Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Shuriken Shadow Clone Is Successful, But A Bit Abnormal
The unusual sight of Uzumaki Naruto stunned the ninjas of Konoha Village, causing them to break out in cold sweat.
Luckily, they had seen Naruto in this state before during his battle with Mizuki. Otherwise, it might have been enough to give them a heart attack.
Haruno Sakura: "This... I remember when Mizuki was going to kill Iruka-sensei, the lines on Naruto's face became much thicker."
Yamanaka Ino: "But Naruto didn't have red eyes back then. What's going on now?"
Even Uzumaki Naruto himself trembled slightly, startled by his own appearance. He had never seen himself look so hideous.
Bai: "I've seen Naruto like this before. When this happens, his power suddenly spikes, and an ominous chakra leaks from his entire body, sometimes orange, sometimes even red."
Zabuza: "That chakra belongs to the Nine-Tails. No wonder you failed back then."
Uzumaki Naruto: "So that's how I looked when I defeated you on the bridge?"
Bai: "Not exactly. Back then, you were wrapped in red chakra because of the anger you felt when you thought Sasuke was dead."
Uchiha Sasuke: "Hmph! I've seen this before too. It was during the battle with Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, when Naruto was enraged."
Orochimaru: "But at that time, Naruto didn't have Nine-Tails' chakra surrounding him. This time, he's become truly hideous, like the chakra has completely taken control."
Anger!
That was the source of the change, everyone concluded. The Nine-Tails chakra, influenced by Naruto's intense anger, had triggered this transformation. This wasn't the first time Naruto had lost control due to anger, but this time it was different. His appearance and power were more intense, and with the chakra leaking from his body, he could perform thousands of Shadow Clones with ease.
This was a turning point for Uzumaki Naruto.
Namikaze Minato: "Let me explain. If Naruto's appearance is the result of Nine-Tails' chakra leaking, that means the seal is weakening."
Uzumaki Kushina: "In simpler terms, the Eight Sign Seal is loosening. The more Naruto uses the Nine-Tails chakra, the weaker the seal becomes. However, the advantage is that Naruto can now access more of Nine-Tails' chakra, using his own chakra more effectively."
As the seal weakens, Naruto's chakra could flow more freely, allowing him to use both his own chakra and the Nine-Tails' chakra in tandem.
Nine-Tails: "Hahaha, Kushina, you really think this brat can control my power? The seal will eventually break, and I'll regain my freedom."
Kurama laughed, eager to be free again.
"Five years earlier than expected, and from the looks of things, Naruto would be happy to use my chakra," Nine-Tails continued, growing excited at the thought of his imminent return to freedom.
The change in Naruto's demeanor made everyone grow tense. The potential consequences for Konoha—and the entire ninja world—were becoming clearer.
If Naruto really did become blackened and let Nine-Tails out of the seal, the consequences would be devastating. But it didn't end there. Other villages would surely intervene if they knew that Nine-Tails was free. No ninja village would want to allow such a powerful force to roam free.
The balance of the entire ninja world was on the brink of shifting, with Uzumaki Naruto's next actions potentially breaking it.
---
The Scene Shifts to Naruto's Struggle
Uzumaki Naruto stood still for a long time, memories flooding his mind. He wasn't even sure why he was so angry today. With his hoodie pulled up to hide his expression, he walked toward the back hill of Konoha, his head hanging low.
He knew that if he didn't vent his anger now, he might end up clashing with the people from earlier. He couldn't stand the thought of them, and his anger only grew stronger.
"Grandpa Third Hokage," Naruto muttered to himself. "Do you even know who my parents are?"
His thoughts drifted back to the conversation with Sarutobi Hiruzen. The Third Hokage had acknowledged that Naruto was an orphan, but even so, Naruto should at least know who his parents were. If they had passed away, he should be able to visit their graves, to honor them. But when he had asked about his parents, Sarutobi's answer was evasive.
"It's all in the past, so there's no need to dwell on it."
"Some things are better left unknown."
Happiness? Naruto clenched his fists in anger. There were no children in the world who wouldn't want to know who their parents were. The fact that Sarutobi had dismissed it so easily made him even more furious. He began to wonder if his parents had abandoned him willingly, or if the Third Hokage had been keeping the truth from him. Either way, Naruto felt betrayed.
At that moment, a shuriken flew through the air, breaking his train of thought.
---
The Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique
Naruto quickly formed hand signs and clapped his palms together. The sound of the shuriken hitting the air was followed by a series of rapid whooshes, as the shuriken suddenly multiplied into dozens of smaller copies.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The sound was deafening as the shurikens cut through the air, tearing through the trees around Naruto. Branches snapped, and the ground was littered with broken debris. Naruto exhaled deeply, his chest heaving with exhaustion. For the first time in his life, he was drained from using the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
"Whoa..." Naruto gasped, surprised by how much energy it had cost him.
Despite the fatigue, a small smile formed on his face as he looked ahead. "Did I... actually succeed?"
Not just succeed—he had surpassed any expectations. The shadow clones of the shurikens were so numerous and powerful that Naruto couldn't help but marvel at his work.
Just then, he noticed something behind him—a figure standing frozen, staring at him.
"Eh!? Did I do that?" Naruto asked, startled by the sight.
Standing motionless on a nearby tree branch was an Anbu ninja with purple hair. Uzuki Xiyan, having followed Naruto as usual, was now stunned by the terrifying power Naruto had just displayed.
Xiyan had been unaware of the changes in Naruto's demeanor. To her, Naruto seemed no different, just frustrated and angry as usual. But she couldn't ignore the overwhelming power of the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique he had just used.
"How many shurikens did he create?" she wondered in disbelief. "And how strong were they?"
Her mind raced as she realized the gravity of the situation. "This must be reported to the Third Hokage immediately."
The tension was rising, and Naruto's power was growing uncontrollably. The future of Konoha, and perhaps the entire ninja world, hung in the balance.
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