Distinguishing a shadow clone from the original was extremely difficult.
It could even be called impossible.
When Naruto Uzumaki fought Kaguya Ōtsutsuki back then, he had used shadow clones and the Transformation Technique, and had fooled Kaguya all the same.
So for Momoshiki Otsutsuki and Kinshiki Otsutsuki to find the real Naruto now, they could only rely on luck or choose to eliminate every shadow clone.
Only then could they pinpoint the real Naruto.
This time, however, the direction Momoshiki chose to attack happened to be where Naruto was hiding.
The rumbling in the river valley hardly ever stopped. Layers of white smoke from the shadow clones shrouded the entire battlefield like mist.
Amid the dissipating smoke, Naruto Uzumaki poked his head out from behind a half-buried rock and watched what was happening ahead.
Momoshiki's earlier words were like a needle, striking precisely at what worried him most.
The enemy knew he was stalling for time and had already begun a targeted search for his real body.
Worse still, Momoshiki was now closing in on his position, though it looked more like a random sweep.
But as his steps drew nearer and grew faster, Naruto's heart involuntarily began beating harder.
"Damn it..."
Naruto cursed under his breath, quickly moving back and to the side while forming hand seals again.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
With a series of pops, white smoke burst forth, and another hundred-plus shadow clones appeared around him.
The new clones immediately scattered. Some charged at Momoshiki, others circled toward Kinshiki, and a portion ran toward the distant rock wall, trying to create the illusion that the original was fleeing.
Naruto himself mingled with the newly appeared clones, keeping low as he retreated in the opposite direction, loose stones clattering beneath his feet.
Momoshiki kept drawing closer.
Momoshiki