Chapter 33: A Sea of Narutos!

"Uh-huh!"

Naruto nodded vigorously. While practicing the *Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu* moments earlier, he had felt a stifling sensation, like an invisible hand gripping his throat.

*The strain was palpable.*

In the beginning, when he struggled with the *Clone Jutsu*, even maintaining chakra balance was a challenge. Controlling a single clone had been daunting, let alone summoning more than one.

But now...

Naruto realized he was holding back. Summoning just two or three clones felt like restraint. Yet, he hadn't mastered the technique fully. This internal tension was undeniable—a powerful sensation surged within him.

"In that case..."

Naruto brought his hands together. His left hand lay horizontally, his right hand vertically, fingers intertwined to form a cross.

"Whew!"

As Naruto struck this classic pose, Sasuke instinctively tensed, taking a deep breath.

This guy only knows big moves...  

Sasuke's mind flashed to how Naruto often relied on sheer audacity in combat. A true one-trick pony!

If Naruto's shadow clones lined up head to toe, they could probably circle the Earth.

"*Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!*"

Naruto’s eyes burned with determination. Chakra surged through his body, crackling like a storm.

At that moment...

The training ground of the Ninja Academy was engulfed in a spectacle no one could have predicted.

One Naruto after another emerged.

There were Narutos on the field.

Narutos on the horizontal bars.

Narutos on the swings.

Narutos perched in trees and on rooftops.

It was a sea of orange and gold—a veritable ocean of Narutos!

"There must be thousands..."

Sasuke’s mouth twitched as he took in the overwhelming sight. Naruto had turned a one-on-one technique into a chaotic army.

"Whoa!"

The students around the training ground stood frozen in shock. Their wide-eyed disbelief painted the scene perfectly: dumbfounded awe.

This is Naruto? So many clones? Is he planning to fight everyone at once?  

At the Academy's entrance, a group of boys stepped out and stopped in their tracks.

They had planned to "teach Naruto a lesson" that day. That fight, interrupted by Sasuke’s arrival, never happened. Now, staring at this overwhelming army of Narutos, they felt their scalps tingle.

Is this even possible?!  

"Boss, isn’t that..." one of the boys stammered, his voice trembling.

"Yeah, it’s Naruto," their leader replied, his face grim. "Good thing Sasuke showed up back then. Otherwise..."

"Boss, do you think Sasuke showed up that day to save us?" another boy suddenly asked, realization dawning on him.

"Maybe," the leader muttered.

---

Sasuke, meanwhile, watched the display with a mix of pride and bafflement.

Suddenly, a notification flashed in his mind.

*+5*

"???"

Sasuke blinked, stunned.

What’s going on? I didn’t even do anything yet!  

He glanced at Naruto and the sea of clones. "Naruto, that’s enough! Dispelling them now is a good idea—you’re going to terrify everyone!"

The countless Narutos exchanged glances, clearly enjoying the chaos. Each clone felt tangible, radiating power.

Finally, one after another, the clones burst apart with sharp explosions, vanishing into smoke.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang...  

When the dust settled, the real Naruto sat panting on the ground, clearly exhausted.

Yet...

Naruto’s face glowed with pride and joy. This was unlike anything he had felt before.

"Sasuke, thank you!"

Naruto stood and bowed deeply. He knew this ability wouldn’t have been possible without Sasuke sharing the technique.

"You’re welcome," Sasuke replied with a faint smile, graciously accepting the gratitude. "We’re friends, right?"

"Uh-huh!" Naruto’s head bobbed enthusiastically. Those words—simple but sincere—meant the world to him. They validated his efforts and his worth.

"With this jutsu, you’ll breeze through the graduation exam," Sasuke continued. "You might even score the highest in the Academy."

Naruto’s grin widened. Sasuke, too, felt a quiet satisfaction. The bond of friendship they were forming was as valuable as the jutsu itself.

---

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed across the training ground.

Thump, thump, thump...  

Iruka, in full ninja uniform, arrived, looking both confused and concerned. His eyes swept across the remnants of smoke and settled on Naruto and Sasuke.

"Naruto, what was that just now?"

Iruka frowned. He had glimpsed the mass of clones from the classroom and knew this wasn’t something Naruto could normally accomplish.

"Well..." Naruto scratched his head, sneaking nervous glances at Sasuke.

"Iruka-sensei, let me explain," Sasuke interjected, stepping forward confidently.

Iruka’s gaze shifted to Sasuke, suspicion clouding his features. "Go ahead."

"Yesterday," Sasuke began with a serious expression, "I visited the Hokage’s office. The Third Hokage asked me to pass a scroll to Naruto. He said the technique inside was perfectly suited for him."

Naruto blinked in surprise. "Grandpa Third gave it to me?!"

Iruka frowned, still skeptical. "Are you saying the Third Hokage entrusted this technique to Naruto?"

"That’s correct," Sasuke said evenly. "If you don’t believe me, Iruka-sensei, you can confirm it with the Third Hokage himself."

Sasuke’s calm demeanor masked his inner relief. He’d already considered such scenarios and had his explanations prepared.

Naruto, meanwhile, stared at Sasuke with awe and gratitude, utterly convinced.

---

(End of Chapter)