The past few months flew by in a whirlwind of training, rivalry, and growth. After Naruto and Sasuke's first spar, their dynamic shifted. What began as a reluctant partnership born out of Shisui and Itachi's insistence soon turned into a fierce but friendly rivalry. They met almost every day, training from morning to evening, even on days when Shisui or Itachi—or both—were away on missions. Their progress was astonishing, and Itachi suspected it was fueled by their constant attempts to one-up each other.

Naruto, with his natural talent for chakra control, taught Sasuke the tree-walking exercise. While Sasuke struggled due to his lesser reserves and less refined control, he was determined to catch up. In return, Sasuke shared his expertise in shuriken and kunai throwing, an area where he clearly outshone Naruto. Their taijutsu sessions were evenly matched, with Naruto's raw speed and strength balancing Sasuke's technical skill. In ninjutsu, Sasuke had the edge for now, but both Itachi and Shisui knew that Naruto's immense chakra reserves and growing control would eventually allow him to surpass Sasuke in that area. Genjutsu, however, was a different story. Once Sasuke awakened his Sharingan, he would undoubtedly excel in that field.

Naruto's progress in fuinjutsu was equally impressive. He had finished the Sealing for Beginners book, which served as a prerequisite, and was now halfway through the Sealing Level 1 book. From his studies, Naruto learned that the ninja world recognized ten levels of seal mastery, with very few achieving the pinnacle of Level 10. His parents, Minato and Kushina, were likely the last Level 10 seal masters in the world. Currently, Jiraiya of the Sannin was considered the highest active seal master at Level 8, followed by Orochimaru and Hiruzen at Level 7, and Tsunade at Level 6.

One evening, after an intense training session, Itachi and Shisui called Naruto and Sasuke over. The two boys, covered in sweat, cuts, and bruises, sat down under a tree, their exhaustion evident but their spirits high. Shisui leaned against the tree trunk, a playful grin on his face, while Itachi sat cross-legged, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to Shisui's energy.

Shisui clapped his hands to get their attention. "Alright, squirts, listen up. Today, we're going to teach you the Academy Three: Henge no Jutsu, Kawarimi no Jutsu, and Bunshin no Jutsu."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "The Academy Three? Isn't that what they teach at the academy? We're learning that now?"

Itachi nodded, his voice calm but firm. "Yes, but don't underestimate these techniques. They may be D-rank jutsu, but mastering them can mean the difference between life and death in a real battle."

Sasuke crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "How can something so basic be that important?"

Itachi's gaze softened as he explained. "Take Kawarimi no Jutsu, for example. It's a simple substitution technique, but in the heat of battle, it can save your life. A well-timed substitution can turn the tide of a fight, allowing you to escape a deadly attack or set up a counter."

Shisui chimed in, his tone triumphant. "And let's not forget about Shunshin no Jutsu, a C-rank technique that's just an advanced version of substitution. I'm known as a high B-rank shinobi despite my age because of my mastery of Shunshin. It's all about how you use the basics, squirts."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance, their earlier skepticism replaced by awe. Naruto grinned. "So, if we master these, we'll be as cool as you, baka niichan?"

Shisui laughed, ruffling Naruto's hair. "Maybe even cooler, squirt. But don't get ahead of yourself. Let's start with Henge no Jutsu."

Henge no Jutsu Training

Itachi stood in front of Naruto and Sasuke, his calm demeanor commanding their attention. "The Henge no Jutsu, or Transformation Technique, is one of the three foundational jutsu taught at the academy. It allows you to transform your appearance into someone or something else. While it may seem simple, mastering it can be incredibly useful in both combat and infiltration."

Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement. "So, I can turn into anyone? Even you, Itachi-sensei?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes, but the key is precision. A poorly executed transformation can be easily spotted, rendering it useless." He demonstrated the hand seals: Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram. In a puff of smoke, Itachi transformed into a perfect replica of Shisui, down to the smallest detail—his spiky hair, his lazy grin, even the way he leaned casually against a tree.

Naruto's jaw dropped. "Whoa! That's so cool!"

Sasuke, however, narrowed his eyes, his analytical mind already picking apart the technique. "Is it just an illusion? Or does it actually change your physical form?"

Itachi canceled the transformation, returning to his original appearance. "Good question, Sasuke. The Henge no Jutsu is, in fact, an illusion. It doesn't physically alter your body. However, the more you master it, the more realistic it appears, making it harder for others to detect. To truly master this technique, you must be able to perform it with just one hand seal and achieve a level of detail so precise that even the most observant shinobi would struggle to see through it."

Naruto pumped his fist. "Alright, my turn!"

He stepped forward, performing the hand seals with exaggerated movements. In a puff of smoke, he transformed into… a slightly distorted version of Shisui. His hair was too spiky, his eyes were the wrong shade of black, and his grin looked more like a grimace.

Shisui burst out laughing, clutching his sides. "Nice try, squirt, but you look more like a bad cosplay than me."

Naruto pouted, canceling the transformation. "Hey, it's my first try! Cut me some slack, baka niichan!"

Sasuke scoffed, stepping forward. "Let me show you how it's done."

He performed the hand seals with precision, his movements fluid and controlled. In a puff of smoke, Sasuke transformed into a near-perfect replica of Naruto. The spiky blond hair, the blue eyes, even the whisker marks on his cheeks were all there. The only flaws were minor—Naruto had three whiskers on each cheek, not two, and his eyes were a slightly lighter shade of blue.

Itachi nodded in approval. "Well done, Sasuke. Your attention to detail is impressive. Just remember, Naruto has three whiskers, not two, and his eyes are a lighter shade of blue."

Sasuke crossed his arms, canceling the transformation. "I'll get it right next time."

Itachi then turned to Naruto, gesturing for him to come closer. "Naruto, try transforming into me this time. And come here"

Naruto blinked, confused. "Uh… okay?"

He performed the hand seals again, this time focusing harder. In a puff of smoke, he transformed into a slightly better version of Itachi. His hair was still a bit too spiky, and his eyes weren't quite the right shade of black, but it was an improvement.

Without hesitation, Itachi swung his fist at Naruto's face. To everyone's surprise, his punch connected, and Naruto stumbled back slightly, a faint bruise forming on his cheek.

Naruto canceled the transformation, holding his own cheek. "What the hell?"

Shisui and Itachi exchanged a shocked glance. Sasuke frowned, looking between them. "What's wrong?"

Itachi composed himself quickly, his mind racing. "Naruto's transformation… it's not just an illusion. It's real."

Sasuke's eyes widened. "What do you mean, real?"

Itachi hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Most shinobi's transformations are purely visual illusions. But Naruto's… his chakra is so dense and unique that it temporarily alters his physical form. This is… unprecedented."

Shisui scratched the back of his head, trying to lighten the mood. "Guess you're full of surprises, squirt."

Naruto grinned, sticking his tongue out at Sasuke. "See? I'm awesome!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "It's just a fluke. You still can't get the details right."

Itachi, however, was deep in thought. He knew the real reason behind Naruto's unique transformation—the Kyuubi's powerful yokai chakra mixing with Naruto's own. But he couldn't reveal that to Sasuke. Instead, he made up an excuse. "It must be because of Naruto's unnaturally dense chakra. This could prove incredibly useful in the future."

Naruto's grin widened. "So, what can I do with this?"

Itachi explained, "If you master this ability, you could transform into animals and mimic their physical qualities. For example, you could grow wings and fly like a bird, or shrink down and infiltrate a location as an insect. However, it would take a tremendous amount of effort to learn and mimic their habits convincingly."

Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That sounds amazing! I'm gonna be the best at this!"

Sasuke crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed. "We'll see about that."

Kawarimi no Jutsu Training

After the Henge no Jutsu session, Shisui stepped forward, his usual playful grin on his face. "Alright, squirts, next up is Kawarimi no Jutsu, the Substitution Technique. This one's a lifesaver—literally."

He demonstrated the hand seals: Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger. In a puff of smoke, Shisui disappeared, replaced by a log. He reappeared a few feet away, leaning casually against a tree. "See? Simple, but effective. The key is speed and timing. If you can swap yourself with an object or even a person at the right moment, you can avoid almost any attack."

Naruto tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "Wait, you can swap with people too?"

Shisui nodded. "Yep. Most shinobi use logs because they're convenient, but a true master can substitute with anything—rocks, weapons, even other people. Watch this."

Itachi, standing nearby, suddenly threw a kunai at Shisui's head with blinding speed. The kunai embedded itself between Shisui's eyes, and Sasuke yelled out in concern. "Shisui!"

But then, to everyone's surprise, Shisui appeared sitting beside Sasuke, grinning. "Relax, Sasuke-chan. I'm fine."

Naruto, meanwhile, was standing where Shisui had been, the kunai embedded in the tree above his head. Since Naruto was shorter, the kunai had missed him completely. He blinked, looking around in confusion. "What just happened?"

Shisui laughed. "You just got substituted, squirt. I swapped places with you."

Naruto's eyes widened. "That's so cool! I wanna try!"

Sasuke stepped forward, his competitive spirit ignited. "Let me go first."

He performed the hand seals, his movements precise but a bit slow. In a puff of smoke, Sasuke disappeared, replaced by a log. He reappeared a few feet away, breathing slightly harder. "I did it."

Shisui clapped. "Not bad, Sasuke-chan. A bit slow, but fast for your age. Keep practicing, and you'll get faster."

Naruto grinned, stepping forward. "My turn!"

He performed the hand seals, his movements quicker but less controlled. In a puff of smoke, Naruto disappeared, replaced by a log. He reappeared a few meters away from where the log had been, stumbling slightly. "Whoa! That was fast!"

Itachi nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good effort, both of you. Sasuke, work on your speed. Naruto, focus on your precision. But don't stress too much—this is something you can practice on your own time."

Shisui, ever the joker, decided to lighten the mood. "Oh, and one more thing. Whenever you use a log to get out of a sticky situation, you gotta say, 'All hail the log!' It's tradition."

Naruto laughed, repeating the phrase with exaggerated enthusiasm. "All hail the log!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes but couldn't hide a small smile. "That's ridiculous."

Shisui winked. "Ridiculous, but effective. Trust me, squirts."

Bunshin no Jutsu Training

With Kawarimi no Jutsu covered, Itachi took the lead for the next technique. "The final technique we'll cover today is Bunshin no Jutsu, the Clone Technique. This is primarily used to confuse the enemy. The clones are intangible illusions, so they can't deal damage, but they can create openings or distractions in battle."

He demonstrated the hand seals: Ram, Snake, Tiger. In a puff of smoke, two perfect copies of Itachi appeared, standing beside him. "A skilled shinobi can use these clones to mislead their opponent or create an opportunity to escape. However, a good ninja can still differentiate between the clones and the real person, so timing and strategy are key."

Sasuke stepped forward, eager to prove himself. "Let me try."

He performed the hand seals, his movements precise but slightly strained. In a puff of smoke, two clones appeared beside him. They were a bit pale and drowsy-looking, but they were almost identical to the original. Sasuke breathed heavily, the technique taking a decent portion of his chakra.

Itachi nodded in approval. "Well done, Sasuke. Your technique is impressive. Just remember to conserve your chakra—creating clones can be draining."

Naruto grinned, stepping forward. "My turn!"

He performed the hand seals, his movements quick but less controlled. In a puff of smoke, four clones appeared beside him. However, all of them were lifeless, collapsing to the ground almost immediately.

Shisui, instead of laughing, looked serious. "I expected this. Naruto, you have an enormous amount of chakra. No matter how many control exercises you do or how good your control gets, it's like trying to squeeze a drop out of an ocean. You'll never be able to perform Bunshin no Jutsu effectively."

Naruto's face fell, his excitement replaced by devastation. "What? But… but I worked so hard!"

Sasuke, for once, didn't make any snarky remarks. He could see how much this meant to Naruto and knew this wasn't the time to joke.

Itachi, however, stepped forward, his calm demeanor offering a glimmer of hope. "There may be a solution. Naruto, your chakra reserves are too vast for Bunshin no Jutsu, but there's another technique that might suit you better."

Shisui raised an eyebrow. "You're not serious, are you? Teaching him that?"

Itachi nodded. "If anyone can use it effectively, Naruto can. But we'll need permission from the Hokage first."

Naruto's eyes lit up with hope. "Really? What's the technique?"

Itachi shook his head. "Not yet. We'll discuss it with the Hokage first. For now, you've done well today. Both of you."

Shisui clapped his hands. "Alright, squirts, it's getting late. Go home and get some rest. You've earned it."

Naruto and Sasuke nodded, their exhaustion evident but their spirits high. They waved goodbye to Shisui and Itachi before heading home, their minds buzzing with everything they'd learned.

As the boys left, Shisui and Itachi made their way to the Hokage's office. The streets of Konoha were quiet, the evening sun casting long shadows across the village.

Shisui glanced at Itachi, his expression serious for once. "You really think Naruto can handle that technique? It's not exactly beginner-friendly."

Itachi nodded. "Naruto's chakra reserves are unlike anything I've ever seen. If anyone can master it, he can. But we'll need to convince the Hokage."

Shisui sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, let's hope he's in a good mood. This is going to be one hell of a conversation."

Hokage's Office

Itachi and Shisui walked into the Hokage's office, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet room. Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated behind his desk, looked up from a stack of documents and greeted them with a warm smile. "Ah, Itachi-kun, Shisui-kun. What brings you here this evening?"

Itachi bowed slightly, his expression as stoic as ever. "Hokage-sama, we've come to discuss Naruto and Sasuke's progress."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, puffing on his pipe. "And how are the boys doing?"

Itachi replied in his usual calm tone, "Their performance is satisfactory."

Shisui, standing beside Itachi, couldn't help but interject. "Satisfactory? Are you kidding, Itachi? They're amazing! They're probably more talented than you and I were at their age."

Hiruzen chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "High praise indeed. Tell me more."

Itachi nodded, his voice steady as he detailed their progress. "In taijutsu, they're evenly matched. Naruto's speed and strength balance Sasuke's skill and precision. We've also been teaching them the Academy Three. They were able to perform the techniques at about 50% effectiveness after just a few tries."

Hiruzen's eyes widened, and for a moment, it looked like they might pop out of his sockets. "Fifty percent? At their age? That's unheard of."

Shisui grinned, clearly proud of the boys. "Yeah, they're something else. Naruto's got this special Henge no Jutsu where his transformations are… well, real. It's not just an illusion—he can physically alter his form."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, his expression thoughtful. "A real transformation? That's unusual. It must be due to the Kyuubi's influence. An amazing ability, to be sure."

Itachi continued, his tone serious. "However, Naruto struggled with Bunshin no Jutsu. His chakra reserves are so vast that he can't create stable clones. Even if he improves, he'll never be able to use standard clones effectively in battle."

Shisui added, "That's why we're here. We want your permission to teach Naruto the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."

Hiruzen's expression grew contemplative. He took a long drag from his pipe, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "The Kage Bunshin no Jutsu is a forbidden technique, requiring jonin-level chakra reserves to perform safely. Naruto's reserves are already immense—likely surpassing my own. But the risks are significant. If he overextends himself, the consequences could be severe."

Itachi nodded. "We understand the risks, Hokage-sama. But Naruto's unique chakra makes him the ideal candidate to master this technique. We'll ensure he learns his limits and never crosses them."

Hiruzen studied them for a moment before finally nodding. "Very well. You have my permission. But on one condition: you must teach Naruto to understand his limits. He must never attempt to create more clones than he can handle."

Itachi and Shisui bowed in unison. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. We'll ensure he's careful."

The Next Day: Training Ground

The following morning, Naruto and Sasuke arrived at the training ground, their energy levels high despite the previous day's intense training. Shisui and Itachi were already there, waiting for them.

After a round of stretches, some physical exercises, and chakra control practice, Itachi called the boys over. "Today, we'll be focusing on ninjutsu. Specifically, Naruto, we've received permission to teach you a new technique."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "A new technique? What is it?"

Itachi's expression was serious as he explained. "The technique is called Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, the Shadow Clone Technique. Unlike the standard Bunshin no Jutsu, these clones are physical and can interact with the environment. They can fight, gather information, and even perform tasks independently."

Sasuke's eyes widened. "That sounds incredible. Can I learn it too?"

Itachi turned to Sasuke, his tone stern. "No, Sasuke. This is a jonin-level forbidden technique. It requires an enormous amount of chakra to perform safely. If you attempt it now, you could drain your chakra completely and risk your life."

Sasuke's face fell, his disappointment evident. Shisui, noticing this, placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Don't look so down, Sasuke-chan. In a few years, when your chakra reserves have grown, you'll be able to learn it too. For now, focus on mastering the basics."

Sasuke nodded, though his expression remained sullen. "I understand."

Itachi turned back to Naruto. "The Kage Bunshin no Jutsu is powerful, but it's also dangerous. You must never create more clones than you can handle. Do you understand?"

Naruto nodded eagerly. "I get it, Itachi-sensei. I'll be careful."

Itachi demonstrated the hand seal for the technique. In a puff of smoke, two perfect copies of Itachi appeared beside him. Unlike the standard clones, these were solid and tangible, their movements fluid and lifelike.

Naruto's jaw dropped. "Whoa! That's so cool!"

Shisui grinned. "Yeah, but don't get too excited. This technique splits your chakra evenly among the clones. If you create too many, you'll exhaust yourself."

Itachi canceled the clones and turned to Naruto. "Now, it's your turn. Remember, focus on creating just one clone to start. We'll test your limits gradually."

Naruto nodded, his expression determined. He performed the hand seal. In a puff of smoke, a single clone appeared beside him. It was a bit shaky, but it was solid and tangible.

Shisui whistled. "Not bad for a first try, squirt."

Itachi nodded in approval. "Good. Now, try creating two clones."

Naruto repeated the hand seal, and this time, two clones appeared. They were more stable than the first, their movements smooth and coordinated.

Sasuke watched in awe, his earlier disappointment replaced by admiration. "That's… impressive."

Itachi turned to Sasuke. "Remember, Sasuke, this technique is not for you—yet. Focus on mastering the basics, and one day, you'll be ready to learn it too."

Sasuke nodded, his determination reignited. "I will, nii-san."

Naruto's Shadow Clone Training

After a few tries, Naruto successfully created his first Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. The clone stood beside him, solid and tangible, its movements mirroring Naruto's own. Naruto grinned, feeling almost no drain on his chakra. "This is awesome! I barely feel anything!"

Itachi nodded, his expression calm but approving. "Good. Your chakra reserves are vast, so creating a few clones won't strain you. But remember, this technique splits your chakra evenly among the clones. If you create too many, you'll exhaust yourself."

Naruto waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Don't overdo it. But this is so cool! I can't believe I'm actually doing this!"

Meanwhile, Sasuke was training with Shisui on the other side of the training ground. Since Sasuke had already gotten the hang of the three basic techniques— Henge no Jutsu, Kawarimi no Jutsu, and Bunshin no Jutsu—Shisui suggested they spar to make the techniques more battle-ready.

Meanwhile

Sasuke's strikes were harder and more determined than usual. Shisui noticed the change immediately. "What's with the extra fire today, Sasuke-chan? Trying to prove something?"

Sasuke didn't respond, his focus entirely on the spar. He performed a quick Kawarimi no Jutsu, substituting with a log to avoid Shisui's kunai throw. Shisui smirked, impressed. "Not bad. But let's see how you handle this."

In an instant, Shisui performed a flawless Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique), appearing next to Sasuke and pinning him to the ground. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. "How… how did you move so fast?"

Shisui chuckled, releasing Sasuke and helping him to his feet. "That's the power of mastering the basics, Sasuke-chan. You did well, but you've still got a lot to learn. In a week or two, you should be able to use these techniques more effectively. With a few months of practice, you'll have them mastered."

Sasuke's expression darkened slightly. "It's not fair. Naruto gets to learn all these advanced techniques, and I'm stuck with the basics."

Shisui's smile faded, and he placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Listen, Sasuke. Naruto's got his own struggles. He's been treated poorly by the villagers for something he can't control. But despite all that, he's never lost hope. He's determined to prove himself, and that's what makes him special."

Sasuke looked up, surprised. "What do you mean? What's he been through?"

Shisui hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I can't tell you everything, but just know that Naruto's had it rough. He's had to fight for every bit of respect he's earned. So don't be jealous of him. You're special too, Sasuke. Once you awaken your Sharingan, you'll close the gap between you and Naruto. But for now, focus on your own path."

Sasuke nodded, his earlier jealousy replaced by a newfound respect for Naruto. He hadn't realized how much Naruto had been through, and the thought made him feel guilty for his earlier resentment. "I understand, Shisui-niichan. I'll do my best."

Shisui ruffled Sasuke's hair. "That's the spirit. Now, let's get back to training."

Back on Naruto's side of the training ground, Itachi had just finished explaining the mechanics of the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. "When a shadow clone is dispelled, its memories and experiences are transferred back to the original. This makes the technique incredibly useful for gathering information or learning new skills."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Wait, so if my clone learns something, I'll know it too?"

Itachi nodded. "Exactly. But there's a catch. The memory transfer only works for knowledge and experiences. Your physical body won't improve just because your clones trained. You'll still need to put in the work yourself."

Naruto grinned. "Still, that's amazing! I can learn so much faster!"

Itachi then instructed Naruto to dispel all but one of his clones. Naruto did so, leaving a single clone standing beside him. Itachi created a clone of his own and gestured for Naruto's clone to follow him into the forest. A few minutes later, Naruto suddenly glared at Itachi. "Hey! Why did you punch me?"

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Naruto pointed at his head. "Your clone punched mine out of existence! I felt it!"

Itachi's lips curved into a small smile. "Exactly. That's how the memory transfer works. When your clone was dispelled, its experiences became yours. This is what makes the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu so powerful."

Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement. "This is incredible! I can use this to learn so much faster!"

Itachi nodded. "Yes, but with great power comes great responsibility. If you dispel too many clones at once, the influx of memories could overwhelm you, leaving you brain-dead. You must always be careful."

The Multi-Shadow Clone Technique

Itachi then taught Naruto the Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(Multiple Shadow Clone Technique). "This is an advanced version of the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. It allows you to create hundreds or even thousands of clones at once. However, it's extremely dangerous if misused. I want you to test your limits by putting 75% of your chakra into this technique."

Naruto nodded, his expression serious. He performed the hand seals: Ram, Snake, Tiger. In a massive puff of smoke, 300 shadow clones appeared, filling the training ground. Itachi's eyes widened in astonishment. "Three hundred clones… at your age… this is unprecedented."

Naruto grinned, looking around at his army of clones. "This is awesome! I feel like I could take on the whole village!"

Itachi quickly regained his composure. "Naruto, this is impressive, but remember what I said. Never dispel all your clones at once. The memory overload could be fatal. For now, have 100 clones train every day. Put more chakra into each clone to make them last longer, and focus on improving your skills."

Naruto nodded eagerly. "Got it, Itachi-sensei!"

At that moment, Shisui and Sasuke returned to the training ground. Their jaws dropped as they saw the hundreds of shadow clones scattered across the field. Shisui whistled, his usual playful grin replaced by genuine awe. "Well, I'll be damned. If he can create this many clones at his age, he'll be able to make thousands by the time he graduates. He could be a one-man army."

Sasuke stared at Naruto, his expression a mix of admiration and disbelief. "Naruto… what are you?"