Shadow clones are completely different from ordinary clones!
This jutsu creates a physical entity that can move and fight independently, with its own consciousness and a degree of resistance to attacks. Unlike ordinary clones, shadow clones can engage in advanced ninjutsu, making them versatile in both combat and strategy.
Not to mention that even some chunin struggle to master the shadow clone technique, so for a six-year-old to pull this off was remarkable.
Combine that with Orochimaru's already above-average strength, and it was no wonder the Uchiha boys were left stunned.
"Damn… how did this happen?" Uchiha Shu mumbled, still in shock.
Uchiha Shu wasn't particularly weak, but he had let his guard down, and Orochimaru had capitalized on that.
From the look on their faces, Orochimaru could tell exactly what these kids were thinking.
Without a word, he deactivated his shadow clone, turned his back on them, and calmly walked away toward the training ground.
He had no interest in dealing with people who had already given up.
Why could Orochimaru use the shadow clone technique at such a young age?
The answer was simple: because his parents had been ninjas.
The shadow clone wasn't as restricted as the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, a forbidden technique that only a handful of people could use due to its extreme chakra consumption.
On the other hand, the shadow clone jutsu was relatively common. Plenty of experienced ninjas, even those specializing in traps and tactics, could master it.
Thus, it made perfect sense that Orochimaru's parents would have passed this knowledge on to him.
So, Orochimaru mastering it wasn't some extraordinary feat, but rather a natural consequence of his upbringing.
That said, shadow clones divide the user's chakra equally between the original and the clone. Because the clone is chakra-based, it doesn't respond as well as the original body, which is why Orochimaru seldom used it.
Even if he could create a shadow clone, maintaining it for too long would drain his energy quickly.
When it came to chakra control, Orochimaru wasn't quite as skilled as Uchiha Itachi, who had the natural advantage of the Uchiha bloodline.
After all, the Uchiha clan possessed an innate reservoir of spiritual energy, even before awakening the Sharingan, giving them a natural edge in chakra manipulation compared to ordinary ninjas.
However, now that Orochimaru had used the primary gene enhancement fluid, his physical and spiritual energy had both surged, allowing him to close the gap in talent.
Except for the absence of the Sharingan, in every other aspect, Orochimaru was now on par with Itachi!
So, there was nothing odd about him using the shadow clone technique on a whim.
In his previous life, Orochimaru had often fantasized about being able to use this technique, and now that he could, he naturally wanted to try it out.
As Orochimaru strode away, Tsunade, finally snapping out of her shock, ignored the Uchiha brats and chased after him.
---
Meanwhile, atop a tall building in Konoha Village…
Three armored ninjas stood on the roof, observing the scene in the streets below through the sunlight, looking dumbfounded.
"A shadow clone at his age? That's impressive! Sarutobi, this Orochimaru is a real prodigy!" one of them said, unable to hide his amazement.
"Haha, it's truly remarkable. I've never seen anyone use a shadow clone at the age of six!" another chimed in, still in awe.
"Among this year's students, aside from Tsunade, I'd say Orochimaru is probably the most outstanding one, right?" one asked, turning to their companion.
"Haha, that might not necessarily be true!" Sarutobi Hiruzen responded with a knowing smile.
Yes, this was Sarutobi Hiruzen, the man who would one day become the Third Hokage.
But right now, he was only 24, a young and promising shinobi in Konoha.
Standing beside him were Uchiha Kagami and Shimura Danzo, both equally young and full of potential.
Hearing the conversation, Danzo remained silent, his gaze fixed in the direction where Orochimaru had walked off, deep in thought.
It was currently the 16th year of Konoha.
The First Shinobi World War was still ongoing, though it had shifted from large-scale conflicts to smaller, localized battles.
While Konoha was busy dealing with the war, it was also focusing on selecting and nurturing talented young ninjas at the academy.
Orochimaru was one of those promising seeds.
Today, Sarutobi and the others had just returned from a mission when they happened to spot Orochimaru heading out.
Upon closer inspection, they saw a group of Uchiha children lying in ambush.
Though Uchiha Kagami was initially a little embarrassed to see children bullying others, Shimura Danzo believed that it was natural for kids to have scuffles, and there was no need to intervene unless there was real danger.
So, they decided to watch the scene play out.
And what they witnessed was truly astonishing.
---
Orochimaru, still oblivious to the fact that he had been watched from afar, continued walking, with Tsunade tailing him like a loyal follower.
"Hey, why are you following me?" Orochimaru asked without turning around.
"Eh?" Tsunade blinked, then quickly put on a nonchalant expression. "Who says I'm following you? I'm just heading to the training ground too. It's you who's following me!"
With that, she shamelessly put her hands behind her back and walked ahead of him, as if she were leading the way.
This was the path to the training ground, after all, and she believed Orochimaru was heading there as well. She just had no idea what he planned to do once they arrived.
Seeing Tsunade's antics, Orochimaru sighed inwardly.
You're still too young to even lie convincingly.
Ignoring her, he continued on his way toward the training ground.
---
"436... 437... 438…"
Loud, mocking voices echoed from the training ground as Orochimaru and Tsunade approached.
"Haha! A kid who doesn't even know ninjutsu or genjutsu thinks he can become a ninja? Ridiculous!"
"Exactly! Just give up, kid! You're not fit to be a ninja at all!"
"Hey, cut him some slack. At least he's trying hard!"
"What's the use of hard work if you're a loser? No matter how hard you try, a loser is still a loser! Hahaha!"
Curious, Orochimaru stepped into the training ground, followed closely by Tsunade.
What they saw was a strange sight.
A child about the same age as them was doing sit-ups, sweat dripping from his forehead. He wore a green jumpsuit and a red scarf, his distinctive bowl-cut hairstyle making him stand out.
Surrounding him were several other kids, all of them jeering and ridiculing him.
"Isn't that... Might Guy? No, wait, it's Might Dai!" Orochimaru realized, recognizing the boy.
Indeed, the child doing sit-ups was none other than Might Dai, the father of the future Might Guy, both of whom would later become legendary in their own right.