"I learned it," Naruto said.Kakashi froze.
The jutsu he'd just shown—the Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu—was a B-rank technique. Most jōnin needed time to master it. And this blond chaos elemental in front of him had learned it after watching once?
That wasn't talent. That was witchcraft.
Even the Sharingan couldn't compare. Kakashi knew better than anyone—copying with the Sharingan was one thing, mastering was another. True mastery came from grinding, repetition, and chakra control, not just seeing.
But here was Naruto. The walking ramen budget. Doing the impossible.
"You learned it?" Kakashi repeated slowly, his voice oddly calm. "Then use it. Show me."
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "...Now?"
"Now."
Naruto grimaced. Sure, the entire jutsu structure was downloaded into his brain by that smug system, perfect from hand seal to breath pattern. But there was a problem—chakra.
He glanced inward. Four hundred points left.The jutsu required five hundred.
Even if he forced it, he'd black out before it finished.
[Rikudō Shingon: Ten'mon speaking...]"Ah, the host attempts the impossible again. A timeless comedy."
"Shut it," Naruto hissed under his breath.
"The heavens advise restraint. You possess neither patience nor sufficient chakra. A pity."
"I said shut it!"
"Ufufufufu~ The host is angry."
Kakashi tilted his head. "Something wrong?"
Naruto sighed. "Don't have enough chakra."
Kakashi blinked, then laughed softly. "Right. Forgot about that small detail."
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Even prodigies had limits—and chakra was the one wall you couldn't talk your way through.
"Alright then," Kakashi said. "Let's try something else. What do you want to learn next?"
Naruto didn't even hesitate. "The Shadow Clone Technique."
Kakashi blinked. "That's also B-rank."
"Yeah, but it's different. It's not about raw chakra—it's about control."
Naruto's voice was serious now. He actually understood this one. Normal clones were illusions, easy to see through by anyone with decent eyes. Shadow clones, though? They split chakra evenly, creating real, tangible bodies. They could punch, think, and fight.
The catch was precision. Misjudge the split, and your chakra scattered like cheap fireworks.
Kakashi nodded, forming the seals. "Fine. Watch closely."
The air shimmered. White smoke burst out beside him, and a second Kakashi appeared—solid, perfect, identical.
"Shadow Clone Technique," Kakashi said simply. The clone smiled, nodded, then vanished with a puff of smoke.
Naruto's heart raced. Now.
[Rikudō Shingon: Ten'mon initiating…]"Observation: Hatake Kakashi performs 'Shadow Clone Technique.'"
"Host, would you like to assimilate this pattern?"
"Yes."
"Assimilation accepted. Prepare your fragile mortal mind."
Just like before, the jutsu's entire blueprint flowed into him—seals, balance ratios, chakra feedback notes. It was all there, humming in his head.
He grinned. "Alright… my turn."
Hands flew together. "Ninja Art—Shadow Clone Technique!"
Poof!
White smoke cleared. Another Naruto stood beside him, grinning. The clone waved cheekily at Kakashi before bursting back into vapor.
Naruto smirked. "See? Told you I learned it."
Kakashi stared at the dispersing smoke, expression unreadable beneath the mask. "…You really did."
He stood silently for a moment, processing the absurdity before vanishing in a flicker of chakra. He had a report to make—one he wasn't looking forward to giving the Hokage.
Naruto watched him leave, hands in his pockets.
"Guess the plan's changing again," he muttered.
This "genius" reputation would draw eyes—dangerous ones. But maybe that wasn't so bad. With enough attention, maybe he could get close to the Hokage's personal archives. Maybe even...
The Scroll of Seals.
After all, if he was destined to be a menace, he might as well do it properly.
[Rikudō Shingon: Ten'mon murmured softly...]"The host plots. Intriguing. May the heavens record this future disaster."
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Immensely."