Shadow Clone Technique

Time returned to the present.

Yi Xiang set down his chopsticks, swallowed a mouthful of food, and suddenly sighed, his expression downcast.

"This is ridiculous. Lord Hokage is so unreasonable. We only knocked eight people down, and now we're banned from using Sexy Jutsu in Konoha."

Hearing this, Naruto paused with his chopsticks over his food, recalling what the Anbu member had told them.

"Lord Hokage says you're to stop your pranks, or he'll have you start school early.

"Since you often use Sexy Jutsu on the same street, rumors have spread. They say Konoha has a special attraction: two exceedingly rare beauties who can transform into anyone. They've drawn many travelers from out of town and male civilians from Konoha to the area, seriously damaging Konoha's reputation."

Hearing this, Yi Xiang immediately objected, making his case with reason and evidence.

"Senior, I'm doing this for Konoha's economy. Please tell Lord Hokage that we have our reasons. The income of the civilians living on that street has increased significantly, and those travelers from out of town need to spend money on food, lodging, and other necessities in Konoha. This benefits the economy."

It did sound somewhat reasonable. The Anbu member, whose mask bore strange patterns, hesitated for a few seconds before replying coolly.

"I'll ask Lord Hokage. Until then, no more pranks. Otherwise, I'll take you to the Ninja Academy myself."

Yi Xiang could only nod reluctantly. Seeing him agree, Naruto nodded too.

In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage listened to his subordinate's report and considered Yi Xiang's argument. He realized it did make some sense, and his expression softened slightly. But the two had attracted crowds by using Sexy Jutsu.

If other ninja villages or enemy nations learned that Konoha was boosting its economy this way, they would surely laugh at them. And with the rumors spreading, Konoha's reputation would be ruined.

The Third Hokage simply couldn't accept that. He made his decision, slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, and waved his hand.

"Tell them I'm pleased they're thinking of Konoha, but this method still needs work. If they continue like this, they'll ruin Konoha's reputation. They can discuss a better, more complete approach."

"Big Brother Yi Xiang, I think eight people is already quite a lot. And if you add all the people we knocked down before, that must be close to a hundred."

Naruto looked confused about why Yi Xiang was so keen on using Sexy Jutsu to prank people, and then asked him.

If it weren't for this damn system mission, I'd be better off supervising your training every day. I could even go fishing to help with the household expenses.

"Naruto, you just don't understand. Developing a jutsu takes practice and refinement. I just wanted to see whether there was room to improve it. I'm only a little disappointed, that's all."

Yi Xiang promptly came up with another excuse. He'd already lost count of how many things he'd said and written just to make his actions seem reasonable.

"Big Brother, which path do you think I should take to become stronger?"

Sasuke set down his bowl, which he'd long since emptied, and asked after quietly listening to them.

"For now, just keep progressing step by step. You can decide when it's time for the Chunin Ninja Exams."

Sasuke understood the hint in Yi Xiang's words and nodded. Then he stood up and began clearing away the bowls and chopsticks the three of them had finished using.

Yi Xiang and Naruto put away the leftover food, throwing scraps into the trash and storing the remaining meat in the refrigerator.

Late at night, at Yi Xiang's home.

After thinking it over for days, Yi Xiang decided to find a way to secretly teach Naruto the Shadow Clone Technique and the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique.

It was worth mentioning that after his last Naruto experience card, Yi Xiang had learned the hand seals for both jutsu.

Thanks to the experience card's deep knowledge of these two techniques—and to his own decent talent—he'd practiced secretly for about half an hour each night. A few days later, he'd mastered them.

That was another benefit Yi Xiang had discovered about the experience cards: as long as his memory was good enough, even without an affinity for a particular jutsu, he could still teach a ninja who did have the right affinity to use it.

When Yi Xiang finished forming the hand seals, a tiny mosquito flew out the window with a buzz, heading straight for Naruto's home.

About the time it took to drink half a cup of tea later, just as Yi Xiang's transformed clone was about to enter through a window in a house with a broken windowpane, a Senbon shot from somewhere, too fast to follow, and pinned the clone in place.

An Anbu member wearing a strange mask appeared with the Body Flicker Technique. But the mosquito went "poof" and vanished in a puff of white smoke.

Ah, of course. Naruto is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. It's perfectly normal to have a sensor-type ninja protecting him.

But now my plan's ruined. No! How much luck will I lose if I fail the mission? I have to think of something else.

Yi Xiang forced himself to keep his spirits up. He decided he would keep thinking until he found a solution. He had to complete the mission. He was a man who had never failed one—not that any of them had been very difficult...

The following afternoon, at Training Ground 3.

"Stop!"

Yi Xiang shouted. The two who'd been sparring with Taijutsu stopped at once, then each found a shady spot to drink water and rest.

Seeing the gloomy expression on Naruto's face, Yi Xiang knew Naruto was unhappy about having been on the back foot the whole time. He went over to him.

"Naruto, don't be discouraged. I don't think you've fully realized your potential yet. With your physique and chakra reserves, there's a jutsu that would suit you perfectly. Do you want to learn it?"

"Of course I do. But you don't know it, Big Brother Yi Xiang, so who should I ask to teach me?"

Naruto's face was full of uncertainty. He figured that if Yi Xiang knew a jutsu suited to him, he would have taught it already. After all, the two of them knew each other pretty well.

"Heh, that's easy. Tell me, who's the strongest person in our village?"

"That has to be Grandpa Hokage, since he holds the title of Hokage. But would he be willing to teach me?"

Naruto had understood what Yi Xiang was getting at. He was also worried he might not learn the jutsu, or that it might take too long. As Hokage, Grandpa Hokage probably didn't have much free time to help him train.

"Lord Hokage has eaten our grilled fish several times, after all. If you sincerely ask him, he might make time to teach you. Besides, if he's busy, he can always assign someone else to teach you."

That did sound reasonable. Naruto then wondered which jutsu would suit him.

"Then what jutsu should I ask Grandpa Hokage to teach me?"

"Of course, the Shadow Clone Technique! I heard it uses chakra to create physical clones. The chakra is divided evenly between the original and the clones, and each clone has a consciousness of its own and can take a certain amount of punishment. When the jutsu is released, the clones' memories and experiences return to the original."

"Huh?! Big Brother Yi Xiang, you know I can't even use the most basic Clone Technique successfully right now."