Chapter 327: Naruto's Dilemma

Standing in the clearing, Naruto formed the Seal of Opposition, looking at Kakashi and saying,

"Kakashi-san, before starting my special training, I want to see your strength."

(AN: I decided to use Japanese honorifics other than 'sensei' and 'sama.' The original author called him "Jonin Kakashi," but it felt cringy.)

Challenging a Jōnin before even graduating from the academy?

Kakashi silently complained to himself but stepped forward to form the opposing seal. He knew that sparring with Naruto would help gauge the boy's strength and allow him to tailor the training accordingly.

After the two put enough distance between them, Kakashi smiled amusedly. "Naruto, I won't be going hard on you. However, if you can force me to use ninjutsu, then this spar will be your win."

Hearing this, Naruto nodded slightly. Without waiting for Kakashi to call the start, he launched his attack.

With chakra enhancing his speed, Naruto appeared in front of Kakashi in less than half a second, aiming a punch directly at Kakashi's nose.

Kakashi effortlessly sidestepped the punch and countered with a palm strike aimed at Naruto's stomach, intending to end the spar instantly.

With a bang, Naruto was struck—only to vanish in a puff of white smoke.

It was the Clone Technique, one of the basic Three Academy Techniques. While it lacked combat ability and physical presence, it was excellent for confusing opponents, making it an essential jutsu for academy graduation.

However, the Clone Technique's utility was limited to beginner-level ninjas. Any skilled ninja could easily see through it, and Kakashi was no exception.

To test Naruto further, Kakashi deliberately feigned surprise. Without even turning around, he intercepted Naruto's follow-up sneak attack and prepared another strike.

Another loud thud—but this time, the "Naruto" transformed into a log. The real Naruto reappeared a dozen meters away.

Seeing this, a faint smile formed on Kakashi's lips.

As a Jōnin, Kakashi could easily see through Naruto's tricks, but it didn't mean the same for most Genin. Naruto's mastery of the Three Academy Techniques already surpassed many Genin.

Just based on that, Naruto was ready to graduate from the Ninja Academy.

However, Naruto's current strength was still far from enough to shoulder the responsibilities of a jinchūriki and stand among the village's elite.

In a flash, Kakashi appeared behind Naruto, pressing a stick he had picked up against the boy's back.

Naruto felt a cold chill down his spine but managed to narrowly evade Kakashi's attack. Forming hand signs, he unleashed the Clone Technique again, attacking alongside his clones.

"Still relying on clones without substance?" Kakashi thought disdainfully.

Just as he lowered his guard, one of Naruto's clones suddenly landed a solid punch. Kakashi's expression shifted in surprise, but then he seemed to realize something, his gaze turning strange as he looked at Naruto.

"The spar ends here. I've seen enough of your strength. But I'm very curious—how did you learn the Shadow Clone Technique? That's a B-rank jutsu and not part of the academy curriculum."

"Shadow Clone Technique?"

Naruto looked puzzled, not understanding what Kakashi meant. He asked, "What's the Shadow Clone Technique? I only know the Clone Technique… What are you talking about?"

Kakashi sighed. "The Clone Technique doesn't create physical clones. Only Shadow Clones can."

Realization dawned on Naruto. "Oh, you mean my clones are physical? That's just my modified Clone Technique. I found that if I put enough chakra into a clone, it can gain physical form."

Kakashi was momentarily speechless.

He had assumed Naruto had somehow learned the Shadow Clone Technique through unauthorized means and had been shocked that the Third Hokage would allow Naruto access to such a dangerous jutsu so early. But to think Naruto had developed it himself…

As for the brilliance required to create a new jutsu, Kakashi wasn't sure what to think.

Most skilled ninjas Kakashi knew had either created their own jutsu or improved upon existing ones. Typically, a ninja would reach the level of a Jōnin, master chakra nature transformation, and then begin developing techniques.

But Naruto was far from Jōnin-level and likely didn't even understand chakra nature transformation.

To create something akin to the Shadow Clone Technique without any prior knowledge was a testament to Naruto's natural talent.

From this perspective, Naruto had the potential to reach—perhaps even surpass—the strength of his father, the Fourth Hokage. With the Nine-Tails sealed within him, Naruto might one day eclipse even that.

After a moment of thought, Kakashi and Naruto formed the Seal of Reconciliation, signaling the end of their spar.

After confirming that Naruto had at least the strength of a Genin, Kakashi took him to the southern river to teach him the art of precise chakra control.

However, Naruto quickly demonstrated his proficiency in tree climbing and water walking techniques, leaving Kakashi in an awkward position.

Unsure of what else to teach Naruto, Kakashi bade him farewell, and they both went their separate ways home.

---

Returning to his small house in the village center, Naruto took a hot shower and lay on his bed, chatting idly with the Black Zetsu spirit housed within his kunai pendant.

"Black Zetsu, why do you think Kakashi is approaching me? Is it just because Grandpa Third gave him a mission? But every time he sees me, he seems to pause momentarily, as if he's remembering someone else."

Scratching his cheek, Naruto continued, "I think Kakashi definitely knows my family. But, like Grandpa Third, he refuses to tell me. Is it because my identity is too special? Or is there some other reason?"

Naruto wasn't naive. Even at a young age, he realized he was different from other children.

It wasn't just because he was an orphan without parents or relatives. There were plenty of orphans in the village. Some lived with distant relatives; others were sent to the orphanage.

However, Naruto was the only orphan in the entire Konoha who lived alone.

He had once asked the Third Hokage about it, but the Hokage had deflected his questions with vague excuses. Over time, Naruto had grown used to it and stopped pursuing the details of his origins.

Yet after today's interaction with Kakashi, the curiosity about his identity has reignited.

'You're undoubtedly special. You're the reincarnation of Asura, the son of the Fourth Hokage, and the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. There are hardly any ninjas in this world with a more complex identity than yours.'

After a moment's thought, Black Zetsu replied lazily, "You've stopped worrying about your past for so long time so why are you dwindling now? Once you grow strong enough, the answers will naturally come to you."

Since neither the Third Hokage nor Kakashi had revealed Naruto's true identity, Black Zetsu saw no reason to complicate matters.

After all, he wasn't the one deceiving Naruto. His role was simply to play the part of a caring "grandfather" and occasionally show concern for the boy.

In Black Zetsu's experience, the brighter and more cheerful a boy was, the more likely he was to fall into darkness.