Chapter 17: Shocking Iruka, Obtaining the Library Card

"Iruka-sensei, why do you think I'm slacking off?" Natsuwari's expression was a bit strange, unable to understand.

"During the extracurricular training time every day, Natsuwari, you only complete the basic amount of training each time and then keep resting. This won't do." Iruka said with heartache.

"Oh, that. Actually, I'm resting efficiently during that time." Natsuwari thought for a moment and said.

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

"Iruka-sensei, you'll know in a moment." After saying that, Natsuwari turned into a puff of white smoke and disappeared.

Iruka looked at the disappearing Natsuwari and couldn't help but widen his eyes. Was it a clone?! And as far as he knew, only the Shadow Clone could create such a solid clone with independent thought.

But he remembered the Shadow Clone was a B-rank ninjutsu. How did Natsuwari get it? Even if it was passed down in his family, how did he learn it?

In shock, Iruka waited in place. Since Natsuwari said to wait a moment, his original body should be on its way here.

Soon, a young man whose clothes were soaked with sweat stood in front of Iruka.

"Iruka-sensei, this is the answer." Natsuwari didn't say much. His current state was the best answer.

"So, you let the Shadow Clone come to school every day, and the original body trains outside. Then, during extracurricular activities, you rest?" Looking at Natsuwari's state, Iruka was a bit dumbfounded.

"Yes. The training arranged at school is not only insufficient in quantity but also low in intensity. To reach my target amount, it would take too long if I followed the school's pace. If I trained according to my own plan, it would be too conspicuous. I don't want to be treated like a monkey by other classmates." Natsuwari replied.

"I see. I misunderstood you." Iruka stared at Natsuwari in a daze. After knowing his true efforts, he was completely shocked.

At such a young age, he had such a high level of effort, and his talent was also extremely high. So, to what extent could he grow in the future?

At this moment, Iruka couldn't help but feel anticipation.

Suddenly, Iruka thought of something, his expression changed, and he said, "No, I heard that the Shadow Clone has side effects. It's because of these side effects that no one uses the Shadow Clone for training and studying!"

"Yes, Iruka-sensei is probably talking about the fatigue being transmitted back to the original body, right? I already knew about this. But Iruka-sensei, the Shadow Clone inherits the user's state at the moment of creation. So you've also seen my state every day. Within my plan, the Shadow Clone won't affect me." Natsuwari replied.

"That's true." Iruka thought for a moment. Indeed, every morning when he saw Natsuwari, he was quite energetic and reading. It seemed that he was indeed not affected.

Could it be that the rumors were wrong? It shouldn't be. If there were no side effects, then many people should be learning the Shadow Clone, and it wouldn't be the case that few people learned it now.

So, Iruka understood. This should also be due to Natsuwari's talent, something others couldn't replicate.

Hard work plus genius, what would that equal? Iruka couldn't help but click his tongue.

If Natsuwari knew Iruka's thoughts, he would retort that in other worlds, this combination might be very strong, but in the Naruto world, it could only be said to be strong in the early stages. The later upper limit depended on bloodline.

Didn't you see that none of those with Six Paths Mode were ordinary people?

Even Natsuwari wasn't sure whether an ordinary person could safely become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki after gathering all nine tailed beasts, let alone achieve Six Paths Sage Mode.

"By the way, Iruka-sensei, do you have textbooks for higher grades here? Or other elective books related to the ninja path?" Natsuwari thought for a moment. Since his original body had finally come to see Iruka, he might as well settle this matter first.

"Yes, there are, but why are you asking about this?" Iruka was a little puzzled.

"It's like this. I've almost finished self-studying the first-year curriculum, so..." Natsuwari said, looking at Iruka.

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

"Not really. I do listen to some of the experience Iruka-sensei shares during class. But most of the time, the teachers just follow the textbook, so I don't listen much. So Iruka-sensei's classes are still great." Natsuwari encouraged Iruka.

"Should I be happy about that?" Iruka said, not feeling happy at all!

Iruka thought for a moment and then said, "How about this, I'll test you on the content of the books. If you pass, I'll help you get a library card, and you can borrow books from the library yourself later."

"Huh? Really?" Natsuwari's eyes widened in surprise. This was beyond his expectations. The library Iruka mentioned shouldn't be an ordinary one, but one for ninjas.

"Really. But the questions I ask won't be easy. Do you want to prepare first?" Iruka said proudly. The Third Hokage had previously told him to take extra care of Natsuwari, so there was no problem in doing this.

"No need, we can start right away." Natsuwari said that remembering this basic knowledge was really simple.

"Yo, so confident, huh? Then let me see your strength!" Iruka also smiled.

A while later...

Iruka looked at the almost perfect answers and twitched his mouth. Although it wasn't a perfect score, it was even more excessive than he had imagined. He originally thought that passing would be enough.

"Alright, then come and get your library card tomorrow." Iruka took a deep breath. Having such a talented student was a good thing, although it was a bit of a blow to the teacher's teaching ability.

"Okay, Iruka-sensei. Can I go home and wash up before coming back to school?" Natsuwari felt sticky and uncomfortable.

"Oh, oh, you can. But Natsuwari, exercise in moderation and pay attention to your body." Iruka reminded him.

"I understand. That's why I'm the one with the best development in our class, right?" Natsuwari also nodded seriously. Due to his long-term training, his development was obviously better than his peers.

Iruka was stunned. He looked at Natsuwari and thought carefully. Oh right, it seemed like this guy was indeed the one with the fastest and best development in the class...

So, this guy was so mature that he completely felt useless as a teacher!

"Go, go, hurry back." Iruka collapsed into the chair as if he had lost all his strength. Having such a student, he didn't know whether it was fortunate or unfortunate.

In short, the student was too outstanding, making him feel no sense of accomplishment as a teacher.

Natsuwari nodded and left. As for hurrying back? Well, that wouldn't do. He hadn't reached his training quota for today, so the one coming back would only be a Shadow Clone.

However, looking at Iruka's dejected face, Natsuwari decided not to say anything.

Well, since he had already explained the situation to Iruka, the Shadow Clone could be dispelled here in the future, and he didn't have to keep going to the bathroom. It would be troublesome if he went there too many times and rumors started spreading that there was something wrong with that place.

(End of Chapter)