A world without manga

Chapter 3: The First volume of Naruto and the New World

The days that followed were nothing short of a whirlwind. Ryuuji could hardly believe the events that had transpired since the Manga Creation System had chosen him as its host. He had always dreamed of being able to draw manga for a living, but this… This was something entirely different. He wasn't just drawing stories—he was bringing entire worlds to life, worlds that had once been locked away in his memories.

He spent countless hours hunched over his digital drawing pad, sketching the characters and world of Naruto with fervor. The tools the system provided were like nothing he had ever imagined. With every brushstroke, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and the rest of the beloved cast of the Hidden Leaf Village began to take form, just as he had seen them in the pages of his old world's manga. The canvas stretched before him like a universe of possibility.

Each chapter flowed effortlessly from his mind. He wasn't just copying the story he had read so many times before—he was living it, bringing it into this new world with the power of his pen. It felt… natural, like he was channeling a long-lost part of himself.

As the days passed, the first volume of Naruto slowly began to take shape. Chapter after chapter, Ryuuji recreated the introduction to the world of ninjas—the struggles of Naruto Uzumaki, the bonds between friends, and the burning desire to become the strongest ninja and gain recognition. He drew the intense battles, the emotional moments, and the exhilarating chase for dreams. His heart raced as he carefully inked every page.

He could feel the energy of the story surging through his fingertips, just as it had when he had read those same pages years ago. It wasn't just nostalgia; it was a feeling of pure creation.

When he finally inked the last page of the first volume, he sat back, exhausted but exhilarated. The system's screen flickered in front of him, and a notification popped up.

"Naruto - Volume 1 Complete. +100 Manga Points Earned."

The flood of points was a small reward compared to the sense of accomplishment that washed over him. He had done it. He had brought Naruto back to life in this world, and now it was real. He wasn't sure how this world would react to it, but he had a feeling that everything was about to change.

His thoughts wandered as he leaned back in the chair, letting out a sigh of contentment. The room around him, still as plain and quiet as when he had first arrived, now felt somehow different. More alive. His world had shifted. He had created something that belonged to this reality now. He could feel the weight of his actions as he began to process his new life here.

It wasn't just the manga that was different. The world itself felt unfamiliar, despite how similar it was to his old world. The technology, the people, the culture—they all seemed like a mirror version of what he knew, but just out of sync.

The world around him was normal, and yet, Ryuuji couldn't shake the feeling that there was something subtly off. He didn't belong here. This wasn't his world. But now, with the system, he had the power to change it, to shape it in ways no one else could. He had to find out how far this system would take him, and what kind of impact he could make.

With a deep breath, Ryuuji saved the final page, the manga file now safely stored in the system. He clicked on the 'Share' button. He wasn't sure if it would make a difference, but part of him hoped that by sharing the completed volume, it might reach someone in this world—someone who would understand.

The system's interface glowed again, and after a few seconds, it notified him:

"Manga Shared. Distribution Complete."

Ryuuji looked at the notification, then back at the empty, silent room. The screen in front of him remained still, no further notifications. He exhaled deeply. He didn't know what would happen next, but he could only hope that his creation would be received well.

After a moment of contemplation, Ryuuji stood up and decided to take a walk. The stillness of his room was beginning to feel too suffocating. He needed to get some fresh air, to clear his mind and think about his new life—what had changed, and what would come next.

He stepped outside into the neighborhood, the familiar sights of his childhood home greeting him. The streets were just as he remembered—small houses lined up side by side, children playing in the distance, the hum of daily life in the air. Yet, there was a strange dissonance that he couldn't shake off. This was his neighborhood, yet it wasn't.

His gaze lingered on a few familiar houses as he walked past. He was no longer just a resident here—he was a stranger, a foreigner in his own life. He was now a part of this world, but at the same time, it felt like he was watching it from the outside.

He passed by his old friend's house—the one where he'd spent hours watching anime and reading manga together. But now, it seemed empty. There were no lights on, no sound from inside. Was it possible that his friend hadn't been born here in this version of the world? Ryuuji didn't know, but a part of him felt the absence of his old relationships. Everything had shifted.

He sighed and walked on, trying to focus on his surroundings. The world was normal, but he couldn't escape the feeling that something fundamental had been lost. In his past life, he had always been surrounded by people who shared his love for manga. The conversations about favorite series, the debates about character arcs, the excitement over new releases—it had all been so natural. But now, it was as if he was surrounded by people who had no idea what manga was, let alone the worlds of his favorite characters.

As he reached a nearby park, Ryuuji saw a group of children playing in the sandbox, laughing and chatting. He watched them for a moment, feeling an ache in his chest. They were like he had been when he was younger—innocent, full of life—but he couldn't help but wonder: Did they have stories? Did they have worlds like he had?

It was then that a thought crossed his mind. Maybe it was his job to give them those worlds. Maybe it was up to him to share the stories that had shaped his life—stories like Naruto, One Piece, and Attack on Titan—to people who had never experienced them.

The thought filled him with purpose. He could bring those worlds to life here, just like he had done with Naruto.

Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

He turned around, startled, to find his next-door neighbor standing there. A young girl, around his age, with short brown hair and bright, curious eyes. She smiled at him.

"Hey, Ryuuji!" she said cheerfully. "What are you doing out here all alone?"

Ryuuji blinked, surprised by her sudden appearance. He hadn't noticed her earlier, but she had always been a neighbor he was somewhat familiar with. Her name was Saki, and they'd grown up near each other, but they had never been particularly close.

"I—uh—was just thinking," he said, trying to push down the strange sense of displacement that filled him. "Just walking around."

Saki tilted her head, her smile widening. "You know, you always seem to have your head in the clouds. Are you still drawing those comics?"

Ryuuji hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. Actually, I've been working on something really big."

Saki's eyes lit up. "Really? That's awesome! I've always wanted to see your drawings. You should show me sometime!"

Ryuuji felt a small spark of connection. This was normal. This was real. It was like his old life had never ended—except now, there was something new. Something exciting.

"Maybe I will," he said with a smile. "Maybe I'll show you soon."

As Saki waved goodbye and ran back to join her friends, Ryuuji stood there, feeling a strange sense of homecoming. The world felt both new and familiar at the same time. He had brought Naruto to life, but now he had to figure out how to bring more of his world—his real world—into this new life.

And as he walked back to his house, a thought settled in his mind: The world may not have manga, but that's going to change.