Naruto's Goal

On this point, Naruto had sufficient confidence in himself.

Whether it was the memory of hand seals or the understanding of the core of the techniques, Naruto believed he could gradually master these forbidden and secret techniques in the days to come. Therefore, he had to memorize these techniques as firmly as possible today. Of course, his primary goals remained the three techniques mentioned earlier: Multi Shadow Clone, Flying Thunder God Technique, and Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Especially the first two—it was no exaggeration to say that these were vital means for Naruto to strengthen himself and ensure his survival in his future plans. Anyone familiar with the plot of Naruto knew that for a ninja like him, who possessed such surging chakra levels that even as a newly minted Genin he far exceeded the chakra reserves of a Jonin like Kakashi, the Shadow Clone technique was simply a natural cheating tool. Furthermore, Naruto was a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan. Although he lacked the clan's customary red hair and instead inherited his father's golden locks (looking at this, Minato's genetic influence was quite strong; otherwise, given the Uzumaki lineage, Naruto should have been a redhead, especially since his birth mother, Kushina Uzumaki, was akin to a little princess of the Uzumaki Clan).

However, there was no doubt that Naruto possessed the bloodline of the Uzumaki Clan.

The Uzumaki Clan, as distant relatives of the Senju Clan, also possessed certain characteristics of the Sage Body.

At the very least, among all the ninjas in the current shinobi world, the Uzumaki Clan's physical constitution was far superior to that of ordinary ninjas, and their recovery ability was also the strongest. Therefore, the side effects brought about by using Shadow Clones for training could be curbed to the absolute minimum for Naruto.

Therefore!

The Multi Shadow Clone technique was the key to whether Naruto could grow rapidly in the coming period.

The Flying Thunder God Technique was the existence that would secure him an extra life-saving charm.

As for the other secret and forbidden techniques, Naruto simply wanted to see if he could increase his means and methods of attack.

As a ninja, if one's methods of attack were too singular, there was no way to win in battle, because one would inevitably be found out and countered at some point.

It was like how the protagonist in the original work could almost sweep ninety-nine percent of his opponents using nothing but Shadow Clones and Rasengan (and its derivatives); that was simply a massive bug. Although he was Naruto now, the circumstances of this life and the goals he had set for himself were vastly different from those in the original work. Naruto did not intend to follow the old path. Truth be told, even if the ending were the same as the original, that was not the conclusion Naruto wanted.

Passion? Peace?

Don't make me laugh.

Since this was a world where humans existed, it could not be defined by such childish conclusions.

It was precisely because of their seven emotions and six desires that humans were human—that they appeared so lovable, and yet so hateful and detestable!

Naturally, the Naruto of this life would only believe in the path he chose for himself.

Such was the justice and correctness he stood by.

As for the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, Naruto wanted to learn it not to use it; the mere thought that using this jutsu meant perishing together with his opponent made him shudder. The reason he was interested was, as mentioned before, that he was curious whether a "Death God" truly existed in this world!

God!

This word was truly thought-provoking.

If a Death God truly existed, then what about the Jashin that Hidan of the Akatsuki spoke of?

And when it came down to it, what kind of existence was this "God" defined in the Naruto world?

Was it the "God" as he understood it? Or was it, like the Tailed Beasts, just a more special type of super-powered entity?

Assuming the above theories were all valid, this world would become much more interesting.

Of course, these were matters for later, things he would only be qualified to explore once he possessed the corresponding strength.

"Hmm, as expected, the first technique recorded is the Multi Shadow Clone."

Naruto leaned against a tree trunk, pulled open the Scroll of Sealing, and saw the Multi Shadow Clone right at the top, just as he had anticipated. It directly described the sequence of hand seals and the necessary core requirements for the technique, and in the margins, there were notes that clearly served as guidance, including warnings about the risks involved.

Looking at the handwriting, it was clearly from a long time ago.

The Scroll of Sealing, one of Konoha's highest secrets containing countless high-level ninjutsu, secret techniques, and forbidden techniques, had most of its entries filled in by the Second Hokage and the Third Hokage. In particular, the Third Hokage—Sarutobi Hiruzen—was known as the Professor of Shinobi. This didn't just apply to Konoha, but to the entire shinobi world. Whether compared horizontally or vertically, he was unmatched. Sarutobi Hiruzen might not have been the strongest of the Hokage, but he was definitely the most learned, having mastered and controlled the most ninjutsu—there was no one else!

He was proficient in five-element ninjutsu, and could use almost every type of forbidden or secret technique.

It should be put this way: apart from techniques that required a Kekkei Genkai, Kekkei Tōta, or Kekkei Mōra to execute, there was nothing that old man couldn't do.

And he didn't just "know" them; he was proficient in almost all of them.

This was also why he was hailed as the strongest Hokage, though, of course, that was also because almost a hundred percent of the current generation had never witnessed the might of the First Hokage.

If one were to compare the Third Hokage with the First Hokage, it would be a true interpretation of what it meant to "grasp at too much and lose all," or that being a jack-of-all-trades is not as good as being a master of one.

Of course, the two were not really comparable.

"It seems this technique isn't too difficult either. Is the key point the control of chakra volume? And also paying attention to the number of clones created?"

After scanning the notes on the Multi Shadow Clone, Naruto etched the sequence of hand seals firmly into his mind, his lips curling upward into a light chuckle.

"Well then, time to give it a try!"

At that thought, Naruto immediately stood up and took a deep breath, his hands darting through the sequence of hand seals that had appeared in his mind.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Poof!

Perhaps in this world, some things can only be explained by a glitch; Naruto, who had struggled for five whole years without being able to master the basic Clone Technique, had managed to master the Multi Shadow Clone Technique in the shortest amount of time imaginable.

Purely for the sake of testing it out, Naruto deliberately controlled his chakra release, splitting off only a single clone.

It must be noted that the Multi Shadow Clone Technique and the Shadow Clone Technique are, in essence, the same jutsu.

The sequence of hand seals and the manipulation of chakra are no different.

However, the most crucial point lies in the user's chakra capacity.

Without a vast, oceanic amount of chakra, it is impossible to cast the Multi Shadow Clone Technique; even most ordinary jounin only master the Shadow Clone Technique, rather than the Multi Shadow Clone.