For a moment, Naruto just sat there, staring at the empty seal in his inner world.
The idea that he might have died—truly died—was a heavy thing for a kid to carry.
His breath hitched, and his eyes stung, but he didn't cry. Not really. Not the way he used to when he was all alone. He'd changed a lot since those days.
I might've died… he repeated in his head.
But then he looked around.
He could still feel the wind on his face. Still smell the fresh grass. Still hear Biyomon grunting as she dodged another rubber bullet in the distance. He was still here, in this world. Still breathing.
"…So what if I died?" he whispered to himself. "I'm alive now."
He clenched his fists and grinned slightly, a stubborn glimmer returning to his eyes.
"Besides… if all the other kids from the real world are here, then there's gotta be a way back for me too. I just have to find it."
He stood up, brushing the dirt from his pants, the fire in his heart reigniting.
"I came here for a reason. If this world needs saving, then I'll save it. And if that gets me back home, even better."
He looked out toward the training ground where Sparky was now doing his best to withstand impact blasts in the defense area. The little digimon was struggling, but he kept getting back up.
Naruto grinned.
"Yeah… we'll both get stronger. Even without the Kyuubi, I've still got my fists… and my guts."
He pointed a thumb at his chest.
"Believe it!"
[Scene: Training Grounds – Afternoon]
With his spirits fired up and his goofy smile back on, Naruto jogged toward Izzy, who was sitting on a rock while typing away furiously on his laptop-sized Digivice. Tentomon was in the distance, shooting static zaps at flying targets.
"Hey, Izzy!" Naruto waved as he approached. "I need to talk to the biggest brain in the group!"
Izzy adjusted his glasses, barely glancing up. "That would be me. What's up, Naruto?"
"Well," Naruto said, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin, "you guys called me… what was it? Narutomon? I gotta admit, I laughed for like ten minutes. But seriously, what does it mean?"
Izzy raised an eyebrow and finally looked up. "Hmm… interesting question. Tentomon, keep going, you're doing great!"
"Zap zap, analyze later!" Tentomon called as he resumed his awkward but enthusiastic targeting.
Izzy motioned Naruto closer and pointed the Digivice at him. It beeped, blinked, and then projected a 3D hologram of Naruto spinning dramatically in the air.
"Whoa, that's me! And I look awesome!" Naruto flexed as the hologram copied his pose.
Izzy tapped a few buttons. "So, Naruto… or should I say Narutomon, this Digivice recognizes you as a Digimon. That means you have an internal system of skills—just like Tentomon or Agumon—that unlock at certain levels."
Naruto's eyes widened. "Wait, I have skills like a real Digimon? Like a moveset?!"
"Exactly," Izzy said, swiping through the list. "Let's see here… Clone Jutsu, Substitution, Transformation… Rasengan… Summoning Jutsu… Chakra Enhancement…"
"Dude, that's my actual ninja stuff!"
"Oh, and here," Izzy squinted. "Wind Bullet, Wind Scythe, Wind Blade Hurricane…"
"Wait wait WAIT—I don't even know wind techniques!" Naruto threw up his arms. "This thing's making stuff up now!"
Izzy chuckled. "It's probably reading your future potential. You were going to learn these anyway. The system's just… efficient."
Naruto rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So… it's like I've already studied for an exam I haven't even taken yet? Nice. Still… Wind Blade Hurricane? Sounds like something I'd yell dramatically while flipping in the air."
He suddenly leapt up, did a pose, and shouted, "Wind Blade Hurricane no Jutsu!!"
However, nothing happened.
"You haven't unlocked that skill yet." Izzy reminded him.
"Wind Bullet!" Naruto continued without stopping.
A nearby dummy exploded in the distance.
Izzy blinked. "…Okay that actually sounded dangerous."
Naruto looked down at his hands. "I HAVE THE POWER."
Then he raised his fists to the sky. "First… I was a nobody ninja. Now… I'm gonna be Hokage. But not just any Hokage…"
He puffed out his chest dramatically and pointed at Izzy.
"I'm gonna be the Hokagemon! Protector of both the Leaf Village and the Digital World! Believe it!"
Tentomon crashed into a wall in the background.
Naruto was still basking in his self-declared glory as "Hokagemon," fists on his hips, cape (towel) fluttering in the wind… even though there was no wind.
Izzy, ever the data-driven analyst, continued reading Naruto's Digivice scan results, scrolling through lines of skill descriptions and parameters. His eyes suddenly stopped on one paragraph, and he blinked.
"Wait a minute… this is interesting."
Naruto leaned in, curious. "What is it? Did it say I'm extra cool? 'Cause I could've told you that."
"No," Izzy deadpanned, adjusting his glasses. "It says here that your Shadow Clone Jutsu isn't just a fighting technique. It actually distributes your chakra between each clone, and when the clones disappear, the original you receives all their memories and experiences."
Naruto blinked. "Wait... seriously?"
Izzy slowly turned to him, squinting. "Yes. It means… if you made, say, five clones and had them all do different types of training, you'd get five times the training experience. You could master skills in a fraction of the time."
Naruto scratched his head. "Huh. That's crazy useful."
Izzy's mouth hung open slightly. He stared at Naruto.
Then stared again.
"…You're telling me… you didn't know that?"
Naruto laughed sheepishly. "I just use 'em to beat up bad guys and prank people."
Izzy looked at him.
Then looked again.
Then looked one more time, as if the third stare would reveal some deeper truth.
"You use clones every day. Multiple times. For years. And not once did you think, 'Gee, maybe this could help me learn stuff faster'?"
Naruto shrugged. "Nope!"
Izzy slowly turned away, muttering under his breath. "I'm in another world with a sentient ramen-fueled wrecking ball who accidentally discovered one of the most broken training hacks in history… and never noticed."
Naruto beamed. "Heh! Guess I'm just built different."
Tentomon, nearby, whispered, "I think Izzy's having an existential crisis."
"Give him a minute," Naruto said, patting Izzy on the back. "He's just not ready for Hokagemon-level strategy."
Naruto hid his embarrassment with more embarrassing announcements.
Izzy groaned into his Digivice.
Izzy, who had finally collected himself from his disbelief over Naruto's lack of awareness regarding the clone training advantage, returned his focus to the task at hand. He turned to Naruto, who was bouncing on his heels, clearly excited about the idea of becoming "Hokagemon" and leveling up faster.
"Okay, Naruto, focus up," Izzy said, snapping the Digivice in his hand. "We need to get you to level 30 first, that's where your Two Tail Transformation and Wind Blade Hurricane become accessible. But getting to level 40? That's a whole different challenge. That's when you'll evolve into something even stronger, so we need to make sure we're using our time efficiently."
Naruto tilted his head. "Level 40, huh? I'm only level 25, that's a huge jump. How do I get there, though?"
Izzy adjusted his glasses and looked at him with a bit more of a serious expression. "You're already halfway there. The thing with your Shadow Clones is that they can help you level up faster by doing multiple tasks at once. The more tasks your clones complete, the more experience you'll gain. It's like this huge multiplier. For example, if one clone trains in speed while another works on strength and another learns new techniques, they all contribute to your growth. And when they disappear, you get all of the accumulated experience."
Naruto's eyes widened. "So, I'm kinda like an army of one?"
Izzy nodded. "Exactly. Each clone gets the task you give it, and you get the knowledge and experience of everything they do once they vanish. Just make sure you don't overexert yourself. Too many clones can split your focus."
"Got it," Naruto said, grinning. "More clones, more progress! This is perfect."
Izzy sighed, "It's not just about quantity. You still need to practice effectively. That's why your training is going to be key. Whether it's strengthening your body, improving your chakra control, or refining your techniques, everything counts towards your growth. Plus, any battle you get into, you'll earn experience from the data gathered from your opponents."
"But we don't have enemies here to fight, Izzy," Naruto pointed out, his enthusiasm dipping for a second. "How am I gonna fight anything to level up?"
Izzy thought for a second, tapping his chin. "True, we don't have any Digimon to battle right now. But what we do have is training. You can go through your different techniques, improve them, and boost your stats even without a fight. Practicing your skills and refining your chakra control can also contribute to experience. The key here is consistency and focusing on different aspects of your abilities, all while leveling up your base stats."
Naruto nodded, looking determined. "Okay, that makes sense. So, if I work on my Shadow Clones to tackle training tasks and get my stats up, I'll be able to level up, then when I hit level 30, I can unlock all the cool stuff, like that Two Tail Transformation thing?"
Izzy nodded, looking satisfied with Naruto's understanding. "Exactly. And don't forget, when you reach level 40, you'll evolve. You'll have access to new abilities and higher stats. You might even get a new form, something more powerful and better suited for the battles ahead."
Naruto rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Level 40, huh? Sounds pretty intense, but if I can get stronger with each level, I'm in! I can handle anything, especially with the power of Hokagemon on my side!"
Izzy rolled his eyes at the self-declared title. "Sure, Hokagemon. But remember, you're not just fighting for power. You're fighting for the right to protect your world. Focus on that, and the rest will come naturally."
Naruto grinned. "Right, right. I'll protect my world and become the best Hokagemon there ever was. I'll make sure the training's never a joke. All right, Izzy! You can count on me to level up like nobody's business!"
Izzy watched Naruto's over-the-top declaration with a deadpan look. "I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to take this lightly, but... I suppose it's better that you're enthusiastic."
--------------------------
Naruto left Izzy with a spring in his step and a mischievous glint in his eye, the kind that often preceded explosions, surprises, or at the very least—mad schemes with too much energy and not enough planning. The idea of "levelling up" like a game character still felt strange to him, but if that's what this world required, then he would train harder than ever before.
And so, with a flick of his fingers and a surge of chakra, he summoned his clones.
They emerged in a burst of white smoke, scattering across the rocky clearing like enthusiastic students just let out of class. Each clone looked determined, as if Naruto had passed down not only their tasks but the urgency of his mission as well.
"You!" Naruto pointed to one group. "Practice Wind Bullet and Wind Scythe—get the hang of controlling the direction and force!"
They nodded and raced toward the far edge of the field, where the cliffside provided a safe place to launch projectiles. Moments later, powerful bursts of compressed wind howled through the air, sending dust and pebbles flying.
"You lot—Wind Barrier training!" he barked at another set of clones, who took defensive stances and began channelling chakra into the air around them, forming faint shimmering walls of protection. It wasn't perfect yet, but the way they improved with each passing minute made Naruto feel a flutter of pride.
A second group was dispatched to the speed training area, where thin wires and flashing lights moved unpredictably across a long path. It was designed to test reflexes and agility. The clones began weaving and dodging, leaping through the maze with increasing finesse. Their movements were jerky at first, but Naruto knew: speed wasn't built in a day.
Another wave of clones ran off toward the offensive drills—a rugged terrain filled with dummy Digimon that reformed after every takedown. Each strike was designed to teach power and efficiency. Rasengans slammed into targets. Clones coordinated group attacks, adjusting their angles, power, and timing like soldiers learning a battle dance.
Meanwhile, the final group made its way to the defensive quadrant, a perilous zone filled with simulated attacks. Fireballs, rockslides, and crushing winds descended upon them. But the clones, determined to make their original proud, activated Substitution and Transformation techniques to dodge, endure, and survive. Some summoned makeshift barriers, others layered their chakra to dull incoming damage. It was brutal, but effective.
Naruto, the real one, remained behind.
He stood still at the center of it all, feeling the thrum of energy in the air—the rhythmic whooshes of wind jutsu, the ground shaking from impact drills, the sharp cracks of sudden movements in the speed zone. It was like the world was training with him.
But his task… was different.
He sat down cross-legged, closing his eyes, inhaling deeply. He reached inward—into that vast, hollow place where once the great beast had snarled and glowered behind the bars of a seal.
But now, it was quiet.
Peaceful.
Empty.
The Nine-Tails… was gone. That was no longer a theory—it was a fact. And for a fleeting moment, it ached in Naruto's chest. Not because he missed the Kyuubi's rage or venom, but because the absence made it real.
He had died. Once.
But he was here now. And here… he could grow stronger.
With that, he let his chakra rise like a tide, swirling in his chest and flooding his limbs. He called upon the Zero-Tail Transformation, and his body responded instantly.
A glow enveloped him—red, faint at first, then pulsing. His teeth sharpened. His eyes took on a more bestial hue. But his mind remained his own.
No whispering madness. No bloodlust.
Relieved, Naruto allowed himself to stand, crackling with energy. Then, without hesitation, he pushed further.
"One Tail," he murmured.
The red cloak exploded outward.
This was a different power altogether—raw and primal. A tail of chakra whipped behind him like a living flame. His skin prickled with the overwhelming surge of strength, and the ground at his feet cracked from the pressure. He could feel everything—the air, the vibration of movement across the field, the steady heartbeat of his clones.
And the arms—yes, the chakra arms—they erupted from his back and shoulders like serpents made of fire and fury. He could extend them at will, strike from unexpected angles, shield his body, or grip distant targets. Long claws shimmered on his hands, glowing faintly in the dim light.
In this form, Naruto realized something astonishing: he was stronger now than the Champion-level Digimon the other kids digimon had evolved into. His power wasn't wild and reckless as before. It was focused. Versatile. Controlled.
"I'm gonna be unstoppable…" he whispered, breath misting from the sheer force radiating from his skin. "Hokagemon really is happening."