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**One failure, two failures.**
Menma still couldn't find the reason for his failures. Strangely enough, he wasn't discouraged. The only thing he could be sure of was that it wasn't a chakra issue. It didn't make sense for the Adamantine Sealing Chains to require so much chakra just to manifest. After all, he couldn't even form a single chain at the moment. If it really was a chakra problem, how could he hope to produce a dozen chains in the future to control others? The chakra expenditure would be astronomical.
It wasn't just about the number of chains; it was also about the strength to restrain powerful enemies. If he compared it to restraining a tailed beast, at this rate, he would end up depleting himself just to subdue someone else.
So, it wasn't a matter of chakra output. There had to be another reason.
**"If I can't figure out the problem, I'll just keep trying. I refuse to believe I won't master this technique,"** Menma muttered, determination etched on his face.
Getting the technique to work was one thing, but now that he could manifest it even slightly, the biggest hurdle had been overcome.
In any world, with any problem, the hardest part is always the leap from nothing to something—from 0 to 1. This represents a true qualitative change. After that, it's just a matter of quantitative improvement.
For Menma, being a pure-blooded member of the Uzumaki clan, it was almost certain he could master this technique. He might not yet have the same level of skill as his mother, Uzumaki Kushina, but he was determined to reach that level.
**"Alright, let's give it our all today!"** Menma said, clapping his hands together.
**"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"**
Menma's chakra surged, and over a hundred shadow clones appeared around him. He didn't create more because practicing the Adamantine Sealing Chains was extremely chakra-intensive, and he had to reserve some chakra even with the Nine-Tails as a backup.
Menma knew better than to be careless. Controlled training was necessary. By balancing the number of clones and the intensity of practice, he could master the Adamantine Sealing Chains in a relatively short time. The power of these chains was evident from the original series, where even the mighty Nine-Tails couldn't move when restrained by them.
Even if he could manifest just one chain, Menma felt confident that he could restrain 99.99% of the shinobi in the world. The remaining fraction would depend on the individual's unique strength or abilities.
**"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"**
**"Bang!"**
**"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"**
**"Buzz!"**
The scattered chains released by each clone filled the air with special chakra vibrations.
Over the next few days, Menma dedicated himself entirely to practicing the Adamantine Sealing Chains, putting aside his Rasengan training for now. The Rasengan was still in the stage of increasing chakra output and stability—he hadn't yet started incorporating chakra nature transformation into it. It could wait. The Adamantine Sealing Chains were the priority.
After days of relentless practice, Menma finally began to understand. The problem was simple—it was a matter of perception. Menma had subconsciously treated the Adamantine Sealing Chains as ninjutsu, forgetting that this was an Uzumaki clan Kekkei Genkai. Like the Uchiha needing their blood to awaken the Sharingan, the Adamantine Sealing Chains required a connection to Uzumaki blood. It wasn't just about training but about tapping into something deeper.
Menma realized he couldn't approach this from the perspective of regular ninjutsu. He needed a mindset similar to using the Mind's Eye of Kagura—a sensory technique unique to his clan.
In essence, he needed to **feel** it.
To tap into the instinctive power buried deep within his bloodline—this was the true way to unlock the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
After stumbling for days, Menma finally began to understand.
On the morning of the sixth day, Menma had found the right approach.
**"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"**
One of his shadow clones released a complete golden chain several meters long. Under the morning sunlight, it glistened beautifully. Menma's eyes widened, seeing that the chain was stable, showing no signs of dissipating.
A grin spread across Menma's face.
**"Dispel!"**
The shadow clone vanished.
**"Poof!"**
**"Poof!"**
**"Poof!"**
As the clones disappeared, their memories flowed back to Menma, who closed his eyes, absorbing the experiences of his clones one by one.
In the next instant, Menma's eyes snapped open.
**"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"**
With a flick of his hand, a bright golden chain shot out from his palm, exuding a powerful aura.
Menma looked at the chain in his hand, his eyes gleaming with joy.
**"I finally did it."**
The sense of power was unmistakable. The golden chain felt real in his grasp, as if he could bind anything with it.
**"The ultimate sealing technique."**
Menma swung the chain to his right.
**"Clang!"**
**"Boom!"**
It effortlessly knocked down a dozen trees in the vicinity.
The power of a single chain was already impressive. When he thought of his mother, Kushina, who could manifest multiple chains with ease, a determined light shone in Menma's eyes.
**"So this is how you completely restrain a tailed beast."**
Of course, Menma knew he couldn't compare to Kushina just yet. Even if he could manifest a few more chains, reaching Kushina's level would take time.
Like the Eight Gates technique, where Lee's limit was currently five gates, it was incomparable to Might Guy, who could open all eight.
There was a gap in strength and in mastery.
Menma understood he couldn't yet claim to restrict anything with just one chain. His earlier feelings were simply a fleeting sense of pride, but he quickly reined himself in.
After familiarizing himself with the golden chain and assessing the chakra consumption rate, Menma released the jutsu.
**"Dispel!"**
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