"This is a ninjutsu developed by the Second Hokage himself—just for you, Kushina." Uchiha Tatsumi said with exaggerated admiration.
Kushina stared at him, clearly skeptical. "Are you messing with me?"
She looked as though the Second Hokage's coffin lid might burst open from sheer disbelief.
"Even though I didn't ace history class, I know the Second Hokage-sama passed away ages ago," Kushina deadpanned, thoroughly dismantling Tatsumi's claim.
"The Second Hokage—developing a jutsu for me, a cute transfer student? Yeah, right."
Uchiha Tatsumi sighed dramatically. "No one ever believes me…"
If he had to pick the greatest Hokage of all time, Tatsumi would vote for the Second Hokage without hesitation.
Not just for giving his life on the battlefield for Konoha, but for his monumental contributions—founding the Ninja Academy, establishing the Anbu, and training key figures like Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura, and Koharu. He was the architect of modern shinobi infrastructure.
But even beyond that—Tatsumi considered him a visionary.
He'd developed numerous powerful and forbidden techniques that would go on to shape Konoha's future. Edo Tensei, which Orochimaru and Kabuto later abused, changed the course of the Fourth Great Ninja War. Hiraishin no Jutsu, created for Minato, made him the "Yellow Flash" and a war-ending force. And of course, Kage Bunshin no Jutsu—a jutsu that became Naruto Uzumaki's signature technique.
In a sense, Tobirama Senju was Konoha's greatest "scientist," who indirectly empowered many of the village's greatest heroes. Tatsumi couldn't help but admire him.
Sometimes he even wondered—was the Second Hokage also a transmigrator? It certainly explained the trail of overpowered jutsu left behind for "future talents."
With a hopeful gleam in his eye, Tatsumi imagined one day discovering a jutsu hidden away by Tobirama, left behind specifically for a prodigy like Uchiha Tatsumi.
Maybe then... he too could shake the world.
---
Kushina, still oblivious to Tatsumi's wild train of thought, had already received the hand seals for Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu from him.
Though Tatsumi could form the seals, he didn't have enough chakra yet to safely use the technique. Unlike Kushina, whose Uzumaki lineage gave her an enormous chakra reserve.
---
"The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
With her index and middle fingers crossed, Kushina performed the jutsu.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Dozens of Kushinas burst into existence in clouds of white smoke.
If Tatsumi hadn't stopped her, she might have made a hundred.
The clones looked at each other, poking and patting one another curiously.
"Whoa! They're solid! I can touch myself—ah, so weird—feels kinda nice... let me touch a few more—"
"Kushina, please..." Tatsumi pinched the bridge of his nose. "You really need to be more careful with your phrasing."
If the ANBU were nearby, this would be impossible to explain.
Kushina looked confused.
Tatsumi sighed. Definitely Rope Tree and Jiraiya's influence.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" she asked, as all her clones turned to him in unison, looking genuinely concerned.
"No! You're doing great," Tatsumi replied quickly.
Even with his expectations, it was still shocking to see someone summon so many shadow clones on their first try. It confirmed that this technique truly was perfect for her.
It didn't take long for Kushina to master it. She grinned, proud.
"With so many me's, if anyone teases me again, I won't even give them a chance to run!" she declared, full of fire.
Tatsumi flinched. There it is. The Red-Hot-Blooded Habanero.
"Okay, okay. Dispel them before someone gets traumatized."
Kushina released the jutsu. Dozens of clones vanished with sharp puffs of smoke.
"You're handling this jutsu really well," Tatsumi said, this time seriously. "But there's something important you need to know."
Kushina nodded.
"This jutsu splits your chakra evenly among each clone," he explained. "The more clones you create, the less chakra remains in your original body—and each clone is weaker than the original. So it affects your combat strength."
"Got it," she replied.
"Also, you haven't practiced coordinated attacks yet. If you just charge in with clones without any plan, you're wasting chakra."
He leaned in slightly. "But here's the most important thing: when a shadow clone disperses, everything it experienced—memories, training, even sensory data—is transferred back to you."
Kushina's eyes widened. "So I can split clones to study or train separately… and when they poof, I get all their knowledge back?"
"Exactly. It's a perfect jutsu for learning."
"Then I'll use it to catch up on schoolwork!" she shouted, excitedly. "From today, this jutsu is my signature move! Who knew the Second Hokage was such a genius?"
Tatsumi nearly choked. The coffin lid of Tobirama Senju... is officially shaking.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat. "While you're not wrong, I need to emphasize something important—"
He looked her dead in the eyes.
"Don't abuse forbidden jutsu."