It's back! Again! Third try with this chapter, let's see if it works this time. God help us if it doesn't.

First off, still don't own anything. Never have, probably never will. Available here, is a link to my P A Treon. And if you're looking for something not once a month try here, which is a link to a pool, for those of you looking to commission or just some incentive for me. If these links aren't available, check my profiles! Any of em! Consider yourself informed.

Next, Votes!

Spoiler: Winning Votes

MONDAY: Choose 3 Worth of Action Points Below

[X] Try to Train Something (Costs 2 Action)
-[X] Ring of the 9 Dragons.
-[X] With Konatsu, because Ninjas always know how to multiply, right?

[X] Watch WildHorse's Livestream: Today, Fists for Friends (Costs 1 Action)
-[X] With Wuya.

So now we get to do that. Assuming it goes up this time. Seriously.

START! TO PROGRESS!

You never imagined home looking so good as you finally arrived back at your house. On the plus side, Konatsu seemed fascinated by Kogarashi, and Kogarashi was happy to give tips on hiding knives and firearms in aprons. So that was a thing.

After a good day of just calmly tinkering in the Lab, and refreshing your poor empty wallet though, you already began to feel a bit stir crazy. Damn this new life filled with adventure and expectations.

So instead of tinkering or working yourself to the metaphorical or literal bone, you decided to split your time, by splitting yourself. At least, that was the idea.

Instead, you'd just been sitting in the courtyard staring at the Ring of The Nine Dragons glittering in the light, trying desperately to think of how to make it useful.

The benefits make plenty of sense, you'd literally be doubling up on perspectives, experiences, and the only downsides were that you were about half as effective as regular you. Which, unfortunately, made you pretty damn useless apparently. So there you were, thinking of good division possibilities with most of them sucking, which might have been the point.

A Strong Jack would make a weak Jack, and wouldn't even be stronger than regular you. A Smart Jack would make a Stupid Jack and you had no idea if that meant regular intelligence or sudden illiteracy. You were still scared to find out. It was really annoying the hell out of you, because you KNEW, if you could crack this, it'd be the key to getting so much more out of everything you were attempting...

Wait a tic.

"Yo! Konatsu!" You suddenly bellowed to the startling them from their position off to the side of the field, where they had been doing their own routine of flips and cartwheels, all with the express purpose of keeping her new skirt down as well as a cup of tea balanced in her hand. With your call, they came to an abrupt stop, stopping on her feet right hand lashing out to catch the currently airborne cup, before the tea landed back in its porcelain prison.

You were too busy being inspired to be impressed.

"You're whole thing is being a Ninja, right? Know anything about clones?" You bluntly asked, even as Konatsu flinched and carefully set down her cup, followed by moving closer and sitting in seiza before you.

"Kunoichi, but, yes. why do you ask, master?" Konatsu replied, a small head tilt swaying the long pigtail behind their head.

"See, I have this Ring, it splits people apart based off some aspect, downside is that it also creates an opposite of that aspect. Got any ideas on how to actually make it worth using." You explained just as bluntly, raising said ring, sure you'd be safe with Kogarashi awaiting in the shadows. Well, you didn't KNOW he was there, but 7 times out of 10 he usually was.

Konatsu blinked owlishly at this new information.

"That. I...What? That is NOTHING like what cloning is. The entire point of a clone technique is to create copies indistinguishable from the source purpose to allow for distraction tactics or sneaking strikes. They also make wide use of lights, shadows, and decoys surrounded by smoke. What you just described is obviously magic, but..." Konatsu explained with a furrowed brow, seemingly trying to come to terms with such an item existing.

You, meanwhile, deflated, though at least understood it.

"So, no ideas huh. Guess that would have been too easy. Ah well, I'm sure I'll come up with something." You sighed, ready to go back to staring at fuck all thinking about potential combinations..

"Wait! Wait. I didn't say that. Tell me, your issue is that your aspects are too different, or not effective enough, yes? What have you been thinking of?" Konatsu asked with their hand in the air, stopping you from leaving.

You nodded, now much more curious.

"Mostly about how to maximize the splits it'd make, like strong and weak, or the smallest ones possible like by political alignments. So far though, its barely worked." You explained with a wave of your hand, remembering Paris and the duel memories of that particular fiasco.

Konatsu nodded, turning their head back and forth even as they took a small sip of tea, posture straight.

"Instead of 'maximizing' results...try to 'minimize' your differences." Konatsu declared after a moment, making you look at them with pursed lips.

"That's what I've been trying to do. You have any other details to share?" You pointed out as Konatsu blushed, waving their hands in front of them.

"Ah, no, I mean yes! I...I am just applying my own lessons to yours. For a clone technique to be effective, the enemy has to believe who they are facing is in multiple places at once, or can all act as additional foes. From what you described, you were focusing on how to make a 'Strong' split to help a specific situation, while then having to 'deal' with a 'Weak' split, yes? Rather than continue this approach on a personal basis...why not just change the targets?" Konatsu spoke more confidently towards the end, going so far as to get to their feet and point a finger eagerly in your face.

You kept watching the perfectly filed finger as it stopped just before your face, eyes slightly crossing before you turned up to their face.

"Still not following." Because you really weren't.

That deflated Konatsu, but not for long.

"It is...The problem you speak of is more one of logic than principle. If you are strong or weak, obviously the battle is one based on physical ability. So, why not make it something else? Being strong or weak has nothing to do with being able to paint, or write, or especially just become stronger. You are placing these parts of yourself where these 'characteristics' do not matter. At least, that's how I would treat it, Master."

You blinked twice, the words moving through your brain.

Was...was it really that easy? Just, actually doing a split and focusing each on a dedicated task? Huh. It WOULD work on a smaller scale than you were hoping for, but that was still quadruple the experience you'd otherwise get. This...this had potential.

You'd have even tried to put the idea into practice then and there, If not for Wuya rising up through the earth shrieking like the disembodied Spirit she was.

"IT IS AWAKE! THE FIST OF TEBIGONG HAS PIERCED A MOUNTAIN ONCE MORE!" She wailed even as Konatsu screamed far too much like a frightened damsel, now brandishing two knives in white-clenched fists.

Well god damn it then.

END OF CHAPTER!

CHOOSE 1 OF THE BELOW!

[] Wu Hunt!: Go Get a New Wu (Location Unspecified beyond 'Mountain'

[] Nah: Continue with this Week's plans and from before this current day was interrupted.

NEW!

[] The Power of Money!: Send your Minions Mercenaries out on a Globe-trekking journey to bring you back Swag! Be aware, however, this can have either devastating effects or unforeseen consequences as well. In either direction!
- Who will you send? (Konatsu, Koga, Cyclops, Wuya) Pick TWO if voting.

END OF CHOICE

This'd better fucking upload, I swear to Christ