Ino couldn't possibly replicate Shikamaru's achievements, nor did she need to. She planned to learn the Shadow Clone Technique in the shortest time possible, then use the Shadow Clone cheat to learn a large number of Ninjutsu, enriching her ability list.
"Shadow Clone Technique? Are you sure you want to learn a Ninjutsu of such high difficulty?" After the family finished dinner, Ino made her request, and Inoichi's expression showed clear hesitation.
Ino could wait until Naruto learned the Shadow Clone, then use the excuse that everyone else knew it but she didn't to learn it. However, she felt that was too slow. Since there was a scroll for learning Shadow Clone in the family, there was no need to waste time.
She nodded: "I'm sure, because of the fight with Sasuke, I feel that if I use a Shadow Clone to control the Water Prison Technique while my main body hides in the shadows, the effect would be much better."
Her reasoning didn't completely convince Inoichi. He found it difficult to decide whether his daughter, who hadn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy, should learn such a high-risk B-rank Ninjutsu like the Shadow Clone.
This was different from the family's B-rank Secret Technique, Mind Body Disturbance Technique. Mind Body Disturbance was merely a deeper application of Mind Body Switch, and once mastered, it wasn't difficult. Having strong mental energy was a natural progression.
The Shadow Clone Technique was unrelated to the family's Secret Technique, and practicing it carried risks.
After thinking for a moment, Inoichi got up and went to his study. Before long, he returned with a scroll: "How about this, this scroll describes the B-rank Water Release Ninjutsu: Exploding Water Colliding Wave. This is completely a Jonin-level Ninjutsu. If you can master this technique, I will believe you have the ability to learn Shadow Clone."
Exploding Water Colliding Wave? My cheap dad has good intentions.
This was the Ninjutsu that created a large amount of water using Chakra in a waterless environment. If it were upgraded further, from a B-rank Ninjutsu to an A-rank Ninjutsu, it would be Kisame's Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave.
This technique was indeed necessary for her, who used Water Release and had a fair amount of Chakra.
Ino didn't refuse, taking the scroll: "Don't worry, Dad, I'll prove myself."
People in Konoha particularly liked to say these things, constantly "proving" themselves or seeking someone's "acknowledgment." Adapting to local customs, Ino now readily spouted these very Ninja, very passionate words.
Inoichi left the room, and Ino tidied up, then went to the small courtyard alone to practice Water Release.
She first read the scroll carefully, closed her eyes and thought for a long time, then picked up the scroll and read it again. She repeatedly reviewed the key points in her mind twice.
Ninja 8 brought a significant change to her; she now had a completely new understanding of Chakra and Ninjutsu. She really enjoyed the process of Chakra gathering, flowing, and then undergoing nature transformation and shape transformation within her body. Whenever she learned some Ninjutsu-related knowledge, she would feel a heartfelt joy.
It was somewhat like the saying, "If one hears the Way in the morning, one may die in the evening without regret."
She genuinely loved these Ninjutsu now.
Learning was no longer a tedious struggle of hard study and practice, but a spiritual enjoyment.
When Ino felt she had mastered the hand sign sequence and key points of the entire technique, she harmonized the physical and spiritual energy within her body to create Chakra, then added Water Release nature transformation, and then, as required by the scroll, performed Chakra shape transformation. The mixed Chakra accumulated in her throat, her hands quickly formed hand signs, she built up power for over ten seconds, and then spat it out in one go.
"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
"Pfft!" The amount of water spewed out was probably only about ten liters. The first attempt failed.
After practicing for a day, Ino had almost mastered this B-rank Ninjutsu. Her "Water Release" level, after this period of hard training, had also successfully risen to lv2. However, the skill point was added to "Ninja," and the consequence of not continuing to add to "Spirit" appeared; with 6 points in "Spirit," using the Jonin-level B-rank Ninjutsu, Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave, the effect was still somewhat lacking.
Chakra consumption was considerable, so after dinner, Ino didn't continue practicing. She said goodbye to Yamanaka Rino and went out for a stroll.
Ninjutsu had to be learned, and the matter of shifting blame couldn't be delayed either.
She was lucky today. As soon as she arrived at the Hokage Rock, Naruto refreshed from a hidden corner. Ino hid in the shadows, and after Naruto finished his graffiti, she used the Transformation Technique to become Naruto and added a few more strokes.
On the way home, she transformed into Sasuke and smashed the window of a Land of Fire official's house, then transformed into Sakura and brutally beat up two drunkards who were bullying civilians.
The gains weren't huge, but not small either. Accumulating them like this, in a few days, she would gain another blame point.
Ino transformed into Iruka and circled around the Ninja Academy. She didn't see any of the normally mischievous brats. Passing through a small alley in front of the school, she unintentionally overheard a few girls talking.
As her mental energy grew stronger, keen senses were inevitable. Even if she didn't specifically try to listen, their words automatically entered her ears.
"Sasuke looks so cool when he's giving riddles!"
"Yeah, yeah, I've been thinking about it for the past two days at home. Why is Sasuke so smart? His riddles are so interesting!"
Five or six girls looked infatuated. Ino scoffed at this. Just as she was about to leave the alley, one of the girls' words made her stop.
"Let's all contribute money and publish a book for Sasuke, so more people can recognize Sasuke's excellence?"
"But we don't have much money."
"...Actually, I don't have much money either."
Publish a book for Sasuke? A book of riddles? A Sasuke photobook? Ino's mind suddenly opened up. The original Ino had collected a lot of information on Sasuke. She could take it out, copy a few true and false passages, add some riddles, and then pin the blame on Sakura! This seemed like something she could do, and she could even make some money in the process...
The next day, after a morning of classes, Ino went to a bookstore called "Shueisha" on the east side of the Village during her lunch break.
Jiraiya's "icha icha paradise" series of novels was published and distributed here.
Ino used the Transformation Technique to become Sakura, pretending to be very nervous, and cautiously walked into the shop.
"Hello, welcome, what can I get for you?" The shop assistant greeted her warmly.
"Sakura" fidgeted for a while, seemingly having made a huge decision, then handed over a stack of manuscripts and said: "Um... um, I, I'm the vice-president of the Uchiha Sasuke Protection, Care, and Companionship Association... We want to publish a book for Sasuke-kun, a work that can sweep the world!"
The assistant looked at the cover of the manuscript three times before understanding what it was.
Realizing the matter was a bit big, he quickly took out paper and pen to record: "Thank you for valuing Shueisha. Um... what's your name?"
Ino hesitated for a moment, ultimately not completely screwing over Sakura. She gave a name that was neither entirely true nor entirely false: "Haruno Sakura."
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