The Shadow Clone Technique was a jutsu developed by the Second Hokage. It creates physical copies of the user, with chakra evenly distributed among each clone. Unlike the basic Clone Technique, which only produces illusions, shadow clones are solid and capable of combat, able to utilize various ninjutsu.
One especially useful feature of the Shadow Clone Technique is that when a clone is dispelled, all the information it gathered is transferred back to the original body—originally intended as a tool for intelligence gathering.
Its enhanced version, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, is classified as a forbidden jutsu because dividing chakra among too many clones can cause the user to deplete their chakra and die. Theoretically, since shadow clones disappear upon taking even the slightest damage, it's not ideal for those with limited chakra reserves.
Of course, Tsunade's version of the Shadow Clone Technique has been upgraded with triple-stacked effects. Not only does it consume less chakra, but it also doesn't vanish from minor injuries… and perhaps, just maybe, it has slightly higher intelligence…
Naturally, Tsunade would never admit that. She believes the reason she didn't immediately think of using the Substitution Jutsu was entirely due to the idiot aura emanating from Jiraiya, which momentarily lowered her IQ.
Only a tiny bit!
Tsunade felt that if her idiotic shadow clone had survived even just one more minute, she would have remembered the Substitution Jutsu, made a flashy entrance onto the battlefield, dominated the exam arena with elegance and power, and left all the other ninja kneeling in awe, singing songs of her conquest.
So clearly, the clone was too weak. It couldn't even hold out for one more minute. Looks like she'll need to enhance the Shadow Clone Technique even further next time.
Yes, the moment Tsunade's shadow clone was taken out by Orochimaru, she had already received all of its memories—and the fatigue that came with them.
"Jiraiya, you've gotten stronger."
Tsunade suddenly said.
"Eh?"
Jiraiya, who was still wincing from the pain in his toes and about to start cursing, froze, confused. Just a second ago, Tsunade was punching him, and now she was complimenting his strength? What kind of weird act was this?
"If it were the old you, you'd be down and out by now."
Even though she was currently transformed into a cat, Tsunade looked up at Jiraiya as seriously as she could, her voice full of conviction.
"The fact that you're still standing now… you must've been working hard lately."
Tsunade even looked like she was comforted by her own words, acknowledging Jiraiya's growth with a hint of sincerity.
"Ahaha, of course! Who do you think I am?!"
Jiraiya scratched his head, a little embarrassed, but secretly pleased. He figured Tsunade was right. The last time she punched him, he'd been lying on the ground for ages before he could get up. This time, sure, his toe hurt, but that was it. So yeah, maybe he really had gotten stronger?
That… kind of made sense?
Seeing Jiraiya float on cloud nine from her praise, Tsunade knew the incident was water under the bridge. She gave him no time to dwell on it, jumping straight to the next topic.
"Jiraiya, do you know why I'm here?"
"Hm?"
Her question instantly reminded Jiraiya of his own reason for being here.
"Right! Tsunade, aren't you supposed to be participating in the Chūnin Exams?"
"It's a long story, but since time is short, I'll make it quick…"
Tsunade quickly summarized what had happened during the first written test of the Chūnin Exams. Of course, she emphasized the painful sacrifices she made for Jiraiya to pass, as well as the utter humiliation she endured—culminating in her being left behind and unable to join the second part of the exam.
This time, Jiraiya actually showed rare seriousness, falling into brief contemplation.
"So… you got licked?!"
Jiraiya exclaimed, visibly shocked by his conclusion.
"…"
What the hell is wrong with you?!
Why is that the part you're focused on?!
Normally, Tsunade would've punched him in the face without hesitation, but the current situation was urgent. She had to prioritize, so she couldn't waste time on pointless details.
Although she trusted Orochimaru's escape skills, accidents did happen.
After all, every candidate participating in this exam had survived the brutal First Great Ninja War.
Not exactly easy opponents.
Plus, the exam arena might be wide, but it was practically empty—nowhere to hide. On top of that, the proctors hadn't said whether or not one could forfeit, so even someone like Orochimaru, if surrounded by a few capable ninja, could very well end up… dead.
"We don't have time for that! The real issue is, how are we going to get into the arena?"
"Can't we just walk in?"
"You idiot!" Tsunade rolled her eyes and snapped, "There are proctors patrolling the perimeter, not just Konoha shinobi, but also ninja from other nations helping supervise to ensure fairness. If we just walk in like it's nothing, won't that basically scream we're cheating?"
"Uh… is that so?"
Truth be told, due to the urgency, Jiraiya didn't know much about the details of the Chūnin Exams.
"Then let's just jump in."
"..."
Tsunade stared at Jiraiya in disbelief as he struck a confident pose.
Sure, thanks to the shadow clone's memories, she could roughly figure out the location of the second exam's arena—but it was high and far. Just how powerful would one's jumping ability need to be to actually make it in?
She, of all people, knew her own limitations.
Her famed monstrous strength, at its core, was merely the result of concentrating chakra into a body part and detonating it in a burst of power. It created the illusion of devastating physical might—like creating craters with a punch or stomp—but in reality, it wasn't pure "strength." Naturally, that meant no substantial counterforce for launching herself into the air either.
So, jumping in? Not an option.
That left infiltration. Tsunade was confident in her acting skills—worthy of an Oscar, in her opinion—so she was sure she could fool the patrolling shinobi. Jiraiya, however… not so much. His terrible acting would get them caught instantly.
"Summoning Jutsu!!!"
Just as Tsunade was deep in thought, Jiraiya's voice suddenly rang out.
And then—
A massive, towering figure appeared before her eyes, so enormous that she felt like a mere speck by comparison.
(End of Chapter)
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