Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

"But if we hand over the mine now, not only will the surrounding villagers lose their jobs… when winter comes, what will happen to the people of the Land of Snow?"

Yuri spoke with a pleading tone.

"No means no! There's no room for negotiation about the money!"

"But the original contract stated we had ten years to pay it back—it's only been three years!" Yuri retorted sharply.

Katō spat on the ground.

"The money is mine! If I say you pay now, you pay now!"

"A contract? That's just a joke!"

"My father was kind enough to lend you the money! You should be grateful!"

The words were as arrogant as they were disgusting. Every shinobi from the Charcoal Ninja Village present was seething.

Katō sneered and let out an even filthier chuckle.

"If you want me to give you a few more days, it's not impossible… Yuri, how about this—every extra day I give you, you spend one night with me?"

His sleazy eyes roamed over Yuri's figure, and he even started reaching out to touch her.

Splash!

A water tendril shot up from the ground, latching tightly onto Katō's arm.

Genzuki stepped out from behind Yuri, a calm but cold smile on his face.

"What do you think you're doing to my dear Miss Yuri, Katō-san?" Genzuki said in a quiet, almost lazy voice.

Yuri's cheeks flushed slightly, and she instinctively took a step back, avoiding Genzuki's gaze.

Katō struggled but couldn't break free from the water tendril. In his panic, he stumbled and fell to the ground.

As he got back up, his face twisted in fury.

"You little brat! Who the hell do you think you are?"

"I'm just a shinobi, nothing more."

Katō scoffed.

"A mere shinobi? Do you have any idea who my father is?"

Pfft!

Genzuki chuckled.

Katō's face contorted in rage. "What the hell are you laughing at?"

"Sorry, your line was just too cliché. I couldn't help it," Genzuki smirked. "You're just another disposable side character."

Katō's anger turned into venomous malice.

"Fine, fine… So that's how it is. No more talk. Either you hand over the mine, or my men will crush your pathetic village!"

Yuri hadn't expected Genzuki to escalate the situation so quickly.

Genzuki gave her a quick wink, signaling her to trust him.

For some reason, despite the insanity of the situation, Yuri felt reassured.

She nodded slightly.

"Relax, Katō-san. There's no need for all this hostility," Genzuki said with an easygoing smile.

"Let's settle this the shinobi way—with a duel."

"A duel? With you?" Katō burst into laughter. "You caught me off guard once, and now you think you can take me?"

"Be my guest." Genzuki made a "please" gesture.

But before Katō could step forward, Shō grabbed him by the shoulder.

"I'll handle this."

"Shō, there's no need for you to interfere!" Katō insisted.

Shō shoved Katō aside and said flatly, "If he wanted you dead, he could've killed you in less than a second. Don't overestimate yourself."

Genzuki chuckled and shook his head.

"The great Explosion Release Shinobi, Shō, playing babysitter for a spineless noble?"

"You… know my name?"

"Of course. The infamous explosion-user," Genzuki replied. "Shō, let's make this interesting. If I lose, the mine is yours—no conditions."

Shō narrowed his eyes.

"But if I win, you and your boss here never step foot in this village again."

"Kid, you just made an enemy of the Katō family. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into," Shō growled. "Just because you have some talent doesn't mean you can act invincible."

"Sorry, but people like your noble 'boss' mean nothing to me."

Genzuki's voice was ice cold.

Shō shook his head.

"I've seen too many talented kids like you," Shō scoffed. "Pride always gets them killed."

"Shō, stop talking! I accept! But I have one condition," Katō sneered. "If you lose, I'll make sure you die in the most painful way possible."

"Sure." Genzuki waved dismissively.

Shō clenched his fists, his palms molding explosive clay.

"I don't kill nameless people," he said.

"Genzuki," Genzuki answered simply. "Remember it well."

"You're being reckless, Genzuki!" Yuri called out.

"It's fine!" Genzuki grinned.

"Genzuki… out of fairness, I'll give you a warning," Shō said. "My Landmine Fist—no one, not even the Tsuchikage, can take it head-on and live."

"Anyone hit by this will die instantly!"

Genzuki smirked and gestured with his fingers.

"Then, come at me."

Shō's face darkened.

"Then die!"

"Explosion Release: Landmine Fist!"

Shō moved like lightning, his fist slamming straight into Genzuki's chest!

His speed was unreal—even among jonin, few could keep up with him.

Genzuki's eyes widened. Blood spurted from his mouth, and his body trembled violently.

"It's over, kid!" Shō sneered. "Turn to ash!"

Yuri shut her eyes in horror. Even Kageyama looked deeply worried.

But just as the explosion was about to detonate—something unnatural happened.

Genzuki's body… distorted.

And then, just before the explosion, he crumbled into nothing but shards of rock.

Shō's eyes widened in shock.

"A… Earth Clone?!"

The entire battlefield went silent.

"Did you see that?" Kageyama muttered.

Yuri shook her head in disbelief.

"Impossible… When did he switch places?" Shō muttered angrily. "Hundreds of people were watching him!"

Then, a whisper ghosted past Shō's ear.

He could feel Genzuki's breath against his skin.

"Didn't you realize?" Genzuki murmured.

Shō swung his fist back, exploding another target—only to find that it turned into a puddle of water.

"A Water Clone?! Again?!"

Shō gritted his teeth. "Stop hiding and fight me head-on!"

At that moment, Genzuki reappeared five meters away, standing calmly.

Shō smirked. "Finally decided to show yourself?"

"Oh, no, no, no…" Genzuki formed a hand seal, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"I just thought of something fun."