Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

The series of battles had finally alerted the sentry ninjas in the village.

When one of them spotted the blood-soaked Genzuki standing amidst the bodies, he immediately rushed to report it to the Charcoal Shadow.

A few minutes later, Yuri arrived with a squad of elite Jonin, moving swiftly and decisively.

Genzuki and Suigetsu stood calmly, waiting for them with smiles on their faces.

"Charcoal Shadow-sama… Genzuki killed Jinmu! I saw it with my own eyes!"

The sentry ninja spoke in a panic, his face filled with fear.

Yuri shot him a sharp glare before turning to Genzuki. "Are you hurt?"

Genzuki shook his head with a smile. "I'm fine, Lady Yuri."

Yuri sighed in relief. "That's good..."

But then the sentry seemed to recognize someone else and pointed at Suigetsu.

"That... that's Suigetsu Hozuki, the rogue ninja from Kirigakure! Why is Genzuki colluding with a rogue ninja?"

His words caused an uproar among the Charcoal ninjas.

If it had been just Jinmu's death, Yuri could have protected Genzuki from any accusations.

But Suigetsu's presence raised serious doubts.

"Silence!" Yuri's voice cut through the clamor, restoring order.

She turned to the sentry with a cold expression. "Fujiwara, are you trying to make trouble for me?"

Fujiwara flinched at her tone, but he forced himself to speak. "I only… I only want Genzuki to explain himself."

"How can you be so sure it's Suigetsu Hozuki?" Kageyama interrupted. "He could just be a friend of Genzuki's!"

"I saw him use the Hydrification Technique with my own eyes!" Fujiwara sneered. "Genzuki's collusion with a rogue ninja is undeniable! Are you still going to protect him?"

Hahaha…

Genzuki's sudden laughter interrupted the discussion.

All eyes turned to him, their gazes filled with confusion and suspicion.

"Let me introduce someone to all of you!"

Genzuki smiled as he pulled Suigetsu forward.

"This is my little brother-in-arms, the one and only A-rank rogue ninja Suigetsu Hozuki!"

The crowd gasped in shock.

"Genzuki, you've finally admitted it… You colluded with a rogue ninja and killed Jinmu! You'll have to answer for this!" Fujiwara shouted.

"This isn't for you to decide, Fujiwara," Yuri said coldly.

"Charcoal Shadow-sama, the evidence is clear. Even if you want to protect him, it won't work," Fujiwara said with a sly smile, supported by several other ninjas.

The situation turned tense.

But Genzuki remained calm, his confident smile never fading.

"Fujiwara, isn't it? I thought after Jinmu's death, you'd be smart enough to keep your head down."

"But it seems I overestimated your intelligence."

Fujiwara froze, his face twisting in anger. "You traitor! What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Nonsense?"

Genzuki's expression turned cold.

"Then what about you, a traitor working for the Daimyō?"

The crowd fell silent again, all eyes now focused on Fujiwara.

Fujiwara's face contorted with rage, making him look even more suspicious.

"Fujiwara, is that true?" Kageyama demanded.

"Of course not! Genzuki is lying! I'm innocent!" Fujiwara snapped back.

"You're making baseless accusations without proof. Do you think we're all fools?"

Genzuki sighed.

"No proof?"

"You think with Jinmu dead, no one can expose you?"

"Fine. Let me give you proof right now."

Genzuki formed a series of hand seals. The ground beneath them began to tremble.

"Earth Release: Rebirth Technique."

Boom!

With a rumble, a figure slowly rose from the ground—Jinmu, covered in blood, his wounds filled with dirt, his lifeless eyes staring ahead.

Yuri's eyes widened in shock. "This… This technique… I've only seen Onoki-sensei use it."

The resurrected Jinmu instinctively reached for his kunai, but with a flick of Genzuki's fingers, he froze.

"Jinmu, we meet again," Genzuki said calmly.

"You… You monster, Genzuki! Even in death, you won't let me rest!" Jinmu growled.

A chill ran down everyone's spine.

"Is… Is that really Jinmu? I thought he was dead!"

"Idiot! That's the Earth Release: Rebirth Technique! It takes at least twenty years to master!"

"This is insane… It doesn't even require a sacrifice like Edo Tensei!"

The crowd buzzed in awe and fear at Genzuki's forbidden jutsu.

"Jinmu, since you're here, why don't you tell everyone about Fujiwara?"

Jinmu's empty eyes locked onto Fujiwara, whose legs trembled uncontrollably.

Despite his resistance, Jinmu spoke.

"Fujiwara… He's one of us, working under Lord Katō, just like I was."

"Our mission was to infiltrate Charcoal Shinobi Village, cooperate with the Daimyō's forces, and seize control of the mines."

"We even planned to replace the Charcoal Shadow and bring the entire village under Lord Katō's control."

"We ambushed Genzuki to weaken the village's strength, but… we were all slaughtered by this monster!"

The crowd gasped in horror.

Fujiwara lost all composure.

"Shut up, Jinmu! You're dead! How dare you slander me?!"

"You promised we'd never betray each other, even in death! You… You traitor!"

Realizing he had exposed himself, Fujiwara's eyes filled with despair.

"You fool! I have no choice but to follow Genzuki's commands," Jinmu said coldly. "We failed because we underestimated this monster."

"Indeed. This is the Earth Release: Rebirth Technique," Genzuki said with a faint smile.

The truth was now clear.

Yuri turned her icy gaze on Fujiwara. "Do you have anything else to say?"

Fujiwara shook his head silently, unable to speak.

"Jinmu, finish him," Genzuki said softly.

Jinmu hesitated for a moment, but under Genzuki's control, he obeyed.

A chilling scream rang out, and Fujiwara fell lifeless to the ground.

"Big bro Genzuki! That was incredible! Can you teach me that Earth Release jutsu?" Suigetsu's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Heh. Depends on how much Earth Chakra you have," Genzuki said.

At that moment, Yuri stepped forward and, to everyone's surprise, gently hugged Genzuki.

"Genzuki-kun, I'm so sorry… My negligence almost got you killed."

Seeing the tears in Yuri's eyes, Genzuki gently patted her back.

"Don't worry. I'm fine, aren't I?"

Yuri pulled back, her eyes red and filled with emotion.

"Genzuki-kun… Can I ask you for a favor?"