Naruto was dragged back home by Hinata.
Judging from Hinata's attitude, it was obvious she wanted Naruto to pay his dues!
Naruto regretted it deeply. He should've known better than to read that comic in the first place.
Though, honestly, it wasn't entirely his fault. After falling in love with Ino, Sai had completely opened his heart. His drawings became more expressive — vivid, detailed, and full of emotion. Every panel felt alive, and anyone who saw them couldn't help but feel something stir inside.
Unfortunately, when Hinata saw those drawings, she became jealous. And now, Naruto was in trouble.
"Hinata, I was just looking! I didn't have any other thoughts!"
Hinata snorted coldly, ignoring him as she continued pulling Naruto toward their house.
Naruto's panic rose.
His parents — Kushina and Minato — were definitely home. If Hinata dragged him inside and they started arguing, it'd be a disaster. The last thing he wanted was his parents hearing Hinata yell at him over that comic. He'd never live it down!
"Hinata, can we… not go home just yet?"
Hinata glanced at him suspiciously. She assumed he was trying to avoid paying the "penalty," so she smiled faintly and kept walking.
Naruto, realizing resistance was pointless, sighed in defeat. Listening to his wife had become a natural habit — even when he didn't want to.
Just as he was about to give up, he spotted Jiraiya at the next intersection. The old sage looked unusually excited. When Jiraiya noticed Naruto, he waved cheerfully.
"Hahaha! Naruto! I was just about to look for you!"
Naruto's eyes lit up in relief.
There was hope.
"Pervy Sage!!!"
Jiraiya walked over, grinning at the two of them.
"Oh, Hinata's here too. Are you two out shopping?"
Hinata immediately straightened up. Despite being angry with Naruto, she was still respectful toward Jiraiya. He was Naruto's teacher — one of the Legendary Sannin, after all.
"Master Jiraiya, we just came back from my house," Hinata replied politely.
"Ah, I see! The day after the wedding, visiting your parents — very proper!" Jiraiya nodded approvingly. Then his eyes brightened. "By the way, do you two have anything else planned right now? If not, Hinata, may I borrow Naruto for a bit? I need to discuss something important with him."
Naruto almost cried tears of joy.
Saved by Pervy Sage!
He looked at Jiraiya with pure gratitude, his expression practically glowing. Jiraiya blinked, confused by Naruto's overjoyed reaction.
Hinata glanced between them and sighed.
"Alright then… Jiraiya-sama, please go ahead."
"Good, good! Hinata, we'll see you later!" Jiraiya said with a wave, slinging his arm around Naruto's shoulder as they walked away.
Naruto turned back and gave Hinata a mischievous grin. Hinata's eyes narrowed.
Naruto Uzumaki… when you come home tonight, you're dead!
As soon as they were out of earshot, Jiraiya leaned closer, still grinning.
"Alright, what's got you looking at me like that?"
Naruto sighed, relief washing over him.
"Pervy Sage, you have no idea how perfectly timed you were!"
Jiraiya frowned.
"What's going on?"
Naruto explained the whole story — how Hinata caught him reading Sai's comic, how she got jealous, and how close he was to getting dragged into a full-blown argument.
"Where's the comic now?" Jiraiya asked curiously.
"Inside Hinata's bag," Naruto muttered in defeat.
Jiraiya chuckled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Relax, Naruto. She's just jealous. You can't blame her — you were completely absorbed in it. Anyone would get mad seeing that!"
Naruto sighed, realizing it was true.
"Yeah… I guess so."
After a moment, he looked up.
"Anyway, Pervy Sage, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Jiraiya's grin returned.
"Actually, it's about that very comic."
Naruto blinked.
"Huh?"
"The publisher told me sales are through the roof! The comic's selling like crazy. Every bookstore in Konoha is out of stock — they're rushing to print more copies!"
Jiraiya laughed proudly, slapping Naruto's back.
"Naruto, you're about to make a fortune!"
Naruto stared at him in shock.
"Wait, really?!"
"Come on," Jiraiya said, motioning toward their studio. "Sai's waiting for us there. We'll talk over food and drinks."
Inside the studio.
"Cheers!!!"
Naruto, Sai, and Jiraiya raised their glasses together.
After taking a hearty sip of soju, Jiraiya reached beside him, grabbed a large zipper bag, and placed it in front of Naruto.
"Naruto, this is your dividend for the month!"
Naruto peered inside — and his jaw dropped.
It was a lot of money. Enough to buy several large houses in Konoha.
"Whoa! That's… that's insane!"
Jiraiya chuckled, leaning back with a grin.
"Heh, what'd you expect? Every copy that sells brings in more profit. This is only the beginning!"
Sai nodded enthusiastically.
"That's right, Naruto! This is just an appetizer."
Naruto grinned, feeling proud but humble.
"Heh, that's awesome! But you know what? You guys can split it this time. When there's even more money later, we'll divide it then."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"You don't seriously think this money's for splitting, do you?"
Naruto blinked, confused.
"Wait… what do you mean?"
Jiraiya waved a hand toward Sai.
"Sai, explain it to him."
Sai chuckled softly.
"Naruto, this entire amount is your dividend — your personal share. The payment for me and Jiraiya-sama has already been handled. This money is completely yours."
Naruto froze for a moment, then his eyes widened.
"Wait — so you're saying… this is just mine? And my actual investment profit hasn't even been added yet?"
Jiraiya took another drink, smirking proudly.
"Exactly. That's my student for you — now you get it!"
Naruto whooped excitedly.
"Oh, man, that's awesome!!!"
Sai laughed, raising his glass again.
"We really owe this to Jiraiya-sama's writing. Without his Icha Icha Paradise novels paving the way, there wouldn't be such a massive audience for the comics."
That was true.
In the shinobi world, the comic industry was massive and highly competitive. But Jiraiya's Icha Icha series had built a loyal fanbase over the years. It was only natural that fans of the novels would rush to buy the new illustrated versions the moment they were released.
Jiraiya grinned and clinked glasses with Sai.
"Haha! And don't sell yourself short either, Sai. Without your incredible art bringing my characters to life, no story — no matter how great — would've worked this well."
Naruto nodded firmly.
"Yeah, Sai's drawings are incredible! By the way, some of those poses in the comic… I can't even imagine how you thought of them!"
Sai looked a little embarrassed.
"Heh… I practiced them myself."
There was a brief pause. Then Naruto and Jiraiya exchanged looks — and burst out laughing.
The three men raised their glasses again.
The laughter echoed through the studio, their shared pride and success filling the air.
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