Chakra is the energy produced by combining the physical energy extracted from the body's 130 trillion cells with the spiritual energy birthed through rigorous training and experience.
Once refined, this chakra can be stored within the internal organs, ready to be called upon to manifest ninjutsu, genjutsu, secret techniques, fūinjutsu, juinjutsu, or even to augment taijutsu. It flows through every corner of the body via the chakra pathway system. Viewed from a specific, narrow perspective, one could actually visualize this stored energy as a "Chakra Avatar" dwelling within the human frame.
This was Hatani's solution for mastering the contradictory "Fracture and Division" trait of the Phantom Lancer. He would treat this "Chakra Avatar" as the primary vessel for the hero's essence.
From the perspective of the Shadow Clone Jutsu, the Chakra Avatar had already achieved this trait. Splitting half of one's chakra to create a shadow clone was, for the Avatar, a state of fracturing. Yet, even after losing half its volume, the Avatar remained whole; it didn't collapse or dissipate. This was because the organs that stored the energy and the pathways that moved it remained intact—even the chakra itself was still there.
Having identified the Chakra Avatar as the key, Hatani's next step was to drill this "fractured yet whole" state until it became a physical instinct. Once he reached that level, he wouldn't just be able to perform the Shadow Clone Jutsu without hand seals; he would be able to generate physical illusions without consuming a single drop of chakra.
Even if these illusions couldn't use ninjutsu, their utility for deception and reconnaissance would be limitless. In a straight fight, as long as his own taijutsu was strong enough, the illusions would be formidable. An endless tide of phantoms alone would be enough to grind most enemies into the dirt.
Imagining that scene sent a surge of heat through Hatani's chest. A thought of a certain future yellow-haired brat crossed his mind, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"Well, I guess I'm just paving the way for my nephew, aren't I?"
Hatani continued to drill the Phantom Lancer's traits, hoping to master them soon so he could begin his "pre-heating" for the next hero: the Juggernaut. By practicing kenjutsu now, he could reduce the Juggernaut's unlock cost and eventually become a blade master, further augmenting the strength of his illusions.
However, a sudden order interrupted his plans.
After several days of preparation—and the return of the commander who had been guarding the Land of Rivers against Suna, Sakumo Hatake, along with his elite Anbu units—Hiruzen Sarutobi was finally ready to lead the main army to the Land of Grass.
Hatani, Minato, Akimichi Choza, and Tsunade—the four who had just returned but were free of injury—were all on the mobilization list.
Konoha had already been fighting the Sand and the Rain for two years. Even though they had emerged as the victors, the village was weary. There was a lingering sense of exhaustion and a deep-seated loathing for the grind of war.
Because of this, the strategy set by Hiruzen and the council for the Hidden Stone was simple: Speed.
They had to strike with the force of a thunderbolt. They had to hit the Stone so hard and so fast that Iwa would realize there was no profit to be made from the Leaf, forcing them to the negotiating table and ending the war quickly.
To this end, while Koharu Utatane remained behind to oversee the medical logistics and treat the wounded, Hiruzen took both Danzo and Homura Mitokado to the front.
With the "White Fang" Sakumo Hatake—the man who had decimated Suna's Puppet Brigade—recalled to the front, and with Orochimaru and Jiraiya already raising hell within the Land of Earth, Konoha was effectively deploying its entire main force. They were going all-out, possessing a ruthlessness that suggested they wouldn't mind wiping the Hidden Stone off the map entirely.
During the march, Hiruzen Sarutobi found time during the evening encampments to summon his two "grand-disciples." He checked their progress and offered personal coaching.
Initially, Hiruzen had been more interested in Minato due to the Flying Raijin Jutsu. However, after hearing from Tsunade that Hatani had already mastered the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, his interest in the younger brother spiked.
As the developer of the technique, Hiruzen knew that while it looked simple, it was notoriously difficult. Only Jonin with an extraordinary talent for ninjutsu—men like Orochimaru or Maruboshi Kosuke—could typically master it. Even if the theory of the A-rank jutsu were given away for free, most ninja would never be able to pull it off.
The fact that Hatani had learned it so quickly proved that his talent was even more monstrous than Hiruzen had imagined.
"I heard from Tsunade that you've already mastered the Shuriken Shadow Clone?"
"I've only managed a rough grasp of it, Lord Third. I'm nowhere near your level of being able to turn one into ten thousand," Hatani replied. Thanks to the boost from the Phantom Lancer's traits, he had indeed mastered the basics, and he didn't miss the chance to throw in a bit of flattery.
"Heh. This jutsu is difficult to learn at first, but once you find the knack and successfully create that first clone, it's just a matter of putting in the hours of practice."
Hiruzen, clearly enjoying the compliment, let out a chuckle and stroked his beard—which was still entirely black at this point in his life.
"I was too busy with the mobilization to guide you before, but now that we have a moment, why don't you give me a demonstration? I'll see if there's anything we can polish."
"Thank you, Lord Third!"
Hatani's eyes lit up. He gave a sincere bow and followed Hiruzen and Minato to a clearing to begin the demo.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
As three shuriken left his hand, Hatani's fingers blurred through the seals. This time, there was no delay; the three shuriken multiplied rapidly, eventually becoming forty-eight blades that thudded deeply into the trunk of a massive tree nearby.
Hiss.
Hiruzen inwardly sucked in a breath of cold air. As the "Professor" of ninjutsu, he could see it clearly: Hatani's technique wasn't quite at his level yet, but it wasn't far off. The only thing stopping Hatani from creating more clones wasn't a lack of skill—it was his chakra reserves.
At thirteen, Hatani simply didn't have enough gas in the tank yet.
"Not bad, not bad at all," Hiruzen said, maintaining his poise as Hokage despite his internal shock. He offered a warm smile of approval before identifying a point for improvement.
"However, your seal speed still needs work. The speed of your signs is the foundation of all ninjutsu. Do not neglect it."