Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Projection Magecraft Shows Its Power

The next day marked the start of the school year.

Natsuki arrived early to register for Class 3-A.

After greeting Uzumaki Kushina, he went to find Orochimaru.

"Teacher, I want to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Natsuki said directly.

"Alright."

Orochimaru nodded. "After learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu, you’ll have more time to train."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Natsuki had expected to explain further, but Orochimaru agreed immediately.

"Nawaki, you should learn it alongside him."

Orochimaru considered for a moment.

"I’ve wanted to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu for ages!"

Nawaki’s spirits lifted. He spoke excitedly.

"Teacher."

Natsuki suddenly thought of something. "Can we change the targets for our upcoming missions?"

"Change to what?"

Orochimaru looked at him.

"Water Release and kenjutsu specialists."

Natsuki replied. "I excel in kenjutsu, and Nawaki-senpai excels in Water Release. I think we should gain more experience against ninjas of the same type."

Their previous mission targets had mostly been genjutsu and Fire Release ninjas.

At the time, Natsuki had used Uchiha Mikoto as an excuse—claiming he wanted combat experience against genjutsu and Fire Release users.

"I’ll keep an eye out."

Orochimaru agreed without much thought.

To him, the mission target made no difference.

Since Natsuki had this idea, as his teacher, he naturally wouldn’t refuse.

"The Shadow Clone Jutsu is B-Rank. Given your age, it won’t be easy to learn."

Orochimaru began his explanation.

Time flew. December arrived.

The second semester of Class 3-A was coming to an end.

On the Ninja Academy training grounds.

All of Class 3-A was present. Today was the practical combat exam.

Natsuki divided his attention—chatting with Kushina and Minato while reviewing the system’s mission panel.

After two semesters of effort, his Water Release chakra nature transformation training had completed the first stage.

[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Kamado Tanjiro Template Ability 2: Water Breathing — First Form, Second Form, Third Form.]

Although it was called Ability 2, it was effectively three abilities at once—or rather, three nintaijutsu.

Kenjutsu combined with Water Release was the most standard nintaijutsu in the ninja world.

Natsuki considered a question.

Should he reveal it today? Or wait for a more suitable opportunity?

What a pleasant dilemma.

He hadn’t publicly displayed the Shippo template’s Fox Fire and Fox Magic, nor the Fushiguro Megumi template’s Shadow Space and Shadow Assassin.

Natsuki fell into thought.

He had created two shadow techniques. Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru already knew he excelled in Yin Release.

Perhaps he could reveal Fox Magic, Shadow Space, and Shadow Assassin.

They all fell under Yin Release ninjutsu.

Projection Magecraft could work too.

The essence of Yin Release was creating form from nothing.

Projection Magecraft fit that definition perfectly.

"Third round, fourth match: Natsuki versus Namikaze Minato!"

Ishida Yu’s voice rang out. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The students of Class 3-A immediately perked up to watch the strongest battle in their class.

Although it was called the strongest battle, everyone knew Natsuki would win.

The reason was simple.

In every monthly and final exam, Namikaze Minato had lost.

However, even in defeat, he remained an unbeatable goal for the rest of them.

Ever since becoming Jiraiya’s student, Minato displayed new ninjutsu at regular intervals.

His learning speed left them dumbfounded.

"Minato."

Natsuki stood opposite him and smiled. "What new technique do you have this time?"

"I do have one."

Minato hesitated. "But I’m not proficient yet."

"That’s fine. We’re sparring, not fighting to the death."

Natsuki said curiously. "Give it a try."

Could it be the Flying Thunder God Technique?

No—it shouldn’t be.

The Flying Thunder God was S-Rank with an extremely high learning difficulty.

Although Minato was genuinely talented, he was still too young.

"Then watch out!"

After speaking, Minato immediately threw a shuriken.

But this shuriken was much larger than normal.

It flew high into the air—and suddenly stopped.

Minato formed hand seals with both hands.

The shuriken trembled. Numerous afterimages appeared.

Natsuki’s gaze sharpened. He recognized the technique instantly.

The A-Rank Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu—a ninjutsu created by Sarutobi Hiruzen, inspired by the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

In the original story, Minato had used it as well.

However, judging from the current execution, he was indeed unproficient. Whether he could successfully complete it was questionable.

Natsuki raised his hand without hesitation.

Projection Magecraft!

A massive surge of chakra flowed from his body and transformed into shuriken after shuriken under his control.

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu?"

Minato glanced over and nearly lost his composure.

Fortunately, his reaction was fast. He hurriedly stabilized his own technique, preventing it from failing midway.

Minato exhaled with relief and released all his chakra.

He had been lucky this time. It didn’t fail.

Densely packed shuriken plummeted from the sky.

Reinforcement Magecraft!

After reinforcing his hands, Natsuki moved.

With extreme speed, he threw out all the shuriken formed by Projection Magecraft.

A shame I don’t have Unlimited Blade Works. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be so tedious.

Seeing this, Minato instantly realized something.

This wasn’t the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu—but some unknown ninjutsu.

Metal clashed against metal.

The students of Class 3-A widened their eyes.

Countless shuriken collided in mid-air.

Sparks flew everywhere.

A large number of shuriken were deflected and fell to the ground.

But someone quickly noticed a problem.

After Natsuki’s shuriken landed, they vanished without a trace moments later.

"What’s going on?"

Minato noticed as well—completely baffled.

"It’s Yin Release ninjutsu!"

In the Hokage’s office, Sarutobi Hiruzen said with certainty.

After speaking, he fell into thought.

Using Yin Release to create shuriken?

No—if he can create shuriken, he can create other ninja tools.

"Somewhat impractical."

Sarutobi Hiruzen concluded.

First, the projected tools were inferior to the originals.

Second, it consumed massive amounts of chakra.

Better to simply carry ninja tools. Although he couldn’t carry unlimited amounts, at least he wouldn’t waste excessive chakra.

Wind Release: Shuriken!

Minato snapped back to reality and immediately recognized a rare opportunity.

Natsuki’s hands were currently occupied—constantly throwing shuriken.

Wind Release chakra surged out and adhered to a shuriken.

Minato threw it fiercely. The shuriken shot toward Natsuki like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Shadow Assassin!

Natsuki’s body vanished—completely submerging into the shadow on the ground.

The shadow moved rapidly and arrived in front of Minato.

Natsuki reappeared. In the instant their eyes met, he released Fox Magic.

Minato hadn’t expected genjutsu at all. Caught off guard, he fell into a daze.

Natsuki drew a wooden sword.

One-Sword Style: Horse Demon!

Minato cried out in pain. While breaking free from the genjutsu, he was knocked to the ground.

He looked up at Natsuki instinctively, feeling utterly bewildered.

He had thought that after learning the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, even if he couldn’t win, he could at least gain the upper hand for a while.

Instead, they had been evenly matched—until Natsuki used a secret technique and a genjutsu he had never displayed before, defeating him completely.

Minato couldn’t help but sigh.

Every time he thought he had gathered enough intel on Natsuki, Natsuki brought out something new that caught him off guard.

"He created another genjutsu?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked surprised.

He increasingly felt that Natsuki was unconventional.

No talent for learning ninjutsu—but genuine talent for creating it.

Regardless, this was ultimately a good thing.

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