“That child Kamiki…
he’s never had any contact with a tailed beast, has he?” Hiruzen Sarutobi drew in a sharp breath of cold air.
“No.
When he was brought back, the Nine-Tails incident was already over.
According to what he said just now, he only saw the Nine-Tails in a dream…” the Anbu operative continued.
“To mimic it so well just from seeing it in a dream, and with that immense amount of chakra…
has Kamiki finally learned how to control the chakra inside him?” The Third muttered to himself, before instructing the Anbu operative, “Keep a closer eye on Kamiki from now on.” After Kamiki’s transformation episode, Iruka began teaching the day’s classes.
Throughout the lessons, he could not stop himself from glancing back at Kamiki.
Kamiki listened attentively from start to finish, completely focused, in total contrast to the rowdy Naruto beside him.
Soon, the day’s classes at the Ninja Academy came to an end.
Just before dismissing the class, Iruka assigned homework on purpose.
“Tomorrow, we will review the Clone Jutsu.
Make sure to prepare well at home.” On the way home, Naruto and Kamiki walked together.
Seeing that Kamiki remained silent and seemed lost in thought, Naruto suggested, “Kamiki, let’s go paint on the Hokage Rock together!” “Huh?” Kamiki snapped back to his senses and shook his head.
“I can’t.
I plan to go home and practice the Clone Jutsu properly.” “My transformation was already so poor today.
If my Clone Jutsu is just as bad tomorrow…” Kamiki let out a sigh.
“Alright then.” Naruto spread his hands.
Watching Kamiki’s back as he walked home, Naruto muttered softly, “Kamiki is so strange today, and working so hard.” “No way!
I have to practice hard too, I can’t fall behind!” That night, Kamiki practiced the Clone Jutsu over and over in his small courtyard.
Naturally, he did not forget Iruka’s advice about understanding and flexibility, constantly trying new variations.
As he practiced, exhaustion overtook him, and he fell asleep right there in the yard.
The next morning, all the students had arrived in the classroom, but Kamiki was still missing.
Iruka looked toward Naruto, who was Kamiki’s best friend in the class.
“Naruto, do you know where Kamiki went?” Kamiki was usually very punctual and had never been late before.
There had to be an unusual reason today.
“He’s definitely scared and doesn’t dare to show up,” a student called out.
“Yeah, Kamiki’s Clone Jutsu can only make a floppy doll!” a girl sneered.
“Yesterday’s transformation was probably just dumb luck, so today he’s too scared to come!” “Exactly, yesterday was just a lucky mistake.
He doesn’t have the guts today!” The chatter grew rowdier.
Iruka had no choice but to press his hands down, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
Just then, Kamiki appeared at the classroom door, dripping with sweat.
“I’m sorry, Iruka-sensei.
I practiced too late last night and accidentally overslept,” Kamiki said with an apologetic look.
His excuse immediately set off another round of laughter across the room.
“Practiced too late and accidentally overslept…
haha, that’s definitely an excuse!” “Right, Kamiki, you’ve practiced for so long and still can’t use the Clone Jutsu.
I think you shouldn’t waste your effort!” “Actually, there’s nothing wrong with just being an ordinary person!” An angry Naruto immediately stepped forward to stand up for his friend.
“Have you guys said enough already?!” “Naruto, they’re just telling the truth.
There’s no need to get angry,” Sakura remarked from the side.
As she spoke, she glanced toward Sasuke by the window, hoping to grab his attention.
“Everyone is right, my talent really is lacking,” Kamiki said with an innocent face, ignoring the mockery.
“However, I can use the standard Clone Jutsu now.” “Really, Kamiki?” Iruka asked, pleasantly surprised.
If it were another student, he would not be this excited.
But this was Kamiki—the boy who had not pulled off a single successful jutsu in five years at the Ninja Academy!
“Show it to everyone,” Iruka encouraged him.
“Heh, we want to see it too!” Sakura laughed along.
She did not believe for a second that Kamiki could learn the Clone Jutsu overnight.
Even if he did, it would definitely be flawed and fall far below the passing standard!
Kamiki looked modest.
“I might not be very good at it yet, please don’t laugh.” With that, Kamiki stepped onto the podium and formed a hand sign.
“Clone Jutsu!” Poof!
A clone identical to Kamiki appeared on the podium!
The entire class stood stunned!
“This guy actually learned it?!” “At least he won’t fail the Clone Jutsu exam now.” “Looks like Kamiki really has been working hard.” “Why be so shocked?
This is something we learned two or three years ago, he’s only just figured it out now!” Sakura complained, dissatisfied.
“True.
People are only surprised because it happened to dead-last Kamiki,” another student agreed.
“Kamiki, you did well.
This already meets the final exam standard,” Iruka said, patting Kamiki’s shoulder in praise.
“Still, don’t get arrogant.
You’re still quite far behind your peers.” “Yes, I understand, Iruka-sensei,” Kamiki nodded obediently and modestly.
Iruka-sensei was right!
His ninjutsu talent was poor, and he had no special bloodline.
Even compared to his peers, the gap remained huge!
He had to keep working hard!
“By the way, Sensei, when I was practicing the Clone Jutsu yesterday, I noticed that if I changed the hand signs slightly, I could make different clones.” Hearing this, Iruka’s curiosity was piqued.
“Oh?
Show me.” Kamiki nodded earnestly and formed a hand sign completely different from the regular Clone Jutsu.
The next second.
Poof, poof, poof— Five or six Kamikis appeared in the classroom all at once.
The multiple Kamikis spoke at the same time, “Sensei, like this.” The entire class was bewildered.
Iruka frowned.
“Kamiki, don’t play tricks on me.
Isn’t this just the regular Clone Jutsu with a few extra bodies?” “Sensei, try touching one,” the multiple Kamikis spoke again.
With a skeptical look, Iruka reached out and touched one of the clones.
It felt solid and warm, just like a real person!
Could…
could it be?!
This is the Shadow Clone Jutsu!
A B-rank technique recorded in the Hidden Leaf’s scroll, the Shadow Clone Jutsu!
It used chakra to create physical clones with independent consciousness and solid resistance to hits!
Most importantly, when dispersed, the memories and experience of the clone returned to the user!
“Kamiki, d-did you figure this out on your own?!” Iruka’s eyes went wide.