Ino couldn't replicate Shikamaru's achievements, nor did she need to. She planned to master the Shadow Clone Technique in the shortest time possible, then use this cheat-like ability to learn a multitude of ninja techniques, enriching her skill set.
"The Shadow Clone Technique? Are you sure you want to learn such a high-level ninja technique?" After dinner, when Ino brought up her request, Inoichi's expression showed clear hesitation.
Ino could have waited until Naruto learned the Shadow Clone Technique and used the excuse that her classmates knew it while she didn't. However, she felt that would be too slow. Since her family had a scroll for learning the Shadow Clone Technique, she didn't want to waste time.
She nodded firmly. "I'm sure. After my battle with Sasuke, I think using the Shadow Clone to control the Water Prison Technique while my real body hides in the shadows would be more effective."
Her reasoning didn't fully convince Inoichi. It was hard for him to decide whether to let his daughter, who hadn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy, learn such a dangerous B-rank ninja technique.
This was different from their clan's B-rank Secret Technique, the Mind Disturbance Technique. The Mind Disturbance Technique was just a deeper application of the Mind Body Switch Technique. Once you grasped the basics, it wasn't difficult. With strong enough spiritual energy, it came naturally.
The Shadow Clone Technique, however, was unrelated to their clan's secret techniques and carried risks in its practice.
After some thought, Inoichi got up and went to his study. Not long after, he returned with a scroll. "Alright, this scroll contains the B-rank Water Release Ninja Technique: Exploding Water Colliding Wave. This is a technique at the level of an Elite Ninja. If you can master this technique, I'll believe you're capable of learning the Shadow Clone Technique."
Exploding Water Colliding Wave? Her dear father was thoughtful.
This was the technique that created a large amount of water using chakra in a waterless environment. If it were upgraded from a B-rank to an A-rank technique, it would become Kisame's Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave.
This technique was indeed necessary for her, as she specialized in Water Release and had a considerable amount of chakra.
Ino didn't refuse. She took the scroll and said, "Don't worry, Dad. I'll prove myself."
People in Konoha loved to say things like this—constantly talking about "proving" themselves or seeking someone's "acknowledgment." Fitting in, Ino had now become quite adept at spouting these very ninja-like, passionate phrases.
After Inoichi left the room, Ino tidied up and headed to the courtyard alone to practice Water Release.
She carefully read the scroll once, closed her eyes to ponder for a while, then read it again. She went over the key points in her mind repeatedly.
The eighth ninja class had brought her a noticeable change. She now had a completely new understanding of chakra and ninja techniques. She loved the process of chakra gathering and flowing within her body, undergoing nature transformation and shape transformation. Every time she learned something related to ninja techniques, she felt a genuine sense of joy.
It was somewhat like the saying, "Hearing the truth in the morning, one could die content in the evening."
She had truly come to love these ninja techniques.
Learning was no longer a tedious grind but a spiritual enjoyment.
After Ino believed she had mastered the entire sequence and key points of the technique, she harmonized the physical and spiritual energies within her body to produce Chakra. She then incorporated the nature transformation of the water attribute, followed by the shape transformation of Chakra as required by the scroll. The mixed Chakra accumulated in her throat, and with her hands quickly forming seals, she gathered power for over ten seconds before finally exhaling.
"Water Release: Exploding Water Wave!"
"Pfft!" The amount of water she sprayed out was only about ten liters. The first attempt at the technique had failed.
After practicing for a day, Ino had nearly mastered this B-rank ninja technique. Her "Water Release" level had also successfully risen to lv2 after this period of hard training. However, since she had allocated her Pot Points to "Endurance" instead of continuing to increase "Spirit," the consequence was evident. With only 6 points in "Spirit," the effect of using the B-rank Water Release: Exploding Water Wave, which was at the Elite Ninja level, was still somewhat lacking.
Having consumed quite a bit of Chakra, Ino didn't continue practicing after dinner. She informed Yamanaka Rino and went out for a stroll. Learning ninja techniques was important, but so was the matter of shifting blame.
Today, she was in luck. Just as she arrived at Hokage Rock, Naruto appeared from a hidden corner. Ino hid in the shadows, waiting for Naruto to finish his graffiti. Then, using the Transformation Technique, she turned into Naruto and added a few more strokes herself.
On her way home, she transformed into Sasuke and smashed the window of a Land of Fire official's house. Then, she turned into Sakura and beat up two drunkards who were bullying civilians.
The gains weren't huge, but they were significant. Accumulating like this, it wouldn't take long before she could earn another Pot Point.
Ino transformed into Iruka and made a round near the Ninja Academy. The usually mischievous kids were nowhere to be seen. As she passed by a small alley in front of the school, she inadvertently overheard a group of girls talking.
With her spiritual energy growing stronger, heightened senses were inevitable. Even though she wasn't intentionally listening, their words naturally reached her ears.
"Sasuke looks so cool when he tells riddles!"
"Yeah, yeah! I've been thinking about it these past few days. Why is Sasuke so smart? His riddles are so interesting!"
Five or six girls were completely enamored. Ino scoffed at this. Just as she was about to leave the alley, one of the girls' words made her pause.
"Why don't we pool our money and publish a book about Sasuke? Let more people recognize his brilliance!"
"But we don't have much money..."
"Actually, I don't have much either."
Publish a book about Sasuke? A book of riddles? A photo book of Sasuke? Ino's mind was suddenly opened to possibilities. The original Ino had collected quite a bit of information about Sasuke. She could take some of it, mix in some riddles, and then shift the blame to Sakura! This seemed like a feasible plan, and she could even make some money in the process.
The next day, after a morning of classes, Ino went to the eastern part of the village during the midday break. There was a bookstore called "Shueisha" there.
Jiraiya's "Make-Out Paradise" series was published and distributed here.
Ino used the Transformation Technique to turn into Sakura, pretending to be nervous as she cautiously entered the store.
"Hello, welcome! How can I assist you?" The shop assistant greeted her warmly.
"Sakura" fidgeted for a while, seemingly mustering a great deal of resolve, before handing over a stack of manuscripts. She said, "Um, well, I... I am the vice president of the Protect, Love, Guard, and Accompany Sasuke Uchiha Association. We want to publish a book for Sasuke-kun, a work that will captivate the entire world!"
The clerk examined the cover of the manuscript three times before he understood what it was.
Realizing the magnitude of the matter, he quickly took out paper and pen to make a note. "Thank you for your trust in Shueisha. Um... your name is?"
Ino hesitated for a moment, ultimately deciding not to completely throw Sakura under the bus. She gave a name that was neither entirely true nor entirely false: "Kasugano Sakura."