"The 'Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu' (A-Rank Forbidden Technique) Memory and Chakra Expansion costs 3,000 Points," the System stated. "This will allow you to create up to one thousand clones, depending on chakra. It also includes the 'Mass Experience Transfer' passive, allowing you to learn faster."
("Buy it,") I commanded. ("I need to be an army.")
"Processing... Purchase Complete. Remaining Balance: 1,200 Points."
A headache slammed into me. It wasn't painful, but it was heavy. It was the knowledge of splitting my consciousness into a thousand shards and putting them back together. I felt my chakra reserves—which I had partially unsealed earlier—suddenly feel much deeper. The limiters were cracking.
"Are you okay, Naruto?" Sakura asked.
Wait, Sakura wasn't here. I looked up. It was Ino asking.
"I am fine," I said, rubbing my temples. "Just... a brain freeze. From the water."
"You aren't drinking water," Shikamaru pointed out.
"Meat freeze," I corrected.
The rest of the meal passed with only minor incidents (Choji choked once, and I had to heimlich him, which looked weird but didn't trigger the system because Choji isn't a romantic interest... yet?).
As we finished eating and I paid the bill (which hurt my actual wallet significantly), we walked out into the cool evening air.
"Well," Asuma said, looking at his still-damp trousers. "That was... memorable. Naruto, try to keep your team—and my team—out of trouble for a few days? My heart can't take it."
"No promises, Sensei!" I grinned.
As Team Ten departed, leaving me alone with Hinata, I looked at the moon.
"Naruto-kun," Hinata said softly. "I am sorry for the mess."
"Don't worry about it," I said, feeling the power of a thousand clones humming in my veins. "Actually, Hinata, your clumsiness is kind of my lucky charm."
She blushed, playing with her fingers. "Really?"
"Really. Now come on. I need to go home and practice something. Tomorrow, we are going to start training for real."
("With the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu,") I thought, ("I can farm Shy Points and train at the same time. I can have clones watch from the bushes while I go on dates. The possibilities are endless.")
"System," I asked as we walked home. ("What is the next big upgrade?")
"The next milestone," the System replied, "Is the 'Rasenshuriken' Concept Blueprint. Cost: Ten Thousand Points. Or, you can unlock 'Sage Mode Compatibility' for Fifteen Thousand Points."
("Fifteen thousand. I need a lot more accidents. I need a bigger stage.")
I looked at the Hokage Rock. The Chunin Exams were coming up soon in this timeline.
("The Chunin Exams,") I smiled wickedly. ("Ninjas from other villages. Gaara. Neji. Lee. So many targets. So many opportunities for Hinata to accidentally fall onto people.")
"Naruto-kun, why are you laughing like a villain?" Hinata asked.
"Just thinking about the future, Hinata. The bright, awkward future."
The morning air was crisp, filled with the promise of productivity and potential disaster. I stood in the middle of Training Ground Three, taking a deep breath. My chakra reserves felt different today. Before purchasing the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, my internal energy felt like a puddle. Now, it felt like a lake. It wasn't the ocean that the original Naruto possessed, but it was enough to cause some serious damage.
"Are you ready, Hinata?" I asked.
Hinata Hyuga stood a few feet away. She was wearing her new, streamlined outfit—the mesh armor and shorts combo—that the System had subtly coerced her into. She was stretching, her flexibility impressive and slightly distracting.
"I am ready, Naruto-kun," she said, her cheeks dusting pink as she noticed me looking. "What are we doing today?"
"Mass production," I grinned.
I formed the cross seal with my fingers. This was the moment of truth.
"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof! Poof! Poof!
White smoke exploded around the clearing. When it cleared, there wasn't just one Naruto. There were fifty.
Fifty identical copies of me stood in the grass, all grinning, all wearing orange.
"Whoa!" one clone shouted. "I exist!"
"We all exist!" another yelled.
"Let's get ramen!" a third suggested.
"Focus, you idiots!" I yelled at myself(s). "We are here to train! Group A, work on Taijutsu forms. Group B, practice chakra control. Group C... go stand near the edge of the forest and keep a lookout for anyone coming."
Hinata stared, her Byakugan activating instinctively. "This is... incredible. Your chakra is distributed so evenly."
"It is the only way I am going to catch up," I said honestly. ("And the only way I can farm enough points to survive this crazy world.")
"System," I thought. ("Can my clones trigger the Rito Effect?")
"Negative," the System replied. "The clones are chakra constructs. They do not possess the 'Protagonist Aura' required to anchor the Netorare Situation. However, they can act as witnesses, cameramen, or props to facilitate accidents."
("Props. Good to know.")
Just as my clones began their drills, a loud, energetic scream shattered the peace of the forest.
"NARUTO-KUN! I HAVE FOUND YOU!"
A green blur rocketed out of the tree line.
"Dynamic Entry!"
A flying kick aimed directly at my head.
I didn't even have to move. Three of my clones jumped in the way.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The clones popped into smoke instantly, absorbing the impact. The green blur landed gracefully, striking a pose.
It was Rock Lee. He was wearing his signature green spandex jumpsuit, orange leg warmers, and a bowl cut that defied modern fashion standards. Behind him walked Neji Hyuga, looking stoic and annoyed, and Tenten, looking resigned to her fate.
"Lee," Neji sighed. "You cannot just kick people as a greeting."
"It is the ultimate greeting of youth!" Lee declared, giving a thumbs up. His teeth sparkled with an inexplicable gleam. "Naruto-kun! I see you are training with the flames of passion! And you have learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu! Fight me!"
I looked at Team Guy. This was a goldmine.
"System," I thought. ("Scan Tenten.")
.....
...