Once they had nearly finished eating, Chen Qi wiped his mouth with a tissue and got straight to the point.
"With you around, I can forget about first place in the Trainee Exam."
"I just hope you can carry me if you get the chance. Even second place would be enough to keep my family happy."
"And of course, name your fee."
Luo Yu smiled faintly. "Let me think about it first."
As he spoke, he quickly opened the system panel.
[Shadow Clone upgrade requirements: Book of Ninja 0/1 or Nameless Inheritance Fragment 0/5] [Senbon Rain upgrade requirements: Book of Ninja 0/1 or Nameless Inheritance Fragment 0/5]
He would leave Ninja Art: Senbon Rain alone for now. He did not even have any Senbon, after all.
Besides, he was not short on offensive Ninjutsu at the moment.
Shadow Clones were different, though. Not only could they fight, they were also a god-tier technique for everyday life and studying.
They were a perfect fit for harem novel protagonists who needed to juggle multiple tasks.
The only catch was that when the clones were dispelled, their memories and experiences returned to the original.
Relying too much on their convenience could leave him utterly exhausted. It would be embarrassing if people mistook that for poor performance in bed.
After a little thought, Luo Yu said calmly, "Ten Nameless Inheritance Fragments."
Chen Qi froze for a moment, then answered without hesitation, "Deal!"
He then took ten Nameless Inheritance Fragments out of the Storage Scroll he carried with him.
Although both were gray-quality inheritances, a Nameless Inheritance with an elemental affinity at least offered a chance of awakening the corresponding elemental chakra.
A Nameless Inheritance without an affinity was an inferior cultivation material, useful only for accelerating cultivation.
Ordinary people might consider Nameless Inheritances rare treasures, but to ninja families, they were merely the most common cultivation materials.
After all, his family had over a dozen Genin. Every expedition into a Genin-level secret realm brought back plenty of Nameless Inheritance Fragments.
Besides, placing well was only a side benefit of this deal. Chen Qi's true goal was to establish a solid connection with Luo Yu.
Building a relationship with a future powerhouse mattered far more than securing a ranking in the Trainee Exam.
Seeing how readily Chen Qi agreed, Luo Yu inwardly lamented that he had asked for too little. Rounding up, he had practically lost a hundred million.
With no other choice, he tearfully put the fragments into his Storage Scroll and said goodbye to Chen Qi. "See you tomorrow, then."
With that, he left the private dining room and headed home.
When he got home, his sister was still at work, and the house was empty.
Luo Yu immediately selected the option to strengthen Shadow Clone.
Five inheritance fragments inside the Storage Scroll instantly disappeared.
At the same time.
[Shadow Clone level +1!]
As the system notification appeared before him, Luo Yu immediately felt a wealth of details about Shadow Clones surface in his mind.
He could now divide his chakra perfectly into two equal portions and create a flawless Shadow Clone.
Clearly, he had reached the beginner stage of the Shadow Clone Technique.
He nodded in satisfaction, then checked the Shadow Clone upgrade panel again.
[Shadow Clone upgrade requirements: Book of Ninja 0/1 or Nameless Inheritance Fragment 0/5]
Since this upgrade took him from the beginner stage to minor mastery, the required materials had not increased.
Without hesitation, Luo Bing used the remaining five fragments to strengthen Shadow Clone again.
[Shadow Clone level +1!]
As the inheritance fragments disappeared, Luo Yu felt his control over Shadow Clones reach minor mastery.
Now, just like Chen Qi, he could create two Shadow Clones, and both could use some simple Ninjutsu.
However, his chakra would be divided equally into three portions, limiting the Ninjutsu they could use.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Eager to try it out, Luo Yu formed hand seals at lightning speed. Two portions of chakra immediately split off inside him, copied his appearance, and formed two Shadow Clones.
The three of them stared at one another.
Each clone had an independent consciousness, so Luo Yu gave his orders. "Bros, one of you can grind my mobile game's dailies, and the other can watch some TV for fun."
"Double the entertainment, double the enjoyment."
"I'm going to sleep and recover some energy. Grinding attribute points these past few days has really taken it out of me."
The two Shadow Clones answered in unison, "Okay, okay."
Luo Yu nodded in satisfaction, then went into his bedroom.
The sun sank in the west, and evening arrived.
Exhausted after a day's work, Luo Qingyu opened the door and came home. "Yu, I'm back."
She was rather bewildered to find three copies of her handsome little brother standing before her.
Luo Yu smiled. "Sis, the three of us have finished cooking and cleaned the house. Just relax tonight."
After instinctively glancing at the food on the table, Luo Qingyu turned back with a wary expression. "Which one of you is my brother?"
Luo Yu puffed out his chest and explained proudly, "They're both my Shadow Clones."
"I learned Shadow Clone today, and I've already reached minor mastery."
Luo Qingyu covered her delicate lips in surprise. "Shadow Clones? Doesn't everyone say that Ninjutsu is really difficult?"
"You actually learned it! And you've already reached minor mastery!"
Luo Yu grinned smugly. "I told you my talent for Ninjutsu is off the charts now. You believe me this time, right?"
With that, the three of them ushered Luo Qingyu over to the sofa and sat her down.
Then Luo Yu dutifully massaged her shoulders while the two Shadow Clones bent down to massage her legs.
"Does that feel good, sis?"
He was a devoted, innocent boy. Surely there was nothing unusual about massaging his sister's shoulders and legs after her long day at work.
Luo Qingyu closed her eyes and enjoyed it, murmuring, "Mm."
How could triple the pampering not feel good?
Why had she never thought of using Shadow Clones like this before?
Luo Yu smiled fondly. "Once I pass the Trainee Exam, you won't have to work anymore. Just stay home and enjoy life."
Luo Qingyu opened her lovely eyes and gently stroked Luo Yu's handsome face. "Looks like raising you into such a sweet little wolf wasn't a waste after all."
After he had finished showing his devotion, it was time to eat.
Hoping to save some food, Luo Yu dispelled his Shadow Clones.
He dug in, admiring his own cleverness all the while.
And so, with his appetite in full swing, Luo Yu polished off three large bowls of rice.
The next day.
Early that morning, Luo Yu was woken by the alarm he had set on his phone.
The school would test stamina and chakra that morning, followed by the Trainee Exam in the afternoon.
It was, in every sense, a day that would decide the students' futures.
After switching off the alarm and getting dressed at lightning speed, he went to the dining table, grabbed a steamed bun, and prepared to leave.
In the kitchen, Luo Qingyu's pretty face flushed as she said softly, "Yu, I heated up some milk especially for you this morning to cheer you on."
"Have your milk before you go."
Luo Yu smiled helplessly. "I'm just worried I'll be late. I was going to eat breakfast on the way."
Luo Qingyu set a large bowl of hot milk on the table. "What's the rush? I'm going to school with you later, so I can cheer you on."
"Don't you have to work?" Luo Yu asked, puzzled.
The corners of Luo Qingyu's lips lifted as she planted her hands on her hips. "Who cares about work!"
"On a special day like this, lots of students' parents have taken time off to watch their children perform at school."
"Even the owner of our shop has gone to cheer on her son."
"Of course I'm going to cheer you on too. Who knows? It might help you do even better than usual."
Before you continue