After class had ended.
The classroom was buzzing with activity as students squeezed together in a tight circle.
"Whoa, that drawing is amazing!"
"Yakumo, how did you do that? You were drawing while walking!"
"So cool!"
"Can you draw one for me, too?"
The students chattered excitedly, seven or eight voices speaking at once.
"No, it's… it's not that good. The lines are still quite rough," Kurama Yakumo stammered. For the first time, she felt that coming to school might actually be interesting.
However…
Everyone was a little too enthusiastic.
On the periphery of the crowd, Nara Shikamaru—who had been caught in the crossfire and trapped in the middle—let out a soft sigh. He nudged Yamanaka Ino's arm with his elbow and shot her a meaningful glance.
Ino snapped out of her daze.
"Hey, everyone, back off a bit! Don't crowd her! And about the drawing—there's only one. It wouldn't be fair to give it to just one person, so don't make things difficult for Yakumo!"
Yakumo lowered her head and whispered, "It's okay. Maybe… maybe I can draw a few more?"
"That would be way too much work," Ino immediately interjected.
Shikamaru sighed silently again. He propped his chin on his hand and spoke with his usual lack of energy. "If you want, just hang that drawing up at the back of the class. That settles it."
Ino's eyes lit up. "Right! You always have a solution, Shikamaru!"
"Okay."
Yakumo breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Drawing a picture for every single person…
That really would have been a massive workload!
She looked at Ino with gratitude, thanking her silently in her heart.
Shikamaru yawned and glanced at the schedule on the wall.
Ninja Tools Class.
It looked like the kind of class one could skip.
But…
He glanced at Yakumo and sighed softly.
The new student's health seemed fragile. She clearly needed special care, but it had to be done without being too obvious about it. Leaving Ino alone to handle this? He didn't trust that scenario at all.
'Man, women are such a drag!'
As for Naruto—
"Aaaah! Why do I have to attend class doing a handstand?! This is bullying!"
Second Floor, Faculty Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in the chair, a look of concern etched on his aged face. "Is this perhaps too harsh on Naruto?"
"Not at all. His physical recovery rate is incredibly fast, but his chakra control is abysmal—so poor that he hasn't even mastered the Three Basic Techniques."
Masahiko paused briefly, adopting a professional, analytical tone. "If he continues on his current trajectory without putting extra effort into Taijutsu, he likely won't be able to graduate normally."
In the original timeline, Naruto's graduation process had been riddled with backdoors and connections—something that would make anyone click their tongue in disapproval.
Hiruzen fell silent upon hearing this.
He had to admit that Masahiko was right. With the talent Naruto currently displayed, even five more years of practicing the Clone Jutsu wouldn't guarantee a legitimate graduation.
Taijutsu was indeed suitable for the boy.
The Hokage took a puff from his pipe, then sighed. "Naruto, Yakumo… You've taken responsibility for quite a few problem students. Can you handle the workload?"
"If not for Iruka-sensei, it would indeed be difficult for me alone," Masahiko replied with a modest smile.
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully, then stood up. "If you need any assistance, be sure to ask immediately."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"By the way, regarding that mental illness you mentioned before…"
Hiruzen hesitated for a few seconds before lowering his voice. "For hemophobia caused by the death of a loved one… do you have any methods for treatment or counseling?"
"Hokage-sama, I am merely a teacher. Regarding mental illnesses, I only have vague speculations. I haven't studied it systematically…"
Masahiko put on a troubled expression.
He knew exactly what Hiruzen was getting at. The Hokage was undoubtedly hoping to cure Tsunade's phobia of blood so she could return to the village.
But.
Current Masahiko truly couldn't do it.
And even if he could, doing so now would be too heaven-defying. It would likely cause Hiruzen—and Danzō—to become suspicious of his true nature.
Hiruzen let out a long sigh. "Yes… I was being too impatient."
He forced a smile. "Get back to work, then."
In the next instant, he vanished from the spot.
The visitor had been nothing more than a Shadow Clone.
However.
[Low-Rank Skill Copy Card used.]
[Target: Sarutobi Hiruzen.]
[Copyable Skill List: Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu (Perfect), Wind Style: Great Breakthrough (Perfect), Water Style: Water Clone Jutsu (Perfect)…]
A dense list of skills manifested before Masahiko's eyes.
The "Professor of Ninjutsu"—the title was well-earned.
'Copy Water Style: Water Clone Jutsu.'
A moment later, a new entry appeared in his skill list:
[Water Style: Water Clone Jutsu: Perfect]
"Perfect" was the theoretical limit of a Ninjutsu, and also the limit of the Copy Card.
But.
Masahiko's gaze shifted to another card in his inventory.
[Do you wish to use the 'Low-Rank Skill Upgrade Card' on 'Water Style: Water Clone Jutsu (Perfect)'?]
[Note: The upgrade principle is based on the user's knowledge deduction and creation. Insufficient accumulation of knowledge may lead to failure in 'Limit-Breaking'.]
It could be used!
But it required a sufficient foundation of knowledge…
Masahiko pondered for a moment and chose not to use it yet.
He didn't have full confidence right now. However, if he wanted to elevate the Water Clone, he had a good direction in mind.
Kamizuki Izumo possessed a Water Style technique with high viscosity.
If he could learn the principles of that sticky syrup starch, and integrate it into the Water Clone Jutsu, perhaps he could achieve a 'Limit-Break' level technique.
'Although it requires knowledge accumulation to break the limit, this Upgrade Card is still extremely precious.'
Masahiko refrained from using it, keeping it as a trump card for a temporary power spike, just as he had planned.
Afterward, he sat in his chair and quickly entered the Ninjutsu Training Space.
In the next instant, Masahiko spat out a large volume of water. The liquid converged in mid-air, forming two identical clones.
With Perfect-level control, there was not a single drop wasted or leaked. The two clones moved according to his will, controlled with absolute freedom.
"Let's test it!"
Masahiko looked at the projection of 'Kakashi' standing opposite him, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
But.
Moments later, his gaze turned clear and unimpressed.
Although it was just a projection version, 'Kakashi's' Fire Style was brutal. The high temperature of the flames evaporated the Water Clones in just a few moves.
A Water Clone possessed only 10% of the original body's ability. While stronger in water, it lacked the ability to act autonomously.
Even at the Perfect level, these inherent flaws couldn't be solved.
Compared to the Shadow Clone Jutsu, it was inferior by more than a single notch.
But its chakra consumption was low.
As a C-Rank Ninjutsu, it was considered very competent and powerful enough for its class.
Moreover…
'I have already mastered Water Nature Chakra refinement. Learning Water Style Ninjutsu in the future will be twice as effective with half the effort.'
After the experiment, Masahiko prepared to continue training his Shadow Clone technique to see if he could push its proficiency level further.
However.
Just after a few attempts…
The mental space collapsed as a knock sounded on his door.
Masahiko looked toward the entrance. Yuhi Kurenai was standing there, wearing a gentle smile.
"May I come in?"
"Of course."
Masahiko stood up, rubbing the space between his brows, feigning a look of exhaustion.
Kurenai held a thermos in her hand. Seeing his expression, her tone softened. "Tired?"
"Didn't rest well last night," Masahiko nodded.
Kurenai handed him the thermos. "Perfect timing, then. I brewed some revitalizing tea. I thought I'd bring some over for you to taste, and check on Yakumo while I was at it."
"I asked Ino from the Yamanaka clan to guide her, and Shikamaru is watching over them too. She should adapt relatively quickly," Masahiko replied.
Kurenai nodded. "I saw. Thank you for being so attentive."
"It's nothing. Anyone who sees a girl like Yakumo would lend a helping hand."
Masahiko took a tea cup and poured some liquid from Kurenai's thermos.
He wasn't sure if it was revitalizing, but it tasted good!
Watching Masahiko's expression, a smile unconsciously bloomed on Kurenai's face.
The joy of the tea arts lay in the tasting, but also in the sharing.
"There's one more thing," Kurenai said. "I've been thinking about the research for a certain Jutsu lately. If you have time…"
She didn't finish the sentence, but her meaning was clear.
"My Genjutsu is very average," Masahiko replied honestly.
Kurenai smiled. "It doesn't matter. It's just a discussion, a casual chat."
"Then I'd be happy to. If I can provide even a little inspiration, that would be wonderful."