If the Shadow Clone Jutsu could effectively double Naruto's combat strength, the next technique promised an even greater leap. It was the jutsu that became synonymous with him in another life: the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Naruto threw a sharp punch at the clone he'd just created. The clone crossed its arms, blocking defensively.
*Thud.*
The impact echoed dully, the force of the blow scattering nearby leaves. The clone flickered, unable to withstand the hit, and vanished in a *poof* of smoke. A portion of its chakra flowed back into Naruto, while some simply dissipated. He closed his eyes for a moment, absorbing the fleeting sensations, the clone's final instant of existence.
He opened his eyes and glanced down at his right elbow – the spot where the clone had blocked his punch. A faint throb lingered there. No visible injury, but a phantom ache remained, a ghost of the impact carried back through the dispersed chakra.
Naruto frowned. That was the technique's drawback. The returning memories didn't just bring information, they brought the echo of sensation, including pain, exhaustion, even the shock of dispersal.
It seemed minor now, but in the heat of battle? A sudden jolt of phantom pain, even for a fraction of a second, could be fatal.
Mastering this jutsu meant learning to filter that feedback, to push past the mental static, even if a clone met a violent end.
And the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu would only amplify that effect.
It was the Shadow Clone technique pushed to its extreme. An infinitely scalable version, limited only by the user's chakra reserves.
Theoretically, someone could create countless clones, an overwhelming army springing from a single person.
If one clone's dispersal caused a phantom ache, imagine hundreds being wiped out simultaneously by a wide-range attack. The sudden influx of disorientation, pain, and shock could be mentally overwhelming, potentially incapacitating the user. Without strong regeneration factor, the amount of stress and pressure might lead to popping of blood vessels in brain causing stroke.
It was precisely because of these dangers that the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had classified the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu as an A-rank forbidden technique.
Used improperly, it was a weapon more dangerous to the user than the enemy.
This was why Minato had initially argued against Naruto learning it, worried his son would push himself too far, too fast.
But Minato's concerns couldn't deter Naruto. At his insistence, Minato eventually relented and taught him the forbidden jutsu.
Despite the drawbacks, the advantages were undeniable. Beyond the sheer increase in combat numbers, the technique offered an unparalleled training advantage.
While clones couldn't replicate the physical strengthening of training, their experiences-every repetition of a kata, every attempt at chakra control, every moment of sparring-returned to the original user upon dispersal.
It was like living through hundreds of training sessions simultaneously, accumulating skill and experience at an exponential rate.
It felt like cheating the natural limits of learning. It was cheating.
As for the massive chakra cost? That was hardly a concern for Naruto. He'd never actually measured the reserves churning within him, but if a Jonin's chakra was a glass of water, Naruto's own reserves-even without tapping into the Nine-Tails-were more like a swimming pool.
While others carefully rationed their energy for C-rank Jutsu, Naruto could afford to be almost wasteful, tossing out A-rank techniques with little thought to the cost.
A Rasengan here, another there... hitting the target wasn't always the point, sometimes it was just about the overwhelming pressure.
Add to that the Nine-Tails' influence, granting him accelerated healing that bordered on the absurd.
Injuries that would sideline other shinobi for days, requiring medical intervention, Naruto could often sleep off.
While others recovered slowly, Naruto would be back on his feet, ready for more. His stamina and recovery rate made him uniquely suited to handle the strain of the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu.
If the basic Shadow Clone felt perfect for a Taijutsu specialist, the Multi-Shadow Clone felt like a technique specifically designed for Naruto Uzumaki. The power to overwhelm opponents not just with one fighter capable of incredible feats, but with hundreds.
The Nine-Tails, somewhere deep inside, probably felt rather put upon by the thought.
Naruto brought his index and middle fingers together on both hands, crossing them into the familiar seal. He gathered chakra, focusing his intent, and roared:
"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
*Puff, puff, puff, puff, puff!*
A rapid-fire series of sounds filled the small forest clearing as smoke erupted everywhere. Within moments, hundreds of identical Naruto's stood packed together, looking expectantly at the original.
Naruto cleared his throat, meeting the gaze of his copies. He gave them a respectful bow.
"Alright, everyone," he said, his voice carrying over the quiet hum of anticipation. "From here on out, I'm counting on you. For our goals. For what we need to achieve."
Perhaps he was the only ninja in history to ever thank his clones. But they shared his thoughts, his memories, his determination. They understood.
"Don't worry," one clone called out, grinning confidently. "Leave it to us!"
The sentiment rippled through the crowd, hundreds of voices echoing the resolve. "Yeah!"
Naruto grinned back, feeling the surge of shared energy. "Good. That's the spirit."
"You just focus on getting stronger, boss," another clone added. "We'll handle the rest."
"What doesn't kill us will only make us stronger!"
"What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!" shouted another, the phrase catching on.
"For our future!"
"Let's gooo!"
The energy peaked, a unified roar rising from hundreds of throats.
"Alright then," Naruto yelled over the din. "Let's get to it! Disperse!"
"Yeah!"
With a final, collective shout, the clones erupted outwards, pouring out of the clearing in all directions like a blonde tide, vanishing into the trees until only the original Naruto remained in the suddenly quiet forest.
No one else knew their purpose, where they were headed, or what tasks they would undertake before eventually disappearing.
Naruto rolled his neck, eliciting a series of sharp cracks. He silently hoisted the weighted turtle shell-heavier now than ever-onto his back. Then, settling into a familiar rhythm, he began the monotonous, grinding work of basic training, the foundation upon which everything else was built, day after day, year after year.
'Time to train.'
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