Eight shadow clones shuffled through the wooden walkways disguised as the same group of thugs they'd been following.
Each clone had slightly different hair.
Slightly different posture.
But to the average bandit?
Close enough.
The lead bandit stopped before turning a corner as they saw the original group head down a pier into a dilapidated building.
"Alright boys…"
"Operation: Mild Revenge."
Down below, the bandits reached a half-collapsed warehouse sitting at the edge of the harbor.
Rusty lanterns flickered outside.
Two guards stood near the entrance.
Both looked bored.
One scratched his beard.
"Boss says shipments are coming soon."
The other yawned.
"Hope it's sake."
Naruto's clones approached confidently.
One clone cracked his neck.
"Oi."
The guards blinked.
"Didn't I just see y'all? Quit wasting my time and help download the next shipment."
Clone #3 immediately pointed behind them.
"Inspection squad."
"Boss orders."
The guards turned to look.
Clone #4 gently kicked the back of one guard's knee.
The man dropped instantly.
THUD.
Clone #5 casually tapped the other guard on the temple with a kunai handle.
THUNK.
Both guards collapsed.
POOF
Two clones vanished from the impact.
Memories slammed back into the original Naruto on the roof.
Naruto grabbed his head.
"Could've been a bit more stealthy but, okay yeah that still works."
Inside the warehouse, the remaining clones slipped through the door.
Stacks of wooden crates filled the interior.
Weapons.
Food.
Barrels of something that smelled strongly like cheap alcohol.
The group of clones lifted multiple lids.
"…Jackpot." The lead clone proceeded to unzip his pants and urinate into the open barrel.
Another clone leaned over and joined him. Does it count as crossing streams if you do it with yourself? As the squad of clones finished up and re-sealed the barrels of alcohol, Suddenly—Footsteps.
Three real bandits entered from a side hallway.
They froze when they saw the "inspection squad."
"…Who the hell are you?"
Clone #2 pointed randomly toward the back door.
"New guys."
Clone #1 nodded seriously.
"Very new."
One bandit squinted.
"You look familiar."
Clone #6 panicked.
"Uh—"
"FREE FOOD!"
He kicked a crate.
Dried fish exploded across the floor.
The bandits lunged.
"GET THEM!"
Chaos erupted instantly.
Clones scattered through the warehouse.
Barrels rolled.
Lanterns swung.
One clone sprinted up a support beam, sticking to it while hurling a smoke pellet
FWOOOSH
The building filled with smoke.
Bandits ran into each other.
Someone fell through a stack of crates.
POOFPOOFPOOF
More clones vanished.
Back on the roof—
Naruto clutched his head again.
"OW!"
The Shinobi Codex chimed repeatedly.
Skill Progress Detected
Shadow Clone Jutus LVL 3 → (10/30)
Trap Making LVL 3 → (25/30)
Academy Taijutsu LVL 2 → (20/20)
Skill Level Up!
Academy Taijutsu LVL 3 (1/30)
Tree Walking LVL 2 → (9/30)
Naruto blinked.
"…Nice."
Another ping followed.
For a rather dubious plan that resulted in mildly successful results +1 Intelligence!
+10 System Points!
Naruto grinned.
"Worth it."
Down in the warehouse—
The smoke cleared.
The bandits looked around the wrecked warehouse.
Food everywhere.
Weapons knocked over.
Lanterns broken.
One thug scratched his head.
"…What just happened?"
Another stared at the collapsed guards.
"…I need a drink is what happened." Miraculously a line of barrels full of alcohol remained untouched. Before the inevitable ass chewing, the warehouse guards all downed a sizeable amount of cheap sake.
"Since when did Sake come in asparagus flavor?"
Meanwhile—
Back at Tazuna's house—
Naruto lay on the wooden porch staring at the sky.
The Shinobi Codex hovered beside him.
He tapped the interface curiously.
"Alright… shop time."
The system menu expanded.
Naruto scrolled.
Then stopped.
Elemental Affinity (Unlock)
Price Options:
Wind Affinity – 100 System Points
Water Affinity – 150 System Points
Earth Affinity – 300 System Points
Lightning Affinity – 450 System Points
Fire Affinity – 600 System Points
Naruto sat upright.
"…WHAT?"
He rubbed his eyes.
"Six Hundred?!"
He scrolled further.
Some entries were grayed out.
Affinity combinations – Locked
Advanced Elemental Control – Locked
Naruto slowly leaned back again.
"…So basically I'm broke."
He poked the Wind option.
The Codex displayed a note.
Wind Affinity shows highest compatibility with current user chakra signature.
Naruto blinked.
"…Oh?"
He scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"Okay that's kinda cool."
Then he glanced at his System Points.
60
Naruto sighed.
"Guess we're saving."
The door behind him slid open.
Kakashi stepped outside.
Sasuke and Sakura followed.
Kakashi stretched lazily.
"Alright."
"Since our enemy might still be alive…"
He gestured toward the trees behind the house.
"We're training."
Naruto perked up instantly.
"Ooooh."
Sakura looked confused.
"Training?"
Kakashi pointed toward the forest.
"Tree walking."
Sakura blinked.
"…Walking on trees?"
Kakashi nodded.
"It's a basic chakra control exercise."
Sasuke and Sakura studied the nearby trunks thoughtfully, it must be the same technique that Naruto had already used.
"…Actually Naruto."
Naruto tilted his head.
"Hm?"
"You'll help teach them." Said Kakashi pointing to Sasuke and Sakura.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes while Sakura slightly deadpanned.
Naruto scratched the back of his head.
Naruto's grin slowly spread.
"Oh this is gonna be good."
Sasuke grit his teeth and walked toward Naruto, "…This better not be stupid."
Naruto cracked his knuckles.
"Alright students."
"Step one."
"Try not to fall."
Sasuke ignored him and stepped forward first.
He placed a foot on the tree.
Focused.
Stepped up—
SLIP
He dropped back to the ground.
Naruto winced.
"Oof."
Sasuke tried again.
SLIP
THUD
Naruto rubbed his chin.
"…Too much chakra."
Sasuke shot him a glare.
"You can see that?"
Naruto shrugged.
"Sorta."
The Shinobi Codex flickered faintly beside him.
Inspect Passive Feedback
Observation: Sasuke applying excessive chakra output.
Naruto grinned.
"Yeah you're dumping way too much chakra in your feet."
Sasuke crossed his arms.
"…And you aren't?"
Naruto casually walked up to the tree.
He placed his foot on the bark.
Focused.
Then walked straight up three steps before hopping back down.
Sakura blinked.
"…You make that look easy."
Naruto scratched his cheek.
"Uh… lots of falling earlier."
Sakura nodded seriously.
"Okay that helps actually."
She stepped forward.
Placed a foot on the trunk.
Focused.
Step.
Step.
Step.
She climbed three meters before losing balance and hopping down.
Naruto blinked.
"…Whoa."
The Shinobi Codex chimed.
Perception Check: Sakura Haruno
Result: High Chakra Control
Sasuke stared at her.
"…You did that first try."
Sakura smiled nervously.
"Guess chakra control just makes sense to me."
Naruto nodded.
"Yeah that tracks."
Meanwhile—
Sasuke attempted again.
Step.
SLIP
THUD
Naruto scratched his head.
"…Okay hold up."
He walked over.
Sasuke glared at him.
"What."
Naruto pointed at the tree.
"You're forcing it."
Silence.
Sasuke's eye twitched slightly.
"…Explain."
Naruto shrugged.
"I dunno how to say it right."
He pressed his palm against the bark.
"Just… let the chakra stick you there."
Sasuke frowned.
"That makes no sense."
Naruto grinned.
"Yeah it didn't to me either."
He tapped his foot against the trunk.
"Think about it like standing."
"Not climbing."
Sasuke stared at the tree again.
Naruto continued.
"Less chakra."
"Just enough to stick."
Sasuke stepped forward again.
Placed his foot on the bark.
Focused.
Step.
The foot stuck.
Naruto leaned forward.
"Yeah!"
Sasuke lifted the second foot.
Step.
Two steps up the trunk.
Then—
SLIP
He dropped again.
But he landed lightly.
Naruto grinned.
"See?!"
Sasuke stared at the tree.
Then glanced at Naruto.
"…That actually helped."
Naruto froze.
"…Did Sasuke just say thank you?"
Sasuke turned away.
"I didn't."
But he walked back to the tree immediately.
The Shinobi Codex chimed quietly beside Naruto.
Hidden Quest Progress Detected
Quest: Help rival become strong enough to defeat a certain man
Related Entity: Sasuke
Progress Condition Met
Trust Development +1, Relationship is now Neutral Rival
Naruto blinked.
"…Huh?"
A small update appeared beneath the quest.
Hidden Sub-Mission Completed
Assist Sasuke in improving chakra control.
Reward:
+1 Intelligence
+1 Charisma
+1 Luck
+11 to Tree Walking, Skill level up to LVL 3 (1/30)!
Naruto scratched his head.
"Wait…"
He looked over at Sasuke climbing again.
"…This system really wants that guy stronger."
Up in the branches above them—
Kakashi slowly lowered his book.
He watched Sasuke carefully adjusting his chakra.
Watched Naruto giving occasional pointers.
Watched Sakura climbing halfway up the trunk already.
Kakashi's visible eye curved slightly.
"…Interesting."
Below—
Sasuke managed four steps this time before falling.
Naruto clapped.
"Yo that was way better!"
Sasuke dusted himself off.
"…Again."
Naruto grinned.
"Now you're getting it."
Nearby—
Sakura reached nearly halfway up the tree.
She looked down nervously.
"…Naruto?"
Naruto looked up.
"Yeah?"
"…How do I get down?"
Naruto cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Same way you got up!"
Sakura slipped.
SLIP
THUD
She hit the ground beside Sasuke.
Naruto winced.
"…Okay maybe not exactly like that."
From the tree above—
Kakashi sighed.
"…This team is going to give me gray hair."
And far away in another part of the forest—
A masked boy watched quietly from the shadows.
Haku observed the training silently.
Then vanished into the mist.