The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
The reason this technique was listed as a forbidden jutsu by the Second Hokage is actually very simple.
The amount of chakra consumed by this technique is far beyond what ordinary ninja can endure. Moreover, once the technique is released, the mental and spiritual feedback transmitted back to the user is extremely intense. If the user's physical endurance is insufficient, or their mental strength is too weak, they can be instantly overwhelmed, collapse on the spot, or even suffer permanent mental damage. Under normal circumstances, this is a ninjutsu that only a very small number of elite jōnin—those who have experienced countless battles between life and death—can safely use.
However, Naruto is different.
Even now, when he has just officially become a genin, and without relying on the chakra of the Nine-Tails at all, the chakra reserves within Naruto's body already exceed those of Kakashi in front of him by more than twice. According to the original timeline of the manga, Naruto's chakra volume is more than four times Kakashi's at this stage, and that is still a conservative estimate.
Even when only considering the mental strain caused by the technique.
Naruto deliberately controlled the number of clones he produced.
Even so, the hundreds of shadow clones that appeared at once still shocked Uchiha Sasuke, who was standing nearby. At this moment, Sasuke truly realized just how terrifying the strength of the classmate beside him really was. Setting everything else aside, just Naruto's earlier close-range combat with Kakashi, combined with the sheer number of shadow clones he could create, was already enough for Sasuke to admit that winning against Naruto in a direct confrontation would be extremely difficult.
And this realization further stimulated Sasuke's proud yet fragile heart.
"Using numbers to overwhelm the enemy? Hah… Naruto, do you really think this will work on me?"
Even with hundreds of shadow clones appearing all at once.
Kakashi, standing not far away, was only momentarily surprised by Naruto's immense chakra reserves.
After all, the gap in strength still existed.
Kakashi's expression remained calm and composed.
"Whether it works or not, we'll know once we try it, Kakashi-sensei!"
The voices echoed together.
A deafening roar followed.
"So—here we go!"
As the words fell.
Violent movement erupted.
"Boom!"
Accompanied by explosive bursts of air.
Naruto's shadow clones surged in from all directions. Each clone flicked its wrist, a sharp kunai instantly appearing in their palms as they charged forward.
The momentum was overwhelming.
At the same time Naruto took the lead in the frontal assault, Sasuke immediately shifted his position, circling around the battlefield while searching for an opportunity to seize the bell.
This time.
Naruto did not hold back in the slightest.
Flying figures.
Closing distance.
Raised arms.
Attacks coming from every angle.
"Hah!"
Dense, chaotic killing intent surged forward.
Standing at the center, Kakashi did not panic. Instead of retreating or dodging backward, he lowered his body and stepped forward directly into the attack.
"Keng!"
He blocked the frontal strike head-on.
Immediately afterward, his body twisted, and his right leg swept out in a powerful arc.
The strength he released was overwhelming.
"Peng! Peng! Peng!"
Bodies collided one after another.
The force was impossible to neutralize.
"Whoosh—"
Shadow clones were sent flying.
Direct hits landed.
"Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!"
In midair, they turned into white smoke and dissipated instantly.
"Shoo! Shoo! Shoo!"
Moments later.
Shuriken launched by Naruto from all directions filled the air.
Kakashi leapt upward.
Most of the shuriken were evaded midair.
For the remaining few.
Kakashi formed hand seals while still airborne.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
The same C-rank Wind Release ninjutsu Naruto had used earlier.
But clearly, when performed by Kakashi, the technique was far more powerful. The violent gust not only blew away all remaining shuriken, but also blasted away more than a dozen shadow clones charging toward him. Some were torn apart by the force of the wind, while others collided violently with one another. After suffering heavy impact damage, each clone transformed into white smoke and vanished.
Upon landing, Kakashi immediately advanced again.
He charged straight into the mass of Naruto's shadow clones.
Like a one-sided massacre being activated.
"Keng!"
"Puff!"
Blades clashed.
Decisive and ruthless attacks followed.
"Peng! Peng! Peng!"
"Hah!"
"Boom!"
Almost no shadow clone could withstand Kakashi for even a single exchange.
"Slash!"
"Puff!"
Clones were swept away effortlessly.
Within a span of only ten to twenty seconds.
Naruto had yet to pose any real threat to Kakashi.
Out of hundreds of clones, nearly half had already been eliminated.
This caused Naruto, hidden among the remaining clones, to grimace slightly. He knew Kakashi was monstrously strong, but he hadn't expected to be suppressed to such an extent. How much time had even passed? Fifty or sixty clones were wiped out just like that. And this was under the premise that Kakashi hadn't even used large-scale destructive ninjutsu. If Kakashi were to unleash an A-rank technique, Naruto estimated that all his clones would be cleared instantly.
He knew he would be crushed.
But this speed and efficiency were simply terrifying.
Still.
At the very least, the first step had succeeded.
Now he just needed to continue drawing Kakashi in.
Naruto clenched his teeth, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.
The clones continued to surge forward relentlessly.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
Before the remaining clones could be fully wiped out.
Naruto formed hand seals once more, creating hundreds of additional shadow clones.
It was clear that he intended to use sheer numbers to wear Kakashi down.
"Again? In that case—!"
Seeing the number of clones increase once more.
And unable to accurately judge how much chakra Naruto still had left.
Kakashi decided not to drag things out any longer.
He shook off the clones clinging to him.
His hands rapidly formed seals.
"Earth Style: Earth Splitting Technique!"
With a low shout.
He slammed his palms onto the ground.
"Boom!"
A deep, muffled sound echoed.
Suddenly.
The ground itself seemed to tear apart.
"What!?"
"What's happening!?"
The earth shook violently.
Some sections rose sharply, others collapsed inward.
Shadow clones that couldn't maintain their balance fell one after another.
"Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!"
They turned into white smoke and dissipated even faster than before.
"Found you!"
In that brief instant.
As the crowd was forcibly separated.
Kakashi's eyes sharpened, locking onto a single figure.
He lunged forward.
"Whoosh!"
In a flash.
"Boom!"
Lightning wrapped around Kakashi's body.
"Szzzt—"
The sound was faint, yet it rumbled like distant thunder.
Cloaked in lightning.
Kakashi stomped the ground.
Explosive force erupted.
With a thunderous roar.
His figure shot forward.
"Huh!?"
In the blink of an eye.
Kakashi struck.
Before Naruto could even react, Kakashi's right hand clamped tightly around his neck.
Naruto froze instantly.
"Haha, checkmate, Naruto!"
Looking at Naruto's stiff expression.
Kakashi smiled lightly.
"Now… Sasuke is next."
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