Multi Shadow Clone Technique

The scroll was wrapped in thick leather and inscribed with complex, archaic runes, radiating a powerful chakra fluctuation that made one's heart tremble.

Even from a distance, Ling Xuan's Eye of Truth could perceive the vastness and forbidden nature of its power.

[Target: Scroll of Seals (External Observation). Material: Specially treated beast hide, high-density chakra fibers.]

[External Seal: Multi-layered defensive runes, equipped with automatic repair and alarm functions. Energy fluctuation level: Extremely Dangerous!]

Naruto clutched the scroll and, following Mizuki's instructions, ran all the way to the designated meeting point in the forest outside the village.

Once Mizuki confirmed that Naruto had succeeded, a sinister grin of triumph spread across his face. He turned and bolted toward the Hokage Rock, clearly intending to "report the news."

Ling Xuan paid no mind to Mizuki; his target was the Scroll of Seals.

He followed silently behind Naruto, entering the familiar forest.

Naruto found a relatively open clearing, panted for breath, and spread the massive scroll out on the ground. By the light of the moon, he began to laboriously decipher the text written upon it.

Ling Xuan had already lurked into the canopy of a dense tree several dozen meters away, enjoying a perfect vantage point.

The opportunity is here!

The Eye of Truth instantly ramped up to maximum power; deep within his pupils, it felt as if countless stars were spinning and calculating at high speed!

Across the distance of several dozen meters, aided by the hazy moonlight, the ancient characters written in special ink on the Scroll of Seals, along with the complex ninjutsu diagrams, flooded into Ling Xuan's vision like a tide, being recorded, analyzed, and stored at high speed!

[Analyzing: Multi Shadow Clone Technique... Principle: Perfectly divide chakra into equal parts to create physical clones identical to the original. Each clone can act and think independently, and can transmit experience back to the original...]

[Chakra consumption is immense, and it places a burden on the spirit... Evaluation: A-rank ninjutsu, possesses extreme strategic and training-assist value!]

[Analyzing (Fragment): Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation... Principle: Use a living person as a sacrifice to summon the soul of the deceased into a body of dust... Forbidden technique, toying with life and death...]

[Warning! This technique is extremely dangerous; analysis may trigger unknown backlash...]

[Analyzing (Diagram): Flying Thunder God Technique diagram (Partial)... Space-time coordinate construction... Jutsu structure...]

[Analyzing (Rune): Uzumaki Clan chain sealing formation (Fragment)...]

Due to the distance, the lighting, and the limitations of Naruto's flipping speed, Ling Xuan could not analyze the entire contents of the Scroll of Seals.

However, he had already grasped the most critical parts, especially the Multi Shadow Clone Technique.

The principles and structure had been completely copied!

As for the others, such as Impure World Reincarnation, Flying Thunder God, and the Uzumaki sealing techniques, although they were only fleeting glimpses of fragments, they had opened the door to a higher level of power for him!

Just as Naruto had managed to figure out the first hand seal for the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, Iruka's figure appeared.

"Naruto! What are you doing here! Do you have any idea what that thing is!"

Iruka was both shocked and furious. Following him was the appearance of Mizuki, along with the classic, vicious revelation of Naruto's identity as the Nine-Tails jinchuriki.

Ling Xuan watched coldly from the tree.

He saw Naruto collapse under the weight of the truth, and he saw Iruka sustain heavy injuries from Mizuki's giant shuriken while trying to protect Naruto.

He also saw Naruto, under Iruka's trust and encouragement, stand back up, and finally, driven by rage and the will to protect, successfully perform it.

"Multi—Shadow Clone Technique!!!"

Hundreds, no, thousands of Naruto Uzumakis instantly filled the entire forest clearing!

Every single shadow clone carried Naruto's indomitable drive!

[Target: Naruto Uzumaki. Status: Chakra burst (Nine-Tails influence), first successful execution of the Multi Shadow Clone Technique.]

[Stability: Moderate. Evaluation: Astonishing potential; chakra volume far exceeds that of a ninja of the same level, but control remains low. In his hands, the Multi Shadow Clone Technique is more like a violent display fueled by instinct and massive chakra.]

The ensuing battle was a foregone conclusion; Mizuki was overwhelmed by Naruto's sea-of-people tactic, beaten until he was black and blue, and completely lost the ability to resist.

Before long, the Third Hokage arrived with Anbu ninjas to clean up the aftermath.

Mizuki was taken into custody, and the Scroll of Seals was recovered.

And Iruka, in the presence of everyone, placed his own Konoha Headband onto Naruto's head.

Naruto Uzumaki, in a way no one could have expected, officially became a Konoha genin.

The night grew deeper. When all the clamor faded, Ling Xuan quietly slipped down from the tree, alerting no one, and quickly left the scene of the incident.

After a night of turmoil and undercurrents, Konoha welcomed a new day.

The news of Naruto Uzumaki becoming a genin in such an unexpected way spread among the newly graduated students and the few villagers in the know, sparking all sorts of discussions.

Some were stunned by his foolishness and good luck, while the few who understood the inside story felt a sense of awe regarding the massive energy hidden within him and the deep intentions of the Third Hokage.

Ling Xuan paid little attention to this; for him, the result met his expectations, and the gains made during the process far exceeded them.

After returning to the orphanage, the first thing he did was to attempt to practice the Multi Shadow Clone Technique he had just analyzed the previous night, within the confines of his simple yet absolutely secure room.

[Multi Shadow Clone Technique, A-rank. Core: Perform ultra-precise, equal division of one's own chakra to create physical clones that possess independent consciousness and partial combat capabilities.]

[Everything experienced by the clones, and the experience and knowledge gained, can return to the original upon dispelling...]

[Pros: Excellent for deception, diversion, training assistance, and intelligence gathering. Cons: Extremely high requirements for total chakra volume and control precision; places a considerable burden on the spirit...]

Ling Xuan took a deep breath and formed the hand seals.

"Multi Shadow Clone Technique!"

Poof!

A "Ling Xuan" identical to him appeared in the room, his eyes vivid and his aura steady.

Ling Xuan's original body and the clone exchanged a glance, and a strange sensation of dual-threaded thinking welled up.

He did not pursue quantity like Naruto, but prioritized quality instead.

With the assistance of the Eye of Truth, his division of chakra and the synchronized injection of mental energy reached perfection.

With four more soft sounds, exactly five perfect shadow clones appeared in the room, making a total of six "Ling Xuans" including the original.

Each one exuded the same aura as his original body; unless one perceived them deliberately, it was nearly impossible to distinguish the primary from the secondary.

"An incredible technique..." Ling Xuan felt the independent senses and thoughts transmitted back by the five clones. "Ordinary ninjas, even if they have enough chakra, struggle to support multiple shadow clones in complex tasks due to their mental capacity. But I am different..."

Ling Xuan's mental power was already far beyond that of an ordinary person due to the fusion of souls from two lifetimes, and he had the Eye of Truth to assist with calculations and information integration.

Therefore, these clones should be put to full use.