Cultivating the Rasengan, Body Flicker Rasengan!

"So, did everyone remember what I taught today about the Will of Fire?"

"We remembered~!"

"Very good, then class is dismissed. See you this afternoon."

"Yes!"

The children stood up in unison and ran out of the classroom.

Naruto also planned to go bribe a few little friends to start implementing his plan.

Unexpectedly, just then, Iruka called out to him.

"Naruto, wait a moment."

Ino pulled Hinata along, "We'll wait for you at the door."

"Teacher Iruka is so long-winded."

Iruka: "..."

Naruto often "slept" in class, so it was normal for him to be called for a talk.

"Naruto, did you remember what we talked about today regarding the Will of Fire?"

"I remembered."

"Naruto... I know you completed the Chakra Extraction Technique training a long time ago, but your dream is to become a Hokage recognized by everyone, so the Chakra Extraction Technique alone is not enough to become Hokage."

"To become Hokage, you must first become an excellent ninja."

"Oh."

Naruto responded indifferently.

Iruka's brow furrowed instantly.

The disgust suppressed in his heart rapidly rose.

"I will work hard. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

After speaking, Naruto didn't wait for Iruka's reply and turned to leave.

Iruka watched his retreating back, wanting to call out to him, but a voice in his heart told him.

"He's just a Fox Demon brat, there's no need to bother with him."

But, in the end, Iruka sighed, "He's my student after all. My actions are completely different from the teacher I want to be."

"Iruka, what's wrong? Is something bothering you?"

At this moment, a gentle voice sounded.

"Mizuki-sensei."

Iruka hesitated for a moment before telling Mizuki about the matter.

Mizuki said gently:

"Iruka, don't blame yourself. You're already amazing. Facing the Fox Demon that killed your parents, you've done more than enough."

"I can't anymore, Hinata, you're too amazing. I absolutely can't eat any more."

"I think even if my Dad came, he might not be able to beat you!"

Choji lay on the ground, rubbing his bulging stomach, and gave Hinata, who was still eating non-stop, a thumbs-up, his eyes full of admiration.

Beside him was Rock Lee, wearing a gray training uniform.

He also said with admiration:

"As expected of Hinata of the Hyuga Clan. I've lost, completely and utterly."

Shikamaru put down his chopsticks and helplessly patted Choji and Rock Lee.

"Don't lie down right after you're full."

"It'll be your turn to wash the dishes later."

Naruto, standing nearby, chuckled after answering a few questions from the girls, then tapped the table and said solemnly:

"Everyone, I need your help with something."

Seeing Naruto's serious expression, they all stopped eating.

"The Ninja Academy has nothing more to teach me."

"I plan to use Shadow Clones to go through the motions at school."

"So, I need you to help me cover for me."

"What?!"

"Naruto, you... you've already learned Shadow Clone?"

"Oh! As expected of my lifelong rival, Naruto, you're amazing!"

"..."

Things were a bit beyond Naruto's expectations.

Everyone wasn't surprised he wanted to skip class, but rather that he had mastered the Shadow Clone and was confident he could have a Shadow Clone stay at the academy for a morning or an afternoon.

"Hmph, don't be surprised. It's the same for everyone here. The Ninja Academy can't teach us anything, but it's a necessary path to becoming a ninja."

"Since you plan to use Shadow Clones... Lee, after I master Shadow Clones, I'll need you to cover for me in class... No, Tenten, I'll have to ask you instead."

Rock Lee, who was about to enthusiastically agree, was stunned.

"Why?"

"Hmph, asking you to help me? I probably wouldn't even be able to hide it from the teacher for a single class period."

"Waaah!"

Rock Lee lowered his head, looking very sad.

"This is a good idea!"

"I want to train too! I can't fall too far behind Naruto!"

"Hinata, can we take turns skipping class from now on?"

Hinata hesitated. Skipping class?

This... this isn't very good, is it?

During this time, Hinata, no longer needing to endure hunger, no longer fainted from shyness.

But when facing Naruto, she still often turned into the Steam Princess.

"Huh? Hinata, you don't want to skip class?"

"That's great! I really want to improve. I'll be counting on you from now on!"

"No!"

Hinata quickly shook her head. "I... I occasionally... want to."

For her, these words were somewhat rebellious.

Tenten, standing nearby, cautioned Naruto.

"Little Brother, do you really think we don't notice anything?"

"You have many secrets, always hiding them. Don't think just because we're also children, we're inferior."

"So... go do what you want to do!"

Several people looked at Naruto seriously.

"Shikamaru found it, didn't he?"

Creak--

Their heads turned instantly.

Naruto smiled and shook his head, "Shikamaru, I still underestimated you. As expected of the Deer in the Ino-Shika-Cho formation."

Shikamaru rubbed his nose. Although he was often praised by others, this was the first time he had received praise from Naruto.

"Well then, I'll be counting on you next, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru's small face flushed slightly, but he put on a helpless expression and spread his hands:

"Sigh, what a hassle. But I can't find a reason to refuse."

"(＾-＾)V~"

Everyone cheered at the same time.

But Shikamaru stood up at this moment and walked into the bathroom.

Naruto also followed him in.

He knew that Shikamaru wanted to tell him something in private.

"Naruto, I don't know why things have become like this... but I want to say."

"If things get out of control, I'll try my best to get the Ino-Shika-Cho to withdraw. That's all I can do."

Naruto smiled.

As expected of you, Shikamaru.

"Don't worry, I have a trump card. Perhaps, you won't have to endure so much."

This sentence had many layers of meaning. Naruto believed Shikamaru would understand, because he was about to reveal something.

As expected, Shikamaru didn't speak, just looked at Naruto.

Naruto raised his hand.

Mori Mori Fruit Elementalization.

Wood Clone!

Creak creak creak--

The Wooden Arm extended a piece of wood roughly the same size as him.

It transformed into his likeness at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Wood... Naruto, you?!"

Shikamaru's eyes widened.

He was indeed intelligent, but he was still too young.

He understood many things but didn't grasp their meaning.

"Are you crazy? Why show me this? Aren't you afraid..."

Without finishing, Shikamaru lowered his head.

A moment later, he looked at Naruto's Wood Clone and shook his head with a laugh:

"So troublesome, I can't stand it."

"I know what to do and when to do it."

"Naruto, these years... you must have worked very hard, right?"

"Let's go, we've stayed inside for too long."

Naruto said nothing, merely letting the Wood Clone follow Shikamaru out.

After the Wood Clone and Shikamaru left.

He took a deep breath.

"Finally, this day has come. I don't have to hide anymore!"

A smile of relief curved his lips.

Whoosh--

The next moment, he used the Body Flicker Technique and disappeared from the bathroom.

He arrived before a Waterfall he had long chosen.

Naruto spread his arms wide.

It had been so long since he had experienced this feeling of freedom.

"Absorb!"

While absorbing the nutrients from the surrounding trees, he also gathered the latest information from them.

"No one will come, I can cultivate with peace of mind and boldness."

"Cultivating Nintaijutsu under the waterfall."

"I have the method to cultivate the Rasengan... After the Rasengan, it's the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, which involves injecting Wind Style Chakra Nature Transformation."

"Familiarize myself with Uchiha Shisui's fighting style and integrate the Rasengan into it."

"Once all possible improvements are made, I'll try Sage Mode."

Naruto looked at his Wooden Hand, feeling the absorbed nutrients from the trees.

"This should be Nature Power, right?"

"Perhaps, during the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall, I can catch a White Zetsu. I possess the power of nature, so after absorbing it, I can cultivate the Mayfly Technique."

"The Disguise Technique too!"

"Sage Mode is the absorption and utilization of natural energy."

"My Mori Mori no Mi is the highest level of Nature Power, so it shouldn't be difficult."

"But just in case, I won't try it for now."

After preparing, Naruto took out a bag of Balloons.

"Rasengan cultivation, let's begin!"

Swish--

Sharingan!

Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Bang--

Several Shadow Clones, along with Naruto's main body, began cultivating the Rasengan simultaneously.

Three months later.

Naruto recalled the Body Flicker Naruto who was constantly trying and cultivating into his own style.

The Rasengan in his hand slowly dissipated.

"Let's go back. My body needs to rest for a while. After that, I'll cultivate the Rasenshuriken."

"Next, the school will teach the Three Basic Jutsu, shuriken, and there will be exams."

"Sarutobi Hiruzen might be observing. To prevent my Wood Clone from being discovered, I'll go to school myself from now on."