Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

At dusk, Genzuki returned to his room and started checking the rewards he had just received.

Currently, he had 110 experience books. Without hesitation, Genzuki decided to use all of them.

After all, the newly evolved clone would directly inherit his current level, so there was no need to worry about wasting experience points.

"Use all experience books!"

The clone evolution panel appeared, and Genzuki's experience surged rapidly.

In no time, his experience reached the peak, but it didn't break through—he remained at the Jōnin level.

『Ding! Host's experience is full. Advancing to Kage-level requires breakthrough materials!』

"Materials? Where am I supposed to get those?"

『The Reputation Shop has been opened for the host. Please select and purchase the required materials.』

[Kage-level Breakthrough Quest Scroll: 20,000 Reputation Points]

Genzuki smiled bitterly. It seemed that breaking through beyond Jōnin required purchasing this scroll.

His current reputation points totaled just over 20,000.

Although it hurt a bit, he purchased the scroll without hesitation—he needed the power.

A small, exquisite scroll materialized in his hand.

"Open the scroll!"

『Ding! Kage-level Breakthrough Quest Scroll activated. Please select a quest!』

[Water Clone Evolution Quest: Defeat Suigetsu Hozuki]

[Earth Clone Evolution Quest: Defeat Deidara]

[Shadow Clone Evolution Quest: Defeat Might Guy]

『Task Reward: Kage-level breakthrough materials. Completing any of these quests will allow you to evolve all clones.』

Genzuki quickly realized that the available quests were related to the types of clones he owned.

Suigetsu Hozuki was a Water Release master, Deidara specialized in Earth and Explosion Release, and Might Guy was a Taijutsu expert.

"Which target is closest to me?" Genzuki asked.

『Suigetsu Hozuki: 125 kilometers away.

Deidara: 84 kilometers away.

Might Guy: 873 kilometers away.』

After considering his options, Genzuki chose to pursue Suigetsu Hozuki.

Even though Deidara was closer, Genzuki was still wary of his Explosion Release. Without a Lightning Release clone, challenging Deidara was too risky—especially considering his ultimate self-destruction move, which was nearly impossible to escape.

As for Might Guy, he was probably still in Konoha, which made that option less practical.

"Suigetsu, it's you!"

Late at night, Genzuki quietly slipped out of his room, making sure no one noticed him.

The guards were awake, but avoiding their sight was effortless for him.

He mounted his horse and rode toward the border of the Land of Snow—where Suigetsu Hozuki was located.

The breakthrough scroll provided real-time tracking of the target's direction.

With a distance of 125 kilometers, Genzuki figured he could make it back before dawn if he moved quickly.

What Genzuki didn't realize was that a pair of sinister eyes were fixed on him as he left the village.

The horse galloped swiftly. Snowflakes began falling around him, signaling that he was getting close.

When the ground was blanketed with snow, Genzuki suddenly sensed a strong chakra fluctuation.

He dismounted, tied the horse to a tree, and hid in a snow-covered thicket.

Not far ahead, a white-haired youth in a thick coat, carrying a long sword, walked through the snow.

He hadn't noticed Genzuki's presence.

Genzuki immediately recognized him—it was Suigetsu Hozuki, a descendant of the Hozuki Clan! Later, he would become one of Sasuke's most trusted allies, with unmatched Water Release skills.

Suigetsu didn't seem to be aware of him. Genzuki began calculating how to ambush him without giving him the chance to activate his Hydrification Technique, which would turn his body into water and make him immune to physical attacks.

But just as Genzuki was about to move, Suigetsu's figure suddenly dissolved into a puddle of water.

"Not good!"

Genzuki instantly realized he had fallen into a trap, but it was too late.

A cold blade pressed against his throat, and Suigetsu's voice came from behind.

"Kid, why are you following me?"

"As expected of Suigetsu Hozuki... using a water clone as bait," Genzuki chuckled. "You noticed me long ago, didn't you?"

"Although the sound of hoofbeats is faint in the snow, it's not completely silent," Suigetsu said coldly. "Who sent you? Orochimaru?"

Genzuki paused, then understood. Suigetsu hadn't been captured by Orochimaru yet. Judging by his appearance, he was still a teenager, around Genzuki's age.

"I have nothing to do with Orochimaru. I'm here to challenge you," Genzuki said with a smile.

"Challenge me? Sorry, I don't have time to play with kids... and besides, you've already lost."

Without hesitation, Suigetsu slashed at Genzuki's throat.

But instead of blood, Genzuki's body dissolved into a cloud of mist.

"What?! Where is he?"

Scanning the surroundings, Suigetsu quickly noticed that the horse Genzuki had tied to the tree was gone.

"No way!"

Before Suigetsu could react, a torrent of water struck him, sending him flying dozens of meters.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

"Water Release: Water Surge Wave!"

Genzuki stood alongside two water clones, launching an unrelenting assault.

The Great Waterfall tore through the forest, water dragons crashing down in a chaotic torrent. Suigetsu's figure disappeared within the raging waters.

Suddenly, a powerful slash cleaved through the rushing water, splitting the waterfall in two.

Genzuki couldn't help but admire Suigetsu's swordsmanship.

"Kid... I didn't expect you to be skilled in Water Release. But do you really think Water Release can hurt me?"

Suigetsu had activated his Hydrification Technique, turning his body into water and becoming immune to all Water Release attacks. The massive sword in his hand let out a low hum.

Genzuki smiled slightly, pulling out two kunai, one in each hand.

"Perfect. I've always wanted to experience Suigetsu Hozuki's swordsmanship."

"Water Release: Water Blade Slash!"

Water-infused chakra surged into the kunai, forming flowing water blades.

"Tell me your name!" Suigetsu asked, also imbuing his own sword with Water Release chakra.

"Genzuki. Remember it well," he said calmly.

"Good. I'll carve your name on a tombstone next year!"

Suigetsu's figure blurred as he charged forward, his sword slashing down with immense force.

Genzuki crossed his kunai, blocking the strike head-on.

The clash sent water flying in all directions, the surrounding snow exploding outward from the impact.

The two remained locked in a fierce stalemate.

"As expected from a member of the Hozuki Clan. You really are a master swordsman," Genzuki said with a smile.

"Hmph. I'll admit you've got some skill too," Suigetsu replied.

"If you were holding the Executioner's Blade, I probably wouldn't have been able to block that strike."

Suigetsu froze for a moment, his grip on his sword tightening.

"You know the whereabouts of the Executioner's Blade? Where is it? And where's my brother?"

Genzuki noticed how easily Suigetsu had become agitated and smirked inwardly.

"Suigetsu, if you want to know about Mangetsu Hozuki, you'll have to defeat me first."

Hearing that name, Suigetsu's eyes lit up with rage. He swung his sword fiercely, forcing Genzuki to retreat.

"That's just what I wanted!"

Genzuki rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck, a confident grin on his face.

"Of course. I won't lose to you."

"The warm-up is over, Suigetsu."

"This fight will end in an instant."