Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Inside Ichiraku Ramen restaurant.

"Slurp, slurp…"

Iruka, dressed in his green flak jacket, was enjoying his ramen. Halfway through, he noticed that there was no movement around him, so he turned his head and asked, "Naruto, why aren't you eating? Isn't miso ramen your favorite?"

"I'm eating, I'm eating." Naruto forced a smile and started eating the ramen in small bites.

It wasn't that the ramen didn't taste good, it's just that he's restless and has no appetite.

A long time has passed since he dealt with Mizuki and sent him to Sandaime. He then went to Ichiraku Ramen with Iruka to eat ramen to celebrate, but his shadow clone still has not returned.

If something had gone wrong, the clone should have dispelled by now.

This feeling of having no news made him even more worried.

Just as he took another sip of the hot broth, a shiver ran through him as a surge of information flooded into his mind.

This is a memory that is both familiar and unfamiliar… it was from his shadow clone.

'It had finally returned!'

Hearing the system notification that he'd acquired the Sharingan, Naruto let out a long sigh of relief.

But before he could relax and enjoy his ramen, the memory unfolded completely in his mind. After Seeing the entire sequence of events from his clone's perspective, he nearly choked on his soup.

'Wow, this is too exciting!'

Originally, he'd only sent his clone to sneak in during the chaos and get the Sharingan. Yet not only had he succeeded, but he'd also managed to trick Orochimaru into practically becoming his follower.

It must be known that's Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, a name feared throughout the Shinobi World!

'He really is worthy of being called my shadow clone. In one word: Awesome!'

With the memory playing out in his head like a movie, Naruto couldn't have asked for a better dinner show.

"Slurp, slurp…"

He continued devouring his ramen, and by the time he finished watching the entire memory, he'd already downed three bowls.

"Huh? Iruka-sensei, why aren't you eating?" Naruto turned his head and looked at Iruka beside him.

"I'm eating, I'm eating." Iruka replied with a weak smile.

It's not that the ramen weren't delicious, it's just that Naruto ate too much, and Iruka couldn't help but regret bringing Naruto to eat ramen.

He couldn't help but think that taking Naruto to a buffet might have been more cost-effective...

Nothing happened that night…

The next day at noon.

After yesterday's graduation exam, Naruto had no plans for today, so he enjoyed the rare chance to sleep in.

After finally waking up, he freshened up and headed out to find Kiba. After all, Kiba had promised him free meals for a month, and Naruto was determined to make the most of it.

Since he'd missed breakfast by oversleeping, he was planning to eat a double portion for lunch.

However, when he was only halfway along the way, he noticed that many Shinobi were rushing towards the Uchiha Ruins.

'Something's going on.'

Naruto decisively changed his route and headed towards the Uchiha Ruins.

Although it was just a shadow clone last night, it wasn't impossible that some evidence might've been left behind. For example, his shadow clone had used the power of Kyubi. If the Chakra hadn't fully dissipated, it might lead back to him.

That's why Naruto felt it's better to check things out now. If anything pointed to him, he could make a run for it.

Along the way, he eavesdropped on conversations between the Shinobi. Although most were just fragments, by the time he reached the Uchiha Ruins, he'd pieced together a fairly complete picture of what had happened.

'There were signs of a battle at the Uchiha Ruins last night. Based on the evidence, it was at least a Jonin-level clash. They suspect it was an intruder from another village, but their purpose is unknown, and they haven't apprehended anyone.'

After learning this, Naruto finally felt his anxiety ease.

Right now, he was just a genin from Konoha. Without concrete evidence, even if they suspected a local fight, no one would consider him a suspect.

Besides, he and Orochimaru were now on the same side. With Orochimaru's many years of experience in carrying out missions, he'd undoubtedly have erased any critical evidence at the scene.

'It seems I was just overthinking it. Never mind, let's go get that free meal.'

Naruto chuckled to himself, then turned around and prepared to look for Kiba.

Just then, a harsh shout came from the main gate of the Uchiha Clan's compound.

"Little brat, this isn't a place for you. Leave!"

As soon as the words fell, a figure was tossed out through the gate.

Upon closer look, it was none other than Sasuke.

"Let me in! I know he's back! I have to kill him, kill him!" Sasuke roared.

However, the gates were already shut, and when he tried to force his way in, two Shinobi outside immediately stopped him.

"Kid, the investigation isn't over yet, and no one's been caught. Going in there will only mess up the evidence and delay things. That's not what you want, is it?"

"You should go back now. When we have news, you can go to Hokage-sama to ask for the results."

The green-flak-jacketed Shinobi's tone was calm but firm.

Hearing this, Sasuke trembled. Though he wanted to roar in defiance, he knew the Shinobi was right.

After a long silence, he reluctantly turned to leave.

But the moment he turned around, his lonely expression suddenly became fierce.

"Naruto, what are you doing here? Are you here to laugh at me?" Sasuke scoffed coldly.

Naruto shook his head helplessly and turned to walk away.

Given that someone had fought in the Uchiha Ruins, it was understandable Sasuke might think it was Itachi. But the real issue was that every time Itachi was mentioned, Sasuke would lose control and spiral into madness. And Naruto had no interest in getting dragged into that.

"Why are you shaking your head? Are you looking down on me?" Sasuke sneered coldly, and suddenly rushed forward to block Naruto's path.

"Shaking my head bothers you now? What's it to you?" Naruto frowned.

'There has to be a limit to being sick. This Sasuke was acting like an angry dog, ready to bite anyone who passed.'

Sasuke continued, with a snide scoff: "You got first place in the graduation exam, and now you're getting cocky? It's just the most basic Ninjutsu, and it doesn't mean that you're stronger than me. If you have the guts, why don't we settle this with a duel?"

After hearing this, Naruto immediately understood what was going on.

He remembered that in the original work, after failing to defeat Itachi, Sasuke noticed that even Naruto, the so-called dead-last, was getting stronger. This sent him into a fit of madness, challenging Naruto to a duel out of frustration.

Now, because of last night's fight, Sasuke had assumed Itachi had appeared, and Naruto, who was the 'loser' in the class, had taken the top spot in the graduation exam.

This is slightly similar to the situation in the original work, where Sasuke felt his own weakness and even a sense of being surpassed by someone he deemed inferior. How could he hope to defeat Itachi if he was lagging this far behind? This frustration was fueling his challenge.

'It seems that Sasuke is not simply ill… He has fallen seriously ill in advance...'

However, Naruto will not sympathize with Sasuke like in the original work. He will not have the slightest earnest words of advice or sympathy for this kind of illness. For him, there was only one solution to this kind of behavior: a good beating. Sometimes, a solid punch is the best remedy for this kind of delusional self-pity.

Sasuke was constantly wallowing in self-pity, a classic case of 'spoiling for a fight' due to nothing better to do.

When Naruto thought of Itachi, working tirelessly in the Akatsuki like a loyal soldier, he felt an even stronger urge to knock some sense into this whiny 'little brother'.

"A duel, huh? Fine, I accept!"