Naruto Shadow Mage

"Research function?"

"Does the APP not only accelerate training but also create new jutsu? Secret techniques?"

The sudden prompt echoing in his mind left Koshino momentarily stunned.

Then, recovering, Koshino interpreted the literal meaning of the "research function," and a look of anticipation appeared in his eyes.

Ding!

"Player, the research function has been successfully bound. When conditions are met, you can use the research function to create new skills. Would you like to use it now?"

"Just as I thought, the research function is for creating new jutsu and secret techniques!"

"Use it! APP, activate it now!"

With another prompt from the APP, Koshino eagerly opened the interface for the research function.

While examining the interface, Koshino recalled the various uses of the APP and thought, "Wasn't the game I played a first-person Naruto mobile game? The mod I downloaded mentioned that it could modify character levels, skill levels, and even combine skills and modify character information!"

"If the accelerated training APP is derived from that mod, then accelerating training is like modifying skill levels, and combining skills is the research function!"

"In the future, if I meet the conditions, modifying character information might allow me to change or even absorb bloodlines! Absorbing the Uchiha clan's bloodline would give me a chance to awaken the Sharingan, right? The Byakugan from the Hyuga clan, the Shikotsumyaku from the Kaguya clan—could I have those too?"

"This mod was worth downloading!"

With the appearance of the research function, Koshino couldn't help but speculate and hope for more from the APP.

Naturally, that hope was to absorb many Kekkei Genkai from the Naruto world and become a powerful figure with the Rinnegan in one eye and the Tenseigan in the other!

However, Koshino understood that he couldn't rely entirely on the app. The app was just a tool, like the Uchiha clan's Sharingan. How effectively the tool is used depends on the user's abilities.

For example, Koshino used the APP to accelerate his training and quickly mastered the Nara clan's secret techniques. But what did that prove?

Simply mastering powerful jutsu doesn't equate to having corresponding strength.

Naruto mastered the Rasengan as a Genin—did that make him stronger than the Fourth Hokage?

Sasuke mastered the Chidori early—did that mean he was stronger than Kakashi at the time?

With a mature mindset, Koshino had already placed the APP in a clear context. Even with accelerated training from the APP, he knew he had to train diligently and surpass one target after another to reach the pinnacle of the ninja world.

Then, as he focused on the research function interface, Koshino noticed something interesting.

The interface had two blank options.

Opening the first option, Koshino saw the Shadow Imitation Technique, Shadow Strangulation Technique, Shadow Sewing Technique, and other Nara clan secret techniques he had mastered.

Opening the second option, Koshino found it included not just the Nara clan's secret techniques but also tools like kunai and shuriken and even body parts like fists and feet.

Following the APP's prompts, Koshino combined his previous idea, selecting the Shadow Sewing Technique from the first option and Shuriken from the second. Sure enough, the interface showed a 100% probability of successfully creating a new secret technique by combining the two.

"Interesting!"

"So the research function isn't about creating jutsu or secret techniques out of thin air but combining those I've mastered to create new ones!"

"Okay, since the chance of combining the Shadow Sewing Technique and shuriken to create a new secret technique is 100%, let's do it!"

Communicating his intention to the APP, Koshino silently selected "Yes."

Soon, a progress bar labeled 0/100 appeared at the bottom of the research interface. Once filled, Koshino's new secret technique would be created.

As the first secret technique he was creating, Koshino couldn't help but feel a bit excited. But after waiting for a long time without the progress bar moving, he shook his head and thought:

"Creating new secret techniques is obviously very difficult, taking a long time even for the APP. I can't imagine how hard it would be to develop one on my own. And the research function can only study one new jutsu or secret technique at a time, which is a limitation."

"Still, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Not everyone has the ability to create new jutsu or secret techniques. Since the new technique is being developed, I should study the scroll from Uncle Choza and quickly master the 'cheat' Shadow Clone Technique!"

Though Koshino was greedy, he was wise enough to know when to be greedy and when to hold back.

Opening the scroll from Choza, Koshino initially skimmed it and found the training method for the Shadow Clone Technique, which delighted him. As he delved deeper into the contents, he began to appreciate Choza's intention in gifting him the scroll.

The scroll contained the Shadow Clone Technique, the Three Basic Techniques (Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, and Transformation Technique), and the Body Flicker Technique, all basic ninjutsu.

While the scroll itself wasn't particularly valuable, the intent behind Choza's gift was priceless for Koshino!

In Konoha, the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans had main and branch families. Despite the lack of apparent conflict, every clan member couldn't be selfless.

The clan leader represented the main family's interests. Even if Koshino, a branch family member, showed talent, Shikaku, as clan leader, faced a dilemma: should he favor the many mediocre main family members or support the talented branch family member, Koshino, against the main family's opposition?

Originally, Shikaku hesitated to favor Koshino despite his talent.

But with Choza's gift, Shikaku's clever friend had chosen for him, deciding to support Koshino unconditionally and force Shikaku to confront the conservative forces within the Nara clan!

Moreover, Koshino understood that Choza's gesture was also a way to secure goodwill for the Akimichi clan. So, after memorizing the training methods for the Three Basic Techniques, Body Flicker Technique, and Shadow Clone Technique, Koshino placed these techniques into the APP's training progress bar while recalling Chozas's round face and thinking:

"Uncle Choza, don't worry. When I become famous, I'll make sure to take good care of the Akimichi clan!"

"APP, modify the training progress of the Shadow Clone Technique to 100/100!"