["Shadow Clone Jutsu"]
[This technique uses Chakra to create a physical clone that equally distributes the user's Chakra. The clone has an independent consciousness and a certain resistance to attacks. Once dispelled, its memories and experiences return to the original body.]
[When Hiruzen taught the jutsu, he demonstrated it for Naruto as well.]
["How cool is this?"]
["Once you master the Shadow Clone Technique, you can even play with yourself. You won't feel so lonely."]
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[Back Mountain of Konoha Village]
[Naruto curled his lips, recalling Hiruzen's previous words, rolling his eyes with a hint of exasperation.]
Playing with yourself? What a weird way to put it.
[However, what really interested Naruto was that, when dispelled, the clones' experiences and knowledge could return to the original. Doesn't this mean that training with clones could yield twice the results?]
Well, the more techniques, the better.
[Naruto glanced at the forest nearby, noticing several trees damaged by his clone's shuriken.]
[However, he couldn't seem to harness the same level of power as before, which puzzled him.]
"It seems my Chakra control is still lacking."
No way!
Naruto's way of thinking left the audience stunned.
A perfect misunderstanding, one that unknowingly pushed Naruto to improve further.
[Realizing his shortcomings, Naruto chose to focus and entered a meditative state.]
[While refining his spiritual Chakra, he also worked on enhancing his Chakra control.]
[Time passed quietly.]
[Watching Naruto sit in perfect stillness, Yugao, secretly observing him, let out a sigh of boredom.]
[She immediately snapped back to attention, reminding herself, "I'm an Anbu ninja of Konoha. I can't get distracted just because the mission is dull."]
[Yugao sighed at her own lapse and focused on Naruto once more.]
"I must admit, Naruto is truly diligent. For someone so young, his dedication to training surpasses even many adults."
[Observing for a while, Yugao felt her perception of Naruto begin to shift; at the very least, he was someone worthy of recognition for his hard work.]
What?!
The long-haired Anbu with the mask actually had a sense of approval for Naruto.
Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable!
At the Chūnin Exam venue
Naruto ruffled his hair in frustration, stomping his feet as if on the verge of a breakdown.
Sakura: "..."
Ino: "..."
"Hey, what are you doing, you idiot? Everyone's watching, aren't you embarrassed?"
Sakura felt a similar embarrassment.
She knew why Naruto was so agitated. After all, there's no comparison without contrast.
In their childhood, Naruto from the other world appeared more mature. Although he might have been misguided at times, he never harmed others for personal gain. Instead, he worked tirelessly to grow stronger, hoping no longer to be bullied or isolated.
What irritated Naruto the most was that people started to accept the other version of him. Even some contemporaries wanted to befriend him, yet he kept his distance. On top of that, his hard work earned him quiet admiration from a certain Anbu.
This weighed heavily on Naruto.
"Also, I'm sure he thinks the Third Hokage is biased."
Sakura lowered her gaze, speechless.
"Damn it! Why didn't I think more back then?"
The more Naruto dwelled on it, the more he resented it.
There were girls cheering for him, Hokage teaching him ninjutsu… compared to that, he felt worlds apart.
Naruto: "Hey! Can anyone explain just how much this viewing system can reveal—like the future…"
Right! Don't think about how things are now. Maybe you'll surpass him in the future.
Naruto thought to himself, with that kid's dangerous thoughts, he'd likely be alone someday.
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[Naruto stayed in meditation for longer and longer.]
[Suddenly, he opened his eyes, and his blue pupils narrowed.]
"What…?"
[Feeling a chill underfoot, Naruto froze.]
["Wait, why am I in a sewer?"]
A sewer?!
The audience of ninja frowned at the sight.
Strange. Naruto was clearly focusing on refining his Chakra; how did he end up in a sewer?
Watching the screen, they all stared closely.
Indeed, the surroundings showed water stains along the walls; Naruto had somehow entered the sewer upon entering his trance.
Onoki: "Is this… could it be…?"
Raikage: "That's right. As Naruto refined his Chakra, he entered his own spiritual consciousness."
Mei: "But why is Naruto's spiritual landscape… a sewer?"
Minato: "..."
Nine Tails: "..."
What?! Could it be that I'm meeting this brat earlier than expected?
Naruto: "Ah! I remember! The first time I met the Nine Tails was here! That kid's about to meet the Nine Tails. Haha, he's in for a shock."
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