"Haha, Shizune, I didn't expect you to stumble too!" Tsunade laughed when she saw Shizune's Shadow Clone defeated.
Even if it was a trick, it didn't change the fact that it was defeated.
After all, in battle, no matter the reason, excuse, or method, being defeated means death. There's no arguing with that.
"Sora performed very well," Shizune said with a smile, far from upset. His first battle performance had exceeded both her and Tsunade's expectations.
"Hoo!"
The moment Sora destroyed the Shadow Clone, he collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
Such an intense fight had almost drained all his physical strength and Chakra.
He had also been hit hard several times, especially that final blow to his head—it was solid.
Tsunade smiled at Shizune before walking over to heal him.
The injuries weren't internal, so they were treated quickly. Only the depleted stamina and Chakra would need time to recover.
"Cultivating after battle is the most effective, especially after high-intensity combat. Summarize your gains and losses from that fight," Tsunade said as she personally fed him some nutrient fluid before stepping aside.
Hearing this, Sora immediately straightened up.
He sat cross-legged on the ground and began refining Chakra while replaying the entire battle in his mind.
He compared Shizune's fighting style to his own.
His own style had been chaotic, relying mostly on courage and instinct.
But that didn't matter. Experience could be accumulated through repeated battles. Sora wasn't discouraged.
After identifying his shortcomings, he immersed himself fully in Chakra refinement.
He realized his greatest weakness was insufficient and weak Chakra.
If he had more, his strength would be greater, his speed faster, and he wouldn't have needed to rely on tricks to defeat the Shadow Clone.
"Chakra is the source of a ninja's power. And the source of Chakra is spirit and body. Physical training can never be neglected. Sure enough, those with weak taijutsu can't become true experts," Sora thought.
He finally understood what it meant to fight in order to improve.
Just one battle had given him so much insight. Combat truly was the fastest way to grow stronger.
"Today, I'll begin teaching you ninjutsu," Tsunade said.
"Basically, ninjutsu is divided into five types: Fire Release, Water Release, Earth Release, Lightning Release, and Wind Release.
Since you possess Fire and Water nature Chakra, your Fire Release and Water Release techniques will not only be more powerful but will also consume less Chakra.
Right now, you're not even a Genin. Your Chakra reserves allow you to cast a C-rank ninjutsu only once before being drained."
She continued seriously.
"Remember this. The power of a ninjutsu doesn't depend on the technique itself—it depends on the user.
A C-rank ninjutsu in the hands of a Kage-level expert can surpass even a super-advanced ninjutsu used by a Genin. There are no trash ninjutsu—only trash users!
The strongest ninjutsu of the Senju Clan is Wood Release. But no one besides my great-grandfather knew it. Even my second grandfather and I never learned it.
However, when it comes to Water Release, I can teach you more than enough."
Tsunade rarely used ninjutsu in battle, but that didn't mean her Five Elements techniques were weak. For her, no ninjutsu compared to the power of a single punch.
If one punch could solve the problem, why bother forming hand signs?
Still, with the Second Hokage—unmatched in Water Release—as her grandfather, and the Third Hokage, known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, as her teacher, how could Tsunade's Water Release mastery be poor?
She might not match the Second Hokage, but among many Kage-level experts, she was definitely outstanding.
Teaching Sora, who knew no ninjutsu at all, was like using a dragon-slaying sword to kill a chicken.
"Today you will learn two Water Release techniques.
The first is Water Release: Water Clone Jutsu.
The second is Shadow Clone Jutsu."
She paused before explaining.
"The Shadow Clone Jutsu depends on how much Chakra the main body allocates during division. The more Chakra used, the stronger the clone.
Water Clone Jutsu is different. Each clone possesses only one-tenth of the original body's strength. However, it's far more suitable for you right now since your Chakra reserves are limited.
Shadow Clone Jutsu is only suitable for ninja at the Jonin level or those with naturally large Chakra reserves. You are neither.
Water Clone Jutsu is more practical for you. And in areas with water—like lakes or rivers—the clones receive a boost and become stronger."
After explaining the advantages, disadvantages, usage, and hand signs in detail, Tsunade stepped back and let him try on his own.
"Water Release: Water Clone Jutsu!"
Sora had never neglected hand sign practice. He had started at three years old and could now perform three seals per second.
Instantly, water gathered beside him and formed into a clone.
He succeeded on his first attempt.
"Hand sign speed and Chakra control determine the casting speed and power of ninjutsu. My Chakra control already ranks among the best for Genin. Learning a low-level technique like Water Clone Jutsu isn't difficult," Sora thought calmly.
But he didn't grow complacent.
Learning a jutsu wasn't the same as mastering it. Only when it could be used instinctively in battle at maximum efficiency could it be considered mastered.
At the same time, he began practicing the Three Basic Jutsu: Clone Jutsu, Substitution Jutsu, and Transformation Jutsu.
Substitution Jutsu in particular was extremely important—Tsunade had emphasized this repeatedly.
By combining Water Release: Water Clone Jutsu with Substitution Jutsu, Sora's combat versatility immediately expanded.
For several consecutive days, Sora focused entirely on ninjutsu training.
He refined his techniques repeatedly and sparred with Shizune daily, applying everything in real combat practice.
His strength improved visibly.
Seeing that his foundation was solid and his progress steady, Tsunade finally declared a celebration.
Naturally, that meant gambling.
She brought everyone to the local casino, announcing grandly that after today, they would leave.
"Big sucker, you've lost all your money. Still want to gamble? But first, you need to pay back these ten million."
Inside the casino, the boss held an IOU and spoke coldly to Tsunade.
Sora had seen situations like this countless times before.
But this time, it made him angry.
Because—
...
📢 Author's Update
The fanfic "Naruto: Raised by Kushina, Took His Brother's Wife" (Part 1 & Part 2) is now officially complete! 🎉
All 120 chapters (Part 1 & 2 combined) have been fully uploaded on Patreon.
📚 Category: Naruto
🔗 Read here: patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continuous love, support, and patience for this story 💙