and resources.
When you thought about it…
This world really was cruel.
“This is great!”
Minato looked excited.
“Shikatoki, if Lord Hokage takes notice of us, wouldn’t we be able to soar straight to the top?”
“Mm.
We’ll just do our best.”
Shikatoki grinned.
“But you’d better pray you don’t get matched against me.
My technique has changed again.”
“Hehehe.”
A chill ran through Minato’s entire body.
He had the distinct feeling that this bastard was planning something horrible.
“Everyone, assemble on the training field!”
At the teacher’s command, all the students quickly left the classroom.
Everything had already been prepared on the Academy training field.
Tobirama Senju sat in the seat of honour.
Beside him were Kagami Uchiha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzō Shimura.
Behind them sat the heads of the various clans.
“Begin.”
Tobirama wasted no words.
The students stepped forward one by one to draw lots.
Minato prayed desperately.
“Anyone but Shikatoki.
Anyone but Shikatoki.
Please don’t let me draw Shikatoki!”
Shikatoki was far calmer.
He casually drew a lot.
“Number twelve?
Minato, what number are you?”
“I’m fourteen!”
Minato burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!
We’re not matched together!”
He breathed a massive sigh of relief.
He would rather face a powerful opponent than fight someone as shamelessly devious as Shikatoki Nara.
Minato wasn’t alone.
Gin Yamanaka and Daidai Akimichi visibly relaxed as well.
“Who has number twelve?”
“I do!”
An arrogant voice came from behind Shikatoki.
He turned around.
A handsome black-haired boy stood there.
The boy wore the unmistakable fan-shaped crest of the Uchiha Clan on his clothes.
There was no need to ask where he came from.
“Shikatoki Nara, being good at written classes doesn’t mean you’re truly strong.”
Ri Uchiha looked at him arrogantly, as though the whole world owed him money.
“In the end, shinobi prove themselves through strength.”
Shikatoki stared at him for a second.
Then he slowly asked,
“Um…
who are you?”
There was genuinely no malice behind the question.
Shikatoki only knew three people in his class besides Minato—
Gin and Daidai.
He spent practically all his remaining time researching the Skill Editor, chakra, and Yin Release.
“You…
you!”
Ri Uchiha’s face turned bright red.
“His name is Ri Uchiha.
He ranks fourth in written subjects.”
Another voice joined the conversation.
The newcomer wore white robes and had pale eyes.
“My name is Tenichi Hyūga.
A pleasure to meet everyone.”
“You bastard from the Hyūga Clan!”
Ri Uchiha snapped.
“You think being third is impressive?!
Actual strength is what matters!”
After yelling at Tenichi, he turned back towards Shikatoki.
“And you!
Once I beat you, you’d better remember my name properly!”
“I’m Ri Uchiha!”
“Hmph!”
Ri stormed away.
Shikatoki scratched his head.
“Well, damn.
That little brat has one hell of a temper.”
He chuckled.
“Better hope he doesn’t get so angry later that he awakens the Sharingan.”
“Pfft!”
Minato nearly burst out laughing.
Then, realising it might be rude, he hurriedly covered his mouth.