"Akaba, you haven't summoned me in such a long time. Did you finally have some work for me and decide to call me out?"
Little Yumekuma's first words upon being summoned were blunt and unforgiving.
Akaba chuckled coldly. "Do you think I called you out just so you could feed on my spirit points?"
"You can't say that! Last time, you yourself promised to supply me with spirit points regularly."
Little Yumekuma showed clear dissatisfaction.
Of course this guy would be such a cad—what he said one moment, forgotten the next!
Did I really say that?
Akaba thought for a moment and realized he actually had made that promise, offhandedly at the time, never expecting it would come back to bite him now.
He sighed and squeezed out a bit of spirit energy as food.
Little Yumekuma happily gobbled it up.
Then, it exclaimed excitedly, "Your energy is so pure!"
"Purity of energy?"
Akaba felt curious. What was this concept? Was there truly a difference in the purity of spirit energy?
"Take your Teacher, Danzo Shimura, for example. His total amount of spirit energy isn't much weaker than yours, but the purity is way worse. Eating his feels just like swallowing husks."
Little Yumekuma grimaced like it had just swallowed something bitter.
Swallowing husks—now that's quite the metaphor.
Akaba thought about it briefly and understood easily enough.
He excels in genjutsu, and the System further enhanced the quality of his spirit points, making his energy naturally purer.
When he reflected on it carefully, these Yumekuma weren't exactly saints either.
They took the treats but barely lifted a finger in return—complaining about people's energy being "too difficult to eat," they refused to show themselves from beginning to end, only sending over those dimwit giants to do labor.
You get what you give!
"If your energy is this pure, could you summon someone even stronger from your clan?"
"If your energy is this pure, others from the clan definitely would love to come. But you mustn't abandon me! I'm useful too! I've been working hard recently training to become much stronger. And I promise not to sneakily eat your spirit points anymore."
Little Yumekuma grew anxious.
Was this the start of trying to burn the bridge after crossing it?
"Don't misunderstand. Some things require many hands. One won't cut it."
Akaba explained.
The Preparatory Division had many activities planned, and cooperation with the Yumekuma could continue long-term. Moreover, the Preparatory Division would soon open its doors—the location chosen being the same training base where the Manga Con used to operate.
Of course,
just that area wasn't large enough. The surrounding woods had been converted into a training field, with simple classrooms built across the open spaces.
Accommodations and meals remained practically nonexistent.
Only the Research Institute and Medical Division contained fully functional buildings.
This had nothing to do with budget. Most missions ninja participated in took place outdoors, making it impossible to expect safe, comfortable living conditions.
After hearing Akaba's explanation, Little Yumekuma kept nodding repeatedly, its little eyes getting brighter and brighter.
"This definitely will work!"
A group of Genin may not have strong spirit points, but quantity makes up for quality—more people means there'll always be enough to go around.
Beyond that,
It considered something else: "If you guys came up with this training method, surely it's not just you needing help. Other departments probably need dream-based training too, right?"
"That's true. Are you interested?"
Usually seeming clueless, this little creature suddenly became quite clever when talking about spirit points.
Akaba muttered to himself, took it to a store to grab several manga volumes, and then sent it away.
In response, Sakuma Yunlang once again shot a disappointed glare.
"Master, with such generosity, we'll end up giving away all our limited earnings."
"Short-sighted. These free manga are investments for future profits."
Akaba glanced over. What was this expense anyway? Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to recoup?
Previously, Motonami Uchiha had been worried about Illusion Training. Now someone offered door-to-door service—shouldn't he at least give some money as a gesture?
Perfect!
Thinking thus, Akaba went to speak with Motonami from the Military Police. After some bargaining, they sealed the deal at ten thousand ryo per month.
How much did a few manga volumes really cost? All the expenses together barely reached a third of that amount.
Free truly is king!
Akaba couldn't help but sigh contentedly. After finishing business, updating the manga soon became a priority.
The next storyline was rather sensitive, so he hesitated for a while—it involved [Rasengan].
The training process for [Rasengan] was straightforward. Although he never physically used water spheres or balloons, the principle remained the same. With high talent and enough effort, mastering it wouldn't be difficult.
If drawn as originally planned, soon the entire ninja world would be rolling energy orbs—what a comical sight.
An A-rank unclassified ninjutsu definitely wasn't something common like cabbage.
Back in his Rest Room, after careful consideration, he decided not to follow the original version exactly—he'd refine the training process. How did Konohamaru learn [Rasengan]?
Just switch the sequence—place what's behind upfront!
Akaba thought this idea brilliant. If anyone could derive [Rasengan] training techniques purely from Konohamaru's "Sexy Technique" approach, he'd genuinely admire them.
This little tweak also indulged his slightly mischievous sense of humor, all while keeping the main plot intact.
Another part where he hesitated on changing involved the conditions Orochimaru set for Tsunade.
Dan and Nawaki.
Where Dan currently was, Akaba didn't know. But as for Nawaki, he clearly knew—the kid hadn't even been born yet.
Fabricating tales around the Senju clan didn't bother him much.
After all, being close to Mito Uzumaki meant having the clan leader's protection, so no real trouble would come.
What needed serious thought was only about Dan.
Although he didn't know who Dan was right now, his involvement had already altered the story timeline—the Medical Team formed earlier than expected, and though Medical Ninja weren't fully introduced yet, they would likely emerge soon.
As for Dan Kato…
Sorry, there was simply no role for him anymore.
Akaba pondered long but couldn't find a satisfying substitute plan.
Meanwhile, his Multiple Shadow Clone, acting upon his previous instructions, had begun drawing the following chapters. Seeing how troubled he was, it couldn't help but snap back, "What's there to think about? Just insert yourself into the story!"
"This… this okay?"
Akaba almost stuttered.
That role was supposed to belong to someone beloved. Replacing it with himself felt excessive.
"Hmph."
The clone scoffed coldly, deciding not to engage further, and continued drawing by itself.
He lived closest to the waters, benefiting first—who else was closer and more familiar with Tsunade since his arrival here?
Still, Akaba hesitated.
Changing it to himself seemed a bit too shameless, but when he thought about it this way, it felt like the best solution.
After all, actually drawing Dan Kato would still make him feel uneasy inside.
"Anyway, even if I tell them not to, the clones will do whatever they want. Might as well let them be."
Thinking this, Akaba immediately felt relieved.
Another difficult problem was solved.
Having conquered two tough issues, he could now focus on updating his work peacefully.
How delightful.
His physical condition kept improving, and so did the efficiency of his shadow clones. Although his overall speed wasn't great, his hand speed had likely become unmatched in the village.
By afternoon, the shadow clone had finished five chapters' worth of work and started on some extra assignments.
What exactly were these extras?
Akaba took a quick look and thought it was totally shameful.
He wasn't sure precisely who it was, but it looked like someone from *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*.
To prevent any disobedient employee from peeking, after finishing, Akaba sent both his own work and another shadow clone's drawings—including the One Piece content—to Izumi Yamano.
The content wasn't much—five chapters each plus a short story—so it should allow for quick printing.
Now that the war was nearing its end, Izumi Yamano's side was gradually becoming less busy, meaning more spare hands available. Combined with other factories pooling their efforts, over two hundred copies were already made just from what he delivered yesterday.
Additional print runs for previous chapters were also being completed to avoid selling out within the village.
Sure enough.
The next morning, Izumi Yamano came personally.
With the war over, there was no longer a need for mass production of ninja tools and weapons on his side, so there were relatively more idle workers available. Combined with other factories gathering some prints, the delivery from yesterday alone had already produced over two hundred copies.
When Akaba got up to check, it was already noon.
In just half a morning, his points surged by over six thousand!
But that wasn't all.
When Akaba arrived at the manga shop to have a look, he was surprised to find that the store had completely sold out.
Yes, everything was gone; the shelves were empty.
Seeing this, he froze for a second—his brain struggling to keep up.
Akaba stood stunned for quite a while before slowly realizing the truth.
The frontline ninjas had returned!
No wonder his points skyrocketed—this must have been the contribution of those Anbu ninjas.
After figuring it out, Akaba asked, "Did you follow up with Mr. Yamano?"
"We did. Mr. Yamano said he'd start printing some of the earlier stock immediately and try delivering another batch in the afternoon."
Sakuma Yunlang beamed like a blooming chrysanthemum.
"Well done! You didn't even need reminding."
Nodding, Akaba left behind a shadow clone to continue drawing while he tried to figure out what to do with all those new points.
Over six thousand points—never had he held such a large amount before!
However,
the problem was, even with these points, there weren't many ninjutsu worth exchanging.
[Rasengan], an a-rank technique, costs 500 points.
On the One Piece side, there were many abilities available—for example, Zoro's Three Thousand Realms or Sanji's signature kicks.
Yet acquiring Three Thousand Realms wouldn't serve any purpose since although Akaba knew the Three-Blade Style, it was merely superficial without matching speeds or biting capability.
It would be too much of a loss to switch, even if the sword technique is flawless. After all, just one battle might end with all his teeth shattered from the strain.
Besides, given Akaba's speed, the technique's impact was probably significantly diminished.
"Forget it. I'll hold off for now. During the Sannin showdown, there will be many ninjutsu to exchange for."
Akaba decided not to act immediately.
During the *Sannin*'s showdown, techniques like [Yin Seal] and [Creation Rebirth]—classified as kinjutsu—would consume a large number of points. It made perfect sense to save what he had for now.
At the very least, he still had techniques like [Yin Healing Wound Destruction] and [Chakra Scalpel], along with past ones such as [Ice Release] and [Chidori]. Having numerous skills meant more flexibility—and more surprises up his sleeve.
He set off toward the Senju clan to check on little Kyoyuki.
Yet halfway there, passing by a bathhouse, Akaba spotted two familiar figures. One of them was naturally Jiraiya, but the other surprised him—it was Orochimaru!
"Never thought you'd be this kind of guy, Orochi. Can't tell at all."
Watching Orochimaru peer intently through the window, Akaba muttered under his breath.
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