Family Test

"Of course, I'll train!"

Glancing at the research interface and noting that it took 8 hours to develop, Koshino breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that a night's sleep would alleviate the fatigue from training with the Shadow Clone Technique.

Then, after adding the "New" Shadow Sewing Technique to his training progress bar, Koshino immediately modified the training progress for the Three Basic Techniques: the Body Flicker Technique and the "New" Shadow Sewing Technique.

Ding!

"Player, the Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, Transformation Technique, Body Flicker Technique, and the 'New' Shadow Sewing Technique training progress is now 100/100. Congratulations on mastering the Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, Transformation Technique, Body Flicker Technique, and the 'New' Shadow Sewing Technique."

"Would you like to name the 'New' Shadow Sewing Technique?"

"Hmm, wait a moment! Let me first see the effect of the 'New' Shadow Sewing Technique!"

Having completed the training for so many jutsu at once, Koshino felt his head was spinning a bit. He closed his eyes to deepen his understanding, first perfecting the Three Basic Techniques and the Body Flicker Technique and then moving on to the "New" Shadow Sewing Technique.

"Oh? The 'New' Shadow Sewing Technique is quite interesting!"

"So it uses shuriken, kunai, and other tools to pin down an opponent's shadow, thereby achieving the effect of the Shadow Sewing Technique?"

Understanding the "New" Shadow Sewing Technique, Koshino marveled at the research function's brilliance.

In the Nara clan, who would have thought that combining the Shadow Sewing Technique with tools like shuriken could create an invisible technique like the "New" Shadow Sewing Technique, where the effective range depends on how far you can throw the shuriken?

Traditionally, the Nara clan's secret techniques, whether the Shadow Imitation Technique or the Shadow Sewing Technique, were mid-range jutsu. If the enemy were far away, the Nara clan member would have to risk closing the distance. In the original story, Shikamaru struggled in the Chunin Exams against Temari due to the limitations of his secret techniques.

When the enemy was far away, Shikamaru had no means to deal with Temari.

Now, with the "New" Shadow Sewing Technique, Koshino had broken the Nara clan's outdated concept. If other Nara clan members knew he had developed a long-range secret technique, they would not only tilt resources in his favor but might even beg him to contribute the "New" Shadow Sewing Technique to their arsenal!

However, Koshino had no intention of revealing the "New" Shadow Sewing Technique too soon.

Furthermore, knowing the original story, Koshino recalled that years later, Shikamaru created a similar technique, the Shadow Imitation Shuriken, to avenge his mentor Asuma against Hidan of the Akatsuki.

Unfortunately, the Shadow Imitation Shuriken was slower, required hand signs, and was not as effective as the "New" Shadow Sewing Technique.

Taking inspiration from Shikamaru's naming convention, Koshino smiled and quickly named the "New" Shadow Sewing Technique.

Henceforth, it would be called Shadow Shuriken!

"Hmm, I'll need to practice with throwing weapons to make the Shadow Shuriken effective. It would be ridiculous if I threw a hundred shuriken and didn't hit the enemy's shadow even once."

"And the research list shouldn't remain empty, right? Alright, the combination of the Shadow Imitation Technique and the Shadow Strangulation Technique has a 100% innovation chance, so let's see what new technique comes from these two Nara clan secret techniques!"

Thinking this, Koshino opened the research function list, added the two Nara clan secret techniques, and eagerly anticipated the new secret technique.

After a quick breakfast to fill his stomach, Koshino was about to head out for training when a knock at the door disrupted his plans.

"Who is it?"

"Koshino, open up! It's me, Koshime!"

"Oh, it's Koshime! Hold on!"

Recognizing his seven-year-old cousin Koshime, also from the Nara clan's branch family and a student at the ninja academy, Koshino quickly tidied up the traces of his training and opened the door, smiling. "Koshime, what brings you here so early?"

"Koshino, what were you doing just now?"

Glancing suspiciously at Koshino, Koshime didn't notice anything amiss and frowned. "Koshino, Lord Shikaku has summoned all clan members under eight for a test. Seriously, we can't even get a good sleep in the morning. Koshino, did you hear what I just said?"

"Yeah, I heard. Koshime, let's go quickly, or we'll get scolded by Uncle Shikaku again!"

Responding casually, Koshino knew that this family test wasn't simple and was likely a special test arranged by Shikaku for him.

The Nara clan wasn't a prestigious family in Konoha, but it had a few hundred members.

Having witnessed Koshino's talent, Shikaku needed to convince the clan's main family and elders to support him by reallocating resources. So, as Koshino and Koshime made their way from the branch family's small houses to the main family's mansion, Koshino prepared himself to shine in the family test.

In contrast, Koshime, who didn't have a close relationship with Koshino, remained silent until they reached Shikaku's presence.

"Lord Shikaku, Koshino is here."

"Alright, you may return."

Koshime knew the difference between family and close relations; as Shikaku ordered, he quickly returned to the branch family's group.

When Shikaku looked at Koshino, his eyes filled with anticipation. He gave a subtle nod towards two elders from the Nara clan.

Patting Koshino's shoulder firmly, Shikaku whispered before instructing him to join the group.

"Koshino, do your best!"

"I will, Uncle Shikaku."

Smiling and nodding, Koshino joined the group of branch family members, making a total of twelve children under eight.

Four were from the main family, all aged six or seven, and had been studying at the ninja academy for one or two years. The eight from the branch family were a mixed bag; Koshino was four and hadn't entered the academy yet. Others were either six years old and not yet in school or still struggling at the academy at eight, generally of lower quality than the main family members.

Once all the clan members under eight had gathered, Shikaku consulted with the elders, Shikayuu and Shikata, and then stepped forward to give instructions. "Today's family test is to assess your recent training progress. Those who perform well will be rewarded, and those who do poorly will be punished."

"Alright, we'll start with the branch family! Koshime, Koshiro, you two go first!"

"Yes!"

Following Shikaku's orders, Koshime and the burly Koshiro stepped forward and began sparring, a sight that made Koshino yawn.

Having already sparred with Shikaku, Koshino's standards were much higher than those of these kids.

Moreover, neither of the two had the strength of a Genin; using a simple Clone Technique was enough to amaze the surrounding clan members. Bored, Koshino started observing the main family members, finding none of them familiar, and decided to daydream to pass the time.

Though Koshino found the test uninteresting, the other young clan members watched with great enthusiasm.

Especially when Nara Kosuke performed the Shadow Imitation Technique, Shikaku nodded in approval and announced, "Alright, this round's winner is Kosuke."

"Next round, Shikazen, come out and spar with Koshino!"