Naruto: I Copy Skills

A/N: Double Release (1/2). If you want another double release get this story to 200 powerstones by next Sunday. This story will only continue if it gets enough support e.g. Powerstones. Also I'd like to get to 10 reviews on this story too, so give some reviews. Goal: 200 Powerstones for double release.

On the second day at Tazuna's house, Goro decided to join Team 7 in the forest. He found a secluded area, a good distance from them, near a river.

'System, show me my stats.'

[Stats: 

Taijutsu: Upper Chunin (90%) 

Physical: Lower Jounin (10%) 

Ninjutsu: Lower Jounin (25%)

Chakra Capacity: Lower Jounin (30%)

Chakra Control: Lower Jounin (69%)

Shurikenjutsu: Upper Chunin (38%)

Chakra Affinity: Water(x3) + Fire(x2) + Lightning

Skills: Clone Technique, Substitution Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, Body Flicker Jutsu, Firestyle: Great Fireball Jutsu, Firestyle: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu, Firestyle: Dragon Fire Jutsu, Waterstyle: Wild Water Wave Jutsu, Waterstyle: Hiding In Water Jutsu, Waterstyle: Water Clone Jutsu, Hidden Mist Jutsu] 

'My water stat has a x3 multiplier, so I need to be careful with the amount of power I use. I've gained quite a few Water Style Jutsu, but there are only a few I'm interested in trying out. I'll test the Hiding in Water Jutsu, Hidden Mist Jutsu, and finally the Wild Water Wave Jutsu.'

Applying chakra to his feet, Goro walked over to the river, standing on its surface with little effort.

'It feels instinctual to do this with my level of chakra control.' Without using hand signs, Goro's body began to fuse with the water, disappearing completely inside.

'I see, this Jutsu makes me part of the water. Those two Chunin ninja were able to use it with just a small puddle, so if I carry a gourd of water with me, this could become a deadly Jutsu for reconnaissance and assassination. That being said, I need to wait a while before revealing that I can use another chakra nature…'

Emerging from the water and standing on its surface, Goro used the Hidden Mist Jutsu. A mist arose, becoming thicker as its range increased with time. Like the Hiding in Water Jutsu, this technique required very little chakra. The mist continued to spread, extending further than Goro had intended. Alarmed, Goro immediately deactivated the Jutsu, causing the mist to disperse.

'I didn't expect that. It uses so little chakra that it doesn't take much to fill the entire surrounding area with mist. Anyway, it's time to move on to the final technique—and the most deadly—Wild Water Wave Jutsu.'

Aiming at a tree and deciding to use 15% of his chakra, Goro activated the Jutsu. In a manner similar to the Fireball Jutsu, a large wave of water surged from his mouth, uprooting the tree and causing it to collapse backward.

'I'm beginning to understand the x3 multiplier. It allows my Jutsu to be more powerful while using a lower amount of chakra. So, if I use 15% of my chakra for a Jutsu, it's as powerful as if I had used 45%, which is three times 15%. I guess I have more of a reason to keep visiting the Konoha Cemetery.'

Laying on his back, Goro drifted deeper into his thoughts.

'When I manage to copy the skills of both Haku and Zabuza, I should be at the level of an elite Jonin. And with the skills I earn, that should place me on the mid to higher end of the spectrum.'

The day of the bridge battle had arrived. Naruto lay still in bed, completely knocked out, while Goro pretended to be asleep. He knew the outcome of what was meant to be the usual check-in, so he decided to stay back and only arrive when he could secure the kill in an easy manner.

"Oh no! I'm late!" Naruto yelled, springing out of his futon and rushing to put on his clothes.

Goro was sprawled across his futon, feigning sleep to give himself an excuse to arrive late.

Naruto looked at Goro for a moment, pondering whether to wake him up or not, but decided against it, concluding that Goro would only steal his spotlight.

Once Naruto was gone, Goro sat up and rubbed his eyes. Feeling quite hungry, he went to the kitchen to search for something to eat.

While searching for food, Goro felt a hand tap his shoulder. Spinning around, he saw that it was Tazuna's daughter.

"You're quite muscular for your age, I must say. To keep a body like that healthy, you need to eat a lot. Are you hungry?" Tsunami asked, a gentle smile on her face.

Goro nodded, prompting her to guide him to the dining table. "I'll prepare breakfast for you," she said, returning to the kitchen.

Minutes later, Tsunami came back with some bread and boiled eggs, along with a cup of water.

'This place really is poor…'

Before Goro could dig into the food, a loud banging sound came from the door.

'Gato's bodyguards have arrived…'

Tsunami's eyes darted to Goro, confusion evident on her face. Goro simply shrugged, indicating he had no answer, and returned to his meal.

Visibly shaken by the aggressive knocks, Tsunami opened the door. Her eyes widened in fear when she saw the two men.

"You're the bridge builder's daughter, aren't you? You'll need to come with us, but first, I'll have to slaughter everyone in this house to teach the bridge builder a lesson. You see, the boss isn't in a good mood these days, and neither are we," the taller samurai spoke.

'Waraji and Zori…'

The shorter samurai grabbed Tsunami by the wrist as both men entered the home.

"And what do we have here?" the taller samurai said, staring at Goro with his one good eye.

Summoning three shadow clones, Goro commanded, "Take care of them for me, and don't make a mess inside the house." Having given his order, Goro returned to his meal.

The first clone rushed toward Zori, who was holding onto Tsunami, and delivered a sidekick to his stomach, sending the samurai crashing into the wall. The clone then picked up the short samurai, shoved Waraji out of the way, and dragged Zori outside, where he was swiftly executed.

'They're far too weak to bother copying skills from.'

The other two clones jumped on the one-eyed samurai, pummeling him into the ground. Reluctant to spill blood on the floor inside Tazuna's house, the clones carried the taller samurai outside and finished him off.

"Sorry about that," Goro said.

Tsunami's legs gave way beneath her, and she dropped to the floor.

Inari, who had been yelling for his mother and wondering what the commotion was, entered the living room just as another knock sounded at the door, further frightening Tsunami.

"I'll get it," Goro said, walking over to the door.

Standing outside was Naruto, shock evident on his face. "G-Goro? What happened here?" he asked.

"A couple of goons came to kidnap Ms. Tsunami. Don't worry about the details—I'll make sure things are okay here. You can head back to the bridge," Goro told Naruto, then turned to face Inari.

Naruto nodded and left, heading back to the bridge.

'It's almost time for me to leave.'

Inari helped his mother stand, tears welling up in his eyes. "Why did you help?" Inari asked, his voice trembling.

"Because I was strong enough to," Goro replied, sitting back at the table.

"B-But! That's not a real reason!" Inari yelled, tears now streaming down his face.

"Inari, that's enough," his mother interjected, barely holding herself up.

"If you're strong, you don't need a reason for your actions. Your strength is enough justification. I thought your mother was a great woman, so I didn't want her to be kidnapped by bad men," Goro explained.

Inari's expression turned to one of disgust. "You're all the same… Every single one of you…" Inari began.

Cutting him off, Goro said sternly, "You're weak, but even the weak know to at least grovel before the strong. You choose to be neither strong nor to grovel. That's the bottom of the barrel. With my strength, I can protect my comrades and anyone I wish, but if I hadn't been here, your mother would've been kidnapped. To not be able to protect your basic human rights—that's what weakness does. Get over yourself, kid. This world isn't perfect," Goro lectured.

Goro knew the feeling all too well. He didn't deserve to die in jail that day, but due to being at the whims of others, he was killed.

Overwhelmed by Goro's words, Inari remained silent, his face downcast, his expression hidden by the shadow of his hat.

"I want to be strong…" Inari said, wiping away his tears.

Goro smiled slightly, turning back to the door and half-opening it. "I'll be back here after this mission one day. Maybe I'll show you a thing or two when I come back…"

Reminder: If you want another double release get this story to 200 powerstones by next Sunday. This story will only continue if it gets enough support e.g. Powerstones. Also I'd like to get to 10 reviews on this story too, so give some reviews. Goal: 200 Powerstones for double release.