Start From Naruto: Shino the Dominator

Shadow clones. The possibility of getting this technique sooner had always lingered within Shino's grasp, yet he chose not to seize it prematurely, for he possessed his own cadre of insect clones, whose utilization had proven unburdensome to his main body.

They were devoid of the negative effects that came with the likes of shadow clones, rendering the pursuit of an alternative method less pressing.

On the other hand, the shadow clone technique's convenience was a confirmed prospect, yet beneath its surface lay an inherent danger that had always whispered its foreboding warning.

Harnessing the shadow clone technique, an upper-class ninja gained the ability to summon a couple of extra clones, their chakra skillfully divided, enabling them to temporarily augment their cognitive prowess without exerting a significant toll on their spiritual reserves.

On top of combat capabilities, the clones could also serve as extra brains for the purpose of honing techniques or errand runners for the main body.

Yet, concealed within this convenient power was a profound trade-off. Using the shadow clones was like incurring a debt borrowed from the future.

The toll and detrimental consequences experienced by the clones would ultimately be transferred back to the main body. This would encompass all the shadow clone's anguish, undoubtedly a way of tormenting the main body's very psyche!

Heck, there were even cases where the torment was enough to send the user to the Pure Land!

So, the very essence of these ethereal duplicates rendered them vulnerable targets, susceptible to manipulation by his enemies keen on exploiting their existence to locate or impact his main body!

Indeed, the shadow clone possessed the ability to dissipate itself with relative ease, yet it proved inadequate against instantaneous abilities that could ensnare him, whether it be the dangerous genjutsu of Itachi or the insidious Kotoamatsukami stolen by a certain cunning old man.

Naturally, Shino can't expect the immediate dissipation of the shadow clone upon succumbing to genjutsu, for if such a feeble state were the shadow clone's true nature, then deploying the clone would be rendered utterly pointless from the outset as they would be completely replaceable by his pseudo-immortal insect clones.

This meant that his clone will most likely have to suffer the effects from the entire genjutsu assault, and subsequently, his main body will have to bear the brunt of the end results!

The anime had painted the shadow clone technique as some awesome, versatile technique thanks to Naruto's spamming, and every transmigrator had dreams about putting it to good use.

Alas, the hidden truths of its reality unveiled a scale tipped heavily in favor of adverse repercussions.

To top it off, Shino stumbled upon another disconcerting truth - the shadow clones existed as distinct outliers outside of his expansive zerg network and system!

They were detached from the domination of his system, devoid of access to the system's vast database!

The shadow clones were bereft of comprehensive knowledge regarding the system and his otherworldly memories, confined solely to executing the mastered ninja techniques stored within his main body's memories in this world!

What does this mean? This was a disquieting realization as it meant they were independent entities, elusive and beyond the realm of Shino's absolute control!

Uwa, it's scary just thinking about this strange occurrence.

Shino's wariness towards the shadow clone technique could only intensify with each passing thought.

Was the clone truly a fragment of his own consciousness, or rather an illusory facsimile conjured forth by the mysterious machinations of an unknown entity?

And why did the very core of his system bear a distinct filter for the shadow clone's existence? There was definitely a deeper truth waiting to be unraveled.

Unfortunately, at the moment, Shino was unable to deduce the truth lurking beneath the surface, leaving the shadow clone technique shrouded in veils of uncertainty.

Due to these risks, Shino regarded his insect clones as the superior alternative and restrained himself from deploying the shadow clones in the ninja world.

Alas, reality sometimes require taking risks here and there.

Perchance, had his insect clones possessed the capacity to fulfill the task at hand, Shino would have shunned the utilization of shadow clones.

Alas, the limits of his insect clones lay revealed, for when confronted with the demands of S-rank ninjutsu like the Flying Raijin, their trait of being limited to low-rank jutsu resulted in them being not very useful, leaving Shino with no choice but to rely on the precarious alternative that shadow clones presented.

Thus, the shadow clones found themselves relegated to the role of both practice dummies, subjected to the incessant inscription of technique formulas, and expendable pawns, serving as the vanguard to test the new iterations of the Thunder God technique - an experimental territory Shino deemed too perilous for their main bodies to venture into.

Hence, their necessary deployment of their illusory counterparts.

Though the numbers of his shadow clone weren't as exaggerated as Naruto's, verily, the path they tread proved to be the correct one.

Thus far, the assembly line of shadow clones already yielded a scattered array of objects, each one inscribed with new formula variations, ready to undergo rigorous testing by other clones nearby.

To facilitate their quest for mastery further, Shino also employed different strains of genetically modified zergs, each mutation tailored to enhance spatial perception and talent.

These extraordinary creatures acted as discerning detectors, separating the pile of experimental formulas into those that exhibited spatial fluctuations upon completion and those that remained inert or lifeless, reducing the amount the clones had to test.

Essentially, they were the software to reduce the workload for the assembly line workers.

Thanks to the blend of these diligent workers, the experimental process was propelled forward like a rocket in the background!

Of course, the main bodies were not idle.

Whilst their clones did the dangerous grunt work, the main bodies of Shino and Karina tirelessly practiced the hand seals of the Thunder God technique, attempting to teleport to the original and "safer" technique formula, serving as the control group and also hoping to discover any inkling of success.

Clones were good, but their real bodies still had to experience it in the end.

Needless to say, precautionary measures had already been taken in the form of biochambers arranged in close proximity, ready to take care of any possible disintegration of their physical form resulting from the strenuous practice sessions.

Though the probability remained slim, it was just a safety net for catching nightmares like the ones appearing during apparition practice in a certain wizarding world.

Alas, right now, they didn't even have to worry about their body splitting because there wasn't even a single successful teleportation.

Time seemed to mock their efforts.

Of course, it had only been a mere day, and even with the system's formidable computational power, true talent could not be conjured overnight.

Their path to mastery lay solely in the realm of diligence and unyielding determination, for they had not been blessed with innate gifts like a certain Fourth Hokage.

So, even if their practice seemed completely and utterly meaningless with seemingly no actual progress, they still kept at it.

Still, time was a precious commodity, and they refused to let a single moment go to waste.

Thus, while Shino and Karina immersed themselves in the relentless cycle of Flying Raijin practice, their bodies mirrored the constant motions of their hand seals, putting their time to very "good use".

In this synchronized dance, Shino's thunder god eagerly accepted Karina's guidance, ready to shape her unique technique formula.

As the number of times the technique formula was rubbed grew, an electrifying anticipation filled the air.

Shino could feel the tension coiling around him, a tangible instinct that whispered: Success was... coming. Soon.

So, Shino urged his training partner, "Karina, seal faster."

Responding to his demand, Karina's pace picked up, her speed increasing in tandem with Shino's mounting anticipation.

Sensing the tightness within the technique formula, a tremor coursed through Shino's body and he finally let the symbols and lines converge, painting a pattern of enlightenment that held the promise of untold power that is beyond simple info dumping like this chapter of his life's story...

"Flying Thunder God, here it comes!"

In that moment, a surge of energy roared to life. The Karina before Shino suddenly vanished in a flash of brilliance, transferring a small distance forward!

The room trembled with the intensity of their efforts, and a rushing torrent of energy followed Karina through the air, splattering against her back.

"Ha… ha…" Karina's gasps of exhaustion rolled like a wave across the room, evidence of the chakra depletion that accompanied the successful casting of the Flying Thunder God technique for the first time.

Shino's gaze lingered on Karina's back glistening with a sheen of sweat, admiring the aftermath of their combined efforts.

It was definitely an interesting sight, yet there was another more important matter that held up a majority of his interest.

Flying Thunder God. Was it a...

"Success?"