Chapter 37: Winning Over Sand Shinobi as a Manga Reader?
Baki's body trembled with shame.
Even losing to one of Konoha's Elite Jōnin would have been acceptable…But losing to a gatekeeper? A random "background character" standing watch at the door?Unbelievable.
And it wasn't just Baki.Everyone from the Sand Village was equally stunned.
How could Baki lose so easily?
He wasn't just any shinobi—he was one of Sand's elites, personally recognized by the Kazekage himself.The man trusted to guide Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō.
And yet, a mere gatekeeper had defeated him.
This had to be some kind of joke.
The crowd fell silent.
Even though they had already suspected what the outcome might be, seeing it unfold before their eyes left everyone speechless.Even Izumo and Kotetsu themselves felt a flicker of disbelief deep inside.
Especially Kotetsu.
He and Izumo had been comrades for years—old friends who knew each other's abilities better than anyone.He knew Izumo's strength inside and out.
Izumo was strong by Konoha's standards, yes…but never anywhere close to this strong.
Yet now, Izumo's power seemed to rival that of a Kage-level ninja—no, even more than that.
"Sir Su Li is truly incredible," Kotetsu murmured in awe."Just from reading a few comics… we've grown this powerful."
He could hardly believe it himself.
Their strength had skyrocketed—from Chūnin to Kage-level—all thanks to Su Li's manga.
"It's just a few comics," Kotetsu continued, "but they helped us understand power on a whole new level. Across the entire ninja world, who else could make something like this happen except Su Li-sama?"
He clenched his fists, eyes bright with emotion.
"It's truly Konoha's fortune to have Lord Su Li."
Watching Izumo's calm yet commanding figure, Kotetsu couldn't help but feel proud—and humbled.
Today, the two of them had stopped the Sand Shinobi in their tracks.And it was all thanks to Su Li.
Side by side, Izumo and Kotetsu stood firm—like twin generals guarding Konoha's gate, immovable and unshakable.
Chiyo's face twisted with frustration.
If Izumo and Kotetsu were among Konoha's top elite, that would've been one thing.Losing to opponents of equal status would still hurt, but at least it would make sense.
But no—these two were gatekeepers.Gatekeepers!
And yet they had defeated one of Sand's most powerful Jōnin.
It was absurd.
"This is outrageous…" Chiyo muttered through gritted teeth.
Could it be that Konoha had secretly stationed powerful shinobi as guards after the invasion?People who only pretended to be simple watchmen, but were actually elite-level masters?
No—that didn't add up.
If that were true, the Sand would have heard something about it by now.And besides, Konoha had just lost its Hokage; they couldn't possibly afford to post Kage-level fighters at the gate.
Chiyo's thoughts tangled into a storm of confusion and disbelief.
What's going on with this Leaf Village?Why are even the gatekeepers so strong?How does Konoha keep producing such monstrous talents?
Meanwhile — Hokage's Office
Knock, knock.
"Come in," Su Li said without looking up, his hand still moving swiftly across the page.
He was busy working on another manga draft, while Yakumo sat nearby assisting him.With her help, his efficiency had improved significantly.
Just as Su Li finished a line, a figure appeared beside him—silent, sudden, and cloaked in the uniform of the Anbu.
The man's face was hidden behind an animal mask, his presence faint yet unmistakable.
It was Namikaze Minato—the resurrected Fourth Hokage, now acting under the codename Flash.
"Your Excellency," Minato said respectfully, "the Sand Shinobi's envoy has arrived."
Su Li paused, raising his head in mild surprise.
"Sand Shinobi's envoy group?"
He blinked.
What are they thinking?
They had just invaded Konoha not long ago, and now they dared to come here again?
There was nothing like this in the original story…
Wait.
Maybe there was.
After all, in the original timeline, the period when Naruto and Jiraiya left the village for training was skipped entirely before Shippuden.Who's to say the Sand didn't visit Konoha during that gap?
Besides, this world wasn't bound to the original plotline anymore.
So maybe—this was perfectly possible.
"What are they here for?"
"It seems they wish to negotiate… and form an alliance with Konoha," Minato answered, his tone uncertain.
Even he couldn't quite understand Sand's motives.
Konoha has just lost its Hokage… and they want an alliance now?Shouldn't they be taking advantage of our weakness instead?
But then again—Sand wasn't doing well either.
Their own Kazekage had been killed, and their village's morale was shattered.In truth, they were no better off than Konoha.
"An alliance, huh…" Su Li murmured thoughtfully.
To the outside world, Konoha and Sand were still enemies.But Su Li, who knew the manga's future, understood something others didn't—
In a few short years, Konoha and Sand would become the closest allies among the Five Great Nations.
The future Kazekage, Gaara, and the future Hokage, Naruto, would become best friends.Even Temari would one day marry into Konoha.
They would practically become family.
Which meant—Sand was a potential ally, a target worth cultivating.
Konoha was already benefiting from the power of Su Li's manga.But why stop there?
If he could bring Sand Shinobi into the fold as well…his influence—and his profits—would grow even more.
Of course, it wouldn't be easy.
Right now, both sides still hated each other.
Konoha blamed Sand for the death of the Third Hokage, the destruction of their village, and the lives lost during the invasion.Meanwhile, Sand blamed Orochimaru—formerly of Konoha—for killing their Kazekage and leading them to ruin.
Both sides had their reasons.Both sides carried deep resentment.
And such hatred doesn't vanish easily.
"Although hatred can't be erased… it can be redirected," Su Li muttered to himself."Looks like I'll have to move the plan forward."
If hatred couldn't be eliminated, then it had to be focused—on someone else.
He raised his head decisively.
"Flash," Su Li said, "go invite the Sand Shinobi envoys here."
Namikaze Minato hesitated briefly, confused but respectful.
"Understood."
And with that, his form dissolved into light—disappearing into the air.