Chain Shadow Clones

At this moment, on the rooftop of a teaching building somewhere in the Ninja Academy, a place very similar to where Cheng-ge had fought in Masayo's memories, Masayo sat on a bench while Inoue Mura, Sakiban, and Mimai sat carelessly on the floor.

"Inoue, where's Matsumoto Kei? How is she? And didn't you choose never to become a ninja again?"

Masayo asked with a curious expression.

Inoue Mura shook his head dejectedly and replied, "Over the past half year, I've emerged from the shadow of that genjutsu. Matsumoto Kei really did give up on becoming a ninja. She's already engaged now."

Inoue Mura seemed to know what Masayo wanted to ask and added, "But she isn't engaged to me!"

"Ah... Oh, sorry!"

Masayo swallowed the congratulations he had been about to offer. He had not expected Inoue Mura and Matsumoto Kei not to end up together.

After all, back then, he could tell that Inoue Mura had a strong crush on Matsumoto Kei.

But that made sense. Everyone had their own life. Inoue Mura had stepped out of the shadows and wanted to become a ninja, while Matsumoto Kei, unable to escape her fear, had found the other half of her life.

And now, he had become a Jonin instructor!

"Ahem... Well, introduce yourselves. I'll go first. My name is Masayo. I like carving and reading, and I hate smelly things. As for my dream, I want to become stronger in the future. All right, that's enough about me. Let's start with this little beauty!"

Masayo pointed at Mimai. Her long hair was tied into a scorpion-tail braid; if she let it down, she would look a lot like the Uzuki Yugao from his memories.

However, her temperament and figure could not compare. Uzuki Yugao was Uzuki Yugao, and Mimai was Mimai. They each had their own names and their own lives. They were not the same person.

Mimai gave a sweet smile and introduced herself. "All right. My name is Mimai. Like Teacher Masayo, I don't have a surname. I like Sasuke Uchiha, and like Teacher Masayo, I hate things with unpleasant smells. My dream is to become an outstanding medical ninja."

Masayo nodded approvingly. Mimai was indeed capable—first in the class and fifth in the year. Though she excelled at genjutsu and medical ninjutsu, her physical abilities were also above a solid standard.

"Next, Inoue. You go ahead and introduce yourself to your two teammates."

"Mm, all right, Teacher Masayo!"

Inoue Mura forced out an extremely strained smile. Saying that form of address left him deeply conflicted.

"My name is Inoue Mura, and I'm a student who was held back twice in a row!"

That immediately drew a burst of laughter from Sakiban.

"I drifted through half a year in a daze before finally emerging from the shadows. My dream is to become an outstanding ninja teacher. I like novels, because they can completely calm my irritable, restless heart. What I hate... are bells."

Inoue Mura's introduction made Masayo smile with satisfaction. Inoue Mura had escaped the shadow of the Hell Viewing Technique and successfully transformed himself, which made him happy.

But hearing that he hated bells nearly made Masayo spit.

"Senior Inoue, keep it up! You'll definitely become a ninja teacher!" Mimai encouraged Inoue Mura.

"Thank you, but just call me by my name from now on. We'll be partners from now on, and I really can't accept being called senior."

Inoue Mura replied.

"Hmph. Becoming a teacher who eats chalk dust really does suit you. My name is Sakiban. I like watching movies, especially Princess of the Wind and Clouds: Final Chapter, the one Teacher Masayo made with Yukie. I've watched it no fewer than five times!"

"It was just too cool! That scene where the massive glacier was swallowed up—every time I saw it, my scalp went numb from shock."

Sakiban's eyes gleamed as he looked at Masayo with an expression of worship. He continued, "There are lots of things I hate. My dream is to become a great director and make movies the whole world loves. When that happens, I'll definitely have you and Miss Yukie appear together on the big screen again, Teacher Masayo!"

"Mm, not bad. But it's wrong to belittle someone else's dream, Saki. Everyone has a different life and their own choices. Dreams have no ranks of high or low!"

Masayo criticized Sakiban first. He was weak yet arrogant, just like Inoue Mura used to be, with no awareness of his own limitations.

In the past, Masayo would not even have bothered with someone like him. But seeing that he had made Naruto and Sasuke contribute that kiss of the century, Masayo decided to try saving him. If it still did not work, there was nothing he could do.

"Ah, yes!"

After hearing Masayo's criticism, Sakiban lowered his head.

Masayo then explained the survival trial to the three of them and informed everyone that they were to gather at Training Ground Forty-Four at nine tomorrow morning.

"Training Ground 44?"

Inoue Mura murmured softly, unconsciously clenching his fists. That was a place he could never shake from his mind, and also where his fate with Masayo had changed.

Masayo used the Wind Body Flicker to disappear, bidding Team 12 farewell before returning home. After removing the Light-Concealing Sword from his back and hanging it on the wall, he sprawled lazily across the sofa.

The camera on the glass table contained that classic scene, secretly captured by his Shadow Clone.

"HAHAHA..."

Masayo clutched his stomach and laughed aloud. Once Naruto and Sasuke grew up and got married, bringing this out again would be truly interesting.

After developing the photos and placing them in an album, Masayo changed into a fresh black training outfit. He picked up the Light-Concealing Sword, went into the courtyard, created four Shadow Clones, and began training.

Night soon fell. After casually eating at a nearby restaurant, Masayo returned home.

At that moment, Sasuke stood at Masayo's door carrying a package, while Naruto argued with him nearby.

"Hey, Sasuke! What are you sneaking around outside Masayo's house for? Are you trying to steal something?"

"This has nothing to do with a dead last like you. Do you really think learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu makes you my opponent? If you want to fight, I'll oblige, but not now. I don't have time for you right now."

Sasuke's words nearly made Naruto explode with rage. Naruto pointed at Sasuke, formed hand seals, and prepared to use the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

"You bastard, I won't let you go inside!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes speechlessly at Naruto. He had not expected Masayo to be out when he came looking for him. He could not just walk inside for no reason, so he had waited for a long time until Naruto discovered him.

"You two, stop it right now. If you want to fight, don't do it at my front door."

Masayo used the Wind Body Flicker to appear between Sasuke and Naruto. A fierce whirlwind blew them apart, forcing both Naruto and Sasuke to stagger several steps back before they could steady themselves.