UCHIHA LIBERATOR (NARUTO X MALE UCHIHA OC)

Chapter 3

Ryuichi's pov

I stood at the training ground, the sun casting long shadows as I demonstrated the twelve hand signs my father had taught me just the day before. My movements were deliberate, focusing on replicating them perfectly. I could feel his eyes on me, his Sharingan active, the swirling tomoe likely tracking the ebb and flow of chakra through my body. His scrutiny made me wonder if he was analyzing every twitch of my chakra network, every nuance of my movements, but I welcomed the challenge. I wanted to impress him.

"This is good enough," Fugaku said, nodding in approval. "I guess you're ready to learn a jutsu. The Clone Jutsu is one of the most basic techniques that most academy students learn. Though it's simple, it's quite useful for infiltration and espionage."

He moved through the hand seals slowly—Tiger, Boar, Horse, and Dog. In an instant, a clone of him appeared right beside him.

"The Clone Jutsu creates a clone of oneself, as the name suggests," Fugaku explained. "But before you get into the mechanics of any jutsu, it's crucial to understand both its advantages and its disadvantages.

"The main advantage is obvious: it's useful for distraction, misdirection, or even intimidation when used against civilians or inexperienced opponents, like academy students. It's also the foundation for learning more advanced variations of clone techniques, which are far more practical in combat."

He paused, ensuring I was following along. When I nodded, he continued, "Now, for the disadvantages: these clones are just afterimages. They don't have any physical form. Watch."

He raised his hand and passed it straight through the clone, and I watched as his hand phased right through. "Because these clones lack physical characteristics, any shinobi of genin level or above will quickly see through the illusion. The grass won't bend under their feet, no dust will rise when they move, and their presence won't affect their surroundings. More experienced shinobis will immediately spot these tells and recognize the clone for what it is."

He gave me a final nod, signaling the end of the lesson. I stood there, my mind buzzing with thoughts. My father, a man of few words, had given me more than just a technique to practice—he had given me a glimpse into the deeper strategy that underpinned all shinobi arts. It wasn't just about the jutsu itself, but how you wielded it in the broader picture of battle.

The clone disappeared with a soft puff of smoke, and the wind carried the faint scent of training grounds, earth, and determination. I took a deep breath, ready to try it for myself.

After absorbing everything my father had patiently explained, I took a deep, steady breath, focusing all of my energy and attention on the task ahead. This was my first attempt at the Clone Jutsu and I was determined to succeed. The hand signs—Tiger, Boar, Horse, Dog—were movements I had committed to muscle memory after countless hours of practice. But this time, I knew it would take more than just perfectly executing the motions. This time, I needed to tap into something deeper. I had to feel the flow of chakra within me, guiding and molding it, shaping it into something real—a reflection of myself.

I could sense the chakra stirring inside me, swirling and building up with each precise hand sign. The energy was like a river, flowing through me, awaiting direction. My hands moved fluidly, each sign executed with grace and intention, but the key, as my father had taught me, wasn't just speed or technique. It was about control, precision, and focus. I had to channel my chakra deliberately, not just rush through the seals.

With the final sign, Dog, completed, I focused my mind, concentrating hard on pushing my chakra outward, visualizing in my mind's eye an exact, flawless copy of myself standing right beside me. Every detail had to be perfect—the height, the expression, the posture. I could almost feel the chakra taking form as I willed it to materialize.