"Three hundred times!"
"I only practiced eighty-something times during class!"
"If I don't hurry, I won't be able to sleep tonight!"
Inside Naruto's mental space, Kurama flicked its ears with satisfaction.
"Hmph, this kid… seems he's not entirely hopeless after all. You can't sleep, but I certainly can…"
With a grin and a yawn, Kurama curled up and drifted off.
"Clone Technique!"
"Clone Technique!"
"I'll do it again!"
[Host has completed one hundred Clone Technique trainings. Mastery increased. Proficiency +1!]
Even though he was drenched in sweat and panting heavily, Naruto couldn't hide his proud smile.
"Ah ha, I've really made progress… now my clones almost open their eyes!"
"But why does it still feel a little off…"
Naruto thought back to Iruka-sensei's analogy.
"It's like pulling your own reflection out of a mirror."
Slamming his fist into his palm, Naruto exclaimed: "Ha! I've got it!"
He ran over to the mirror, carefully examining his reflection from top to bottom.
"The reason I can't do the Clone Technique right is probably because I can't multitask. Making hand seals, picturing my shadow, and controlling chakra all at once is too much!"
"But if I look directly at my reflection, I don't have to imagine it!"
"I'm a genius!"
Naruto immediately tried again.
"Ram, Snake, Tiger… Clone Technique!"
Sure enough, this time the clone's eyes were completely open!
Even better, its face finally looked exactly like Naruto's.
"It really works!"
Overjoyed, Naruto wiped away sweat and threw himself into more practice.
[Host has completed three hundred Clone Technique trainings. Mastery increased. Proficiency +3!]
[Current Clone Technique proficiency: 36]
It was still only 36, but yesterday it had been 16.
One day of hard work had raised his proficiency by 20 points!
If it kept going like this… Naruto touched his chin, letting his imagination run wild—himself standing first in class, stepping on Sasuke, Sakura hugging and kissing him, girls looking at him with admiration, boys glaring with jealousy…
Unfortunately, the fantasy didn't last long. Exhausted, Naruto soon collapsed into a deep sleep.
…
The next morning, his third day with the system and his first weekend, Naruto woke up at six sharp to the system's prompt. He stretched with a giant yawn, washed up, and started breakfast.
Walking to the window, he glanced outside.
"Hm?"
"Is that…?"
The morning sun, dappled through the trees, fell on a girl's white dress and soft cheeks. A breeze stirred her long skirt, tugging at the white sun hat on her head. She caught it with a small hand, revealing a delicate face that was shy and blushing.
Naruto's heart skipped a beat.
"Hinata?"
Only then did he remember—he had promised to study with her today.
But… today Hinata looked a little different from usual.
His momentary confusion turned into excitement. He leaned out the window and waved both arms wildly.
"Hey, Hinata! Over here!"
Hinata's heart leapt at his voice. She held onto her hat and looked up, seeing the familiar face she admired most.
"Na-Naruto-kun?"
Her heartbeat quickened, her cheeks flushing even redder.
Naruto, of course, was too dense to notice a girl's feelings.
"Hinata, why don't you come up?"
Hinata lowered her head. "I-I'm a bit scared…"
"Why?"
She fidgeted with her fingers, unable to say she was simply too shy.
Naruto chuckled. "Then I'll come down and get you! Wait right there!"
He dashed down the stairs, burst out the door, and ran to her.
"Come on."
Taking her hand, Naruto led her toward his apartment.
Hinata's whole body trembled, but she didn't pull away.
"Na-Naruto-kun is holding my hand…"
Her thoughts spun in a whirl as they climbed to his second-floor home.
"Ta-da! This is my place. Not bad, right?"
Naruto let go of her hand and casually picked up a watering can to tend to his plants—one of his few hobbies besides ramen.
Hinata glanced down at her empty hand, a little dazed.
"What's wrong, Hinata?"
"N-nothing…"
She smiled shyly as she watched him water the flowers.
"I… I didn't know Naruto-kun liked gardening."
"This? Hahaha, I guess so!"
Naruto put the watering can aside. "Have you eaten?"
"I have."
"Then let's get started right away!"
Hinata nervously clutched the corner of her clothes. "O-okay…"
Naruto led her into his so-called training room, which was an absolute mess.
Even he looked embarrassed. "Ah ha, it's a bit messy…"
Hinata giggled softly. "It's… fine."
He swept a pile of junk off the table. "Come on, Hinata, sit next to me."
Her heart, which had just calmed down, started racing again like a rabbit in her chest.
"Sit… sit next to Naruto-kun?"
"Of course. Otherwise, how can we study?"
"W-well, that's true…"
Blushing, she lowered her head and carefully sat beside him.
Naruto tilted his head. "Hinata, you seem a little different today… how should I put it…"
Hinata's heart nearly stopped.
She had chosen today's outfit—her white dress and sun hat—hoping Naruto would notice. Did he sense her feelings?
After thinking hard, Naruto finally said, "I get it. It's because we're not at school. You don't seem so gloomy anymore!"
Hinata: "…"
Though a little disappointed, she still smiled shyly.
"Mm… I'll try not to be gloomy anymore. Nar-Naruto-kun, let's begin."
"Right! Getting into the top ten and beating Sasuke depends on you, Hinata!"
Hinata nodded gently, opened her books, and began tutoring him with care.
As the sun rose higher, its light poured through the window, shining on the two of them sitting close together.