Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Bang!

Naruto slammed a 'friendship correction punch' into the adult Sasuke's face.

"Naruto, what are you doing?" Sasuke frowned.

Naruto shook his head helplessly and said, "Changing the future could cause a butterfly effect. Don't you think I know that? But we're fated not to be altered."

"What do you mean?" Sasuke was puzzled.

Naruto explained, "I can't sense the power of the contract in you. Obviously, you are not the Sasuke I came into contact with. Let me ask you a question. Did you pass the Chunin Exams?"

"No, I didn't. But what does that matter? And what do you mean by a contract?" Sasuke was utterly confused by Naruto's words.

"Sasuke did pass the Chunin Exam and has already become a Chunin." Jiraiya said.

He got the clue from Naruto's words.

"That's impossible." Sasuke furrowed his brow.

Naruto explained, "That's exactly my point. Before you arrived, our world had already diverged from yours. Even though you came from the future, this isn't the past you remember. This touches on the theory of time. You see, every action, every choice, creates a different outcome. Your presence here is just one of many possible future versions, or in other words, it's the concept of parallel universes."

Naruto did his best to explain, though the idea would have been easier to convey in the Dragon Ball World, where parallel universes were more common knowledge.

Seeing Sasuke was still puzzled, Naruto decided to simplify it, "Let's not talk about this. You just need to know one thing. I'll guide things toward a better future. In my future, there won't be so many regrets. That's my goal. And you know me, I always keep my promises!"

"This…"

Sasuke was silent for a moment before finally replying, "I believe you."

No matter what changes occurred, one thing remained, that is, his trust in Naruto.

Naruto's Ninja Way was to keep his word.

Since Naruto had said it, all Sasuke needed to do was trust him.

"Boruto, let's go." Sasuke beckoned to Boruto.

Boruto took out the artifact from his backpack and activated the mechanism. Then, a white light flashed and a glowing, suctioning portal appeared.

"Naruto, go all out," Sasuke said before stepping into the portal without looking back.

Boruto's eyes reddened with emotion: "Dad, you have to do what you have to do. Remember our promise and let me be proud of you!"

"I will!" Naruto waved him goodbye.

"Also, Pervy Sage, don't take my dad on any peeping missions, or I'll tell my mom!", and with that, Boruto jumped into the portal as well.

The portal slowly closed, and everything eventually returned to calm.

"That brat…" Naruto muttered, shaking his head. Then, with a broad grin, he said, "Let's go and continue to collect materials. I've held back for too long… I need to let loose."

"Aren't you worried he'll tattle on you?" Jiraiya asked in surprise.

"Tattle? What's that got to do with me?" Naruto laughed. "Besides, I'm doing this for training."

The original work is the original work, and it is destined to be different from his development. Naruto will take a different path, a path without regrets.

Jiraiya didn't question Naruto further.

He had long suspected that Boruto and Sasuke were more than they seemed. After all, it wasn't every day you saw someone with such extensive knowledge about the Akatsuki. And Sasuke wielded the Kusanagi Sword, a weapon Jiraiya knew belonged to Orochimaru.

He'd never heard of Orochimaru being defeated, so it was obvious Sasuke must be hiding a secret.

Besides, Boruto looks a lot like Naruto, especially his whiskers, which looked like the ones Naruto once had.

Most of all, Jiraiya could see how Naruto's care and trust in them went beyond the ordinary.

Yet Jiraiya chose to keep quiet about his observations.

From the beginning to the end, he had only one goal, which was to find the Child of Prophecy. This was his mission.

Naruto's various performances have made him very certain that Naruto is the Child of Prophecy who will save this Shinobi World.

So as long as Naruto's convictions remained strong, there was nothing to worry about.

"Let's go… time for research!"

Naruto and Jiraiya exchanged mischievous smiles and dashed toward the hot springs.

…

Meanwhile, in the future, Sasuke and Boruto returned to their time. The moment they landed, the artifact, Karasuki, shattered and scattered into dust, blown away by the wind.

Neither Sasuke nor Boruto cared about it. As all they wanted to confirm was if Naruto was still alive in their future.

Pushing open the door of the room, they stepped outside. Towering above them was a massive hundred-meter-high building with a gigantic picture of Naruto on it. Around it were numerous tall buildings, and it was only by a few recognizable landmarks that they could confirm they were in the Konoha Village.

The changes are astounding.

"Is this really our world?" Boruto was stunned.

Sasuke was silent for a moment before he smiled slightly, "Regardless, Naruto's still alive. And these changes around us… they show Naruto succeeded, and that's enough!"

"Well, Master, you're right. As long as Dad succeeded, that's all that matters!" Boruto nodded firmly, a joyful smile on his face.

He looked back at Sasuke, then suddenly exclaimed, "Master, your hand!"

Sasuke looked down and found that his once-lost hand had somehow been restored!

Then, both Sasuke and Boruto experienced a rush of memories, new but familiar, explaining everything to them.

'The future has really changed dramatically due to aruto's actions...

But Naruto has no idea about it. At this moment, he was thoroughly enjoying the view at the hot springs.

It wasn't until dawn that Naruto finally left, fully satisfied.

"At least I made up for the time I missed these past few days, so refreshing!"

After wiping the blood from his nose, Naruto waved goodbye to Jiraiya.

But before Naruto got very far, he heard someone calling from the shadowy corner.

"Who's there calling out so late at night?" Naruto was taken aback by the pale, eerie hand beckoning him from the darkness. He felt a chill run down his spine.

"It's me, Orochimaru." The voice called again.

Hearing this, Naruto finally sighed in relief.

With his long, loose hair, pale skin, and chilling aura, Orochimaru standing in a dark corner truly did resemble a ghost… a vengeful spirit, no less.

Naruto walked over to the shadowy corner.

In the dim light, he noticed that Orochimaru's eyes were bloodshot, making him look even more like a ghost.

"Your appearance is too terrifying." Naruto couldn't help but complain.

Orochimaru's voice was weak, but filled with excitement, "Naruto-kun, I finally cracked it after a day and night of research. These Scientific Ninja Tools are truly remarkable! Using their research to create tools alone is such a waste. I have a new idea."

"Thank you for your hard work. You must be exhausted. How about resting and telling me tomorrow?" Naruto felt excited by the results, but couldn't help but feel concern seeing Orochimaru's exhausted appearance.

Research scientists were always worthy of respect. In any world, their sacrifices and dedication led to advancements that made life better.

Orochimaru waved his hand and said, "It's okay. Once I've finished telling you my idea, it won't be too late to go back and rest."

Naruto nodded, signaling for him to continue.

Orochimaru spoke eagerly, "The core design of these Scientific Ninja Tools is essentially releasing stored Ninjutsu from within a scroll. However, that's just its surface-level function. Its true potential lies deeper. My idea is..."