138. Fruit

Naruto's home.

The once-empty room was now packed to the brim with Narutos.

Ten Narutos were scattered in every corner, clutching textbooks from various subjects at the Ninja Academy, rapidly filling in the gaps in their foundational knowledge.

At the training ground.

The morning sun pierced through the leaves, casting dappled light onto the ground.

Thirty Shadow Clones of Naruto stood within the light, arranged in three orderly rows, completely devoid of the noise or complaining typically seen during Naruto's shadow clone training in the original story.

"I've realized that the Flying Thunder God must be kept secret, so I can't practice it within 'line of sight'... I'll stick to theory for now; I haven't even fully grasped the formula yet, so I need to shore up the relevant theoretical knowledge first."

Naruto thought to himself as he walked to the front of his thirty selves and spoke:

"Divide yourselves into three groups of ten. The first group is for chakra control: five of you practice tree-climbing, and five practice water-walking. The second group is for taijutsu: four of you practice shuriken throwing and kunai sparring, and six of you practice the basic movements of Konoha-Style Taijutsu taught at the academy. The third group is for Rasengan: begin training according to the steps in the Scroll of Seals."

—The steps for the Rasengan here were naturally not learned from the Scroll of Seals; he was simply using the scroll as a pretext to explain it, as no one could be certain exactly how much of the Scroll of Seals he had actually read.

"Question."

One of the shadow clones raised his hand and said, "We haven't even finished the tree-climbing and water-walking training yet. Isn't it a bit too ambitious and inefficient to jump straight into the Rasengan without a solid foundation in chakra control?"

Trying to run before learning to climb was undoubtedly a case of twice the effort for half the result, and this was exactly what the clone was worried about.

"It's fine. The primary purpose of using shadow clones for training today is testing. Based on my body's endurance and the progress of each group, I will adjust the number of clones and the group ratios this afternoon," Naruto replied.

"I also have an addition."

Another clone from the taijutsu group raised his hand: "Shadow clones only feed back experience and memories to the original. While theoretically, the proficiency we gain from practicing movements will also be fed back, physical proficiency is composed of 'conscious familiarity' and 'newly formed physical neural pathways.' The latter is a physiological change that shadow clones cannot achieve for the original... So, my point is, the original needs to observe and record this carefully. The effect of shadow clones on taijutsu training may differ from that of ninjutsu."

"If the efficiency isn't high, you can reallocate the limited shadow clone resources to areas with higher returns."

"I understand what you mean," Naruto nodded. "Practice is the only criterion for testing truth, after all."

He scanned his selves standing before him.

"Does anyone else have anything to say?"

There was no response; all the clones shook their heads.

"Good."

Naruto waved his hand.

"Then let's begin."

Swish!

As soon as the words left his mouth, the Narutos used the Body Flicker Technique to reach their respective areas and began training without a hint of hesitation.

Naruto did not remain idle either; he jumped onto a wooden post in the center of the field and began his warm-up.

His movements were not simple stretches, but a dynamic flow filled with control. Like a leopard ready to pounce, he moved slowly and precisely across the log: a single-leg squat to maintain balance while the other leg performed hip circles; leaning forward into a variation of a plank, his core tight as iron while his spine undulated like a wave...

This was a movement challenge he had seen in a movie theater, initiated by a man who claimed to be a calisthenics master. Although he didn't see why these relatively simple movements were considered a challenge, they were perfect for a warm-up, effectively prepping his joints, fascia, and deep muscle groups.

Today—no, for the foreseeable future—Naruto had only one training mission: taijutsu.

Unlike the shadow clones, who focused on "movement patterns," the original's taijutsu training focused more on improving physical fitness.

For everything else, whether it was ninjutsu or the accumulation of knowledge, Naruto could rely on his shadow clones to accelerate the process, but for the body itself, there were no shortcuts.

He had to do it himself.

In the original story, that earth-shattering kick from Might Guy had left a deep impression on Naruto, so he would never underestimate the importance of taijutsu.

Furthermore.

On a personal level, compared to things like being the reincarnation of Asura, Kekkei Genkai, or a Jinchuriki, Naruto preferred the concept of taijutsu.

Because it was impartial.

Its training relied solely on pain and sweat, rather than innate, predestined power.

While talent played a role, it was, at the very least, the power in this world least dependent on bloodlines.

As long as you were willing to train, you had the potential to become stronger.

Training yields results!

Naruto's body had begun to heat up, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his skin. While maintaining perfect form, he began to plan his upcoming taijutsu regimen in his mind.

"...The initial focus of the training should be on increasing muscle mass and improving aerobic capacity, but I cannot ignore the concept of functional training. Everything must serve practical combat; I shouldn't just isolate muscle training and end up with 'dead muscle'... Therefore, I need to intersperse training that emphasizes kinetic chains and physical coordination. As for movement precision and proprioception..."

The knowledge absorbed from the movie theater and what he learned at the Ninja Academy converged and synthesized in Naruto's mind, finally forming a complete training plan.

The plot of the original story was by no means the greatest treasure Naruto had gained from the movie theater.

Scientific thinking, a resilient mindset, stable values... these invisible yet crucial "foundations" were finally, at this moment, giving wings to Naruto's growth, allowing his efforts to fly in the right direction.

Hokage Office.

Watching the bustling scene on the training ground through the crystal ball, the Third Hokage's eyes were filled with relief.

"He has grown... Because he has someone important to protect, he feels his own powerlessness and has started to work hard. As expected of Minato's son..."

"According to the report, the Jinchuriki woke up at five o'clock this morning..." an Anbu member standing to the side continued to report. "The surveillance team also asked whether the Jinchuriki starting to practice the Rasengan complies with regulations and if it needs to be stopped."

Last night, the Third Hokage had already approved the fact that Naruto had learned the Multi Shadow Clone, stating he would not pursue the matter, but the Jinchuriki popping up with a Rasengan today was a new situation entirely.

In Konoha, the study of high-level ninjutsu is restricted; it is not something anyone can learn at will.

A ninja must perform a certain amount of meritorious service for Konoha before they can apply to learn such techniques. Even after learning them, they cannot be taught freely; if one intends to pass them on, they must report and apply to the village, and only after receiving permission can they do so.

This is not strange, as all major ninja villages operate this way. After all, ninjutsu is power. Even setting aside the dangers of certain forbidden techniques, the mere possibility of a secret technique being learned by someone from another village is something those in power cannot accept.

Do not forget, the Third Shinobi World War ended only a little over a decade ago.

--However.

There are exceptions to every rule, and there are always certain types of people who are not bound by such restrictions.

They are the [creators of high-level ninjutsu], [high-ranking village officials], and [members of great clans].

"Do not stop him."

The Third Hokage issued his instructions. He had not expected that after learning the Multi Shadow Clone last night, Naruto would still have the energy to look at other ninjutsu, and happen to see the Rasengan.

Regarding this ninjutsu, if Naruto were not qualified to learn it, then likely no one in the entire ninja world would be.

This was a ninjutsu created by his father for his mother; who could say he isn't qualified to learn it?

But these were explanations that could not be spoken aloud, so the Third Hokage said nothing more, turning instead to open the secret letter sent by Jiraiya.

After translating the contents with a key, the Third Hokage furrowed his brows.

[While traveling in the Land of Bears, I discovered a strange fruit covered in triangular patterns... According to the locals, there were originally two. After one was eaten, the person transformed into a bird and flew away... Later, I found a mysterious rift. The specifics are too significant to record; the village needs to send an experienced Jonin to assist in the investigation. It is of the utmost importance, as I fear a great change may occur...]

"..."

What did he mean by eating a fruit and turning into a bird?

Even though the Third Hokage had lived for so many years, he had no clue regarding the intelligence Jiraiya had provided. However, Jiraiya would never speak nonsense about such matters, and he trusted the judgment of the only student he still had contact with.

The Third Hokage pondered for a moment before speaking:

"Have Asuma and Kakashi come to see me."

"Yes!"