Naruto: The Information Broker from the Uchiha Clan

Kiba nudged Shino beside him: "This kind of training method should be quite suitable for you, right?"

Shino shook his head slightly, and saw an insect appear on the back of his hand, which then petrified at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"The energy Naruto is absorbing is very peculiar. I can't sense it, but the insects can. But even if the insects absorb just a tiny bit, they will be petrified."

Ya looked at the insect, thought for a moment, and shook his head: "It is indeed a bit scary."

……

A few minutes later, Naruto suddenly opened his eyes.

In an instant, eyeshadow representing Sage Mode appeared around his eyes, and his pupils formed a horizontal line.

The change in power stunned everyone.

In everyone's perception, Naruto seemed to be somewhat different.

Shikamaru glanced at the shadow clone beside him and asked, "What is the purpose of the Shadow Clone Technique?"

Regarding the information about Sage Mode, Naruto replied without hesitation: "Absorbing natural energy is dangerous. Only by maintaining this calm state can it be absorbed, and each time this form can only be maintained for five minutes..."

At this point, Shikamaru understood: "Using the return effect of Shadow Clone Jutsu to double the duration of Sage Mode is a very powerful method."

"Although I can sense the changes in you, I don't believe you have the strength to contend with the Nine-Tails right now."

Naruto smiled and then extended his hand.

The next second, chakra gathered in his hand and took shape; it was the Rasengan.

However, this was not the end. The chakra gathered faster and faster, and soon the Rasengan was more than ten times larger.

It can still maintain stability in this form, which represents a significant increase in both its difference and its power.

“In Sage Mode, the Rasengan can be thrown. Moreover, due to the amplification of my own chakra reserves and Sage Mode, Shadow Clones can also use this technique.”

"Ok?"

These words truly shocked Shikamaru.

Knowing that Naruto's shadow clones were already terrifying in number, if each shadow clone could use this technique, then...

While it's impossible to completely destroy the Nine-Tails, if Sasuke and Karin control it, and then Naruto unleashes a powerful attack...

Perhaps we can give it a try. After all, Naruto would definitely not agree to let a small squad sacrifice themselves to stop the enemy, given his personality.

A renewed fighting spirit returned to the group's eyes, but only Sasuke seemed lost in thought.

……

"It's the last day."

"Ah."

"Iwagakure and Kirigakure haven't found them yet, and the Nine-Tails is also guarding the vicinity. Should we continue to wait?"

"Konoha probably still wants everyone to pass, otherwise they wouldn't have dragged it out for so long. After the first clash, they actually had the advantage of letting Team 7 pass the test alone."

"But they were too greedy. The genin from Iwagakure and Kirigakure also reacted quickly. The other teams are basically gone now, but the scrolls from Konoha are probably still not all collected."

"Yes, otherwise, considering that there are two Hyuga members in their team, it shouldn't be difficult for a few teams to pass alone."

"Wait a second."

Gaara looked into the distance as he spoke, and the Nine-Tails, who had only glanced at the scene from the perspective of the Eye of Sand, didn't seem to care much.

Why...why would they make such a choice?

Temari looked over: "Who? Class 7?"

Karui chuckled and said, "Just foolish sentimentality. The Nara family doesn't seem to be that smart."

These words made Masaki pout: "So this is how the Cloud Village treats its comrades? To complete a mission, you would ask your teammates to die?"

Karui glanced at her and replied in a deep voice, "Do you think the Nine-Tails would kill a Konoha genin? It's just an assessment. If it were killed by a ninja from another village, it would be because it was less skilled. But if the Nine-Tails killed it, it would probably be skinned alive by that lord when it gets out of here."

"Since there is no danger to their lives, there are only two options on the scales: one is for Team 7 to pass the test and thwart their joint objective, and the other is for one or two insignificant teams of genin to fail the test."

"It's already very easy to see which is more important; there's no comparison at all. As someone in a high-level position, there's no need to even consider such a choice."

After she finished speaking, the two girls from Sunagakure were speechless for a moment.

It must be admitted that what she said was true, and there was simply no reason to refute it, because the stakes were not equal, and it was obvious which was more important.

But after a while, Gaara, who had been staring out the window, said, "I don't agree with your point of view. A victory gained at the expense of teammates means nothing to me."

"The Shadow exists to protect the village and to make life better for everyone in the village. Only a Shadow like this deserves everyone's respect."

"If sacrificing teammates is the best option, then the inertia formed by such sacrifices over a long period of time is terrifying."

"You and your teammates must have a very important relationship, right? So would you sacrifice your bond to win?"

"I saw during the Fourth Shinobi World War that the Third Raikage died for the future of the village and for everyone else. He carried the enemy on his back and fought for three days and three nights before he died from exhaustion."

At this point, Gaara looked at Karui: "So, in your opinion, which is more important, the Third Raikage or those ninjas who would die if they weren't stopped?"

"If I remember correctly, the Third Raikage's power was recorded as being able to contend with the Eight-Tails. In comparison, which power is stronger?"

For a moment, Karui frowned and remained silent.

Gaara was also struggling with his own decision, torn between what to do and what choice to make.

He wanted to fight for a future for Sunagakure, a future that was already destined, a future that he might be able to see.

Was the so-called resistance really for the sake of the village?

So what does the village represent? Is it the 70-80% of commoner ninjas and ordinary people, or the nearly 10-20% of clan ninjas, or the full power in the hands of the top group?

Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki...

I want to see how you choose, and I also want to see how you choose when faced with danger.

They were all just genin; passing the exams and having the hope of becoming chunin were of paramount importance at that moment.

So... what would you do?

……

"Chirp chirp chirp..."

A small mouse formed from ink wash painting, carrying a note, came to the Nine-Tailed Fox.

The words on the note startled Little Nine-Tailed Fox, who then sneered and slapped the little mouse away.

As expected, the huge commotion attracted the attention of the people from Iwagakure and Kirigakure.

After landing, Kurotsuchi did not see any Konoha genin. He shrugged and said, "Lord Kurama should know very well that we are out of money. When we meet again, I really don't have a single tael of money to give you."

The Nine-Tailed Fox waved its paws: "Who told you that? Those brats from Konoha sent a note saying they hid all the money in another place. Go get it and I'll rob you."

Uh!

Hei Tu took the note, glanced at it, and then nodded.

There was no other way but to agree.

Just send one person without the scrolls; all the scrolls for the fifteen teams have been hidden away—this was a pre-arranged plan.

"Heh heh... that brat from the Nara family is still too green. He thinks he can get rid of me like this? He's dreaming!"

"No matter how smart this kid is, he definitely didn't expect Yun's rules. He wants me to leave here? How could that be possible?"

"A 30/70 split is much better than a 50/50 split. With one in and one out, it's another 50%! Hmph, they have absolutely no chance of getting through here!"

Black Earth, whose eye twitched, ignored Nine-Tails' boasting and turned to leave to make arrangements.

……

Meanwhile, in the dense forest.

"Isn't throwing money useless? If it's useless, then there's really no point in hiding it there, right?"

Sai asked with a smile.

Shikamaru shook his head: "The money is just to verify the conjecture. I think what I'm most worried about is that those guys have already hidden all the scrolls."

"And of those forty-odd people, only one knew the location; the others knew nothing."

"Who this person is, after being concealed, is beyond the reach of even the Sharingan's genjutsu."

"In that case, even if we win, we'll still be unable to collect all the scrolls, and one team will have to perish together with the others."

"However... it wasn't entirely without any gains."

At this point, Shikamaru looked up at Karin: "Is it confirmed?"

Karin nodded: "The Nine-Tails and Iwagakure and Kirigakure are not far apart, only a little over a thousand meters. With the speed of ninjas, they can arrive to provide support very quickly."

Shikamaru picked up a twig, scribbled on the ground, and then looked at Sasuke: "That's about it, Sasuke, go and do it."

Sasuke, who already knew the plan, nodded and then instantly disappeared.

……

"Gurgle, gurgle..."

After finishing the last bottle of wine, the little nine-tailed fox raised its paw and threw the bottle away.

On this last day, Kurama, who couldn't feel at ease until she finished all the sake she had brought in, finally drank it all.

"Almost... Now, as long as we capture all those blond brats, it will be perfect."

At that moment, Iwagakure, carrying a backpack, walked over.

"Lord Nine-Tailed Fox, I've brought all the money back. They asked me to give it to you."

"Such a big package?"

Little Nine-Tailed Fox leaped up and looked at the backpack the other person had placed on the ground. When she opened it, it was full of small coins.

This stimulation made the little nine-tailed fox excited.

However, the next moment...

"Om..."

"boom!!"

Before the illusion under the transcription seal could be activated, the shadow clone was smashed to pieces by a single claw.