Naruto: I Draw Power Into Reality

"Shouldn't we at least ask our teacher first?"

Akaba felt a headache coming on.

The moment these two learned the enemy's hideout location, they were already itching to sneak in and eliminate them.

"We'll just check the outside—no going in, promise!"

Tsunade said excitedly.

I must be out of my mind if I actually believed that—every guy says that crap!

Akaba inwardly grumbled.

He glanced at Orochimaru, hoping his so-called 'cold-blooded' friend would act reasonable for once.

Orochimaru hesitated briefly before explaining, "I think our teacher let us out precisely to train us. Going back now without even checking would make no sense."

...

Looks like even Cold Guy still lacks maturity.

Sighing softly, Akaba realized they simply wouldn't heed his 'reasonable' advice.

Before long, they were already heading toward the rogue ninja base they'd pried the location out of someone earlier.

Seeing that they had already left, he had no choice but to reluctantly follow.

The enemy base lay upstream along the river. Following the stream, the trio soon spotted a mountain ahead.

"No wonder it's not far at all."

Orochimaru murmured quietly to Akaba.

One quick peek from up here and we already know they're close—that's why Orochimaru agreed to personally check things out.

"Their leader must be a jonin—we can't go any further!"

Akaba feared death greatly, and facing a jonin-level opponent could definitely endanger him.

"A too-comfy life doesn't lead to growth. Besides, don't you think this is a great opportunity?"

Orochimaru licked his lips, eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"Opportunity? You actually think someone at the leader's level is that stupid?"

Akaba shot back bluntly.

Jiraiya's eye-searing trash already gave us one idiot—more than enough!

"Can't say for sure. Look ahead."

Orochimaru nodded toward the front.

Akaba followed his gaze and noticed some bushes rustling slightly.

At that moment, he understood.

These clueless locals were indeed addicted to Jiraiya's terrible works.

"Mr. Akaba, I've got a bold idea."

A faint smile appeared on Orochimaru's face.

"Actually, I have an immature plan too."

Akaba immediately responded while quietly stepping backward beyond the alert range.

"You guys are talking nonsense again—what exactly are you doing?"

Tsunade frowned, puzzled as they suddenly pulled back.

However...

Then she saw Akaba sit down and start drawing rapidly.

Drawing pictures?

She moved closer curiously, her cheeks turning red as chakra surged within her body.

"Tsunade, don't hit him!"

Orochimaru quickly held her back. He knew how terrifying this girl's fists were—if it weren't for Jiraiya's jaw of steel, he might've been a goner last time.

"I hate this crap, but I'm gonna show just how much of a joke Jiraiya's work really is!"

After finishing, Akaba inserted the sketch into his sketchpad to let it dry.

Looking closely, Tsunade found that this small single page didn't contain overly vulgar content. Instead, it displayed delicate yet enticing styles and characters—even Tsunade found herself wanting to keep looking—at least just a little more.

"Aren't you continuing?"

After viewing the piece, Orochimaru noticed Akaba had no intention to keep drawing.

"I told you—I hate this junk. One page's more than enough for crap like this."

Akaba declared proudly.

"Artistic skill and understanding of manga-wise, Jiraiya definitely can't beat him—he's got an entire world supporting him after all!"

"What are you planning next?"

Tsunade didn't react overly strongly, seemingly having temporarily set aside her prejudice.

"Use Multiple Shadow Clones to disguise ourselves before entering to present the drawing," Akaba replied. "Then we wait for a signal. If my clone disappears and sends back feedback, we retreat immediately."

A wise man doesn't put himself in harm's way—so naturally, this risky job falls to a clone.

He felt absolutely no guilt about it.

"That works."

It truly was the best plan available. Her teacher had been right—Akaba only revealed his true talents under crisis situations.

Tsunade exchanged a glance with Orochimaru; both nodded in agreement simultaneously.

Hands forming hand seals, a Multiple Shadow Clone appeared. Then using the Transformation Jutsu, it changed into the appearance of a captured ninja they'd previously subdued.

Akaba handed over the drawing. The clone's expression remained blank, yet its eyes betrayed deep contempt.

Whether or not it would be discovered, ultimately neither he nor this painting will return.

"Go forth—I shall remember thee."

Silent contempt hurts the most. Feeling slightly awkward, just for formality's sake, he added one last respectful word.

The clone took the painting, stood up, and headed uphill.

Passing through that patch of bushes, he glanced sideways—those people were still engrossed in their work.

Not daring to disturb them, Akaba's clone continued moving forward without encountering any resistance or questions all the way to the hilltop.

"This security is so lax—it's like Jiraiya completely let his guard down!"

The clone inwardly mocked.

Just a few pages—but somehow, they've caused more trouble than a whole army.

That guy's an emotional wrecking ball!

Shaking his head, the clone kept climbing.

Before long, a campfire came into view followed shortly by a narrow cave entrance. Camouflaged carefully, ordinary people wouldn't easily notice unless they look closely.

As soon as the clone entered the cave, a voice called from within: "Leader, it's me."

"Ah, Yanagawa? What's wrong?"

"Your humble servant searched outside and spotted the white-haired brat's trail, but that white-haired brat ran too fast. I only managed to retrieve one fallen page, specially brought here for you, Leader."

The clone respectfully reported.

"A page? Let me see."

The leader walked out, accepting the paper then immediately displaying a slight look of shock on his face.

After flipping through it several times, his heart stirred—an urge rose to continue reading, but unfortunately, only this portion existed without continuation.

"Only one page of 'Female Ninja Unkind'?"

He irritably asked.

"Yes sir, your humble servant failed to catch him."

The clone expressed shame.

"Where did you find him?"

"I was by the riverbank where we previously ambushed them. At that moment, I happened to spot his appearance…"

Half truth, half fabrication, subtly guiding the leader toward particular assumptions.

"Just one person?"

"Yes, Leader! He seems to have lost contact with Konoha ninjas, probably due to that strange jutsu earlier."

The clone answered further.

The leader hesitated. Were Konoha Jonin around, he wouldn't dare consider going. But hearing how it was only that white-haired kid alone, his interest awakened.

If he could capture him—not only would more drawings follow, but he might negotiate benefits with Konoha too.

"Take me there to check things out."

"Yes sir."

[Mission Accomplished!]

Akaba's Shadow Clone turned around and immediately took the lead. However, after walking a few steps, he asked with some concern, "Lord, what if Ninja from Konoha find this place after we leave?"

"How would they even know? Not even Uzumaki Village knows we're here. Konoha just arrived a few days ago—how could they possibly find us so soon?"

Besides, did it really matter anyway?

He sneered at the thought—Konoha's Jonin was formidable. If this location were truly discovered, staying behind would be suicide.

After all, everyone here was just another Rogue Ninja anyway!

"Yes, my lord."

Based on the other's words, there should be no other Jonin hiding here. Plus, the organization of these "Rogue Ninjas" was very loose—he didn't care one bit about the others' survival.

This was a weakness he could exploit. The plan was doable!

Thinking this through, he did not proactively dispel the clone to issue a warning. Instead, he led the base's leader to the spot where they had previously captured that Kirigakure Ninja named Yanagawa.

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