The Shadow Deer that had stayed in the woods to chase Iruka instantly swapped places with Kano.
Next up: borrow the Scroll of Seals for a look. But it's in Naruto's hands—how exactly should she 'borrow' it?
Steal it or con him out of it?
Before long she spotted a little cabin among the trees.
Kano's memories told her Naruto trained his Ninjutsu around here.
Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Looks like this is the place.
Kano skipped over to Naruto, who was still drilling the jutsu.
Hey, Kano-chan! What a coincidence; you're here too! I—I've learned this super-amazing Ninjutsu! Once I master it, Iruka-sensei will finally recognize me and I'll graduate to Genin—just like you!
As long as I learn the jutsu in this scroll, I'll definitely graduate, right?
Naruto… this scroll?
It's the Scroll of Seals—full of crazy-powerful jutsu!
May I take a look?
Of course!
Grinning, Naruto handed it over. Kano unrolled it vertically.
Sure enough, apart from the first technique—Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu—the rest were only names and descriptions; completely unusable. As expected, this thing was bait set out by the Third.
System, snap a photo.
[Aye-aye, roger that ♪]
These jutsu are so complicated. Naruto, learning this is seriously impressive!
E-he-he, not really—you're amazing too, Kano-chan!
Blushing at the praise, Naruto hoisted the returned Scroll of Seals onto his back again.
Iruka should arrive soon; Kano needed to hide.
Iruka-sensei's looking for you—hurry back. It's getting dark; I'm heading home too.
Once I master this jutsu I'll go back.
Fine. Don't keep Iruka-sensei waiting. See you!
Bye!
Kano skipped off—then climbed high to watch from above.
She knew the Third Hokage was secretly spying on Naruto; saying the wrong thing and catching the old man's attention would be bad.
She stayed because she intended to harvest a Shadow Ninja right here.
Soon Iruka and Mizuki arrived. After Mizuki spilled the secret and attacked, Naruto fled.
Kano followed from overhead. Small and light, she didn't snap twigs. This time she merely watched, waiting for her moment.
The chase dragged on; several times she almost got spotted. But her black clothes and tiny frame kept her hidden.
After a long while the crucial moment arrived.
Mizuki was about to fight Naruto.
Try it if you can, demon fox!
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Countless Shadow Clones surrounded Mizuki—on the ground, in the trees.
Even the branch beneath Kano had a clone; one glance up and she'd be seen.
It gave her a fright—good thing she'd climbed high or she'd have been discovered.
Time to move.
Transformation Jutsu!
She transformed into Yakushi Kabuto—not for any grand plan, just to trip him up later so Naruto wouldn't be fooled during the Chunin Exams.
By now Mizuki was defeated, sprawled on the ground. Iruka fastened the forehead protector onto Naruto himself.
The masked 'Yakushi Kabuto' dropped from above beside Mizuki.
Of course the mask was as unconvincing as a cheap drama disguise.
Useless trash. Keeping you alive would only ruin that lord's plans.
The 'Kabuto' finished Mizuki off without hesitation, then hurled two Kunai at Naruto and Iruka—easily dodged, but enough to distract them while he harvested Mizuki's shadow.
Hmph, I'll let you off today.
With that, 'Kabuto' swapped places with a Shadow Bug in his room and dispelled it.
To onlookers it seemed he'd vanished in an instant.
When she got home, dawn had already broken.
Kano released the transformation and flopped onto her bed; the hand that had stabbed Mizuki was still trembling.
It was her first kill.
Her heart pounded.
Mizuki was scum; even if he'd caused trouble later, taking him out now was for the best.
She told herself that, calming down. With Shadow Mizuki she now had Chunin-level strength; the exhausting night had been worth it.
[host, new quest available (≧◡≦)]
No, nope. The rewards are useless and it wastes time. I'm beat. Shadow Mizuki, tidy the room.
Kano tossed her clothes aside; Shadow Ninja-Mizuki, like a butler, neatened everything and quietly withdrew.
Eh! Do it, pleeease! I know you're the best host ever. My KPI is tiny this month, not even enough for interest—help me, pleeease ♡
Fine, fine, I'll do it—after I sleep. I'm exhausted; quit bothering me.
Mm, thank you, host! I'll leave you alone and go find the Strongest Ninja System senpai; he says his cat can do back-flips, and if I watch he'll trade rewards. Next quest reward will totally satisfy you ♡
…Morning—team assignments today. Kano looked listless.
Good morning…
She pushed open the Ninja Academy classroom door early, only to see Naruto getting pummeled.
So much for his first kiss with Sasuke.
Shikamaru didn't care; he grabbed an empty seat, and Kano sat beside him.
Today they'd form squads; who knew which team Kano would land in.
Probably a throw-away squad—aside from looks she had nothing noteworthy. And going by the original plot, the line-ups were fixed; no swapping.
Except the Ino–Shika–Chō trio—she could kick that lazy Shikamaru out and take his place.
Throw-away teammates die fast; maybe she could harvest a corpse or two.
The next big die-off wouldn't come until the Chunin Exams—still ages away; until then, lay low and grow.
The front door opened and Iruka-sensei stepped in.
Congratulations—you're full-fledged Ninja now, though still rookie Genin. The real hardships start here.
From now on you'll be organized in three-man cells under a Jonin captain.
At the news, the class erupted; girls gossiped about who'd be with Sasuke.
Hey, big bro, who d'you want on your team?
Hmm… Choji and Kiba. They're comfortable to be around. You?
I'd pick Ino, of course; third teammate—Hinata.
That was only her own wishful thinking. As the extra person, she was doomed to a background team.