Ninjutsu Practice

After about a few minutes.

The teacher finally arrived late. He had a knife scar across his nose.

He wore the Hidden Leaf Village's standard-issue vest and sandals.

A faint smile rested on his face as he walked up to the podium, set down the documents in his hand, and looked at everyone.

"Today is the first day of school. Let's all introduce ourselves," Iruka said to the class.

"I'll go first. My name is Iruka, and for the next few years, barring any unforeseen circumstances, I'll be the one guiding you in becoming ninja," Iruka introduced himself first.

(I don't feel like writing Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke's introductions. There are tons of Naruto fanfics with that stuff, and this is mainly about two people.)

"So... let's all work hard together from now on."

A random extra finished his introduction.

Iruka nodded, his gaze returning to the list.

"Next, Uchiha Josuke."

Josuke stood up, walked to the front of the podium, took a deep breath, and swept his gaze across everyone in the classroom.

Suddenly, his eyes landed on a blonde girl. It was actually her?

Josuke was a little surprised, but he quickly came back to himself.

Taking another deep breath, he said, "Um, my name is Uchiha Josuke. Just as you all guessed, Sasuke and I are twin brothers."

"As for my dream... I just hope to live peacefully."

After saying that, Josuke bowed forward and immediately returned to his seat.

That was nerve-racking, QAQ.

Iruka responded with a smile as well.

"Alright, onto our next student."

Iruka looked at the list.

"Yamanaka Ino!"

Hearing her name, Ino immediately rose from her seat. By coincidence, she brushed past Josuke.

Josuke looked up and saw Ino.

Though she was still only six years old, her features had already begun to bloom. No wonder Ino would grow into such a beautiful woman in the future.

Ahem, ahem, ahem.

What am I even thinking about?

Josuke came back to his senses and returned to his seat.

Ino walked to the podium with a smile.

She looked in Josuke's direction and blinked.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Yamanaka Ino of the Yamanaka clan. As for my hobby, I like handsome guys."

After saying that, she stuck out her cute little tongue.

Was she looking in my direction just now?

Josuke was puzzled.

...(A bunch more random background-character speeches, skipped.)

And so, Josuke and Sasuke spent some time at the Ninja Academy.

During that time, nearly everyone in the class learned how to refine chakra, along with some basic knowledge of ninjutsu.

"Alright, after practicing for so long, we'll now begin this semester's first ninjutsu lesson!"

Iruka's words instantly excited everyone in the class. Yes!

Josuke was interested too. Although Itachi and Fugaku had taught him a few ninjutsu, who would ever complain about knowing too many ninjutsu? Hehe.

Iruka formed hand seals with both hands. Poof!

Another Iruka appeared beside him.

Josuke was surprised. That's the Clone Technique. Alright, I thought he'd be teaching the Shadow Clone Technique.

Iruka's clone waved at everyone before disappearing.

Iruka said,

"This is the Clone Technique. It's considered an introductory ninjutsu and greatly improves chakra control. Of course, it's also the only ninjutsu that will be tested in our final exam, so make sure to practice it properly."

Afterward, Teacher Iruka explained the precautions to Josuke and the others, then let everyone practice on their own.

"Alright, now let me teach everyone the Clone Technique."

...(I don't know what hand seals are either. What normal person forms hand seals?)

They came to the outdoor practice area.

Josuke copied Iruka's hand seals and tried a few times. Poof! Another him appeared.

Josuke felt an extra connection appear in his mind. It seemed like he could control his clone.

But with another poof, his clone disappeared.

Iruka saw Josuke's clone and gave him an approving look.

"Josuke, did you successfully form a clone?"

Josuke nodded embarrassedly.

Iruka gave him a thumbs-up. "Very good, Josuke. Practice more, and you'll become proficient soon."

Seeing his older brother successfully learn the Clone Technique, Sasuke refused to be outdone. After only a few attempts, he formed a clone as well.

Iruka was surprised to see that both Uchiha brothers had formed clones. It seemed the two brothers were both exceptionally talented.

The Clone Technique was neither difficult nor easy. As far as Iruka knew, the only students who could form clones right after school began were the few publicly recognized geniuses of the Hidden Leaf Village.

In contrast to the Uchiha brothers was Naruto. While everyone else was practicing on their own, Naruto sat cross-legged on the ground, squinting as he watched Sakura practice the Clone Technique.

Seeing this, Iruka held his forehead with both hands, silently walked over, and punched Naruto on the head.

"Naruto, why are you slacking off? Hurry up and practice the Clone Technique!!!"

Naruto, having been bonked on the head, clutched it and said unhappily,

"This thing is ridiculously easy. I can do it whenever I want."

He then flashed Naruto's signature grin.

Iruka rolled his eyes at him and flicked his forehead again. You little brat, let's see if I can't straighten you out.

A little provocation was all it took for Naruto.

He pointed toward Sasuke. "Look, Sasuke already knows the Transformation Technique. Sakura even went up to ask him for advice."

"Damn it!"

Naruto clenched his fists!

Naruto could lose to anyone, but he absolutely could not lose to Sasuke.

"I won't lose to Sasuke! Watch me!"

With that, he formed hand seals.

"Poof!"

The moment he saw what he had transformed into, Naruto froze. It was himself, but malnourished!!!!

"Hahahaha!!!"

Josuke laughed from not far away.

This was the iconic scene from the anime. But Naruto couldn't really be blamed.

With a Nine-Tails inside him, his chakra reserves were abnormally huge. If an ordinary ninja's minimum chakra control amount was ten, Naruto's was one hundred.

As a result, Naruto couldn't perform introductory techniques like the Clone Technique, which required precise chakra control.

On the other hand, Naruto could casually use "advanced ninjutsu" like the Shadow Clone Technique. What could anyone do when he had so much mana? He used ultimate moves like basic attacks.

Seeing Josuke laugh at him, Naruto grew anxious.

He shouted at Josuke, "Don't laugh, don't laugh."

Josuke tried hard not to laugh and nodded.

Sasuke mocked him from the side. "What an idiot. You can't even do that!"

Naruto became even more frantic and lunged straight at Sasuke.

He said viciously,

"Who are you calling an idiot, baka!"

With that, the two began wrestling. But they were only fooling around, so Iruka did not stop them. After all, practical combat training was also a required course for ninja.

Two little clowns. That was Josuke's assessment of them.

Sigh. But my good older brother is about to launch the night of the clan massacre. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel bad. In my previous life, I was a complete orphan. The country raised me.

I got transported here before I could properly contribute to the country. Damn cat.

Josuke could deeply feel the love Mikoto and Fugaku had for him, but soon... he would be powerless to do anything. Aaaaah! If only I could become a Six Paths at six years old!!!

And Itachi, his older brother who liked sweet dango, had truly suffered his entire life.

A wave of sorrow rose within Josuke. (Author: You think he'll awaken a one-tomoe Sharingan out of rage? Think again.)

Just then.

A pleasant voice drifted into Josuke's mind.

"Um, Josuke, could you teach me?"