Inside the Uchiha Training Ground:
"Huh? It's actually this simple?" Naruto and his surrounding shadow clones exchanged bewildered glances before bursting into simultaneous laughter.
"I really am a genius, hahahahaha!"
When Sasuke had first offered to teach him the Shadow Clone Technique, Naruto had initially felt a pang of hesitation.
After all, the Shadow Clone Technique was a B-Rank ninjutsu, and he struggled even with the basic E-Rank Clone Technique at the academy.
But to his surprise, the Shadow Clone Technique proved simpler than the basic clone.
After just half an hour of Sasuke's guidance, Naruto had already mastered it.
After celebrating for a while, Naruto and his shadow clones all turned their attention to Sasuke, who remained calm and composed.
To his surprise, Sasuke didn't try to deflate his enthusiasm this time. Instead, he gave a slight nod and said calmly:
"It seems you do have some talent after all. You're not as hopeless as I thought. That's... unexpected."
Sasuke's calm gaze swept over the ten shadow clones surrounding Naruto.
Ten!
The Shadow Clone Technique can create a maximum of ten solid clones. Naruto achieved this limit on his very first attempt.
Sasuke, after over three months of rigorous training, could also create ten solid clones.
However, considering the mental and physical strain, ten clones were pushing his limits.
During practice, he usually only summoned around five clones to assist his training.
Yet Naruto summoned ten Shadow Clones in one go and still looked energetic and full of vigor.
Sasuke understood perfectly well that ten Shadow Clones were child's play for Naruto.
In the original story, Naruto had learned the enhanced forbidden technique—the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
On his first attempt, he had created a thousand clones, crippling Mizuki, who was then a Chunin instructor, leaving him half-paralyzed.
According to official databooks, Naruto's maximum capacity was at least five thousand clones—at least!
Sasuke couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Sometimes, comparing oneself to others was truly infuriating.
"Heh heh!" Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. This was the first time he'd ever heard Sasuke praise him, however subtly, and he couldn't hide his delight.
"Hey, Sasuke," Naruto asked earnestly, after his initial excitement had subsided. "Why are you teaching me this ninjutsu?"
Naruto's voice trembled slightly with nervousness and anxiety.
For someone who had always been alone, gaining recognition from others was his greatest desire, and among his peers, Sasuke's approval meant the most.
Gazing into Naruto's clear, azure eyes, Sasuke remained silent for a moment.
Instead of answering directly, he explained, "The Shadow Clone Technique is a B-Rank ninjutsu developed by the Second Hokage. It uses Chakra to create tangible clones that can move and fight independently, possessing their own consciousness and a degree of resilience. They're typically used for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and coordinated combat."
"But recently, I discovered another application: using them to assist with training!"
"Assist with training?" Naruto scratched his head, puzzled.
"Exactly!" Sasuke nodded slightly, continuing calmly, "When the tangible clones are dispelled, their memories and experiences flow back to the original body. In a way, this accelerates the training process."
"Huh?!"
Naruto froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up as if a sudden realization had struck him. "So, does that mean my future training will be ten times faster now?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
Recalling Sasuke's earlier words, Naruto finally understood the purpose behind Sasuke teaching him the Shadow Clone Technique.
"In a way, you could say that," Sasuke nodded. "But don't get too excited yet. Besides the experience and memories, the clones also transfer their physical fatigue and mental strain upon returning."
Seeing Naruto nod in apparent understanding, Sasuke continued, "As I said before, if you want to catch up to me, you'll need to put in ten times, a hundred times, the effort!"
Hearing this, Naruto didn't bristle. Instead, he eagerly asked, "Sasuke, do you finally see me as your rival?"
"No. Right now, you're nowhere near qualified to be my rival, Naruto," Sasuke replied coldly, his indifferent gaze piercing like a sharp sword. The icy words doused Naruto's excitement like a bucket of cold water, instantly silencing him.
"Naruto, I admire your relentless courage in challenging me, but I despise those who overestimate themselves. Prove yourself to me through sweat and blood, Uzumaki Naruto. If you can do that, I, Uchiha Sasuke, will acknowledge you as my rival."
Naruto's heart pounded. He clenched his fist, flames seemed to burn in his azure eyes as he declared with unwavering determination:
"I'll prove it to you! I swear it on my ninja way, Sasuke!"
With that, Naruto extended his fist, his expression utterly serious. "This is a promise between men!"
"Hmph," Sasuke chuckled softly. After a moment's silence, he extended his own fist.
Bang!
Their fists collided!
Under the clear moonlight, in the Uchiha Clan Compound's training ground, the two young men's fists met, sealing their pact!
In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, who had been silently observing the scene, stroked his beard with satisfaction, a deep sense of paternal warmth spreading across his face.
Naruto left, and with his departure, the sense of being watched from above vanished.
After all, compared to Sasuke, the Third Hokage was far more focused on Naruto.
Sasuke had always been aware of the Third Hokage's observation. His earlier actions were half performance, half genuine.
The genuine part stemmed from his need for a rival who could challenge him and push him to his limits.
The performance was designed to portray him as someone outwardly aloof but inwardly yearning for friendship and valuing camaraderie—a character archetype perfectly aligned with the Third Hokage's sensibilities, suggesting stability and ease of control.
In both the original timeline and this world, the Third Hokage had never forbidden or distrusted Sasuke's friendship with Naruto despite Sasuke's sensitive Uchiha heritage.
On the contrary, details and recollections from the original timeline indicated that the Third Hokage approved of their bond, perhaps even intentionally fostered it.
He had deliberately assigned Naruto and Sasuke to the same class to deepen their connection.
Danzo's methods often relied on brute force, intimidation, and coercion, while the Third Hokage preferred to play the emotional card, a tactic far more lethal and difficult to unravel in this world.
You could accuse the Third Hokage of hypocrisy, feigned benevolence, crocodile tears, or even being a hidden manipulator, but there's no denying his genuine sense of guilt toward Sasuke and Naruto.
While the Third Hokage lived, no matter how much trouble Naruto caused, he would always suppress the consequences.
Even Sasuke, with his perpetually hostile demeanor and obsessive focus on revenge, remained unfazed by the Hokage.
Instead, the Third Hokage deliberately encouraged Sasuke to forge more friendships, strengthening his bonds with the village and his sense of belonging.
Of course, Sasuke wouldn't blindly trust the facade presented in the original timeline.
His earlier teaching Naruto the Shadow Clone Technique was, in truth, a deliberate test.