Konoha
Team Seven's meeting point.
"Damn it, Kakashi-sensei is late again… I was so motivated to do a mission today!"
Naruto couldn't stand it anymore and yelled in frustration, looking at the sun high in the sky.
What a blow this was to an energetic young man… "Exactly, exactly… I should have slept in a bit longer for my beauty sleep."
Sakura, equally annoyed, first glanced at Sasuke, and only when she saw the same irritation in his eyes did she raise her fist in agreement.
But what she didn't know was that Sasuke wasn't upset at all because Kakashi was late!
"Naruto, can you teach me your Shadow Clone Jutsu…?"
After much deliberation, Sasuke took two steps forward and said calmly, under Naruto's curious gaze.
He was only one step away from completing his Rasengan training, and he didn't want to give up now.
If time allowed, Sasuke wouldn't mind slowly completing the one-handed Rasengan.
But the Chunin Exams were imminent, and he had to get stronger to face guys like Orochimaru and Gaara!
"Huh?
Shadow Clone??"
Naruto looked surprised, unable to understand why Sasuke would want to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
However, he wouldn't miss this chance to show off in front of Sakura!
His eyes darted around, and Naruto cleared his throat dramatically, straightening his posture.
"Sasuke… the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu is a dangerous A-rank forbidden jutsu from the Scroll of Seals.
Even I only managed to learn it through sheer luck!
Even if you're a genius, this jutsu will be very difficult for you to master…"
Under Sasuke's speechless expression, Naruto glanced at Sakura while putting on airs.
His smug look made Sasuke want to give him a Thousand Years of Death!!
Naruto, this guy is really both brave and despicable… "Hmph, you don't need to worry about that.
Just tell me if you'll teach me or not; I'm not begging you!"
Sasuke wasn't going to humor him, and with an even more arrogant demeanor, he showed what it meant to take advantage while acting tough.
Uh, no… he wasn't taking advantage; he was giving Naruto a chance to show off!
"Is that your attitude towards learning??"
Naruto, who had been ready to show off, was immediately dumbfounded, rubbing his head and asking with a dark expression.
Who was asking for a favor here anyway!!
"If you don't want to, forget it… I was going to treat you to meals for a month as a reward.
Never mind, I'll just go find Kakashi-sensei…"
Sasuke wouldn't give Naruto a chance to gloat, immediately changing his tune and using a tactic of retreat to advance.
If Naruto's version of the Shadow Clone didn't only require one hand seal, he wouldn't bother with all this trouble.
"Treat me to meals for a month??
Don't say no! Who said I wouldn't agree!
Sasuke, we're recognized as comrades.
How could I not agree to you, hahaha… Just kidding, I was just kidding… You have to keep your word, you can't go back on it!"
Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement, and he shouted, knowing he couldn't miss out on Sasuke's 'monthly pass'.
If Kakashi-sensei got there first, he wouldn't get anything… A whole month! He was going to eat all the delicious meals he'd always wanted to but couldn't afford.
"Huh? Treat him for a month??
Naruto, you can't take advantage of this to make any outrageous demands!"
Sakura quickly shouted, looking at Naruto's drooling expression, to prevent him from taking advantage of Sasuke.
At the same time, she secretly gave Sasuke a displeased look.
Sasuke-kun was good in every way, except he spent money too lavishly… especially since it was Naruto, not her. It was too infuriating!
"Ah… haha… Of course not, Sakura, why would you think that of me…"
Naruto laughed awkwardly, his thoughts exposed, and secretly decided he had to make Sasuke pay for everything.
Outrageous demands?
Heh heh, he'd definitely let Sasuke know what outrageous meant then!!
"Then let's start today… After the mission, you teach me to train the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Sasuke had no idea of Naruto's devious thoughts, and calmly nodded in confirmation.
If he knew Naruto's thoughts, he would definitely scoff… A sucker? How could that be!!
"Hey~~
Sorry, I accidentally got lost again today…"
Kakashi's voice suddenly appeared, interrupting Sakura just as she was about to speak, making Sasuke and the other two look at the red torii gate.
"Liar…"
"Liar…"
The next moment, Naruto and Sakura, united in their indignation, pointed at Kakashi and yelled.
They had heard such insincere excuses too many times!
"Yo, you all seem quite motivated, don't you… So, I announce that today's mission is to weed the herb garden.
A long-awaited D-rank mission!"
Kakashi jumped down and came to stand beside the three, speaking calmly, completely ignoring their anger.
"Weeding??
What's going on… I was hoping for some high-level, exciting mission, this is too lame!"
Naruto's face fell, and he was the first to jump up and protest; this was completely different from what he had expected!
"Idiot, the previous mission to the Land of Waves was an exception.
D-rank missions are your normal missions, let's go…"
Kakashi frowned and scolded loudly, because of the changes in the Land of Waves mission.
He had taken it upon himself to take Naruto and Sasuke on a dangerous A-rank mission!
Although the Third Hokage hadn't said much, it was certainly impossible for them to leave the village for now!
Still want to do more exciting missions?
What are you thinking… Ten minutes later.
"Sasuke, now I'll show you the power of the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu…"
Naruto, with his fighting spirit restored, looked at the lush green herb garden, made a hand sign, and called out.
This was his moment to show his worth!!
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu…"
As Naruto roared, dozens of Naruto clones suddenly appeared with a series of 'bangs'… "Let's go, finish the mission in one go…"
Under Sasuke and Sakura's speechless expressions, Naruto waved his hand and led the charge into the herb garden.
Dozens of clones instantly swarmed in, dividing up the entire herb garden and burying themselves in hard work… "Uh? Is he trying to show off?
Or is he helping us complete the mission??"
Looking at the herb garden where there was no room to step, Sakura's beautiful eyes paused, and she said with a strange look.
"Tch, let him be…"
Sasuke shrugged and complained weakly; it was good, he didn't want to waste time weeding either.
[This Naruto… how is this going to promote teamwork??
But this is fine too; while he's energetic, let's complete a few more D-rank missions these days.
That way, they can catch up to this joint exam…]
Kakashi, reading his little red book, heard Naruto's movements, looked up, and mused to himself.
A few minutes later.
"Hehehe… It's all done, old lady… How's that? My speed is fast enough, right!!"
Naruto said smugly, standing in front of the client, and at the same time gave Sasuke and Sakura a triumphant look.
This was the power of his Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!!
"Hey, I'm talking to you… What exactly are you so proud of??
Fast speed? It's because you were so fast that I didn't have time to stop you.
You, you actually pulled out all the medicinal herbs I painstakingly planted… I told you to pull out the weeds, the weeds!!"
The client, an old woman, glared at Naruto and roared angrily, unceremoniously punching him.
"Agh~~~"
After a heartbreaking scream from Naruto, his right eye turned into a panda eye.
His body was still being thrashed by the old woman… "Idiot…"
"This moron…"
Sasuke and Sakura suppressed their laughter and ruthlessly struck him down, causing Naruto's fragile mental state to collapse again.
This wasn't the result he wanted…