Hatake Dojo.
Gekko Nightdance had been training when Sakumo returned with a bag on his back. He'd just finished training and was finally able to take a break.
"What's that you're carrying?"
The bag looked full—could it be something to eat?
Nightdance felt curious and came over for a closer look, discovering it probably contained books.
"Manga."
Sakumo sat down on the floor and pulled out the manga books.
"Oh, I've been training so much lately, I almost forgot about manga."
Nightdance felt slightly excited but glanced behind him before relaxing—he noticed Kakashi Windseer wasn't around, so he began choosing some freely.
"Whoa! Manga!"
"I want to read too! I only got up to episode fifty-five last time, haven't seen anything after that yet!"
"Teacher, give me one! Give me one!"
The children of the Hatake clan gathered around, all wanting to grab copies.
"Did you finish your training?"
Sakumo frowned as he swept his gaze across them coldly. "Go train! No manga unless you've completed today's session."
"Aww..."
Though reluctant, the children obeyed—their respect for Sakumo's authority kept them from slacking off, so they returned to sword practice.
Sakumo gave a slight smile, then stood up.
After loafing around all afternoon, it was finally time for him to practice sword techniques himself.
Only Nightdance among them had completed his training, so he alone got to enjoy all the manga.
He started flipping through volume by volume. One book he had already read before, yet he patiently reread it.
At first, everything was enjoyable—for example, Gaara reminded him somewhat of Sankai.
That guy controlled Iron Sand, and his abilities showed clear similarities in some aspects.
But when reaching the final chapter—Hayate Gekko made an appearance—Nightdance immediately fell silent.
This artistic style, these expressions...
What really pushed it over the edge? At the beginning there was even a color illustration of Hayate Gekko looking extremely exhausted and malnourished. His face appeared suspiciously like someone who stayed up all night doing questionable things.
"They're totally trashing us here!"
Nightdance was completely disturbed. The Gekko Clan wasn't this bad—maybe a bit frail at times, some occasional coughing fits, or pale complexions, that's all!
Just then, a voice spoke from behind him, "Actually, it's quite accurate."
"Teacher, plenty of people in our family are perfectly healthy, you know!" Nightdance protested.
"Still," Kakashi interjected mercilessly, "there are many patients too—some can't even become ninja at all."
During wartime, the Gekko Clan and Sakuma Clan were often placed under scrutiny, as their fragile constitutions cast serious doubt on their suitability as ninja.
"Well then, I'll keep practicing!"
Determined, Nightdance spoke enthusiastically. Kakashi gave a slight nod, assuming he was going straight to train—but instead saw him open a copy of One Piece.
"One Piece? You're reading that now?"
Kakashi cast a sidelong glance—and caught sight of the scene where Zoro faced off against Kabaji.
Riding a unicycle while fighting with a sword?
Is this a circus act now?
Three-Blade Style?
Looks cool enough, sure—but lacks the agility of a single blade!
Kakashi's expression darkened. He suddenly understood — no wonder his son wanted to wield two blades; this manga must've inspired him.
"Teacher, isn't the Three-Blade Style totally awesome?"
Nightdance hadn't caught on to how serious things were and kept promoting her "idol."
"Go practice your sword techniques."
Kakashi Windseer snapped in annoyance.
He hadn't even mastered single-sword techniques properly, and now he was talking about the Three-Blade Style?
Come to think of it, this guy's recent obsession with sword clones must be influenced by manga too!
I should find time to have a "heart-to-heart" talk with Akaba.
He can't keep drawing all this trash; at least draw something wholesome for a change.
When he got deeply into his work, time flew by.
Right after finishing his update, it was already almost bedtime. This Hokage chapter was completely drawn by himself, and he felt it was somewhat "tiring."
But there were also good rewards to be had.
Because of frequent updates, his points increased by more than a thousand within one or two days—part came from updates, while another part came from harvesting readers who had been stockpiling chapters.
Of those thousand points, no need to hesitate—directly exchange them for Physical Strength.
Akaba had originally hoped some plot-like body transformation would happen, but reality proved he'd overdramatized things.
That said, not everything remained unchanged: he certainly felt more energetic, and his chakra reserves appeared significantly increased along with improved physical condition.
Both his Physical Strength and Spirit Points had reached 100. For now, further improvements would cost too much—better save points for unlocking other abilities.
The Uzumaki clan's Sensor ability would definitely serve as an important survival tool, far superior to just gaining three or four Spirit Points.
After indulging in a lazy morning nap,
when Akaba finally woke up, it was already noon. This was the first time in several days he had slept this late.
"After lunch, gotta work again—I'm really busy."
Akaba groaned with a headache.
Recent overexertion left him hesitant to use Double Clones yesterday, but with sufficient rest today, he could finally work double shifts.
Leaving one clone at home to continue working, the original headed toward the manga shop.
Arriving at the manga shop,
he found Izumi Yamano had already delivered the updated manga, while Sakuma Yunlang carefully arranged manga books in front of the store.
"This fast? Already finished delivering?"
Akaba was surprised. Previously they always needed at least a full day preparation—how come this time it's done so soon? Such efficiency!
"Just part of it—the main thing is delivering Jiraiya's manga update."
Sakuma Yunlang's face looked slightly abnormal.
Akaba guessed immediately—the kid must've secretly read Jiraiya's manga.
Jiraiya's manga held no appeal for Akaba, but to those who didn't know real art, they had serious impact.
"You help organize the shelves. I might be quite busy today."
Akaba casually made up an excuse.
Busy?
With what? The Ninja Preparatory Division news hadn't even started to spread yet—it only circulated quietly among small circles. Only when village leaders officially announced the Reservist information would he truly get busy.
This was just an excuse.
After working the whole day yesterday, today was time to relax properly.
Silently organizing the manga books, Sakuma Yunlang quietly slipped one he'd skimmed back into the pile.
Akaba strolled around the store, then left another Kage Bunshin behind.
But right now, he noticed a middle-aged man entering the store.
This person was strange—Akaba wouldn't have noticed him at all if he hadn't been paying attention. The man walked straight to a corner upon entering.
That was Jiraiya's bookshelf.
Yet there didn't seem to be any new manga volumes on it.
In a hoarse voice, the man turned and asked, "Boss, nothing new today?"
"Regarding Volume Two of Make-Out Tactics, it just arrived. I haven't had time to put it up yet."
Sakuma Yunlang explained.
"Oh, give me one first."
He returned to the counter.
How obvious his intentions were! Despite being an unfamiliar face, he seemed to know the shop's layout inside out.
Akaba rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
The guy's identity wasn't hard to guess—he had only three options: the Third, Danzo, or Motonami Uchiha.
Danzo probably wouldn't be this flashy.
"Hmm, let me check other manga updates too."
As if realizing his behavior looked suspicious, after buying Jiraiya's manga, he asked Sakuma Yunlang to bring some other updated manga titles.
"Sure thing."
Sakuma Yunlang quickly obliged.
Remaining expressionless, Akaba quietly followed him once the man finished shopping.
After walking for a while, the man suddenly turned around, "Kid, why are you following me?"
Someone tailing him made it inconvenient for him to use the Body Flicker Technique.
"Cough… I just wanted to warn you, old man—you shouldn't be reading this stuff. Don't end up a manga addict when you're young and crying over it when you're old."
Akaba implied meaningfully.
"…"
The middle-aged man fell silent. This kid was intentionally provoking him, wasn't he?
Still, he understood—Akaba had already seen through his identity. This little fox was slippery indeed, always full of tricks.
So he decided to get straight to the point, "Erm, cultivating refined tastes—everyone's entitled to their hobbies, right?"
"Exactly. By the way, sir, in my upcoming manga chapters, there will be some plots—somewhat unflattering to you personally, but absolutely positive."
Akaba carefully chose his words.
"'Absolutely positive'? Please. Is Orochimaru causing trouble again in your manga?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi resumed his original form.
He hadn't seen Akaba's latest chapters yet, but guessing the plot progression wasn't hard.
"You're truly perceptive, honored sir."
Akaba chuckled.
Having caught him red-handed purchasing comics was perfect timing for bringing up requests usually inconvenient to make.
Of course,
he definitely wasn't threatening anyone. Absolutely not.
The Third gave him a calm glance before saying, "Let me preview it first before sending it to print."
Receiving this reply, Akaba felt relieved inside.
While not a yes, the Third hadn't said no either—that was already the best possible outcome.
As for how things would proceed later…
He'd considered it for quite a while yesterday and already formed a plan.
Temporarily altering plotlines wouldn't work—at least not aside from adjusting one specific character. Otherwise, Akaba intended to leave the major story arcs unchanged.
Otherwise, if Hiruzen came back alive, future storylines might become chaotic.
There was just one tiny problem though.
Impure World Reincarnation.
This forbidden jutsu might struggle to pass review committees during publication.
Akaba hadn't completely figured out handling that yet. He'd need to think more about it later.
If needed, he could include an explanatory essay—a sort of academic supplement with a clearly positive message. That should probably get it approved.
Now that things got off to a good start, that's already the best outcome.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be heading back — still got a ton to do."
The Third let out a dry cough.
Getting caught like this by his junior wasn't at all pleasant. What made it worse was how he'd always maintained such an upright and righteous image.
All in all, buying that manga ended up being really awkward.
"Lord Third, next time if you want to buy something like this, just transform into someone else. Don't appear in such an unfamiliar form — it really draws attention."
Akaba gave his *helpful* reminder.
By now, Konoha Village had practically no strangers wandering around.
The Third waved his hand in irritation, formed a hand seal, and vanished in an instant.
This kid just had to bring up the one thing he didn't want mentioned. He was only here to grab a manga — never thought it would turn into such a big deal.
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