Shadow Clone is Essential

"Itachi, would you like to walk back together?" After class, Izumi Uchiha asked as she leaned toward Itachi while placing her hands behind her back.

"Sure," Itachi nodded, agreeing to Izumi's suggestion.

In reality, he wasn't the real Itachi, but a Shadow Clone created by Itachi. The real Itachi was probably training with Kabuto.

Itachi found the lesson at the Academy too simple for his liking. He felt it was a waste of time and only attended to appease his family and the Academy.

He had given simple instructions for his Shadow Clone: make sure everyone know that Itachi Uchiha was attending the academy.

However, due to Nagasawa's advice on balancing work and relaxation, Itachi still attended class once a week, usually on Fridays.

For Itachi, the Academy's curriculum was indeed a form of relaxation.

"Hehe," Izumi showed a happy smile upon Itachi's agreement. Going to the Academy was really enjoyable.

Perhaps because they were spending more time together, Itachi's attitude toward her had improved significantly. He would agree to most requests that weren't too demanding, and he even walked her home after school, providing a sense of security.

However, on Fridays, Itachi acted a bit strange. He seemed somewhat colder. Perhaps, it was because he was a diligent student and having a break for two days didn't sit right with him.

"Everything seems to be heading in a good direction," Izumi thought happily.

Indeed, their previous interactions had been too brief, and Kabuto had always been around whenever Izumi had a chance to talk with Itachi. As a result, Itachi hadn't really noticed Izumi's charm.

Now that they were attending the Academy together, the situation had changed.

The two walked side by side when Izumi suddenly noticed Itachi had stopped, so she stopped too and asked, "Itachi, what's wrong?"

Itachi pointed in a direction.

Izumi looked and saw several boys from her class continuously bowing to a tall and chubby boy.

She remembered one of the boys was called Kumiko, but she couldn't recall the others.

"Wait here for a moment. I'll find out what's going on," Itachi's Shadow Clone said calmly.

Without waiting for Izumi's response, Itachi walked over.

"I'll come with you, Itachi," Izumi decided to follow him. Although she didn't know what had happened, she wanted to be there with Itachi.

Although she wasn't as skilled as Itachi, she was still an Uchiha.

Itachi quickly reached his classmates and asked, "What's going on?"

"Itachi!" Kumiko looked surprised. Although Itachi had sent a Shadow Clone to attend school, the Shadow Clone's performance had been outstanding in every subject, surpassing everyone by a large margin. Plus, Itachi was handsome and aloof, making him the object of admiration among the girls.

With so many girls admiring him, it naturally irked the boys like Kumiko.

They thought Itachi was too arrogant and annoying.

While they had occasionally spoken ill of Itachi behind his back, they didn't expect to see him personally involved in this situation.

"We accidentally bumped into him," Kumiko pointed to the tall, chubby boy.

"What do you mean by 'accidentally'? I think you did it on purpose. Give me a thousand ryo, and we'll call it even," the chubby boy said menacingly.

Kumiko and his friends were taken aback. They came from ordinary families and didn't have that much pocket money to spare.

"Have you apologized to him?" Itachi asked.

"We apologized immediately, and we've apologized several times," Kumiko replied helplessly.

"If everything could be solved by an apology, there would be no need for the Police Force," the chubby boy said, refusing to accept their apology.

"If Kumiko and the others hurt you, it's only right for them to compensate you. But given your build, I doubt you are harmed in any way," Itachi said calmly.

He had already figured it out. The chubby boy was simply trying to extort them.

"Let's go, it's almost time for class, and being late is not a good idea," Itachi said to Kumiko.

The chubby boy raised his eyebrows, getting ready to fight. "Kid, you have quite the nerve. Do you want to taste my punch?"

"Itachi..." Kumiko hesitated, looking at Itachi.

"Go back. It's almost time for class," Itachi turned his back to the chubby boy without the slightest fear.

"If you don't show me some respect, you'll find out who's boss here," the chubby boy said angrily and attempted to punch Itachi.

"Watch out!" Izumi warned Itachi anxiously.

But how could Itachi get hit by such a straightforward attack? When the chubby boy was about to throw his punch, Itachi was already ready to dodge.

Itachi easily avoided the punch, then lightly pushed the chubby boy, causing him to fall.

"Damn it!" Being knocked down by such a small first-year student made the chubby boy feel extremely embarrassed. His face turned red, and he rushed at Itachi again.

However, he was no match for Itachi. He effortlessly dodged the chubby boy's attacks and once again brought the chubby boy down.

Itachi was intentionally holding back, ensuring that his opponents would fall without getting injured. If this were a real fight, the chubby boy would have been unable to get up by now.

After being knocked down for the second time, the chubby boy realized he had picked the wrong opponent. He just cursed Itachi and fled.

"I'll let this slide for now, but you'll regret it later."

"Wow... he's really strong," Kumiko and his friends were left dumbfounded. While they knew Itachi had good grades, they hadn't expected him to be this powerful.

Kumiko and his friends had decided, from that day on, they were Itachi's fans!

"Itachi, you're as strong as ever," Izumi wasn't surprised. She had witnessed even more extraordinary things, like Itachi's spar with Kabuto.

"Yeah, let's go," Itachi nodded and said.

"It's about time we headed back," Izumi said with a hint of regret. She had enjoyed their walk together, and encountering this situation was unexpected.

...

After school, Itachi, along with Izumi and many other students, walked out of the classroom, preparing to go home. However, when they left the school building, several people were approaching Itachi.

Itachi looked, and it was the same chubby boy from earlier.

"You thought you were hot shot, didn't you? Can you still act tough now?" Someone behind the chubby boy taunted, and the chubby boy seemed to become even more arrogant.

"Izumi, step back," Itachi said calmly.

This time there were more people, and they were all big and tall. Izumi felt that her presence might only drag Itachi down, so she obediently stepped aside.

"Go!" The chubby boy shouted, and they all charged at Itachi.

Itachi remained composed, showing no signs of panic. He effortlessly dodged all their attacks and quickly brought them down.

However, Itachi had underestimated their resilience. Just as he was avoiding an attack, the chubby boy managed to grab both of Itachi's legs while on the ground.

If Itachi tried to force his way out, the chubby boy's face would be in trouble.

"Now!" The chubby boy yelled.

Another boy quickly got up and punched Itachi's stomach.

Then, something unexpected happened.

Itachi suddenly disappeared, turning into white smoke.

"It's a Shadow Clone!" The chubby boy was dumbfounded. What kind of first-year could use Shadow Clone Technique?

Kumiko and his friends, who were about to call a teacher for help, were equally stunned by Itachi's sudden disappearance.

"A Shadow Clone?" Izumi was also taken aback.

In other words, all she did had been in vain?