Chapter 50: Testing the Waters

To learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, one must first master the Shadow Clone Technique. There was no rush for Kato Mikaze to study the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique; he could begin by learning the Shadow Clone Technique itself.

The Shadow Clone Technique was a B-rank jutsu, and for Kato Mikaze at this stage, it was not particularly difficult to master. He could learn it quickly without expending any attribute points from the ninja system.

Developed by the Second Hokage, the Shadow Clone Technique creates tangible clones using chakra. These clones can move and fight just like the caster, possess a certain degree of independent consciousness, and have a certain resistance to attacks. When dispelled, the clones’ memories and experiences return to the original.

This independent consciousness is somewhat similar to the Soul Clone. However, the chakra available to a shadow clone is limited, and while its memories and experiences do return to the original body when it is destroyed, there is no real-time sharing between the original and the clone.

Kato Mikaze’s Soul Clone, on the other hand, can be effectively combined with the Shadow Clone to complement each other’s shortcomings.

The Soul Clone, created through the Nurturing Spirit Technique and empowered by the ninja system, is derived from the Kato clan’s secret Spirit Transformation Technique. It has no physical form and cannot be touched by ordinary means; it exists as an intangible soul.

Compared to a Shadow Clone, the Soul Clone is even more independent, able to act alone over great distances. More importantly, it is linked directly to the original’s soul, allowing real-time sharing of vision, experience, and memory, and even the remote, wireless replenishment of chakra from the original.

As long as the original’s chakra and spiritual energy can keep up with the Soul Clone’s consumption, the Soul Clone can theoretically exist indefinitely.

Previously, Kato Mikaze had not kept his Soul Clone active outside for long, as it was, after all, an intangible spirit without a physical anchor, which posed many inconveniences.

Although ordinary things in the ninja world cannot harm a Soul Clone, there are still rare things out there that can. Losing a Soul Clone carelessly was not something Kato Mikaze could easily endure; there was always a price to pay.

It was only year 35 of the Leaf, not long after the death of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Both the Shadow Clone Technique and the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique were his inventions.

The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique is an A-rank forbidden jutsu, sealed within the Book of Seals in the Hidden Leaf Village. At this time, the Shadow Clone Technique had not yet become as widespread as depicted in the original story. Even within the Leaf, few ninja could master it proficiently.

Most of those who had mastered the Shadow Clone Technique were in the Hokage lineage or close to his faction. Ordinary ninja had to earn the right to study it through service and merit.

As for ninja from other villages, the Shadow Clone Technique remained unique to the Leaf.

In the Kato clan compound within the Hidden Leaf Village, Kato Mikaze had just left the bath, dried himself, changed into a loose silk robe, and lay on his bed.

During his bath, he had reflected on his priorities. Other than his regular visits to the underground base to continue research on Hashirama cell transplantation, learning the Shadow Clone Technique had become his top priority.

At this point, the Shadow Clone Technique was far from being ubiquitous, not something every ninja could do. Kato Mikaze had two options: spend his hard-earned merits to apply for the chance to study it in the village, or find a member of the Hokage’s inner circle to teach him. Tsunade, being the Third Hokage’s apprentice, was an option, though he had never seen her use it. He decided to ask her about it when the opportunity arose.

Having settled his plan, Kato Mikaze turned his attention inward, focusing on his soul space.

To be honest, he was quite eager about the fragment of green soul he had obtained. Otherwise, he would not have risked reaching for it in the underground base earlier that day.

Had the timing been better, he might have absorbed it then. However, the risks and uncertainties of absorbing a soul fragment containing memory shards were too great. Even in the underground base, he had barely restrained himself.

Within his soul space, Kato Mikaze, in his soul form, gazed at the carefully sealed soul fragment. Its appearance was unchanged, as if time had stood still. Its green hue was far more striking than the usual colorless, transparent fragments. Obtaining such a special fragment was truly fortunate.

He couldn’t help but think of Tsunade again—her Death’s Kiss anti-buff had proven invaluable. He would have to seek her out more often for her buffs.

Kato Mikaze carefully separated a Soul Clone and isolated a region within his soul space, enclosing both the clone and the sealed soul fragment together.

Caution was always wise. The fate of the test subject in the underground base’s soul space was still fresh in his mind. Here, in his own soul space, he could not afford any mishaps.

More preparation meant more options if something went wrong.

Having made all necessary preparations, Kato Mikaze directed his Soul Clone to carefully release the sealed green soul fragment.

There were no unexpected events—no sudden explosion, no surge of alien power attacking his soul space.

The green soul fragment simply floated quietly before his Soul Clone, unchanged in appearance, and, being in his own soul space, did not rapidly dissipate as it might have outside.

Once released from its sealed state, the green glow appeared even more vibrant, almost radiant.

Kato Mikaze’s Soul Clone observed the unique fragment with utmost care.

It was green—a gentle, lively green, brimming with vitality.

It was nothing like the eerie, miserable green he had seen in the soul space of the test subject at the underground base.

Still, Kato Mikaze refrained from absorbing it immediately. Anything relating to the power within Hashirama cells warranted extreme caution—especially when the name of the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, had been legendary since his childhood.

What he had witnessed firsthand in the laboratory, as well as the thick stack of experimental records and countless files in the archive, all served as constant reminders of the dangers involved.

Based on the real effects he had witnessed when using the Nurturing Spirit Technique on the test subject, Kato Mikaze was eighty percent certain this special soul fragment was related to the power contained in the cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

He carefully established a direct soul link between his Soul Clone and the fragment.

From his limited prior experience, he sensed, apart from the usual qualities, a small shard of memory, and, most notably, a small yet incredibly active force brimming with life.

He ignored the memory fragment for now, cautiously probing the unusually vigorous power.

After repeated cautious examinations, he confirmed that the fragment contained no immediate dangers.

He was ready to absorb this unique soul fragment.

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