Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

After Gaara and his team left, Kurenai dismissed her team, then headed off to report to Sandaime.

"Kiba, you were really lame back there." Shino commented indifferently as he walked off.

"I could've handled it too!" Kiba muttered, trailing after Shino to argue his case.

Soon, only Naruto and Hinata remained at the scene.

Hinata lowered her head and said, "T-Thank you, Naruto-kun!"

"It was nothing. With me around, I won't let you suffer any injustice." Naruto laughed, reaching out to playfully ruffle Hinata's hair.

Hinata's face turned even redder, looking as shy as a little rabbit.

"Naruto-kun, I'll… I'll be going now."

Hinata quickly hurried off, fearing her heart might leap out if she stayed any longer.

'What a lovely little girl...'

Naruto chuckled to himself, his smile freezing in place a second later.

'Well, he got here quick.'

In an instant, Naruto disappeared...

In the forest behind the Hokage Rock, Naruto leaped through the trees until he landed near a tree.

There was a man standing under the tree, his skin was whiter than woman's.

"Orochimaru, you actually dared to appear here with your true appearance. You sure are brave."

Through the Servant Contract, Naruto sensed that Orochimaru was nearby, that's why he hurried over.

"My decoys are still on the lookout. I was planning to disguise myself as a participant to infiltrate the Chunin Exams, but you got here fast. Naruto-kun, you really are impressive."

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes glinted with a rare hint of warmth.

The Chunin Exams didn't concern Naruto, and he only cared about one thing.

"Orochimaru, how's your research on immortality progressing?"

Hearing this, Orochimaru looked troubled: It's incredibly complex. One of the purposes of my coming here is to take Uchiha Sasuke's body. According to the information I have collected, his potential surpasses Itachi's. If I can obtain his body, it would greatly accelerate my research on immortality."

"Sasuke, huh? I'd reconsider if I were you," Naruto said, shaking his head.

"I know you are in the same team as him, but in order to study immortality, it is reasonable to sacrifice one's own interests. Are you getting sentimental?"

Orochimaru raised his eyebrows slightly.

Naruto waved his hand and said, "You think too much. It's your spirit that can't handle it. Sasuke is still too weak, so it's useless to take his body now. Outsiders can't fully unleash the potential of the Uchiha Clan. But if you wait for Sasuke to grow strong enough, you'd be unable to control him. The power of the Sharingan isn't something you can underestimate."

"I've gathered plenty of data from the Sharingan I transplanted into Danzo. I don't need Sasuke to reach his peak. Just obtaining his three-tomoe Sharingan will be enough for my research, and it'll still be manageable for me to control."

Orochimaru mused.

"Pfft!"

Naruto couldn't help but laugh out loud: "All you've studied is Danzo's Sharingan. A true three-tomoe Sharingan is far beyond your understanding."

"And how can you be so sure, Naruto-kun?"

Orochimaru frowned and said. After all, science is all about data, and even Naruto can't speak nonsense.

"Because I have one myself!"

Naruto smirked, pulling out the Sharingan contact lens from system inventory.

"I know you have it, but it's just a one-tomoe..."

Orochimaru began, but then stopped mid-sentence, his words caught in his throat.

Naruto's blue eyes had transformed into a blood-red Sharingan, not just with a single tomoe, but a full three-tomoe.

Orochimaru didn't expect that in just over a month, Naruto's one-tomoe Sharingan had evolved into a three-tomoe. It's an achievement even the most talented Uchiha prodigies would find nearly impossible.

This was truly shocking.

"Naruto-kun, you're as remarkable as ever!" Orochimaru was left speechless, unable to find a better way to express his awe.

"Now do I have a say in the matter?" Naruto asked with a faint smile.

After a moment of silence, Orochimaru nodded slightly, "Since Naruto-kun think I can't handle it, I won't insist. It's a shame to let such a fine subject slip by. It seems that I can only make other plans in the Chunin Exams."

"There's no need to overcomplicate things. There's no one suitable for you among the candidates for the Chunin Exams. In fact, you've already come across an ideal candidate." Naruto replied with a knowing look.

"Who would that be?" Orochimaru looked puzzled.

"It's the guy from Akatsuki who wears a mask… He called himself Tobi." Naruto said, cutting to the chase.

Orochimaru frowned immediately, "I didn't expect you to know about the Akatsuki. You're full of surprises, Naruto-kun. But Tobi is just an intern for the Akatsuki. What makes him special?"

"All that time in the Akatsuki and you missed this? Afei is actually Tobi is actually Uchiha Obito, and he's awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan!" Naruto said helplessly.

"What?"

Orochimaru's face showed a rare lapse in composure. He didn't doubt Naruto, as there was no reason for Naruto to joke about such a thing.

In fact, he had speculated about Tobi's identity before, but he never thought to connect him with Konoha.

He had heard of Uchiha Obito, he's a teammate of Kakashi's who supposedly died on a mission long ago.

'I didn't expect that guy to hide so deeply. Not only did he join the Akatsuki, he also possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan.'

'With power like that, why would Obito settle for the role of an intern? What was his true agenda?'

In a short time, Orochimaru couldn't figure it out, so he had to ask again.

"Naruto-kun, you said I can't even handle the three-tomoe Sharingan, how can I handle the Mangekyo? I've suffered a lot from Itachi."

"Obito's Mangekyo only has an ability called Kamui, which is an advanced Space-Time Ninjutsu. Its ability is essentially to transfer any object between real world and another dimension. In addition, Kamui can also resonate with other Space-Time Ninjutsu."

Naruto explained, "Obito gave his left eye to Kakashi, so he only has his right eye. His right lets him phase parts of his body into another dimension when attacked, effectively making himself intangible to avoid attacks or pass through obstacles. The disadvantage is that it is subjected to a certain time limit. In he's attacked continuously for five minutes, the technique will break."

"With my Kyubi's power suppressing him, taking down Obito won't be an issue. Whether it's for researching immortality or other subjects, mastering Space-Time will be immensely beneficial."

After hearing what Naruto said, Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with sudden understanding.

"I didn't expect you to be so considerate, Naruto-kun."

Orochimaru was slightly surprised and grateful.

A hint of surprise and gratitude appeared in Orochimaru's gaze. He wasn't interested in how Naruto knew all this, and he only cared that it would benefit him.

"It's no trouble. After all, I have a favor to ask of you."

Now that Naruto had helped Orochimaru with a crucial problem, he was paving the way for his own plans.

After the Chunin Exams, the entire Konoha Village would undergo a massive shake-up. Staying here would be pointless.

After all, Konoha is a treacherous place, and many people didn't accept him. Honestly, Naruto wouldn't mind seeing the village brought to its knees.

"What is it that you needs, Naruto-kun? Feel free to tell me."

Orochimaru replied, somewhat intrigued.

After all, this was the first time Naruto took the initiative to ask him for help.

Naruto thought for a moment, "I need you to take Sasuke..."