"I come from a civilian background and don't know many ninjutsu, so most of what I've studied are basic techniques…"
Zhenyan's Shadow Clone brought Sasuke to a corner of the training field for a private lesson.
Holding a kunai, he said, "Watch closely."
"Yes!"
Sasuke focused intently. The next moment, Zhenyan rushed toward him.
At the instant he closed the distance—
Zhenyan formed hand seals, and three figures holding kunai charged forward.
Sasuke's eyes widened. He quickly identified one as the real body and immediately retreated in the opposite direction.
But just as he moved—
Clang!
Kunai struck kunai.
This clone… was also the real body?
"Is it a Shadow Clone?"
Sasuke thought so, but in the next second, the clone vanished.
Zhenyan stood beside him and said, "There is always only one real body. I used Body Flicker. The moment you identified the real one, I exploited your subconscious judgment to switch positions and strike."
An extremely effective tactic.
After understanding, Sasuke fell into thought before asking, "Sensei, you're fast enough to do this. But what if your speed isn't enough?"
"Then use more clones."
Zhenyan prompted, "Did you observe how my three clones were positioned?"
Sasuke recalled carefully, and his eyes lit up.
Though the three clones appeared to stand in different spots, they were actually aligned in a straight line. If speed wasn't sufficient, the clones could serve as stepping points to shift positions.
The only issue was that one needed exceptional control over the Clone Technique to pull off such a tactic. Otherwise, it would be ineffective.
"So mastering the Clone Technique to the extreme can produce such incredible effects…"
Sasuke couldn't help but marvel.
Zhenyan said seriously, "Basic techniques are mandatory because they are simple, low-cost, and effective. Blindly chasing high-level ninjutsu is not the right path."
"Sensei, I understand. Thank you for your guidance!"
Sasuke bowed sincerely.
He had learned a great deal from this lesson!
"Return to the group. Think it over when you get back."
"Yes!"
Sasuke straightened up. As the Shadow Clone disappeared, he headed back.
From the distance came Naruto's pleading voice, "Can we skip the copying? Sensei, please!"
"An idiot doesn't deserve to be my student. Also… I forgot to mention, I'm now a Special Jonin. My authority is greater than before."
With the warmest smile, Zhenyan spoke the coldest words. "Miss even one copy, and I'll suggest to the Hokage that you repeat the year."
Naruto's expression froze instantly, shifting from pleading to shock, then to indignation—
"Damn it!!"
…
After school, Sasuke was more excited than ever, unable to wait. Instead of walking, he used Body Flicker all the way home.
He wanted to ask his brother how to master this technique quickly!
Pushing open the door, he saw the shoes at the entrance and immediately shouted, "Brother!"
Movement came from inside.
Soon, Itachi stepped out from a side room, looking at him curiously.
"What's wrong?"
"Brother, do you have time? My teacher showed me a technique, but I don't know how to practice it yet…"
Sasuke couldn't hide his excitement.
Itachi's expression softened. He picked up a towel and wiped the sweat from Sasuke's face.
Under Sasuke's expectant gaze, he smiled faintly. "Let's go."
"That's great!"
Sasuke cheered.
On the way to the lake, Sasuke explained the technique Zhenyan had taught him.
After listening, Itachi was inwardly surprised.
The concept resembled Shisui's Body Flicker Technique, but Shisui's required the Sharingan and genjutsu support.
What Kanzaki Zhenyan taught, however, was a practical method that even ordinary people could master.
"Your teacher has an exceptional understanding of the Clone Technique. It's a shame he's only a taijutsu instructor."
Itachi couldn't help but remark.
Sasuke scratched his head. "From what he said, he seems to have just been promoted to Special Jonin. I'm not sure about the details."
"Is that so?"
A hint of realization flashed in Itachi's eyes.
Naturally.
Anyone who could master the Clone Technique to this extent failing to become a Special Jonin would be strange.
He smiled. "Your teacher is impressive. For this technique, though, it might be easier to consult Shisui."
"Why? Is Shisui-nii even stronger than you, brother?"
Sasuke asked in confusion.
A laugh came from nearby. "In this little guy's eyes, you're the strongest. Even the Hokage can't compare."
As he spoke, a figure jumped down from a tree—it was Shisui.
He looked at Sasuke.
"The method your teacher used—is it something like this?"
As he spoke, he formed hand seals.
More than ten clones appeared.
Sasuke scanned the surroundings, unable to tell which was real.
The next moment, all the figures rushed toward Itachi at once.
Itachi held a kunai and moved toward one of them.
At the moment of contact—
Clink!
A crisp metallic sound rang out.
In the next instant, figures surrounded Itachi from all sides, the overlapping metallic sounds forming a rhythm like music.
Their speed was so fast that even Sasuke could barely follow.
All real?
Impossible!
This must be similar to his teacher's method, just far more advanced.
No wonder the clan called Shisui "Shisui of the Body Flicker"!
Sasuke felt both shocked and awed.
After a moment, the two stopped. Shisui smiled.
"As your teacher said, the rank of a technique doesn't determine its power. Don't blindly chase high-level ninjutsu."
"So amazing!"
Sasuke's eyes sparkled. "Shisui-nii's Body Flicker is even better than Sensei's!"
"You can't compare like that."
Shisui shook his head. "Your teacher only demonstrated one technique. That doesn't mean that's all he can do."
He couldn't help but praise, "Besides, I have the Sharingan and help from my clan, while he's just an ordinary person… your teacher is an extraordinary ninja."
Beside him, Itachi nodded in agreement.
Sasuke only half understood, but he knew—
Itachi was strong, and Shisui was strong.
By their words, his teacher must be strong too!
At this moment, however, Shisui fell into thought.
After a moment, he scratched his head. "Your teacher's name is Kanzaki Zhenyan? I once had a classmate with that name…"
"Given his age, it should be the same person."
Itachi replied.
Shisui sighed again, then his eyes lit up as he looked at Sasuke. "How about I take you to school tomorrow?"
"Really?"
"Partly to see you off, but mainly I want to meet your teacher and exchange ideas."
It wasn't often he met someone researching a similar direction…
Shisui felt a bit excited.
…
Meanwhile—
Inside the "Simulation Instance," Zhenyan paused his training.
Lines of text appeared before him—
[Naruto: Part One, Episode 5 filming complete!]
[Editing…]
[Final cut successful!]
[Total screen time: 6 minutes 32 seconds]
[Screen share: 31.2%]
[Notice: Naruto: Part One will air tonight at 8 PM…]
31%.
The text slowly faded.
The percentage was lower than expected.
But upon reflection, it wasn't surprising.
"These past few days, I've been focused on training and improving myself. I didn't deliberately chase screen time or create extra interactions with Naruto and Sasuke outside school."
"But now that I've been promoted, participating in the main storyline will bring greater returns."
After a brief pause, he resumed training.