His peripheral vision caught Nara Shikaku holding a book, “Geography and Topography of the Land of Fire.”
“I don’t have your superhuman memory, able to remember everything after a glance.”
“As an ordinary person, I can only rely on complete focus.”
Hyuga Nanao’s tone carried a “jealous” envy.
Eidetic memory!
A truly enviable ability that made underachievers weep.
While Hyuga Nanao’s mental strength had improved significantly due to chakra development, he was no match for Nara Shikaku. Shikaku’s eyes were practically human cameras.
“Well, well, Nanao-kun is too humble…”
“Being able to separate a Shadow Clone at your age, and maintain it for so long, that’s something ordinary people can’t do!~”
Nara Shikaku raised the book to cover his mouth, his eyes crinkling in amusement.
…………
He was a year older than Hyuga Nanao, and they wouldn't normally interact.
But recently, he had encountered Hyuga Nanao at the school library. Seeing the blue mark on his forehead, he was stunned. As the son of the Nara clan leader, he knew it was the “Cage Bird” curse mark of the Hyuga branch.
However, he had never seen someone like Nanao, so openly displaying it. The usual practice, like the senior named Hyuga Hizashi, was to wear a bandage over it.
If that was all, it would have been fine, just a peculiar Hyuga branch member.
But when Nara Shikaku discovered that this was just a Shadow Clone, he took notice.
He instantly recalled in his mind the time he saw Hyuga Nanao, four hours and thirty-six minutes ago, on the first floor southeast corner of the library, third row of bookshelves, facing away…
In other words, this guy’s Shadow Clone had been maintained for at least four and a half hours…!
From this single detail, Nara Shikaku’s brain began automatically analyzing information.
Hyuga branch, first year, named Hyuga Nanao, said to have good talent, this was… he had finished learning what the teachers taught, using the Shadow Clone to accelerate his studies? Did he not know about the aftereffects? …
Shadow Clones could convey information on the battlefield, naturally, some clever ninjas thought of using them to accelerate training, such as their Nara clan.
But the aftereffects were also quite severe.
The overwhelming fatigue that came with it could lead to mental lethargy, a hazy mind, and require more rest time to recover, making it a losing proposition.
For example, their Nara clan already had super memory and comprehension abilities. Their brains processed a lot of information daily, and the burden was already heavy. If they added the information overload from Shadow Clones, their brain cells would be wiped out for sure!~
Therefore, having too strong of a brain wasn’t good. Thus, most Nara clan members were lazy and averse to trouble. They didn’t want to pay too much attention to anything, just to reduce information intake and allow their brains to relax…
However, the next day when Nara Shikaku saw Hyuga Nanao, he found him still energetic.
One day, two days, three days, it was the same…
Nara Shikaku became curious about this guy who was a year younger than him.
He initiated conversation, and over time, they became friends.
…………
Hyuga Nanao was also interested in this young Nara clan leader.
The Nara clan’s “Shadow Jutsu” was an application of Yin Release chakra, but Nanao was still laying his foundation. It would be a long time before he reached the level of Yin-Yang Release training.
Nanao was more interested in the Nara clan’s business. He was still young and needed medicinal support to strengthen his bones and physique. The Nara clan was the leading supplier of medicinal herbs in Konohagakure. If he could build a good relationship, he might be able to get a discount on future purchases.
Of course, this also had to do with Nara Shikaku’s intelligence and maturity. Unlike other kids his age.
Despite being only six and seven years old, their conversations were far beyond their peers.
Facing Nara Shikaku’s joke, Nanao calmly retorted.
“Who would have thought that Nara-senpai, the problem child of the Ninja Academy who basically sleeps through class, doesn’t even bother to write during exams, actually has read more books than all the teachers in the Ninja Academy combined…”
Nara Shikaku scoffed, “As if I wanted to…”
“It’s just that the old man at home forced me to learn, it’s such a hassle…”
“Wouldn’t it be nice to just bask in the sun and enjoy the breeze…”
Shikaku, who had never experienced war, was simply laid back. Of course, Nanao hadn't experienced war either. However, he knew the Second Shinobi World War would break out in a few years. Based on his age, he shouldn’t have to go to the battlefield.
But the even more brutal Third Shinobi World War would follow, and he definitely wouldn’t be able to escape that.
Nanao smiled and encouraged, “What can you do, you’re from the Nara clan!”
“The Hokage of Konoha has changed three times, but the military advisor has always been from your family. The Hokage come and go, but the Nara are forever!~”
“As a military advisor, you have to know everything under heaven, understand the history, military characteristics, and information about famous ninjas of all the villages…”
“Shikaku, you are the chosen one!”
“I have faith in you!~”
With Nanao’s encouragement, Shikaku’s gaze gradually lost its sparkle. A dark cloud of negativity seemed to hover above his head.
His entire being radiated a “Just give up, let it all end” kind of negative energy.
But then, a cheerful voice rang out.
“Nanao…”
“You’re here!”
A flash of gold caught his eye.
Revealing Namikaze Minato’s wide, grinning face.
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