Kakashi's 'Strength'!

Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu.

The reason it was classified as a forbidden jutsu by the Second Hokage was simple.

The amount of chakra required for this technique was far too vast, exceeding the capacity of an average Ninja. Furthermore, when the technique ended, the various negative mental impacts fed back directly to the original body would instantly crush or drive insane any ninja with insufficient endurance or a weak spirit. Generally speaking, this was a jutsu that only a small number of elite Jonin, who had experienced numerous trials of life and death and stood at the pinnacle of their field, could utilize.

However, Naruto was different.

Even now, having just become a Genin, and without relying on the Nine-Tails.

Relying solely on his current chakra reserves, he already possessed more than twice that of the Kakashi standing before him (by the time of Shippuden in the original work, it would be more than four times that of Kakashi, and that was a conservative estimate).

Yet, considering the mental pressure involved.

Naruto deliberately controlled the number of clones.

Even so, the hundred-plus clones manifested at once directly shocked Sasuke Uchiha standing to the side. At this moment, Sasuke truly realized what kind of strength his classmate possessed. Setting everything else aside, just looking at the close-quarters combat with Kakashi at the start, and now this number of shadow clones, even Sasuke had to admit that he would have little room to secure a victory.

This further stung Sasuke's extremely proud yet currently very fragile heart.

"A human-wave tactic? Heh, Naruto, do you think this will work on me?"

Even with over a hundred clones manifested at once.

Kakashi, not far away, was only surprised by the sheer volume of Naruto's chakra in the first instance.

After all, the chasm in their strength was clear.

Kakashi remained as calm and composed as ever.

"Whether it works or not, you'll only know after you try, Kakashi-sensei!"

The words were spoken in perfect synchronization.

The sound was deafening.

"Then! Here we come!"

The words fell.

Figures erupted into motion.

"Boom!"

Responding to the exploding shockwave.

The Naruto clones, converging from all directions, each reached back to draw a sharp Kunai into their palms, their figures charging forward.

The frontal assault displayed immense explosive power.

And just as Naruto initiated the attack, Sasuke immediately repositioned himself, circling to the flanks, waiting for an opportunity to snatch the Bell.

This time.

Naruto held nothing back.

Figures leaping through the air.

Closing in on their target.

Arms raised.

Figures attacking from every angle.

"Heh!"

A trace of chilling killing intent coalesced.

Standing in the center, Kakashi remained unhurried. His body crouched, showing no signs of retreat or withdrawal; instead, he pressed forward.

"Clang!"

First, he blocked the frontal assault.

Immediately afterward, he shifted his stance, his right leg lashing out in a sweeping kick.

The force was released to the extreme.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

Figures collided in rapid succession.

The force was impossible to deflect.

"Whoosh."

One clone after another was sent flying backward.

They suffered direct, heavy damage.

"Poof, poof, poof, poof."

Mid-air, they transformed into plumes of white smoke, dissipating rapidly.

"Swish, swish, swish, swish."

Immediately afterward.

He faced the Shuriken thrown by Naruto from every angle.

Kakashi leaped into the air.

He dodged the vast majority of the Shuriken while in mid-air.

As for the few that remained.

Kakashi formed hand seals directly while still in the air.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

It was the same C-rank Wind Style ninjutsu that Naruto had used earlier.

However, it was obvious that for the very same technique.

The power of Kakashi's Wind Style far exceeded Naruto's. Not only did it blow away all the remaining Shuriken, but it also scattered the dozen or so clones that were about to charge right in front of him. The Shuriken that were sent flying either accidentally struck the clones or caused them to collide with one another, and after sustaining relatively fatal impacts.

Each one turned into a puff of white smoke and dissipated.

After landing, Kakashi launched into a sudden, fierce charge.

He dove straight into the crowd of Naruto's clones.

It was as if he had activated a "musou" mowing-down mode.

"Clang!"

"Puchi!"

Intersecting blades.

Decisive and sharp attacks.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

"Swish!"

"Thud!"

Almost none of the clones were a match for Kakashi for even a single exchange.

"Chua!"

"Puchi!"

Clones were being swept away with ease.

Within a mere ten to twenty seconds.

Before Naruto could even pose a fatal threat to Kakashi.

Nearly half of the hundred-plus clones had already been wiped out by Kakashi.

This made the real Naruto, hidden among the clones, turn somewhat pale. He knew Kakashi was a monster, but he hadn't expected that he wouldn't even have room to fight back. How many seconds had passed? Fifty or sixty clones had already been annihilated. And this was under the premise that Kakashi hadn't even used any large-scale destructive ninjutsu; otherwise, Naruto estimated that a single A-rank ninjutsu would have wiped out all his clones in one go.

He knew he would be crushed, but this crushing was coming too swiftly and too terrifyingly, wasn't it?

However, at the very least, the first step had succeeded!

Now, he just needed to continue the baiting!

Naruto gritted his teeth, a sharp, cold glint flashing in his pupils.

The clones continued to swarm in.

"Multi Shadow Clone Technique."

Before the number of clones could rapidly dwindle to nothing.

Naruto formed seals once more, splitting off another hundred shadow clones.

It was as if he wanted to use this method to exhaust Kakashi to death through sheer numbers.

"Again, is it? In that case!"

Seeing the number of clones increase once more, Kakashi reacted.

Because he still couldn't accurately gauge how much chakra Naruto had left.

Kakashi, not wanting to drag this out any longer.

Suddenly whipped his body around.

He forcibly shook off the clones that were clinging to him.

His hands moved rapidly to form seals.

"Earth Style: Earth Splitter!"

With a soft shout.

He slammed his hands quickly onto the surface of the ground.

"Rumble!!"

A dull, heavy sound echoed out.

Suddenly.

The ground seemed to be torn apart.

"Huh?"

"What's happening?"

The ground began to shake violently.

Some areas bulged upward, while others collapsed inward.

The shadow clones, unable to maintain their footing, fell into the fissures one after another.

"Puff, puff, puff, puff."

They vanished into white mist even faster than before.

"Found you!"

In that very instant.

Amidst the scattered crowd.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he swiftly locked onto a single figure.

His body surged forward with lightning speed.

"Whoosh."

In the blink of an eye.

"Boom!"

Lightning crackled and coiled around Kakashi's entire body.

"Zzzzz."

A sound, low enough to be barely audible yet vibrating like a spring thunderclap.

Wrapped in lightning, Kakashi suddenly stomped his foot against the ground.

The force of it exploded outward.

With a thunderous roar.

His figure pierced straight through the chaos.

"Hm!?"

In an instant.

Kakashi closed the distance.

Before Naruto could even react, Kakashi's right hand clamped firmly onto the vital point of his neck.

Naruto froze abruptly.

"Heh, checkmate! Naruto!"

Looking at the stiff expression on Naruto's face.

Kakashi chuckled softly.

"Now, next is Sasuke!"