April came, and the second Academy year began.
This was the year of real training. The year of jutsu.
Iruka stood before the class, scroll in hand.
"Today, we begin the three basic Academy jutsu: Transformation, Clone, and Substitution."
He paused, scanning the room—his gaze lingering on Sasuke, then Shorai.
"These are the techniques every shinobi you face will know. Even if you struggle to perform them, you must understand them—how they work, how to counter them. Last year, we only touched the surface. Now, if you trained hard, perhaps some of you can use at least one."
He smiled slightly. "Let's start with Henge no Jutsu."
The class leaned in. The seals were already in their scrolls. Most had practiced.
Then, Shorai raised his hand.
Iruka braced himself. "Yes, Shorai?"
Shorai's half-smile returned. "I have a question—about the essence of the technique. From what I've read… Henge is fundamentally Yin-dominant, isn't it? Which makes me curious—why does the Academy teach us an introduction to the Yin side of chakra so early? And isn't Bunshin no Jutsu also Yin-based? Only Kawarimi feels more physical—almost non-chakra in essence."
Silence.
The class froze. No one had ever thought of it this way.
Nara and Yamanaka heirs exchanged glances—Shikamaru with quiet recognition, Ino with fascination. She glanced at Sakura, smug.
Iruka blinked. Then smiled.
"Well captured," he said, shaking his head. "I didn't expect this. Yes, Shorai—you're right. Henge and Bunshin are Yin-dominant. They rely on imagination, mental focus, the shaping of form. That's the core of Yin Release—spiritual energy, the power to create illusion, to alter perception."
Murmurs erupted.
"Yin Release?"
"What's that?"
"Isn't chakra just chakra?"
Naruto and Sakura voiced the confusion. "But Iruka-sensei… what is Yin Release?"
Iruka cleared his throat. "Chakra is made of two halves: Yin and Yang. Yin is spiritual energy—mind, imagination, form. That's why we meditate, why we train focus. Yang is physical energy—body, stamina, strength. That's why you run, spar, climb trees."
He gestured to Shorai. "When you use Henge, you're using Yin to shape your chakra into a new form. Bunshin? Same thing—mental energy creating a copy. Genjutsu is pure Yin. But Kawarimi? That's timing, movement, physical skill—more Yang, less chakra."
Shorai nodded, and with sensei's permission, said: "To understand the confusion… think of chakra like a scroll. It's rolled. You want to read it, so you unroll it. Your body provides the strength—Yang. But your mind decides to unroll it, imagines the content—that's Yin."
He unrolled a scroll slowly. "Yin Release is that mental force—giving form. But without Yang, it's just illusion. Without Yin, it's just strength. All jutsu mix both—just in different proportions."
Iruka smiled. "Exactly. And that's why you're here—to learn the balance."
Then Iruka dove into the Clone Technique.
"Now, Bunshin no Jutsu. Channel your chakra through the proper hand seals—then project it beside you. Imagine yourself standing there."
He demonstrated—three faint, flickering copies appearing at his side.
"Yes… Shorai?"
Shorai tilted his head. "Sensei, what's the range of the clone? Is it just one to five meters? Or… could it be extended? A kilometer, even? That could be useful."
Iruka smiled. "Clever as ever. The range depends on mental focus—the farther it is, the more chakra and strain it takes. Beyond five meters, it becomes unstable. One to five is optimal."
He paused. "But Shorai… why would you want it at such a distance?"
Shorai looked down, thinking. "Even if it's an illusion… it could be more than a distraction. A lure. If we maintain the connection, we can make it walk, sit, even emote. That could draw enemies in."
"Unorthodox… but not wrong," Iruka admitted.
The class leaned in.
"Wait—can it really do that?"
Iruka nodded. "Yes. As long as the clone exists, you can control it. But remember—it's still an illusion. A shinobi will see through it quickly."
"Why?" someone asked. "Why wouldn't it work?"
Sasuke's voice cut through the silence. "Because it's not physical. It can't touch, make sound, or cast a shadow."
Every head turned.
Shorai nodded slowly. "Right. That's why it's unlikely to work as bait, in general. It disperses on contact."
Iruka raised a finger. "And that's why its best use is for escape or misdirection."
The next lesson: Substitution Jutsu.
Iruka deepened last year's brief mention. "Timing, precision, movement. That's Kawarimi. You evade at the last moment—replacing your body with something nearby. A log is standard."
Sakura raised her hand. "But sensei… where do you get a log in the middle of a fight?"
A ripple of confusion followed.
Iruka chuckled. "Good question. You prepare it."
"Prepare? How?"
Then, a quiet voice spoke up.
"Sensei… do you mean storage scrolls? We use them to keep objects ready."
All eyes turned to Shino.
"Very good," Iruka said, impressed. "Yes—shinobi use pre-sealed scrolls. Calligraphy and sealing lessons will help you later. But that's for advanced training. For now, you'll use prepared scrolls in class."
He held one up. "This contains a log—already sealed. Channel chakra, activate it—swap in a flash."
Shorai's mind raced.
So that's how it works…
He glanced at his blank scroll.
One step closer.
In a brief moment of silence, Naruto leaned to his table.
"Shorai?"
He didn't answer—already thinking ahead, mumbling something.
"Can I use Bunshin as a substitute object for Kawarimi?" Naruto blurted out, eyes wide with sudden inspiration.
Iruka turned slowly. "Shorai… let's keep it simple, shall we? You're jumping ahead… but not entirely wrong. One day, a stronger clone might make that possible."
He shook his head, facepalmed—and then sighed, half-exasperated, half-amused.
The class snickered. Some stared at Naruto, others at Shorai, as if the idea might actually be his.
The bell rang.
As the class buzzed with discussions, Naruto tugged at Shorai. "Hey, explain it again! I didn't get it!"
Shorai sighed. "Write it down next time."
Sasuke smirked. "Idiot."
Naruto bristled. "What did you say?!"
But the moment passed.
Another day of lessons—of questions, answers, and the slow, steady shaping of shinobi.