BlackStar_BH:
More Power Stones and comments, guys!
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Hatake Sakumo was worried about his son, who hadn't returned home yet, so he had no choice but to go out and look for him—only to find an unexpected commotion outside… houses tightly shut, empty inside, shops and bars deserted, streets devoid of people… Sakumo's only thought was: 'Where did everyone go?'
This was not an everyday occurrence.
On his way, he encountered an ANBU ninja who briefly told him what had happened, his tone laced with obvious disdain. It seemed the ANBU feared Sakumo for his strength, but had no respect for him as a person.
Sakumo sighed inwardly at his recent reputation, but was surprised by what had appeared seemingly out of nowhere that morning: the Art Store, now surrounded by nearly all the people of Konoha. "Looks like my son is there, too."
And so, it came to the moment when he met the store owner personally… Rob was wearing a sleek black suit, the Konoha headband tied around his arm. From afar, he looked like a businessman, not a ninja!
'I'm really not a ninja, I'm just a mangaka…' Rob thought to himself.
Not because he disliked being a ninja, but because it simply wasn't necessary…
Being a ninja was fun, sure, but being a mangaka in a ninja world was far more enjoyable—causing huge changes in the world just by sitting there and using your brush… wasn't that even more fun?
Indeed, Rob was just a mangaka, peaceful by nature, preferring to make peace with everyone—even villains. This temperament had been shaped in prison on Planet Earth, back when he was a free man. Then, he was completely different… taking whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, seeing no one as equal, arrogant, despotic, refusing to bow to anyone.
But after being captured and subjected to brutal physical and psychological torture, that nature was broken, and his outlook on life changed completely.
'The true winner is the one who spends the least and gains the most,' Rob thought as he observed the man of low spirits before him.
This man had failed a mission trying to save his comrades, choosing lives over honor—but he did so among men without honor.
In the end, he found himself alone, facing the consequences of his failure, of course, manipulated in the shadows by Danzo, while Hiruzen turned a blind eye… a man of integrity like that was led to his doom.
'Or at least, that would have happened… but here with me, it won't happen except in the pages of my manga.'
The smile on Rob's face was genuine as he stared at Sakumo. How could it not be? He was looking at a moving bag of endless Art Coins—uh… I mean, a noble man who greatly values relationships.
(Note from the author: Rob's new character is fascinating, even for me. The One Piece world's Rob would be extremely proud of this man.)
"I guess you're looking for Kakashi, right? Don't worry, come with me—I'll take you to where your adorable little son is sitting." Rob led the way, paying no attention to Sakumo's chaotic thoughts at the moment.
…
[— "I get it! Is it a trap? Right?!!?" [[Konohamaru]]
"A… Are you all right, honored grandson?!"
"And, for the record, there are no traps here!!" [[Master Ebisu, Tutor to Konohamaru]]
Naruto was surprised to see a child enter the hall out of nowhere.
(What's going on? Who's the kid?)
Ebisu was also shocked to see Naruto: (You?? Don't tell me it's… our village disgrace… the so-called human form of the Nine-Tailed Fox!)
"Aha, so you tripped me! It was you! Right?!!!" Konohamaru lunged at Naruto, accusing him of setting the trap, but Naruto didn't stay silent:
"You fell over your own feet!!"
"Unhand him, Naruto! That boy happens to be the grandson of our revered lord, the Third Hokage!" Ebisu exclaimed, warning Naruto.
"So take your best shot! I dare you!" thought Konohamaru internally: (They always do this, once they know I'm the Hokage's grandson…)
(Too afraid of me? Just like Master Four Eyes there, and everyone else in town… hah!)
Konohamaru thought Naruto, like anyone else, would freeze with fear once he knew his identity as the Hokage's grandson—but unusually, Naruto punched him on the head:
"LIKE I CARE, STUPID!"—]
…
This scene left the Third Hokage speechless.
Not only did he not appear in this manga as his "old" self, but shockingly, it turned out he had a grandson!
"My useless son married and had a child!? Konohamaru? That must be my namesake!"
Hiruzen stroked his beard, smiling so widely that his molars were visible.
"Damn you, Naruto! Why would you hit my beloved grandson!? Such courage, striking him right in front of my 'old' counterpart!"
Hiruzen wondered internally, "Is he the son of Hajime or Asuma?"
The Third Hokage currently had two sons: the younger, Asuma, now six years old, in his first year at the Ninja Academy… and the older, Hajime Sarutobi, likely Konohamaru's father in the manga, currently ten years old, also in the academy.
(Note from the author: Hajime Sarutobi is a name I created; there's no official canon name for Konohamaru's father, since he hasn't appeared in the manga. Traditionally, it's known that part of the ANBU and his wife worked directly under the Third Hokage.)
Hiruzen was extremely curious and amazed, seeing a grandson he presumably had, in the future… He didn't know how to feel about it. It would be wonderful if he lived to see his grandson Konohamaru…
"This manga really gives me good luck. I love this… Where is Rubirō-kun? I want to ask him how he came up with the idea of drawing my grandson…"
The Third Hokage looked around but didn't find Rob. Before he returned his attention to the manga events, his expression stiffened as he saw Rob walking beside a familiar face: Hatake Sakumo!
The man he had recently ignored.
…
"Hokage's grandson?!"
"Really! What a cute boy~."
"Strange… can kids his age really think this way?!"
"Hahaha!! He wants to learn Naruto's special Ninjutsu seduction technique!"
"Oh my, this is funny… hahaha! What a naughty little kid… I wonder who his father is…"
"I heard the Lord Hokage has two children… could it be…?"
"I really don't understand… don't tell me this is what will happen in the future!?"
"Who drew this comic!? I'm so curious about him, could he be a prophet from the future!?"
"I heard there's a great sage hiding on Mount Myōboku who can foresee the future. Did this man rely on his prophecies to draw this manga?"
The excited crowd of readers immersed themselves in Chapter Two, eagerly discussing the events.
The sense of strangeness surrounding the events added a fun, mysterious layer to the story.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 27: You don't get it just because you want it.
Chapter 28: The Fourth Hokage — Konoha's Hero.
Chapter 29: A Truth from the Near Future.
Chapter 30: The True Shinobi!
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BlackStar_BH:
The chapters currently available on Patreon are up to Chapter 39.
There are 12 advanced chapters available now:
5 chapters in the Silver tier ($5 subscription) and 5 more chapters in the Gold tier ($10 subscription).
On Patreon and Ko-fi, too.
In the coming days, chapters will be made available for all tiers, reaching up to 50 advanced chapters… Enjoy!