Fruit

Naruto's house.

The room, which had once been empty, was now packed full of Narutos.

Ten Narutos were scattered around the room, each holding a textbook from a different subject at the Ninja Academy. They were quickly making up for the gaps in their foundational knowledge.

Training Ground.

The early morning sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled spots of light across the ground.

Thirty Shadow Clone Narutos stood among the patches of light, neatly arranged in three rows. There was none of the usual noise or complaining often seen when Naruto trained with Shadow Clones in the original story.

I need to keep my knowledge of the Flying Thunder God Technique hidden, so I can't practice it where anyone can see me... I'd better focus on theory for now. I don't even fully understand the formula yet, so I need to make up for the gaps in my theoretical knowledge first.

As he thought, Naruto walked over to stand in front of his thirty clones and spoke:

"Split into three groups of ten. The first group will work on chakra control: five of you practice tree climbing, and five practice Water Walking. The second group will work on Taijutsu: four of you practice throwing Shuriken and spar with Kunai, while six practice the basic Konoha-Style Taijutsu moves taught at the Ninja Academy. The third group will work on the Rasengan. Follow the steps in... the Scroll of Seals and begin training."

Naturally, he hadn't learned the steps for training the Rasengan from the Scroll of Seals. He was just using it as an excuse to explain things. Besides, no one knew exactly how much of the Scroll of Seals he had read.

"Question."

One of the Shadow Clones raised his hand. "We haven't even finished practicing tree climbing and Water Walking. Wouldn't going straight to the Rasengan before we have a solid foundation in chakra control be getting ahead of ourselves and wasting our time?"

Trying to run before learning to crawl would undoubtedly take twice as much effort for half the result. That was what this Shadow Clone was worried about.

"It's fine. Today's our first time using Shadow Clones to train, so the main goal is to test things out. Based on how much my body can handle and how each group progresses, I'll adjust the number of clones and the proportions of the groups this afternoon," Naruto replied.

"I have something to add, too."

Another Shadow Clone from the Taijutsu group raised his hand. "Shadow Clones only send experience and memories back to the original. In theory, our increased familiarity with the movements should also transfer back, but improving physical proficiency involves two things: becoming familiar with the movements mentally and developing new neural pathways in the body. Shadow Clones can't produce the latter kind of physical change for the original... So the original should keep an eye on this and take notes. Shadow Clones might not be as effective for Taijutsu training as they are for ninjutsu.

"If they're not efficient, we can allocate our limited number of Shadow Clones to other areas where they'll be more useful."

"I understand what you mean." Naruto nodded. "Practice is the only way to test a theory."

He looked around at the Narutos in front of him.

"Anyone else have something to say?"

No one responded. All the clones shook their heads.

"Good."

Naruto waved his hand.

"Then let's get started."

Whoosh!

As soon as he finished speaking, the Narutos each used the Body Flicker Technique to move to their assigned training areas and get started without wasting a moment.

Naruto himself didn't just stand around. He jumped onto a wooden post in the middle of the training ground and began warming up.

His movements weren't simple stretches. They were controlled and fluid, like a leopard ready to pounce, as he moved slowly and precisely along the wooden post: he held a one-legged squat to maintain his balance while circling his other leg at the hip; he leaned forward into a plank variation, his core tight as iron while his spine undulated gently like a wave...

He had seen a man who called himself a bodyweight-training expert attempt these movements in a challenge at the cinema. Naruto hadn't understood why anyone would consider movements that weren't even all that difficult a challenge, but they were just right for a warm-up. They thoroughly warmed up his joints, fascia, and deep muscle groups.

Today—or rather, for the next little while—Naruto's training had just one focus: Taijutsu.

Unlike the Shadow Clones, whose Taijutsu training focused on movement patterns, Naruto's own training focused more on improving his physical fitness.

He could use Shadow Clones to speed up his progress in everything else, whether it was ninjutsu or building up his knowledge. But there were no shortcuts when it came to training his body.

He had to do it himself.

Might Guy's earth-shattering kick in the original story had left a deep impression on Naruto, so he would never ignore the importance of Taijutsu.

Besides,

on a personal level, Naruto preferred the idea of Taijutsu to things like being Asura's reincarnation, Kekkei Genkai, or Tailed Beasts.

Because Taijutsu treated everyone equally.

Its training demanded pain and sweat, not strength that was decided at birth.

Talent still mattered, but at least this was the power in this world least dependent on bloodline.

As long as you were willing to train, you had a chance to grow stronger.

Training worked!

Naruto's body was beginning to warm up. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his skin, but he kept his movements precise as he planned his Taijutsu training in his mind.

...At first, I should focus on building muscle and improving my aerobic capacity, but I can't neglect functional training. Everything should serve actual combat, not just isolated muscle work. I don't want to end up with useless bulk... So I need to mix in training that emphasizes kinetic chains and coordination. As for precision of movement and spatial awareness...

The knowledge he'd gleaned from the cinema and what he'd learned at the Ninja Academy came together in his mind, forming a complete training plan.

The plot of the original story was far from the greatest thing Naruto had gained from the cinema.

Scientific thinking, a resilient mindset, and a steady set of values... These foundations, invisible yet crucial, finally gave Naruto's growth wings, sending his efforts in the right direction.

Hokage's office.

Watching the lively scene at the training ground through the crystal ball, the Third Hokage's eyes were full of relief.

"He's grown up... He has someone important to protect, and his own weakness has made him work hard. Just like Minato's son..."

"According to the report, the Jinchuriki got up at five this morning..." The Anbu beside him continued reporting. "The Surveillance Squad also asked whether the Jinchuriki's beginning to train in the Rasengan was permitted, and whether they should stop him."

The Third Hokage had already approved Naruto's learning of the Multi Shadow Clone Technique last night and decided not to pursue the matter. But now the Jinchuriki had suddenly taken up the Rasengan, which was a new situation.

In Konoha, there were restrictions on learning high-level ninjutsu. Not just anyone could learn them at will.

Ninja had to earn a certain amount of merit for Konoha before they could apply to learn them. Even after learning a technique, they couldn't teach it to others freely. Anyone who wanted to teach one had to report it to the village and apply for permission first.

This was nothing unusual. All the great Ninja Villages operated the same way. Ninjutsu was power, after all. Even setting aside the dangers of certain forbidden techniques, those in power couldn't accept the possibility of another village's ninja learning their secret techniques.

Don't forget, the Third Shinobi World War had ended only a little over a decade ago.

However,

there were exceptions to every rule. Some people weren't bound by these restrictions.

They were [creators of high-level ninjutsu], [senior Ninja Village officials], and [members of great clans].

"Don't stop him."

The Third Hokage gave his order. He hadn't expected Naruto to have enough energy left after learning the Multi Shadow Clone Technique last night to study other ninjutsu, and to happen upon the Rasengan, of all things.

If Naruto wasn't qualified to learn this technique, then there was probably no one in the entire Ninja World who was.

His father had created it for his mother. How could anyone say he wasn't allowed to learn it?

But that explanation couldn't be spoken aloud, so the Third Hokage said nothing more. Instead, he opened the confidential message Jiraiya had sent.

After decrypting the message with the key, the Third Hokage furrowed his brow.

[While traveling in the Land of Bears, I found a strange fruit covered in triangular patterns... According to the locals, there were originally two. After someone ate one, he turned into a bird and flew away... Later, I found a mysterious rift. The details are too important to record here. The village needs to send an experienced Jonin to assist with the investigation. This is extremely important. A major upheaval may be imminent...]

"..."

What did it mean that someone ate a fruit and turned into a bird?

Even after all these years, the Third Hokage had no idea what to make of the information Jiraiya had described. But Jiraiya would never make things up about something like this. He trusted the judgment of the only one of his former students who was still in contact with him.

The Third Hokage pondered for a moment, then spoke:

"Have Asuma and Kakashi come see me."

"Yes!"