Multiple Shadow Clone Technique

Another year passed in the blink of an eye.

Time arrived at Konoha Year 54, the year Naruto turned six.

Throughout this year, Naruto maintained a consistently refined and gentle demeanor.

Since he had done nothing harmful or evil—even helping villagers find lost pets and delivering food to the elderly—his reputation finally began to shift.

Ordinary villagers still harbored hostility, but they no longer hurled malicious insults as before; more often, they simply ignored him.

After all, Naruto's handsome, cultured appearance made it hard to truly dislike him.

Naruto even gained a few little admirers.

And on this very day, Naruto received some good news.

One night, the Third arrived unannounced, placed a letter on the table, and smiled warmly:

"Naruto, would you like to go to the Ninja Academy? This is your admission letter."

"So I'm already six?" Naruto picked up the envelope with a look of sudden realization, his eyes complex.

From the knowledge of the Bleach world, he had learned that people celebrate birthdays every year—the happiest day of the year, when family and friends gather to share an unforgettable time.

But his birthdays had always been spent alone.

What's more, he didn't even know his own birthday.

He didn't know when he was born, who his parents were.

Or who in Konoha he could still trust.

"I'll go. I'll definitely become an excellent ninja—no, I'll become Hokage." Naruto clenched the envelope, looking genuinely excited.

"I believe Naruto can do it." The Third puffed happily on his pipe.

"I'm sure I'll make lots of new friends at the Ninja Academy." Naruto's eyes shone with hope for the future.

Seeing the usually composed Naruto show such childlike excitement, the Third smiled faintly.

This was how it should be.

A child growing up happily in Konoha's cradle, studying earnestly, then inheriting the Will of Fire to fight for the village's protection—that was the proper way for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to develop.

This was the Naruto that Minato and Kushina would have wanted to see.

Thinking this, the Third's guilt eased a little more.

Under his guidance, Naruto had set on the right path, and he had lived up to the expectations of his disciple's son, Minato Namikaze.

He truly was Konoha's finest Hokage.

"Naruto, you'll form bonds with your classmates at the Academy, and you'll all become fine ninjas. The day after tomorrow is registration day, so don't get too excited to sleep these next few nights. Go to bed early and wake up early—don't be late. Make a good impression on your teacher on the first day." The Third patted Naruto's head kindly, chattering like a grandfather.

Naruto nodded excitedly, tears even glistening in his eyes.

"Third Grandpa, I won't let you down." He hugged the Third tightly, holding on very, very firmly.

The Third gently patted Naruto's back, murmuring, "Naruto, Third Grandpa believes in you. You can definitely become the future Hokage."

Little did he know, for just a moment, Naruto's face in his arms showed an utterly cold expression.

Hokage? He wasn't interested.

Inside the Sealing Space.

"Drip." The familiar sound of water droplets echoed. The lights flickered, and Naruto opened his eyes to a dazzling, sci-fi space.

The sky shimmered with multicolored starlight, interspersed with patterns of Pokémon and mecha.

Streams of light raced along the walls, outlining a futuristic atmosphere.

Seeing this, Naruto sighed and walked toward the iron door.

From a distance, he could see a Charizard figure standing beside the iron door, as tall as a full-grown adult.

The Charizard craned its neck skyward, fierce and imposing.

To its left stood a delicate Fox Spirit Maiden figure, scantily clad, with seductive eyes.

"Arceus, hmph, the creator of all Pokémon—I wonder how it compares to me. If it wants my recognition, it'll have to defeat me with all its might." Muttering came from behind the iron door, the Nine-Tails' voice.

Naruto looked over. Inside the iron door, the space was brightly lit and simply furnished—a bed, a table, and chairs.

The Nine-Tails sat on a chair like a total shut-in, feet on the seat, focused on operating a computer.

The bed behind it was covered in Pokémon patterns.

Game posters plastered the room's walls.

The once-black computer tower had been remodeled into a gleaming, colorful spectacle, lights flashing so wildly Naruto's eyes nearly hurt.

In just one year, the Sealing Space had undergone a drastic transformation.

Through a year of interaction, Naruto and the Nine-Tails' relationship had also made great progress.

"Yo, Nine-Tails, how's it going?" Naruto sat down by the iron door and greeted it.

"Mm, not bad." The Nine-Tails stared intently at the screen, hands moving quickly, replying absentmindedly.

The Internet-addicted evil fox was truly too rude.

Watching the Nine-Tails, whose expression fluctuated with the game, Naruto pondered how to start a conversation.

"How's the gaming going lately? Want any new titles?" After a moment's thought, he asked.

The Nine-Tails briefly shifted his gaze from the computer, glancing at Naruto.

"Spit it out. What's the trade?"

The Nine-Tails understood clearly that Naruto was a boy who appeared refined and polite on the surface, but was in truth terrifyingly rational and pragmatic.

He wouldn't offer idle pleasantries unless Naruto had something he wanted.

"Talking with you really saves time." Sure enough, Naruto broke into a smile.

"I want to learn ninjutsu."

"Ninjutsu? I don't know any." The Nine-Tails flatly refused Naruto.

"Don't rush to refuse. After reviewing historical records, I discovered that about forty years ago, you first appeared and were suppressed by the First Hokage. From then on, you've been locked in a cage." Naruto spoke unhurriedly, calmly.

At the mention of the past, the Nine-Tails' eyes flashed with killing intent.

The First Hokage was the shame of his life.

Because of the words, "You're too dangerous, so I will seal you away," the Nine-Tails began decades of sunless imprisonment.

"Over those decades, you must have changed hosts several times. They likely started learning ninjutsu from scratch, just like me. That means you probably remember the hand seals for certain techniques, and I need those. As payment, I can download two new games for you." Naruto held up two fingers, his face full of confidence.

"Hmph, I do remember the hand seals for some ninjutsu." The Nine-Tails snorted coldly. "What technique do you want to learn?"

"The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique." Naruto answered without hesitation.

From his conversations with Sasuke, he had learned about this forbidden technique.

By using Chakra to create solid clones, each clone possesses an independent consciousness from the original caster and a certain degree of resilience. When dispelled, the clones' memories and experience return to the original.

It was a technique tailor-made for training.

"That technique isn't simple. It'll cost at least three."

"Deal."

"Tch... I feel like I've been tricked!!! Three seems too few." The Nine-Tails suddenly sensed something wrong, his face twisting with anger.