Chapter 101: Famous in Konoha on This Day
"Well, if it isn't our great author, Makoto. Off to the book signing?"
Shikamaru and Chōji appeared uninvited, clearly having been waiting for him.
"This isn't like you, Shikamaru. Waking up so early? Aren't you the one who hates trouble the most?"
The smile on Shikamaru's face stiffened. He scratched his pineapple-shaped hair. "Alright, my father told me to come and help you out. Same for Chōji."
"Ino is good friends with you, so we naturally can't fall behind. The Ino-Shika-Chō trio always moves together!"
This reason was actually quite flimsy. If Ino were to become his girlfriend in the future, would Shikamaru and Chōji also "move together" with them? Makoto guessed that the Nara and Akimichi clans had probably heard some rumors.
But he wasn't one to embarrass people who came to support him. "In that case, help me carry the books in a bit," he said cheerfully. "I'll treat you to yakiniku."
"Alright, alright!"
Chōji's small eyes began to magnify and shine. As long as he could get a full meal of yakiniku, he wouldn't hesitate for a second, no matter what Makoto asked him to do.
The group continued forward, and people constantly greeted him. He didn't know most of their names, but that didn't stop them from knowing his.
"Mako!"
A cheerful female voice came from the sky. Tenten dropped down, looking as if she were about to fall into his arms. But then she saw how many people were with him. She quickly did a backflip in mid-air and landed, just barely, in front of him. Unsteady on her feet, she waved her arms, trying to stop herself from tumbling into his embrace. Makoto, however, unabashedly wrapped an arm around her waist. This scene earned a "Yeehaw!" from Shikamaru and Chōji.
Shikamaru even shot a wary glance at Ino, wanting to see her reaction, only to be promptly punched by her. He then looked with confusion at Makoto, who was being very close with Tenten. He really didn't understand. Why wasn't Ino angry? Was this the same Ino he knew?
Ino's heart had, in fact, long since turned sour, but she and the other girls all knew that Tenten had saved his life. In this respect, they really couldn't catch up to her. But as long as Tenten and Makoto hadn't officially announced they were a couple, it meant they still had a chance.
"I just finished my mission and rushed right back! Guy-sensei and the others will probably be here around noon. They said they'd come to your book signing too."
"You must have invited them, right?" he asked.
"No way! They came on their own—hehe!" Seeing she couldn't hide it, Tenten stuck out her tongue and tried to play it off. By now, she had already taken the initiative to put some distance between them. After all, too many people were watching. She was normally cheerful and generous, but that didn't mean she wouldn't get shy now.
Before she and Makoto could finish talking, Sasuke leaped in front of him.
"You," he asked impatiently, "where have you been lately? I've already finished practicing what you gave me. Don't tell me you have nothing left to teach me?"
Makoto crooked a finger at him. Sasuke subconsciously lowered his head, and was immediately flicked on the forehead. He clutched his swelling forehead and looked at Makoto in surprise. "What kind of move was that? I want to learn it!"
"You'd better not try to learn everything. After the book signing, I'll teach you the new genjutsu I learned."
"Fine. It seems today is your big day. Is there anything I can do to help?"
A smile curved Makoto's lips. "When the time comes, just stand in a crowded place holding a book."
Sasuke didn't understand at first, but Ino and the others were already laughing. They could already imagine the scene of Sasuke being surrounded and gawked at like a model. The book he was publishing was The Biography of Uchiha Madara. As the last of the Uchiha, having Sasuke endorse it—what better advertisement was there?
In a corner unnoticed by the crowd, Naruto was quietly following the group, looking like he wanted to join but didn't dare.
Seeing this, Makoto thought for a moment, then tugged on Sasuke's sleeve and pointed towards Naruto.
"Chase him away?" Sasuke asked, thinking he understood.
In response, he got an eye-roll from Makoto.
"Have him help out too. Isn't his stamina supposed to be amazing? After this is over, dinner for both of you is on me."
Hearing that, even Sasuke's eyes lit up a little. He didn't have much money, and his training had been extremely intense lately. His wallet was almost empty. As for Uzumaki Naruto... Sasuke was just curious how a guy who ate expired food every day was still alive.
"Big Brother Makoto! It's so good to see you again!"
Moegi squeezed through the crowd, pulling Hanabi along with her, and gave him a headbutt hug upon arrival.
He clutched his chest. He was about to say something, but he saw what looked like tears in her eyes.
He couldn't help but laugh. "What are you crying for? Did you think I was dead?"
"I was just worried that such a good cash cow—ah, no, esteemed customer, would disappear! So it's really great to see you're alive!"
He rolled his eyes and stuffed a handful of candy into her hands. Then he looked at Hanabi.
"I don't want any," she said with a serious expression.
So he stuffed two handfuls into her arms.
Holding a pile of candy, Hanabi looked completely bewildered and glanced at Hinata. Hinata walked over, chuckling, and helped her out, putting some in her pockets and holding the rest for her. Then, the two sisters fed each other a piece of candy, savoring the sweet taste and smiling at each other.
In the distance, unseen by Makoto, Hyūga Hiashi looked with a puzzled expression at the two harmoniously interacting sisters, and then at Makoto. He had long since received the intelligence that Makoto had been in contact with both of them, and even in a hot spring. But he also knew that he was just a resident there and had not acted improperly. Otherwise, he would have come knocking on his door long ago. But now it seemed that, without his noticing, this boy had had an influence on his two daughters. Was this... a good thing, or a bad thing? He decided to observe for a little longer.
And so, by the time Makoto arrived at the venue, the group of ninja following him was already a crowd, not to mention the grandpas, grandmas, and little children who had been waiting there in advance.
A large group of children swarmed up, pushing everyone else aside, to congratulate him and ask for candy. He was prepared for this and welcomed them all. One had to know that children rarely attended such events alone. Behind every good child, there were probably several adults. This was why the venue was already packed.
At this point, without needing his direction, the ninja who had come with him had already started to help maintain order. Especially when the crowd saw that the person leading the effort was the "Phantom Flower of Konoha," Jōnin Kurenai Yūhi, the ninja present took the initiative to restrain the people around them, and the scene became remarkably orderly.
It was so orderly, in fact, that he felt he wasn't at a book signing, but some kind of ceremony.
He shook his head. A little tension was good. If it were too loose and a commotion broke out, he would have to be responsible for quelling the trouble.
At ten in the morning, the owner of the publishing house guided him to a long table and began to introduce him to everyone. Even though many people already knew his name, they still showed surprise when they saw how young he was. But Konoha had never lacked for geniuses. He was just a genius of writing.
Everyone quickly accepted this reality and applauded his talent.
He stood up and bowed to the crowd. According to the rules, he should now give a speech to promote his book.
But at that moment, a person who was unexpected to everyone, but expected by him, arrived.
The Third Hokage, a pipe in his mouth, the Hokage hat on his head, and a kind smile on his lips.
Seeing him, everyone present immediately greeted him. Makoto naturally did the same. With his previous experience, he knew that Hiruzen was here to support him.
Of course, he wasn't doing it entirely for him. This book had been guided by the Hokage's Office and contained a critique of the old era. Although it didn't directly praise the current era, it gave Hiruzen an opportunity to promote the Will of Fire. Was there a more suitable opportunity than now for a long-winded speech?
Makoto tactfully stepped aside, and Hiruzen naturally took the main position.
He put down his pipe and cleared his throat. "I'll just say a few words."
An hour later, amidst the cheers of the crowd, Hiruzen picked up his pipe again.
Makoto had thought it was all over, but then Hiruzen suddenly said, "Makoto-kun, you are the most literate young person in Konoha, and you are not a ninja."
"In your opinion, what is the Will of Fire?
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