Chapter 8
Naruto stood in the middle of his small apartment, excitement buzzing through him as he stared at the handful of shadow clones he had just summoned. The memory of using the jutsu in the forest against Mizuki was still fresh in his mind, but now that the battle was over, he had the chance to really see what this new jutsu could do.
"Alright, time to test you guys out," Naruto muttered, grinning as he looked at his clones.
One of the clones crossed his arms, smirking. "Test us? We're you, remember?"
"Yeah," another clone added with a sarcastic grin. "What're you gonna learn from testing us when we already know everything you do?"
Naruto blinked, suddenly realizing that every single one of his clones shared his thoughts. "Wait… so you guys know exactly what I'm thinking?"
"Of course we do!" one of the clones snapped, his hands on his hips. "We're literally you, idiot!"
Naruto scowled. "Hey! Who're you calling an idiot? I'm the original! You're just the copy!"
"That makes you the bigger idiot!" another clone shot back, folding his arms across his chest.
"Yeah! You made us, so you're the one who's responsible for all this!"
Before long, all the clones started bickering, each one trying to outdo the other in a bizarre argument of who was more of an idiot. The apartment filled with chaotic noise as Naruto stood in the middle, watching his clones shout at each other.
"This is ridiculous!" Naruto shouted, throwing his hands in the air. "You're all me! How can we be fighting like this?!"
"Because you started it!" one clone yelled.
"No, you started it!" another countered.
Naruto groaned, rubbing his temples in frustration. "That's it! I've had enough of this! Dispel!"
With a sharp gesture, Naruto released the jutsu, and in an instant, all the clones vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving him standing alone once again. The sudden silence was almost jarring after the chaos that had filled the room just moments before.
But then something strange happened. As the smoke cleared, Naruto felt a flood of information rush into his mind. It was like a jolt of memories and experiences that weren't his own, yet they were. He staggered slightly, blinking as the wave of thoughts hit him.
"What the…?" Naruto murmured, his eyes widening. "Did I… did I just get all their memories?"
He stood still for a moment, processing the strange sensation. Each clone had its own perspective, its own little interactions, and all of those memories had returned to him when they disappeared. It was overwhelming at first, but then Naruto realized what it meant.
"This jutsu… it's not just for fighting," Naruto muttered to himself, a slow grin spreading across his face. "I can use it to learn faster, to train faster… I get everything they experience!"
His excitement bubbled up as the potential of the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu sank in. This was more than just a jutsu for combat—it was a way to gain knowledge, to improve himself faster than ever before.
"I have to show the Hokage!" Naruto shouted, grabbing his jacket and rushing toward the door. "He's gonna love this!"
The village was still quiet as Naruto raced through the streets, the sun barely starting to rise on the horizon. He didn't care about the time—he was too excited about his discovery. He had to show someone, and who better than the Hokage himself?
When Naruto arrived at the Hokage's office, he burst through the door without hesitation, his excitement overriding any sense of decorum.
"Hey, old man! You've gotta see this!" Naruto shouted as he ran into the room.
The Third Hokage, seated behind his desk and in the middle of reviewing several documents, looked up with a mix of amusement and mild exasperation. "Naruto… what is it now?"
Naruto didn't waste any time. "Check this out!" he exclaimed, quickly forming the hand seals for the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu.
With a puff of smoke, several clones appeared around Naruto, all standing at attention.
"See? I can make tons of clones now!" Naruto said proudly. "But that's not the best part!"
The Hokage raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what might the best part be?"
Naruto grinned and dispelled the clones with a wave of his hand. As the clones disappeared, the familiar rush of memories hit him, and Naruto beamed. "I get all their memories when they disappear! Everything they saw, heard, and did—it all comes back to me! Isn't that awesome?"
The Hokage leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "That is quite impressive, Naruto. The Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu is a very advanced technique, and it seems you've already discovered one of its key advantages. You've done well to learn it so quickly."
Naruto's chest puffed up with pride at the praise. "Yeah, I thought it was pretty cool too! I can use it to train faster, learn more stuff… it's perfect!"
The Hokage smiled at Naruto's enthusiasm but quickly turned serious. "However, Naruto… we need to discuss the way you obtained this jutsu."
Naruto blinked, nervousness going through him. "uhhhh"
The Hokage's gaze softened, but his tone remained firm. "Stealing the Scroll of Seals was a dangerous and reckless action, Naruto. That scroll contains jutsu that are forbidden for a reason. It could have easily fallen into the wrong hands, and you could have been hurt."
Naruto's excitement faltered as he realized what the Hokage was saying. He scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Uh… yeah, I guess that was kinda risky, huh?"
The Hokage sighed, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Yes, Naruto. Being a ninja isn't just about learning powerful jutsu. It's about understanding the consequences of your actions and protecting those around you."
Naruto nodded, the weight of the Hokage's words sinking in. "I didn't think about it that way," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just wanted to prove I wasn't a failure."
"You've proven that you're capable," the Hokage said kindly, "but remember, Naruto, power without responsibility can lead to dangerous consequences. I expect you to take what you've learned today and use it wisely."
Naruto bowed his head slightly, his pride tempered by the Hokage's lesson. "Yeah, I understand. Sorry for causing all that trouble."
The Hokage smiled, his expression softening. "I know you'll continue to grow, Naruto. Just be sure to think before you act in the future."
Naruto grinned, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "I will, old man! Thanks!"