Naruto: I Draw Power Into Reality

Coming from a civilian background, Orochimaru had learned the value of patience even at a young age. Others were curious too, but they refrained from pushing the issue.

The clone smiled faintly and held out the box. "Everyone ranked within the top hundred gets one lottery draw."

"Lottery draw?"

Orochimaru read the words on the box and immediately understood.

If he was lucky, he could get a poster!

He didn't know what his poster would look like, but those artistically drawn portraits stirred rare emotions in him.

"What's a poster?"

Ryo felt deep curiosity inside but dared not voice his question.

He had never read manga before because he always looked down upon Sakuma Akaba. But after seeing Kakashi Hatake's image just now, he suddenly became fond of it.

Orochimaru reached into the box and pulled his hand out.

"Third prize, small poster."

The clone retrieved a drawing the size of a manga cover from the bottom cabinet and handed it to Orochimaru.

This time, it was truly random—no predetermined choices involved.

Orochimaru unfolded it. The image showed a figure in Uchiha style, with deep nasolabial folds on his face, and particularly striking blood-red eyes. Standing on his shoulder was a crow with the same kind of eyes.

Itachi Uchiha?

The clone glanced at it and slightly raised his eyebrows. Out of so many pictures, Orochimaru had drawn this one.

"What's wrong?" Orochimaru asked, noticing Akaba's unusual expression. He thought there might be something wrong with the picture and carefully examined the drawing featuring Itachi Uchiha but couldn't find anything special.

"Nothing. This is a picture of Itachi Uchiha."

Ryo grew even more curious, but his pride prevented him from taking a peek. Otherwise, it would mean he was interested in manga.

"Hmm, I really like it. Thank you." Orochimaru politely bowed.

Sakumo Hatake also looked forward eagerly as he reached into the box but unfortunately only drew a "Thank You for Participating" slip.

"Thanks, Sakumo, for drawing away one 'Thank You' ticket for us," Shishio said while grabbing a manga book, coming over to pay, and verbally jabbing Sakumo at the same time.

Sakumo wore an expressionless look.

Still, having gotten that big poster already, he was pretty satisfied.

Now it was Ryo's turn.

Ryo hesitated for a long time—should he look into manga or not?

Looking meant he somehow lost.

Not looking meant buying the book pointlessly, which made him feel foolish.

"I'll take just one glance. If I'm not satisfied, I won't buy it and force him to fight me again!" Ryo secretly told himself.

He picked up a volume from the shelf and flipped open a page in reverse.

The first page showed the 'Nine-Tails Beast'!

"The 'Nine-Tails Beast'? Isn't it the legendary strongest tailed beast?"

Ryo's heart involuntarily startled—he couldn't stop reading further.

The second page featured the aged Third Hokage.

"Is this character purely imaginary?"

So lifelike!

Though clearly a manga version, seeing the depicted image felt as if he were watching the real aged Third Hokage grow old.

How was this possible?

He was deeply shaken by just a few pages.

"Hey, Ryo—interested in buying one?" the clone smiled and asked.

"Ah, yes! Definitely buy it!"

Uchiha Ryo instinctively replied, then quickly realized what he had said. After a brief moment of shock, he added, "If you're not buying anything, why would you accept my challenge?"

"Alright then, Ryo-kun. You've got one more chance to take part in the lottery. Ready to spin the wheel?"

Akaba's clone pointed toward the box.

"I've already spent all my cash. Why on earth wouldn't I join the lottery!"

Ryo initially wanted to refuse, but changed his mind at the last moment.

It's just a poster!

"Be my guest."

He pointed at the box and didn't say anything else.

Ryo reached into the box and pulled out a piece of paper.

"Third Prize: Small poster."

Upon hearing this, Ryo revealed a look of surprise on his face but quickly concealed it, afraid someone else might see.

Akaba pulled out another poster with a lazy flick of his wrist.

When Ryo unfolded it, he saw the same proud and mighty face. The person's clothes featured the unique pattern of the Uchiha clan, bearing some resemblance to the previous image of Itachi Uchiha.

"Sasuke Uchiha?"

Holding the small poster, Ryo wore an expression of bewilderment.

Was this someone from the Uchiha family?

"Foolish little brother... If you want to kill me, then despise me! Hate me!"

"What did you say?"

Ryo looked completely confused.

"Nothing much. Just suddenly remembered a line from a script."

The clone replied indifferently.

"Right on! Now it's your turn to face my challenge!"

Suddenly remembering his original purpose, Ryo immediately put down the manga he had just bought along with the newly acquired poster, wearing a serious expression.

"Aww, come on. After reading the manga, didn't you get even a little bit inspired? Something about love and peace, maybe?"

Sighing, the clone showed a somewhat helpless expression.

"Bullshit about peace and love! I accept your challenge!"

Gradually recalling his objective, Ryo spoke with increasing determination.

"Fine, but fighting isn't really my thing. Please, come out and serve our guest."

He shouted loudly, then rested his head on his hand, sitting motionless.

Not understanding what was going on, Ryo wore a puzzled expression. Orochimaru and others who were originally about to leave now wore expressions full of curiosity and anticipation.

Then

"Alright then, Ryo-kun, since you did purchase a manga, I'll finish this quickly."

Akaba came out from the back, wearing an expression full of exhaustion and helplessness.

Ryo assumed a fighting stance, prepared for battle.

"Akaba, let me see exactly how deep your abilities run."

Orochimaru mused inwardly.

In his heart, Akaba was a good friend, yet also a formidable opponent.

Because Akaba never openly displayed his strength, making him unfathomable.

Should Akaba learn of these thoughts, he would certainly feel even more exasperated.

Truth be told, he hadn't wanted any trouble this time—his clone just couldn't help stirring up chaos.

Can't stand seeing someone relax for five seconds, huh.

Glancing at his clone, Akaba sighed internally.

Poor Ryo stayed on edge, afraid that even blinking would give Akaba an opening to attack.

"Let's begin."

Akaba stated calmly.

"Haa!"

No sooner had the words fallen than Ryo instantly launched himself forward, rushing at Akaba with full force.

However, his opponent vanished in an instant.

What?

Heart pounding with alarm, Ryo vigilantly observed his surroundings.

Behind him!

Realizing where Akaba was, he quickly turned around.

In that instant, his vision blurred. He then saw Akaba charging toward him at incredible speed, a kunai in hand.

"This isn't right—I've fallen into an illusion!"

Uchiha Ryo thought in shock.

When?

The next second, he noticed Akaba rapidly closing the distance, and suddenly the kunai was stabbing straight toward his heart.

"Agh!"

Ryo screamed in terror as death seemed to loom closer—and through the chaos, he noticed the world around him shifting.

Opening his eyes again, he found Sakuma Akaba standing before him.

[Narakami no Jutsu!]

Ryo's face turned pale, his legs trembling.

Narakami itself wasn't terrifying—normally, once one realizes they're trapped in an illusion, it can be easily broken using techniques taught at school. But just now, he discovered he couldn't break free at all.

When used by the Sakuma clan, this technique was clearly different from how it's used by others.

Was it over just like that?

Others wore expressions of confusion. Uchiha Ryo seemed way too weak—Akaba hadn't even finished forming a single hand seal before he'd already lost.

"Actually, my clone said one thing right: The Ninja World needs peace, not conflict."

Akaba handed him the manga and poster, trying not to yawn as he did so.

Stunned into silence, Ryo grabbed the manga and poster, gave a slight nod of thanks, and walked away without another word.

He had lost.

From the very beginning, Akaba had completed the illusionary technique, while he hadn't detected it at all.

"When did Akaba learn Narakami no Jutsu?"

Orochimaru sounded somewhat surprised.

"Just recently."

Akaba wasn't lying. He had just completed the final panel of Chapter 6 when his list refreshed, showing an option to exchange for Narakami no Jutsu.

So he spent a few points on it—made things easier for himself.

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