This concept is actually easy to understand.
It's similar to playing a game—normally, a person can only control one hero at a time. Whether they can fully utilize that hero's strength or complexity is another matter altogether.
But the Black Secret Technique allows a person to control multiple heroes simultaneously, and with the same level of precision as if they were controlling just one. It's essentially a two- or three-fold boost to overall combat power.
"The key isn't just that the Black Secret Technique uses chakra threads in a more advanced way. More importantly, it borrows the consciousness-splitting principle of the Shadow Clone Technique. It's incredibly difficult. All Black Secret Techniques are at least B-rank jutsu, and those who can master them are typically elite among chunin."
"Of course, the risk of this jutsu is lower than that of the Shadow Clone Technique. When a shadow clone is dispelled, all of its sensations and memories are instantly returned to the user. For most shinobi, this is highly dangerous—especially on the battlefield. Without a strong enough will, they could easily collapse under the flood of information."
"The Black Secret Technique does consume a lot of mental energy, but its progression is gradual. If the user reaches their limit, they can stop safely. It's a very safe technique to train in. And once you master it, it's actually much easier to learn the Shadow Clone Technique too."
"Now, I'll explain the classifications of chakra thread techniques within the Black Secret Technique. Take notes. You are forbidden from spreading this information…"
Shimizu silently took notes on his scroll, writing rapidly.
Beside him, Sasori was doing the same.
Both Shimizu and Sasori had been assigned to the Sixth Squad of the Puppet Corps.
After gathering intelligence, weighing his options, and asking Senior Jōnin Shihu for advice, Shimizu ultimately chose the Sixth Squad.
During the selection phase, Shimizu's talent in puppet techniques had stood out even among the elite candidates. The only one who could compare was Sasori, two years younger than him.
Because of that, all squads offered favorable conditions—they weren't necessarily worse than the B-rank puppet boy model he had been promised.
Still, the Sixth Squad was clearly the most suitable for him.
What solidified Shimizu's decision was Sasori's personal invitation. A few days ago, Sasori had approached him and asked him to join the Sixth Squad together—his reason being that he wanted to defeat Shimizu in their next duel, and being in the same squad would make things more convenient.
If even Chiyo's grandson joined the Sixth Squad, then, as Shihu had said, it was definitely the safest squad in the entire Puppet Corps.
After their final class, they would officially become members of the Puppet Corps.
Their previously submitted records, along with orders from Sunagakure's higher-ups, would finally take effect.
"As expected, by entering the Puppet Corps, my status within Sunagakure has risen, and my importance to the world has increased accordingly."
Walking down the corridor, Shimizu kept a calm expression while shifting part of his focus to his system panel.
The Fortune Bar suddenly surged—from 17.9% to 34.8% in an instant—then slowed, but continued crawling forward steadily.
"We're here,"
Sasori's indifferent voice snapped Shimizu back to reality.
They had arrived at the base of the Sixth Squad within the Puppet Corps headquarters.
From the outside, it looked like a medium-sized factory, built entirely from solid rock.
Sunagakure was poor. Wood was scarce in the desert and considered valuable. Most buildings were made from stone and compacted sand, not wood.
"Aha! Finally, the new recruits are here! That means I get to be the senior now!"
As the doors opened, an energetic female voice called out.
Shimizu looked ahead and saw two males and one female standing not far away.
The girl who had spoken wore face paint similar to Rin Nohara, except hers was white. A white cloth band wrapped around the top of her head, keeping her hair tied. She looked about fifteen or sixteen.
"Ahem, Miyuki, I heard the newbies this time have serious backing—so maybe tone down the senior attitude."
Standing beside Miyuki was a young man with a similar appearance and style, likely a couple of years older than her. Their facial features shared some resemblance.
The last person present was someone they already knew: Senior Jōnin Shihu.
"Good to finally have you two here. Let me introduce you to your team. This is Team Three of the Sixth Squad. I'm your captain and also the vice-captain of the Sixth Squad—Jōnin Shihu."
"I'm Miyuki, a chunin. I specialize in Earth Release, and I know some basic medical ninjutsu too."
"I'm Miyaha, special Jōnin, Miyuki's older brother, and Shihu's deputy. I specialize in Wind and Earth Release."
The two teammates smiled warmly at Shimizu and Sasori and introduced themselves.
"I'm Shimizu, genin. I specialize in… well, aside from puppet techniques, I'm not really good at anything else."
Shimizu shook hands with the others as he spoke.
Outside of puppetry, his taijutsu and ninjutsu were only above-average by genin standards—not especially outstanding.
"Sasori, genin. Same as him."
Sasori, in his usual aloof manner, gave a brief and emotionless introduction.
He remained indifferent toward things or people he had no interest in.
"Here, this is the item we kept for you."
Shihu handed over a sealed scroll strapped to his back.
Inside was the puppet boy previously promised to Shimizu.
"Also, Sasori—this is something your grandmother wanted you to have after joining the Puppet Corps."
Shihu pulled a booklet from his ninja tool pouch.
"This Human Puppet Creation Notebook—Elder Chiyo said it had to be delivered into your hands personally."
Sasori stared at the familiar handwriting on the cover and froze for a moment.
"I understand."
For Shimizu, the biggest benefit of joining the Puppet Corps was gaining access to advanced puppet techniques, such as the Black Secret Technique.
Second was the ability to purchase supplies from the Puppet Corps warehouse at internal prices.
This would allow him to buy materials much more affordably and improve his puppets.
Not just Fatty, but Tom as well.
Each participant in the training exam was given a free puppet weighing under fifteen kilograms as a reward.
But Shimizu wasn't in a rush to modify his puppets just yet.
He planned to study more before doing that.
After all, the system panel was only a tool—one that could perfectly maximize his current knowledge and available materials to their limits.
(End of Chapter)