Son, you…"
His parents were taken aback. Such a request wasn't something they expected from a kid his age.
"Forget it. When you grow up, you'll have your own dreams..."
Neither of them were high-ranking members of the Kurama Clan, so in their minds, Akabane's passion had to be linked to his Kekkei Genkai awakening.
"Father, will you help me talk to the patriarch?" Akabane asked, sensing some hesitation in his father's voice.
His father nodded, gently ruffling Akabane's hair with a worried look. "I'll speak to the clan after this. But if they refuse your request, I still have some savings I can use."
Akabane felt confident. "I believe the clan will agree."
The three of them walked home slowly, each lost in thought.
As soon as Akabane got home, he headed straight to his room and dove back into his comic.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
With a quick series of hand signs, he summoned a clone.
"I'll work hard today!" he chuckled, beginning to color the pages he'd already drawn.
The clone watched silently, impressed. Having graduated from an arts and design program, Akabane's coloring skill was effortless.
When he finished, Akabane stretched and yawned. "Haaah… done. On to the next one."
The clone remained expressionless but thought, With skills like that, why bother with shadow clones? He could finish everything himself.
"Don't say that! I can't work all day and night. I need to rest too." Akabane smiled but felt a little guilty about taking breaks because of the clone's silent judgment. Instead, he sat cross-legged to restore his chakra.
"[System!]"
He glanced at his system panel and saw his points had crept above 50 again — though only a small increase today.
After thinking it over, Akabane spent all 50 points upgrading his physical strength. He needed to balance his physique to better support his chakra, which was expensive to maintain.
At higher levels, one point in chakra cost 50 points — a steep price.
Even a small improvement in physique made a noticeable difference: his body felt stronger, his recovery faster, and his chakra reserves larger.
He sat down to restore his chakra while his shadow clone watched in surprise — Akabane didn't seem to tire. Even just sitting quietly to recharge, he felt lucky.
This clone was the most interesting of all Akabane's copies.
Though the clone wanted to rest too, seeing how much Akabane needed to finish his chapters, he pushed himself to keep working.
At the very least, they had to complete chapters four and five to print the first volume.
With his physique now balancing his chakra drain, Akabane's recovery was faster than most ninja.
Soon enough, he summoned another clone.
"Here's your new partner. I'm going to sleep now."
Akabane laid down to recharge, feeling the two clones steadily drain his chakra. He worried that if his reserves ran too low, he might pass out trying to maintain them.
The two clones glanced at each other, then at Akabane on the bed.
"Ahh, he's asleep," one sighed and returned to work.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Monkey King Enma arrived to report on the day's exams.
Hiruzen listened carefully, but he could read the situation more clearly than Enma — some details were beyond the summoned monkey's perception.
"Ryuu will have to face the consequences. The others all passed."
"Yes, sir!"
Enma bowed and left.
Hiruzen took out his smoking pipe, lighting it thoughtfully.
On his desk lay the exam roster — Kurama Akabane, Hatake Sakumo, Mitarashi Murasaki — all lined up. The mentor column was still blank.
Finally, he filled in the last name.
"Shimura Danzo."
"Send for Danzo."
Shortly after, Danzo entered and picked up the list, scanning it.
"These three are your carefully chosen students…"
Danzo, head of the Anbu and still tied to the Root faction, wasn't fully independent yet.
"Yes," Hiruzen said, "next year, you'll be their team leader. But remember — don't influence them with Root or Anbu methods."
He was serious. No mistakes could be allowed.
"You have nothing to worry about."
Danzo studied the names again.
"They're all geniuses. One year will be enough."
Hiruzen nodded.
"As for the year after, I have other plans. You can return to your Anbu duties then."
Danzo's reply was a knowing look and a nod. Only the two understood the deeper meaning.
He turned and left the office.