Chapter 173: A Difficult Clone

"Today we're beating you. Moegi, Udon—come on."

Konohamaru confronted Tenyu's group after class. Students gathered at once. They had seen this challenge before, and most had firm opinions about the result.

"He's never won against them."

"We can't beat him either. Give him a chance."

Moegi tugged at Konohamaru's sleeve. "Maybe we should leave it. They're too strong."

Udon sniffed and nodded. Konohamaru looked offended by the lack of confidence.

"If we try harder, we can fight them evenly."

"You might," Udon said. "We can't."

Across from them, Tenyu, Maki, and Kawabe Jun smiled. Their group stood at the top of their class. The twins excelled in genjutsu and could already use Iruka's training fire illusion. Their taijutsu was strong as well. Jun showed particular talent with a sword and in the classroom.

Konohamaru and Moegi could fight; Moegi and Udon did well in theory. Konohamaru's schoolwork remained only a little above average, despite his private tutor.

"Give it up," Tenyu said. "You don't study well enough to be worth fighting."

"I'm the Hokage's grandson! I'll become stronger and beat you."

The remark about studying hurt because it was true. Konohamaru knew he had not worked as hard as he could.

Maki turned away. "Dad says we shouldn't bully people who don't want to learn. We're supposed to protect the weak. That's what shinobi are for."

Jun nodded with solemn admiration. "Your father always knows what to say. We should protect them."

Tenyu found that reasonable. Teasing Konohamaru was becoming less entertaining in any case. He led his teammates back toward the classroom without waiting for another threat.

"Are Dad's notes on swordsmanship useful, Jun?"

"Very. The exercises in listening and sensing have changed how I fight. I feel as though I can recognize an opening before I see it."

Jun had stumbled often when he first wrapped his head like Tonbo. After the twins brought him their father's notes, he had grown more accustomed to perceiving his surroundings without relying upon sight alone. He thanked them with an earnestness that made Tenyu laugh.

"Dad's best at genjutsu, but he can do plenty of other things. Keep practicing and you'll get stronger."

Konohamaru could hear them leaving. They had dismissed him as someone who needed protection, then stopped paying attention to him altogether.

Moegi watched him anxiously. Udon sniffed again. Neither had taken the insult as badly as their leader.

Konohamaru's fists tightened. "From now on, I'm studying properly. I'll beat them. Just wait."

He meant to become Hokage. He would not remain someone they could call weak.

Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses and smiled. His pupil's recent progress was remarkable.

"You can do all of those already. Clearly my teaching is working. Follow my instructions and you'll become Hokage."

Konohamaru had mastered Clone and rope escape so early in his training. Some sixth-year students struggled with those techniques enough to fail graduation. Ebisu was delighted with the evidence of his own skill as a teacher.

"Teach me shuriken throwing next," Konohamaru said. "I want to hit the target every time."

"I'll teach you everything I know. You'll be the first Hokage I've trained personally."

For once, Konohamaru's determination matched his tutor's confidence.

Hiruzen watched the lesson in his crystal ball.

"A little competition helps."

He knew where his grandson's new diligence had come from. Tonbo's two children and their admiring friend had given Konohamaru a reason to work. The three were promising young shinobi in their own right, and he had begun to take particular notice of them.

The image changed. Naruto stood near a small wood, attempting Clone again. Each effort produced another shapeless failure, and his expression grew more troubled.

Hiruzen could see the difficulty. Naruto possessed considerable chakra, but the Nine-Tails interfered with his control. More attempts alone were unlikely to solve that underlying problem.

He would have to find a way for Naruto to graduate. Otherwise, the boy might remain at the Academy indefinitely.

"Captain Tonbo, would you sign my sword?"

Jun had finally gathered enough courage to ask. Tenyu and Maki had brought their friend to meet their father, who was on his way to visit Yakumo at the Kurama estate. Jun had been so excited that he could scarcely walk steadily beside them.

The twins exchanged a look. His admiration seemed to become stronger whenever they thought it had reached its limit.

"Of course," Tonbo said.

He had heard about the new friend but had not expected such an enthusiastic admirer. The boy showed some aptitude for perception as well as a determination to imitate Tonbo's appearance. Perhaps there was something worth developing beneath that imitation.

He took the sword and used chakra to carve his name deeply into the grip of the hilt. Jun watched every movement.