Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique

The next day.

It was time for the Shuriken test.

Naruto went up before Shinki.

Once he took the field, he passed every exercise, even performing beyond Iruka-sensei's expectations!

Iruka was genuinely surprised!

After all, Naruto was a complete and utter dead last!

Shinki had been discovered as a genius just two days ago. Was Naruto about to turn things around too?!

"Iruka-sensei, did I pass?"

Naruto asked excitedly after throwing a set of Kunai.

Iruka looked gratified and nodded with satisfaction. "Naruto, it looks like you've put in a lot of work lately. Your Kunai accuracy is so high. Keep working hard."

"All right!"

Naruto happily pumped his fist. "It's all thanks to Shinki giving me special training last night. Too bad I couldn't learn the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, or you'd definitely see me in a whole new light, Iruka-sensei..."

Iruka's mouth twitched, as though he had heard something incredible. "W-what?"

"I said Shinki gave me special training last night..."

Naruto looked innocent.

Iruka said, "Not that. The next part."

"Shinki taught me to practice the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique?"

Naruto asked tentatively.

Iruka's pupils contracted. Judging by Naruto's innocent expression, he didn't look like he was lying!

In that case...

Shinki had learned the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique?!

(꒪⌓꒪)

An A-rank Ninjutsu created by the Third Hokage!

Iruka struggled to maintain his composure and called Shinki over.

"Um... Shinki, is what Naruto said true?"

Shinki obediently stepped forward and answered as though it were obvious. "Yeah. After I got home last night, I kept practicing with Shuriken. Then it suddenly occurred to me to try combining Shadow Clones with Shuriken... and it worked..."

As Shinki spoke, he asked with some anticipation,

"Didn't you say learning Ninjutsu takes insight and adaptability, Iruka-sensei? I should count as having the courage to try new things, right?"

Having figured out the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, he thought Iruka-sensei would at least be a little more pleased with him.

In fact, Iruka was far more than pleased!

Hearing Shinki say in such a calm tone that he had figured out an A-rank Ninjutsu sent waves crashing through Iruka's heart!

Even if, as the Third had said, it was all the result of five years of accumulated effort finally bearing fruit for Shinki!

This kid was still outrageously unfair!

He had actually figured out an A-rank Ninjutsu on his own!

That wasn't something one could accomplish just by spending time on it!

It also required extraordinary talent and an understanding of Ninjutsu!

"Ahem... Shinki, how about you show me?" Iruka said.

Shinki nodded, delight appearing on his face. It seemed he really had figured out the right thing this time.

"Sure."

Then Shinki stepped onto the training ground.

Several wooden training dummies stood as targets dozens of meters away from him.

The students watched Shinki on the training ground and whispered among themselves.

"Hey, did Shinki really master the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique?"

Choji Akimichi asked Shikamaru beside him as he ate potato chips.

"Probably not. Even though Shinki learned Multiple Nature Clone yesterday, the Shuriken Clone Technique seems like it would be harder."

"It sounds like a real pain," Shikamaru said, analyzing the situation.

"I see."

After listening to Shikamaru's analysis, Choji grabbed another handful of chips and put them in his mouth.

Not far from Shikamaru, the usually aloof Sasuke stared intently at Shinki in the training ground.

After Shinki's outstanding performance over the past two days, he had no choice but to pay attention to this newly emerged genius!

He also silently compared himself to Shinki!

Although Shinki had displayed Multi Shadow Clone and Multiple Nature Clone with utterly overwhelming skill yesterday, he wasn't about to admit defeat so easily!

"Shinki, let's see what other surprises you have for me."

Sasuke spoke quietly.

"Sasuke~"

Seeing Sasuke's serious expression, Sakura called out to him in a syrupy voice, then said, "That guy's definitely bluffing. Does he think the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique is as common as cabbages by the roadside, so easy to learn?"

"Anyway, I don't believe it."

"Shh."

While Sakura was still speaking, Sasuke raised a hand, signaling her to be quiet.

Because Shinki had moved on the training ground!

With Shuriken held between every finger, Shinki threw them all from both hands with a "Whoosh!!"

The Shuriken flew at tremendous speed, shooting toward the Wooden Man targets ahead.

With his hands free, Shinki seized the moment and hurriedly formed Hand Seals!

"Ox, dog, dragon, rat, dog, boar, snake, tiger."

Shinki chanted under his breath as he formed the seals, his hands moving so fast they were almost a blur!

The next moment!

The seals were complete!

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

The ten Shuriken flying through the air instantly multiplied into tens of thousands!

A rain of black Shuriken!

A torrent of Shuriken!

"Thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk..."

More than ten thousand Shuriken struck the Wooden Men, covering them in an instant!

The excess Shuriken flew toward the walls surrounding the training ground!

"Clatter!"

The Shuriken covered the wall behind the targets, turning it metallic black!

Quite a few even flew over the wall and beyond the school...

Iruka was dumbfounded.

(ｷ｀ﾟДﾟ´)!!

What kind of monstrous student have I raised?!

That terrifying number of Shuriken Clone Techniques!

Good thing they hit the Wooden Men. If all those Shuriken had been fired at an enemy ninja, they would definitely have blasted them into a sieve!

Sasuke froze.

╭(°A°`)╮

He actually did it!

The Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!

And he made more than ten thousand at once!

Was that really something he could figure out through his own efforts?!

Sasuke couldn't understand it and was thoroughly puzzled!

He was unwilling to accept it. Comparing yourself to others could drive you mad!

That old man, the Third, must have given Shinki special instruction!

Yes, that must be it!

Shikamaru was also a little shocked. "He... he actually did something that troublesome."

Sakura looked at Shinki's back on the training ground with mixed feelings.

Was this really the Ninjutsu idiot she used to mock?!

What unfair insight!

"So handsome."

The young Ino Yamanaka covered her face as she looked at Shinki's not particularly tall figure from behind.

How come I never noticed Shinki was so handsome before!

While everyone was lost in their own shocked thoughts, someone knocked on the training ground's gate.

Iruka had just been about to praise Shinki, but before he could open his mouth, he heard the knock and went to answer it.

The gate opened.

An angry Konoha Chunin stood outside, several Shuriken embedded in his head, which was still spurting blood.

"What is your Ninja Academy playing at?! I'd just finished breakfast and was taking a walk outside when hundreds of Shuriken suddenly fell from the sky!"

"Can you understand how I feel?! Hundreds of Shuriken! They nearly turned me into a sieve!!"