The sun was slowly disappearing beyond the horizon.
Watching the Liu Clan's group ride away on horseback, Akeno turned around, thinking about the future.
Only four months remained before he too would have to return to Glory City.
The road ahead was still long. There were so many ninja techniques left to master. Moreover, he was on the verge of reaching the Muscle Purification stage.
He still had to refine his swordsmanship if he hoped to reach the Domain of the Hundred Lotus Mastery. Even though he had chosen the path of a ninja, he had not forgotten that he was, above all else, a cultivator.
Then there was Reibi.
In the anime, the demon had never displayed much intelligence and had been far from cooperative.
But over the past few months, Akeno had begun to sense a change within him. If Reibi became more willing to cooperate, he would become an invaluable asset in the future.
Unlike the other Tailed Beasts, who, despite possessing immense amounts of chakra, still seemed to have a limit, Reibi generated chakra without restraint.
In the anime, Shinnō had lost control of the demon after absorbing too much chakra all at once. But Akeno exercised far finer control over Reibi.
He would never allow himself to be dominated by the demon.
Finding Kaede in the courtyard of the Uzumaki building, Akeno took out a pill and explained his plans.
"We still need to perfect the Multi Shadow Clone Technique."
Kaede clearly didn't understand and looked skeptical.
"I thought we'd already perfected it. What else is there to improve? The clone receives part of our chakra, can perform ninjutsu, and returns its memories once it disperses."
Akeno observed the small pill resting in his palm before looking back at Kaede with a mysterious smile.
"Kaede... why do we need pills in order to progress?"
"To restore our Qi, strengthen our meridians, and expand our Qi reserves?"
Akeno put the pill away and nodded.
"Pills exist because cultivation is slow. The Qi of the world is dispersed and difficult to absorb. The process of expanding our Dantian, strengthening it, and advancing further along the path of cultivation takes time."
He gestured with his hand.
"Now imagine a clone capable not only of using the Qi we give it... but also of cultivating on its own."
Kaede's eyes widened.
"Wait... you mean... the clone could absorb the world's Qi, fill its Dantian, purify it... and then, when it disappears... send all of that back to the original body?"
Akeno nodded, a smile appearing on his face.
"Exactly. That's already what a clone does with chakra. It can train a technique, accumulate experience, and instantly transmit it back. It can also absorb chakra—even natural energy—and send it back to the original body."
"I want to apply the same principle... to cultivation."
"Think about it. A pill allows you to absorb a huge amount of Qi at once, but afterward the cultivator has to work hard to control that energy, purify it, and increase their own Qi."
"But a cultivation clone could do far more."
"It could appear with an almost empty Qi reserve, then replenish it by absorbing the world's Qi before instantly returning an amount equal to your maximum reserves, already purified."
"It could consume pills that would damage the body and only send back the Qi they contain, or experiment with dangerous circulation techniques."
"Pills are expensive, and obtaining them in large quantities is almost impossible."
"But clones... we can produce them endlessly."
Kaede stood there speechless.
"...If we manage to perfect the technique... it would be like having dozens... even hundreds of cultivators working for you? And all of their cultivation returns to your own Dantian?"
Akeno nodded.
"Yes. And that's not all. A clone could also attempt dangerous breakthroughs to understand their risks... and many other things."
Kaede swallowed.
"...That's monstrously efficient. It's like creating your own sect... except every disciple is yourself."
Akeno smiled.
"That's why we have to perfect the technique. Clones are perfect for chakra... but not yet for cultivation."
"If we succeed, we won't need pills anymore."
"Never again."
"We'll create our own accelerated cultivation method."
"That's the true cheat of Chakra!"
Kaede became excited just imagining the possibilities.
"It makes me want to start right away!"
She began walking toward her office as Clan Matriarch, but after only a few steps, Akeno called out to her.
"Wait. Actually, I wanted to tell you about another technique."
"Hm?"
Kaede hardly seemed to be paying attention anymore, eager to leave and explore new ideas regarding the Multi Shadow Clone Technique.
"In the future, a descendant of the Senju Clan will create an incredible technique."
"One that will make anyone who masters it nearly impossible to kill."
"I'm talking about the Flying Thunder God Technique, created by the illustrious Tobirama Senju."
...
Four months later.
It had now been ten months since Akeno had arrived in Hope City, ten months since he had met Chikara Uchiha, and eleven months since he had left Glory City.
"It's time to go back."
After bidding farewell to the Branch Master, his friends, and his younger brothers and sisters, Akeno confidently set off down the road.
Looking back one last time at the gates of Hope City, he immersed himself in the memories of the past year.
A year that had been far more exciting than the previous fifteen he had spent in Glory City.
Today marked Akeno's sixteenth birthday.
...
After a month on the road, using every stop to further refine both his swordsmanship and his ninjutsu, Akeno finally caught sight of the great gates of Glory City.
He presented the Sect's official documents, and the guards allowed him to pass without the slightest hesitation.
The moment he stepped into the city, a striking contrast formed in his mind.
The streets were wide, immaculately maintained, and paved with pale stone.
Finely crafted wooden houses and polished stone buildings lined the avenues. Their perfectly aligned rooftops and intricately carved beams displayed a level of craftsmanship Hope City had never possessed.
Hand-painted shop signs, hanging lanterns, and subtle decorative details on the walls...
Everything breathed quiet yet unmistakable prosperity.
Children ran through the marketplace laughing while merchants carefully arranged their goods with almost ceremonial precision.
Farther away, elderly men played Go beneath an awning, their voices blending into the lively murmur of the city.
Several disciples in uniform crossed a nearby street discussing cultivation, reminding everyone of the stable density of Qi permeating the entire city.
Glory City truly deserved its title as one of the Empire's three great cities.
Nothing here left any room for doubt.
Arriving before the instructor's office, Akeno took a deep breath before entering.
The man, bent over several reports, immediately raised his head.
"Akeno! You're finally back."
he exclaimed with a surprisingly warm smile.
He stood up, walked around the desk, and grabbed Akeno's shoulder with an enthusiasm Akeno had rarely seen from him.
"I received Branch Master Fang Qin's reports. Very impressive."
"Eliminating a demonic cultivator, training children, reorganizing the branch... and now you're the Vice Branch Master!"
"I have to admit, I wasn't expecting you to return with a résumé like that."
He chuckled before leading Akeno out of the office, as though he absolutely wanted to show him off.
"Fang Qin also mentioned that you played a major role in helping him break through to the Rebirth stage."
"That's no small achievement, you know."
As they walked through the corridors, several disciples greeted the instructor, some casting curious glances toward Akeno.
He merely answered with a faint, slightly embarrassed smile.
"...It was a team effort."
Of course, he knew exactly what had been written in those reports.
They had spent a long time discussing what should be revealed: the fall of the former mayor, the possible demonic organization behind him, Hope City's uncertain future...
...and Fang Qin's breakthrough.
The instructor continued walking as he spoke, his tone almost paternal...
But Akeno mostly sensed the interest hidden behind every word.
Arriving at the arena's grand hall, the instructor pushed open the doors.
A large crimson banner hung above the stands.
Under-25 Tournament — In 2 Days
The instructor smiled, almost too confidently.
"I actually wanted to talk to you about that."
"The tournament is approaching... and I was wondering whether you'd like to participate?"
His eyes betrayed a familiar glimmer:
the hope of betting on him.
Like investing in a promising racehorse.
Akeno felt the pressure mounting ever so slightly and smiled awkwardly.
"...I just got back..."