Chapter 12: Breakthrough and Surprise
Days turned into weeks, and weeks metamorphosed into months.
Time continued to etch its marks, even in the Hidden Valley, seemingly isolated from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Seasons came and went, painting the valley's landscape with a dramatic palette.
The trees, once vibrantly green, began to shed their leaves. The foliage slowly transformed into shades of golden brown before finally falling in droves, leaving behind bare branches that braved the increasingly cold autumn wind.
However, inside the laboratory nestled in the heart of the valley, time seemed to stand still. Within those walls, seasons held no sway. There, only the diligence and dedication of a young man named Tsubasa reigned supreme. His days and nights blurred into a relentless routine of research.
Tsubasa's laboratory was a visual representation of his complex yet structured mind.
Intricate equipment was arranged on tables and shelves, glass bottles filled with colorful liquids shimmered like mysterious gems, test tubes stood in neat rows, and mechanical tools unfamiliar to the untrained eye occupied every corner of the room.
Technology had indeed begun to develop in this world, yet it remained hidden behind the shadows of the Sengoku era, which still raged across the land.
Ancient scrolls lay scattered among stacks of books and handwritten notes on aged parchment. These precious artifacts, spoils from the collections of various ninja clans from all corners of the world, served as sources of inspiration and clues for his research. The secret tales and forbidden techniques inscribed within them were the keys he sought.
Across every inch of space, papers filled with formulas and diagrams were strewn, some appearing crumpled and stained with fluids, silent witnesses to countless experiments. The aroma of potions and chemicals permeated the air, pungent yet familiar, mingling with the distinctive scent of ink and old paper.
These odors had become the hallmark of Tsubasa's laboratory. A thin layer of dust coated most surfaces, hinting that the room was used more for work than cleaning. Cleanliness was a luxury he couldn't afford himself.
Tsubasa toiled alone, working tirelessly.
His days and nights merged into a seamless expanse of profound research. He often lost track of time, forgetting to eat, even forgetting to rest.
His body might have been weary, but his mind remained alert, focused entirely on one noble goal: to create an effective memory seal to save Ozora, his younger brother.
He experimented with various memory seal formulas, testing their effects on small experimental animals he captured in the forest around the valley. Forest mice, wild rabbits, even small birds became his test subjects.
With meticulous care, he applied the seals he had created, closely observing the changes in behavior and mental reactions of these animals. Every twitch, every shift in their gaze, did not escape his attention.
Experiment after experiment was conducted, yet they often ended in failure. Hope, once ignited, was quickly extinguished by disappointing results. Failure had become Tsubasa's constant companion on his research journey.
He was almost accustomed to this bitter taste, yet each failure still felt like a crushing blow to him.
The seals Tsubasa created were sometimes too weak, producing no effect whatsoever on the target's memory. The experimental animals continued to behave as usual, as if nothing had happened. All of Tsubasa's efforts and hopes felt futile.
At other times, the seal was too potent, reacting excessively and damaging the brains of the experimental animals. The consequences were fatal; the unfortunate creatures perished on Tsubasa's experiment table. This type of failure felt even more bitter, because in addition to being unsuccessful, it also caused suffering to other living beings.
Frustration began to haunt Tsubasa due to the continuous failures. The pressure to save Ozora grew increasingly immense, while a solution seemed ever more distant. He felt trapped in a vicious cycle of endless failure.
In despair, he would often run his fingers roughly through his hair, muttering to himself in annoyance. His fingers, stained with ink and chemicals, only worsened his already disheveled appearance. Exhaustion and frustration were clearly etched on his face.
"Why is it so difficult⦠is there something wrong with my formula?" Tsubasa mumbled in desperation, his voice catching in his throat. He stared at the formulas he had written, trying to find errors or omissions he might have overlooked. His eyes scanned every line and symbol, hoping to find a glimmer of hope.
He felt as if he were walking in a dark and endless labyrinth, with no exit in sight. Every path he tried always led to a dead end, every hope he grasped always vanished. His self-confidence began to erode with repeated failures. He began to question his own abilities.
Weariness and drowsiness began to plague him, his eyelids felt heavy and sore. However, Tsubasa refused to give up.
He knew that Ozora was depending on him, and he could not forsake the only family member he had left in this world. The image of Ozora's pale and helpless face was always a spur for him.
He gulped down the bitter coffee he made himself, the hot, dark liquid burning his throat, yet helping to ward off drowsiness and restore his focus to his research.
The bitter taste of coffee seemed to remind him of the bitterness of failure, and spurred him to seek the sweetness of success. He would not let this bitterness consume him.
Sometimes, amidst his busyness and frustration, he would pause for a moment to gaze at Ozora.
His brother still lay weakly in his room, his gaze empty and listless. Ozora's condition, which showed no signs of improvement, was always a spur for Tsubasa. Every time he looked at Ozora, his determination rekindled.
Seeing his brother's worrying condition, Tsubasa's spirit reignited. Exhaustion and frustration seemed to vanish instantly, replaced by steely resolve. He must not give up; he must keep striving until he succeeded in saving Ozora. He promised himself, to Ozora, that he would find a way.
Tsubasa returned to his desk, staring at his research notes with tired yet determined eyes.
The light from the laboratory lamp reflected in his weary eyes, mirroring the undying spirit within him. A flame of hope still flickered, though small, yet enough to illuminate the dark path ahead.
He meticulously analyzed each failure, seeking patterns and errors he might have missed. He re-examined the results of previous experiments, trying to understand why his seals were not working as expected. He investigated every detail, no matter how small.
He revisited the dusty ancient books, searching for new inspiration and clues. Every page he turned, every line he read, was hoped to provide a glimmer of hope for his research. He delved into the wisdom of the past to find answers for the future.
Tsubasa attempted to modify his memory seal formula, altering the composition of ingredients and the sequence of seal application.
He considered every detail, even minor changes he calculated meticulously. He knew that success often hid in overlooked small details. Meticulousness was his weapon.
With the modified formula, he conducted another experiment, hoping for success this time. His heart pounded as he applied the seal to a new experimental animal. He observed intently, awaiting any reaction that might occur. The passing seconds felt like eternity.
This time, his experiment showed slightly different results. There were changes in the experimental animal's behavior, although these changes were not drastic and not entirely in line with what he had hoped for. However, it was a change.
The seal Tsubasa created seemed to have succeeded in influencing the experimental animal's memory, although the effect was still imperfect and unstable. Only a small part of the memory was affected, and the effect was not long-lasting. However, for Tsubasa, this was significant progress. It was a small but important step on his journey.
Tsubasa felt a surge of joy and motivation from this progress. At least, he knew that he was on the right track, even though the road was still long. A glimmer of hope reignited in his heart, brighter than before. He felt that he was not alone in this darkness.
He continued to refine his memory seal formula, trying various variations and modifications. Every day, he conducted new experiments, testing different formulas, and meticulously analyzing the results. His perseverance and tenacity began to bear fruit. Step by step, he moved closer to his goal.
After several weeks of intense experimentation, Tsubasa finally succeeded in creating a memory seal that was relatively stable and effective. This seal was able to seal a portion of the target's memory without damaging the brain or causing harmful side effects.
The experimental animals showed behavioral changes consistent with the targeted memory being sealed, and the effect lasted long enough. This success felt like an oasis in a barren desert for him.
Tsubasa felt relieved and happy with this achievement.
After months of struggle, he finally reached one of his main goals in this research. He had proven to himself that he was capable of overcoming difficulties and creating something useful. He had proven that perseverance would yield results.
However, in the midst of the memory seal research process, Tsubasa inadvertently discovered another intriguing ninjutsu technique. A great curiosity and an inexhaustible spirit of experimentation led him to an unexpected discovery. Curiosity was the flame that guided him.
While trying to create a more complex memory seal, Tsubasa experimented with more intricate and detailed chakra manipulation.
He tried various chakra flow patterns, frequencies, and concentrations, trying to find the optimal combination for his memory seal. He explored the limits of chakra ability, like an explorer venturing into uncharted territory.
In one of his experiments, Tsubasa accidentally created a chakra clump that separated from his body and moved independently. The chakra clump appeared like his shadow, moving and acting as if it possessed its own consciousness.
Tsubasa was surprised and amazed to see this phenomenon. He observed the chakra shadow intently, trying to understand what was actually happening. He felt a strange connection with the shadow, as if the shadow was part of himself. This was not just a scientific phenomenon, but also a spiritual experience.
He realized that he had inadvertently discovered a ninjutsu technique very similar to the famous Kage Bunshin no Jutsu or Shadow Clone Technique in the ninja world. So he immediately conducted further research and strove to perfect this ninjutsu.
As a result, the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu or Shadow Clone Technique was born in his hands in this world, predating its actual creator, Senju Tobirama. The technique he had previously only seen in anime and ancient scrolls, he had now inadvertently managed to create himself. Luck and genius converged in this moment.
Tsubasa immediately studied this new technique meticulously, trying to understand its mechanisms and full potential. He performed various exercises and experiments to improve the control and strength of the shadow clones he created. He felt like he had found a priceless treasure.
Tsubasa discovered that these shadow clones were not mere illusions, but possessed substance and were capable of physical attacks. The clones could move and fight independently, although their strength was not as great as the original body. However, their numbers could compensate for the lack of individual strength.
He also realized that these shadow clones could share information and experiences with the original body. Any information collected by the shadow clones would be instantly transmitted to Tsubasa's mind. This made shadow clones an extremely useful tool for information gathering and combat.
Tsubasa was very enthusiastic about the discovery of this shadow clone technique. It was an unexpected bonus from his memory seal research.
He knew that this shadow clone technique would be very useful to him in the future, both for research and for protecting the valley. Shadow clones would become tireless research assistants and loyal protective troops.
With shadow clones, he could conduct more complex and dangerous experiments with minimal risk to himself. He could also use shadow clones to scout enemies, gather information, and even engage in combat if necessary.
After five months of exhausting yet fruitful research, Tsubasa finally achieved an important goal: creating a memory seal. Furthermore, he had inadvertently discovered the shadow clone technique. Two major achievements in one research period.
He was proud of his achievements, but he knew that this was just the beginning of a long journey. There was still much research he had to do to fully save Ozora and prepare himself to avenge himself against the Karasuma clan.
Tsubasa decided to give himself a short break after five months of intense research.
He needed time to recover his energy and spirit before moving on to the next stage of research, which was sure to be more complex and difficult. Rest was fuel for further research.
He hoped this break would refresh his mind and restore his focus. However, Tsubasa could not truly rest peacefully. His mind remained filled with plans and strategies for the future. He would not stop until his goals were achieved.
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