One failure.
Two failures.
Menma still couldn't find the reason behind it.
Strangely, he wasn't discouraged. If there was anything he could rule out with certainty, it was the idea that this was a chakra problem. Menma refused to believe that the Adamantine Sealing Chains required such an absurd amount of chakra just to manifest a single chain. If he couldn't even stabilize one chain now, then in the future—when he aimed to create multiple chains capable of restraining shinobi or even tailed beasts—the cost would be astronomical.
Quantity was one thing.
But the strength required to bind powerful enemies was something else entirely.
If chakra alone determined success, then someone trying to produce multiple chains would drain themselves dry long before restraining an enemy. It made no sense.
No—this wasn't an output issue. The problem had to be something deeper.
If you can't find the problem… then you keep trying until you do.
Menma inhaled deeply, eyes sharpening with determination.
The technique not working perfectly wasn't the issue. The fact that he could at least partially manifest the chains meant the greatest barrier—the leap from nothing to something—had already been crossed.
Breaking through from 0 to 1 was always the hardest part.
Everything after that was a matter of refinement and repetition.
As an Uzumaki, Menma carried a pure, orthodox bloodline, born with the clan's exceptional life force and sealing potential. Even if he hadn't awakened the ability at birth, the fact that the power existed in him was enough. He believed firmly that he could reach the same level as his mother, Uzumaki Kushina, someday.
"Alright… time to work for real today."
Menma pressed his hands together.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A burst of chakra exploded from him, and more than a hundred shadow clones materialized around him. He didn't summon more because the Adamantine Sealing Chains practice consumed a tremendous amount of chakra. Even with the Nine-Tails' chakra as a backup, Menma couldn't afford to be careless.
He needed enough chakra in reserve to maintain control during training. Balance first. Quantity second.
If he forced too much chakra out without proper discipline, the technique would collapse again.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
"POOM!"
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
"Buzz—!"
Dozens of clones unleashed unstable golden chains. The air became thick with fluctuating sealing chakra. Golden sparks flickered across the training ground, illuminating the forest with flashes of gold.
And so it continued.
In the days that followed, Menma committed himself entirely to mastering the sealing chains. He temporarily set aside his Rasengan refinement; that training focused on chakra output stability, rotation, and nature transformation—stages he had already paused at. For now, the chains were more important.
This was an Uzumaki bloodline technique. It demanded instinct, emotion, and the ability to tap into the depth of his heritage. Mastering it would amplify his power more than any upgraded Rasengan could at the moment.
Several days passed.
Finally, after countless failures, Menma began to understand the real issue.
He had been treating the Adamantine Sealing Chains like a ninjutsu—something learned through hand seals, chakra molding, and surface-level control. But this was a bloodline ability, no different from the awakening of the Sharingan in the Uchiha.
A bloodline ability wasn't something you forced with technique.
It was something awakened through instinct and emotional connection to your lineage.
The chains came from deep within—the spiritual and genetic heritage of the Uzumaki.
He needed to feel them, not construct them.
Just as Kagura's Mind Eye required intuitive perception rather than analytical thinking.
In other words…
He needed to trust his blood.
On the morning of the sixth day—
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Menma had finally discovered the correct mindset.
On his left side, one of his shadow clones succeeded. A fully formed golden chain burst outward—several meters long, sparkling brilliantly under the sunlight. Its glow reflected against the trees in vivid golden ripples.
Menma's eyes widened.
Not only was the chain stable—there was no sign of flickering, distortion, or chakra leakage.
A genuine, fully manifested Adamantine Chain.
A proud grin spread across Menma's face.
"Release."
The clone dispelled itself.
Poof!
Poof!
Poof!
Poof!
Clone after clone vanished, sending their accumulated experience surging into Menma's mind. Tens of hours of training condensed into an instant of clarity.
Menma closed his eyes, absorbing every detail of the clones' memories.
Moments later—
His eyes snapped open.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
With a sharp movement, he thrust out his hand. A golden chain erupted from his palm, bright and powerful, radiating intense sealing aura.
The force was undeniable.
The technique felt natural, as though it belonged to him from birth.
A true Uzumaki ability.
A smile flickered onto Menma's lips.
I finally did it.
The chain vibrated with power—strong, dense, unbreakable. He could feel the suppression force it carried, the same power that once held back the Nine-Tails itself.
He swung the chain lightly.
SWISH!
CRASH!
The chain tore through more than ten trees in a single sweep.
The raw force was incredible.
He imagined Kushina, who could unleash more than ten chains at once—each stronger than his single one. His admiration deepened. The gap was enormous.
It was like comparing a genin opening the Fifth Gate to Might Guy opening it with absolute mastery. Same technique. Different universe of power.
Menma exhaled.
He didn't let arrogance cloud his judgment.
Even with one chain mastered, he was far from Kushina's level. He understood this. But the breakthrough was real, and the foundation was now solid.
After giving the chain a final test and carefully observing the chakra expenditure
"Release!"
Menma let the chain dissipate.
Golden fragments scattered into the air like fading embers.
He had taken his first true step into the sealing power of the Uzumaki.