Chapter 10: Three Basic Jutsu Maxed Out + Reward
The next evening, still at Training Ground 3, Naruto's hands moved like lightning as he instantly formed the seals for the Clone Jutsu.
A perfect, indistinguishable clone appeared beside him.
Clone Jutsu Proficiency (10000/10000)Substitution Jutsu Proficiency (10000/10000)Transformation Jutsu Proficiency (10000/10000)
In just two days, he had maxed out the proficiency of all Three Basic Jutsu. The system's voice rang out right on time.
"All Three Basic Jutsu have reached max level. Reward unlocked: [Phantom Transformation Jutsu]."
Phantom Transformation Jutsu: An advanced ninjutsu derived from the Transformation Jutsu. While transformed, it can resist detection from most sensory ninjutsu and dojutsu.
"A transformation technique that blocks sensory abilities? Interesting."
Although it wasn't a direct combat boost, Naruto could already think of many clever applications for the Phantom Transformation Jutsu.
The three-day deadline with the Nine-Tails had arrived. Naruto returned home, lay down on his bed, closed his eyes, and sent his consciousness into the sealing space.
When he opened his eyes, the Nine-Tails was staring directly at him — whether by coincidence or because it had been watching the whole time.
Compared to three days ago, the Nine-Tails looked like it hadn't slept well. There were even faint bloodshot lines in its eyes.
When it saw Naruto appear, its massive pupils shrank noticeably. Its earlier ferocity was gone.
"Nine-Tails, have you made your decision? Will you cooperate with me?" Naruto asked straight to the point.
This was the final ultimatum.
The Nine-Tails hesitated slightly before asking, "Why should I trust you?"
As it spoke, it stared intently at Naruto's face, trying to read him.
Although it was still full of doubt, this was the best chance it had gotten in decades of being sealed to regain its freedom.
"Besides trusting me, do you have any other choice? Your chakra has no effect on me. The stronger I become, the less valuable you are to me."
"Nine-Tails, this is your only chance."
Naruto's tone was calm, but it sent a chill down the Nine-Tails' spine.
In the past, the Nine-Tails would have sneered at such words.
But it had clearly seen the terrifying talent Naruto had displayed over the past few days from inside the seal.
The Nine-Tails even suspected that Naruto might one day reach the level of Hashirama Senju.
During these three days, it truly hadn't slept.
Looking into Naruto's calm and seemingly sincere blue eyes, the Nine-Tails felt tempted.
Because in those eyes, it could sense no malice.
That meant Naruto's promise might actually be genuine.
[Should I take the gamble?]
The Nine-Tails gritted its teeth. "What did you mean earlier when you said you could make my stay more comfortable?"
"After I learn sealing techniques, I can bring things in here for you to pass the time. I can also create a chakra clone for you to possess so you can move around outside," Naruto answered honestly.
Hearing such a detailed plan, the Nine-Tails' trust increased a little more.
But thinking of one particular issue, its eyes showed hesitation.
After struggling for several seconds, the Nine-Tails finally spoke.
"If I leave your body, you — as the jinchuriki — will die! So your talk about giving me freedom is impossible!"
Naruto was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected the Nine-Tails to voluntarily mention a condition that was disadvantageous to itself.
He shrugged casually. "I'll find a way to solve that problem."
In the end, the Nine-Tails turned its head away, eyes slightly evasive, and gave a small nod.
Seeing its tsundere behavior, Naruto smiled lightly.
"Then let's officially introduce ourselves. My name is Uzumaki Naruto. What about you?"
The Nine-Tails' evasive gaze froze for a moment. It clearly hadn't expected Naruto to suddenly ask for its name.
"Ku… Kurama!"
Saying its own name to a human made the Nine-Tails feel strangely awkward.
"What a stubborn fox. Well then, nice to work with you from now on, Kurama."
"Brat, who are you calling a fox?! I am the great—"
Before the Nine-Tails could finish, Naruto had already disappeared from the sealing space.
Staring at the now empty sealing space, the Nine-Tails felt an unexpected sense of relief — like it had just successfully passed a job interview.
It quickly shook its head, trying to甩 off such a weak-minded thought.
The next day, in class.
Iruka was lecturing on the topic [The Self-Cultivation of a Shinobi].
Naruto stared out the window and let out a long yawn.
Iruka noticed this from the podium, and a trace of displeasure appeared in his eyes.
"Naruto! Come answer this question. If you encounter a difficult situation during a mission, should you choose to continue the mission or save your comrade?"
All the students' eyes turned toward him.
Although the question was directed at Naruto, they were also thinking about what they would choose.
Naruto didn't even pause to think. He answered directly:
"Only children make choices. The strong take everything. As long as you're strong enough, there won't be any dilemmas."
This extremely confident answer caught everyone off guard.
Iruka opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.
[Only children make choices? But aren't you still a child?]
Yet the more Iruka thought about it, the more he felt that Naruto's answer might actually be the correct one.
"So cool…" Ino muttered, staring at Naruto by the window.
Hinata's eyes were full of admiration. She had always lacked confidence.
Even some of the civilian students who usually feared or avoided Naruto thought he looked pretty cool at that moment.
A while later, the system's voice sounded again.
"New self-discipline task unlocked: Train the nine sword forms of Wind Breathing for two and a half hours every day. Complete one full year of consecutive check-ins and master all nine sword forms to max level, achieving complete mastery."
After school, Naruto didn't head straight home. Instead, he went to a ninja tool shop.
To train the sword forms of Wind Breathing, he naturally needed a sword.
The moment he stepped into the shop, he saw a familiar figure.
Behind the counter stood a cute girl with a bun hairstyle, an oval face, big eyes, and a doll-like adorableness.
Although it was their first meeting, Naruto immediately recognized her.
It was Tenten — the girl known as Konoha's little rich lady.
She also noticed Naruto and kept stealing curious glances at him.
Naruto didn't take the initiative to greet her. He simply walked around the shop on his own.
The quality and variety of tools in Tenten's family shop were excellent.
All kinds of shuriken, kunai, and explosive tags filled the shelves.
Naruto's gaze swept over them, but none were what he was looking for.
As he turned the corner of one shelf, a wall covered with various ninja swords caught his eye.