Izuna looked puzzled, so Mingye explained with a smile, "Zetsu and the Sage of Six Paths still haven't truly met face-to-face. But once they do, the Sage of Six Paths will definitely recognize Zetsu's identity. Given the Sage's nature, he'll surely let things take their course. Still, that brief moment of pursuit will create a tiny opening. It won't last long—probably only one or two minutes. But that will be enough for me to obtain Naruto's chakra! That is Mizuki's value!"
Izuna nodded, turned, and left. Just as he vanished around the corner, his voice drifted back. "I'll set up a barrier in the Forest of Death and buy you a few minutes!"
"Then I'll have to thank you for that!"
Mingye's thanks turned into a swarm of black butterflies that flew into the sky.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!? How can this be!? The very first one is a ninjutsu I don't know at all. Good thing I don't have to learn the techniques in here, or I'd never be able to graduate again!"
Naruto covered his face in frustration. Then he got to his feet, thinking that even if he could not learn it, he still had to give it his all. The first technique was already this difficult; he definitely would not be able to learn the later ones. He might as well start with this supposedly "simplest" one.
After training for a while, Naruto felt exhausted all over. He had only just sat down when he noticed a familiar figure appear before him. Looking up and seeing Iruka standing there, he failed to notice the stern, murderous expression on his teacher's face. He happily stood up, patted his chest, and said, "I didn't expect you to find me so quickly, Teacher. Oh well, I couldn't hide