Minato Namikaze showed a rare flicker of panic, which made Kazuyama Gekkō chuckle.
This is our Hokage of Konoha? After all these years, he's still such a kid. Then again, giving your own son a bit of special training isn't exactly wrong.
As a member of the Uzumaki clan—combined with the genetics of that "cheat code" Minato Namikaze—Naruto Uzumaki had been born with chakra reserves far beyond his peers. Techniques like the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique might as well have been made for him.
He'd learned it anyway, and even if someone did ask questions, what could they say? His dad was the Hokage, after all.
"Alright, Minato, enough teasing."
"Even if you did teach Naruto a forbidden technique, as long as he can master it, no one will complain."
"Especially something like Multiple Shadow Clone—without an enormous chakra pool, it's useless anyway. The fact that he can handle it just proves his own talent."
"But... did you try teaching him Flying Thunder God?"
Kazuyama didn't feel guilty in the slightest; he'd given his own kids plenty of special lessons too. Everyone knew it—no one said a thing.
Minato sighed helplessly. "I did. But Naruto has absolutely no interest in the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"You know it's not a simple jutsu. It requires crafting your own formula. If Naruto isn't interested, it's twice the effort for half the result."
"You didn't teach it to Michihito and Senko either, did you?"
The two fathers exchanged a look, both seeing the same hint of resignation in each other's eyes.
...
Forest of Death.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
"Hey! Sorry about this, but hand over your scrolls!"
Hundreds of Narutos surrounded a group of Amegakure shinobi. The leader had scars covering his face, one eye sealed shut, and an intimidating aura radiating from him.
"Oh? Konoha shinobi, huh?"
"Even though our village leader told us to maintain peace with Konoha, if you come looking for a fight, we can't just ignore it."
"Don't worry, brats—I'll spare your lives. After all, we wouldn't want to break this little peace between our villages."
The Rain Captain grinned, his tone dripping with arrogance. It was obvious he didn't take the kids before him seriously at all.
His two subordinates laughed loudly behind him.
Amegakure wasn't the same as before. Under Konan's leadership, the village had flourished. Combined with their alliance with Takigakure, their overall strength had grown considerably.
"Hmph! You think you're that tough?"
"Don't underestimate us, bastards!"
"I'm going in!"
Naruto charged forward first, a swarm of clones rushing at the enemy from every direction.
Sakura and Sasuke remained in the back. Their plan was simple—Naruto would bait out the enemy's ninjutsu, and then Sasuke would strike.
A solid tactic. Perfect for a standard fight.
"Hmph. Typical kids. Get provoked after just a few words?"
"Well then, I'll end this quickly so no one accuses me of picking on children."
The Rain Captain, towering and broad, didn't even take the clones seriously. He weaved through them effortlessly, throwing punches and kicks that burst several clones into smoke.
Then he hurled the four umbrellas strapped to his back into the air, forming hand seals as visible chakra swirled between his palms.
"Ninja Art: Rain of a Thousand Senbon!"
The umbrellas opened midair, releasing countless thin needles from their ribs.
Seeing this, Naruto and the others froze in shock.
"All those are Senbon? That many!?"
Sakura's voice trembled. The jutsu looked deadly enough to wipe them out.
"Naruto! Watch out!"
Sasuke saw the storm of Senbon forming and shouted immediately.
But Naruto didn't care. With enough clones, even ten times as many Senbon wouldn't scare him.
"Shut up, Sasuke! I've got this!"
"It's just a bunch of needles!"
"Check out my Naruto Uzumaki-style! Clone Kunai Rampage!"
"Multiple! Shadow Clone Technique!"
The energetic Uzumaki always had a way of doing the unexpected.
Instead of dodging, he met the barrage head-on. Every clone drew two kunai, spinning wildly as they struck the incoming Senbon out of the air.
"Ahhhh!"
Naruto's roar was as loud as ever, echoing across the forest.
...
"Ahahaha! Minato, your kid's really got energy to spare!"
"Is every Uzumaki this full of spirit? I remember Kushina being the same—no matter what technique her opponent used, she'd just rush in without a thought."
"This boy Naruto inherited her battle IQ perfectly!"
High above the forest, Kazuyama Gekkō and Minato Namikaze stood atop a massive crystal dragon.
With their sharp vision, they could clearly see the fight below.
Kazuyama couldn't help but laugh at Naruto's reckless bravado, while Minato covered his face in mild despair.
"Naruto… I've told him so many times—observe the enemy first before charging in."
"Sigh. Maybe you're right. He really is just like Kushina…"
Minato had placed high hopes on his son. But some parts of him—well, those were pure Uzumaki and would never change.
...
"Ahhh!"
Naruto's furious defense continued, but his clones were being wiped out one after another. Clouds of white smoke filled the field as the Senbon shredded them apart.
"Hmph. Foolish kid. This resistance is meaningless."
"Wouldn't it be easier to hand over your scrolls?"
"Ha!"
The Rain Captain sneered, watching Naruto struggle. To end it faster, he increased the intensity of his technique, raining even more Senbon down.
"Naruto! That's enough!"
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
Just as the Rain Captain amplified his attack, Sasuke's voice rang out.
Hearing it, Naruto nodded sharply and dispelled all his clones at once.
Before the enemy could even react, several streaks of flame burst forth.
The roaring firestorm blasted upward, scattering the Senbon in every direction.
"When—?!"
"These threads?!"
The Rain Captain stumbled back in shock. Only then did he realize thin threads now surrounded him and his teammates—threads already catching fire.
The flames raced along the lines, wrapping around the Rain ninja trio in seconds.
In the blink of an eye, they were engulfed in a sea of fire.
...
Hey everyone! Did you know the raw version of this fic has already been fully translated? Feel free to check out the rest of the chapters on my Patreon: [email protected]/PinkSnake. And don't forget to add my new Naruto fic to your library: Parallel Ninja World: Which Naruto Will Leap Through Time Today?
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