"Shadow Clone?"
Shinku paused for a moment. "That should be possible."
Leaving aside how many A-rank ninjutsu Aoba had already mastered, his current strength surpassed that of many Chunin. He was qualified to learn the Shadow Clone.
"Although the Shadow Clone is only B-rank, it consumes a great deal of chakra. And when it is dispelled, the fatigue stacks. You're still carrying that gourd around—won't that be too much for you?"
"Not at all, not at all."
Aoba counted on his fingers. "Look, I have to attend school, intern at the hospital, manage the Hot Pot Restaurant's accounts, and occasionally deal with sudden situations like today. I'm still a child! I need clones to help share the pressure."
In truth, the little abacus in Aoba's heart was clicking away.
With Shadow Clones, he could send a clone to class, send a clone on errands, and have a clone sit through meetings and listen to the higher-ups talk.
As for the original body? Of course, it would lie at home drinking tea and reading the newspaper, while also studying how to fill the gourd's sand with chakra faster.
This was the ultimate secret of slacking off!
"Fine. I'll give you the scroll after dinner.
"But be careful. Don't wear yourself out."
"Deal! Uncle Shinku, you're so cool!"
Shinku: Heh~
The next day, Konohagakure Ninja Academy.
The moment Aoba walked through the school gates, the noisy playground quieted considerably.
Countless gazes focused on him—or rather, on the thing behind him.
It was a huge gourd.
It was dark red all over, with rough patterns across its surface. It looked extremely heavy and was nearly half as tall as Aoba himself.
"Huh? Isn't that Yamashiro Aoba? Why is he carrying a gourd?"
"No idea. It looks so strange."
"Could there be something