Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

Genzuki smiled at Chino. "Chino, don't worry. I'll definitely save you."

The rogue ninja burst into wild laughter. "You're already at a dead end, and you still think you can kill me?"

He pressed the kunai deeper against Chino's neck. "If you dare move, I'll kill her right here and now!"

Genzuki's eyes grew cold, a frosty rage simmering just beneath the surface.

Yet, he made no sudden moves, calmly stepping back just as the rogue instructed.

"Yes, that's it!" The rogue grinned maliciously. "Now, die for your foolishness!"

With a flick of his wrist, he sent a barrage of shuriken flying toward Genzuki's face.

Clang!

Genzuki chuckled softly, flicking his fingers.

A water clone silently appeared behind the rogue ninja like a ghost.

"Water Prison Jutsu."

A sphere of water formed around the rogue, locking him inside while the water clone swiftly pulled Chino away to safety.

With a wave of his hand, Genzuki caught the incoming shuriken in a swirling vortex at his feet.

"Ugh… When did—"

The rogue ninja struggled inside the water prison, gasping for breath.

In the Land of Water, where moisture was abundant, summoning water clones was child's play for Genzuki.

"Looks like the tables have turned," Genzuki said with a faint smile. "Before the air in your lungs runs out, why don't you tell me more about Gato?"

The rogue thrashed desperately, choking out, "I'll tell you everything… just save me…"

Activating his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Genzuki locked eyes with the rogue, extracting all the information he needed.

"Too bad," Genzuki said icily. "It seems I no longer need you."

The water prison tightened.

"Experience the most painful death."

Being drowned alive—a death Genzuki once considered the most excruciating.

From the rogue's memories, Genzuki learned that Gato had placed a bounty on the Ketsuryūgan, targeting the Chinoike Clan.

In the original story, Gato was just a wealthy thug. But now it seemed he was secretly targeting hidden bloodline clans to build his own power.

"Is Gato planning to build his own army? What's his goal?"

Though suspicious, Genzuki could only extract limited information from the rogue.

"Chino, are you hurt?" he asked, turning to her.

A small cut on her neck trickled blood, but it quickly healed on its own.

As a member of the Chinoike Clan, Chino could manipulate blood, making it easy to stop bleeding.

"Big brother… Who are you?" Chino asked cautiously, her eyes flicking to Genzuki's Sharingan with a hint of fear.

Out in the world, many sought to capture her Ketsuryūgan, so it was natural for her to be wary.

Genzuki patted her head with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'm not a bad guy."

"Never let anyone else see your Ketsuryūgan. It's dangerous."

In the ninja world, there were countless legends about the Ketsuryūgan—a dōjutsu said to rival the Sharingan.

With the Sharingan now nearly extinct, the Ketsuryūgan became even more coveted. Some even believed merging it with the Sharingan would enhance ocular powers.

This made life in the ninja world nearly impossible for the Chinoike Clan, forcing them into hiding.

"Where are your parents and your clan?" Genzuki asked gently.

Chino shook her head. "They're all gone. Not a single one survived," she said softly.

Genzuki fell silent. He hadn't expected the Chinoike Clan to be reduced to just one survivor.

Reaching out his hand, Genzuki asked, "Chino, would you like to come with me?"

Chino hesitated. "You know how dangerous I am… Aren't you afraid of getting caught up in my troubles?"

Genzuki chuckled confidently. "Based on what you've seen from me so far, do you think I'd be afraid of trouble?"

Recalling Genzuki's impressive jutsu, Chino smiled faintly and nodded.

"I'll teach you how to control your power—how to protect yourself," Genzuki promised.

In the original story, Chino never reached her full potential. With Genzuki's guidance, her strength would undoubtedly grow.

"It's the first time a stranger's been so kind to me… Thank you, big brother," Chino said gratefully.

"My name is Chikage Genzuki. I'm also the leader of the Moon Organization."

As Genzuki introduced himself, he led Chino back to the boat.

Yagura noticed the little girl and raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"This is Yagura. He works for me," Genzuki said.

"Hello, Genzuki-nii… and Yagura-neesan," Chino greeted politely.

Cough! Yagura's expression darkened. "I'm a man. Also, I'm over fifty."

Genzuki couldn't help but laugh.

With his youthful, almost androgynous face, it was easy for a young girl like Chino to mistake Yagura's gender.

"Sorry… Yagura-jii," Chino said, her face turning red with embarrassment.

Yagura's expression grew even worse.

"Just call him Yagura," Genzuki said with a grin. "He used to be the Fourth Mizukage, and he cares a lot about his image."

Chino gasped. The Fourth Mizukage was working for someone as young as Genzuki?

Who exactly is this Genzuki? she wondered. A member of some powerful ninja family?

The dock was eerily quiet, littered with bodies and pools of blood.

The boatman trembled, barely able to stand.

"Boatman, set sail," Genzuki ordered coldly, tossing him several silver coins.

The sight of money seemed to calm the boatman's nerves.

Finally, the group boarded the small boat and set off for the Land of Waves.

"Gato is the one who wants you dead. He's the president of the shipping company here in the Land of Waves," Genzuki explained. "One of the wealthiest men in the country, he can easily afford to hire plenty of ninjas."

Yagura nodded, recognizing the name. As Mizukage, he had heard of Gato before.

"But given how many rogue ninjas came from Kirigakure, I'm partly responsible," Yagura said, a trace of guilt in his voice.

"Don't take it personally, Yagura," Genzuki said with a smile. "We'll deal with him—easily."

The Land of Waves was surrounded by water, with no bridges connecting it to the mainland. The only way in or out was by boat.

Gato monopolized the shipping industry, blocking bridge construction to protect his profits.

Now that Zabuza had been freed from manipulation, Gato would undoubtedly hire even more dangerous enemies.

Judging by his interest in Chino's eyes, Gato had likely recruited some hidden elites.

As Genzuki pondered, the coastline of the Land of Waves came into view.

At the dock, several men in black suits were inspecting arriving boats.

"Gato really controls everything here," Genzuki muttered.

"All incoming ships must be inspected and pay a hefty fee," the boatman complained bitterly.

As they docked, the men in black approached.

"Everyone out! Empty your belongings!"

Genzuki signaled to the others to follow along without making a scene for now.

He casually emptied his pockets as instructed.

"What's this?" one of Gato's men shouted, his eyes widening in shock.