Chapter 5 (Patreon)

‘Then I’ll have to steal the Scroll of Seals.’

“System, I choose the second option,” Naruto said without hesitation.

[Ding! Option 2 selected. Rewards granted: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu and Skill Upgrade Scroll ×1.]

[Complete the mission within twenty-four hours. Failure to do so will result in the rewards being revoked.]

The [Skill Upgrade Scroll] could improve a skill’s proficiency, whether it was ninjutsu, a secret technique, taijutsu, or genjutsu. The system divided proficiency into five ranks: Unlearned, Beginner, Intermediate, Proficient, and Mastered.

[Ding! Would you like to generate a status panel?]

“Yes.”

A moment later, his status appeared in his mind.

[Host: Naruto Uzumaki]

[Age: 12]

[Strength: Genin]

[Bloodlines: Uzumaki Sage Body — Level 3; Deidara’s Explosion Release kekkei genkai — Level 1]

[Uzumaki Sage Body Abilities — Proficient: Vast Chakra Reserves, Adamantine Sealing Chains, Mind’s Eye of the Kagura, Heal Bite, and Fūinjutsu]

[Explosion Release Abilities — Beginner: Clay Ants]

[Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu — Beginner]

[Transformation Jutsu — Mastered]

[Clone Jutsu — Beginner]

“Wait, my Clone Jutsu is already at Beginner?” Naruto asked in surprise. Had that solved his graduation problem already?

[Ding! Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu is an advanced form of Clone Jutsu. Receiving the reward grants Beginner proficiency in Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu and raises Clone Jutsu to Beginner proficiency as well.]

“So that’s how it works.” Naruto nodded in understanding. He could now meet the graduation requirements without worrying about being sent to Root. However, he had already selected the second option and accepted its rewards, so he still had to steal the Scroll of Seals. Otherwise, the system would take those rewards back.

As for the [Skill Upgrade Scroll], he considered the abilities he currently possessed. In the long run, the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu would be the most useful. The experience gained by his clones would return to him when they dispersed, allowing him to accelerate his training enormously.

“System, use the Skill Upgrade Scroll on the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu.”

[Ding! Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu upgraded to Intermediate.]

[Ding! A skill at Mastered proficiency has been detected. Special reward granted: Skill Upgrade Scroll ×1.]

“Huh? I get a reward for that, too?” Naruto grinned. He had the original Naruto to thank for this. The boy must have poured everything he had into perfecting the Sexy Jutsu, bringing his Transformation Jutsu all the way to Mastered.

He immediately used the new scroll on the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu as well.

[Ding! Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu upgraded to Proficient.]

[As Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu is an advanced form of Clone Jutsu, Clone Jutsu has also been upgraded to Proficient.]

Naruto reviewed the hand signs in his mind, familiarizing himself with the technique, and smiled in satisfaction. He was currently hiding in a bathroom stall at the Academy, the only place where he could deal with the system without the Anbu watching him discovering his secret.

After closing the interface, he thought for a moment, then swiftly formed the hand signs. An identical shadow clone appeared silently beside him. Using the [Mind’s Eye of the Kagura], the clone suppressed its chakra and concealed itself while Naruto walked casually out of the bathroom and headed straight for the training grounds. His Anbu watcher noticed nothing and continued following the original.

Five minutes later, the shadow clone quietly arrived at Mizuki’s office.

“Naruto? What brings you here? I was just about to come looking for you.” Mizuki’s eyes brightened when he saw the boy.

‘Planning to approach me out in the open, just like in the original story? You fool.’ The clone kept that thought to himself and put on a dejected expression.

“Mizuki-sensei, I really want to pass the graduation exam. Is there anything I can do?”

Mizuki was delighted. He hadn’t even needed to seek Naruto out; the boy had walked right into his hands.

“There is one way,” he said with a gentle smile. “There’s a large scroll in the Hokage’s office that contains many powerful jutsu. If you learn one of them, you’ll have no trouble passing the graduation exam.”

“Really? What do I have to do, Mizuki-sensei?” the clone asked, feigning excitement.

“Take the scroll and bring it to the forest in the northwest of the village. I’ll meet you there and teach you the powerful jutsu written inside.”

Mizuki’s smile was full of false kindness. A thoughtless child like Naruto was so easy to manipulate.

“Alright!” The clone gave him a broad, toothy smile, then added, “But someone might hear us talking here, Mizuki-sensei. Let’s meet on the training grounds and work out the whole plan.”

Mizuki gave him a curious look. Naruto was being more cautious than usual, but he soon dismissed it. He was already too busy imagining what he could do once he had the Scroll of Seals.

The empty training grounds were a good place for a private conversation. Anyone trying to cross the hundreds of meters of open ground to get close enough to listen would be easy to spot.

The clone said goodbye to Mizuki, then slipped into a deserted corner and dispelled itself, sending its memories back to the original.

Five minutes later, Mizuki arrived at the training grounds and found Naruto practicing the Clone Jutsu in the middle of the field. He sneered to himself before putting on a friendly expression and approaching.

Naruto sensed the Anbu hiding in a tree two hundred meters away. Turning his back to the watcher, he smiled brightly at Mizuki as the man stopped in front of him.

“Mizuki-sensei, do you know what a ‘sitting duck’ is?”

“A duck sitting on the ground?” Mizuki shook his head. “I’ve never heard that expression.”

“Don’t worry, Mizuki-sensei. You’ll find out tonight.”

This was only Naruto’s third night in this world. Two nights ago, he had blown up the shopkeeper’s store. The following morning, he had killed the dog-masked Anbu and the shopkeeper who had threatened and mistreated him. Now he was preparing to steal the Scroll of Seals.

In his previous life, he had been an ordinary, law-abiding citizen. He had never expected to be driven to these extremes within days of arriving in another world, but this world had given him very little kindness.

By now, he and Mizuki had worked out a more detailed plan for stealing the scroll.

The night was dark and windy, offering cover for anyone who wanted to move unseen—or kill without witnesses.

Using the same method as before, Naruto sent a shadow clone slipping quietly out of his apartment. With the sensing and concealment abilities of the [Mind’s Eye of the Kagura], it avoided the village patrols and Anbu, carrying a barrel of oil to the Hokage’s office. Its senses detected two of the Hokage’s guards concealed inside.