Chapter 377: Chapter 375 : Learning Ninjutsu!!
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Uzumaki Naruto moved to the edge of Konoha, forming hand seals.
At the same time, two shadow clones appeared!
Since he knew someone was following him, Naruto wanted to be extra cautious.
If he could shake off some pursuers, that would be even better!
It would buy him some time to quickly learn the ninja techniques.
The three figures glanced at each other, then jumped over the Konoha wall.
Using the wall as cover, Naruto quickly switched positions and then dashed off in three different directions.
His speed was fast!
"Huh? Since when did Naruto become this cautious?" An Anbu ninja watching Naruto’s movements twitched his brows.
They hadn’t shown themselves to block Naruto, but he was still so careful.
Using shadow clones even to escape!
"Damn... what should we do next? This kid is way too cautious." The ninjas following Naruto exchanged looks, some frustration in their eyes.
If Naruto had just played a prank and left, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
But now, Naruto was carrying Konoha’s secrets, so things were different.
"What else can we do? Split up and follow him separately!"
Finally, someone spoke. Splitting up to follow was the only option left.
With that, the four split to track Naruto in their own ways.
One waited for the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen’s orders.
Behind them, Mizuki was stunned and murmured, "I didn’t expect Naruto to be this cautious. Damn it... but fine. Naruto’s already escaped Konoha, and once I get the Scroll of Seals, I can escape too."
Murmuring this, Mizuki targeted one of the clones and gave chase.
No matter what,
He wanted to find Naruto before anyone else did, to take the Scroll of Seals from him.
Then, he followed after them.
Behind them, the ANBU ninja arrived with Iruka, who was a little late and still confused.
"What’s wrong with Naruto? What are we supposed to do?" Iruka asked the ANBU ninja. He had just fallen asleep when they woke him up, saying the Third Hokage had given him a mission.
But Iruka was still puzzled.
It didn’t seem like Naruto’s situation had much to do with him!
Iruka was only ordered by the Third Hokage to bring some warmth to Naruto, so Naruto could feel grateful.
But why at night?
What was going on?
"Naruto stole a Konoha’s Scroll of Seals and ran away. This was probably encouraged by your ninja school teacher, Mizuki!" The ANBU ninja finally explained the situation and its dangers to Iruka.
"The Hokage wants you to calm Naruto no matter what. You must understand, the Nine-Tails sealed inside Naruto is a deadly weapon. His emotions cannot be allowed to fluctuate too much!"
"And also..."
"No matter what Naruto learned from Mizuki, you need to deny it. You have to bring Naruto’s mindset back to normal!"
The ANBU ninja roughly explained everything.
Iruka then understood the whole thing. Mizuki had encouraged Naruto to steal the Scroll of Seals, and Naruto had run away.
Now, it was Iruka’s job to persuade Naruto!
But Iruka was reluctant, especially when he heard the name Nine-Tails. A flash of resentment and inner conflict crossed his face.
Back then, his parents had died at the hands of the Nine-Tails. But now, Uzumaki Naruto was essentially the Nine-Tails itself!
Before, the reason he was a bit close to Naruto was partly because he was Naruto’s teacher and partly because of Sarutobi Hiruzen’s instructions.
Of course, he still treated Naruto like any other student.
There was no special treatment.
Now, the Hokage himself was asking him to calm down Uzumaki Naruto. Wasn’t that putting him in a difficult position?
"Iruka, I know this is hard for you!" the Anbu ninja said, seeing how troubled Iruka looked. Then he continued persuading, "But Naruto is the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki. His mental stability must be guaranteed. Otherwise, no one can promise the Nine-Tails won’t go berserk!"
"Do you want today to turn into another Nine-Tails rampage like years ago?"
"For the sake of Konoha, I hope Teacher Iruka, you can do your best!"
"If not, we’ll have to ask the Third Hokage again!"
The Anbu ninja was urging him desperately.
"All right, I’ll try to persuade Naruto to come back and get the Scroll of Seals," Iruka nodded seriously. In his heart, he thought, for Konoha’s sake, he had to do this.
As for the Nine-Tails?
He believed Konoha didn’t need such an unstable weapon of war. His parents’ deaths by the Nine-Tails was a warning!
But Konoha did not stop!
The two of them walked to the village’s edge and saw another waiting Anbu ninja.
"Where did Naruto go?" Iruka asked the man directly. "Which direction?"
Since he had made up his mind, he was determined to bring Naruto back.
"I don’t know," the supporting ninja shook his head, then continued, "He used shadow clones to split and escape. Now there are three directions!"
Iruka was completely stunned.
He hadn’t expected Naruto to be this clever.
"Let’s head this way first!" Finally, Iruka chose a direction and chased after him.
Iruka had worked alongside Mizuki for many years and knew his personality well.
Since Mizuki had set a trap, he was also tracking and watching Naruto!
They had to find Naruto before Mizuki did.
Outside Konoha, in the forest—
Uzumaki Naruto darted through the trees.
The Nine-Tails occasionally reported on the situation behind him!
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
After moving forward two or three miles, Naruto used the clone technique again!
Once more, they scattered and fled!
"Huh? Another clone?"
A ninja following Naruto was completely shocked.
One clone wasn’t enough, now there were more!
Seeing the three separate figures, he hesitated for a moment before choosing one clone to chase.
After that, Naruto moved quickly through the forest, creating more shadow clones several times.
After confirming no one was behind him, he finally stopped.
"Nine-Tails, is there anyone nearby?" Naruto paused and asked in the spiritual world.
"No one within three miles, but they’ll be following your trail soon!"
The Nine-Tails advised calmly in Naruto’s mind.
"I think you should run. Get away from Konoha!"
The Nine-Tails was still thinking that once Naruto left Konoha, he could trick him into helping break the seal.
"No need. This time is enough." Naruto ignored the Nine-Tails’ persuasion.
He knew as long as he didn’t plan to run away from Konoha, he could act freely.
But if he tried to escape, those people would definitely stop him!
Rather than that, he’d better take this chance to learn more ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals.
With that thought, Naruto sat down and opened the huge scroll.
Under the moonlight, he began reading the ninjutsu inside.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu?"
As time passed, Naruto flipped through many ninjutsu techniques.
Unaware, faint footsteps began to sound.
A figure was slowly approaching from a distance!
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