Konoha.
Ninja Academy.
As the screen played to the moment Naruto flew through the air and threw a kunai, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
Two chirping birds on a large tree at the entrance were startled and flew away in all directions.
Naruto was happy to see his incredibly cool side, but he also scratched his head, completely bewildered.
"What? Why don't I understand my own moves!?"
Kakashi's calm voice came.
"Naruto, you haven't even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet, so naturally you wouldn't know…"
"Shadow Clone Technique, a B-rank Ninjutsu, is a much stronger Ninjutsu than the Clone Technique of the Three Basic Ninjutsu, because the Shadow Clone Technique creates physical bodies, not mere projections like the Clone Technique."
Kakashi appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he was shocked by Naruto's Chakra reserves.
To create over fifty Shadow Clones at once!
Such a large amount of Chakra would even be enough for him to use Lightning Blade multiple times without exhausting himself!
Actually, even if he were truly trapped in a Water Prison like on the screen, he could break free with the power of his Sharingan.
However, using the Sharingan consumes a considerable amount of Chakra.
But the cooperation between Naruto and Sasuke was truly excellent.
Especially Naruto's quick thinking at such a critical moment.
This kind of combat intelligence!
He truly is a born Ninja.
Seeing that Kakashi no longer explained, Shikamaru took over, analyzing it for Naruto.
"The Naruto in the screen was already calculating against Zabuza the Demon from the moment he released the Shadow Clone Technique…"
Sakura: "Huh!!"
That reckless Naruto, he can think that far ahead!
Ino: "!!"
Kiba: "!!"
Naruto: "!!!"
Hinata looked at Naruto-kun on the screen, fidgeting with her fingers, her face slightly red, as if she was thinking of something.
Sasuke simply "hmph"'d.
Strength is the most fundamental thing.
Against stronger enemies, no amount of schemes or tricks will work.
Choji was eating a bag of potato chips, having picked them up at some point.
He looked at the screen for a while, then at Naruto.
He watched and ate, quite comfortably.
He even thought.
If it could always be like this, no one would have to fight.
Just watch the screen and enjoy good food.
Shino Aburame: "…"
Shikamaru continued, "Naruto used a Shadow Clone, secretly transforming his main body into a shuriken, then had a Shadow Clone pass it to Sasuke, creating a false impression for Zabuza, making him think Naruto's purpose was to provide Ninja tools…"
After hearing Shikamaru's explanation, all the Konoha genin present understood Naruto's strategy.
At the same time, they were once again shocked by this tactic.
"Oh, so that's how it was!"
"I always thought Naruto was a big idiot, but I never imagined he thought so deeply!"
"We all underestimated Naruto-kun!"
"Could it be that the usual Naruto is all an act?!"
Upon hearing this, Naruto was so angry he wanted to scream.
"How could that be, he is the Seventh Hokage!"
"That's right, such a scheme would only be used against enemies, how could it be used against comrades!"
"Are you perhaps jealous?"
"No way…"
At this moment, the whiskers on Naruto's face relaxed, and his clenched fists loosened.
He felt a tickle in his nose, and a warmth flowed in his chest.
"So, so this is what it feels like to be acknowledged!"
Naruto looked up at the screen.
He must become stronger!!
To become Hokage, he must be a Hokage worthy of the name!!!
...The scene shifts.
[Land of Waves Arc, Second Stage]
[Previously on]
[Kakashi escapes from the Water Prison, using his Sharingan to subdue Zabuza]
[Haku, disguised as a Hidden Mist tracking Ninja, "kills" Zabuza, then takes away the feigning Zabuza]
[Naruto, as a Ninja, witnesses death for the first time]
[After Kakashi rests for seven days due to overuse of his eyes]
[Team Kakashi battles Zabuza and Haku on the newly constructed "Naruto" Bridge…]
Konoha.
Kakashi: Huh!? This screen completely revealed such a big weakness of mine, 'rest for seven days', that's a bit too much… Naruto: "Death!!?"
Land of Waves.
Zabuza, Haku: Has the time for the real showdown finally arrived? I'm truly looking forward to it… [On the unfinished 'Naruto' Bridge]
[A thick fog blankets everything]
[The battle is divided into three areas]
[Zabuza restrains Kakashi]
[Sakura protects Tazuna]
[Haku uses Ice Style: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, with rectangular ice mirrors neatly arranged, surrounding Sasuke]
[At this moment, Sasuke is covered in marks from ice spikes piercing through the ice mirrors, his clothes torn by countless needles]
[He collapses to the ground, unable to move, only able to grit his teeth and look at Haku, who wears a mask]
[Suddenly, two shuriken strike Haku in the ice mirror]
[Haku is knocked to the ground like a rag doll]
[Sakura: "Huh!?"]
[Kakashi and Zabuza simultaneously look over]
[With a "Bang" sound]
[A puff of white smoke suddenly rises]
[Everyone's gaze is drawn to it]
[Sakura: "Who!!"]
[The fallen Sasuke: "That idiot, the show-off!"]
[Haku slowly gets up: "The most unexpected, unruly Ninja."]
[The white smoke dissipates]
[Naruto stands there, in a cross-legged stance, forming hand signs]
[The smile on his face is arrogant and flamboyant]
"Uzumaki Naruto!!"
"Has come to join the fight!!!"
[After showing off, Naruto confidently says]
"Heh hmph! Now that I'm here, everything will be fine."
"Sakura: "Naruto!"
"Tazuna: "Oh!?"
[Naruto clenches his fist, pointing it directly at Zabuza]
"The protagonist of the story"
"Almost always appears in this pattern"
"And instantly defeats the enemy!"
Konoha.
Ninja Academy.
A drop of cold sweat appeared on the Third Hokage's forehead.
Sakura: "!!"
Sasuke: He talks about others showing off.
Kakashi's eyebrow twitched several times.
This is Naruto's super high intelligence!!?
He's afraid the enemy won't know who he is when he makes his entrance, isn't he!
Kakashi couldn't help but glance at Naruto beside him.
He was still there, looking all fired up, as if he thought he was very cool?
He had thought that after the previous battle, Naruto would rise up.
He still has a long way to go!
[Zabuza: "Hmph, it's that brat."]
[Naruto: "Alright, I'm going in!"]
"Shadow Clone…!"
[Before Naruto could finish his hand signs]
[Zabuza accurately threw three deadly shuriken]
[Naruto was stunned for the third time, standing rooted to the spot, shouting in surprise, not moving]
[Suddenly]
[Four steel needles accurately intercepted the shuriken]
Everyone in the Ninja World looked at the person who made the move on the screen, all in disbelief.
"Haku made a move?"
"Isn't this masked guy on Zabuza's team?"
"Could he be an undercover agent?"
"Or perhaps it's that bit of pathetic mercy?"
Land of Waves.
A certain forest.
Zabuza said with slight displeasure, "Haku, you seem to be defying my will?"
Haku bowed his head and said, "I wouldn't dare, please continue to watch, Mister Zabuza, perhaps there is another hidden reason…"
Zabuza: "Hmph, if it weren't for you, the future Seventh Hokage would have already fallen by my hand, and this screen certainly wouldn't have appeared!"
Haku: "My apologies."