Naruto sat cross-legged in his room, biting the end of his brush as he mulled over the next panel. Beside him, Hinata diligently inked a scene featuring Sasuke's dramatic fight with Zabuza. The tension in the scene mirrored Naruto's own mood.
"I can't stop thinking about what Shikamaru said," Naruto muttered, tapping his fingers against the scroll.
Hinata glanced up. "About the Land of Waves?"
"Yeah," he replied, frowning. "If someone's messing with my manga, it's gonna ruin everything. I mean, what if they release spoilers? Or worse—terrible fan art!"
The system chimed in with its usual dispassionate tone.
New Side Quest: Investigate the Land of Waves Counterfeit Manga Operation
Reward: Enhanced Drawing Skill – 'Perfect Line Art'
Naruto's eyes lit up. "A new skill, huh? Sounds like this is worth checking out after all!"
Preparation for the Mission
Hinata hesitated, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Naruto, should we really get involved? Shikamaru and the others are already investigating."
Naruto grinned. "C'mon, Hinata! This is my legacy we're talking about. Besides, you'll be with me. There's no way we can fail!"
Hinata's cheeks turned slightly pink, but she nodded. "Alright, let's go."
The system chimed in again:
Optional Mission Assistance Detected: Hinata Hyuga
Bonus Activated: Stealth +20
Naruto blinked at the notification. "Hey, Hinata, looks like you're my secret weapon!"
She tilted her head in confusion. "Secret weapon?"
"Uh, never mind!" Naruto laughed nervously, quickly packing his brushes and a few scrolls for the trip.
The Journey to the Land of Waves
By midday, Naruto and Hinata were speeding through the forest, the cool breeze carrying the scent of pine. Naruto leaped from branch to branch with boundless energy, while Hinata followed gracefully, her Byakugan scanning the area for any threats.
"So," Naruto began, glancing back at her, "what do you think we'll find when we get there? Some shady underground operation? Maybe a rival mangaka with a grudge?"
Hinata thought for a moment. "If someone's trying to profit from your work, they might have connections to a larger network. Counterfeiting isn't easy."
Naruto scratched his head. "Man, that sounds way more complicated than I was hoping."
Hinata smiled softly. "But if anyone can handle it, it's you, Naruto."
Naruto's face flushed slightly, but he quickly shook it off. "Alright, let's make this quick and get back before the deadline!"
Arrival at the Village
When they reached the Land of Waves, the village was bustling with activity. Merchants shouted out their wares, children ran through the streets, and the scent of grilled fish filled the air.
Naruto and Hinata made their way to a small bookstore at the edge of the market, where Shikamaru had told them the counterfeit manga was being sold.
The shop was dimly lit, its shelves packed with dusty scrolls and books. Behind the counter sat an elderly man with thick glasses, flipping through a manga scroll.
"Excuse me," Naruto said, stepping up to the counter. "I heard you've got some rare manga for sale."
The man squinted at him. "Depends on what you're looking for, kid."
Naruto leaned in, lowering his voice. "I heard you've got something called 'Naruto.'"
The old man's eyes sparkled with interest. "Ah, so you're a fan of the series, huh? It's been selling like hotcakes! But it's not cheap."
Naruto grinned. "Price doesn't matter. Let me see it."
The man reached under the counter and pulled out a scroll, sliding it across the table. Naruto unrolled it, his grin fading into a scowl as he read the poorly drawn panels.
"What the—?! Sasuke looks like a pigeon!" Naruto blurted out, holding up the scroll in disbelief. "And why is Sakura fighting with a frying pan?!"
Hinata covered her mouth to stifle a giggle, but her eyes widened when she spotted the signature at the bottom of the scroll. "Naruto, look! The author's name…"
Naruto squinted at the signature: Ramen Sensei.
His eyebrow twitched. "Ramen Sensei?! Who the heck is that?!"
Tracking the Culprit
The shopkeeper frowned. "Hey, don't insult the author. Ramen Sensei's a genius! People come from all over to buy these."
Naruto slammed the scroll onto the counter. "Where can I find this Ramen Sensei?!"
The old man hesitated, glancing around nervously. "Look, I don't want any trouble, alright? But if you're serious, I heard he's got a workshop near the docks."
Naruto turned to Hinata. "Let's go."
The Confrontation
The docks were eerily quiet as Naruto and Hinata approached a small warehouse. Inside, the sound of scribbling echoed through the walls. Naruto peeked through a crack in the door and saw a man hunched over a desk, surrounded by stacks of counterfeit manga.
Naruto kicked the door open. "Alright, Ramen Sensei, your days of ruining my manga are over!"
The man jumped, spilling ink all over his scrolls. He turned to face them, his face partially hidden by a mask.
"Who dares interrupt the great Ramen Sensei?!" he shouted dramatically.
Naruto pointed a finger at him. "I'm the real author of Naruto, and I'm here to take you down!"
The man laughed. "You? Don't make me laugh. Everyone knows Naruto is just a work of fiction!"
Naruto clenched his fists. "Oh, I'll show you what's real!"
To Be Continued…