Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Leaving the training ground, Naruto headed straight to the Hokage's Office.

Along the way, thoughts of Squirtle's hurt expression only fueled Naruto's desire to tear Sakura apart.

But mere physical punishment wouldn't satisfy him.

Physical death was swift, offering no true lesson. Only a prolonged 'social death', forcing Sakura to endure constant mental anguish, would truly be satisfying.

Not long after, Naruto arrived at the Hokage's Office.

Before Naruto could knock on the door, the door opened, revealing Kakashi inside.

"What are you doing here?"

Naruto asked in mild surprise.

Peering in, he saw two others inside, Sandaime, who is seated at the desk, and Guy, who is standing beside him. On the desk was the crystal ball. At this moment, the crystal ball on the table was showing Naruto's image.

"When did you start watching?"

Naruto asked with a frown.

Sandaime answered, "Since you got up this morning."

"So, you saw everything that happened earlier?"

Naruto inquired.

"Yes."

Sandaime took a puff of his cigarette and explained, "Yesterday, Kakashi and Guy came to me, saying that you'd mastered the Eight Gates technique. But when I checked with the crystal ball, you had already left the training ground, so I stopped watching. This morning, the two of them noticed that you went to the training ground, so they came directly to me and asked me to join them in watching your progress."

Guy chimed in, "I hadn't expected you to come up with such a smart training method while Kakashi and I weren't there. You did a good job in teaching people according to their individual's strengths. Especially the saying that only those who endure hardships can one rise above others. It made me realize I misjudged you. You must have endured a lot of pressure, tried numerous methods, and your talent allowed you to unlock the Eight Gates. I apologize for doubting you."

As he said this, Guy bowed deeply.

Kakashi added, "Guy is just like that, he speaks his mind and doesn't mind small matters. Just accept his apology, or he'll feel uncomfortable."

"Alright, I'll accept it. But why are you here, Kakashi? Did you doubt me too?"

Naruto looked at him with a frown.

Kakashi shook his head and said, "You are the son of the Yondaime Hokage, and you have the Kyubi sealed within you. I expected you to be gifted. I just came with Guy and wasn't here to question you. But I didn't expect to witness internal issues within our team."

He knew that, had he and Guy been present, Naruto's leadership wouldn't have been needed, and Sakura's issues wouldn't have surfaced.

He still has a headache about this.

"Internal issue? Let's get something straight… Sakura has nothing to do with me anymore." Naruto said indifferently.

Sandaime sighed and said, "Regardless, Sakura is still part of Konoha. I don't want to see comrades turning against each other."

Although he is Naruto's servant, he is also the Hokage of Konoha.

He felt obliged to mediate if there was any chance for resolution.

Naruto sneered, "Comrades turning on each other? That's a good one. Since when does a comrade insult another as a 'vile beast'? Imagine if I called your Summoning Beast a vile beast, would you not feel offended?"

"I..." Sandaime was suddenly speechless.

Naruto continued, "You've seen what happened through the crystal ball. I've already said I'll make sure Sakura experiences a 'social death'."

"What is a social death?" Sandaime asked.

Naruto explained, "It's when someone's scandal is exposed, making them an outcast, unable to show their face. Take, for example, letting the entire village know that you enjoy peeping in the women's bathhouse. Imagine the reaction, people would shun and despise you, to the point where you'd wish to just disappear."

Sandaime thought it over, "I see… such disgrace would make someone wish to hang themselves, unable to face anyone ever again. That's what social death is? It's terrifying!"

"Exactly. Some people are alive, yet for all intents and purposes, they're already dead."

Naruto said with a smirk, "I'm not going to exaggerate what happened with Sakura. I'll just spread the truth. That alone should be enough."

Kakashi pondered and said, "Konoha relies on its Shinobi, and for Shinobi, their Summoned Beasts are close partners. Even an ordinary captured animal is treated as a comrade. If Sakura's insult to Squirtle as a 'vile beast' were made public, she'd indeed face the so-called social death."

"Naruto, youth sometimes means making mistakes. Can't you give her a chance?"

Guy hesitated. His belief in the path of youth included giving people a chance to correct their errors.

Hearing this, Naruto laughed, "Again, since your Summoned Beast is a Ninja Turtle just like Squirtle, what would you do if someone called your Ninja Turtle a vile beast?"

"Of course, I'd fight them!"

Guy blurted out, realizing instantly that he'd feel the same as Naruto. His Ninja Turtle had been with him for so many years, and it could be said that he had regarded his Ninja Turtle as his closest partner, or even relative. How could he allow others to scold his Ninja Turtle?

However, after he finished speaking, he was stunned.

He realized he was in no position to tell Naruto to let this slide. After all, this kind of insult was something no one could bear; it was truly unforgivable.

"Now you understand… don't just advise kindness without understanding the whole situation."

Naruto's tone then shifted to a playful one, " But I'll still give Sakura a chance to correct her mistakes. I'll publicize what she did. If she can't handle the backlash, then social death awaits her. But if she's brave enough to step up and admit her mistake, she'll grow mentally stronger, more stable, and reliable."

"That's true."

Sandaime groaned.

As long as she can survive this, Sakura will be truly reborn. If she can't survive, it means she is not qualified to be a Shinobi, and being a civilian suited her better. At least this way, her life won't be at risk.

Guy and Kakashi nodded, agreeing with this approach.

But none of them noticed the hint of a smile on Naruto's lips.

Is Naruto really that kind?

Of course not!

He'd merely rephrased his intent, adding an attractive condition, all with the ultimate goal of Sakura's complete social downfall.

Based on what he knew about Sakura, Naruto doubted she would be able to survive this.

And even if, by some chance, she mustered the courage to face everyone's scorn, Naruto had more plans up his sleeve. He could use his shadow clones transformed as villagers to spread the outrage, ensuring that Sakura's actions appeared unforgivable to everyone!

Of course, what bad intentions could Naruto have?

These are some harmless tactics he'd picked up online in his previous life.

If one wants to cause a commotion, they only need a trigger, solid evidence, and a crowd to stir the pot further. This trick is basically foolproof.

If Sakura hadn't really pushed Naruto to his breaking point, Naruto wouldn't have been so angry.

After all, if he made a move, it had to be decisive!

Sakura's mistake lay in provoking someone she never should have...