"What? Shadows?!"
Seeing the dense, writhing shadow tentacles surging under Nara Shikadan, Daishi's expression twisted in alarm.
"You little brat... you're actually from the Nara Clan?!"
As a spy assigned to gather intel on Kikyo Castle, Daishi had some understanding of the infamous shadow techniques used by the Nara clan.
Instinctively, the Iwagakure Jonin tried to raise his right hand—to either gather chakra, activate camouflage, or use the Body Flicker Technique. Anything to avoid coming into contact with the boy's shadow.
But in that instant, Daishi felt as if his arm had been shackled by lead weights. Not only could he not form a hand seal, he could barely lift his arm.
"The detonating tag just now... and the flash bomb!"
As expected of an elite Jonin, Daishi quickly pieced together what had happened—but it was already too late.
In the state of [Lacquer Eye], Nara Shikadan's control over the Shadow Secret Techniques had reached an optimal level. He had already captured the enemy by overlapping their shadows.
[D-Rank Secret Technique: Shadow Binding Technique]
Technique Description: The foundational jutsu of the Nara Clan's shadow arts.
Effect: Through spiritual energy, Yin Release chakra is infused into one's shadow, allowing it to alter shape and overlap with the enemy's shadow—paralyzing their movement.
Evaluation: "You stay here. Don't move."
For high-level shinobi, the control from Shadow Binding wasn't absolute.
The simplest way to escape it was brute force.
If Daishi were at full strength, it wouldn't have been difficult to break free from Shikadan's control.
But he was far too injured. Breaking free through raw strength was wishful thinking.
More importantly, Shikadan had no intention of giving him the time to struggle.
If the fight didn't end before the effects of the flash bomb wore off, he'd be the one in danger.
Without hesitation, Shikadan gathered more Yin Release chakra and poured it into his shadow. The writhing black tendrils beneath him thickened and sharpened.
[B-Rank Secret Technique: Shadow Seam Technique]
Technique Description: Upon command, the shadow transforms into a blade.
Effect: Turns the user's shadow into sharp, durable spears capable of piercing and restraining, even multiple enemies at once.
Evaluation: "An invisible blade—lethal and precise."
Dozens of tentacles followed Shikadan's will, lunging toward their immobilized target.
Look closely—and you'd see that their tips now shimmered with a dull, metallic gleam.
Puff, puff, puff—!
With a string of grisly thuds, Daishi's body was pierced again and again by the countless shadow blades. He collapsed like a ragdoll, riddled with holes.
The defiant light in his eyes faded. The last flickers from the flash bomb vanished into the darkness.
Moments later, several messages refreshed quietly on Shikadan's panel:
[You have eliminated the target of the B-Rank ninja combat mission!]
[B-Rank Mission: Iwagakure Spy – Completed!]
[As this is your first successful mission, the reward quality has been upgraded!]
[Reward: A-Rank Item – Ninja Secret Scroll. Opening it grants a random A-Rank technique, ninja tool, or other item.]
'Mission… complete!'
Shikadan exhaled in relief as the notification popped up.
His taut nerves finally eased, the dark sheen in his eyes fading away. He exited the [Lacquer Eye] state, and the looming shadow blades dissipated with it.
His [Intellegence] attribute was originally only C-rank. But in that battle, he'd forcibly activated his self-developed A-rank [Lacquer Eye], then followed it up with D-rank Shadow Binding and B-rank Shadow Seam.
His vision darkened, a crushing fatigue falling over his mind.
'Without the chakra meridian model from the [Lazy Ghost System], I wouldn't have fully completed the Lacquer Eye technique... I'd have been helpless after just using the Seam Technique.'
Shikadan took a few deep breaths and steadied himself, refusing to collapse on Tsunade's back.
'The Wise attribute is secondary—the real issue is my [Stamina] being way too low! D-rank Stamina is Genin level, but E-rank Stamina… that's basically fresh academy student level!'
The Nara Clan's shadow chakra, used in their secret techniques, is a form of Yin Release created purely from spiritual energy.
To stabilize the jutsu, the chakra instinctively tries to replenish the user's energy during use—whether from self or foe.
This is the core principle of Shadow Binding.
So to use the shadow techniques effectively, the user not only needs strong spiritual energy, but also sufficient physical energy.
Even though the Shadow Techniques themselves don't consume much physical energy, Shikadan's poor Stamina meant his body simply couldn't supply any backup.
'That's why I used to think my ninja talent was poor.'
Low Stamina means weak vitality and low cell activity—making it hard to extract physical energy.
That limits chakra reserves, weakens physical and ninjutsu strength, and cripples mobility and responsiveness in battle.
Before today, aside from the inherited Shadow Techniques, Shikadan's only usable skills were the academy basics—the Three Body Techniques.
And even those, he could barely use smoothly.
At this point, Might Guy could proudly say, "My Three Body Techniques are better than yours!"
That's why Shikadan, despite being in the same class as Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy, didn't graduate until age 12.
His lopsided talents were simply too severe.
In the shinobi world, a pure taijutsu fighter still has a path forward.
But a "pure caster" ninja who can't even move? They'll never leave the tutorial zone.
'Luckily, now that I've perfected [Lacquer Eye], I can control Yin chakra with precision—and avoid draining my physical energy when using Shadow Techniques.'
'Now I just need to focus on restoring and improving my physical energy... and with the help of the Lazy Ghost System, it's not hopeless!'
Shikadan fought down his excitement and mentally reviewed everything he'd learned from this battle.
In addition to the A-Rank Ninja Secret Scroll, several other prompts popped up:
[You have developed an A-rank technique: Lacquer Eye. Attributes enhanced!]
Ninjutsu: C → B-
Wise: C- → C
Overall Evaluation: D (Genin) → C (Chunin)
'The rank increase doesn't give any direct benefits—it's just a milestone. What matters is the stats!'
'Learning techniques and gaining experience boosts [Wise], so let's grind that. But physical stats… that's where I really need to improve!'
Despite the fatigue, Shikadan felt a wave of happiness swell within him.
'Oh, right—the A-Rank [Ninja Secret Scroll]!'
He took a deep breath and opened the scroll from the virtual panel.
[Opening...]
[A-Rank Ninja Secret Scroll: Contents – Technique]
[A-Rank Technique Acquired: Camouflage Invisibility]
Technique Description: A super-advanced stealth technique from Hidden Stone Village.
Effect: Manipulates chakra to control moisture in the air, forming a barrier over the body that eliminates light refraction and suppresses all breath—rendering the user completely invisible.
Evaluation: "True transparency in the human realm."
'The super-advanced invisibility jutsu... [Camouflage Invisibility]!'
Shikadan was still reading over the technique's description when a faint voice called out in front of him.
"Na... Nara..."
Tsunade's voice was still trembling. She hadn't yet recovered from her hemophobia.
"Is it... is it over? Did we win?"
Because Shikadan had covered her eyes, she'd been cut off from the outside world. Other than the warmth of his small hands on her face, and the scattered sounds of explosions, she had no way of knowing what was happening.
And as time passed without any more noise, she began to worry.
If not for those warm little hands... she might've feared Shikadan was already—
"The battle's over. But... the scene's a bit gruesome."
Shikadan snapped back to the present, closed his panel, and glanced at the bloodied corpse of the Iwagakure spy.
"Should I move my hands now?"
"No!"
Tsunade cried out and instinctively reached up to stop him—her hand landing on his.
But the moment their palms touched, she pulled back like she'd been shocked.
A Sannin, relying on a child for emotional support...
Tsunade, how far have you fallen...?
"...Was I really that pathetic just now?"
Her voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.
"You're a medical ninja... but when you see blood..."
"A ninja is someone who endures the impossible," Shikadan replied softly.
"As a medical-nin, as one of the legendary Sannin, as Princess Tsunade—the person everyone relies on—you're not allowed to show any weakness.You're expected to endure alone, even in the face of mental collapse."
He looked up at the cold, silver moon above them, choosing his words carefully.
"Fear, weakness, doubt... we're taught to hide those.But instead of shame, I felt honored—To see the pain of someone I thought was flawless."
Tsunade was quiet for a long time.
She bit her lip gently.
And slowly... the haze in her heart began to lift.
"Nara... you always say weird things."
She let out a long breath. Her voice was lighter now, tinged with a smile.
"Help me up. With all the noise we just made, someone must've heard and is already on their way—
No! Someone is already here!"
Shikadan quickly helped her to her feet. He looked in the direction Tsunade was focused on—and his eyes lit up with joy.
"Sister Nono!"