Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

Cough, cough...

Genzuki took a cautious step back, not wanting Yuri's sudden closeness to draw unnecessary attention. While he wasn't afraid of anyone, avoiding trouble was always a wise choice.

Yuri's cheeks flushed as she realized how close she had gotten and quickly took a couple of steps back.

"Genzuki-kun, of course, I'll help you. But first… could we find a place for my little brother to stay?"

Genzuki smiled and gestured toward Suigetsu, standing quietly at his side.

"Can you arrange something for him?"

Suigetsu scratched his head, giving a sheepish grin before offering a polite wave.

Yuri smiled warmly. "Any friend of Genzuki's is welcome here."

Still, a few people in the village seemed hesitant.

"What's wrong? Don't you trust Genzuki?" Yuri asked, her voice sharp and commanding.

"How many times has he helped us through difficult times since he arrived?"

Her words silenced the murmurs. One by one, those who had doubted Genzuki lowered their heads in shame.

After dealing with the commotion, Genzuki finally returned to his room, feeling a hint of exhaustion creeping in.

Between fighting in the snow and tunneling underground, the battles had taken a toll on his chakra reserves.

But the successful evolution of his abilities made it all worthwhile.

『Current reputation points: 30,000. Time to purchase a legendary weapon!』

Genzuki opened the reputation store, scanning the legendary weapons available.

[Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Staff): 25,000 reputation points]

[Kusanagi Sword: 30,000 reputation points]

The Golden Staff was known as the weapon summoned by the Third Hokage, while the Kusanagi Sword was famously wielded by Orochimaru.

"Hmm… the Kusanagi Sword seems more suited to me."

『Ding! Purchase successful! Kusanagi Sword has been placed in your spatial scroll!』

Genzuki pulled out his spatial scroll and summoned the Kusanagi Sword.

In the moonlight, the blade gleamed coldly, its razor-sharp edge reflecting a chilling light. The hilt coiled around his hand like a serpent.

He gave it a couple of practice swings and found it incredibly well-balanced.

『Ding! The system has detected that the host has obtained the Kusanagi Sword. Unlocking hidden clone: Swordsmanship Master!』

[Clone: Sword Clone]

[Rank: Kage-level]

[Talent: Swordsmanship Master]

[Abilities: Mastery of all sword techniques in the world]

An overwhelming amount of swordsmanship knowledge flooded into Genzuki's mind, enhancing his combat prowess once again.

Caressing the sharp edge of the Kusanagi Sword, he felt a surge of excitement, eager to test its power combined with his newfound mastery.

Just then, light footsteps echoed outside his door.

Genzuki quickly put the Kusanagi Sword back into the scroll and stood up silently.

"Genzuki-kun, are you there?" Yuri's voice called softly.

Genzuki relaxed. For a moment, he had thought it might be another enemy.

Opening the door, he was greeted by an unexpected sight that nearly made his heart skip a beat.

Yuri was wearing an elegant silk cheongsam, her face lightly made up, giving her an even more radiant and stunning appearance.

"B-Ba... Yuri-san..." Genzuki stammered, momentarily lost for words.

Yuri blushed, lowering her head. "Can I come in?"

Though Genzuki was only twelve in this world, boys matured quickly here, and he was already tall and well-built. Yuri, despite being in her early twenties, was only slightly taller than him.

"Please… come in."

In the moonlight, Yuri's flushed cheeks made her look even more enchanting.

Normally, her stern expression as the Charcoal Kage hid her beauty, but now she seemed softer and more vulnerable.

"Genzuki-kun, I came here to… thank you."

Her voice was soft and sweet, like a gentle breeze stirring something deep within Genzuki. He quickly took a sip of cold water to calm down.

"Yuri-san, what did I do to deserve such gratitude?" Genzuki asked.

Yuri smiled and began to explain.

"For a long time, I've suspected Jinmu and his group. They formed a faction within the village and treated me like a puppet despite my title as Charcoal Kage."

"Every day, I feared for my life, unsure when Jinmu might send someone to kill me… or worse."

Genzuki understood immediately. Jinmu's desire for Yuri wasn't just about power—it was driven by lust. His jealousy had pushed him to target Genzuki.

Without Genzuki's intervention, the Charcoal Shinobi Village would have fallen into the hands of traitors.

"Yuri-san," Genzuki said calmly, "if you're grateful because I killed Jinmu's gang, then you're mistaken."

"I only killed him because he tried to kill me. In this world, it's kill or be killed."

"If I accepted your gratitude without telling you that, it wouldn't sit right with me."

Yuri froze, not expecting Genzuki to be so blunt and mature.

She had always seen him as a fearless, decisive young man, but now she realized there was a depth to him she hadn't noticed before.

Genzuki was different from any other man she had ever met.

Yuri chuckled softly, then reached out and wrapped her arms around him.

"Are you sure there's nothing you want as a reward?" she whispered, her breath warm against his ear.

Genzuki took a deep breath. He could feel her breath on his neck.

Is she drunk?

If I don't respond, would that be disrespectful?

But Genzuki wasn't ready to cross that line—not yet.

Yuri leaned closer, her scent intoxicating. Genzuki felt his resolve slipping.

"Sorry about this… Water Release: Genjutsu!"

In the blink of an eye, Yuri collapsed into a deep, peaceful sleep, caught in Genzuki's illusion.

He didn't create a nightmare—just a gentle dream where she could rest peacefully.

"Looks like I won't be sleeping in that bed tonight."

Genzuki tucked Yuri in, covering her with a blanket before quietly leaving the room.

Outside, Suigetsu was waiting with a mischievous grin.

"You heard everything?" Genzuki asked, his face darkening.

"Boss, I was just keeping watch for you! After all, I live right next door," Suigetsu said, pointing to his room.

Genzuki shrugged. He hadn't done anything, after all.

"Boss… can you tell me what you know about my brother?" Suigetsu asked hesitantly.

Genzuki smiled faintly.

"I don't know where he is now, but I'm sure of one thing—he won't die so easily."

"But if we take too long, who knows what might happen."

Suigetsu lowered his head, deep in thought.

Suddenly, he snapped his head up, his expression tense. "Boss, did you feel that?"

Genzuki smirked and nodded.

A powerful chakra surged in the sky above Charcoal Shinobi Village.

A giant white bird circled overhead, carrying a young man in a black cloak with golden hair covering half his face.

"Looks like it's going to be another sleepless night," Genzuki muttered with a cold smile.