Iruka-sensei nodded, his expression a mixture of shock and relief. "Naruto, you really are a bright child… However, I must tell you, although you discovered this ninjutsu on your own, you are not the first ninja to create it…"
"Eh?!" Naruto was greatly alarmed. "Then… then who was it?!"
Iruka-sensei looked out at the Hokage Rock, his gaze falling on the second sculpture. "This ninjutsu is called the Shadow Clone Technique. It was originally created by the Second Hokage."
"The S-Second Hokage?!" Naruto also looked in shock at the stern, cold face carved into the mountain, and then he couldn't help but grin widely, his mouth curving into a huge, triumphant smile. "Hahahahaha! So, I, Uzumaki Naruto, am just as amazing as the Second Hokage, aren't I?! Then my dream of becoming Hokage will definitely come true!"
Iruka-sensei looked deeply at Naruto, his expression suddenly becoming more serious than ever before. "Naruto, although you were able to figure out the Shadow Clone Technique on your own, however… I forbid you from using it again!"
Naruto was instantly thunderstruck. "Iruka-sensei… wh-what did you just say?!"
Naruto was completely dumbfounded when he heard Iruka-sensei's words. "Iruka-sensei, what did you say?"
Iruka-sensei's tone was more serious and stern than ever before. "Naruto, I said I forbid you from using that technique again!"
"Wh-why…"
"Didn't you see it for yourself? You just used it and were already so exhausted that you passed out. If you don't control it well, next time you might actually die! You are still just a Ninja Academy student, after all, and your control over your chakra isn't that precise. This technique is simply too dangerous for you!"
Naruto, however, stood up abruptly. "No, it won't happen! Iruka-sensei, this time I just pushed myself too hard and didn't control it properly! Next time I'll definitely be able to use the Shadow Clone Technique more skillfully! Iruka-sensei, I know you're doing this for my own good, but I will never give up!"
Iruka-sensei, his face full of worry, sighed and said earnestly, "Naruto, I know you want to use this technique to quickly improve your strength. But do you really want to take such a risk? We can take it one step at a time, steadily…"
Naruto interrupted him, shaking his head decisively. "Iruka-sensei, a dead last like me, if I don't take risks, it's impossible to defeat a genius like Sasuke, because… although I don't want to admit it, that teme is also training himself very hard.!"
Iruka-sensei fell silent. He, of course, understood this fact. "Naruto, do you really have to compare yourself to Sasuke? If you only compare yourself to yourself, you are already much stronger and much better than you were before…"
Naruto said firmly, "Defeating Sasuke, just like becoming Hokage, is my goal and my dream! Iruka-sensei, if I can't even achieve this goal, how can I possibly become Hokage?!"
"Naruto, you are truly stubborn child…"
Naruto showed a brilliant smile. "Alright, Iruka-sensei, I understand what you mean. From now on, when I train, I'll pay more attention to controlling it!"
After saying this, Naruto waved at Iruka-sensei and quickly ran off. He was clearly afraid that Iruka-sensei would continue to nag him. He was also demonstrating his own resolve. Iruka-sensei could only sigh and shake his head. "Naruto, you're so troublesome… Fine, I'll just have to keep watching over you all the time…"
Leaving Iruka-sensei's office, Naruto walked towards the classroom, while also reflecting on his recent actions. "The reason I passed out must have been because I was too impatient…" Naruto nodded. He had previously created a Shadow Clone, and that Shadow Clone had then created another Shadow Clone. Then he and the Shadow Clone had performed weighted handstands together and had even used Multitasking to study. It was indeed a bit excessive. "Hm… then I'll just have the Shadow Clone study the textbook knowledge for now. That's definitely the least strenuous."
So, in front of the entire class, Naruto once again activated the Shadow Clone Technique. Thanks to his naturally large chakra reserves, plus the chakra he was constantly refining through Multitasking, his recovery ability was also unmatched. So even though he had passed out earlier, he had already recovered his chakra and strength.
"Shadow Clone Technique!" Naruto now knew the name of the technique and quickly shouted it out. With a soft *thump*, and after a puff of white smoke, another physical clone of Naruto appeared. Everyone was in an uproar, immediately discussing the sight amongst themselves. Naruto, however, didn't care and just laughed loudly. "Other Naruto, you study math, and I'll continue to study physics!"
"Okay, leave it to me!" The two Narutos immediately immersed themselves in their studies.
Ino was speechless. "Hinata, where did Naruto learn such a jutsu?! Isn't that a ninjutsu that only Chunin or even Jonin can perform?!"
Hinata was both surprised and proud. Her small face was flushed, and she couldn't help but feel happy and proud of Naruto. "I… I don't know either… Perhaps, Naruto-kun figured it out himself…"
"Huh?!" Ino couldn't help but rub her small head. "Even if you are head over the heels for him, aren't you overestimating Naruto a bit too much? How can he discover something like that on his own. Just a few days ago he was last place in our class.!"
Hinata smiled gently, her face red. "M-maybe Naruto-kun is also a genius…"
Ino put a hand to her forehead. "You really are hopeless… But it is strange. After all, no one taught Naruto; that's for sure…"
Sakura Haruno looked at the two Narutos, her brows also tightly furrowed. "What exactly is going on with Naruto… there is two of him now."
Of course, the one with the biggest reaction was naturally Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke had trained desperately last night and had finally mastered the Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. He had been somewhat smug about it, but now he was utterly crushed by Naruto. You see, the Great Fireball Technique and the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique were both only C-rank ninjutsu. But the Shadow Clone Technique was definitely a B-rank ninjutsu!
Although the rank only represented the difficulty of learning and not the power itself, it also represented many things. E-rank was for Ninja Academy level students. D-rank was for Genin. C-rank was for Chunin. And B-rank was for true Jonin! For Sasuke to perform a C-rank ninjutsu at the Ninja Academy was absolutely the true meaning of a genius. But Naruto had actually performed a B-rank ninjutsu! What did that even mean?!
Sasuke immediately crumpled the book in his hand, veins bulging on his forehead, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth. "Naruto… who is helping you get strong?! No, I will never lose to a loser like you! Starting tonight, I'll train in the Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!"
But in fact, the Dragon Fire Technique was also only a C-rank ninjutsu, though its power was far above both the Great Fireball Technique and the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
When Iruka-sensei arrived in the classroom and saw the scene of "two Narutos" studying together, he couldn't help but get a headache. "Naruto, no Shadow Clones in class."
One Naruto was already enough. He can not handle the two of them.