Naruto wasn't concerned about what Sasuke was up to, nor did he send anyone to investigate Kabuto and Black Zetsu's whereabouts, even though he knew very well that the two had definitely teamed up.
After all, with Obito dead, the number of people Black Zetsu could collaborate with could be counted on one hand.
But even so, Naruto couldn't be bothered to deal with it. Black Zetsu had spent a thousand years focused on a single goal. Unless his true form was captured, he would stop at nothing to revive Kaguya.
Whether Kaguya was revived or not, the Otsutsuki Clan would descend upon them regardless.
Blocking the path was less effective than redirecting it. Rather than letting Black Zetsu come up with new, unpredictable schemes, it was better to let him follow the trajectory Naruto already understood.
Right now, Naruto ignored everything else and focused solely on his own preparations.
Even learning the Multi-Size Technique wasn't some random whim, and it had been part of his plan all along.
Though he no longer had any connection to the Kyubi, he could still harness its power. But every time he did, it manifested as a blaze of Biju Chakra, which was far too conspicuous.
Moreover, whenever he used the bloody Kyubi Chakra Mode, its appearance was undeniably that of the Kyubi itself.
There was no way to distance himself from Kyubi with such obvious evidence. No matter what he claimed, facts spoke louder than words, so who would believe him?
The Kyubi's phantom was essentially no different from the Susanoo… just a suit of armor formed from condensed Chakra. But when activated, it took the shape of a bloody Kyubi.
Left with no other choice, Naruto came up with the idea of altering the technique's appearance. By using the Multi-Size Technique to modify the Kyubi's phantom, as long as its form didn't resemble the Kyubi, then it wouldn't be associated with it.
…
The next day.
On Konoha's Training Ground 5, Choji's limping figure was impossible to miss.
"Hurry up."
"Shut up! How fast do you expect me to move with this cast on?!" Choji snapped, unable to hold back his frustration as he continued hobbling forward at a snail's pace.
"Heh, it's not like your leg's actually broken." Naruto took a couple of steps forward, rapping his knuckles against the cast on Choji's arm before kicking the one on his leg.
"So? Same price, but I got Sakura to double up on your casts. Pretty sweet deal, huh?"
Choji: "…What's there to brag about?"
He was exasperated, but he'd long since grown used to Naruto's erratic behavior. If not for the fact that this cast had helped him survive yesterday's crisis, and also earned him a full day of gentle, doting attention from his wife, he wouldn't have bothered coming out at all.
"No wonder I'm out of breath after just a few steps! Double the cast! Are you out of your mind, Uzumaki Naruto!"
"You're out of breath because you're out of shape, not because of the cast." Naruto swatted away Choji's chubby hand, "Besides, your acting's not exactly great. Without doubling up the cast, you'd get caught in no time."
"Whatever, I'm not arguing with you."
"Hey, hey, don't change the subject. Admit it, my cast strategy worked like a charm, didn't it?" Naruto smirked, drumming his fingers against Choji's cast again.
"Fine, fine, let's just drop it and get started." Choji dodged the question, mumbling under his breath.
"I've made a decision that betrays my ancestors… If my father ever finds out, he'll definitely beat me to death!"
"Are you dumb? Just keep it a secret." Naruto sucked in a sharp breath, "You're seriously thinking of telling your dad? You're so brave!"
"Of course not! That's why I snuck out." Choji shot him an annoyed look. After a brief pause, he asked again, "Can you swear that no one will figure it out?"
"I swear!"
"Brother, I'm sticking my neck out for you here… don't screw me over!" Choji had been burned by Naruto's schemes one too many times and needed constant reassurance.
"Yeah, yeah, since when have you not been able to trust me?"
"Since forever."
Naruto: "…"
"The Multi-Size Technique is a secret technique of the Akimichi Clan. You already know its effect, which can enlarge a part of the body." Choji said seriously.
"It's essentially a form of Chakra Nature Transformation. To put it simply, it rapidly consumes Chakra, burning it up like fuel. The Chakra undergoes an instantaneous conversion, transforming into energy that's then released."
"Uh… say that again?" Naruto blinked in confusion.
"No matter how many times I repeat it, the key to Multi-Size Technique is practice." Dingci said helplessly, "Watch closely, I'll demonstrate it for you now."
"First, you need to gather your breath, channeling your Chakra throughout your entire body…"
…
Just outside Training Ground 5.
The three young Shinobi who were walking in an orderly manner suddenly stopped. Konohamaru, with his hands behind his head, caught sight of the two inside the training ground out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but stop and yell loudly.
"Naruto-niichan!!!"
'Shit!'
Naruto didn't even need to turn around to recognize Konohamaru's voice, and his heart immediately sank, 'Damn it, did I forget to check the almanac before leaving the house? Of all the rotten luck, running into these kids… what a pain!'
Choji, who had been enthusiastically sharing his knowledge, froze when he saw the three troublemakers running toward them. His face instantly twisted into a look of panic.
"They're coming!"
"Yeah, yeah, I've got ears!" Naruto snapped.
"What do we do? What do we do?!" Choji was just as annoyed by these kids and desperately wanted to run away. But when he looked down, he remembered that one of his hands and one of his feet were both in casts.
"Damn it, why did it have to be double the casts?!"
"Calm down, I'll handle it. Just stay put." Naruto scratched his head, shoved his hands in his pockets, and turned to walk toward the kids.
Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi were already fourteen, which is considered adulthood in the Shinobi World. The three of them studied under Ebisu's guidance and have all passed the Chunin Exams.
Even so, the three were still as excited as ever to see Naruto. Even Moegi, who had been on the receiving end of Naruto's scolding before, was waving her hands enthusiastically.
Her brown hair was tied into a large ponytail, and her face had matured, carrying a hint of youthful charm. Her straight-cut bangs framed her delicate eyebrows, giving her a clean, refreshing appearance.
She wore her Konoha headband around her neck, a green vest, and black shorts. Her small frame was adorned with a pair of earrings.
The reason why Naruto looked at her more was because there was still a trace of Wood Release Chakra in her body. And when he said 'faint', he meant it… literally just a wisp.
If Hashirama's Wood Release could reshape an entire country, and Yamato's could at least build a three-bedroom house, then Moegi's Wood Release could probably… lay down a small patch of grass.
Truly… Lawn Greening Technique!