To encourage diligent practice, the elders also taught the hand seal sequences for three specific ninjutsu when instructing on hand seals. According to them, these three techniques had no negative side effects even if performed incorrectly, making them ideal for beginners.
Kyuushin recalled the three techniques. They were, unsurprisingly, the **Three Basic Ninja Techniques**: the Clone Technique (*Bunshin no Jutsu*), the Substitution Technique (*Kawarimi no Jutsu*), and the Transformation Technique (*Henge no Jutsu*), all considered the least difficult to learn [4][1].
A sense of restlessness filled Kyuushin, but to be cautious, he first focused on refining more Chakra. Then, following the hand seal sequence of Ram, Snake, and Tiger for the Clone Technique, he carefully circulated the Chakra within his body. As the final seal was formed, Kyuushin felt a portion of his Chakra systematically flow out from his body. Instantly, an exact copy of himself appeared before him.
Looking at the seemingly insubstantial clone, Kyuushin felt a strange sensation. He reached out a hand and, as expected, it passed right through the illusory figure. However, he could still feel a faint connection to it through his Chakra. He then tried to make the clone move; it could perform basic actions, but its movements were stiff and delayed. The clone lasted for about two minutes before dissipating on its own.
Like a child with a new toy, Kyuushin decided to try again. He remembered that the Clone Technique could create multiple copies; Kakashi had demonstrated this during his own time at the Ninja Academy.
Forming the hand seals once more, he circulated a larger amount of Chakra this time, specifically dividing it into two streams as it left his body. Sure enough, two clones materialized in the next second.
Curiosity piqued, Kyuushin wondered how many clones he could create at his current limit. He eagerly refined even more Chakra and, after completing the seals, carefully split the energy into two, then four, then eight streams. At this point, when he attempted to divide it further, he felt a sense of powerlessness. The Chakra, which had been relatively obedient, suddenly became sluggish. Kyuushin knew this was a sign of insufficient Chakra control, a stage he had not yet reached according to his fragmented memories.
Just as he was about to give up, he suddenly felt as if there was a lock deep within his body.
*Hmm? What is this?*
In a daze, he seemed to be transported back to that other world, dodging the grim reaper's pursuit again and again until he was utterly exhausted. Yet, when faced with the flaming mech descending from the sky, he ultimately could not escape. Just before death, he had felt something inside him shatter, but it was too late.
Unexpectedly, when he opened his eyes, he was in a new world. And that gift, obtained from the crucible of terror right before his death, seemed to have followed him.
A genetic lock.
This was a core concept in that previous world. By confronting life-threatening danger and the fear of death, one's spirit could condense and focus with incredible intensity. As long as one recognized their own humanity, there was a chance to unlock this potential. Once the genetic lock was opened, even to the first stage, an ordinary person without any training could, with a vastly improved combat instinct, defeat three battle-hardened warriors. The second and third stages would greatly enhance physical and mental strength. Reaching the fourth stage allowed one to freely manipulate their own genes, traverse the stars with their physical body, and achieve a form of immortality.
At the thought, Kyuushin's breathing involuntarily quickened.
He took a deep breath, his spirit forcefully condensing, becoming like a sharp blade that struck heavily against that internal 'lock'.
The next moment, it felt as if the entire world had become deafeningly loud. Though his eyes were closed, a flood of information from his surroundings poured into him. He heard the breathing and heartbeat of the person beside him, approximately 3.152 meters away; that was Kushina. He smelled the fragrance of flowers outside the house; it seemed one had fallen and was beginning to decay. He felt a faint airflow brush against his skin; a window in the house wasn't closed tightly.
This torrent of information did not disrupt his thoughts at all. In fact, the Chakra within his body seemed to become more docile with the activation of the genetic lock. He instinctively wanted to try the Clone Technique again. With just a thought, the Chakra circulated automatically, and as it was about to leave his body, it effortlessly split into twenty-four streams.
The next second, twenty-four clones appeared in unison, nearly filling the entire room, leaving only a small empty space next to Kushina. It wasn't that he couldn't create more; it was that as he released the jutsu, he instinctively perceived the room's dimensions and knew it could only accommodate that many. Even the Chakra was allocated perfectly, with minimal waste, indicating that his control had improved dramatically in this state.
He nodded, dispelled the ninjutsu, and instinctively disengaged the genetic lock, exiting the heightened state.
Just as he did, a thought struck him and he cried out, "Kushina!"
The next second, his body began to convulse violently. An agonizing, numbing sensation erupted from the depths of his organs and bone marrow, as if countless small worms were crawling within him. The pain spread like wildfire throughout his body. His vision blurred, and his body fell limply to the ground.
With each passing second, the pain intensified, yet he couldn't make a sound. Another fierce wave of agony struck, and he immediately lost consciousness. But even in unconsciousness, he couldn't escape the torment, which seemed to be etched into his very soul. Under this pain, Kyuushin felt that even death would be a welcome relief.
After an unknown amount of time, he felt a cool sensation flowing into his body. Within this refreshing feeling, the pain seemed to retreat, and gradually, he could feel his body again.
He laboriously opened his eyes. His vision was doubled at first, then slowly focused. He saw Kushina and Mito kneeling by his side. Kushina's hands were clenched into tight fists, her eyes brimming with tears, while Mito had one hand placed on his body, still performing medical ninjutsu. The cool sensation came from her, and her face was etched with worry.
Seeing that Kyuushin had awakened, a look of joyful surprise crossed Kushina's face. Mito continued to check his body until she was certain there were no abnormalities, then she let out a long sigh of relief.
"Grandma Mito, Kushina..." His throat felt dry and raspy.
"How are you feeling now?" Mito asked, her gaze intense.
"Aside from a feeling of weakness, I don't feel anything else," Kyuushin replied. He assessed his body; it was as if the previous agony had been a mere illusion. Yet now, even lifting a finger felt incredibly difficult.
"Then tell me exactly what happened," Mito said, her tone uncharacteristically serious.