Chapter 39: Mastering the Shadow Clone Jutsu
Tsunade, after explaining the details of Kiyoshi's new training regimen, waved him off. "I'll check your progress every week. If you ever want to increase the weight, come to me."
With that, she left, leaving Kiyoshi to process everything.
As he walked home, he reflected on the past month. His days had been packed with training under Kenshiro-sensei and completing D-rank missions. They had even managed a C-rank mission—an escort job, nothing too dangerous.
During this time, he had learned one more Fire Release technique: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. He had also been working on mastering the Shadow Clone Jutsu, though it had taken him longer than expected. Between missions and solo training at home, he rarely found time to practice it properly. Only during Kenshiro-sensei's training sessions did he have the opportunity to work on it under supervision. But now, he was confident—he could finally form a perfect clone. And today's training with Kenshiro-sensei would prove it.
After washing up, Kiyoshi headed toward the training ground. When he arrived, he found Kenshiro-sensei waiting alone.
"Ryota had to leave with his family, and Mikoto is down with a fever," Kenshiro explained. "So it's just us today. What do you want to practice?"
Kiyoshi didn't hesitate. "Combat training."
Kenshiro nodded in approval. "Good. I wanted to check your progress anyway."
The two got into position, and the spar began. At first, Kenshiro effortlessly blocked Kiyoshi's attacks, occasionally countering with a punch or a kick. He wasn't being aggressive—just assessing Kiyoshi's movements.
But as the fight continued, Kenshiro's brows furrowed. Something felt off.
Kiyoshi was slower than before. His movements were rigid, lacking the fluidity he had previously developed.
Kenshiro suddenly stopped, lowering his stance. "What's going on? You're not giving it your best."
In response, Kiyoshi raised his arms, revealing the weighted seals on his wristbands and ankle bands. Realization dawned on Kenshiro.
"Is this from your personal Taijutsu teacher?" he asked.
Kiyoshi simply nodded.
Kenshiro didn't press further. Instead, he smirked. "Alright then. Let's keep going."
The spar resumed, but Kenshiro adjusted his approach, accounting for Kiyoshi's additional weight. He wasn't going to go easy on him just because he was training under resistance.
---
After a while, Kiyoshi paused and turned to Kenshiro. "Sensei, I've mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu. I want you to confirm it."
Kenshiro crossed his arms. "Alright, show me."
Kiyoshi formed the hand seals. Tiger → Boar → Ox → Dog → Snake.
Poof!
A cloud of smoke erupted beside him, and when it cleared, a perfect copy of Kiyoshi stood there. Immediately, he felt his chakra halve, a sensation that caught him off guard.
He blinked, staring at the clone. The clone stared back.
For a moment, Kiyoshi felt strange.
He had looked in mirrors countless times, but this was different. This wasn't a reflection—it was him, standing right in front of him, moving independently.
He took a step forward. The clone didn't mimic him—it simply stood there, watching, waiting.
Kiyoshi slowly circled around, studying his own face, his stance, the slight rise and fall of his chest as the clone breathed. He felt an odd mix of pride and unease. Is this what others see when they look at me?
"Feels weird, huh?" Kenshiro's voice broke him out of his thoughts.
Kiyoshi exhaled and nodded. "Yeah… really weird."
But there was no time to dwell on it.
He gave his clone an order: "Go home and study the scroll I left on the table."
The clone nodded, turned, and walked off. Kiyoshi watched it go, still feeling that strangeness settle in his chest. But at the same time, a sense of excitement built within him. This was a huge step forward.
He turned back to Kenshiro. "How about it?"
"You've learned it," Kenshiro acknowledged. "But don't overuse it. Splitting your chakra too much could land you in the hospital. And don't keep the clone active for too long, or you'll suffer mental strain."
Kiyoshi nodded in understanding. "Got it."
---
With the Shadow Clone Jutsu confirmed, they moved on. Kenshiro decided to guide Kiyoshi in refining his Fire Release techniques. The training was intense, with Kiyoshi working on his chakra control, accuracy, and the application of his jutsu in combat scenarios.
Before leaving, Kenshiro turned to Kiyoshi. "Are you satisfied with focusing on Fire Release for now, or do you want to develop another element?"
Kiyoshi's eyes flickered with determination.
He had already tested his chakra nature with a chakra paper at home some time ago. He knew exactly what his second chakra nature was.
---
A Few Days Ago…
Kiyoshi had spent the afternoon rummaging through his collection of Fire Release jutsu scrolls, hoping to find something to elevate his training. His fire techniques were strong, but he craved refinement—something sharper, something deadlier.
As he sifted through the scrolls, his hand brushed against something unexpected: a small stack of chakra papers. He paused, recognizing their significance immediately. These were rare, specialized papers used to determine a ninja's elemental chakra affinities.
For a moment, he hesitated. He had always known his primary affinity was Fire Release, but a small part of him wondered… Do I possess any other elemental affinities?
The curiosity was too tempting to ignore.
Kiyoshi plucked a single chakra paper and held it delicately between his fingers. Taking a deep breath, he focused his chakra and let it flow into the slip.
The result was immediate.
One side of the paper burst into flames, curling at the edges before crumbling into ash. No surprise there—his Fire affinity was a given. But then, the other half of the paper broke apart into dirt, crumbling into tiny fragments that slipped between his fingers like dry soil.
Kiyoshi blinked.
Earth Release.
His second chakra nature was Earth.