Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 62 62 : S-Class Ninjutsu, All Mastered

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Riku stepped out, curious why Yamato had co on his own initiative.

"Yamato-sensei, you—"

Yamato didn't say anything at first. He took out a scroll from his pouch and said, "This is all the information I have on Wood Style ninjutsu. You can take a look."

Riku paused in surprise, then smiled. "I didn't expect you to actually bring it. I thought you were just being polite before."

Yamato smiled. "Since I gave you my word, I won't go back on it."

Riku accepted the scroll. After chatting briefly with Yamato, the other man left.

In truth, while reading the Scroll of Seals, Riku had already co across many S-rank Wood Style techniques. But Yamato's scroll filled in the gaps with more practical, lower-level Wood Style techniques—such as the Wood Style: Clone Jutsu and others.

With this new material in hand, Riku settled into a strict routine between his ho and the forest behind Konoha.

For mission assignnts, he relied on his Shadow Clone to handle things.

For three full months, Riku imrsed himself in studying the techniques he had acquired.

Most of them were S-rank Forbidden Jutsu. During his research, Riku remained extrely cautious—just one misstep could lead to self-injury.

Over those three months, Riku's ntal strength skyrocketed several tis over. His physical body also improved dramatically.

As a result, his chakra capacity expanded tenfold.

Not just the amount—its quality had improved significantly too.

Currently, Riku's chakra reserves were comparable to Naruto's when paired with half of Kurama's chakra.

Of course, he was still far from reaching the legendary levels of Hashirama Senju.

However, with techniques like Wood Style: Wood Golem Jutsu, Riku could now unleash a level of power on par with the First Hokage's mid-tier abilities.

He still wasn't capable of using the colossal Wood Style: True Several Thousand Hands.

At the sa ti, Riku had also learned every jutsu from the Scroll of Seals, including the Impure World Reincarnation.

The version he mastered was the original one developed by the Second Hokage—not the enhanced version later modified by Orochimaru.

In fact, there was no such thing as a "perfected" or "imperfect" version.

Tobirama originally created the technique for use in combination with Tandem Paper Bombs. His approach was vastly different from Orochimaru's intentions.

So Riku's main goal in learning Impure World Reincarnation was the sa: to pair it with Tandem Paper Bombs.

After more than three months of intense study, Riku believed his current strength had surpassed even the Third Hokage at his peak.

Of course, he couldn't say for certain—but he felt confident.

After all, the power level of Hiruzen Sarutobi in his pri was subject to much speculation. Rumors claid he had surpassed both the First and Second Hokage. Riku found it difficult to judge.

Still, based on his own analysis, Riku believed he could take on the Third Hokage at full power and win.

Upon returning from the forested mountains, Riku noticed a subtle change in himself—he had beco unusually calm.

Ordinarily, such a dramatic increase in strength would bring an emotional shift: arrogance, excitent, a hunger for more.

But his ntal state remained steady.

He wasn't sure why.

By the ti he got back from the mountain, the sky had already darkened.

Walking through the lively streets, the bustling noise lifted Riku's mood slightly.

But just as he was walking, he spotted Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto—and his own Shadow Clone—heading in his direction.

They all saw him at once.

Kakashi already knew that Riku had been using Shadow Clones for missions.

But Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto had no idea.

Awkward.

Riku hadn't activated his sensory abilities just then, so he hadn't sensed their presence until it was too late.

The encounter was unintentionally exposed.

After a brief mont of stunned silence, Riku sighed and shook his head.

The Shadow Clone walking beside Kakashi gave a sheepish glance before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

Sasuke and Sakura imdiately understood.

Sasuke clenched his fists, glaring at Riku with frustration. "So this guy has been using Shadow Clones to do all the missions?!"

Kakashi pressed a hand to his forehead, exasperated. "Riku…"

He hadn't expected to run into the real Riku like this. It was definitely awkward.

anwhile, Naruto needed a mont to process what had just happened. Then he pointed at Riku, yelling, "Wait—you've been slacking off with Shadow Clones this whole ti?!"

"Why didn't I think of that?!"

Naruto looked visibly conflicted.

Of course, he had always wanted to cut corners—but then again, how could he level up if he wasn't doing missions himself?

And how could he beco Hokage without leveling up?

Riku walked over calmly and greeted, "Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi sighed. "Forget it. You're here now—let's go."

Riku nodded. With his Shadow Clone dispelled, he figured Kakashi's mission was complete. As expected, Kakashi was inviting them to Ichiraku Ran.

Sasuke kept glancing at Riku, eyes burning with competitive fire.

He'd been dying to challenge Riku, to asure his real strength.

But lately, all their missions had been mundane—picking up trash, weeding gardens, chasing lost pets.

There had been no real combat missions.

He had never seen Riku in action.

So he had no idea how strong Riku truly was.

Sitting inside Ichiraku Ran, Riku looked composed. But Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto kept stealing glances at him.

After a few bites, Riku finally looked up and smiled. "What's wrong? Are you all waiting for your noodles to talk?"

Naruto scowled. "I can't believe it—you're a slacker, Riku!"

Sakura nodded in agreent.

Sasuke didn't say anything, but he continued watching Riku closely.

Kakashi, who had already finished his bowl in record ti, stayed silent and didn't get involved.

Riku showed no guilt. He calmly replied, "Whether it's or my Shadow Clone, the experience cos back to in the end. So it doesn't matter who does the work."

Naruto thought about it. Since he knew the Shadow Clone Jutsu himself, he understood that was technically true.

After they finished eating and chatting for a while, Kakashi said, "Starting tomorrow, Riku, I want you joining the missions in person. I think your studies should be complete by now."

Kakashi figured that Riku wouldn't have shown up if he hadn't finished mastering the jutsu he'd been working on.

Hearing the word "studies," Naruto and Sasuke both perked up.

Riku nodded. "It was difficult, but I've mastered everything."

Kakashi's eyes widened slightly. "Everything?"

He understood what that implied better than anyone.

Riku calmly placed his hands on the table. "Yes. I've mastered it all."

Kakashi felt a jolt of excitent—but he didn't let it show on his face.

"I really underestimated you," Kakashi muttered. "I thought it would be impressive if you got through even a third of it."

Riku gave a wry smile. "Honestly, I didn't expect it either. It was far more difficult than I imagined."

"I didn't think it would take over three months to fully grasp it all."

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