Chapter 115 (Patreon)

The secret techniques of the Ino–Shika–Chō clans were quite different from the Uchiha's Sharingan. Nor had any of the shinobi world's foremost researchers studied them in depth.

Their training would therefore need to focus on expanding what those techniques could do, rather than simply teaching every clan member to use the existing jutsu.

Roy intended to use techniques he remembered from the original story as a starting point. Once the clans had a direction, he could guide them toward exploring further possibilities on their own.

One example was Shikamaru's battle against Hidan and Kakuzu when he set out to avenge Asuma.

Shikamaru had infused Asuma's chakra blades with his own Yin Release chakra, allowing him to use Shadow Possession through the weapons and gain control of the battlefield.

At present, the Nara still cast their shadow techniques by extending their own shadows. By now, though, the way those techniques worked was hardly a secret.

Once an enemy recognized a Nara, they knew to watch the shadows.

Learning to channel their techniques through ninja tools would give the clan another way to attack. An enemy unfamiliar with that method could be caught completely off guard.

There was also the matter of offensive power. At present, the Shadow Strangle Technique was the only technique in the Nara's shadow arsenal with any real killing power. It was an advanced application of Shadow Possession, however, and ordinary clan members struggled to learn it.

Rather than making Naras of average talent struggle with difficult techniques that offered so little offensive power, Roy wanted them to focus on chakra nature transformation.

Their first goal would be to give their shadows physical substance and develop the Shadow Sewing Technique. From there, they could work on shape transformation and recreate all the variations Shikamaru had developed in the original story.

Roy also had ideas of his own.

The Nara's shadow techniques were rooted in Yin Release. Most genjutsu, including those cast through the Sharingan, also involved Yin Release.

If they could develop Shadow Genjutsu, using their shadows as a medium, an enemy would be caught in the illusion the instant a shadow touched them.

That would greatly improve their ability to control a battle. They would no longer have to hold an opponent with Shadow Possession and then throw a kunai to kill them, as Shikamaru had in his early days.

Genjutsu was one of the three main branches of shinobi combat, alongside ninjutsu and taijutsu. Its potential was considerable.

Yet the shinobi world rarely explored that potential, usually treating genjutsu as a supporting skill. With enough research, they might even develop techniques for strengthening the mind itself.

Steering the Nara toward genjutsu cast through shadows was one of Roy's own experiments.

A similar approach might work for the Yamanaka. Their secret techniques dealt directly with the mind and spirit, so combining them with genjutsu was worth investigating.

The Akimichi were different. Their secret techniques used Yang Release, so this approach to genjutsu wouldn't suit them. Their best path was taijutsu built around changes to their limbs.

The Multi-Size Technique had always relied on sheer, overwhelming strength. An ordinary opponent could be crushed or swatted aside, but against a powerful enemy, it was far less effective.

In the original story, Chōji's Super Open Hand Slap had built on that foundation. The technique combined the enlargement granted by Yang Release with hardening, making his palms both enormous and tough enough to strike with much greater force.

If the clan incorporated more powerful taijutsu techniques as well, their strength in battle could become exceptional.

Once Roy had organized his ideas for all three clans, Kushina showed the plans to Shikaku first.

“Kushina-sama, the Akimichi proposals look sound. But the direction you've suggested for the Nara and Yamanaka...”

“If something concerns you, say so, Shikaku.”

“Let's start with the Nara. Once our shadows have caught an enemy, what do we gain by trapping them in genjutsu as well? We could finish them with a kunai and save the chakra.”

“Shadow Genjutsu would be a single technique that restrains both the enemy's body and mind,” Kushina explained. “The genjutsu would be part of how it works, rather than something you cast after catching them with Shadow Possession.”

She continued, “Shadow Possession gives you excellent control, but your chakra limits how long you can hold an opponent. And while you're holding them, your own movements are restricted too. If we can develop this technique as planned, you'll have far more freedom to act.”

Shikaku considered her explanation for a moment. If they could develop the proposed jutsu, it would indeed improve on their existing shadow techniques.

“I understand. I'll arrange for members of the clan to help with its development.”

As for his concerns about the Yamanaka, he had already worked out the answer himself.

Even as she worked to strengthen Konoha, Kushina continued her own training.

She could now draw out enough of the Nine-Tails' chakra to manifest seven tails. Since she had already mastered Wind Release Chakra Mode, developing the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken had also taken far less time.

Using it while in either Wind Release Chakra Mode or Water Release Chakra Mode spared her the injuries Naruto had suffered when he first created the technique in the original story.

Only one problem remained.

The Rasenshuriken compressed an enormous amount of chakra into a sphere filled with violent, turbulent currents. Once it took shape, it was incredibly heavy.

She could only support it in her hand and use it at close range.

In the original story, Naruto had overcome that problem with Sage Mode. The increase in physical strength had let him throw the heavy technique.

Kushina hadn't learned Sage Mode yet, and Nine-Tails Chakra Mode was still beyond her reach.

Roy found another way.

His solution was to use Bakudō #37: Tsuriboshi to create an elastic hammock and launch the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken from it.

It couldn't send the technique as far as a throw in Sage Mode, but the range was enough for now.

Kushina was now working on adding Water Release to the Rasengan to create another elemental version.

Roy's design called for the water version to concentrate its force inside the sphere. The Rasenshuriken extended its wind blades outward; this Rasengan would keep compressing water at its core.

Water was almost impossible to compress, so forcing it into that confined space would create a core under immense pressure.

On impact, the chakra membrane containing it would rupture. The water inside would expand violently as the stored pressure was released, producing a supersonic water hammer.

The principle was straightforward. Putting it into practice was far harder than developing the Wind Release version.

The main difficulty was generating enough pressure within the limited space of a normal Rasengan.

They could reduce the water core's volume, but doing so would also weaken the resulting blast.

In the end, the finished technique, Water Release: Spiraling Nuclear Blast, was the size of a Big Ball Rasengan.

It was much heavier than the Rasenshuriken. Even Tsuriboshi couldn't launch it.

Only her Uzumaki constitution, her Water Release Chakra Mode, and the Nine-Tails' chakra cloak had kept the first test explosion from killing Kushina.

Although it couldn't match the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken's ability to cut at a microscopic level, the new Water Release technique's explosive force was far greater.