After the merchant left, Sasuke found himself back in the familiar training grounds.
He dispatched two Shadow Clones to handle the food and drinks while he resumed his rigorous physical training, which he hadn't yet completed.
Sasuke's original self had never learned the Shadow Clone Technique.
He discovered this ninjutsu in his family's study, along with other Uchiha Fire Release techniques and projectile skills, such as the Great Fireball Technique, Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, Shuriken Manipulation Technique, and Windmill Shuriken: Shadow Windmill.
Developed by the Second Hokage, the B-Rank Shadow Clone Technique had become widely used throughout the ninja world.
In fact, it was arguably easier to learn than the basic Clone Technique, which required precise chakra control and three hand seals: Snake, Boar, Tiger.
The Shadow Clone Technique, on the other hand, demanded minimal chakra control and only a single hand seal—"壬" (Ren): index and middle fingers joined, with hands crossed in a cross shape.
The forbidden technique, Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, followed the same principle.
In the original story, Naruto mastered the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique in just a short time, despite the Nine-Tailed Beast's chakra interference.
Sasuke, after obtaining the Shadow Clone Technique, mastered it after only reading through the instructions once.
However, he was far from being able to create hundreds of shadow clones like Naruto could eight years later to practice ninjutsu.
His body, not yet through puberty, could only sustain three or four clones at most.
In addition to the two shadow clones he had sent to handle errands earlier, two more shadow clones were practicing chakra control for tree climbing hundreds of meters away from the training grounds.
Having firmly decided on his initial training path, Sasuke remained steadfast in his efforts.
Physical conditioning strengthened his physical energy reserves, while chakra control exercises honed his precision and finesse.
These foundational practices not only bolstered his current capabilities but also laid a solid groundwork for learning medical ninjutsu in the future.
While a physically fit ninja might not necessarily excel as a medical ninja, every outstanding medical ninja inevitably possessed remarkable physical prowess—exemplified by figures like Sakura and Tsunade.
Lost in training, time flew by.
Before long, the morning's physical training was complete.
Sasuke dispelled his four Shadow Clones, a flood of information surging into his mind.
Besides the exhaustion in his body, his mind swam for a moment as he silently digested the clones' memories.
Afterward, Sasuke moved aside, grabbed a towel to wipe his sweat, and cleaned the minor wounds he'd sustained during training.
While applying medicine to the red, swollen areas and peeling skin on his arm, Sasuke pondered his recent discoveries.
'Comparing my progress this week to the original Sasuke's, my aptitude has improved significantly across all areas: Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and theoretical knowledge. My natural talent has sharpened.'
'Furthermore, my Chakra refinement speed has increased, and the flow of Chakra through my chakra path has become smoother, allowing for faster manipulation of Chakra.'
'Is this the Sharingan's doing, or perhaps the result of my enhanced spiritual energy?'
My current mental energy far surpasses that of my original body—there's no doubt about it. Chakra is refined from the fusion of mental and physical energy.
The Uzumaki-Senju Clan, renowned for their immense physical energy, possesses vast chakra reserves and exceptional regenerative abilities—traits clearly evident in the original story.
Conversely, the Uchiha Clan, renowned for their potent mental energy, should logically exhibit faster chakra circulation and superior learning capabilities.
This explains why so many members of the Uchiha Clan are considered geniuses.
Sasuke silently speculated, his mind drifting back to chakra control.
Chakra control proficiency appears largely independent of mental or physical energy levels, suggesting it might be an innate talent.
The Yang Release lineage boasts Hashirama Senju and Tsunade, masters of advanced Medical Ninjutsu.
The Yin Release lineage, meanwhile, features Madara Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha, micromanagement masters who wield chakra with unparalleled precision and artistry.
This evidence suggests Sakura Haruno truly is a prodigy in chakra control.
During the Land of Waves mission in the original story, Sakura instantly mastered the tree-climbing technique, while Sasuke's original body and Naruto struggled for nearly a full day to learn it.
Now, after spending more than half a day, Sasuke seemed to have grasped the technique slightly faster than his original self.
However, he knew he couldn't make such a simple judgment.
His original self had possessed over four additional years of ninja training.
Conversely, Sasuke himself possessed over a decade more of adult experience and mental maturity compared to his original self.
These advantages didn't cancel each other out, making it impossible to definitively determine whether his current natural aptitude for Chakra control was superior or inferior to his original self's.
He couldn't slack off on his Chakra control training for the next two months. After school started, he would find an opportunity to ask Sakura Haruno for advice, hoping she could offer some helpful tips.
Much of the knowledge in this world clashed with his past life's experiences and expertise. He couldn't rely on common sense from his previous world to make accurate judgments.
'When three walk together, one must be my teacher.'
'Quick-witted and eager to learn, unafraid to ask those of lesser status.'
These age-old principles, passed down for millennia, must hold unique wisdom.
In his past life, friends had often remarked on his sharp mind and complex thoughts, but he had never been accused of arrogance.
At worst, they said his words could be a bit harsh.
Leaving the training grounds, Sasuke walked alone through the deserted streets of the Uchiha district, heading east toward the clan's ancestral river—the Naka River!
After a week of scavenging, Sasuke had sold everything of value within the Uchiha compound. His trip to the Naka River wasn't for further looting; he already had enough money.
He went to the Naka River in hopes of finding scrolls detailing ninjutsu techniques.
During his searches of the clan compound, the only scroll he'd found useful was the one in the study. All the others contained only basic ninja theory and fundamental techniques like the Three Body Techniques.
Reaching the upper reaches of the Naka River, an Uchiha-style shrine came into view.
"The main hall of the Naka River Shrine," Sasuke muttered, recalling Itachi Uchiha's words before he lost consciousness.
"Beneath the seventh tatami mat from the right is our clan's assembly hall. There, you'll find records of the Uchiha Clan's dōjutsu and the true purpose of our clan's existence."
Following Itachi's instructions, Sasuke opened the hidden door and descended into the underground chamber.
After walking through the secret passage for a while, a spacious chamber of approximately five hundred square meters appeared before him.
The walls were emblazoned with the Uchiha Clan's war fan crest.
At the center stood a waist-high stone tablet, its surface adorned with black tomoe patterns.
'The Six Paths Stone Tablet?' Sasuke thought to himself as he gazed at the ancient relic.
The stone tablet was entirely gray-white, devoid of any inscriptions.
It seemed unremarkable at first glance, but Sasuke knew this was the Six Paths Stone Tablet left behind by the Sage of the Six Paths, and that Black Zetsu had tampered with its contents.