One week later, on the weekend, at the Third Training Ground.
Naruto still liked training by the river here—the air was fresh, quiet.
For this entire week, he had been sending shadow clones to school in his place.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
With this last attempt, the proficiency of the jutsu finally reached its maximum.
Shadow Clone Jutsu (10,000/10,000)
When the proficiency maxed out, Naruto had a sudden realization, grasping a hint of a new path.If he kept exploring in that direction, maybe he could comprehend the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"Back then, when Tobirama Senju created the Shadow Clone, I bet he figured it out in the same way, and eventually invented the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu." Naruto guessed.
With the Shadow Clone Jutsu fully trained, the next step was chakra nature training.
But before that—
Naruto looked toward a large tree in the distance.
Behind it, someone was secretly watching him.
Naruto pretended not to notice, and casually walked that way.
Behind the tree, Hinata panicked, completely flustered, her head buzzing.
Being caught spying on someone—nothing could be more embarrassing.
So Naruto didn't expose her. Instead, he pretended to pass by, making it seem like a casual encounter.
"Hm? Hinata, this early? You came here to train too?"
Hinata froze for a long moment, then nodded like a pecking chick, unable to speak properly, only letting out soft hums.
Naruto remembered that when he borrowed 500,000 ryō from Hinata before, he had promised to help her train. So he suggested:
"Perfect timing. How about we train together?"
"Ah? Okay!" Hinata agreed instinctively.
Half an hour later—
Under Naruto's guidance, Hinata began breathing in the rhythm of the Breath of Wind.
Naruto didn't hold back at all when passing on the breathing method.
In this world, Hinata could be considered the closest person to him right now.
And knowing Hinata's personality, he wasn't worried about her teaching the breathing method to others.
Besides, without his coaching, it wasn't easy to learn.
Naruto activated the Transparent World, watching Hinata's lungs.
He was only observing her breathing frequency. Absolutely nothing else…
"Inhale one second longer. Exhale half a second shorter." Naruto corrected her breathing rhythm.
Hinata's talent wasn't bad at all, and with Naruto teaching her step by step—
Two hours later, as the sun dipped toward dusk, Hinata was gradually getting the hang of it.
Just as she was about to enter the state of Breath of Wind for the first time, a cold voice rang out:
"Lady Hinata, the clan head has ordered me to bring you home!"
The newcomer also possessed the Byakugan, his features sharp and handsome. He looked a year or two older than Hinata.
Though he addressed her as 'Lady Hinata,' his expression was cold, without a shred of respect.
Naruto recognized him instantly—Neji Hyuga.
Naruto stepped forward, blocking Neji's path toward Hinata.
"Wait. Hinata is at a crucial moment in her training."
Neji glanced at Naruto, not showing any courtesy.
"Heh. Step aside!"
That arrogant tone and expression irked Naruto. He shot back immediately:
"And what if I don't?"
Neji's eyes narrowed. He was still steeped in hatred for the clan system and his father's sacrifice.
His personality, untampered by reflection, was harsh.
"Then don't blame me for being rude!"
Without hesitation, Neji activated the Byakugan and assumed the Gentle Fist stance.
"Oh? You've got guts." Naruto smirked, bending down to pick up a branch as a weapon.
Seeing that playful gaze, Neji's fragile nerves snapped.
Without hesitation, he struck, his Gentle Fist driving straight toward Naruto's chest.
But with the Transparent World open, Naruto saw every flaw in Neji's movements.
First Form: Dust Whirlwind Slash.
In an instant, a cyan whirlwind flashed toward Neji.
Neji, in his Byakugan state, saw the fierce strike and his heart jolted.
The immense pressure left no time to think—he could only shift his Gentle Fist to defense.
"Rotation!"
Neji spun rapidly, chakra forming a circular shield around him.
The Hyuga clan's secret technique, its defense nearly flawless—except from beneath. It could even deflect and injure opponents.
Naruto hadn't expected Neji to already know Rotation at this stage.
Still, this "shield" was much smaller than in the original, showing he hadn't mastered it completely.
Neji thought Naruto would stop his attack.
But Naruto charged straight at Rotation.
Neji smirked coldly. "Heh, courting death!"
He could already picture Naruto being blasted away, coughing blood.
But when the cyan whirlwind collided with the white dome of Rotation—
The whirlwind instantly tore it apart!
The First Form's destructive force wasn't something Neji's incomplete Rotation could withstand!
Neji was blown back over ten meters, crashing heavily to the ground. Blood dripped from the corner of his lips, his long black hair disheveled.
Lying there, he stared at Naruto, who landed steadily, eyes wide with disbelief, whispering hoarsely:
"Impossible! How could my Rotation be broken?!"
The branch in Naruto's hand had been shredded into splinters by the wind blade. He stood calm, looking down at Neji like a beaten dog.
"So this is the so-called genius? Pathetic."
At the Academy, Neji was often hailed as a genius.
Being praised for so long, he had indeed grown arrogant.
Now, crushed in a single move by someone his age, the gap was unbearable.
But Naruto wasn't done.
"You just called Hinata 'Lady,' but judging from your expression, you don't actually accept her, do you?"
Neji's eyes hardened again.
"Hmph. Venting your hatred for the clan system on a cousin who cares about you… Tell me, how are you any better than the clan you despise?"
Naruto's words struck Neji like lightning. He froze.
"Neji-nii, where shall we play today?"
"Neji-nii, here, try some dango. Do you want some?"
…
Memories flooded back—before the Caged Bird Seal, Hinata had always followed him, smiling, calling him 'Neji-nii.'
But ever since his father's death, he had never shown her kindness again.
Believing his talent far surpassed Hinata's, yet forced to call her 'Lady,' he could not suppress his resentment.
Now, Naruto's words cut him deeply. Shame and helplessness churned within.
Hinata, meanwhile, finally entered the breathing state.
But instead of joy, tears welled at her eyes. She had heard the entire exchange.
Seeing her tears, Neji flinched like he'd been stabbed, unable to meet her gaze.
He turned and fled in a staggered rush.
"Naruto-kun… thank you." Hinata bowed gratefully.
Naruto's actions had given her a warmth she rarely felt.
"It's nothing."
Naruto smiled and reminded her, "Remember this breathing state, okay?"
He then praised her efforts.
Hearing his gentle words, combined with her progress and his encouragement, Hinata felt truly fulfilled.
So different from the oppressive atmosphere at home.