Shocked Iruka, Borrowing Pass

Chapter Seventeen Ding~ Shocking Iruka, Obtaining a Borrowing Pass

"Iruka Sensei, why do you think I'm slacking off?" Ayato asked, looking rather puzzled.

"During daily extracurricular training, Ayato, you only ever complete the basic required amount, then spend the rest of the time resting. That won't do," Iruka said painfully.

"Oh, that? I was resting efficiently at the time," Ayato said after thinking for a moment.

"Isn't that still slacking off?" Iruka retorted.

"You'll understand in a moment, Iruka Sensei." After saying that, Ayato turned into a puff of white smoke and vanished.

Watching Ayato disappear, Iruka's eyes widened. It was a clone?! And as far as he knew, the only tangible clone capable of independent thought was a Shadow Clone.

But he remembered that the Shadow Clone was a Rank B Ninjutsu. How had Ayato obtained it? Even if it was a family technique, how had he learned it?

Still stunned, Iruka waited where he was. Since Ayato had told him to wait a moment, his real body should already be on the way here.

Before long, a boy whose clothes were completely soaked through with sweat stood before Iruka.

"Iruka Sensei, this is the answer." Ayato did not say much. His current state was the best answer.

"So every day, you had a Shadow Clone come to school while your real body trained outside, and when it was time for extracurricular activities, you rested?" Looking at Ayato's condition, Iruka was dumbfounded.

"Yes. The training arranged by the school cannot meet my target in terms of either volume or intensity. If I wanted to reach the amount I had set for myself using the school's training, it would take too long. But if I trained according to my own regimen, I'd stand out too much. I don't want the other students treating me like a monkey in a zoo," Ayato answered.

"I see. Then I misunderstood you." Iruka stared blankly at Ayato. Once he understood how hard the boy truly worked, he was utterly shocked.

At such a young age, Ayato was already this diligent, and his talent was exceptionally high as well. Just how far would he grow in the future?

At that moment, Iruka could not help but look forward to it.

Suddenly, Iruka remembered something. His expression changed as he said, "Wait, no. I heard that Shadow Clones have side effects. That's why no one uses Shadow Clones for training or studying!"

"Mm, Iruka Sensei, you mean the fatigue gets transmitted back to the original body, right? I've known that for a long time. But Shadow Clones inherit the user's condition at the moment they are created. You've seen how I am every day, Iruka Sensei. According to my plan, the Shadow Clone won't affect me," Ayato replied.

"That's true." Iruka thought about it. Every morning, Ayato did seem energetic while reading, so he clearly had not been affected.

Could the rumor have been wrong? Probably not. If there were no side effects, many people would have learned Shadow Clones. It would not have become something so few people studied.

Thus, Iruka understood. This had to be another aspect of Ayato's talent, something others could not replicate.

What did hard work combined with genius amount to? Iruka could not help clicking his tongue.

If Ayato knew what Iruka was thinking, he would have complained that this combination might be powerful in other worlds, but in the world of Naruto, it was only strong in the early stages. The later limit depended on bloodline.

Weren't all those with Six Paths Sage Mode anything but ordinary people?

Ayato did not even know whether an ordinary person who gathered all nine tailed beasts could safely become a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. Six Paths Sage Mode was even more out of the question.

"By the way, Iruka Sensei, do you have textbooks for higher grades? Or other books related to elective subjects on the ninja path?" Ayato asked after thinking about it. Since his real body had finally come to see Iruka, he might as well settle this matter first.

"I do, but why are you asking?" Iruka was somewhat confused.

"Well, I've more or less taught myself all the First Grade coursework, so..." Ayato said, looking at Iruka.

"So you basically haven't been listening in class and have been reading on your own?!" Iruka suddenly felt a little discouraged. Were all geniuses like this? They did not even need him to teach them?

"Not exactly. When you teach, Iruka Sensei, there are some experiences and insights that I listen to. But most teachers merely read from the textbook, so I don't pay much attention. Your classes are still very good, Iruka Sensei," Ayato said, encouraging him.

"Should I be happy about that?" Iruka did not feel happy at all!

After thinking for a while, Iruka said, "How about this? I'll test you on the material in the books. If you pass, I'll help you apply for a Library Card. After that, you can go to the library and borrow books yourself."

"Really?" Ayato's eyes widened in surprise. This was beyond his expectations. The library Iruka meant was probably not an ordinary one, but one intended for ninja.

"Really. But the questions I ask won't be easy. Do you want to prepare first?" Iruka said smugly. The Third Hokage had previously asked him to look after Ayato more, so doing this was perfectly fine.

"No need. We can begin immediately." Ayato felt that recalling this basic knowledge was truly easy.

"Oh, so confident? Then let me see what you've got!" Iruka smiled as well.

Some time later...

Looking at the nearly perfect answers, Iruka twitched his mouth. Although it was not a perfect score, it was even more outrageous than he had imagined. He had originally thought merely passing would be enough.

"Fine. Come get your Library Card tomorrow." Iruka took a deep breath. Having such a genius student was a good thing, though it did rather undermine a teacher's sense of instructional accomplishment.

"Alright, Iruka Sensei. Can I go home to wash up first, then return to school?" Ayato felt sticky and uncomfortable all over.

"Oh, sure. But Ayato, train in moderation. You must take care of your body," Iruka reminded him.

"I understand. Isn't that why I'm the best developed in our class?" Ayato nodded solemnly. Due to his long-term training, his physical development was visibly ahead of his peers.

Iruka froze. Looking at Ayato, he thought carefully about it. Right, this kid did seem to be the fastest and best developed in the class...

This guy was so mature that Iruka could barely feel any need for a teacher at all!

"Go on, then. Hurry back." Iruka slumped into his chair as though all strength had left him. With a student like this, he truly did not know whether he was fortunate or unfortunate.

In short, the student was simply too outstanding, leaving the teacher with absolutely no sense of accomplishment.

Ayato nodded and left. As for hurrying back? Well, that would not work. He had not reached today's training target yet, so only a Shadow Clone would return.

However, Ayato glanced at Iruka, who looked as though he had lost all meaning in life, and decided not to mention it.

Well, since he had already explained the situation to Iruka, he could dismiss his Shadow Clone here from now on. There was no need to keep going to the restroom. If he went there too often and rumors spread that there was something wrong with it, that would be rather troublesome.