Chapter 98: Mikoto's Ninjutsu Class Begins
"Alright…"
Naruto reluctantly agreed and began stretching in place, preparing for his run.
Mikoto didn't stop him. A little running after dinner was good for digestion. But she added with a smile, "Sasuke, you run with him."
Sasuke froze. He hadn't expected his little prank to backfire like this. But since Kasan had spoken, he had no choice but to follow. He could only taste the bitter fruit of his own doing.
The three laps were quickly completed. Both boys had physiques far beyond ordinary children—three laps were nothing more than a warm-up. They returned to Mikoto's side, barely even winded.
"Auntie, Auntie, now you'll teach me Ninjutsu, right?!" Naruto asked eagerly, his eyes sparkling.
Sasuke's brow twitched. His plan had been to send Naruto running so he could enjoy Kasan's lesson alone, but clearly his calculations had failed. With no excuse left, he could only sulk in silence, his face full of displeasure.
Mikoto noticed Sasuke's mood but chose not to comment. She smiled gently. "Before I teach you Ninjutsu, Naruto, show Auntie your Chakra refinement. Sasuke, you too."
Sasuke's gloomy expression instantly brightened. He started refining Chakra with a small smile.
Both of them quickly entered their exercises, and Mikoto was surprised to discover that Naruto's speed was only slightly behind Sasuke's. With his posture corrected, his refinement would only become faster.
Even Sasuke was shocked. Until now, Naruto's Chakra refinement had always been clumsy and slow. How had it suddenly improved so much tonight?
Could it be… Naruto was actually a hidden genius?
He immediately shook his head. Impossible. This was dead last Naruto. There had to be some other reason.
"Naruto, when refining Chakra, don't wave your hands around. Keep them steady… here."
As Mikoto patiently guided Naruto, a trace of jealousy flashed in Sasuke's eyes.
"Auntie, you're so kind! No one's ever told me this before. If I'd known earlier, I wouldn't have done it wrong!" Naruto said earnestly, committing every word to memory.
Hearing this, Sasuke felt a moment of pity for him. The jealousy faded away. Thinking of how lonely Naruto's life had been before coming here, Sasuke sighed inwardly. Fine. Let him enjoy Kasan's guidance this time.
Mikoto stroked Naruto's head to comfort him, then turned to Sasuke with a smile. "Sasuke, your Chakra refinement is perfect. No need to change anything—just keep practicing."
Sasuke scratched the back of his head shyly. It felt wonderful to be praised by Kasan! But when he caught Naruto's mischievous grin, he quickly coughed and forced his expression back into his usual cool, aloof demeanor.
"Pfft, Sasuke, you looked so funny just now!" Naruto laughed.
"Urusai!" Sasuke snorted, crossing his arms like a little prince.
Mikoto clapped her hands. "Alright then. Naruto, shall Auntie teach you the Three Body Technique next?"
"Yes, yes!" Naruto shouted, eyes sparkling.
"Which one would you like to learn first?"
Naruto tilted his head. "Can't I learn all of them?"
Sasuke sneered. "With your tiny brain? As if you could."
"Sasuke, don't speak like that," Mikoto chided softly. "You two should get along."
"Hmph. Who's brothers with him?" Sasuke scoffed.
"I am!" Naruto immediately raised his hand. He puffed out his chest proudly and declared, "From now on, I'll be the big brother. If anyone bullies you, Sasuke, just tell me and I'll beat them up!"
Sasuke's eye twitched. "Idiot! I'm older than you. I'm the brother."
"No way! I'm the big brother!" Naruto argued fiercely.
Mikoto could only shake her head helplessly, choosing to redirect. "Naruto, do you remember what the three techniques of the Three Body Technique are?"
Naruto blinked, then quickly answered, "Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, and Transformation Technique!"
"That's right. So, which one do you want to learn first?"
Naruto clenched his fists and said seriously, "Which one will help me win in the next combat training?"
"That would be the Clone Technique," Mikoto explained. "You can use clones to distract and tire out your opponent."
"Perfect! Then I'll learn that one first!"
"Alright. Watch closely. The hand seals are like this."
Mikoto slowed her movements so Naruto could clearly see: "Ram, Snake, Tiger."
With a poof, a second Mikoto appeared beside her in a puff of white smoke. She looked exactly the same in every detail.
"How about it, Naruto? Did you remember?"
"Yes! Auntie, I remembered!" Naruto said, eyes gleaming.
"Then try it yourself."
Naruto carefully formed the seals, muttering under his breath, "Ram, Snake, Tiger." His hands were slow but accurate. A puff of smoke erupted beside him—and when it cleared, a perfect Naruto clone was standing there.
"I did it! I really did it!" Naruto exclaimed, bouncing with excitement.
Mikoto's eyes widened slightly. "You succeeded on your first try… that's amazing, Naruto. Congratulations!"
Sasuke stared, dumbfounded. He circled the clone twice in disbelief, and when the clone cheekily picked its nose at him, he had no choice but to admit it was real.
Dead last Naruto… succeeded on his first attempt?
Although Sasuke himself had also succeeded on his first try, it was different. Naruto was supposed to be hopeless. Yet here he was, proving otherwise.
Could Naruto actually have talent for Ninjutsu?
Naruto, however, was too busy celebrating. "This is great! I'm gonna crush the next combat training! I'll send my clone out first to wear the other guy down, and then—bam! I'll finish them off!"
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