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In the private section of the Art Store in Konoha, where neither the noise of readers nor the eyes of shinobi could reach, Rob, now known as Uzumaki Rubiro, sat in complete silence, his eyes closed.
He was not asleep but in a state of full synchronization with the rest of his clones distributed across the four great villages, as well as the other clones in Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure…
In that moment, information was flowing into his mind like rivers. Anchor Life had granted his clones life, but had not granted them complete independence from the original Rob.
Through this meditation session, Rob could detect any 'rebellious' thoughts that might begin to form within his clones and eliminate them immediately. Naturally, the lifespan condition alone was not enough… even if more life for them depended on his will, that fact alone might make them resent it. For now, each clone of Rob had a sense of self and a genuine feeling of existence.
Each one of them felt that he was the real Rob. For this reason, the original Rob was confident they would not betray themselves. But there was no harm in taking precautions.
This nightly collective meditation gave him genuine rest, sharing thoughts with his living clones, gathering information and events that had occurred across all the other villages.
'The sixth month since the opening… six volumes of Naruto, and the beginning of the actual political influence I've been aiming for.' Rob thought as he opened the transparent system interface that only he could see.
He was sharing his thoughts and perspective with the rest of his clones, who were also meditating in their own stores at that very moment.
[Art Coins earned today: +45,000]
[Current System Level: Level 6 (10/7,000 EXP to next level)]
[Feature unlocked during Level Six: Comfortable Reading!
Comfortable Reading: No need to use any side tools to assist those who cannot read. From now on, anyone who enters the Art Store will automatically be able to enjoy your art in the best way possible; they can read even if they are illiterate! It doesn't matter what language your art is written in; it will be automatically translated into the language the reader understands! Congratulations, keep up the hard work!]
Rob smiled quietly as he read this. Although the Level 6 feature was less shocking and impactful than the jaw-dropping features that had come before it, he knew the system would not hand him an overpowered ability every single time, which would make the game too easy for him.
Regardless, the system's features as the level rose always made sure to deepen customer comfort and allow his art to spread further and further…
'With this feature, even aliens could enjoy my manga, couldn't they?'
Rob's gaze seemed to pierce through the floor of the Art Store and cast itself across the vast night sky, at the glowing stars. Out there, countless thriving civilizations must exist… and some of them had been eyeing the blue planet with hungry eyes for thousands of years.
'Come then… when you arrive, you will not find a world unaware of your existence out there…'
Rob smiled. And so did the rest of his clones scattered across the world.
"How wonderful it is to make everyone in the world acquainted with the exciting events of the future… isn't it?"
"You're enjoying this too, aren't you, guys?"
That question was directed at his clones, who all nodded in agreement.
Of course, every one of them was enjoying their new roles.
(Author's Note: A question for the dear readers, which do you prefer: the system of beautiful store goddesses in maid outfits from the One Piece fanfic, or the system of Rob's multiple clones in bartender uniforms with poker faces? I want a genuine answer with reasoning.)
…
With every volume published each month, he wasn't merely collecting money, which he didn't care about in the first place, as hundreds of thousands of ryo had already piled up in the system's storage.
'I think I'll keep redirecting the ninja world's money into something sensible, like developing the world's infrastructure…' Rob thought with a smile.
He didn't really care about the ninja world's currency, whose financial system was traditional and riddled with weaknesses. He had real currency being collected from the readers' emotions, and a true cosmic store stocked with everything he needed, and things he didn't need yet.
'Even what I don't need now… the day will come when I do. This world is vast. There's outer space, too. The Art Store will not remain confined to this planet forever…'
The system fed on the Kage's shock, the clans' pride, and the readers' tension. He was now capable of making his clones not only practice sales, but possess real combat power equal to, and surpassing, the Kage elite, to protect the stores should someone like Danzo ever think of doing something foolish.
'Besides, in this world, Danzo and his kind are honestly the least of my concerns…'
'Madara was still alive, and Black Zetsu was somewhere out there in this world.'
'They might discover my manga at any moment from now on…'
Rob wasn't worried. For now, Madara was old and preparing to die; he had not yet found a suitable heir for his plan. He was planning to target Kirigakure as the best candidate, but Obito hadn't grown up yet… For the time being, Madara and Black Zetsu's plan was still stagnant.
'Isn't this the perfect time for them to discover my manga? I wonder how many Art Coins Madara and Black Zetsu would give me? Maybe tens of thousands!'
Rob was excited to see that happen…
…
"The time has come…" Rob murmured to himself and his clones.
The plan had always been to start with the hidden villages, as they were the centers of shinobi power. But the real power and abundant wealth lay in the heart of politics: the capitals of nations, where the Daimyō and nobles lived, those who possessed no ninjutsu, but commanded vast lands to rule.
"So, shall we start with Tanzaku Town?"
This city was a popular tourist destination and major town… and the political center where the Daimyō's Mansion was located was not far from it.
Rob stood before a large mirror in his room and began focusing his energy. Smoke burst forth, and a normal shadow clone took shape, a handsome young man with red hair tied back, sharp eyes with green pupils, dressed in elegant modern clothing: a formal bartender's suit. Then, from Rob's shadow, a golden gelatinous substance emerged and merged into the shadow clone.
This was Anchor Life, which granted his shadow clone a permanent embodiment carrying most of the real body's privileges.
This clone was different from the "Suna Clone" or the "Kumo Clone"; this was the "Noble Clone."
"You will go to the capital," Rob addressed his clone.
"There, you will not sell manga to battle-hungry shinobi. You will sell it as refined art to the aristocratic class. Make them feel that owning a copy of my manga is a mark of sophistication and status."
The clone nodded with the same quiet smile, "I'll make the Daimyō himself wait in line for the next volume."
"Alright, let's go together… You can't open an Art Store on your own."
Rob smiled and walked forward, his newly formed clone following close behind, heading outside.
…
Several days later, an Art Store stood proudly in the middle of the Land of Fire's government center city.
While large crowds continued pouring through its doors.
Inside the Art Store, the Rob Noble Clone stood behind the counter, ready to welcome more customers for the fifth consecutive day.
After all, the residents of Tanzaku Town and the surrounding towns had just discovered Naruto manga through the Art Store, whose reputation had spread from the very first day.
The majority of the customers were civilians who had become enchanted with the ninja world the moment they discovered the Naruto manga.
For the first time, civilians had gained a real window into the world of the shinobi, people who had always lived among them, yet were completely unknown to them.
Some believed Naruto manga was merely an imagined future, but others who already knew a little about the shinobi world found that that little had suddenly become a great deal with the arrival of the manga.
For the fifth consecutive day, the Daimyō of the Land of Fire could be seen with his entourage, appearing to have effectively relocated his government mansion to the Art Store.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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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!
Chapter 145: Granted Power!
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