Auriel and Fiona glanced at each other, then stepped back from Aaron, worried that he might be losing control no reward had appeared after the boss was defeated.
But what they didn't realize was that the reward didn't matter to Aaron at all.
Aaron didn't have time to worry about anyone else's feelings. Instead, he opened the Naruto System and began browsing the jutsu shop. With 15,000 points at his disposal, he could finally afford something more practical.
After scrolling through the options, his eyes locked onto the Shadow Clone Technique. Though labeled a B-rank jutsu, its versatility made it nothing short of divine.
Shadow Clone Technique
Rank: B
Type: Ninjutsu – Offensive & Tactical
Chakra Required: Minimum 1000 units per clone
A high-level jutsu that creates physical, fully functional clones. Each clone can fight, perform jutsu, gather intel, and act independently. When dispelled, their experiences are transferred to the original, making it ideal for accelerated training, multitasking, and battlefield control.
Despite its B-rank classification, its adaptability earns it near-mythic status in ninja strategy circles.
Heavy Chakra Consumption: Every clone drains 1,000 chakra units, making it dangerous for those with limited reserves. Overuse can lead to fatigue, chakra collapse, or even unconsciousness mid-battle.
Aaron looked at the price of 8,000 points. It was expensive, and for a moment, he hesitated. But deep down, he knew this jutsu wasn't just useful it could change the way he fought, learned, and survived.
Without hesitation, Aaron confirmed the purchase. His points dropped by 8,000, and the knowledge of the Shadow Clone Technique instantly flooded his mind.
He still had over 9,000 points left. For now, he chose to hold onto them his current skills were strong enough to keep him alive.
Fiona watched Aaron, still pacing silently. Concern etched across her face as she murmured, "Auriel... do you think he's lost his mind?"
Auriel didn't respond right away. Her gaze lingered on Aaron, a flicker of sympathy in her eyes.
David, clutching the Teleportation Crystal, stepped forward to offer comfort. But before he could speak, Aaron began forming hand seals with sharp precision.
In the next instant, another Aaron materialized before them.
For a brief moment, the trio froze, minds reeling at what they had just witnessed.
Aaron's clone turned to the two girls and grinned. "Hey ladies, mind telling me which one's the real Aaron?"
Then he glanced at David, smirking. "Also, buddy, could you take a step back? I'm not really into guys."
Fiona blinked, momentarily stunned then burst into laughter. Compared to the quiet, brooding Aaron, this one felt refreshingly playful.
Auriel smiled faintly behind her veil, but the calm on her face didn't match the swirl of questions in her mind.
How did he learn a cloning technique? she wondered, her gaze flicking between the two Aarons. Not only that, this clone acts entirely on its own, like it has a mind of its own.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, not out of doubt, but out of quiet intrigue. What kind of profession did Aaron awaken? she thought. Is the Ninja path really this overwhelming? Its depth… its unpredictability… It's unlike anything I've ever seen in any other profession.
Even as she stood still, her thoughts raced. She'd seen rare talents and gifted warriors before, but Aaron was beginning to feel like something else entirely.
She studied the two Aarons once more, and for the first time, she realized she couldn't tell which one held the original.
Just when the trio thought they'd seen all of Aaron's cloning abilities, he formed hand seals again and summoned another clone.
This one had a more aggressive look. It stepped forward and said, "Hey, main body what's the plan?"
Aaron glanced at the clone, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and familiarity. "Use your skills," he said calmly. "I want to test how long you can hold out in battle. Also... can you recover the chakra like I do?"
The playful clones spoke up, "We can't recover the chakra. But with what we have, we can stay active for about two hours if used for scouting."
"In battle, we can take down hundreds or even thousands of weak enemies. But against trained fighters, it depends on how strong they are."
"Right now, we can only use all the jutsu you've learned."
"We'll disappear once our chakra runs out or if we take fatal damage."
Aaron nodded and said, "Then show me what you can do."
Both clones turned toward the nearby ruins. "No problem," one replied with a grin.
They sprang into action, one launched Earth Spikes from the ground, the other unleashed Gale Fang Cleave, slicing through rubble. Finally, both cast Fireball Jutsu, escalating from low to high chakra use.
As their chakra drained, their bodies shimmered, then vanished into clouds of smoke.
David, Auriel, and Fiona were stunned. The clone's strike wasn't just powerful it was identical to Aaron's own. For a moment, it felt like Aaron had surpassed the need for allies. He wasn't just part of a team anymore... he was the team.
But deep inside, Aaron wasn't celebrating. The backlash of controlling high-powered clones slammed into his mind like a tidal wave. His thoughts blurred. His body trembled. He realized there were limits, harsh ones. Two clones with 5,000 chakra each, or one with 10,000, was all he could bear. Anything more wouldn't just be exhausting it could make him unconscious or even kill him.
As the test ended, Aaron turned to face his team only to find their eyes fixed on him, quiet and unreadable. Their expressions carried a mix of awe, confusion, and something else he couldn't quite place.
Feeling the weight of their stares, he scratched his head sheepishly and muttered with a crooked smile, "Could you not stare like that? You're going to make me shy."
Auriel and Fiona didn't say a word. Their icy glares spoke volumes, part awe, part suspicion. David, meanwhile, couldn't hold back his frustration.
"Damn it, Aaron," he blurted. "What even is your profession? If the Goldvien Family saw this, they'd swear they shot themselves in the foot letting you go."
He ran a hand through his hair, baffled. "And your spells… they amplify themselves? Seriously, teach us how that works."
Aaron scratched his head, a sheepish grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. But inside, he felt the tension tighten. He didn't fully understand his own power yet, let alone how to pass it on. The attention was flattering.