“Damn it, damn it, damn it!”
Naruto glared at the villager walking away with his shoulder pole, so furious he felt like he was going to explode.
He was obviously the one being bullied, yet not a single person spoke up for him. Instead, they all praised Yagyu Masahiko for being kind!
That bastard…
It was all his fault!
Get stronger!
He had to get stronger!
He had to tear off that hypocritical mask of his!
Naruto had never felt such urgency to become stronger as he did now. He wished he could gain immense power right this instant and defeat Masahiko outright.
Masahiko, however, paid him no mind. With a gentle, courteous smile, he greeted every villager who passed by, and each time, those villagers praised him for being earnest and responsible—
To the villagers, if Masahiko could be so responsible even toward a terrible student like Naruto, then he certainly would not discriminate against any other student.
Ten laps.
Twenty laps…
By the later laps, Naruto’s consciousness had grown hazy, and he was gradually losing track of how long he had been running.
Masahiko glanced at him from the corner of his eye and could not help sighing inwardly.
Thirty laps.
For a first bout of such high-intensity training, Naruto was already nearing his limit. If he kept running, there might be risks.
Although Masahiko wanted screen time, if he injured Naruto, the Third would definitely never agree to this kind of special training again in the future.
He stopped.
“Rest, dead last.”
“I…”
By the end, Naruto had been holding on purely through willpower. Now he was swaying on his feet, nearly blacking out and toppling backward.
After finally catching his breath a little, his breathing was heavy and rapid, like a broken bellows.
Yagyu Masahiko gave a snort of laughter and said, “I’ll take you to class for now. Remember, there are still fifty laps at noon.”
“Fifty laps…”
Naruto’s mind went blank. “I finished?”
He staggered along behind him and still could not come back to his senses for a long while.
…
The Ninja Academy.
The class bell rang.
Inside the classroom, Iruka swept his gaze across the class and soon noticed a familiar spot, familiarly empty.
His brow twitched, but he said nothing. Setting down his book, he prepared to begin the lesson.
Just then, the door opened.
Panting, Naruto struggled to say, “I’m sorry, Iruka-sensei, I…”
“Naruto! You’re late again!”
Iruka roared, then said in exasperation, “Why are you always like this?”
Naruto lowered his head without a word, feeling terribly wronged.
At that moment, a voice came from behind him.
“Ah, sorry about that, Iruka-sensei. I dragged Naruto out for extra training this morning, so that’s why he’s late.”
As he spoke, a handsome, striking face appeared above Naruto.
Yagyu Masahiko ruffled Naruto’s blond hair and smiled gently. “Go on in.”
Naruto felt no gratitude at all. Instead, he glared at him furiously.
Because…
What Yagyu Masahiko said was the truth!
He had dragged him up at six in the morning and made him run until after seven. After only a short rest, he had ended up late, ruining his plan to carry a bucket around and graffiti.
But clearly, no one believed it.
“Masahiko-sensei is handsome and gentle, and he’s even willing to help someone like Naruto so selflessly—ahhh! I love him so much!”
Ino cupped her face in both hands, her eyes shining.
Choji stuffed chips into his mouth and mumbled, “No way! Naruto definitely went off to graffiti again.”
Shikamaru looked at Naruto’s trembling legs, propping his head up without responding to Choji.
Iruka, however, grew even angrier. His expression darkened, but he still forced a smile. “Masahiko-sensei, you don’t need to make excuses for him…”
“No, I really did wake Naruto up and make him run dozens of laps around Konoha.”
Masahiko scratched his head awkwardly. “Naruto is still too young. Next time, I may have to reduce the training load.”
Iruka was stunned for a few seconds. Then he looked at Naruto and noticed his unsteady legs, finally believing it. He secretly regretted having been too hasty earlier.
But then he noticed Naruto’s fierce glare and immediately grew dissatisfied again.
“Have you thanked Masahiko-sensei?”
Naruto’s eyes widened when he heard that, and he said angrily, “I’m supposed to thank him?”
“No need. I won’t disturb your class. I’ll go prepare for this afternoon’s taijutsu lesson.”
Masahiko waved it off indifferently, then waved goodbye to Iruka and everyone else.
Naruto was livid, but there was nothing he could do to Masahiko. He could only see him off with a vicious glare, wishing he could beat Masahiko up several times over.
Unlike usual, Sasuke kept his gaze fixed on him until Naruto sat down. Only then did he withdraw his eyes and look toward the front.
…
Back in the office, Masahiko stretched lazily.
He sat down, took out a pen and paper, and recorded some of the techniques and inspirations he had grasped last night.
He had not spent long cultivating in “Basic Further Training” last night, but judging from his various performances this morning, the effects could be said to have been immediate.
Moreover.
The injuries and fatigue from the training space would not be brought back to reality in the slightest, while his techniques had genuinely improved.
Unfortunately, the only thing currently unlocked was the taijutsu section of Basic Further Training.
“In a ninja’s taijutsu battle, killing and injuring the enemy are the priority. Movements should be simplified and direct, avoiding flashy, showy motions.”
“Speed must be fast, but the body’s reactions also have to keep up…”
He recorded them one by one.
After finishing another line, Masahiko glanced from the corner of his eye and noticed someone standing beside him. He immediately rose, alert, and looked back.
In the next instant, he froze for a second, then hurriedly bowed. “Lord Hokage, I didn’t expect you to come!”
“Hahaha, I’m the one disturbing you.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and waved his hand.
“Please sit!”
Masahiko stepped aside.
He shared an office with Iruka. Now that Iruka had gone to teach, only he and Sarutobi Hiruzen were in the room.
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not refuse either. He sat down with a smile, swept his eyes over the words recorded above, and his smile deepened.
“Not bad. Did you think of these yourself?”
“Yes. I am dull-witted, and I don’t know any other ninjutsu, so I can only study taijutsu more.”
Masahiko answered.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed softly. “You are someone willing to study and willing to work hard.”
“You are now a chunin, and also a teacher. You may receive two ninjutsu.”
After speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen took out a scroll.
Masahiko accepted it and opened it.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique. Simple, but extremely powerful—a very practical ninjutsu.
But he hoped even more to receive another ninjutsu…
Unfortunately, the Shadow Clone Technique was a B-rank ninjutsu. Under normal circumstances, only jonin could cultivate that kind of technique.
Just as he was about to thank him, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, “I checked your records. Your chakra test paper result previously was fire, so I gave you the Great Fireball Technique.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
Masahiko replied gratefully.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and waved his hand. “You are an important talent of the village. It is only right to nurture you. As for the other ninjutsu, tell me your own thoughts first.”
“Lord Hokage…”
Masahiko hesitated for a moment, but still chose to speak. “Can I cultivate the Shadow Clone Technique now?”
“Shadow Clone?”
Sarutobi Hiruzen was slightly startled, then pondered for a moment. “Cultivating the Shadow Clone Technique requires a large amount of chakra. Otherwise, its practicality is very low, and there is also a certain degree of risk.”
“I know.”
Masahiko naturally knew the situation with the Shadow Clone.
It could create a tangible clone, one whose flaws even the Byakugan and Sharingan could not see through.
Most importantly—
When the shadow clone was dispelled, the memories and battle experience from that time would all return to the original body.
Masahiko did not have much chakra, but creating one shadow clone to assist with training and work was still possible.
“Very well, but you must act within your limits. At most, create only one shadow clone at a time.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, but still gave him special instructions.
Masahiko hurriedly nodded.
Afterward, a hint of hesitation appeared on his face, as if he wanted to speak but held back.
“Lord Hokage, about Naruto…”
“Haha, I heard about it. Although the method isn’t very good, I think you can give it a try.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen replied.
Then he sighed softly. “Unfortunately, the current Naruto may not be able to understand your painstaking efforts. This has wronged you.”
“I don’t feel wronged. I hope he can become someone accomplished as well. Besides, exhausting his energy will also keep him from causing trouble every day.”
Hearing this, Masahiko indeed let out a long sigh of relief.
Sarutobi Hiruzen patted his shoulder. “Work hard. I have high hopes for you.”
“Yes!”