BlackStar_BH:
More Power Stones and comments, guys!
Enjoy the new chapter!
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Inside the Art Store, the Third Kazekage and his entourage were struck with astonishment the moment they stepped inside.
The stark difference in the building's interior space compared to what it should have been raised their caution to the highest level.
"Didn't you say this isn't ninjutsu?!"
"Then how do you explain the exaggerated expansion of the interior? Do you think the shinobi of Sunagakure are fools?!"
Shazan glared at Rob, who was accompanying them inside.
Sigh~ "Well, the truth is that constructing this building is my own Kikai Genkai ability, but I do not consider it ninjutsu at all. As I mentioned earlier, this is just a store. Its vast interior is just one of its features."
"I'm a businessman, and it's my duty to improve whatever I can provide for customers and ensure their comfort. Kazekage-san, you should update your old perspective," Rob said sharply, his tone critical.
He was tired of the excessive caution of the shinobi in this world.
He knew he would struggle in this regard; changing the mindset of shinobi in this era would require a considerable amount of time.
'Sigh~ to think that there are many villages where I'll need to plan how to establish an art store later… my God, this task is truly difficult!'
(In another, Rob from the One Piece world watched his Naruto-world counterpart with a sly laugh…)
…
Once the situation had settled, Rob allowed the shinobi of Sunagakure and their leader, the Kazekage, to experience what the Art Store had to offer.
Shazan, Chiyo, Ebizo, and the rest of the shinobi quickly got used to the comfortable seats of the Art Store and the various drinks Rob prepared.
Then came the first volume of Naruto manga — free — which immediately caught everyone's attention as they flipped through the pages with curious eyes.
Surprise.
Questions. Confusion, laughter, sadness.
There were all sorts of emotions, most of them superficial, since the story they were reading took place in a village they considered an enemy.
"The Fourth Hokage? Could this story be about a possible future?" the Third Kazekage wondered, deeply intrigued.
"This is Sarutobi Hiruzen? Will he live all these years?"
"Who drew this nonsense?" Shazan felt envy upon seeing a Hokage of the same generation, expected to live a long, healthy life — a sign of good fortune!
'How many wars are supposed to come in the future? Are you telling me this bastard will live all this time to cause trouble for my Sunagakure? Let's see how he manages that, hmph!'
He thought internally, continuing to read the mischievous Naruto story.
"A Jinchūriki of the Kyuubi? This boy?" Chiyo opened her eyes wide, scrutinizing Naruto.
"What a tragic backstory."
"Konohagakure's internal politics are based on a racially biased tribal system. They appear united on the surface, but the divisions and discrimination are as clear as day. Their foundations are fragile. Tsk, even the author of this book knows that," Ebizo mocked after reading the seven chapters of the volume.
"This… Hatake Sakumo!!" The Third Kazekage froze upon seeing Kakashi appear for the first time.
Chiyo, Ebizo, and the elite shinobi of Sunagakure all widened their eyes as well.
Shazan felt a chill, even touching his neck, which still stung — the site of a near-fatal injury.
"No, it's a different person… Hatake Kakashi? Is he the son of the White Fang of Konoha? The resemblance is incredible; we can recognize him as his son even if he hides his entire face."
The Third Kazekage wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and regained his majestic expression, which had faltered the moment he thought Kakashi was Sakumo.
The Third Kazekage looked at Rob behind the counter and asked, "What does this story have to do with my village, Sunagakure? Why are you selling such a product in my village? Did you get permission from me for this?"
"You want to spread this Konoha nonsense in my village?"
"What are you intending to do?"
The moment he saw Sakumo's son — his bitter enemy — the Kazekage's impression of the story completely shifted, from an entertainment tale to a story carrying a heavy political threat.
…
Before the Third Kazekage could speak, Rob enjoyed the feeling of the long-awaited harvest.
[+1300 AC from Saburo no Shazan (Third Kazekage)]
[+940 AC from Chiyo (Elite shinobi from Sunagakure)]
[+900 AC from Ebizo (Elite shinobi from Sunagakure)]
[+600 AC from Hidara (Elite jonin from Sunagakure)]
[+400 AC from Didan (ANBU from Sunagakure)]
[…]
The notifications continued as more than 50 shinobi from Sunagakure entered his Art Store, wary that Rob might be running a deadly trap… The war had ended two years ago, yet the villages were still cautious of each other.
Even though it was impossible to imagine a village so crazy as to craft such a cunning and evil plot targeting another large village within its territory, the shinobi of the Sand Village and their leader were fully cautious and already on high alert.
Rob snapped out of his euphoria, took a last glance at the accumulated Art Coins, and then looked at the Kazekage and his group, who were giving him hostile stares.
Indeed, the shinobi of the Sand Village were experiencing culture shock: why were they reading a story set in an enemy village? What was the purpose of this?
Rob had expected this and was fully prepared.
He smiled before replying calmly:
"Kazekage-sama, let me be frank… yes, the story begins in Konoha, but that's just the starting context."
"The beginning doesn't mean all events will revolve around it, nor does it relate to any real conflicts between villages. This store is not a political arena, and I do not aim to incite strife. Through my manga, I tell a fictional story of the future."
"But the protagonist of your story is from Konoha and aspires to become Hokage. Why not make him from Sunagakure and aspire to be Kazekage?"
The Kazekage's reply was cold; he wanted to teach Rob a lesson — this person, arrogant in his power and abilities, playing the role of a merchant? 'Alright. I'll make your life difficult,' he thought.
Rob nodded slightly, having expected this response, and added in a confident yet gentle voice:
"The protagonist being from Konoha? That really means nothing. He was born there, that's all."
"All I offer here is a reading and artistic experience. Those who want to enjoy it are welcome; the door is open. Those who wish to stay away can simply watch or ignore. The world has just emerged from war, and I respect this caution… but there's no need to worry. The art store is safe, and the events in the books are purely fictional, and I will ensure that none of it has a direct impact on your village."
Then he softened his smile and cast a playful glance:
"Think of it as a window to see the world, nothing more. Every village, every shinobi, will find what interests them, and we won't focus on Konoha alone forever."
Rob's response seemed to tell them: educate yourselves, villagers.
Hearing this, the Third Kazekage felt embarrassed. He had wanted to expel this sharp-tongued rogue, but felt a restraining aura; within this space, he could do nothing to the store owner.
'As I expected… this isn't ninjutsu? Complete nonsense! You want to play with me? Fine, as you wish, let's play…'
Thinking internally, Shazan restored his warm smile and returned to the posture of a guest.
"So you're saying there's no harm in what you sell as art? We will decide on that later, my assistants and I."
"Remember this: I won't allow you to trade in my village if I don't approve of what you sell," he said calmly.
"Very well, I completely agree. The decision is yours, Kazekage-sama," Rob replied confidently.
In the end, this store would become his second pillar — the 'Art Coins Bringer' of this world.
A truth the Third Kazekage and his aides could not change, no matter what they did.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 53: Overcoming Obstacles — The New Volume on the Shelves!
Chapter 54: The Meaning of Failure.
Chapter 55: Teamwork. And Reactions.
Chapter 56: Defining Trash. Sakumo's Tears.
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BlackStar_BH:
The chapters currently available on Patreon are up to Chapter 77.
There are 25 advanced chapters available now:
5 chapters in the Silver tier ($5 subscription), 5 more chapters in the Gold tier ($10 subscription), 5 more chapters in the Platinum tier ($15 subscription), and 5 more chapters in the Diamond tier ($20 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!