Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Ox - Dog - Dragon - Rat - Dog - Boar - Serpent - Tiger!

Naruto quickly formed the hand seals, this time without holding back.

Anyway, he had already seen the content of the Scroll of Seals, so it is absolutely reasonable to use the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

The most important thing is that now he has mastered the power of the Kyubi, which means he can use the Kyubi's chakra at will. Now, he could create countless clones without feeling any strain.

Bang, bang, bang!

Clouds of white smoke filled the air, and within seconds, the small cabin was completely blown apart.

All around him, everywhere he looked, there were clones… thousands of Naruto, standing in an awe-inspiring scene.

Seeing this scene, Iruka was shocked and didn't know what to say for a moment.

As for Mizuki, he was trembling with fear, his face full of horror: "Naruto, I..."

"What do you mean by you? If it wasn't for your manipulation, I would never have come here and been branded a thief!" Naruto replied.

Mizuki frantically waved his hands in defense, "I was only looking out for you! Don't you care that you're a demon fox?"

Naruto shook his head: "Demon fox? You mean... this?"

As he spoke, he took a deep breath, and the fiery red Chakra surrounding him flared even brighter. Even the whiskers on his face became more ferocious, especially his pupils, which turned blood-red.

"Monster, the demon fox!" Mizuki shrieked and stumbled backward in fear, trying to flee.

But as he looked around, he realized he was already surrounded by Naruto, which were all covered with the Kyubi's Chakra.

The violent Chakra alone was extremely aggressive, and it had already begun to burn Mizuki before Naruto could even made a move.

"What do you mean, demon fox? This is simply my power."

Naruto said firmly: "Although I don't know what happened twelve years ago, I'm just twelve years old mpw. What does everything before have to do with me? Don't push your own biases onto me."

"The villagers hate me because they don't understand me. Now, Iruka-sensei accepts me, and it's a good start. Eventually, more people will acknowledge me too. I've never been the demon fox you say I am. I'm just Uzumaki Naruto of the Konoha Village!"

Iruka felt a surge of emotion upon hearing this.

He couldn't help but think of what Sandaime had told him earlier, "Iruka, Naruto has never felt the love of his parents, and the villagers also distanced themselves from him because of that event. So, to get attention, he resorts to pranks. Though he seems strong, Naruto is deeply hurt inside, seeking any recognition of his worth."

'Hokage-sama, you are wrong. Naruto is no longer a mischievous child. He is a Konoha's Shinobi that I acknowledge!' Iruka clenched his fists.

Unable to hold back, he declared, "In my opinion, Mizuki, a guy who betrayed the village, is the one not worthy of recognition. He's more terrifying than any demon fox. Naruto, go for it! Take him down!"

"Yes, Iruka-sensei!"

Naruto responded, and with that, all his clones surged forward, raining down punches and kicks upon Mizuki!

With thousands of Narutos each landing a single blow, Mizuki endured thousands of hits.

By the time the attack stopped, Mizuki lay motionless on the ground, too battered to even scream, and had already fallen unconscious.

Seeing this, Naruto scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, "Looks like I might've gone a bit overboard. Iruka-sensei, are you alright?"

He quickly walked over to Iruka, reaching down to help him up.

Iruka waved his hand dismissively and said, "It's just a scratch, nothing serious. You did very well this time."

He leaned against a tree, gazing at the night sky, and began to reminisce, "In a way, we're alike… both of us grew up without parents. I know how it feels: no one to praise you, no one to recognize you. To get others' attention, you end up doing foolish things, but that emptiness is painful."

"Naruto, I never expected you to work so hard and think so deeply. I misjudged you before. If I'd noticed sooner, maybe you wouldn't have been lonely and hurt all these years. From now on, regardless of what others think, you'll always be my most trusted student!"

"Thank you, Iruka-sensei!"

Naruto said, nodding gratefully, a sense of relief settling in his heart.

All these words of loyalty weren't just for Iruka's ears… they were also meant for Sandaime, who had been watching through his crystal ball. Now that Iruka had said so much, Naruto hoped that Sandaime would get the message too.

However, he wasn't completely at ease. There was still one more thing on his mind, something he wasn't sure had been completed yet.

A shadow clone could only transfer its memories when it returned to the main body.

Right now, he was most concerned about the clone he'd sent out to complete a different sign-in task.

Since getting the Sign-in System, Naruto had been eyeing the Uchiha Ruins. During the day, he specifically asked the system, and it confirmed that signing in at the Uchiha Ruins would grant him the Sharingan!

As one of the Three Great Dojutsu, Sharingan is something that Naruto has long desired.

However, since there were always Shinobi guarding the Uchiha Ruins, it was impossible for him to sneak in.

This time, when he came to the Scroll of Seals' hiding place to Sign-in, he was well prepared. Knowing the plot, he'd predicted there'd be no trouble with Mizuki here.

Stealing the Scroll of Seals would inevitably attract most Shinobi's attention. If he does some other small actions at this time, it would be even more difficult to be discovered.

Taking advantage of the chaos, sending a shadow clone to sign in at the Uchiha Ruins would be a good idea.

The only thing that worries Naruto has is that the shadow clone is performing the sign-in task at the same time as him going to the Scroll of Seals' hiding place, Both sign-ins should have finished together, so why hadn't he received the system notification yet?

…

Meanwhile, at the Uchiha Ruins…

Although it is called a ruin, the building is actually still intact. It's just that people are not allowed to live here. Even Sasuke has been arranged to live elsewhere, so it's no big deal to call it a ruin.

'Finally, I'm about to finish the sign-in.'

Naruto's shadow clone was lying in an empty room, quietly waiting for the sign-in to be successful.

The plan had been solid, but he'd wasted time wandering, since he didn't know the exact location of the Uchiha Ruins. But now, there are only ten minutes to successfully sign-in, so it's no big deal.

'Huh? I can use the power of Kyubi? It seems that the main body has successfully signed in. I have to hurry up.' Feeling the raging Chakra in his body, Naruto's shadow clone couldn't help but sighed.

But just then, a raspy voice echoed from outside the room: "Who's in there? Come out!"

'Shit, I just sighed, and now someone's here?'

Annoyed but quiet, Naruto's shadow clone remained silent. With only a few minutes left, he figured he could just play dead and stall for time. Once the sign-in was done, he'd dispel himself and avoid confrontation altogether.

However, what he did not expect was that the other party didn't play by the rules. Without a hint of hesitation, a shadow flashed into the room.

Looking closer, he realized it was a snake.

"Damn it!"

It is human nature to be afraid of snakes, and Naruto is no exception. He cried out instinctively, instinctively wrapped himself in the Kyubi's Chakra, then attacked the snake in defense.

Bang!

The violent, blood-red Chakra split the snake in two, but in the next instant, it vanished in a puff of white smoke.

'A Shinobi who can use snakes?'

Before Naruto could think further, the door swung open. With the moonlight, he could see the other party clearly.

It was a pale-skinned man with long, dark hair, golden, slitted pupils, purple eyeshadow extending to his nose, and earrings shaped like blue and green tomoe.

"You are... Orochimaru!?"