"Of course, I'll start training!"
Koshino first glanced at the research interface and saw that the development time was eight hours. He let out a sigh of relief, thinking that a single night's rest would be enough to recover from the fatigue caused by training with shadow clones.
Then, after adding the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu to the training progress bar, Koshino adjusted the progress bars for the Three Basic Jutsu, Body Flicker Jutsu, and the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu all at once.
Ding!
"Player, the progress for Clone Jutsu, Substitution Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, Body Flicker Jutsu, and 'New' Shadow Stitching Jutsu has reached 100/100. Congratulations on mastering these jutsu!"
"Player, would you like to name the 'New' Shadow Stitching Jutsu?"
"Hmm, hold on! Let me test the effects of the 'New' Shadow Stitching Jutsu first."
Having completed so many jutsu in one go, Koshino felt a bit overwhelmed. He quickly closed his eyes to deepen his understanding, first perfectly mastering the Three Basic Jutsu and Body Flicker Jutsu, then turning his focus to the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu.
"Huh? The effects of this 'New' Shadow Stitching Jutsu are quite interesting!"
"So, it uses tools like shuriken and kunai to pin down an opponent's shadow, achieving the same immobilizing effect as the Shadow Stitching Jutsu?"
After fully comprehending the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu, Koshino gained a deeper appreciation for the app's research functionality, marveling at how extraordinary it was.
In the Nara clan, who would have thought that combining the Shadow Stitching Jutsu with tools like shuriken could produce an advanced technique like the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu? This jutsu was essentially a long-range technique, with its effective distance depending entirely on how far the shuriken or kunai could be thrown.
Traditionally, the Nara clan's jutsu, such as the Shadow Imitation Jutsu and Shadow Stitching Jutsu, were all medium-range techniques. If the enemy was farther away, Nara clan members would have to take risks to close the distance. This limitation was clearly shown in the original story, where Shikamaru struggled immensely during the Chunin Exams when fighting Temari due to the range restrictions of his jutsu.
At long range, Shikamaru couldn't do anything against Temari.
Now, with the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu, Koshino had completely broken the outdated conventions of the Nara clan. If other members of the Nara clan knew that Koshino had developed a long-range version of their secret technique, they'd likely go to any lengths—even selling everything they owned—to beg Koshino to share the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu and strengthen the Nara clan's arsenal.
However, with a mindset of keeping a low profile, Koshino had no intention of revealing the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu so early.
Moreover, as someone familiar with the original story, Koshino knew that in the future, Shikamaru would create a technique similar to the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu—Shadow Imitation Shuriken Jutsu—during his fight against Hidan of the Akatsuki to avenge his mentor, Asuma Sarutobi.
Unfortunately, the Shadow Imitation Shuriken Jutsu was slower to activate, required hand signs, and couldn't compare to the practicality of the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu.
Drawing inspiration from Shikamaru's naming convention, Koshino smiled and quickly gave the "New" Shadow Stitching Jutsu an appropriate name: Shadow Shuriken Jutsu!
"Alright, I'll have to train with throwing weapons to make sure the Shadow Shuriken Jutsu can reach its full potential. Otherwise, if I throw a hundred shuriken and not one lands on the enemy's shadow, it'd just be embarrassing."
"And I can't let the research list stay empty, right? Hmm, the combination of Shadow Imitation Jutsu and Shadow Neck Binding Jutsu has a 100% innovation success rate. Let's see what new secret technique these two Nara clan jutsu can create!"
With that in mind, Koshino opened the research functionality list, added the two Nara clan jutsu, and eagerly anticipated the new technique that would be developed.
After a quick breakfast to fill his stomach, Koshino, feeling refreshed and energetic, was just about to head out to train when a knock on the door disrupted his plans.
"Who's there?"
"Koshino, open up! It's me, Kosho!"
"Oh, it's Kosho! Hold on, I'm coming!"
When Koshino realized it was Kosho, a fellow branch family member of the Nara clan who was seven years old and currently studying at the Ninja Academy, he quickly tidied up the traces of his training. Panting slightly, he went to the door and opened it with a smile, saying, "Kosho, what brings you here so early?"
"Koshino, what were you just doing?"
Kosho squinted suspiciously at Koshino, but seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he furrowed his brow and said, "Koshino, Lord Shikaku just gave an order to gather all the clan members under the age of eight for testing. Honestly, can't even get a good morning's sleep! Hey, Koshino! Did you even hear what I said?"
"Ah, I heard you! Kosho, let's hurry up so we don't get scolded by Uncle Shikaku again!"
Koshino responded casually, but his mind was clear. He knew this clan test wasn't going to be simple—it was likely a test that Shikaku had arranged specifically for him!
The Nara clan wasn't a powerhouse in the Hidden Leaf Village, but it still had at least a few hundred members.
Given Koshino's demonstrated talent, Shikaku was clearly preparing to allocate some of the clan's resources to him. Naturally, he'd need to convince the main family and the elders first. So, as Koshino walked from the cramped branch family housing to the main family estate, he mentally prepared himself to stand out in this clan test.
Meanwhile, Kosho, who didn't have the best relationship with Koshino, remained silent the entire way. He only spoke up once they arrived to greet Shikaku.
"Lord Shikaku, Koshino is here."
"Good. You may return."
One was a branch family member, while the other was the clan leader's nephew.
Kosho, already well aware of the differences in status, obediently returned to the branch family's ranks after Shikaku's command.
As Shikaku looked at Koshino, there was an unmistakable hint of expectation in his eyes. He subtly gestured with his gaze, signaling Koshino to look at the two elders of the Nara clan who had come to observe.
Then, after firmly patting Koshino's shoulder, Shikaku leaned in and whispered, "Do your best!"
"I understand, Uncle Shikaku."
Koshino nodded with a smile. After joining the ranks of the branch family members, the clan's twelve children under the age of eight were finally all present.
Of these, four were from the main family, aged around six or seven, and had typically been training at the Ninja Academy for one or two years. In contrast, the branch family had eight children with varying backgrounds. Koshino, at four years old, hadn't even started at the Ninja Academy. Others were either six and still hadn't enrolled or eight and struggling to progress within the academy. Compared to the main family's children, the branch family's quality was noticeably lacking.
Once all the children were gathered, Shikaku first sought the opinions of the elders, Shikayuu and Shikao, before stepping forward and announcing, "Today's clan test is to assess your recent training progress. Those who perform well will naturally be rewarded, while those who do poorly will face punishment."
"Alright, let's start the test with the branch family! Kosho, Kosato, you two go first!"
"Yes!"
Under Shikaku's orders, Kosho and the taller Kosato stepped forward and began sparring. Watching their match, Koshino couldn't help but yawn.
No wonder—having already sparred with Shikaku himself, Koshino's standards were far beyond what these kids could reach.
What's more, neither Kosho nor Kosato even had the strength of a Genin. Just performing a basic Clone Jutsu was enough to elicit gasps of amazement from the surrounding clan members. Bored, Koshino started observing the main family's children, but finding no familiar faces among them, he zoned out to pass the time.
While Koshino was uninterested in the test, the younger members of the Nara clan were thoroughly engaged.
Especially during a later match, when a boy named Koshi displayed the Shadow Imitation Jutsu. This prompted Shikaku to nod in approval and say with a smile, "Alright, Koshi wins this round."
"For the next round, Shikasen, why don't you guide Koshino a bit?"