Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

"Phantom Demon? You're that... clone master?"

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. As someone well-informed about the ninja world, he knew the name.

Ever since Scorpion from the Akatsuki leaked the information, the rise of Phantom Demon had spread like wildfire. Despite the lack of modern communication tools, Phantom Demon's reputation had quickly echoed throughout the entire shinobi continent in just a few short days.

The influence of the Moon Organization steadily grew. With powerful figures like Suigetsu Hozuki and Mangetsu Hozuki joining its ranks, its fame only increased.

Not to mention the legendary feats—killing Deidara and defeating the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. These achievements made anyone who heard his name tremble in fear.

Of course, Kakashi had heard of the enigmatic leader of this mysterious organization, known to all as Phantom Demon.

And now, that very man stood before him.

"You've mastered numerous cloning techniques and nearly every element of ninjutsu," Kakashi muttered. "No one wants to be your enemy."

Genzuki chuckled. "And you, the man who copied over a thousand jutsu, aren't exactly someone to mess with either, Copy Ninja Kakashi."

Kakashi rubbed the back of his head and smiled bitterly. "Looks like you've completely outmaneuvered me. Just tell me what you want."

Knowing full well he couldn't match Genzuki in strength, Kakashi decided it was best to comply for now.

Genzuki smiled. He had always liked Kakashi in the original story.

"I'll get straight to the point: would you like to join the Moon Organization?"

Kakashi froze for a moment. He didn't want to reject him outright, so he hesitantly said, "I... don't plan on becoming a rogue ninja."

Genzuki burst out laughing. Convincing someone as loyal to Konoha as Kakashi to defect was certainly a tall order.

Besides, with the current strength of his organization, he didn't particularly need Kakashi's power.

"I get it. But how about this—you can act as my liaison with Konoha," Genzuki suggested. "The Moon Organization bears no hostility toward your village. In fact, we might even help you eliminate the Akatsuki."

Kakashi thought for a moment before nodding. "If it's just communication, I don't see why not. Besides, you did save us."

"In that case, we'll meet here from now on," Genzuki said, his eyes flashing with the power of the Sharingan. "Kamui."

Kakashi's eyes widened. How could Genzuki use Kamui, his personal Mangekyō Sharingan ability?

Pressing a hand to his left eye, Kakashi murmured, "You even know this technique?"

Kakashi had long since awakened his Mangekyō, but due to his limited chakra reserves, he rarely used Kamui. Nevertheless, he knew how it worked.

Genzuki nodded. "Our Kamui spaces are now connected. We can use them to exchange information at any time."

"Well then, your students are probably waiting for you. Let's head back."

Emerging from the Kamui dimension, they found Team 7 staring in shock.

"These black flames..." Sasuke hesitated, recognizing them from the Uchiha clan records.

It was Amaterasu, a powerful dojutsu that only the most gifted members of the Uchiha clan could wield.

Who exactly was Genzuki?

"Are all these people enemies? Did you already take them down?" Naruto said in frustration. "I should've stayed and fought with you!"

"You would've only gotten in the way," Sakura scolded. "Kakashi-sensei, are you hurt?"

Kakashi shook his head and pointed at Genzuki. "He handled everything on his own."

Genzuki raised an eyebrow. Was Kakashi about to reveal his identity?

Now that they had seen his strength, things were bound to get complicated.

"Yagura, can you carry Chino for a while?" Genzuki asked softly.

Without a word, Yagura nodded and carried the sleeping Chino on his back.

Kakashi seemed to want to get some information out of Yagura, but the former Mizukage simply ignored him and pulled out a copy of Make-Out Paradise to pass the time.

"Genzuki! That black flame technique—can you teach me?" Naruto asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Genzuki sighed. "It's impossible for you to learn that."

Perhaps intimidated by Genzuki's overwhelming power, Gato's men didn't dare continue their pursuit.

Once they returned to Tazuna's house, Kakashi gathered the team and explained the situation.

"In the upcoming mission, according to our intelligence, an enemy stronger than anything we've faced will intervene."

"This raises our mission rank to S-class. With my current strength, I won't be able to protect you alone."

Naruto froze. "What do we do then? We're not going to abandon the mission, are we?"

The thought of giving up made all three students visibly upset.

None of them wanted to return empty-handed after just starting their ninja careers.

Kakashi smiled. "Technically, we should terminate the mission. But I've asked Genzuki to join us as reinforcements."

"From now on, Genzuki will act as your captain. You'll follow his orders."

"And by the way, he's much stronger than I am."

Genzuki stepped forward with a calm smile. "Please take care of me."

The students were stunned.

A captain the same age as them?

Even though Genzuki had shown his power earlier, it was still hard to believe he was stronger than Kakashi.

Seeing their doubtful expressions, Genzuki chuckled.

"It seems you still have some doubts about my strength."

"How about a little test?"

Yagura leaned in and whispered, "Genzuki-sama, remember, they're just kids."

"I know," Genzuki replied with a nod. "I'll go easy on them."

The comment only fueled the students' frustration.

"Damn it! Don't underestimate me!" Naruto clenched his fists in anger.

"Interesting. Let's see if you can back up that confidence," Sasuke said with a smirk.

Even Sakura, despite her hesitation, couldn't back down after hearing Genzuki's challenge.

Genzuki formed a hand sign and said with a smile, "Shadow Clone Jutsu."

With a puff, a single shadow clone appeared beside him.

"Hah! You can only create one clone?" Naruto laughed. "I've made two thousand before!"

"My shadow clone won't use ninjutsu," Genzuki explained. "Besides, Naruto, you know as well as anyone that shadow clones disappear with a single hit."

Naruto nodded.

"So, if you can make my shadow clone disappear, I'll admit that I underestimated you," Genzuki said.

The three students exchanged glances, momentarily stunned.

"That's way too easy!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Alright, Yagura... Kakashi, call us when it's time to eat," Genzuki said with a yawn, carrying Chino to the guest room.

Yagura sighed. "I'll stay here to make sure no one gets hurt."

The three students fumed.

"Are they mocking us?! There's a limit to how much you can look down on someone!"