Class was over.
Inside the classroom, everyone crowded together.
"Wow, this is drawn so well!"
"Yakumo, how do you do it? You can even draw while walking!"
"That's amazing!"
"Can I have one?"
Everyone gathered around, talking all at once.
"No, it's not that good, the lines are quite rough!"
For the first time, Kurama Yakumo felt that coming to school was actually quite interesting.
But...
Everyone seemed a bit too enthusiastic... Nearby, Shikamaru, who was caught in the crossfire and surrounded in the middle, let out a soft sigh. He nudged Ino's arm with his elbow and gave her a look.
Ino snapped out of her daze.
"Everyone, don't crowd around! As for the drawing, there's only this one, so it wouldn't be right to give it to anyone. Don't make things difficult for Yakumo!"
Kurama Yakumo whispered, "It's okay. Maybe I could draw more?"
"That would be too much work."
Ino immediately stopped her.
Shikamaru sighed silently. Propping up his face, he said listlessly, "If you're willing, just hang this one up at the back."
Ino: "Oh right, you always have a solution!"
"Okay."
Kurama Yakumo quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
If she really had to draw one for everyone... the workload would indeed be massive!
She looked at Ino gratefully, silently thanking her in her heart.
Shikamaru yawned and looked at the class schedule nearby.
Ninja Tool class.
It looked like a class he could skip.
But... he glanced at Kurama Yakumo and let out a soft sigh.
The new student's physical condition seemed inconvenient, requiring special care, but it couldn't be too obvious.
He couldn't feel at ease leaving Ino here alone.
Sigh, women are such a pain!
As for Naruto—
"Argh! 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 with a worried expression: "Isn't this a bit too harsh for Naruto?"
"No, his body's recovery rate is very fast, but his Chakra control is extremely poor, to the point where he can't even master the Three Basic Jutsu."
Masahiko paused slightly, "If he continues on his current path without putting more effort into Taijutsu, he might not be able to graduate normally."
Naruto's original graduation process was entirely based on backdoors and connections, which was quite shocking.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless upon hearing this.
He had to admit that Masahiko was right—
Given the talent Naruto currently displayed, he wouldn't be able to graduate normally even if he practiced the Three Basic Jutsu for another five years.
Taijutsu was indeed very suitable for Naruto.
He took a puff of his pipe and then sighed softly: "Naruto, Yakumo... you're responsible for too many problem students. Can you manage?"
"If it weren't for Iruka, it would indeed be difficult on my own."
Masahiko smiled.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully, then stood up and said, "If you need help, be sure to ask in time."
"Yes."
"By the way, about this mental illness..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated. After pausing for a few seconds, he whispered, "Hemophobia caused by the death of loved ones—do you have any way to treat or counsel it?"
"Hokage-sama, I'm just a teacher. Regarding mental illnesses, I only have some guesses; I haven't studied them systematically..."
Masahiko looked troubled.
He understood in his heart that Hiruzen Sarutobi was asking this because he hoped to cure Tsunade's Hemophobia so she could return.
But.
Currently, he really couldn't do it.
If he could, that would be truly heaven-defying, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo would likely become suspicious.
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh: "Yes, I was too impatient."
He forced a smile and said, "Go on with your work."
The next moment, he vanished from the spot—
The one who had come just now was only a Shadow Clone.
However.
[low-grade skill copy card has been used.]
[Target: Hiruzen Sarutobi.]
[List of copiable skills: Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (Perfect), Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (Perfect), Water Release: Water Clone (Perfect)...]
Skills appeared densely before his eyes one after another.
The Professor of Ninjutsu, he truly lived up to his name.
"Copy Water Release: Water Clone."
The next moment, an item was added to the skill list:
[Water Release: Water Clone: Perfect]
Perfect was the theoretical limit of Ninjutsu and the limit of the copy card.
But.
Masahiko's gaze swept toward another card.
"Use 'Low-Grade Skill Upgrade Card' on 'Water Release: Water Clone (Perfect)'?"
"Note: The principle of the upgrade card is based on the user's knowledge deduction and creation. Insufficient knowledge accumulation may lead to a failure to 'break the limit'."
It could be used!
But it required sufficient knowledge accumulation... After thinking it over, Masahiko chose not to use it.
He didn't have full confidence yet, but if he were to upgrade the Water Clone, he did have a good direction in mind—
Izumo Kamizuki mastered Water Release Ninjutsu with high viscosity.
If he could learn the principle of this high-viscosity Water Release and integrate it into the Water Clone, he might reach the 'limit-breaking' level.
"Although it requires knowledge accumulation to reach 'limit-breaking', this skill upgrade card is still very precious."
Masahiko didn't use it, keeping it as a trump card for temporary enhancement, just as he had planned before.
Afterward, he sat in his chair and quickly entered the Ninjutsu cultivation space.
The next instant, Masahiko spat out a large amount of water, which condensed in the air to form two clones.
Perfect-level control meant there wasn't the slightest bit of waste or leakage, and the two clones were completely under his control.
"Let's try it!"
Masahiko looked at 'Kakashi', fighting spirit showing in his eyes.
But.
After just a moment, his eyes cleared.
Even though it was just a projected version, 'Kakashi's' Fire Release Ninjutsu was very violent. The high temperature of the flames evaporated the water clones in just a few moves.
A Water Clone only had 10% of the original's power. It was stronger in water but lacked the ability for independent action.
Even at the Perfect level, these pain points couldn't be resolved.
Compared to the Shadow Clone, it was more than one level inferior.
But it had low consumption.
As a C-rank Ninjutsu, it was considered very qualified and powerful.
Furthermore... "I have already mastered Water Release Chakra extraction. Learning Water Release Ninjutsu in the future will be twice as effective."
After some testing, Masahiko originally intended to continue cultivating the Shadow Clone to see if he could push its level further.
But.
Just as he tried a few times... the space collapsed, and a knock sounded at the door.
Masahiko looked toward the door; Kurenai Yuhi was standing there with a smile.
"May I come in?"
"Of course."
Masahiko stood up and rubbed his brow, pretending to look very tired.
Kurenai Yuhi was carrying a thermos. Seeing his expression, her tone softened: "Are you tired?"
"I didn't rest well last night."
Masahiko nodded.
Kurenai Yuhi handed over the thermos: "It just so happens I brewed some refreshing tea. I thought I'd come over to let you try some and check on Yakumo while I'm at it."
"I had Ino from the Yamanaka family take her under her wing, and with Shikamaru watching over them, she should be able to adapt relatively quickly."
Masahiko replied.
Kurenai Yuhi nodded: "I've already seen. Thank you for being so thoughtful."
"It's nothing. Anyone who sees a girl like Yakumo would lend a helping hand."
Masahiko brought a teacup and poured some from Kurenai Yuhi's thermos.
He wasn't sure if it was refreshing, but it tasted great!
Seeing Masahiko's expression, a smile unconsciously appeared on Kurenai Yuhi's face.
The joy of tea art lies in tasting, but also in sharing.
"There's one more thing."
Kurenai Yuhi said, "I've been thinking about researching a certain jutsu lately. If you have time..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.
"My Genjutsu is quite average."
Masahiko answered truthfully.
Kurenai Yuhi laughed: "It's okay, it's just a discussion, just a casual chat."
"I'd be happy to. If I can provide you with some inspiration, that would be for the best."