NOVEL NEXT Chapter 53: The Rogue Outpost
Naruto crouched in the shadows, observing the rogue shinobi stationed around the outpost. His Shinringan swirled with power, giving him a clear view of their chakra pathways and movements.
The outpost consisted of a few shabby wooden structures surrounded by crude barricades. Five rogue shinobi patrolled the perimeter, while two more stood guard near what seemed to be the main building. The leader's chakra signature radiated from inside—a powerful presence compared to the others.
"This will be easier than I thought," Naruto muttered to himself.
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The Infiltration
Naruto performed a series of silent hand seals and whispered, "Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Three clones materialized beside him, each nodding in understanding. Two clones moved to the flanks, while the third positioned itself near the guards at the main building.
Naruto activated his Shinringan's mind-control ability and focused on the two nearest guards. Their eyes glazed over, and they stood motionless, allowing Naruto to slip past them unnoticed.
As he approached the main building, one of his clones dispatched a patrolling shinobi with a swift chop to the neck, while another clone used a genjutsu to distract the remaining guards.
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Inside the Main Building
Naruto entered the main building, his footsteps silent. The interior was dimly lit, with maps and documents scattered across a table. The leader sat in a chair at the far end, a burly man with scars covering his face.
The rogue leader looked up, his eyes narrowing. "Who are you?"
Naruto smirked. "Your worst nightmare."
The leader lunged forward, swinging a massive blade. Naruto sidestepped effortlessly, his movements precise and fluid. With a quick hand seal, he unleashed a Wind Style: Gale Palm, sending the leader crashing into the wall.
Before the rogue could recover, Naruto's Shinringan flared. "Let's see what secrets you're hiding."
Using his dojutsu's mind-probing ability, Naruto extracted the leader's memories. He saw flashes of plans to attack a nearby village and connections to a larger rogue organization.
The leader gritted his teeth, struggling against Naruto's control. "You brat... you'll pay for this!"
Naruto's expression darkened. "I don't have time for weak threats." With a final burst of chakra, he knocked the rogue unconscious.
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Securing the Intel
Naruto quickly gathered the documents from the table, stuffing them into a scroll. He also placed explosive tags around the building, ensuring the outpost would be destroyed.
As he exited the building, his clones had already neutralized the remaining shinobi. Naruto dispelled them with a wave of his hand, absorbing their memories of the battle.
"Mission accomplished," he said, a satisfied grin on his face.
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The Return
Naruto returned to the Hokage's office the next morning, his report and the retrieved documents in hand.
Hiruzen studied the documents carefully, his expression serious. "You've done well, Naruto. This information is invaluable. And the outpost?"
"Destroyed," Naruto replied.
Hiruzen nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes. "You've proven yourself capable of handling advanced missions. As promised, I will approve your grade skip. However, this means you'll face even greater challenges moving forward. Are you prepared for that?"
Naruto smirked. "Always."
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Reactions from His Peers
Word of Naruto's success spread quickly throughout the academy. Satsuki crossed her arms, a mixture of annoyance and admiration on her face.
"Don't let this go to your head, Naruto," she said. "You may have skipped grades, but you're still my rival."
Hana grinned, patting Naruto on the back. "You're incredible, big brother! But don't think I'll let you leave me behind."
Naruto chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of it. Let's all get stronger together."
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New Challenges Ahead
With his grade skip approved, Naruto now faced a new set of trials and expectations. Advanced classes, tougher missions, and stronger rivals awaited him.
As he walked through the village that evening, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This was just the beginning of his journey to become the strongest shinobi the world had ever seen.