The clones cultivate Genetic Primordial Energy, nurturing themselves, while the original body uses Genetic Primordial Energy to strengthen its physique. At the same time, it trains in the Lightning Annihilation Mode, continually enhancing the body and allowing its life level to evolve.
This is how Uchiha Yoichi improves his strength without the Ten-tailed.
On the other side, in the Land of Water.
The Anbu gathering intelligence on the Fourth Generation Mizukage faces difficulties. Despite having the help of Uchiha Ninja, they have made no progress.
Aside from knowing that the Fourth Generation Mizukage reinstated the Blood Mist Policy upon taking office, they know almost nothing else.
After all, being the leader of one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, even if the Hidden Mist Village's strength declines, intelligence on a village's Kage is not easily obtained. However, judging from the Blood Mist Policy enacted by the Fourth Generation Mizukage alone, Konoha Anbu can already confirm that there is definitely something wrong with the Fourth Generation Mizukage.
Leading Hidden Mist Ninja to overthrow the Blood Mist Policy of the Third Generation Mizukage, only to implement an even stricter Blood Mist Policy upon gaining power—is this because he found the Third Generation Mizukage's Blood Mist too lenient?
"Captain, there are Hidden Mist Ninja approaching us, a total of twenty, and they have Perception Ninja who have locked onto us..."
An Anbu member suddenly spoke. Perception Ninja can use ninjutsu to sense and lock onto each other, unless one party voluntarily stops using Perception Ninjutsu and hides, but their location has already been exposed.
Immediately, the Anbu Squad Leader ordered, "Prepare to engage; focus on retreating afterward."
Upon hearing the command, everyone immediately prepared, setting up many traps around to launch a counterattack, causing casualties to the enemy and creating hesitation before retreating.
Before long, Hidden Mist Ninja suddenly appeared, but they abruptly stopped just before the trap area, causing the Anbu Squad Leader to frown.
"They have discovered the traps. That person is Ao from Hidden Mist; the Byakugan lost by the Hyuga Main Family a year ago is likely in his possession..."
Uchiha Shinji whispered to the Anbu Squad Leader. His Sharingan saw Ao's eyes, resembling the Hyuga's Byakugan, and knew the other party would surely see through the traps they had set up.
No matter how concealed the traps, they are ineffective before the Byakugan.
"You are Konoha Ninja, aren't you? Please have someone come out and talk to us; we are not here to fight you!"
Just as the Anbu Squad Leader was about to order a retreat, he suddenly heard the shouting from Hidden Mist Ninja, leaving him somewhat puzzled.
But it might also be a delaying tactic. This is the Land of Water, and he does not know if the other party will call for reinforcements, especially since they currently have the numerical advantage.
"Use Shadow Clones, hold them off while the others retreat immediately...."
The Anbu Squad Leader ordered, then sent out several Shadow Clones. After doing some trickery on the Shadow Clones, he sent them out to confront Hidden Mist.
"What are your intentions?"
"Konoha Ninja, you've been quite active recently, boldly entering the Land of Water to gather intelligence on the Fourth Generation Mizukage...."
Leading them, Terumi Mei spoke. Although young, she possesses two Kekkeigenkai and is already a renowned ninja in the Hidden Mist Village, even a Jonin.
"Thanks to you, we've discovered some remarkable intelligence. But how did you find out?"
It was Konoha Ninja who noticed something amiss with their Mizukage being controlled by illusion techniques; had they not inadvertently learned of Konoha Ninja probing the Mizukage's intelligence, they would still be in the dark.
But even knowing their Mizukage is controlled, proving it or acting against the Mizukage is challenging, especially since Four Generation Mizukage holds the power and many village ninja adhere to him.
With Ao's Byakugan alone, it's difficult to be convincing.
"Do you think we'd share our intelligence with the enemy?"
"You're victims too; due to the Fourth Generation Mizukage's orders, the skirmishes have continued without end… and since this is the Land of Water, you need our help to resolve this issue."
"Otherwise, do you intend for the war to continue?"
Upon hearing Terumi Mei's words, not only Konoha Anbu Squad Leader paused, but even those beside Terumi Mei were taken aback; they hadn't expected Terumi Mei to plan on cooperating with Konoha Ninja.
A Hidden Mist Jonin lowered his voice and asked, "Terumi Mei, what are you thinking, cooperating with Konoha Ninja….."
"Do you have any way to resolve the control on the Fourth Generation Mizukage, or deal with the person behind it?"
Terumi Mei's words silenced the Hidden Mist Ninja; after all, it's the Fourth Generation Mizukage, and if someone can control the Mizukage, how powerful is the one behind it?
With everyone silenced, Terumi Mei continued to ask, "What is your decision?"
".... We'll discuss cooperation later. If you are indeed interested, come here."
The Konoha Anbu Squad Leader tossed a scroll toward Terumi Mei and the Hidden Mist Ninja, continuing, "Don't follow us."
Saying this, he continued to wait in place.
Meanwhile, the original members had already left.
After a while, the Konoha Anbu Squad Leader dispelled the Shadow Clones, scattering explosive tags all over the ground; since he saw the Hidden Mist Ninja did not pursue, he did not trigger this trap.
Once the Shadow Clones disappeared, Terumi Mei signaled to Ao, who used his Byakugan to inspect carefully, and then sent a Water Clone to open the scroll.
There was no trap, just a location inside.