*Chapter 31: Why Not... Try Again?!*

Naruto stared blankly at the text on the scroll, sensing it was a particularly difficult ninjutsu.

"Sasuke, are you kidding me? I can't even use the normal Clone Jutsu properly, and you want me to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu?"

Naruto placed the scroll on his lap and looked up at Sasuke, who stood a short distance away. His eyes flashed with doubt. Was Sasuke messing with him?

"Trust me, you can do it. No one is better suited for this jutsu than you," Sasuke said, nodding seriously.

*+1*

The number in front of Sasuke's eyes jumped. The most challenging aspect of the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu was dividing chakra equally among multiple clones.

Without enough chakra reserves, attempting this would be like digging one's own grave.

But Naruto’s enormous chakra reserves made him uniquely suited for this technique—it was as if the jutsu had been designed for him.

"Can I really do it?" Naruto asked uncertainly.

"Yes," Sasuke nodded again, now with complete conviction. This wasn’t just speculation; Naruto’s talent with shadow clones had already proven itself countless times in the original timeline.

"Then I'll try." Naruto took a deep breath, calming his nerves. His gaze returned to the scroll, determination flashing in his eyes.

I must learn this! I can't let Sasuke down!  

Naruto could clearly feel the belief radiating from Sasuke’s eyes. Sasuke trusted him even more than he trusted himself.

No one had ever recognized him the way Sasuke did.

To have a confidant in life is enough.  

Naruto immediately began carefully studying every word on the scroll, growing more amazed with each passing moment.

"Sasuke, can this Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu really create a thousand clones?"

Naruto’s voice was filled with awe. He had never heard of such a thing and found it almost unbelievable.

"If someone else tried, ten clones would probably be their limit. But you? I think you could create more than a thousand," Sasuke replied confidently.

*+2*

"Can I really be that powerful?" Naruto’s breathing quickened. For someone who had always longed for recognition, this affirmation ignited his entire being.

"Of course. But start small—create fewer clones first. Otherwise, you might alarm the Ninja Academy, and my handwritten scroll would be exposed," Sasuke added with a smile.

*+2*

As Sasuke spoke, the numbers before his eyes jumped again, awarding him more system points.

"This scroll..."

Naruto’s attention returned to the scroll. This time, he wasn’t just reading its contents but also studying the ink and strokes.

"Did you write this yourself?"

Naruto's voice softened, and something deep within him stirred. His eyes grew moist, blurring his vision slightly. He was deeply moved—no one had ever done something like this for him.

"Yes," Sasuke admitted directly. There was no reason to hide it, though he chose not to elaborate on the reasons behind it.

*+1*

Naruto was stunned.

For three full minutes, he said nothing.

Then, without another word, he refocused on the scroll. He told himself he had to learn this jutsu.

With renewed determination, Naruto began to read intently. Every word on the scroll now carried a weight of immense significance.

Sasuke, meanwhile, stood by and watched, his thoughts turning to the future.

When he first arrived in the Naruto world, he never expected to befriend Naruto. His original plan had been to redirect Naruto’s potential hatred toward himself.

After all, he was Uchiha Sasuke.

In the entire Ninja Academy, very few dared to challenge him. The only exception so far was Neji, a graduate from the previous year.

With just a month and a half left until graduation, Sasuke’s innate abilities had been reset. If he didn’t hurry to improve, the challenges ahead would only grow harder.

This period at the academy was an invaluable opportunity for growth.

He needed to create opportunities to showcase his strength.

Initially, befriending Naruto had been part of Sasuke’s strategy. No one dared to bully him, but they targeted Naruto without hesitation. By standing up for Naruto, Sasuke could show off while earning system points.

Moreover, Naruto was the best person to invest in. Sasuke remembered vividly how, in the original timeline, Naruto had pursued him to the ends of the earth.

Now, with Lightning Release at his disposal, he also recognized that Naruto’s chakra attribute could counter it. Having Naruto on his side was a strategic advantage.

However...

Sasuke frowned, considering the implications of using Lightning Release openly.

Should it become a regular tool, or remain his trump card?

Using it regularly would give him an edge in the short term and opportunities to show off. But it also came with obvious risks—it would draw attention and make him too conspicuous.

That was unwise.

Figures like the Third Hokage, Danzo, Orochimaru, and even Itachi would all take notice. If he showed too much talent, he might end up being seen as a threat worth eliminating.

For now, keeping Lightning Release as a secret weapon seemed the safest choice.

Until he had enough strength to protect himself, Sasuke wouldn’t reveal that his body could transform into lightning. This way, the technique could have an unexpected impact during critical moments.

The others could accept his Sharingan upgrades, his gradual growth, and even his cold arrogance. With Itachi’s shadow looming, they wouldn’t dare to act recklessly against him.

But too much talent could change their calculations.

For now, his focus had to be on getting stronger.

Sasuke opened his system panel.

*Current system points: 81 points.*

It was enough for another lottery draw. Alternatively, he could save up another 19 points to upgrade an E-rated attribute to D.

What to choose?

Sasuke scrolled to the bottom of the panel, hesitating as he hovered over the lottery slot machine.

*Time limit: 27:13:33.*

The countdown added a sense of urgency, stirring his desire to act.

"Why not..." Sasuke muttered, swallowing hard. His inner balance began to tilt. His eyes flashed with eagerness as he whispered to himself, "Try again?"

"Mmm hmm! I know I’ll get it next time!" Naruto’s voice broke through his thoughts. A shadow clone collapsed nearby, but Naruto didn’t seem discouraged. Instead, he had discovered the difference between shadow clones and regular clones, and his confidence was growing.

"Then let’s try..." Sasuke said, his words directed at both Naruto and himself.

*(End of Chapter)*