Chapter 58 – Mirror Flower, Water Moon
Whatever, the Shadow Clone can fool around as much as it wants.
Naruto himself only needs to draw cards.
As usual, he walked to the stream and splashed water on his face.
'Buddha, Jade Emperor, God, Nyarlathotep, Solomon, Barbatos, my dear Ereshkigal—every mighty being across the heavens—bless me with a gold card.'
The boy prayed.
[Drawing card… Congratulations, host, you have obtained an item card.]
A flash of gold appeared.
His eyes snapped wide.
That effective?
[item card: Mirror Flower, Water Moon.]
[Description: Single-use. Creates a beautiful illusion that completely hypnotizes and dominates the five senses. There is a chance strong individuals will see through it. Duration: two hours.]
[Note: Range and detail depend on the user's Chakra.]
[Note: The stronger the target compared to the user, the easier they can break free.]
Basically a budget Infinite Tsukuyomi.
A youthful version, and it might be seen through, but still solid in battle.
Two hours is plenty—more than enough to finish anything.
Naruto pondered; using it on Uchiha Madara or Ōtsutsuki Kaguya was pointless—they'd break out instantly—but most other Ninja were fair game.
Still, there might be another use.
He suddenly thought of something urgent.
Money.
His dog food business was stuck in Konoha's small market and couldn't rake in real profit.
This illusion, however, could.
Naruto planned a high-end con.
He'd show the system that the original body was the slickest operator, leaving the Shadow Clone in the dust.
Ahem—no, the smartest.
He felt the clone's mischief rubbing off on him 24/7.
'Six Ears.'
'Here!'
Six Ears, cavorting through the Peach Grove, sprang to the nearest tree.
It had changed a lot in two years.
First, size: it now stood almost to Naruto's shoulder, roughly 1.4–1.5 meters tall.
Second, strength: after steady Sage Peach meals and training, its power had soared.
Naruto figured it could handle an average Joninwithout trouble.
In a few more years it might rival the Summoned Beasts of the Three Great Sage Regions—Gamabunta, Manda, the like.
Only drawback: still a bit small.
If only it could learn the Eight-Nine Mystic Arts or Seventy-two Transformations—right, stop dreaming.
'Six Ears, do you have kin?'
'Yep.'
Scratching its head, Six Ears asked, 'Naruto, want me to fetch a few female monkeys?'
With its current strength, leading a troop would be effortless.
Naruto face-palmed. 'What the hell are you thinking? Show some class, will you?'
'Oh—then I'll get you some males?'
Tilting its head, Six Ears inquired.
'…'
He decided the monkey was hopeless, obsessed with mating.
If it weren't his Summoned Beast, he'd put it on clearance.
'I'll give you plenty of Sage Peaches. Bring me back some monkeys that can use Sage Chakra; I need them.'
Six Ears clapped excitedly.
It had wanted this for ages.
Ever since being steeped in Sage Chakra, it could speak and its intellect had skyrocketed.
It felt like an outcast among normal monkeys.
Now, with Naruto's order, it could turn all its wives into Ninja beasts.
'Ten should do.'
Naruto calculated: ten Summoned Beasts for window dressing would fool most people.
He handed Six Ears two hundred Sage Peaches.
'Take me to your troop's home.'
'Alright!'
Six Ears grabbed a storage scroll and swung through the trees, hooting.
Its mood was sky-high; its howls carried.
Naruto swore he heard springtime hormones in those cries.
Minutes later a waterfall came into view.
He blinked—déjà vu hit hard.
Don't tell me you live behind the cascade too?
He realized he was overthinking.
The macaques just nested near the falls.
They still lived in the forest.
Naruto scanned the area.
Nice scenery.
Mountains, water—perfect.
'All right, heading back.'
After a quick look he had what he needed; he bade Six Ears goodbye.
'Huh?'
Six Ears froze while lining up pretty males and females.
Not choosing?
Whatever, I'll pick myself.
Noon the next day.
On the bridge the trio waited for the late Kakashi.
'Good morning, my adorable subordinates.'
Naruto and Sasuke stayed silent; Sakura glowered.
'Sensei, it's already twelve!'
'Ah, I helped an old lady cross the street and walked her home; sorry for the delay.'
Kakashi said with perfect seriousness.
Obito would've applauded.
'Let's start mission number two.'
Thick-skinned Kakashi ignored Sakura's glare. 'Today: weeding.'
At the client's house Naruto said, 'Sensei, teach Sakura training and Ninjutsu; Sasuke and I will handle the chores.'
Sakura glanced at Sasuke; when he nodded she teared up.
You can do it, Sakura! Don't waste Sasuke's kindness!
Energized, she chirped, 'Sensei, please teach me!'
How sweet.
Kakashi mused.
He hadn't expected Naruto and Sasuke to consider their teammate.
'As your teacher, it's my duty!'
Feeling the spark of youth, the formerly listless Kakashi flipped a mental switch and dove in.
He started with tree-climbing and water-walking for Sakura.
Her talent for precise control surfaced.
Kakashi was impressed—looked like Naruto had done his homework.
Aside from genjutsu, Medical Ninjutsu could suit her.
To him, Sakura's best role was support.
She couldn't out-damage Naruto or Sasuke.
But who said supports can't carry the game?
Too bad Lady Tsunade wasn't around.
Kakashi sighed softly.
Evening fell; Naruto's and Sasuke's Shadow Clones dispersed, leaving a weary Sakura and Kakashi staring in silence.
Her inner self shook two dolls and roared, 'Give my touching moment back, you jerks!'
Under moonlight.
Naruto wasn't in the Treehouse—he was in Root.
Sage Mode activated.
His presence was as untraceable as moonlight.
Even if Danzo Shimura had Sharingan eyes all over like the centipede demon from journey to the west, the gap in power was insurmountable.
Plus, Sage Mode's perception was terrifying.
He could leave before Danzo noticed.
Naruto hadn't come to assassinate Danzo.
Right—Sasuke could handle Danzo.
Provided he completed the active achievement.
Tough, but there was plenty of time.
Naruto just wanted to see if the man planned any outings.
After several days of scouting, news finally surfaced.
He envied the Akatsuki Organization a bit.
Look at Nagato—no need to step outside, yet he knew everything under heaven.
Meanwhile Naruto couldn't even keep track of Konoha intel.
'Six Ears, how's the progress?'
'Barely entry-level.'
'Then wait a few more days.'
Naruto rubbed his chin and began crafting the illusion.
He intended to forge a fourth Great Sage Summoned Beast Region and bait Danzo into the trap.
Thanks to Sea-Dragon and the 'I-exist-only-to-screw-people' boss for the donations.