Chapter 12: The Gift

The next day, at the same time, the Shadow Clone hadn't disappeared yet. This confirmed that Natsuwari's thoughts were correct.

Since the Shadow Clone had its own thoughts and could form hand seals independently, it should also be able to control chakra. Although it couldn't achieve zero consumption, it could still reduce chakra consumption and extend its duration.

This not only extended the Shadow Clone's duration but also brought many other benefits.

First, a longer duration meant more learning time. However, it also required dividing attention to control chakra, so the learning efficiency might decrease, and it was uncertain whether the total learning amount could increase. But it would definitely improve chakra control.

In the future, Natsuwari planned to create Shadow Clones with a fixed amount of chakra. The longer the Shadow Clone lasted, the higher the proficiency in chakra control.

Finally, it was also a practice of multitasking, killing several birds with one stone.

It was just that the Shadow Clone didn't have much chakra, so chakra shape and nature transformation could only be practiced by the original body.

Natsuwari already had some ideas about shape transformation. According to his understanding, the less chakra there was, the easier it was to control its shape. Although Natsuwari's chakra wasn't particularly small, it was still small relative to his spiritual power, so the training was relatively easy.

But nature transformation was different. Natsuwari believed that its practice was basically the opposite of shape transformation. The most convenient way was to flood a large area with chakra. As long as one spot within this large area underwent a change, he could grasp this slight change, comprehend the transformation within it, and then gradually spread it to the entire area.

Therefore, with Natsuwari's current chakra level, it wouldn't be easy to quickly learn nature transformation. He could only slowly accumulate it through quantity.

Learn the easy ones first and slowly explore the difficult ones. Natsuwari believed that with his talent, this hurdle wouldn't hold him back for too long.

At this time, Natsuwari was looking at the class schedule on his desk, calculating whether the Shadow Clone's duration could cover most of the classes. The result of the calculation was that it was about enough. The Ninja Academy didn't have that much class time, after all, for ninjas, physical training was more important. As for knowledge, six years of study in peacetime was enough even if the class time wasn't much.

Then why go to school for physical training? That was naturally because not everyone had the self-discipline. Most people were lazy without someone watching over them.

So, he could use the Shadow Clone to attend classes. As for the training afterward, he could let the original body and the Shadow Clone switch, so that excessive physical fatigue wouldn't accumulate and overwhelm the original body.

Looking at his packed daily schedule, Natsuwari sighed a little. When did he become so hardworking? Unfortunately, without any cheats, he could only fight for his own future. As long as he could see the direction to move forward, he couldn't give up.

But today was an exception. After the Shadow Clone dispersed on its own, Natsuwari left the room. Today was a special day, so he would take it as a rest day and give himself a break.

Natsuwari walked along the familiar streets of Konoha with his pocket money, thinking about what gift to buy. Today was Sana's birthday. But if he bought something too expensive, she would definitely scold him, and he didn't have enough pocket money. He had to consider practicality. Clothes or a scarf?

But Natsuwari looked at the big sun overhead and decided against it. It wasn't the right season.

So, what should he give her? Should he just buy some food they couldn't usually afford and then cook a meal for his mother himself? But his cooking skills didn't seem to be very good... It was a headache.

As he was thinking, Natsuwari caught a glimpse of a flower out of the corner of his eye. He paused, turned his head to look at the flower shop, and thought for a moment. Flowers seemed quite suitable. They weren't expensive, and Sana wouldn't say anything about them later. And he remembered that flowers usually had meanings, right? There should be flowers that represented mothers.

Thinking this, Natsuwari walked into the flower shop.

"Hmm? Little boy, are you looking to buy some flowers?" The lady at the shop saw Natsuwari and asked gently.

"Hello, Auntie. I want to ask what kind of flowers I should give my mother for her birthday." Natsuwari inquired.

"Hmm? Flowers for your mother? What a thoughtful child." The lady was a little surprised, then smiled again. A child who thought this way must be a good child.

"I think I've seen you before!" Suddenly, the little girl with long blonde hair next to the lady also saw Natsuwari. She thought for a while but still couldn't remember who Natsuwari was.

"Hello, Yamanaka-san. I'm Kamikawa Natsuwari, your classmate." Natsuwari had seen Yamanaka Ino before, but he didn't take the initiative to greet her. After all, they didn't interact much in class, so naturally, they weren't close. If Yamanaka Ino wasn't one of the Konoha 12, Natsuwari probably wouldn't even recognize her.

"Oh, right, right, I remember now. You sit in the back of the class with that blonde kid, right?" Yamanaka Ino's eyes suddenly lit up and she asked.

"Yes."

"Humph, I told you I wasn't wrong. By the way, if you're buying flowers for your mother, then carnations are the best choice, as long as they're not white." Yamanaka Ino said confidently.

Natsuwari looked at Yamanaka Ino, then turned his gaze to Mrs. Yamanaka, wanting to get confirmation from her. After all, Yamanaka Ino was still young, what if she remembered incorrectly?

"It's true. Carnations represent gratitude and sincere love. Giving them to a mother also represents the hope that she will always be young, happy, and healthy." Mrs. Yamanaka said with a smile, looking at the little guy who was her daughter's classmate. She had a good impression of Natsuwari.

After all, she was a mother herself. Natsuwari's actions naturally earned him a lot of points.

However, in Yamanaka Ino's eyes, Natsuwari's actions meant that he didn't believe her, which deducted points.

"Is that so? Then, Auntie, please give me one." Natsuwari was a little embarrassed because he was only buying one. But he didn't have much pocket money, and it was only recently that he started getting it after going to school. He still had to buy a cake later, so he wanted to save as much as possible.

"Okay, you're Ino's classmate, so I'll give you a discount. Ino, go pick one for your classmate." Mrs. Yamanaka said.

"Okay." Although a little annoyed that Natsuwari didn't believe her, Yamanaka Ino still seriously started to choose. Although they all looked similar to Natsuwari, there were still differences. After a while, Ino wrapped a carnation and handed it to Natsuwari.

"Thank you." Natsuwari took the carnation and thanked her sincerely.

"Ah, um? No, you're welcome." Yamanaka Ino was suddenly a little uncomfortable being thanked so seriously and hurriedly replied. At the same time, the slight displeasure in her heart also disappeared.

Mrs. Yamanaka smiled as she watched this scene. It was quite interesting.

"By the way, Auntie, do you know where there's a cake shop?" Although Natsuwari was familiar with the village, he really wasn't familiar with the various shops. He didn't have any pocket money before, so he basically didn't wander around such places.

"A cake shop? That place is quite far from here. Since you're Ino's classmate, let Ino take you there." Mrs. Yamanaka thought for a moment and said.

"No need, I know most places in the village. Just tell me the location, and I can find it." Natsuwari wanted to refuse.

"Oh, you might not be able to find it. And Ino has nothing to do in the shop anyway, so she might as well go out for a walk and keep you company." Mrs. Yamanaka said in an不容拒绝的语气.

Yamanaka Ino didn't object either; instead, she seemed a bit eager to try. It was so boring to stay in the shop; she had long wanted to go out for a walk!

"Alright then." Seeing this, Natsuwari didn't refuse anymore.

(End of Chapter)