Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

"Something's not right. This is really not right!"

After a long silence, Kisame finally spoke up.

"Oh? Go on, what seems off to you?"

Naruto immediately became interested. He was curious to hear what kind of rebuttal Kisame would come up with after pondering for so long.

Kisame groaned, "Itachi, you sure this kid is really the Kyubi's Jinchuriki? What are you scheming? How could a Jinchuriki just follow you so willingly, without being restrained? Honestly, it feels like you two are in on this together!"

"Uh…"

The interest in Naruto's eyes quietly waned, and he said speechlessly, "That's the most obvious thing ever. Anyone with half an eye could see Itachi and I are on the same team."

Naruto thought Kisame would say something insightful, but it turned out to be just a bunch of nonsense.

Itachi chimed in calmly, "Naruto and I are indeed working together. He knew I was going after a Jinchuriki and decided to come along. But let me clarify… he is the Kyubi's Jinchuriki."

"I don't believe it!"

Kisame snorted coldly, then declared with a triumphant look on his face, "You can't fool me. A Jinchuriki wouldn't be stupid enough to walk willingly into danger. And you, disappearing for three days… I have serious doubts about what shameful activities you've been up to behind my back!"

"Pfft!"

Naruto burst out laughing instantly, 'What do you mean by shameful activities?'

"What are you laughing at?" Kisame frowned.

Naruto waved his hands and said, "Nothing, really. I just think you're amazing. You actually used your brain for once, guess it's not all muscles up there."

Hearing this, Kisame nodded in satisfaction, but before he could bask in pride, Naruto delivered the punchline, "I underestimated you. Turns out there's some shit in there too!"

"You little brat! I've had enough of you!"

Kisame's temple throbbed with rage as he swung Samehada straight at Naruto.

Bang!

A loud crash stirred up a thick cloud of dust.

But when the dust cleared, Kisame was shocked to see Naruto unharmed. Instead, he was cloaked in a fiery red aura, with nine flaming tails extending protectively around him.

"Biju Transformation? You're the real deal!" Kisame's eyes widened in disbelief.

Naruto spat on the ground. "Figures. When you can't win with words, you resort to violence. Shameful. Itachi is your teammate and didn't lie to you, but you doubted him? What else could be in that thick head of yours if not shit?"

"Uh…"

Kisame was at a loss for words, his face flush with embarrassment. He even avoided Itachi's gaze entirely.

After a long pause, Kisame asked again, "Since you are the Kyubi's Jinchuriki, why would you willingly walk into your death?"

This was the only thing he couldn't understand.

Naruto said helplessly, "Why do you think I am going to die? I am more than capable of dealing with you. I was just bored in the village and wanted to go out to see the world. Is that reason enough for you?"

"Fine, fine. Whatever you say."

Kisame gave up trying to make sense of it all.

It was clear to him now. Itachi hadn't betrayed him. But Itachi and Naruto were indeed working together, and taking on Naruto would mean facing both the Jinchuriki and Itachi. That wasn't a fight he could win, and it might jeopardize his partnership with Itachi.

Anyway, his mission is to capture the Kyubi's Jinchuriki and bring them back to the organization. Now that Naruto had essentially delivered himself, what else can he say?

Watching Kisame's resigned expression, Naruto laughed so hard he clutched his sides. Traveling with someone like Kisame promised to be anything but boring.

As for guilt? Naruto felt none. Kisame brought this on himself, so he deserved it.

But alas, the weather wasn't on their side.

Not long after the trio set out again, a light drizzle began to fall, soon turning into a steady shower. Though it didn't hinder their journey, the rain soaking their clothes was certainly unpleasant.

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Naruto suggested, "Kisame, how about this: let's play rock-paper-scissors. The loser has to make a big umbrella for all three of us and carry it. Sound good?"

Itachi is his servant, so there was no need for him to get involved in this. Besides, Naruto had a surefire way to win, and Itachi joining in would only complicate the game.

"Sure!"

Kisame agreed without hesitation.

What happened just now is not over yet. So it would be great if he could make a comeback.

Seeing Kisame taking the bait, Naruto pulled out some paper and a pen from his backpack, then said with a playful smile, "To prevent any accusations of cheating, let's write our choices down beforehand to keep it fair."

"No problem!"

Kisame nodded. He didn't expect Naruto to take the rock-paper-scissors game so seriously.

Initially, he thought Naruto might try some underhanded trick, but now it seemed he had misjudged him.

Naruto is an upright person!

At least in this regard, Kisame had some admiration for Naruto, as he acted like a man should.

But just to be cautious, Kisame walked ten meters away, turning his back to Naruto as he scribbled down his choice.

Once he finished, he clenched the paper tightly in his palm and called out, "I'm done. Are you ready?"

"Just a moment! Almost there!"

Naruto shouted back, then quickly took out a pair of Byakugan contact lenses from the system inventory. After putting them on, he immediately activated his Byakugan.

Yes, this was his foolproof method.

While the setup appeared fair, the Byakugan's ability to see through things was the ultimate cheat code for this game!

To avoid raising Kisame's suspicions, Naruto made sure his back was turned. However, Itachi, standing nearby, caught everything.

"Naruto, you..."

"Shh!"

Naruto hushed him hurriedly, "Are you dumb? If Kisame hears, it's all over."

Itachi nodded and said no more, but the shock in his eyes did not diminish at all.

He didn't expect that Naruto not only had the Sharingan, but also the Byakugan.

'Is Naruto really a human?'

Disregarding Itachi's swirling thoughts, Naruto focused entirely on using the Byakugan's vision. Ten meters wasn't far, and with enough concentration, he could easily see through Kisame's clenched hand.

"So, it's rock, huh?"

A smirk spread across Naruto's face. He quickly removed the contact lenses and stowed them back into the system inventory before writing 'paper' on his sheet of paper.

"Alright, I'm ready. Come over and reveal our answers!" Naruto called out again.

"On my way!"

Kisame flickered and appeared in front of Naruto.

His expression was calm. After all, rock-paper-scissors was a game of pure chance, with a one-third chance of winning, losing, or tying.

"Let's count down from three, then reveal together." Naruto suggested.

"No way. What if you cheat at the last moment?" Kisame retorted. He didn't know the full extent of Naruto's abilities, but if he could use Genjutsu, he might lose unfairly.

"You actually doubt me? I went through all this to ensure fairness, and you still suspect me?" Naruto's face scrunched up in feigned hurt.

Itachi chimed in, "Kisame, you're crossing a line. That's uncalled for."

"I don't care. Hand me the paper, I'll check it myself."

Kisame insisted firmly, "Itachi-san, you know my character, I won't cheat in something like this."

"I do know your character." Itachi replied thoughtfully, "But I also know Naruto's. Your suspicion is baseless, and your demand is unreasonable. Here's my suggestion: Naruto can let you verify his choice, but if he wins, you'll owe him one unconditional favor to make up for your unfair request."

'What the heck?!'

Naruto was completely dumbfounded when he heard Itachi's words.

Itachi's expression was calm and flawless, and his proposal seemed entirely reasonable. But Naruto knew that Itachi was right beside him just now and clearly saw him cheating.

'My goodness, Itachi was playing along so well...'