The training ground just outside the village was quiet—too quiet, considering two Academy students were about to do some very not-approved jutsu experimentation.
Naruto paced excitedly, holding the scroll like it was a secret weapon. "Okay, so this jutsu splits your chakra and makes copies of you that can fight and think and stuff. The real trick? When they pop, you get their memories back!"
The MC—still sore from yesterday's stealth squats—rubbed his hands together with a grin. "So if a clone does 50 push-ups, and I do 50, I still get the full benefit?"
Naruto blinked. "I mean… probably? That's what it says here."
> DING!
[Ultra Gainz Alert]
Compatible Technique Detected: Shadow Clone Jutsu
New System Function: "Distributed Workout Mode"
Multiply your reps. Multiply your gains. WARNING: Chakra strain is real. Overuse may cause face-planting, vomiting, or death.
"Perfect," the MC muttered. "Time to hit hyperbolic time chamber mode."
Naruto bit his thumb, ran through the hand seals, and shouted, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
POOF.
Three identical Narutos appeared—then immediately tackled each other and started arguing about who was the real one.
MC sighed. "Close enough."
He stepped back, focused, and tried to mimic the hand signs: Clone Technique had been covered in class, but he never tried the real one.
His chakra flared.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
POOF.
One clone popped into existence—wobbly, unstable, and staring at him like this was a terrible idea.
But it held.
"Alright, listen," the MC told his copy. "You're doing 50 push-ups and 50 sit-ups. I'll take the squats and running. When you pop, give me everything."
The clone looked tired already. "Screw you, man."
"You are me."
"…Fair."
They went to work. Real him started running laps around the training field while the clone dropped into push-ups. Naruto had formed a small army of clones, most of which were now doing crunches, cartwheels, or fighting over a rice ball.
> Progress Update:
Push-ups: 100/100
Sit-ups: 100/100
Squats: 75/100
Run: 8.2/10km
Fatigue Level: 74%
Chakra Drain: Moderate
You feel like a cooked noodle with too much pre-workout in it.
By the time his clone dispelled with a puff of smoke, he collapsed to the ground, panting.
Then, boom—the wave of shared exhaustion hit.
"Ggh—okay, ow. That's… worse than expected."
But also:
> Gains Processed!
+2 Strength
+2 Chakra Control
+1 Speed
Skill Unlocked: Basic Tree-Walking
"Hah," he wheezed. "Totally worth it."
Naruto flopped down beside him, covered in dirt and grinning ear to ear. "Dude, that was insane. I saw like six of you doing squats in sync. You looked like some kind of exercise cult."
"Thanks. I think."
They lay there under the stars, the cool breeze cutting through the sweat. The kind of silence that only happens after pushing your body past its limit.
Naruto glanced over. "Hey… what's your name anyway? You never said."
The MC blinked.
Right. He never did.
He sat up slowly, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and smirked.
"Michio Kuni."
Naruto grinned. "Michio, huh? Cool name."
And just like that, Michio Kuni was no longer just a random reincarnated fan. He had a name, a rival, a goal—and the gains to back it up.