Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Beneath Kakashi's mask was a clean, handsome face, devoid of any signs of age or hardship.

However, Naruto hadn't expected Kakashi would actually take off his mask.

After all, Kakashi was legendary for two things: his reputation as the Copy Ninja and his ever-present mask.

Now, in order to gain Naruto's recognition, Kakashi even went so far as to reveal his face. This was too extreme!

'Wait a minute. If this moment changed Kakashi's behavior, did it mean I had already altered the course of events?'

Thinking of this, Naruto couldn't help but smile triumphantly.

However, after Kakashi put on his mask again, he clearly wasn't planning to let things end there.

"Sasuke, Sakura, your test is over. Now I'll be conducting a solo evaluation on Naruto!" Kakashi said, narrowing his eye.

Sasuke was puzzled, "Is there a problem?"

"Right, didn't we all pass?" Sakura asked, equally confused.

Kakashi didn't explain.

Seeing Kakashi's serious demeanor, Naruto waved his hand and said, "You two should go back first. I'll take the solo test."

Sasuke thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright then. Sakura, let's go."

"But…"

Sakura was about to say something but Sasuke cut her off, "Don't worry, I believe in Naruto."

No matter what, he had seen Naruto's Mangekyo Sharingan with his own eyes, so Sasuke is very confident in Naruto's strength.

With that assurance, Sakura didn't argue further and followed Sasuke off the training ground.

After the two of them walked away completely, Kakashi's tone grew serious, "Now, tell me, how did you learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

Only the Nidaime Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and the Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato, knew how to use the Flying Thunder God Technique. Apart from them, even Minato's bodyguards could only use the Flying Thunder Formation Technique, a lesser form of the technique.

Since Minato had passed away the day Naruto was born, no one else should be able to use the technique.

Even Sandaime couldn't use it.

This left Kakashi deeply suspicious of Naruto.

"I just agreed to the test. I didn't agree to answer your questions." Naruto replied coolly.

Kakashi couldn't help but frown: "Then what will it take for you to talk?"

Naruto raised two fingers and said calmly, "It's very simple. I have two conditions. First, if I answer, you can't tell anyone. Second, Team 7 needs to be under my leadership."

Kakashi thought for a moment and said, "I will consider whether to report it based on your answer. If there is no problem, I can help you conceal it. But as for your second condition, I can't agree to that. I'm the Jonin Instructor for Team 7, so I'm responsible for both guiding and protecting you. You want to be the leader… are you sure you're up to it?"

"Whether I am or not, let's find out." Naruto crouched, then vanished from his spot.

This time, there was no shadow left behind, showing it wasn't just moving at high speed.

And the next moment, he appeared behind Kakashi.

Only the Flying Thunder God Technique could allow someone to achieve such instantaneous movement.

"Kakashi, you lose!" Naruto held a kunai near Kakashi's back, aiming at his heart.

"Oh, really?"

Kakashi chuckled softly.

Immediately afterwards, the Kakashi in front of Naruto turned into a wooden log.

"You lose."

Kakashi had unknowingly come behind Naruto, pressing a kunai to the back of his head.

"Body Replacement Technique? A boring little trick."

Naruto said disdainfully, then disappeared once again.

This time, Kakashi clearly sensed the distinct fluctuations of the Flying Thunder God Technique's marks.

But before he could preemptively prepare, Naruto disappeared again, continuously teleporting through Flying Thunder God Technique.

Upon sensing once more, Kakashi was taken aback.

'There are actually thousands of Flying Thunder God Technique's marks in the entire training ground. How could I possibly fight in this situation?'

"Forget it, let's end it here." Kakashi said helplessly.

Naruto suddenly appeared in front of Kakashi and asked with a playful grin: "What's this, are you admitting defeat?"

"Admit defeat? Let's call it a draw. I can't do anything about your Flying Thunder God Technique, but you can't harm me either." Kakashi replied calmly.

"Oh really? It seems you're still underestimating me."

The corners of Naruto's mouth raised and he mobilized the power of the Kyubi in his body.

Three whisker-like markings appeared on his face, and his blue eyes turned into crimson, slit-pupiled ones. The Kyubi's Chakra surged around him, forming a dark red cloak.

"Underestimating me comes with a price. Take this punch!"

Naruto lunged forward, aiming a punch directly at Kakashi's chest.

The distance between them was only a few meters, and Naruto closed it in an instant. Kakashi had no time to dodge and could only raise his arms to shield himself.

But, as the immense aura approached, Kakashi felt no impact.

When he looked again, Naruto had vanished from right in front of him.

At the next moment, Kakashi felt a powerful blow land on his back, searing with a burning intensity that struck deep.

"Pfft!"

As Kakashi stumbled forward, he couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood.

"How about that punch? Satisfying, wasn't it?" Naruto chuckled.

Kakashi steadied himself and squinted his eye at Naruto. He then said with a complicated look, "I never thought… you'd mastered the Second Stage of the Flying Thunder God Technique. It's been a long time since I've seen that."

Indeed, Naruto had just used the advanced Second Stage of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

The frontal attack was just a feint, and by seamlessly following up with a strike from behind, Naruto was able to utilize the Flying Thunder God Technique effectively.

The Flying Thunder God Technique's marks he had meticulously set up across the training ground yesterday had finally served their purpose.

"How about it, want to keep going?" Naruto asked, clearly pleased with himself.

Kakashi waved his hand and said, "No need, you've already won."

With the entire training ground filled with Flying Thunder God's marks, Naruto was virtually invincible. Even if Kakashi tried using powerful Ninjutsu, he couldn't trap Naruto. In contrast, Naruto could continuously launch unpredictable attacks using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

However, another question lingered in Kakashi's mind.

"How can you possess such immense power?"

"Just like I said before, if you agree to my two conditions, I can give you an explanation." Naruto replied coolly.

Kakashi took a deep breath and said solemnly: "I've already lost to you. I'll let you lead Team 7, but as for the first condition, I can't immediately promise it. If your explanation poses a risk to the village, I will report it, no matter what."

"Fair enough!"

Naruto withdrew the Kyubi's power and began his explanation, "My current achievements are all due to my father. He left a memory sealed in my mind through a Sealing Technique. It slowly unlocked as I grew, and that's how I learned the Flying Thunder God Technique. As for the power I used just now, that's the Kyubi's Chakra. By adjusting the seal of the Kyubi my father left behind, I can freely access Kyubi's power. How about it, are you satisfied with this explanation?"

After saying that, Naruto looked at Kakashi with amusement.

He had thought this excuse out carefully the night before. Using his power would undoubtedly raise suspicion, but attributing it all to Minato, his father, would make perfect sense.

And Naruto also felt entirely justified in pushing the blame onto Minato. After all, it was Minato's fault to leave behind a mess of problems after his death.

If Minato could cause trouble for his son, Naruto saw no issue with making his father shoulder some blame in return. He had no other choice!