Shadow Clone Technique

Time returns to the present.

Setting down his bowl and chopsticks, Yi Xiang swallowed a mouthful of food and suddenly sighed, his expression dejected.

"Honestly, the Third Hokage is just too heartless. We only knocked down eight people, and we've already been banned from using the Sexy Technique in Konoha."

Hearing this, Naruto, who was in the middle of picking up some food, couldn't help but recall the message delivered by the Anbu member.

"The Third Hokage said: stop your pranks, or you will be sent to the Ninja Academy early. Because you frequently use the Sexy Technique on the same street, rumors have spread that Konoha possesses a unique wonder—two individuals capable of transforming into any type of exceptionally rare beauty. This has already caused many foreign traders and male civilians of Konoha to gather there, severely damaging Konoha's reputation."

Upon hearing this, Yi Xiang was immediately displeased and retorted with sound logic:

"Senior, I am doing this for the sake of Konoha's economy. Please relay to the Third Hokage that we have our reasons. The civilians living on that street have seen their incomes increase significantly; those foreign travelers must spend money on food, clothing, and lodging within Konoha. This is beneficial for economic development."

It sounded somewhat reasonable, so the Anbu member wearing a strange patterned mask hesitated for a few seconds before replying coldly:

"I will go and request instructions from the Third Hokage. Until then, you are not allowed to carry out any more pranks, or I will personally escort you to the Ninja Academy."

Yi Xiang could only nod helplessly, and Naruto, seeing that Yi Xiang had agreed, nodded as well.

Inside the Hokage's office, after hearing the report from his subordinate, the Third Hokage thought it over carefully and found that what Yi Xiang said had some merit. His expression softened slightly, but he considered that the two were attracting foot traffic through the Sexy Technique.

If other ninja villages or enemy nations learned that Konoha was relying on this to boost its economy, they would surely be mocked. Furthermore, with the rumors spreading, Konoha's reputation would be ruined once and for all.

In that case, the Third Hokage could not accept it. He immediately made a decision, exhaled a puff of white smoke, and waved his hand.

"Tell them that I am gratified they are thinking of Konoha, but this method is not perfect. Doing this will destroy Konoha's reputation. They can discuss another, more perfect method."

"Big Brother Yi Xiang, I think eight people is already quite a lot. If you add the ones we didn't knock down earlier, it should be close to a hundred."

Naruto looked confused as to why Yi Xiang was so obsessed with using the Sexy Technique to prank others, and he asked immediately.

If it weren't for this damn system mission, I'd much rather supervise your training every day or go fishing to supplement our household expenses.

"Naruto, you don't understand, do you? The development of ninjutsu requires practice and improvement. I just wanted to see if there was any room for this ninjutsu to grow; it's just a pity, that's all."

Yi Xiang immediately made up another excuse. In any case, he had long since lost count of how many things he had said or written just to sound reasonable.

"Big Brother, which direction do you think I should focus on to become stronger?"

Setting down his empty bowl, Sasuke, who had been listening quietly, suddenly asked.

"For now, just follow the routine. When it's time for the Chunin Exams, you can make your choice."

Catching the hint in Yi Xiang's words, Sasuke nodded, then stood up to clear the bowls and chopsticks they had all finished using.

Yi Xiang and Naruto cleaned up the remaining food, dumping the scraps into the trash can and putting the leftover meat into the refrigerator.

Late at night, inside Yi Xiang's residence.

After deep deliberation over these past few days, Yi Xiang decided to find a way to secretly teach Naruto the Shadow Clone Technique and the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique.

It is worth mentioning that after the previous Naruto experience card, Yi Xiang had clearly mastered the hand seals for these two ninjutsu.

Because of the deep mastery of these two ninjutsu provided by Naruto's experience card, combined with his own decent talent, he could master them after a few days of secret training at night for about half an hour.

This was another benefit Yi Xiang had discovered about the experience cards: as long as one's memory was excellent enough, even without the affinity for that ninjutsu, one could teach a ninja who possessed that affinity how to perform it.

As Yi Xiang finished the hand seals, a tiny mosquito flew out of the window with a "buzzing" sound, its target being Naruto's residence.

About half a cup of tea later, just as Yi Xiang's clone was about to enter through a window, a swift and elusive senbon needle shot from nowhere, instantly pinning the clone in place.

The Anbu member wearing the peculiar mask appeared via Body Flicker, but the mosquito simply vanished into a puff of white smoke with a "pop."

Eh, as expected. Since Naruto is the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, it's only natural to have a sensory-type ninja protecting him.

But my plan is going to fall through. No! How much luck value will be deducted if the mission fails? I have to think of another way.

Yi Xiang braced himself, deciding in his heart that he would keep thinking until he found a solution. He had to complete the mission; he was a man who had never failed a mission to date, even if the difficulty of the missions hadn't been very high...

The following afternoon, inside Training Ground 3.

"Stop!"

Yi Xiang shouted loudly. The next moment, the two people engaged in taijutsu combat stopped simultaneously, then each found a shady spot to drink water and rest.

Noticing the sullen expression on Naruto's face, Yi Xiang understood that Naruto, who had been on the defensive the entire time, was definitely unconvinced, so he walked over to Naruto's side.

"Naruto, don't be discouraged. I think your talent hasn't been fully unleashed yet. Given your constitution and chakra reserves, I think there is a ninjutsu that is very suitable for you. Do you want to learn it?"

"Of course I want to learn it, but Big Brother Yi Xiang, you don't know it either. Who should I go to learn it from?"

Naruto's face was full of conflict. He reasoned that if Yi Xiang knew a ninjutsu suitable for him, he would have taught him already, since the two of them knew each other well enough.

"Heh, that's simple. Let me ask you, who is the strongest in our village?"

"That must be the Hokage-jiji who holds the title of Hokage. But would he be willing to teach me?"

Naruto also understood what Yi Xiang meant. He was worried about not being able to learn it or it taking too long; as the Hokage, he wouldn't have that much free time to accompany him in practicing ninjutsu.

"The Hokage has eaten our grilled fish a few times, at least. As long as you go and ask him sincerely, he might just find the time to teach you. Besides, if he doesn't have time, he can send someone else to teach you."

That sounded quite reasonable. Naruto then became curious about which ninjutsu he was suited to learn.

"Then what ninjutsu should I ask Hokage-jiji to teach me?"

"That would be the Shadow Clone Technique, of course. It is said that it uses chakra to create a physical clone. The clone evenly distributes the user's chakra and possesses an independent consciousness from the caster, as well as a certain degree of durability. Once dispelled, the clone's memories and experiences return to the original body."

"Ah?! Big Brother Yi Xiang, you know I can't even perform the most basic Clone Technique."