AN: Note that I do not own Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, or any of the characters from either Anime. This work is a fanfiction written out of my love for the series and not in any attempt to make a profit.
Proofread by: Author
And so… more Shadow clone stuff… I'm sorry if this is a bit boring, but I think some of you may appreciate the ending of this chapter, and what it transitions our next chapter into.
I also need to inform you that this chapter is a bit late in its upload because I realized I had messed up, and as a result, had to go back and edit the previous two chapters. For chapter 120, the edit was nothing massive. I simply needed to remove the last few words of the last sentence of that chapter. As for chapter 121, there were a few more changes, so I suggest you check it out. If you can't be bothered, the change is that I'm doing away with the "consciousness from the void" idea I had for Shadow clones. I realized that I have no basis for it and that the decision was biased because of a planned scene I have in mind long in the story's future. This idea is not supported by canon and is therefore something I am removing, rather than enforcing and working to integrate. This revelation only really came to me while writing the author's note at the end of this chapter, so the original version of this chapter will never see the light of day, as it has also been edited before being uploaded. Now, enjoy.
Chapter 122: Limits and opportunities
While Sakura was contemplating the situation in a nearly full-blown panic, Heikō considered Tsunade's reaction and looked into the dispelled clone's memories. Sadly, the memories didn't provide a complete explanation, but Heikō did manage to catch some odd thoughts and errant behavior that didn't seem to quite fit either Sakura or herself all that well. However, following the thought process of the clone eventually let her figure out what had happened, and that Tsunade had somehow realized it right away. Amused, she shared her discovery with Sakura, who immediately scowled and hit the child clone over the head, dispelling it, and providing them with the child-clone's memories, confirming the conclusion Heikō had reached. "Fucking hell," Sakura uttered, trying to scowl while fighting the amusement the memories of the clone had brought her. Heikō didn't hold anything back and laughed in their mindscape.
Tsunade laughed harder after Sakura swore, taking a few moments before calming down. "I assume Naruto didn't warn you about that?" Tsunade asked, wiping a tear from her eyes.
"About what?" Sakura inquired, frowning at her teacher as she crossed her arms, still a little upset that her own clone had pulled a prank on them out of nowhere.
"Sakura, what is the biggest advantage of the Shadow Clone Technique?" Tsunade answered with a question.
Sakura recognized the method Tsunade was using, and while it annoyed her slightly, she knew it was a good idea to prompt them to realize the answer themselves by answering questions. "The fact that they can interact with our surroundings unlike normal clones, They're self-autonomous and we receive their memories after they dispel," Sakura answered.
"True. And they're also the perfect replacement for you when attempting something risky. Clones can be used to infiltrate with no risk to the user themselves, what so ever, and the same goes for training or fighting enemies. The only drawback is how fragile the clones are. Now, what kind of effect do you think this would have on the clones themselves?" Tsunade inquired, prompting Sakura and Heikō to consider it.
They knew that the consciousness inhabiting the clones didn't always act as the one using the technique, quite evident by how some of Naruto's clones sometimes acted out of character, they shared a personality, something likely developed from the shared memories. Yet, they acted differently, as evidenced by what their child clone had done. It was spontaneous and unlike Sakura. While Heikō would likely have done something similar, it didn't make sense that the Sakura portion of them hadn't decided against it and stopped the Heikō portion of the clone. Tsunade seemed to be hinting that it was something to do with the nature of the clones themselves.
"If I knew my existence was temporary, and that my death would merely result in my memories being passed on, without any pain or trouble…" Sakura thought to herself, trying to put herself in the mindset of a clone.
"We'd become reckless, because if there are no consequences, then what reason do we have to be careful? Especially for pranking ourselves. What are we going to do? Hit them? It's not exactly a threat, and once dispelled, we're the ones in their position." Heikō explained, chuckling as she presented her own understanding of what had happened.
"So, they're reckless, and because of that, they become prone to pranking the one who made them," Sakura concluded out loud, frowning. If that was the case, Shadow clones could end up being a hindrance on the battlefield or for learning. They couldn't really punish a clone that decided to slack off, could they? Why wasn't their instinct to prolong their existence instead?
Tsunade nodded, still chuckling slightly. "They are. Not that they can't be serious, but in a non-threatening environment when they don't have orders or aren't focused on something important, their thoughts tend to wander. Because of their imminent dispelling, and the way the human mind works, they can overcome certain mental barriers with ease. This works wonders for the technique, as a clone can independently save its creator by sacrificing itself without hesitating or showing any concern for itself. On the other hand, this also allows them to be less serious and less careful when there's no need for such things. The experiment with your clone creating a second clone is an example of that. While the experiment itself was important, when the new clone appeared, there was no longer any need to show any concern, as the technique had been executed successfully, if with unexpected results." Tsunade explained, smiling at the memory of how adorable Sakura's child clone had looked.
"Have your own clones ever pulled pranks on you?" Sakura then asked, curious, and a little amused as she saw Tsunade's smile sour a bit.
"They have. I don't appreciate being saddled with a bunch of paperwork in a stuffy office. Neither do my clones. They obey and get back at me with pranks. Last time I tried to find my tape dispenser, a member of the ANBU found it on the roof. Naruto has told me a few stories as well. Fortunately, they tend to keep the pranks to a manageable level, and it is funny to experience both perspectives." Tsunade explained, chuckling a bit, likely at another memory of a prank.
"That's… bothersome, yet somehow, not surprising at all." Sakura decides, thinking the bizarre idea over. Not only did a clone's consciousness appear from what felt like a void, or more in line with the technique's name, from shadows, but they were universally prone to pranking their creator.
Tsunade shrugged, before forming a shadow clone of her own. "Are you able to create another clone, or is your chakra too low?" She asked Sakura, who quickly checked her reserves and made another clone appear. She nearly stumbled as her reserves plunged dangerously low for a brief moment before the remaining chakra was split equally between them and the clone.
"That was a little close for comfort. One clone is our limit for now. While we can make two, we can't do so at the same time, and if the first uses up too much chakra, making a second will kill us." Heikō decides, and Sakura agrees to the restriction, seeing it to be sound in logic.
"You okay? That looks like it took a lot out of you." Tsunade points out, looking concerned. Sakura waved her off.
"We're fine. But that's the last clone we can manage until we recover our chakra for a while. How much depends on how much our clone uses up before dispelling." Sakura explains, and Tsunade nods, accepting Sakura's explanation.
"Alright. But if you feel faint and low of chakra, dispel your clone immediately." Tsunade ordered her, before focusing on the clone instead. "And you, if you see your original struggling, you dispel yourself," Tsunade orders the clone, which nods, only with a frown on its face. "What's wrong?" Tsunade inquires, raising an eyebrow at the clone's reaction.
"It's…" The clone began, before shaking its head. "Sorry. Was just thinking about how uncomfortable the idea of self-harm and the memories that'd come with it would be, but I realized I can dispel myself without resorting to that." The clone explained.
"Ah, yes. I was going to mention this as well. After all, there is a fundamental difference between clones and a real person. A lot of things to keep in mind and consider when one is made out of chakra instead of actual cells." Tsunade informed them, which had the originals and their clone exchange glances, wondering what Tsunade meant.
Seeing their exchange, Tsunade sighed and began explaining. "Since Shadow Clones are fragile, there are a lot of ways for them to be dispelled. What's important to keep in mind with this, is that any technique that can result in self-harm may end up dispelling the clone. Punching an opponent for example can never be done at full strength, as the shock would be great enough to dispel the clone, half-way through the delivery of the kinetic energy. There are some ways around this, for example, the technique I've taught you to enhance your punches, as it protects you from the recoil. I trust however that my point is getting across, right?" Tsunade asked, and both Sakura and the clone nodded.
"Good. Another few examples of what a clone should never attempt are anything that can damage the mind, as all memories will return to the user. So no trapping themselves in mind-scrambling Genjutsu for example. Another thing is that chakra based poisons also end up transferring back to the original along with the clone's chakra and memories. Keep this in mind and be incredibly careful with such opponents, although I think you'd already understand how severe such a thing could be." Tsunade told them, once again receiving a pair of nods.
"Summoning, while not possible for a single clone to do on its own, can be performed by a clone with a little preparation. A clone can still summon if they have some of the original's blood, but otherwise, the technique is almost useless to them as they can't draw their own blood. This can be useful in battles when using shadow clones and summons at the same time, as a clone using the original's blood, could make itself a target to protect the original, but pretending to draw its own blood for the jutsu, acting as the original, which should be the only one capable of drawing their own blood." Tsunade explained, smirking as she saw the clone and original Harunos' intrigue. It was a little funny, considering that the applications she spoke about hadn't really been tested for real, and had merely been something she had come up with while trying to find more uses for the technique, outside of handling paperwork. Considering the fact she had a summoning contract and was a medic-nin, those were two of the more explored areas she had wondered about improving with clones.
"Naturally, clones also bring with them their number advantage. Even a single clone capable of performing techniques can turn the tide of a battle. Certain things can't be done by a single Shinobi, but together, a clone and its original can use techniques that support each other. For example, the original uses a fire technique, while the clone uses a wind technique, making the fire technique stronger. Once you're able to make multiple clones, you can create barriers or perform missions that would require an entire team, all on your own. I've already applied this idea at the hospital. It is a lot easier to perform surgery, while a clone aids you. Multiple perspectives of the same scene can do wonders, and if there are complications, multiple clones can use their chakra to stabilize their patient, with no risk of multiple chakras interfering with each other." Tsunade explained, smirking at the memory. It was great, not just because of how much easier the clones had made it all, but because unlike her, the clones had less of a problem with blood, and with their help, she had managed to overcome her Hemophobia. That was something to mention as well.
"You've given this a lot of thought, haven't you?" Sakura inquired, and Tsunade chuckled, nodding.
"Of course. After you pointed out the obvious to me, I couldn't stop thinking about it for the longest time, so I tried to apply clones as a solution to any problems I could think of. I even managed to get over my Hemophobia using clones." Tsunade revealed, surprising Sakura. Heikō and their clone again. Sakura and the clone immediately looked thoughtful, contemplating this revelation, while Tsunade nodded at her clone which nodded back and smirked, before flaring its chakra, drawing the attention of both the clone and the original Harunos, interrupting their thoughts.
"Now, you must remember the main reason as to why you learned this technique in the first place. You had ideas and techniques you wished to try, but were afraid would result in damage to yourself if you were to fail. By your own admission, you seem to learn and improve the most in dire circumstances. So, if that's the case, we'll see how well that rings true." Tsunade told them, smirking, before directing her killing intent at the Haruno twins, and her clone doing the same to their clone. As soon as they saw bewilderment change into terror, they jumped forward, intending to strike. Smirking at their opponent as they saw them snap out of their terror, and meet them with determination instead.
AN: So, the last chapter's cliffhanger was a bit mean, I will admit. Definitely misleading on purpose. Of course, who wouldn't take the opportunity to mess with themselves, when they know they'll get away with it?
Now, I ended up having to edit this entire chapter on short notice, delaying it severely. If I happened to miss something, feel free to point it out in a DM or a review. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and are looking forward to the next one.
