Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

"What are we doing here?"

Orochimaru asked in confusion.

At this moment, he and Naruto were hidden in a secluded corner of the Nara clan's compound.

"Of course, it is to better subdue Sandaime."

Naruto explained, "If we go charging straight into the Hokage's Office, who knows how many Anbu will be attracted."

"But why do we need to come here?"

They had agreed to deal with Sandaime, and Orochimaru still couldn't make sense of Naruto's plan.

If the goal was to come up with a strategy, Orochimaru figured he could have just gone ahead with his existing Konoha Crush Plan, sparing himself this detour.

"Well, it'll just take an hour, it won't delay us much."

Naruto said, realizing he couldn't think of any suitable excuse, so he left it at that.

In truth, Naruto had come here to sign in. He had just asked his system and confirmed that spending time in the Nara Clan's compound would reward him with the Shadow Imitation Technique.

The Nara Clan's Shadow Imitation Technique can be called a bug. It allows the user to control others through their shadows and make them perform the same actions as the user.

However, due to the Nara Clan's naturally limited Chakra Reserve, their control time was notoriously short.

But Naruto is different. With the Kyubi's power at his disposal, he could greatly extend the duration of his control.

With this technique in hand, Sandaime would have no chance of resisting.

It's just that this is about the Sign-in System, and Naruto can't tell the truth to Orochimaru no matter what...

An hour passed quickly, and a notification rang out in Naruto's mind.

[It is detected that the host has stayed in the Nara Clan's compound for one hour. Sign-in successful. Reward: Shadow Imitation Technique.]

Along with the system prompt sound, a memory flooded into Naruto's mind, which was exactly how to use the Shadow Imitation Technique.

"All set. Let's go!"

Naruto waved his hand and took the lead in leaving the Nara Clan's territory.

'Naruto-kun, you are hiding something from me.'

Orochimaru thought, his eyes gleaming with interest. Although he didn't know exactly what Naruto had done, Naruto's confident expression made it clear he had found a way to restrain Sandaime.

Anyway, Orochimaru felt he would be able to see it with his own eyes later, so he didn't think any more about it. He flickered and swiftly followed Naruto.

After neutralizing the two Shinobi guarding the Hokage's Office, Naruto and Orochimaru transformed into the guarding Shinobi and successfully slipped inside undetected.

Knock, knock!

With the sound of the knock, Sandaime's voice came from inside, "Come in."

Seeing two Shinobi with cat masks entering, Sandaime asked, "What is it?"

"Nothing much, Hokage-sama. It's just that your dear disciple, Orochimaru, wants to see you."

Naruto's disguised voice rang out as he casually reached over and removed the mask from Orochimaru's face.

Upon seeing Orochimaru's face, Sandaime's face briefly registered surprise before turning grave.

However, it was during this moment of hesitation that Naruto seized the opportunity and quickly used the Shadow Imitation Technique.

His shadow extended into a thin line, intertwining with Sandaime shadow.

'It works!'

Feeling the connection between his shadow and Sandaime's, Naruto couldn't hide his excitement.

As long as their shadows are connected, Sandaime will wouldn't be able to break free.

While the Sharingan or Rinnegan might have used Genjutsu to turn the tables on Naruto, in this ambush, Sandaime hadn't had any chance to defend himself.

And once the shadows are connected, with Naruto's virtually limitless Chakra Reserve, it was impossible for Sandaime to break free through sheer force.

"Shadow Imitation Technique? It's a good plan indeed."

Orochimaru nodded slightly, his lips curling into a faint smile.

"What are you up to, Orochimaru? Colluding with the Nara Clan… what's your scheme?"

Sandaime frowned and looked at Orochimaru warily.

Orochimaru pondered for a moment and said, "Sensei, I haven't seen you for so long, can't you at least show some concern for your old student? Besides, I'm not the one who orchestrated this plan… it's the person standing right here beside me."

"Don't waste time, getting rid of him is the most important!"

Naruto interjected sternly.

Any delay would only give the Anbu time to respond, and he wanted to avoid unnecessary complications.

But Orochimaru didn't move. Instead, he chuckled and said, "Actually, I just thought of a clever idea. Normally, I would agree to kill, but in this case, why not make him sign a contract? This way, he'll have no choice but to obey you."

"This…"

Naruto blinked in surprise, as he hadn't considered this option.

'But Orochimaru had a point. If Sandaime signed a contract, any action he took would be subject to my will.'

With this new thought, Naruto declared: "Sandaime, there's no escaping my Shadow Imitation Technique. Orochimaru could kill you easily if he wanted. Admit it… you've lost!"

"So what if I lose? I will never sign any contract!"

Sandaime snorted coldly. He knew that if he could hold on for a little longer, the Anbu would arrive.

At that time, neither Orochimaru nor this masked guy would be able to escape!

"So what? You'll know about that soon enough."

Naruto replied coldly, pulling out a Servant Contract and flipping to the blank fifth page.

One of the contract's requirements was that the target had to verbally acknowledge defeat, and with Sandaime's answer, this loophole was enough to activate it.

"Contract!"

Naruto shouted softly, and the Servant Contract suddenly glowed brightly. A beam of golden light shot out, completely enveloping Sandaime.

"What… what is this?"

Sandaime, the one known as Professor, had never encountered such an eerie sight.

Within the golden light, cryptic runes filled the air. As they entered his body, he felt his every movement restricted. The restriction is far more powerful than even the Shadow Imitation Technique.

Once the runes finished embedding, the golden glow faded. Just as Sandaime thought it was over, a six-pointed star mark appeared beneath him, reaching up inch by inch, each marking like a cleansing that stripped away his autonomy.

The six-pointed star mark continued until it reached his heart, then branded itself forcefully.

[Congratulations to the host for successfully signing a Servant Contract with Sarutobi Hiruzen!]

Hearing the system notification in his mind, Naruto confidently released the Shadow Imitation Technique.

As soon as he regained mobility, Sandaime assumed a combat stance and said gravely, "I don't know what you're after, but surrender now. Konoha is no place for your insolence."

As he said this, he was about to press the emergency alert button.

"Calm down, let's sit down and talk slowly."

Naruto said calmly, his voice was steady, but to Sandaime's ears, it sounded like devil's voice.

Then, all the emotions in Sandaime's heart calmed down instantly, and his body moved against his will to sit down in his chair.

"How… how can this be? What have you done to me?"

Even though Sandaime was as steady as a seasoned veteran, he couldn't help but be surprised at this moment.

He forcibly disrupted his Chakra and found that he was not under Genjutsu. He also tried many other methods, but they were completely useless.

'How could this unknown contract be so terrifying?'

A sense of despair began to settle in Sandaime's heart.

Seeing this scene, Orochimaru's smile became a little bitter.

Naruto said playfully, "Orochimaru, does this bring back memories of what you went through?"

"Yeah, the same helpless feeling."

Orochimaru laughed softly. There was a certain satisfaction in seeing someone else share his suffering, especially when that person was his former teacher.

At the same time, he realized more deeply how fearsome Naruto had become.

'This contract was practically unbreakable.'

Thinking of the day he might find a way to break this contract through his research, Orochimaru felt invigorated.

Yet he remained oblivious to the system's absolute power. It's a force no one could resist.

If Naruto knew what Orochimaru is thinking, he would offer a moment of sympathy to him...