Naruto: I Draw Power Into Reality

"I've gotta ask," Shiso finally broke the silence as they returned to Konoha Village, "how exactly did you beat Orochimaru?"

"Mm, I'm curious too," Sakumo glanced over as well.

They'd been in the same class for years. Everyone knew how talented Orochimaru was.

He'd topped every subject for years. While academic performance doesn't always equal real strength, being hailed by the Third Hokage as a once-in-a-lifetime genius meant his combat skills were definitely top-tier.

Of course, the bigger reason was—

"Because I seem so lazy and obsessed with manga, you don't think I have it in me?" Akaba smiled faintly, quickening his pace with both hands behind his back. "If I made it that easy for you to figure me out, could I still be considered a genius of the Sakuma clan?"

"Hey, so you're not even gonna answer?"

Shiso chased after him, but Akaba only walked faster and faster until he finally used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished in an instant.

Left alone, the two exchanged glances silently.

"He seems upset."

Shiso tilted his head, deep in thought.

"Or maybe he's just messing with us."

Sakumo sighed. From what little he knew of Akaba, the guy really might do something like this just for fun.

If they wanted answers, they probably had no choice but to ask Orochimaru himself.

"You're back already? Did the test finish?"

Seeing Akaba return, Chiaki couldn't help but feel surprised.

He didn't yet know that Akaba had completed Danzo's evaluation yesterday and officially become his disciple.

Akaba hesitated briefly before revealing part of the truth: "I finished it. Master accepted us as his disciples."

"That's amazing! Becoming Lord Danzo's disciple means you'll surely surpass your father someday."

Chiaki was extremely excited.

As Anbu leader and a veteran who survived the war, Danzo was the most influential and powerful person in the village aside from the Hokage.

Of course,

Someone like Mito Uzumaki was an exception—an elusive figure rarely seen in public. Her existence was likely known only to the various clan leaders.

"Yes."

Akaba gave a slight nod, almost dismissively.

Every parent hopes their child will succeed. Neither Chiaki nor Saiki possessed particularly outstanding talent, reaching only their current levels in their entire lives. But in Akaba, they saw a more promising future.

"Let him draw something. It's rare free time. Once missions start in a few days, he won't get moments like this anymore."

Saiki stopped Chiaki from continuing his chatter, preventing them from wasting time.

Within this warm, caring household, meals were prepared and clothes changed and washed without worry.

That's what real life is supposed to feel like!

After feeling deeply moved, Akaba increasingly believed being a ninja was a hard life.

If given the choice, he never would have chosen the path of a ninja. But knowing Danzo's style, if he kept lying low in the village, it wouldn't be long before he found himself sipping tea with some Root agents.

"Ahh, I finally got a day off, so I might as well rest up properly."

Lying on his bed, he didn't feel like moving at all. Still, for the sake of finishing his manga update...

[Shadow Clone Jutsu!]

The summoned tool-person blinked momentarily in confusion before focusing his eyes on the sketchpad and the lazy bum lying on the bed.

Shadow Clones have no rights!

He sighed inwardly in protest but picked up the brush resignedly and began working.

"Don't give me that look. I need to replenish my chakra, and honestly, even the fatigue feels just as real to me as the original!"

Akaba sat down cross-legged with a sigh and began recovering his chakra.

After a while, when most of his chakra had returned, Akaba was about to lie down for a proper rest when a sudden "tap tap tap" came from the window.

"Who is it?"

"Me."

Jiraiya?

Recognizing the voice, Akaba had no choice but to get up and open the window.

The moment he opened it, an odd noise rang out, followed by—

"Hold on a sec—aaaah!"

"Boom!"

With a loud crash, he stuck his head out and looked down. Jiraiya lay motionless on the ground.

Several seconds later, Jiraiya painfully climbed back up, trembling all over.

"Can't you people use the front door? Did I forget to install one or something?"

Akaba said helplessly.

"Ninjas can't possibly take normal routes, can we?"

Jiraiya gasped for breath several times before finally steadying his hands. That fall had clearly hurt like hell.

"Just keep playing innocent. What do you want anyway?"

Deep inside, Akaba already had a rough idea—it must be about their power differences.

Coming from a civilian background, Jiraiya didn't have many people he could turn to.

Looking at Akaba and then at his clone, Jiraiya sighed in envy: "It's so great being able to use Shadow Clones. Hey Akaba, can you teach me?"

"If Lord Third thinks you can handle it, I'm sure he'll show you the ropes."

Akaba replied with mild annoyance.

"Do you really think I deserve to be taught by Lord Third?"

Jiraiya sat cross-legged on the floor, looking visibly depressed.

The recent test had hit him hard—it was enough to bring down even the usually cheerful guy.

At first, Akaba hadn't planned on saying much, but seeing his expression, he had no choice but to sit up again.

Honestly, he didn't know how to comfort him.

Before going to Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya's talent had indeed been pretty mediocre. Even Earth Release, which he excelled at the most, wasn't particularly impressive due to various factors. By all accounts, he seemed unworthy of becoming the Third Hokage's disciple.

If he'd simply lost to the Third, maybe he wouldn't feel this defeated. But losing to Akaba's team instead only made the defeat sting worse.

Thinking carefully, Akaba finally spoke: "Jiraiya, Orochimaru might be a natural genius, but if Lord Third saw potential in you, then you certainly have your own strengths."

"Oh?"

"There are two kinds of geniuses—one born naturally gifted, and one that works hard to achieve greatness."

Akaba continued.

Jiraiya pondered briefly, then suddenly exclaimed: "So you mean I'm an effort-based genius?"

"Uhhhh..."

Akaba hesitated momentarily, unsure how to respond. Right now, Jiraiya still lacked experience, seemed somewhat clueless and not very sharp; explaining things thoroughly just felt exhausting.

At this moment, Akaba added: "Jiraiya, don't misunderstand us—we meant effort can also lead to becoming a genius."

"I get it! Wait, isn't that exactly what I said? I am a genius of effort!"

"That's right! If I keep at it, I'll get stronger and definitely beat Orochimaru someday!"

Jiraiya's thinking flipped entirely after hearing those words, understanding Akaba's meaning—but only vaguely.

However, seeing him regain his confidence again, both Akaba and the Shadow Clone felt reluctant to say more. Otherwise, if that painstakingly accumulated self-belief shattered once more, it might really become problematic.

"Thank you, Akaba."

"I need to go draw now. I haven't worked on today's manga yet. Talk to you later."

Excitedly, Jiraiya climbed out through the window, but he slipped and fell as soon as stepping halfway out.

"Thud!"

Another thud followed as Jiraiya tumbled down again.

Akaba sighed. With this disturbance, his break time had just gotten even shorter.

He had barely closed his eyes when he heard rustling by the window again, then a pale hand reached in, followed by a cascade of long black hair.

"Who is it now?"

The next instant, Orochimaru jumped into the room. Compared to Jiraiya, he was undoubtedly much more skilled in this kind of entry.

"Should I just remove my door altogether?"

Akaba said helplessly, starting to get annoyed. Why do these ninja insist on using windows instead of just walking through the damn door like normal people?

Orochimaru seemed momentarily stunned. After a long pause, he replied, "Jiraiya said you only pay attention when someone climbs through your window."

"Why would you believe what Jiraiya says?"

"Are you really Orochimaru?"

Akaba said in disbelief. Orochimaru actually bought into that nonsense from that idiot Jiraiya?!

This time, Orochimaru wasted no time and shot back immediately, "I analyzed your personality carefully—using the front door might result in you completely ignoring me."

"What the hell?!"

"Hahahaha!"

The comic sidekick couldn't hold it in any longer, and the room burst into laughter.

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