Since his past life's memories awakened, this was the first time Hoshita Hajime had such ample time for training.
That meant it was finally time to bring out the art of shadow clones.
He used Shadow Clones to grind experience.
However, he hadn't learned the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
At the same time, without the advantage of an immortal/sage body, he didn't dare to train like Naruto—splitting off dozens or even hundreds of clones at once.
For Hajime, just having "enough" clones was sufficient. The key was training efficiency.
So, he only created three Wood Clone Jutsu versions of himself to begin training.
One clone focused on swordsmanship—aiming to retain as much of the combat prowess granted by his [Swordsmanship Expert] status as possible.
Another clone focused on training Wood Release.
After mastering the Cutting Wood Technique, Hajime decided his next wood-style jutsu would be the Great Forest Technique.
This was Yamato's most commonly used jutsu—versatile in offense, defense, and battlefield control.
The last clone was devoted to further developing the Rasengan.
Although he didn't use this jutsu often now, it might become invaluable later on.
What if he could one day master the Flying Thunder God Technique?
***
With his three clones off to their respective training tasks, Hajime unfolded a scroll containing Wind Release techniques. Standing in an open field, his eyes scanned the jutsu one by one.
Vacuum Sphere, Great Vacuum Sphere, Vacuum Wave, Vacuum Serial Waves, Gale Palm...
Konoha had gathered an impressive collection of Wind Release jutsu.
There were supportive techniques, powerful single-target moves, and large-area attacks.
Some were close-range, others medium or long-range—overall, it was quite a comprehensive arsenal.
With mastery over these Wind Release techniques, one could basically become another Danzo.
And with sufficient combat experience, one would definitely be Kage-level.
"I really do need a powerful mid-to-long-range Wind Release jutsu," Hajime thought to himself.
Up to now, he had been more of a close-combat type.
His techniques were relatively limited.
But for mid- and long-range, both the Vacuum Sphere and Vacuum Wave series of jutsu were quite suitable.
One focused on concentrated strikes; the other, wide-area coverage.
However, after thinking it through for a moment, Hajime set his eyes on a different technique.
Vacuum Sword!
A fusion of Wind Release and swordsmanship, this jutsu allowed the user to unleash wind-infused slashes that extended beyond the blade.
Hajime felt this jutsu was tailor-made for his current style.
It would allow him to transition directly from Vacuum Blade to Vacuum Sword, giving him coverage across close, mid, and long-range attacks.
He remembered that Konoha had a jōnin who was renowned for this very technique.
"Besides, the Vacuum Sword technique has huge potential for development—especially for someone like me with a vast chakra reserve."
Almost instantly, Hajime thought of a technique of his own—
Blade Storm!
"That's the one!"
Hajime made his decision: start by training Vacuum Sword, pair it with his already mastered Vacuum Blade, and then gradually expand on it.
As the saying goes: Those who imitate me thrive. Those who resemble me, die.
Danzo might be the blueprint—but Hajime intended to surpass him.
He wanted to become the next leader of Root.
But that didn't mean becoming the next Danzo.
Carefully memorizing every key point of the Vacuum Sword technique, Hajime put the scroll away, then drew his blade and began his training.
Thanks to his solid foundation with Vacuum Blade, his progress with Vacuum Sword advanced rapidly.
Within just an hour, he could already release a wind blade that detached from the sword.
However, the sword lacked cohesion, dispersing after just a foot, and its sharpness was far from satisfactory.
Time passed little by little...
In the blink of an eye, three days had gone by.
September 26, Konoha Year 36
While training alone, Hajime was suddenly summoned back to the Root base by Nakamura.
When he arrived, he realized that nearly all Root members were present—Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Shinoichi included.
Danzo was busy at the center, accompanied by Shimura Daichi, drawing sealing talismans for each member of Root.
The moment Hajime saw this scene, a chill ran down his spine. A particular cursed seal's name surfaced in his mind:
"Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal."
He stepped forward, removed his upper garments, and sat cross-legged in silence.
Danzo soon began drawing a sealing array around him.
By the time Danzo finished with Hajime, the seals for all Root members had been completed.
Danzo started with Hajime, forming hand seals one after another, then brought his hands together in the final seal.
Immediately, the symbols on the ground came to life like wriggling tadpoles, crawling rapidly up Hajime's body. They burrowed into his brain, connecting directly to his tongue—and a cursed mark pattern appeared upon it.
Danzo spoke in a deep voice:
"This is the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. It serves only one purpose—to prevent the leaking of Root's secrets."
"If you attempt to speak, write, or reveal confidential information in any form, the seal will activate—your body will go numb and you'll be paralyzed, completely unable to disclose Root's secrets."
As expected!
Hajime secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, it wasn't some mind-control technique—or worse, something that restricted his physical freedom.
In fact, from another perspective…
The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal actually had a certain benefit for him at this stage.
After the assembly disbanded, Hajime returned to his quarters. Standing before a mirror, he stuck out his tongue.
Ugly.
He grimaced at the sight.
Then, he began refining a massive amount of chakra, his entire body becoming cloaked in a pale blue aura.
Boom!
The air rippled as he surged his chakra in a violent burst, directing it toward the seal Danzo had implanted on his tongue.
The cursed mark twisted under pressure, showing signs of breaking apart.
But just as it was about to shatter, Hajime abruptly stopped. His surging chakra calmed, the wind stilled.
If one's power was great enough, the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal could be broken by force.
Hajime surmised that it would require not only an immense chakra supply, but also a spiritual will equal to Danzo's.
After all, chakra was formed from both physical and spiritual energy—and this seal had been created using Danzo's own chakra.
Cursed seals and barrier seals were among the most specialized arts in the shinobi world.
Having tested it successfully, Hajime left the Root base and resumed his training.
After three days, he had gained preliminary mastery over the Vacuum Sword technique.
At a range of up to three feet, his strikes were precise and lethal—the wind blades were sharp enough to severely injure or even kill with a single blow.
At that range, it still counted as close-quarters combat.
What he needed now was stronger control, higher output, and ideally an increase in the number of wind blades per strike.
Control, blade quantity, then form transformation and nature transformation.
Hajime already had a general framework in mind for how to further evolve this A-rank jutsu.
What remained was to try, experiment, and refine it—step by step.
And if he completed the development?
Hajime believed that the resulting technique would undoubtedly reach S-rank in complexity.
And its power would be formidable without question.
Blade Storm!
It definitely wouldn't be weaker than the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!
—
Time flew by.
By the late night of September 27, Konoha Year 36, under the moonlight, Hajime sat cross-legged on a grassy field, having just finished his sword training.
He waited silently, watching for the refresh of his status bar.
The moment the clock struck midnight, his temporary [Swordsmanship Expert] status would disappear.
He wanted to see just how much of the skill he'd been able to retain.
Second by second, time ticked away.
Finally, the clock struck twelve.
The status bar refreshed right on time.
But Hajime didn't immediately look at it. Instead, he focused inward, sensing for any change within himself.
"…Hmm?"
"There's… no noticeable change?"
Surprised, Hajime quickly turned to check his status bar.
(End of Chapter)