"Three hundred times!"
"I only practiced eighty-something times in an entire class!"
"If I don't hurry, I won't be able to sleep tonight!"
In the mental space, Kurama moved its ears contentedly.
"Hmph, this kid, it seems he's not entirely hopeless after all..."
"You can't sleep, but I certainly can..."
Kurama grinned, yawned, moved its ears again, and lay down to sleep.
"Clone Technique—"
"Clone Technique!"
"I'll clone!"
"[Host has completed one hundred Clone Technique trainings, mastery has increased, proficiency +1!]"
Naruto, though drenched in sweat and panting, showed a hint of a proud smile.
"Ah ha, I've really made great progress..."
"Now my clones are almost opening their eyes!"
"But, why does it still feel a bit off..."
Naruto pondered, recalling the analogy Iruka sensei had used.
"It's like pulling your own reflection out of a mirror."
Naruto slammed his fist: "Ha! I've got it!"
He immediately went to the mirror, looked at himself in the reflection, and meticulously examined himself up and down.
"The reason I can't do the Clone Technique well is probably because I can't multitask."
"Making hand seals, thinking about my shadow in my head, and controlling Chakra all at the same time is too troublesome!"
"If I can see the reflection directly, I won't have to imagine it myself!"
"I'm a genius!"
Naruto immediately experimented again.
"Ram, Snake, Tiger..."
"Clone Technique!"
Sure enough, this time, although the clone was still lying on the ground, its eyes were completely open!
Even more surprising, its face finally looked exactly like Naruto's.
"It really works!"
Naruto wiped his sweat, overjoyed, and immediately threw himself back into training.
"[Host has completed three hundred Clone Technique trainings, mastery has increased, proficiency +3!]"
"[Current Clone Technique proficiency: 36!]"
Although it was still only 36, before it was only 16!
Just one day of hard training had increased his proficiency by a full 20 points!
If it continued like this... Naruto couldn't help but touch his chin proudly, already letting his imagination run wild... himself getting first place in class, stepping on Sasuke, being hugged by Sakura and given a kiss, all the girls looking at him with adoration in their eyes, all the boys filled with both envy and jealousy... Unfortunately, this scene didn't last long, and he, utterly exhausted, soon fell into a deep sleep... The next day, early in the morning.
This was the third day since he got the system, and Naruto's first weekend.
He was woken up by the system promptly at six o'clock, stretched with a big yawn, and reluctantly got out of bed to wash up and cook.
He walked to the window and unconsciously glanced downstairs.
"Hmm?"
"Is that..."
The morning sun, dappled with light and shadow, fell on the girl's white dress and cheeks.
A gentle breeze blew, causing ripples in her long skirt.
The girl wore a white sun hat, which was almost blown off by the wind. She quickly held it with her small hand, revealing a delicate and pretty, yet shy and blushing face.
Naruto's heart also stirred slightly.
"Hinata?"
Only then did he suddenly remember that he had arranged to tutor Hinata today.
But... today's Hinata seemed to feel... a little different from usual?
Naruto's momentary confusion vanished, and he immediately became excited, leaning on the window sill and waving both hands vigorously at Hinata downstairs.
"Hey! Hinata! Over here!"
Hinata's heart trembled when she heard Naruto's call. Holding her white sun hat, she looked up and saw the most familiar face.
"Nar... Naruto-kun?"
Her heart immediately pounded, and her face became even redder with shyness.
Naruto, being thick-headed, of course didn't understand anything about a girl's feelings.
He called out loudly: "Hinata, why don't you come up?"
Hinata lowered her head.
"I, I'm a bit scared..."
"Why?"
Hinata intertwined her fingers, speechless for a moment.
How could she tell him that she was shy... Naruto chuckled: "Then I'll come down and get you!"
"Wait for me!"
Naruto immediately clattered down the stairs, pushed the door open and rushed out, sprinting to Hinata's front.
"Come on."
He took Hinata's hand.
Hinata's body trembled instantly.
But she couldn't refuse, and followed Naruto's steps, walking step by step towards Naruto's home on the second floor.
"Naruto-kun is holding my hand..."
Hinata's mind was in a whirl.
"Ta-da!"
"This is my home!"
"How is it? Not bad, right?"
Naruto released Hinata's hand and casually picked up a watering can to water his plants.
This was one of his few hobbies besides ramen.
Hinata looked at her small hand, feeling a bit lost.
"What's wrong, Hinata?"
"N-nothing..."
She looked at Naruto watering the flowers, a shy smile appearing on her blushing face.
"I... I didn't expect Naruto-kun to have such a hobby."
"This? Hahaha, I guess so!"
Naruto casually put down the watering can.
"Have you eaten?"
"I have."
"Oh, then shall we start right away?"
Hinata nervously clutched the corner of her clothes.
"O-okay..."
Naruto went to his "training room," which was completely messy.
Even he, being so carefree, couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
"Ah ha, it's a bit messy..."
Hinata secretly chuckled.
"It's... it's fine."
Naruto swept a pile of messy things on the table all at once.
"Come on, Hinata, sit next to me."
Hinata's heart, which had just calmed down a bit, instantly started pounding again, as if there was a little rabbit jumping up and down inside her.
"Sit, sit next to Naruto-kun?"
Naruto said: "Ah, of course, otherwise how can we tutor?"
Hinata said hesitantly: "W-well, that's true..."
She lowered her head, blushing, and cautiously sat on the chair next to Naruto.
"Hinata, I always feel like you're a little different today..."
"Hmm... how should I put it..."
Hinata's heart trembled.
She had put a lot of thought into today's "date." Instead of wearing her usual somewhat bulky clothes, she wore a white long dress and a sun hat, of course wanting Naruto to notice her more.
Did he sense her feelings?
Naruto thought for a long time and came to a conclusion.
"Hmm... it's probably because we're not at school."
"You don't seem so gloomy anymore!"
Hinata: "..."
Although a little disappointed, Hinata still smiled shyly.
"Mm, I'll try my best not to be gloomy anymore..."
"Nar, Naruto-kun, let's begin."
Naruto also clenched his fists.
"Alright! Getting into the top ten and beating Sasuke depends on you, Hinata!"
Hinata nodded gently, opened her textbook and notes, and began to explain everything to Naruto carefully from beginning to end.
At this moment, the sun gradually rose, shining through the window and casting light upon their bodies, which were close together.