The Third fell into deep thought.
Based on his understanding of Akaba, this kid never suggested anything unless it benefited himself. Otherwise, he simply wouldn't bother mentioning it at all.
He wouldn't even bother.
Suddenly, a realization struck him—he finally figured something out.
This year's newly created ninjutsu techniques—Chidori, [Mist Phantom Scene], [Virtual Reality Games], and others—were all connected to Akaba somehow.
And that didn't even include what Orochimaru had developed.
Since Orochimaru conducted secret Anbu research, the Third lacked full knowledge. But judging from what he knew, those projects likely contained Akaba's ideas as well.
Putting it all together, it finally clicked in his mind.
"Eh, Lord Third, what's wrong?"
"You've earned quite a bit from your manga sales, so obviously you don't qualify for funding applications, right?"
The Third coughed dryly.
"By your logic, do I look like someone interested in such tactics?"
Akaba remained expressionless.
As for money, he honestly didn't care much about it. Originally, he planned to use research as an excuse to borrow some confidential materials.
But upon second thought, he probably wouldn't have time for that kind of work anyway.
Wouldn't it be better to spend that time updating manga?
At least creating manga could still earn him points!
Of course, this didn't mean he had completely given up—when he couldn't do it himself, he could always let Orochimaru or Jiraiya handle it.
Funding and resources could be shared either way; it was still profitable.
"Hmm, such a laboratory would indeed benefit Konoha. I'll discuss it with others and try to establish one as soon as possible."
The Third stood up and headed toward the exit.
Now that Danzo's safety and the lab situation were clarified, there was no reason for him to stay any longer.
After the Third left, Akaba pressed a hidden switch and summoned an Anbu agent.
Akaba recognized this Anbu member.
Back during the [Manga Con] incident, Mito Uzumaki had called him Aburame Yugen.
Aburame Yugen was a Jonin and currently serving under Akaba's command within the Anbu.
Upon entering the office, he immediately dropped to one knee: "My lord."
"The latest by tomorrow, Lord Danzo will definitely return to the village."
Akaba stood, tidying up the items on the desk.
"Yes, but regarding Anbu..."
"During that time, you maintain normal operations—you understand Anbu matters far better than me, so I won't interfere anymore."
He wasn't truly the head of Anbu anyway—why should he hang around after finishing his job?
"Understood."
"Let's go."
Akaba waved and walked toward the door.
Aburame Yugen signaled another agent over to guide Akaba.
When Akaba finally departed, Yugen wore a slightly dazed expression.
These past few days, Akaba seemed inactive, yet in giving orders and resolving critical issues, he'd been incredibly precise.
Take this instance—
Without Akaba's instructions sending medical staff to wait along the borders, even if Danzo returned, immediate treatment wouldn't have been possible.
"Inscrutable brat. Very strange."
Aburame muttered to himself before shaking his head slightly and sitting down at the desk.
After thinking briefly, he picked up his brush pen and began writing a report covering the recent events.
As the deputy leader of Anbu, normally when Danzo was away, command would fall to him. This assignment had only gone to Akaba because Danzo insisted.
Simply put, this entire thing functioned as a test.
What meaning could these exam results possibly carry? Perhaps only Danzo truly understood.
Stepping out of Anbu, Akaba immediately took a deep breath.
The Anbu base felt more like a cave or dungeon than an office. The air quality was absolutely terrible. Living here constantly would probably warp anyone's mind sooner or later!
"Huh, a Shadow Clone?"
As soon as Akaba walked out the door, he suddenly sensed one of his Shadow Clones disappear.
With his chakra reserves, so long as the Shadow Clone didn't take action and consume chakra, it could easily last an entire day without issues.
Its sudden disappearance now meant something serious had happened.
A wave of fatigue hit him, followed by a gradual influx of memories.
"Ah, finished drawing already?"
From chapter fifty-one to fifty-five, the most critical content depicted Orochimaru placing a cursed seal on Sasuke, followed by the three Sound ninja attacking. However, in chapter fifty-five, the tragic Uchiha massacre was finally revealed through Sasuke's flashback.
The next volume essentially set the direction for all future plot developments.
However, the reason the clone dispersed was to seek Akaba's opinion—should they send over the manga overnight?
The specific details needed to start with Jiraiya.
"You're finally back! Hurry up and tell me the address!"
"Wait, you wanna go *now*?"
Akaba arrived at the manga shop and saw Jiraiya fully armed, holding a thick sketchbook in his hand.
Dude must've gone full artist mode on this thing!
A quick glance at the sketchbook revealed it contained material for at least ten manga chapters.
"Of course! I can't wait to show off my masterpiece to them."
Just imagining his manga being sold internationally made Jiraiya too excited to sleep.
Akaba stayed silent for a moment.
He was considering how to explain the route since he didn't have a map, and this world lacked navigation systems.
Besides, even if there were maps, Jiraiya probably wouldn't understand them anyway.
As for explaining using Genjutsu—
Too troublesome.
Akaba glanced toward Sakuma Yunlang.
"Master, we don't have enough hands today either, and aside from a few exceptions, no one else even knows where the factory is," Sakuma Yunlang said, clearly uneasy.
If he had someone who could make the trip, he wouldn't have asked Akaba to return.
"Fine."
Akaba simply dismissed his Shadow Clone, recalling the one inside the room as well.
Then he created fresh Shadow Clones.
He'd send one clone to deliver the manga to the factory while personally preparing tomorrow's promotion artwork himself.
He'd rather draw than waste time walking there.
Besides, preparation wasn't difficult. The main issue lay in deciding what kind of hype to create.
Writing about the massacre was completely out of the question.
While such a headline might be explosive, openly displaying it outside would undoubtedly provoke immediate backlash from the Uchiha clan.
If Motonami Uchiha intended to make a major move, everything needed careful planning and gradual execution.
"Hmm, let's use Sakura as the promotional title then."
He thought for a while. This volume contained way too many shocking elements.
In that case, better to let the story speak for itself—it's explosive enough. As long as the headlines are catchy, who cares what they are?
Based on Yamano Izumi and their usual printing capabilities, the manga should arrive latest by tomorrow afternoon.
He needed to find a way to reach Motonami Uchiha—
Pondering for a bit, Akaba considered Yumekuma as his best communication method.
Still, specifics required summoning Zhi Meng first for consultation.
He hastily set up the Hokage promotional banners and posters, then closed the door of the rest room and used the Summoning Technique to summon Zhi Meng.
"Huh? Am I summoned again?"
Little Yumekuma appeared from the summoning technique, its claws still pressing down on a manga.
It looked slightly bewildered after appearing but quickly scanned its surroundings with wide, fearful eyes, afraid that Tsunade might pop out from somewhere.
"Don't bother. She's not here."
Akaba smacked its head impatiently.
This guy was even more of a coward than Akaba himself. Looks like he couldn't count on him for close combat anytime soon.
"Oh, okay, that's good then."
The little Yumekuma sat down on its hind legs and continued reading its book.
"I called you out to ask—do you have any requirements when using dreams?"
Akaba's first thought was about dreams.
If they could pull Motonami Uchiha into a dream world, there'd be no need to meet in person at all, greatly reducing the risk involved.
Little Yumekuma raised its head as if deep in thought.
After thinking for quite a while, it finally spoke: "Seems like there are."
"Can't you just say yes or no clearly?"
That word 'seems' didn't sound very reliable.
"Well… maybe."
Zhi Meng started sweating slightly at the forehead. They knew how unreliable their answer sounded, so they quickly added, "But don't fault me for it; there are many abilities I've never had the chance to use before."
"Just try it. But remember, don't make the dream too exaggerated."
Akaba repeated his instructions carefully.
With phrases like 'maybe' and 'seems,' he couldn't place much trust in this mission. If they messed up and entered the wrong person's dream, things could get extremely awkward.
"But who should I target?"
Zhi Meng asked confusedly. This ability to enter others' dreams wasn't something they had used often, especially remotely—it had barely ever been used from childhood until now.
"That I'll tell you."
After Akaba said this, he took out some paper and a pen and began drawing.
Before long, the Genjutsu succeeded!
Inside the illusion were depictions of the Uchiha clan, plus an image of Motonami Uchiha's appearance.
As long as Little Yumekuma could make the other person fall into a dream from afar, their goal would be achieved.
Of course,
Akaba himself had to go along too.
That night, he left a Shadow Clone behind at home.
Then man and beast stealthily made their way along the road, eventually arriving at the street outside the Uchiha compound.
Soon enough, Zhi Meng began searching and sensing.
Its sensing ability was impressive—it could still perceive what was happening inside the Uchiha compound from this distance.
Shortly afterward, the dream was successfully created.
But…
Looking from afar inside the dream, Akaba realized—he recognized this person. Wasn't this the father of Uchiha Ryo?
"Dream reach limit."
Zhi Meng murmured weakly.
Akaba stayed silent for a moment, then thought again—probably, Uchiha Eno and Motonami Uchiha were on the same side. Otherwise, why would his son become a double agent so young?
Uchiha Eno was cautious. He sensed something strange about this dream.
Upon entering, he activated his Sharingan. Though unable to immediately dispel the illusion, he noticed foreign chakra disrupting his system.
"In tomorrow's manga chapter, there will be a storyline involving the Uchiha clan."
Once those words were spoken, the dream vanished.
Outside the Uchiha compound, Akaba stared blankly at his summoning beast.
"It—it reached my limit! You can't blame me for this!"
Zhi Meng pleaded innocence.
It was her first time trying it, but she actually pulled it off and locked onto something useful. Not bad.
"You should go back and train some more."
Akaba felt awkward—her Spirit Points were just too weak.
"Oh right! I remember now!"
Zhi Meng said joyfully. "Our clan has a jutsu that allows us to share Spirit Points with our contracted master."
"Do you even know how to use it?"
Akaba didn't really need to ask—he already knew the answer.
Sure enough, the little Yumekuma shook its nose, giving him an utterly innocent look.
Fine!
Akaba patted its head. "Once we're back, start learning more of your clan's Secret Techniques. If you don't shape up, I'm not summoning you again."
"No no! I'm super useful! There aren't many Yumekumas in the clan as talented as me!"
Zhi Meng hurriedly tried to convince him why he was worth keeping around.
That was actually true.
Unlike Danzo's summon, who couldn't even speak, let alone use Genjutsu.
At the moment, Akaba was somewhat satisfied with him, but when it came down to actual usage, this guy was incredibly unreliable.
"So then, it's just that you're lazy. Once we return, write down all the techniques your clan knows—I'll pick a few for you to start practicing urgently."
Fine, he could accept Multiple Shadow Clones inheriting part of their user's personality, but now even Summoning Beasts turned out like this?
"Can I just chill like a bum forever, or what?"
"Do I really have to do this?"
"Don't want to practice? How about I cut you off from manga entirely then!"
Akaba simply threatened him.
"Alright, alright! I'll train, okay? Just don't take my manga!"
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