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Kumogakure:
Inside the Art Store, everyone was immersed in the final chapters of Volume Six.
The shinobi of Kumo, in particular, had not expected the three Genin from the Sound Village to possess such formidable combat prowess.
"Who would have thought that Otogakure, founded by Orochimaru, would have such skill in sound manipulation… It seems the future Orochimaru is far more terrifying and mysterious than the current one," said the Third Raikage.
He had finally removed his cast, regaining a bit of his Raikage flare as he recovered.
"Yo, yo! 🎵 They defeated Rock Lee with unbelievable ease!" Even Killer B found the scene hard to process.
Although Lee was defeated by the coordinated efforts of two Sound shinobi, the fight displayed his true potential to the readers. However, against powerful ninjutsu, it seemed Rock Lee would undoubtedly struggle.
"Will Sasuke survive this ordeal?" The eyes of the Raikage's son, A, were fixed on Sasuke, who was completely unconscious at this stage.
"It's over for Sakura… now with Rock Lee down, there's no one to help her unless those cowards on the sidelines intervene."
"Father… what do you think Konoha will do about Orochimaru after this?" A looked at his father and asked.
He wasn't the only curious one; most Kumo shinobi were wondering the same, especially the Raikage's assistant, Dodai, who perked up at the question.
Hearing this, the Third Raikage glanced at the Rob Kumo Clone, who was busy wiping glasses and organizing them.
Uzumaki Rob did not seem interested in their small talk.
The Raikage turned back to his son, the man destined to be the next Raikage.
'...In an obscure era manipulated by this man and his clones, it seems...' the Third Raikage thought silently before saying, "I don't think Konoha will have a major reaction regarding Orochimaru."
"In any case, the guilty Orochimaru is the one in the manga, not the real one."
"But Father… didn't you tell me before that the manga reveals a person's true nature?" Killer B interjected.
"That's true, but discovering Orochimaru's nature is one thing; acting against him because of it is something else entirely."
"I agree with the Raikage-sama," Dodai added.
The young assistant wore an eye patch over his left eye. "One cannot rely on manga events to punish real people. It would be irrational. I mean, isn't that the real reason the store owner set those 'Red Lines' of his?"
"Absolutely...!" The Raikage nodded before returning to the final pages.
Ultimately, he closed the volume with a slight sense of disappointment.
Today's volume had reached its end.
...
Iwagakure:
Here, too, the leaders of the Stone Village were in a heated discussion about the latest volume and its most significant revelation: the truth about Orochimaru and the origin of Otogakure, the village that would be founded perhaps two decades from now.
"I don't think that village will be founded anymore," Onoki said coldly, staring at the final pages.
"What do you mean by that, Tsuchikage-sama?" asked Kitsuchi, a dark-skinned young Jonin.
"Simply because Orochimaru founded that village for a purpose. Once everything about his future is exposed in the manga, his old plans won't work. He will need new plans that account for his current circumstances."
Onoki paused before continuing, "That is, if he is allowed to do as he pleases at all. Now, not only is Konoha alerted, but the entire world knows his true colors."
'And our turn will come soon, it seems...' Onoki added that last part to himself.
...
Kirigakure:
As the Naruto manga concluded its sixth volume, many readers closed their books and began to depart.
However, one father and son remained in their seats.
"So the old generation passes away, and the new generation continues and evolves..."
"I'm sad for your counterpart and for Haku as well. Seeing the world continue to move forward after their deaths... I can hardly accept it."
Zabuza's father, Momochi Genma, wore a sorrowful look. It seemed he hadn't quite moved past the Land of Waves arc yet.
"But Dad, they didn't die for nothing, did they? They left me so much!" On the other hand, young Zabuza had a wide grin.
Unlike his father, he seemed to have gained exactly what he needed from that arc and had already moved on.
Genma's expression shifted. "Did you really benefit? Will you become stronger than your counterpart, my son? Will you inherit the Kubikiribōchō in this life as well?"
"I will, Dad! I promise you!" he exclaimed.
'And I will find Haku and help him live the real life he deserves in this lifetime!'
Little Zabuza didn't say his last thought out loud. He kept it to himself; only he could make it a reality.
...
Meanwhile, the Third Mizukage, Hozuki Mizuru, was lost in thought regarding the Orochimaru situation.
'Orochimaru… interesting. It seems he has many tricks up his sleeve. A truly fascinating character.' He closed the volume and set it aside.
'I need to speak with someone who should know a bit about him, considering they fought before... the one who gave them the title of Sannin... Hanzo of the Salamander. I don't like dealing with that guy, but...'
He glanced at the manga panel of Orochimaru intimidating Team 7.
'Tsk... seeing this damn Orochimaru makes it feel easy to choose Hanzo to deal with... how creepy!'
...
Sunagakure:
The noise inside the Art Store was slowly dying down.
At this moment, the store was almost empty as everyone returned to their lives, or rather, their missions.
But one person refused to leave, quietly waiting for the crowd to disperse.
When only the store owner, the Rob Suna Clone, remained, Rasa stood up and walked toward the bar counter.
"Do you want a drink?" Rob asked with a smile. The store hadn't closed yet, but the working hours were nearly over.
"No, thank you," Rasa replied with an indifferent expression. "I need to ask you something."
"Didn't I tell you before? Questions about the manga are pointless because I won't answer anyway." Rob knew exactly what the boy wanted to ask.
"Tell me, what is Gaara's relationship to me?" Rasa's expression turned colder as he spoke the name.
The resemblance was striking, visible from a distance; it was no surprise Rasa would ask.
Rob Suna Clone maintained his professional smile.
He took a deep breath before speaking, "Gaara is a talented Genin from the Sand Village in the manga, about to officially become a Chunin."
"And you, Rasa, are a talented Jonin of the Sand Village currently expected to have a brilliant future. The current Kazekage considers you his successor, which means you will inevitably be the Fourth Kazekage. The relationship between you and Gaara... is that you are both from Sunagakure."
Rasa felt a wave of disappointment. He knew this man wouldn't tell him anything. He turned and walked away.
'I'll find out eventually anyway… as long as you keep publishing more chapters...'
Rasa thought as he left the Art Store, which closed its doors immediately after his exit.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 141: The Sixth Level of the System! Another Art Store opened!
Chapter 142: Is Orochimaru the True Source of Concern?
Chapter 143: Naruto Vol. 7! The Volume Opens with a Shocking Event!
Chapter 144: An Echo from the Grave… Uchiha Madara Reacts to the Manga!
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