Naruto: I Draw Power Into Reality

"This slogan's kinda weird, but honestly, it's pretty catchy."

"What an amusing banner. Who'd have thought?"

The next morning, everyone couldn't help but notice the banners strung up all over town. No wonder—it was impossible to miss those colorful banners with all kinds of character designs on them.

Sakuma Yunlang couldn't stop grinning.

In just one morning, they had sold as much as they normally sold in a whole day.

Granted, Konoha wasn't that big, and the number of manga readers didn't vary much, but this clearly showed how effective Akaba's promotional campaign had been.

Back at the shop, Yunlang did a quick tally of how many copies they'd sold.

Just then, a familiar voice reached his ears.

"Promoting ninja culture? He's the one with the least ninja spirit."

The Third Hokage?

Startled, Yunlang turned to bow respectfully, but the Third Hokage waved him off, signaling him to keep going.

But with the Hokage standing there saying things like that, how could Yunlang stay calm?

After thinking for a moment, he gritted his teeth and asked cautiously, "Hokage-sama, should I go call the young master over?"

"No need. I'm just here taking a casual look."

The Third Hokage picked up Volume Five and flipped through it casually.

Hmm?

Wasn't this the boy traveling with Zabuza?

He was asleep in the forest—and encountered such enemies—Naruto must be worried about him.

Curiosity stirred within him, wanting to read more, but his eyes couldn't help lingering for several seconds on Haku's kimono.

"No, I should be focusing on Naruto—he's the main character!"

Shaking his head, the Third Hokage continued reading.

Still, it really was good. He was curious to see how Akaba would illustrate this part.

"Cough cough."

"Hokage-sama, are you feeling unwell? Would you like some water?" Yunlang asked curiously.

"No, my throat's just a bit scratchy."

The Third Hokage shook his head and placed two hundred ryō on the counter. "I forgot to pay last time. Let me settle everything now."

"Yes, sir."

Yunlang placed the money into the drawer.

When he looked up again, the Third Hokage had already grabbed the book and started heading for the door.

"Hokage-sama, hope you enjoyed it on your way out."

"Haha, no need for so much formality."

Waving cheerfully, the Third Hokage continued reading the manga's plot.

He's truly gentle toward enemies—a kind-hearted boy.

He mused to himself, becoming increasingly fond of the quiet, gentle, and kind boy portrayed in the manga. It was such a pity that a child like him followed someone like Zabuza, a rogue ninja.

"Hmm? So he was abandoned as a child, became a wanderer, and after meeting Zabuza, he devoted himself loyally... what a kind-hearted child."

The Third Hokage paused, then sighed softly.

There were far too many orphans like him during wartime. For someone to remain kind and retain their innocence even in harsh conditions—as Haku did—it was truly admirable.

However—

As he turned the page, a few words suddenly caught his eye:

"I'm not a boy."

Nani?

Stunned, shocked, disbelief—all these emotions flooded across his face.

Male?!

"How is that possible?! This guy Akaba drew a female character and insisted it's a boy."

"Such an absurd contradiction between appearance and identity—I absolutely cannot accept this!"

The Third was furious, feeling as if he'd just swallowed a pile of crap.

What had started off as a perfectly good female character turned out to be male. That revelation ruined the experience.

"Jiraiya's been up at Mount Myoboku lately. Good thing too—if he got his hands on this manga, who knows what kind of mess we'd be in."

As he thought about it, The Third moodily puffed on his pipe.

From afar, Tsunade waved while walking down the street. "Teacher!"

But The Third seemed not to hear her, continuing forward alone until he vanished from sight before she could approach.

"What the heck?"

Tsunade stood there, confused.

With his power level, there's no way he wouldn't have heard me, she thought.

"Oh right, he was holding a manga in his hand. What content could possibly make my teacher act like that?"

Curiosity sparked within her heart even as surprise registered on her face.

The journey would've taken some time normally, but with the help of the Body Flicker Technique, she arrived quickly.

"Young master hasn't shown up yet," Sakuma Yunlang noticed Tsunade and instinctively said.

"I'm not here looking for that pig! I came to buy manga!" Tsunade rushed her explanation impatiently.

Guess she's here to bet on posters again.

However, instead of gambling straight away like usual, she picked up a manga and flipped open to page one—rather than skimming through hastily as before—and began reading from the beginning.

Shock!

Sakuma Yunlang felt surprised. Even Tsunade-hime, known for her gambling addiction, had forgotten all about betting.

Could this latest chapter really possess such magical appeal?

Curiosity overpowering him, he quietly grabbed a copy and flipped through one or two pages himself.

"Huh?"

Soon enough, both of them let out startled exclamations simultaneously.

White was actually male?

"That's going too far! No wonder that old pervert seemed distracted earlier!"

Tsunade muttered to herself.

A few seconds later, she couldn't help laughing aloud.

Two pervs—one older, one younger. This twist might just break their brains, she thought, already anticipating Jiraiya's expression when he sees this volume.

"I'll go find Akaba first. Heh—he finally did something right!"

"No need. I'm already here."

Akaba yawned lazily and gave the pair an indifferent glance.

"Young master, how come this guy says White's male? Her face screams woman!"

Sakuma Yunlang struggled to accept it.

"And just because he says she isn't a woman means she definitely isn't?" Akaba countered without directly answering.

"What do you mean by that?"

Sakuma Yunlang didn't quite get it, confusion clouding his expression.

Tsunade, however, immediately understood. "You mean White disguised herself as male because Zabuza wouldn't accept a female companion?"

"A thousand readers, a thousand different Shirayukis—interpretation shapes reality."

"People's perceptions determine whether they believe her female or male—the story and character design aren't fixed."

Akaba smiled faintly.

"I see."

Nodding thoughtfully, Tsunade closed the book and felt slightly disappointed—her teacher probably figured this out long ago—but quickly comforted herself.

"Didn't Jiraiya stop by early this morning?"

"No."

Sakuma Yunlang held onto the book tightly, taking several seconds to realize Akaba had addressed him.

"He's been chillin' at Mount Myoboku recently—he ain't got time for this place."

Picking up another book nearby, Tsunade began flipping through the pages almost reverently, like she was handling a sacred text.

"Mount Myoboku, huh? That's a real shame."

Akaba sighed. He wouldn't get to witness Jiraiya's expression firsthand.

"It's nothing. That guy can't stand being alone for long. He'll show up sooner or later."

Tsunade said carelessly, already flipping through another book and moving on to the next one. She kept reading while speaking, "He was boasting the day before yesterday about how strong he'd gotten, but I had him completely pinned with just one finger."

"You call that strength? That was your Strength of a Hundred Seal technique!"

Akaba muttered under his breath.

Still, there was one thing Tsunade had said that was absolutely true: Jiraiya definitely wasn't someone who could handle loneliness well.

"Hahahaha! Just got back and already found the latest manga update. This is great!"

Huh?

Tsunade turned around in surprise, a hint of delight appearing on her face.

"Tsunade, give me a copy."

Jiraiya rushed over excitedly, asking Tsunade to pick one out for him even before fully arriving.

Tsunade shrugged and grabbed one off the shelf without a second thought.

Jiraiya took it and flipped it open with one hand.

"Huh, there's actually a poster included! Guess the mighty me's luck is finally turning around today!"

He grinned smugly. There was a time when Tsunade would've punched him for talking like that, but now she didn't even flinch.

What the heck is going on here?

Jiraiya felt slightly confused but sat down at the entrance and started reading anyway.

"Woah! Cute older sister Haku!"

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