"Can I take this ninjutsu back to my clan, Orochimaru-sensei?" Kagetsu asked as he was about to leave.
"Do as you wish," Orochimaru replied indifferently. He enjoyed the sense of accomplishment that came from creating techniques, but in terms of ownership, he didn't really care.
At least with this Blood Armor Jutsu, he didn't mind.
Moreover, this technique already belonged to Kagetsu in part. He had the right to decide whether to turn it over, keep it, or pass it on to his clan for training.
Kagetsu felt relieved after getting Orochimaru's answer.
In the original story, many characters are known for their impressive ninjutsu skills, including iconic figures like the Second and Third Hokage, and Orochimaru himself, who mastered numerous forbidden techniques.
However, in this world, the flow of ninjutsu is quite restricted. No village is willing to let ninjutsu spread uncontrollably.
Even at the Konoha Ninja Academy, students mainly learn foundational knowledge. The ninjutsu taught before graduation are just basic techniques, like the Body Flicker Technique.
Later, based on the Second Hokage's three-man cell system, the three genin graduating from the academy are assigned to work under a Jonin, forming a task force through a teacher-student relationship.
Of course, as a high-ranking Jonin, the leader can decide if the three genin under their command pass the evaluations. If not, they have to go back and try again.
Another way for the talented is to join the Anbu or take on missions independently.
Might Guy, for example, takes on tasks like finding lost cats or retrieving items to earn money as an independent genin.
Regardless of the path, there are always hurdles to obtaining ninjutsu.
In a three-man team, even the leading instructor won't easily pass on their jutsu. Instead, they usually provide guidance on combat experience and training.
For the Anbu, jutsu are earned through merit and require coordination with teammates.
Regardless of the type, ninja organizations led by the village strictly control the leak and circulation of jutsu.
When Kagetsu asked this question, Orochimaru's response meant he was willing to back him up and handle any potential issues that might arise, even though such chances were slim.
With a reliable ally like Orochimaru, Kagetsu naturally chose to make full use of the opportunity and minimize potential problems.
Before heading home, Kagetsu first went to find Might Duy, who was training with Might Guy in the village, and handed over the scroll given by Tsunade.
"This is Tsunade-sama's solution for you. It won't solve the aftereffects of the Eight Gates, but it can make your body more resilient and durable."
"Tsunade-sama?" The faces of Might Duy and his son, Guy, were immediately filled with strong emotions, their feelings shining as brightly as their exposed teeth.
Shaking his head, Kagetsu planned to leave. Although this father and son duo would become famous in the future, their infectious enthusiasm and resilience were too strong—good to interact with, but not for extended periods.
Once Might Duy and Guy finished their emotional moment and realized Kagetsu had already become a distant figure, Duy, holding the scroll that seemed to bring warmth, shouted about youth with tears in his eyes and made Guy do an extra hundred frog jumps.
"Don't you need to go learn from Tsunade-sama today?"
In the Nara clan's territory, Nara Shikakichi and Nara Yuno were slightly surprised to see their son come home so early.
During this time, they had only seen Kagetsu occasionally, and the entire Nara clan was abuzz with talk of Kagetsu's peculiarities.
"Training has wrapped up for now," Kagetsu said, sitting down in front of the lazy Shikakichi, unconsciously yawning and supporting his head with his right hand.
"I thought your mental and physical strength would far exceed the rest of the Nara clan's, but I didn't expect you to feel tired too."
Seeing Kagetsu's helpless and lazy demeanor, Shikakichi smiled inwardly. It was nice to see a bit of the familiar Nara spirit in the current Kagetsu.
"Has that technique succeeded?"
Before Kagetsu could respond, Shikakichi asked with a hint of anticipation.
Kagetsu working with Orochimaru and Tsunade on a new technique wasn't a secret to the Nara clan. Orochimaru and Tsunade had never intended to keep it hidden.
With the Shadow Coffin technique as a precedent, Kagetsu's new technique also attracted the attention of the Nara clan elders.
Including Shikakichi, once the technique was created, the Nara clan would definitely gain the rights to use and teach it. At that time, Kagetsu would also receive additional resources and recognition from the clan.
The Genin named Might Duy came to Nara's pharmacy with a letter from Kagetsu to exchange for medicine. This was part of the respect the elders showed Kagetsu.
Without the Shadow Coffin in front and Orochimaru solemnly accepting disciples behind, talent, future, and potential were starting to show. Shikakichi couldn't just let Kagetsu act recklessly.
"Yes, it's already a success," Kagetsu said, pulling out three scrolls from his pocket.
"This is the Eight Gates technique, the jutsu that Might Duy practices. The Blood Armor was inspired by it. The core also draws from its concepts."
"This is the Active Blood Armor, the main offensive technique."
"This is the Passive Blood Armor, the main defensive technique."
Shikakichi glanced at the Eight Gates technique scroll and set it aside. It wasn't that the technique wasn't strong, but no Nara clan member would practice it.
The grueling training involved was something the Nara clan avoided. So, this technique would just be stored and collect dust in their hands.
Shikakichi focused on the other two scrolls.
He laid the two scrolls side by side on the floor. The scrolls were filled with detailed diagrams of human Chakra Pathway and Tenketsus, along with explanations and interpretations.
The Nara clan's sharp minds allowed them to read quickly and understand the scrolls in no time.
Even with Shikakichi's extensive reading practice from working in the Hokage's office, it took him a while to get through the rich content of the scrolls.
The room fell silent as Shikakichi read rapidly, while Kagetsu stood by, lost in thought.
After a while, Shikakichi finished reading and closed the scrolls. He took a moment to reflect.
"This is an excellent technique. It covers many aspects and requires some medical knowledge to fully understand," Shikakichi remarked.
It was a technique that combined offense and defense, like a spear and shield. With the right user, it could create a powerful ninja at the Jonin level.
What's more, its versatility meant that as long as you understood it, you could learn and master it. Even if someone was a bit slow, with enough effort, they could become highly skilled in one aspect of this technique.
"This technique…"
"Go ahead," Kagetsu interrupted, as if he knew what his father was going to say next. "These are Orochimaru-sensei's exact words."
"Is that so? Then we should indeed thank Lady Tsunade and Lord Orochimaru," Shikakichi said with a smile.
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