Naruto's eyes widened in surprise, his heart skipping a beat as an idea suddenly struck him. A mischievous grin spread across his face."Yes, Teacher Iruka!" he said loudly.While one version of him remained behind to "listen" to the lecture, another Naruto quietly slipped out of the classroom, moving as silently as a shadow. Though he hadn't dispelled his Shadow Clone, at least only one version of him remained in the room, giving the illusion of obedience.Teacher Iruka, recognizing the cunning in Naruto's eyes, could only sigh helplessly. There was no stopping him.But in truth, the Naruto still in the classroom was the Shadow Clone. His real body had already vanished from sight, making its way to the Ninja Academy's training grounds."Good!" Naruto muttered to himself, clenching his fists with a sharp grinding sound. He interlocked his fingers, then pushed them outward, revealing a confident smile."Next, it's time for some extra-special training!"He strode toward the training grounds, excitement radiating from every movement. However, his plan was abruptly interrupted when he came across a familiar face."Naruto? What are you doing here instead of attending class?"Naruto blinked, his carefree expression faltering for a moment. "Eh? Teacher Mizuki?!"Scratching the back of his head, Naruto chuckled nervously. "Well… actually, I used the Shadow Clone Technique. My Shadow Clone is sitting in class, listening to the lecture, while I… take the opportunity to train and improve my Ninjutsu and Taijutsu!"Mizuki's face went pale, his expression twisting from curiosity to alarm."What… what did you just say?" he stammered."Shadow Clone Technique?!" he repeated, his voice a mixture of disbelief and shock.Chapter 50 flashed in Mizuki's mind: the conspiracy involving the forbidden sealing scroll and the secret techniques hidden within. He realized immediately how dangerous Naruto's ability could be. Even a Chunin like him had only just mastered the basics of the Shadow Clone Technique. How could this child have figured it out on his own?"Who… who taught you the Shadow Clone Technique?" Mizuki asked, attempting to hide his growing panic.Naruto shrugged, scratching his head again. "No one taught me. I just… figured it out myself."Mizuki's jaw dropped."You… you're not lying to me?" he asked cautiously."Of course not! Who else would teach me?" Naruto replied with a chuckle, oblivious to the storm brewing in Mizuki's mind.Mizuki hesitated, then nodded slowly. "…That's true.""Huh? Really?!" Naruto's eyes widened, shining with excitement.Coughing to regain his composure, Mizuki continued: "I mean… no one taught you, yet you learned it yourself. This… this child might truly be a genius."Naruto's eyes sparkled with joy. The word genius had the power to lift his spirits higher than anything else. Teacher Iruka forbade him from using the Shadow Clone Technique, but now, here was Teacher Mizuki, praising him like a prodigy. Naruto felt an overwhelming surge of happiness.Unbeknownst to Naruto, Mizuki's true intentions were far from pure. Deep within his heart, he harbored ambitious and dangerous schemes. His ultimate desire had always been the sealing scroll of Konoha—a treasure that contained countless forbidden techniques, each brimming with unimaginable power.Though kept safely in the home of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the scroll's existence had long tantalized Mizuki. He could never have dared to steal it alone. But with Naruto's special status, an idea began to form in his mind. Perhaps, just perhaps, he could use the boy to achieve his goal…Mizuki quickly recovered his composure and forced a gentle smile. "Cough cough… Naruto, since you've only just figured out the Shadow Clone Technique, you're not yet proficient. How about this… I accompany you in your training?"Naruto blinked, stunned. Then, a surge of excitement filled his chest. "R-Really? You'll help me, Teacher Mizuki? That's amazing!""Of course," Mizuki replied smoothly. "It will be a chance for one-on-one guidance. You'll improve much faster with my help."For Naruto, this was a dream come true. Most children from prestigious clans often had senior mentors guiding their training. But for him, a lonely boy ostracized for being a jinchūriki, this was almost impossible. Overjoyed, he eagerly followed Mizuki toward the training grounds."First, Naruto, try to activate your Shadow Clone again," Mizuki instructed."Okay!" Naruto's hands glowed as he focused his Chakra, forming a new Shadow Clone instantly.Mizuki's eyes widened. Naruto really wasn't lying! But Mizuki quickly recovered his composure. "Cough cough… Naruto, your hand seals are incorrect. The Shadow Clone Technique requires the Ram hand seal."He demonstrated, joining his index and middle fingers and crossing them into the traditional cross shape.Naruto's eyes widened. "Oh! Is that how it's done? But… why can I do it with other hand seals?"Mizuki smiled gently, explaining patiently, "Hand seals help condense and control your Chakra. But they are not fixed. Some ninja require dozens of seals to activate the same Ninjutsu, while others may need only a few. Simplifying hand seals is part of optimizing the technique.""So, my way was just… by accident?" Naruto asked, a mixture of awe and curiosity on his face."Yes," Mizuki confirmed. "But using the Ram hand seal allows you to perform the technique efficiently, with just one precise motion. This method was developed by the Second Hokage himself—proven to be the most effective and powerful approach."Naruto's mind buzzed with information. After a few days of intensive practice, he now understood seventy to eighty percent of the theory behind the Shadow Clone Technique."I understand, Teacher Mizuki! I want to try it properly!" he said, clenching his fists with renewed determination."Then let's begin!" Mizuki said, his smile hiding a tinge of calculation."Shadow Clone Technique!" Naruto called out, forming the perfect Ram hand seal. His fingers crossed in the classic pose, his stance firm and confident.With a poof of white smoke, a Shadow Clone appeared flawlessly in front of him. Naruto's eyes sparkled with pride. "Ha! It's so smooth! Teacher Mizuki, look!"Mizuki's expression, however, darkened slightly. How many clones could this boy produce? One in the classroom, another here, and now this one? He himself could only manage two clones at most. Could it be that this Nine-Tailed Demon Fox jinchūriki possessed potential beyond his own imagination?Still, Mizuki's immediate concern was his hidden agenda. He needed Naruto to trust him completely before he could exploit him. But even so, he couldn't help but feel awe at the boy's natural talent."Naruto, you truly are talented. You are not the troublemaker people claim you to be," Mizuki said carefully."Really, Teacher Mizuki?!" Naruto asked, his voice filled with hope."Yes. I believe in you," Mizuki replied, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.Naruto laughed joyfully, his entire body radiating happiness. "Hahaha! Teacher Mizuki, you really know how to encourage me!""Come, Naruto. Let's continue your training," Mizuki said, motioning toward the open field.Over the next hours, Mizuki guided Naruto meticulously. From the correct hand seals to more efficient Chakra control, from perfecting the formation of clones to understanding their coordination, he taught every technique with care. Naruto, for the first time in his life, felt genuinely supported and encouraged.Though physically exhausted, Naruto's spirit soared. "Thank you, Teacher Mizuki! My Shadow Clone Technique is improving so much!"Mizuki nodded, but his gaze carried more calculation than admiration. "Naruto, your talent in the Shadow Clone Technique is exceptional—perhaps the best I have ever seen.""Really?!" Naruto asked, incredulous and thrilled.Mizuki's lips curved slightly. "Yes. But your basic Clone Technique… it's still weak."Naruto frowned. "What? But isn't my Shadow Clone Technique far better than the normal Clone Technique?"Mizuki chuckled lightly. "That's not contradictory. The basic Clone Technique focuses on precise Chakra control, while the Shadow Clone Technique relies on sheer Chakra reserves. You have immense Chakra, Naruto, but your control isn't yet refined.""Oh! I get it now! So my strength in the Shadow Clone Technique makes sense!" Naruto exclaimed, his enthusiasm undimmed by fatigue.Mizuki nodded, letting a thoughtful sigh escape his lips.For Naruto, this was the first time someone had recognized his talent so fully. He felt a deep sense of accomplishment, mixed with excitement for the future. Little did he know, this praise came not from pure kindness, but from Mizuki's carefully calculated manipulation.Nevertheless, in this moment, Naruto's heart was filled with joy. He had taken another step toward mastering the Shadow Clone Technique, and perhaps, one day, he would become the ninja he had always dreamed of being—the Hokage of Konoha.And as he trained tirelessly under Mizuki's guidance, the seeds of both opportunity and danger were quietly sown, ready to shape the future of the boy with the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox sealed within him.
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