Konoha: Comparison of Naruto

Chapter 21: Early meeting

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[Shadow Clone Technique.]

[This technique uses Chakra to create a physical avatar. The avatar evenly distributes the caster's Chakra, possesses an independent consciousness, and has some resistance to blows. After the clone is released, its memories and experiences are transferred back to the main body.]

[When Hiruzen bestowed the technique, he demonstrated it for Naruto as well.]

["How about it? It's pretty cool, right?"]

["If you learn the Shadow Clone Technique, you can even play with yourself. You won't feel so lonely anymore."]

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[The back mountain of Konoha Village.]

[Naruto curled his lips, recalling Hiruzen's earlier words, and rolled his eyes helplessly.]

[Playing with yourself... what a weird concept.]

[However, what truly interested Naruto was the fact that the Shadow Clone Technique allowed the experiences of the clone to be transferred back to the main body after it was released.]

- Doesn't this mean that if I use it during training, I can achieve twice the results with half the effort?

[In any case, Naruto thought, the more skills you know, the better.]

[Naruto glanced at the nearby forest, where many trees were destroyed by his Shuriken Shadow Clone.]

[What puzzled him, however, was that he could no longer replicate the immense power of the ninjutsu he had used before.]

["It seems my Chakra control still needs a lot of work."]

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- Unbelievable!

Naruto's thought process left the audience stunned.

What an incredible misunderstanding!

Who could have imagined that every misunderstanding would push Naruto toward further improvement?

[Determined to address his shortcomings, Naruto immediately entered a meditative state.]

[He focused on refining his spiritual Chakra while simultaneously working on improving his Chakra control.]

[Time passed, minute by minute, second by second.]

[Yugao, who was secretly watching Naruto, grew bored and let out a sigh.]

[But the Anbu ninja quickly snapped out of her distraction, her body stiffening as she regained her focus.]

["No, I'm an Anbu ninja of Konoha Village. How can I let myself lose focus just because the task seems simple?"]

[Yugao slapped herself lightly to refocus and turned her attention back to Naruto.]

[Her gaze softened as she continued observing him.]

["I have to admit, Naruto works incredibly hard. For someone so young, his dedication to training surpasses that of many adults."]

[After watching Naruto for a long time, Yugao couldn't help but feel a small shift in her perception. Naruto's determination and work ethic earned her quiet approval.]

[The long-haired woman wearing an Anbu mask had developed a sense of admiration for Naruto.]

The venue for the Chūnin Exams.

Naruto grabbed his hair irritably and stomped his feet in frustration, looking as though he was about to lose his mind.

Haruno Sakura: "..."

Yamanaka Ino: "..."

"I said, what are you doing, you idiot? So many people are watching you, and you don't feel ashamed?"

Sakura couldn't help but scold Naruto, feeling secondhand embarrassment.

She understood why Naruto was so upset.

After all, comparisons can be painful.

In his childhood, Naruto from the black-framed world was indeed more mature than their Naruto.

Although that Naruto's thoughts sometimes seemed slightly off, at least he didn't harm others for his own benefit.

Instead, he constantly pushed himself to grow stronger so he wouldn't have to endure bullying and isolation anymore. He wasn't in the wrong.

Of course, what bothered Naruto the most was how that version of himself seemed to have earned the approval of certain people.

Many of his peers even wanted to get closer to him, yet he refused to give them the chance.

And on top of that, his hard work had even earned the quiet praise of an Anbu operative.

This was what depressed Naruto the most.

"Also, he probably thinks Third Hokage is too partial," Sakura muttered, lowering her eyes in exasperation.

"Damn it, why didn't I think a little more back then?"

The more Naruto thought about it, the more frustrated he became.

First, it was girls cheering for him. Then, Hokage giving him exclusive ninjutsu.

Compared to himself, it was like the difference between clouds and mud.

Uzumaki Naruto: "Hey! Can someone explain to me how much this viewing system can show? Like, can it show the future...?

Naruto tried to comfort himself, thinking that even if he wasn't as good as the other Naruto now, he might surpass him in the future.

With that kid's dangerous thoughts, he would probably end up completely alone anyway.

---

[Naruto stayed in deep concentration longer and longer.]

[Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, his blue pupils contracting sharply.]

["This is..."]

[Feeling a cool sensation beneath his feet, Uzumaki Naruto was stunned.]

["What's going on? Why am I in a sewer?"]

- Sewer!?

The ninja audience frowned at the scene.

Something was strange. Naruto had been refining Chakra through meditation—how had he suddenly ended up in a sewer?

As the confused Naruto appeared on screen, the viewers studied the setting carefully.

Indeed, the walls were damp and lined with water trails, confirming that Naruto had somehow entered a sewer while in his trance.

Onoki: "This is... Could it be...?"

Fourth Raikage: "That's right. When Naruto refined Chakra, he must have entered his spiritual consciousness."

Terumi Mei: "Ah! But why does Naruto's spiritual consciousness look so... interesting? A sewer, really?"

Namikaze Minato: "..."

Nine Tails: "..."

Nine Tails(Thought): Nani!? Could it be that I'm about to meet this brat early?

Uzumaki Naruto: "Ah! I remember now! The first time I met Nine Tails was in this place. That kid is going to meet Nine Tails, hehehe, he'll definitely be shocked!"