Ino had already mastered most of the knowledge taught in class. With Shikamaru and Choji absent, she didn't bother interacting with anyone and instead sat at her desk, pulling out a scroll to study.
The Mind Body Switch Technique and the Mind Disturbance Technique were both family Secret Techniques, so she couldn't bring them to school to study. The family's historical notes were even more precious, and damaging or losing them would be a significant loss.
Ino had already grasped the basics of the Mind Body Switch Technique and the Mind Disturbance Technique. The next step was to train her spiritual energy and accumulate it to an immense level before she could attempt the Mind Chaos God Technique.
She had asked Inoichi how much spiritual energy was required to meet the standard and allow her to befriend a god. The answer was at least ten times her current spiritual energy, and if the god was particularly powerful, she might need even more.
This made Ino feel a bit disheartened.
This wasn't a world of immortal cultivation or Western fantasy, where skills to enhance spiritual energy were abundant. With the current methods available, the increase in spiritual energy was minimal. She could only rely on the various ancestral potions of the Yamanaka clan, drinking them in different combinations to slowly boost her spiritual energy.
However, due to the issue of drug resistance, there was an upper limit to how much the potions could enhance her.
Compared to the previous generations of the Yamanaka clan, Ino had a significant advantage in her ability to allocate points. The Yin Release ability could still be improved, and each enhancement would grant her a substantial amount of spiritual energy.
Aside from relying on her unique advantage, the most effective way to improve was as recorded in the Secret Techniques of the Uchiha and Yamanaka clans: first, find a close friend, invest the most sincere emotions, and when the bond reaches its peak, personally end their life! The immense emotional shock could rapidly boost spiritual energy.
This method was far too evil for Ino, so she chose to continue allocating points until she couldn't anymore. In class, Ino diligently studied the techniques developed by her clan's predecessors in Water Release chakra nature transformation.
In fact, chakra shape transformation was also a significant direction for enhancing ninja techniques.
Nature transformation was akin to smelting iron ore into iron, and at a higher level, turning it into steel.
Shape transformation, on the other hand, was like shaping iron into an iron rod, and at a higher level, forging it into a sharp steel blade.
Which was more important? Both were equally crucial.
Utakata's Bubble Technique was water that could explode, while Izumo Kamizuki, Kōtetsu's close friend, used Water Release: Starch Syrup Capturing Field, which sprayed something more akin to glue. Both of these were examples of chakra shape transformation.
Ino's current priority was to develop her Water Release chakra and master Water Release techniques before delving into shape transformation.
Naruto, using the cheat of the Shadow Clone Technique, had to exert himself to the limit to develop his Wind Release chakra.
Sasuke, born with Fire and Lightning Release, trained hard under Kakashi for a month to master the Chidori, which incorporated both nature and shape transformation.
Ino's Water Release also required practice and development. Without training, it would remain a blank slate, and even being born with all five chakra natures would be useless.
In truth, she was more eager to learn the Shadow Clone Technique. Every bit of experience, insight, and understanding gained by the clones would return to the original body when the technique was dispelled, doubling the efficiency of learning. This technique was simply too overpowered.
The Yamanaka clan had always been responsible for extracting crucial information from the minds of enemies.
During work, I went through the intelligence-related content and, while at it, took a look at the opponent's proficient ninja techniques, body techniques, and illusion techniques, recording them afterward. This was a perfectly reasonable thing to do.
The Leaf Village had no professional norms or confidentiality agreements, so submitting the seen ninja techniques to the village while keeping a copy for myself was completely acceptable. Over time, the Yamanaka family's collection of ninja techniques couldn't just be described as extensive; it was vast! Moreover, many of these techniques belonged to ninjas from enemy villages like the Mist, Rock, and Cloud.
While there might not be any extremely advanced techniques, there was an abundance of basic-level ninja techniques, illusion techniques, body techniques, and sealing techniques.
The Yamanaka family itself had learning scrolls for the Shadow Clone and Multiple Shadow Clone techniques. Inoichi was mainly concerned that the way the Shadow Clone technique divided chakra could be harmful to the body, and Ino also felt that her 6 points in "Stamina" were a bit low, so she didn't insist on mastering the Shadow Clone technique.
The news of Ino mastering the Secret Technique and returning to school spread, and Shikamaru, Choji, and others also returned one after another.
Everyone's public stance was very consistent: we've also mastered our family's Secret Techniques! Whether they truly mastered them or not, that was unknown.
Shikamaru had tanned considerably, Choji had slimmed down a bit, Kiba Inuzuka entered the classroom and listlessly flopped onto the desk, and Shino Aburame's presence became even more subdued. "Ino, you should also work hard, let's all strive together," Hinata quietly came to Ino's side, whispered a couple of sentences like a mosquito, and then turned and ran.
Ino was left utterly confused by her words, what did she mean?
She had no idea that the head of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi Hyuga, had always considered his daughter to be quite inept, and now that she was being used as a benchmark by the Yamanaka family's daughter, he was, to be honest, quite pleased.
His attitude towards Hinata had subtly improved without him realizing it.
Hinata was no fool; using Ino as a pretext, she increased her training intensity, then abandoned some of her ladylike demeanor to eat two more bowls of rice. She was simply too hungry. As the eldest daughter of the main family, her every word and action were strictly regulated. Her digestive system was strong, and the family's specialty was body techniques, which increased her consumption even more. Eating eighteen bowls of rice in one meal? What kind of lady does that? Hinata had been living quite well at home for the past month and came today specifically to express her gratitude, hoping that Ino would continue to work hard, so she could also enjoy a couple more days of full meals.
Ino was completely unaware of all these intricacies. Seeing Hinata run off, she called out, "Don't run, stop."
With her strong spiritual energy, even without using the Mind Disturbance Technique, her words and actions slightly influenced those around her.
Hinata, who usually lacked initiative, instinctively stopped and turned around.
Ino beckoned her to come closer.
"What... what is it?" Hinata asked softly.
Ino also lowered her voice, "I heard the Third went to your house? What did the Third Hokage say to you?"
Oh, that's what it was about, Hinata breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn't a challenge to a duel, it was fine. This Ino sister was really too petty. She recalled, "Grandpa Third told me not to be arrogant, to be humble, and that everyone in the village is family, we should live in harmony."
Hinata rambled on for quite a while, and Ino listened carefully. The content of the Third Hokage's words wasn't the most important; what mattered was his attitude of specifically seeking out Hinata for a heart-to-heart talk.
Did you think the Third Hokage would have heart-to-heart talks with just anyone? He's very busy and doesn't have the time for such idle moments.
Those who have gone through his "Monkey Tutoring" are considered his own people. He selects capable individuals from among his acquaintances and chooses acquaintances from among the capable. By now, Hinata was likely regarded as an acquaintance in his mind, and Ino was also an acquaintance, albeit from a different line of connections.