Throughout the entire basic Ninjutsu course, Naruto kept practicing the Clone Technique.
"Clone Technique!"
"Damn it…"
"Clone Technique!"
Before long, Naruto was drenched in sweat, completely exhausted.
Practicing Ninjutsu wasn't easy—it demanded not only plenty of chakra and stamina, but also strong mental fortitude and endurance.
Naruto's chakra and stamina were excellent, but his mental endurance had always been far behind.
Still, under the system's constant "gentle reminders," and with the punishment looming a month from now, Naruto had no choice but to train with all his might.
[Host has completed fifty Clone Technique trainings. Mastery has increased. Proficiency +1!]
"That's great!"
Naruto looked at the newly created clone, raised his hands high, and shouted in excitement.
Sasuke, Sakura, and the others couldn't help but glance over. Even Iruka-sensei walked up to check.
"…Naruto, your clone is still lying on the ground!"
Naruto pointed at his clone with confidence.
"Look closely, Iruka-sensei! Even though it's still on the ground, it's not sticking its tongue out or rolling its eyes anymore. It looks like it's just asleep!"
Indeed, if Naruto's earlier clones had looked like drunken fools, this one at least resembled someone peacefully napping.
It was a big improvement.
Iruka: "…"
"The Clone Technique is supposed to trick enemies, not… take a nap on the battlefield."
But even as he said this, Iruka could see how hard Naruto was working.
By this point, most of the other students had already given up, some even pretending to practice.
Only Naruto persisted until the very end.
Iruka finally asked, curious, "Naruto, you've been working so hard lately… do you have some kind of goal in mind?"
Naruto blurted out, face covered in snot and tears.
"Iruka-sensei, I have to make it into the top ten in the assessment next month!"
Iruka's eyes widened.
"Huh?"
The classroom went silent.
Then, laughter erupted like a tidal wave.
"Hahahaha!"
"Is Naruto crazy? What kind of dream is that?!"
"He's just the dead last, and he thinks he can be in the top ten in a month?"
"Impossible!"
"I'm dying from laughter!"
Sasuke frowned.
Even though he also thought it was ridiculous, looking at Naruto's serious expression, he couldn't shake the feeling that Naruto meant every word.
"What's with this dead last? He seems completely different these past two days…"
Hinata, meanwhile, had a flushed face and a gentle smile.
"Naruto-kun… go for it. I believe you can do it…"
While the rest of the class mocked him, Iruka didn't laugh.
He patted Naruto on the shoulder and said seriously:
"Naruto, I can see how determined you are. I've also seen your effort these past two days. But…"
"Haste makes waste. It's good to pursue progress, but don't be too ambitious. Take it one step at a time, okay?"
"Getting into the top ten in just one month is… unrealistic for you. Instead of comparing yourself to others, just compare yourself to who you were yesterday. That's enough."
Naruto listened, knowing Iruka was speaking from the heart.
But he had no choice.
"Iruka-sensei, I understand, but… but I still have to get into the top ten next month!"
"Pfft—"
The class burst out laughing again.
Iruka stayed serious. "Why, Naruto? Why are you so insistent?"
"Because… ah, I can't say it!"
Iruka didn't press. He just nodded, ruffled Naruto's hair, and said warmly:
"Alright, if you don't want to say, that's fine. But ambition is never a bad thing. Even if you don't reach your goal, you'll still grow far more than you realize. Keep it up, Naruto. If you don't understand anything, come ask me anytime."
Naruto's eyes stung with gratitude.
Only Iruka treated him seriously, rather than like a joke.
"Understood, Iruka-sensei!"
…The dismissal bell finally rang.
Soon, the academy grounds were full of students leaving in groups, laughter filling the twilight air.
"Dad!"
"Let's go home, Santa."
"Mom, I want ice cream!"
"Alright, I'll buy it for you on the way."
"Yay!"
Naruto, worn out, walked among them, loneliness rising in his chest.
"Hmph. Dead last thinks he can be in the top ten in a month? Naïve."
Sasuke strolled by with his hands in his pockets, trailed by a crowd of fangirls.
This time, Naruto didn't get angry. Instead, he grinned and teased:
"Sasuke, you sure are paying a lot of attention to me, huh?"
Sasuke froze. "Dead last, what did you just say?!"
"I mean, the so-called genius keeps watching me like he's scared. I think you're afraid I'll surpass you."
Sasuke's face darkened. "What a joke! Do you really think trash like you can compare to me?"
Naruto crossed his arms, replying with confidence. "That's exactly what I think. I've never once thought I was inferior to you!"
Sasuke clenched his fists, veins bulging.
"Hmph, you fool… I'll make sure you understand the gap between us!"
He stormed off, furious—yet deep down, Naruto's words had lit a fire in him.
He resolved to train ten, even a hundred times harder.
…
"What's wrong with Sasuke-kun?"
"Did that Naruto guy piss him off again?"
"Seriously, Naruto is always causing trouble for Sasuke!"
"But Sasuke-kun really does seem to care about him. Why's that?"
"Who knows…"
Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke's back. "Bleeeh!"
"N-Naruto-kun, see you tomorrow."
Naruto quickly stopped making faces. Seeing Hinata, he scratched his head awkwardly.
"Ah, Hinata! Oh right, tutoring—I almost forgot. See you tomorrow!"
He waved brightly, then began doing weighted frog jumps on his way home.
Hinata fiddled with her fingers, cheeks red as her heart pounded like a runaway deer.
"Tomorrow… I get to be with Naruto-kun…"
She covered her face, her cheeks burning hot.
"Ah… I probably won't be able to sleep tonight…"