"You should know why I created this clone."
"Of course, I'm the tapeworm in your belly, Boss."
Naruto: -_-||
Why does this clone feel a bit like a bootlicker?
Shaking his head, Naruto decided to test him. "Then tell me why?"
"Because the Nine-Tails said the culprit of the 'Nine-Tails' attack' was Uchiha Madara, and that night you were even held in his hand, almost scared to death—"
"Stop, don't bring up those embarrassing things. Just skip to the result."
The Naruto clone scratched his head, feeling like he'd patted the horse's leg instead of its back. He continued, "You want me to use Uchiha Madara's name to swindle people in the ninja world, hoping to lure out the real Uchiha Madara, and then eliminate him!"
"Exactly." Naruto emphasized, "Remember your objective clearly: no matter who that masked person is, whether it's Uchiha Madara or not, find them, then utterly humiliate them and eliminate them! Understand?"
"Also, tell me the few rules you need to strictly remember."
"1. Never act on impulse. 2. Absolute fairness and justice..."
"Hold it." Naruto interrupted Rokutsu's rambling. "1. Do not attack anyone unless provoked. 2. You are not allowed to eliminate anyone except for that Uchiha Madara."
Compared to the previous twenty-odd special clones, Naruto's demands were much stricter this time. These Wood Release clones each had unique personalities, making their behavior unpredictable. Therefore, Naruto had to issue strict orders to prevent any accidents.
He gravely emphasized again, "You are too strong. If you wished, you alone could destroy the ninja world. So, unless I permit it, you are not to actively attack anyone, nor are you to eliminate anyone."
"Understood, Boss. Rest assured, Boss."
Rokutsu was somewhat excited, looking forward to his future life roaming the ninja world.
"Disperse!"
"Boss, just you watch, I definitely won't disappoint you."
Rokutsu took out the tiger-skin mask he had prepared from the shared inventory and put it on.
Whoosh!
He left with a Flying Thunder God.
In the darkness, Naruto stood still for a while, recovering chakra and contemplating.
Even now, the Nine-Tails hadn't fully explained the events of that night. Naruto knew that the Nine-Tails was afraid of causing a rift between them, as it was directly responsible for his parents' deaths. Thus, Naruto never brought it up himself.
However, the Nine-Tails couldn't stop talking about its enemy from that night, Uchiha Madara, mentioning him many times. So, Naruto remembered that specific attire. Nothing else mattered, just that tiger-skin mask.
Naruto had always suspected that an old-timer like Uchiha Madara was probably dead, and that someone else was causing mischief under his name that night. But it didn't matter. No matter who it was, they would be found and eliminated!
People say never bully a young person when they're poor, yet this person actually bullied him when he was just a baby. Heh. Naruto's little notebook, on its very first page, recorded this grudge. After waiting for 12 years, it was time for this grudge to be settled.
As if remembering something, Naruto suddenly perked up. When he got back, he'd look for Uchiha Madara in the battle arena and give him a good beating. Yes, that was the plan.
Naruto, with his active mind, suddenly had an idea pop into his head. 'Since the clones are so strong, what if these clones became Kage of other villages? Would that work?' And if the clones became Kage, his future plans would be easier to coordinate.
It seems feasible! Not just feasible, it was very feasible! Naruto was so happy he almost shouted. This plan would be called "Cuckoo's Nest."
Having thought it through, Naruto ordered his clones to pay more attention to the successors and strong individuals in each village, looking for viable targets. If the plan went smoothly, he, Naruto, would become the Hokage, and his clones would become the Kage of the other villages.
All Five Kage are me!
Ugh. He just hoped his clones' personalities would be a bit more normal by then. Otherwise, the dynamic would be too bizarre.
Next, Naruto prepared to go home and sleep.
"Let's go, Old Wan."
Wan Liang was still confused. "Do you need me to keep looking for materials?"
"I've already had a clone help with that; you don't need to run around anymore."
"Alright then."
Whoosh!
He placed Wan Liang in a nearby market town. Tomorrow, he would return to Konoha openly through the main gate. When Old Dry Dad's fast food restaurant reopened tomorrow, he believed the children who loved soda and fries would have many more smiles on their faces. He, Naruto, was also contributing to Konoha's happiness.
Another Flying Thunder God took him home, where he saw his Shadow Clone still sleeping. Remembering the group of Shadow Clones from earlier in the day, Naruto was instantly annoyed.
Sleep, sleep, sleep!
All you do is sleep. Do you know what a great enterprise I've been involved in outside?
He went up and kicked him, then sent him home with a punch. Then, he happily lay down himself.
Sleep.
The next day, Kakashi was uncharacteristically only ten minutes late.
"Here." As soon as they met, Teacher Kakashi took out a few pieces of paper and handed them to the three.
Naruto took one and asked, "What's this?"
"Chakra paper." Kakashi explained, "It can be used to test chakra nature."
There's such a thing? "So how do you test it?" Naruto was quite curious.
"Just channel chakra into it. If it's lightning nature, the paper will wrinkle; wind will tear it; fire will burn it; water will get it wet; and earth will crumble it."
"Oh?" If it were a 'poor' nature, would it automatically turn into an IOU? Musing on his own seven natures, Naruto asked, "Teacher Kakashi, what happens if there are multiple natures?"
"Try it and you'll see."
Naruto tried channeling chakra into it, and the chakra paper indeed changed. Looking at it again, all five "poisons" were present! No, all five changes were present.
Kakashi's pupils constricted, completely astonished. This type of chakra paper usually only displayed the tested person's most proficient nature. Even if he possessed all natures, only lightning would show. But Naruto displayed all five. It was hard to imagine that Naruto was proficient in at least these five chakra natures.
'Did he master all of them to the same extent as his water nature yesterday?' Kakashi was quite disbelieving.
There was no need to test any further.
Sasuke also tried, displaying lightning. He wasn't surprised. Last night, Teacher Leopard had already given him a detailed test and asked about his preferences, saying he'd customize a detailed career plan for him tonight. But what exactly is a career plan?
Sakura also tried, and it was roughly as Teacher Leopard said last night: water.
After looking at the chakra paper of his two other students, Kakashi had a general impression. "Very good, I now have an understanding of everyone. We'll continue with missions today."
As if recalling their dispirited appearance yesterday, Kakashi added, "Today, if there are any high-level missions, you can try them."
"High-level missions? Are those C-rank missions?"
"Yes," Kakashi confirmed. With Naruto and Sasuke present, their combined strength was enough for higher-level C-rank missions. C-rank missions typically involved protecting people or dealing with thieves and wouldn't involve encountering other ninjas, at most some ordinary people. And ninjas easily overwhelmed ordinary people. It could serve as a whetstone for the three of them.
"Great!" all three exclaimed, almost jumping up and down. Finally, no more scavenging for trash!