After class, everyone crowded together inside the classroom.
"Wow, this is amazing!"
"Yakumo, how do you do it? You can draw while walking!"
"So impressive!"
"Can you give me one?"
They gathered around her, chattering all at once.
"N-no, it's not that good… the lines are still pretty rough!"
For the first time, Yakumo Kurama felt that coming to school could actually be this enjoyable.
But…
Everyone seemed a bit too enthusiastic…
Off to the side, Shikamaru—caught in the crossfire and squeezed in the middle—let out a quiet sigh. He nudged Ino's arm and gave her a look.
Ino snapped out of it. "Everyone, don't crowd around! As for the drawing, there's only one. It wouldn't be fair to give it to anyone, so don't make things difficult for Yakumo!"
Yakumo said softly, "It's okay. I could draw more if needed?"
"That would be too much work," Ino immediately stopped her.
Shikamaru silently sighed again, propping his chin on his hand as he said lazily, "If you're willing, just hang this one at the back."
Ino's eyes lit up. "Oh right, that works! Nice idea!"
"Okay." Yakumo quietly let out a sigh of relief.
If she really had to draw one for everyone…
That would be a huge workload!
She glanced gratefully at Ino, silently thanking her.
Shikamaru yawned and looked at the schedule nearby.
Ninja tools class.
It looked like something he could skip.
But…
He glanced at Yakumo and sighed softly.
The new student's condition didn't seem great. She needed special care—but not the obvious kind.
He couldn't trust Ino to handle everything alone.
Ugh, women are such a hassle!
As for Naruto—
"Ahhh! Why do I have to attend class upside down? This is bullying!"
…
On the second floor, inside the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his chair, a worried look on his face. "Isn't this a bit too harsh on Naruto?"
"It's not. His body recovers quickly, but his chakra control is extremely poor. He can't even properly perform the basic three techniques," Shin paused slightly. "At this rate, if he doesn't focus more on taijutsu, he might not even graduate normally."
Naruto's original graduation process had been full of backdoor arrangements and connections—something that would make anyone stunned.
Hiruzen fell silent.
He had to admit that Shin was right.
Given Naruto's current aptitude, even five more years of training wouldn't be enough for him to graduate normally using the basic techniques.
Taijutsu really did suit Naruto.
He took a puff of his pipe and sighed. "Naruto, Yakumo… you're handling too many problem students. Can you manage it all?"
"If it were just me, without Iruka, it would indeed be difficult," Shin said with a smile.
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully, then stood up. "If you need help, make sure to ask."
"Yes."
"Oh, right—this mental illness…"
Hiruzen hesitated. After a few seconds, he spoke in a low voice. "For someone who developed hemophobia due to the death of a loved one… do you have any way to treat or ease it?"
"Lord Hokage, I'm just a teacher. As for mental illness, I only have some rough ideas. I've never studied it systematically…" Shin replied, looking troubled.
He understood clearly that Hiruzen was asking because he hoped to cure Tsunade's hemophobia and bring her back.
But…
At his current level, it was impossible.
If he actually could, it would be too unbelievable—both Hiruzen and Danzo would grow suspicious.
Hiruzen sighed deeply. "Yes… I'm being too impatient."
He forced a smile. "You can get back to work."
In the next moment, he vanished—
It had only been a shadow clone.
However—
[Low-Level Skill Copy Card Used.]
[Target: Hiruzen Sarutobi.]
[Available Skills to Copy: Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (Perfect), Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (Perfect), Water Release: Water Clone (Perfect)…]
A dense list of techniques appeared before his eyes.
The title "Professor of Ninjutsu" truly lived up to its name.
"Copy Water Release: Water Clone."
In the next moment, a new entry appeared:
[Water Release: Water Clone — Perfect]
"Perfect" was the theoretical limit of a technique—and also the limit of the copy card.
But…
Shin's gaze shifted to the other card.
"Use 'Low-Level Skill Upgrade Card' on 'Water Release: Water Clone (Perfect)'?"
[Note: The upgrade card operates by deriving and creating based on the user's knowledge. Insufficient knowledge may result in failure to break the limit.]
It could be used!
But it required sufficient knowledge accumulation…
After thinking it through, Shin chose not to use it.
He didn't have enough confidence yet, but if he were to improve the Water Clone, he already had a promising direction—
Kamizuki Izumo possessed a water-style technique with high viscosity.
If he could learn the principles behind that high-viscosity water release and integrate it into the Water Clone Technique, it might achieve a "limit-breaking" level.
"Even though it requires knowledge to reach that level, this upgrade card is still extremely valuable."
Shin didn't use it, sticking to his original plan of saving it as a trump card for critical moments.
Afterward, he sat down and quickly entered the ninjutsu training space.
In the next instant, Shin expelled a large stream of water from his mouth. The water gathered midair and formed two clones.
Perfect-level control—no waste, no leakage. The two clones moved as he willed, fully under his command.
"Let's try it."
Shin looked toward "Kakashi," a fighting spirit rising in his eyes.
But…
After only a moment, his expression cleared.
Even as a projection, "Kakashi's" fire-style ninjutsu was overwhelming. The intense heat evaporated the water clones in just a few strikes.
A water clone only had 10% of the original's ability. It was stronger in water, but lacked independent mobility.
Even at the perfect level, these weaknesses couldn't be resolved.
Compared to the Shadow Clone Technique, it was inferior by a wide margin.
But it consumed far less chakra.
As a C-rank ninjutsu, it was already extremely solid and powerful.
More importantly—
"My control over water-style chakra has been fully mastered. Learning other water techniques will now be much easier."
After testing it, Shin originally planned to continue training Shadow Clone to see if he could push it further.
But—
After just a few attempts…
The space collapsed, and a knock sounded at the door.
Shin looked toward the entrance. Kurenai Yuhi stood there, smiling.
"May I come in?"
"Of course."
Shin stood up and rubbed his temples, pretending to look exhausted.
Kurenai carried a thermos. Seeing his expression, her tone softened. "Tired?"
"I didn't rest well last night." Shin nodded.
Kurenai handed him the thermos. "Perfect timing. I made some refreshing tea. I thought I'd let you try it—and check on Yakumo while I'm here."
"I had Ino from the Yamanaka clan take care of her, and with Shikamaru watching, she should adapt quickly," Shin replied.
Kurenai nodded. "I've already seen. Thank you for putting in so much effort."
"It's nothing. Any normal person would want to help a girl like Yakumo."
Shin took a cup and poured some tea from Kurenai's thermos.
Whether it was refreshing or not, he wasn't sure—but it tasted great.
Seeing his expression, a smile unconsciously appeared on Kurenai's face.
The joy of tea lay not only in tasting it, but also in sharing it.
"There's something else," Kurenai said. "I've been thinking about researching a new technique. If you have time…"
She didn't finish, but her meaning was clear.
"My genjutsu is quite average," Shin replied honestly.
Kurenai smiled. "It's fine. Just a discussion. We can casually exchange ideas."
"I'd be glad to. If I can offer any inspiration, that would be even better."