14 Chapter 14
"Is this a story based on yourself, Naruto?" Ayame asked with a narrow smile on his face.
"No, it's just a coincidence that the names are similar!" Naruto waved his hands repeatedly, trying to dismiss any connection.
However, Naruto couldn't help but feel anxious as he remembered the contents written inside. He pleaded with Ayame and the others, "Please, I beg you, don't read what's inside, not yet at least..."
Observing Naruto's embarrassed expression, Ayame lightly slapped his hands and said with a smile, "Alright, alright, I won't peek. Let's eat our noodles quickly; they won't taste as good when they get cold."
Ayame discreetly retreated to the back kitchen, pretending not to hear anything.
But Naruto's expression piqued her curiosity, and she couldn't resist the urge to read it first.
"Ayame!"
Naruto glanced in the direction of the back kitchen, sensing the impending teasing that awaited him.
To ward off any further embarrassment, he decided to channel his grief and anger into his appetite, devouring the ramen.
"Slow down, kid. What if you choke?" Teuchi cautioned, surprised by Naruto's ravenous eating habits, similar to a starving ghost reincarnated.
Worried about Naruto's well-being, Teuchi quickly filled a bowl with pork bone soup and handed it to him, fearing that he might choke.
Ten minutes later, Naruto had completely devoured a large bowl of ramen, including the noodles and soup. Ayame, who had escaped to the back kitchen, emerged with a flushed face.
The 20,000-word, ten-chapter content had been read within a span of ten minutes.
"So, Ayame, do you think Naruto's writing will be well-received by the publishing house?" Teuchi asked, realizing that he had missed something important.
Ayame blushed, her face still flushed from the heat of the kitchen stoves, and replied with a shy voice, "Well, it's not bad. It's actually quite good."
She stole a timid glance at Naruto, her voice trailing off. "I just didn't expect Naruto to be capable of writing this kind of novel. No wonder he frequents the women's bathhouse and reads magazines in bookstores..."
Ayame, though being a female, found Naruto's plot highly intriguing, appreciating his experiences as a regular visitor to the women's bathhouse and a favorite of the little emperor's uncle in the bookstore.
"Sneak into the women's bathhouse? Read risqué magazines?" He questioned, puzzled about the connection between Naruto's novel and his personal habits.
Doubt clouded his face, but before Ayame could respond, Naruto decisively interrupted, "Ayame, please stop. Let's hurry; if I don't finish the draft on time, I'll have to rush to complete it this afternoon!"
Ayame felt Naruto's words were valid and refrained from further discussion. Removing the white apron and headscarf, she left the shop.
"After you finish writing, remember to show it to me for review. I can also help you spot any typos," Ayame chimed in, her heart already captivated by the 20,000-word content. Naruto had gained his first avid fan.
"I promise you'll be the first to see it, Ayame!" Naruto assured her.
With Naruto's consent, Ayame set off contentedly toward another street.
Shueisha Co., Ltd.
Naruto didn't have to wait long before witnessing Acorus emerge with a man sporting a flattering smile on his face.
"Here he is, the one who wrote the novel, the one you referred to as a monster," Ayame introduced to Naruto.
"What monster? Don't talk nonsense! I never said that!" Hirohiko retorted, his confusion evident.
The man's flattering smile remained unchanged as he approached Naruto eagerly. "You must be Uzumaki Naruto, the author who wrote the novel called 'Ah Ming.' It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Hirohiko Kishimoto, your editor. It's an honor to work with you."
As an experienced editor, Kishimoto believed that this young man, Ah Ming, had the potential to rival the popular "Icha Icha Paradise."
Naruto being called a monster held no weight, even if he was a monster it did not matter!
"Hello, Mr. Kishimoto," Naruto greeted him, still taken aback by the sudden encounter.
"So, is my manuscript accepted?" Naruto inquired eagerly.
Kishimoto nodded, bowing respectfully before Naruto. "Yes, Sir, your work is exceptional. Let's go inside and sign the contract."
Guiding Naruto into the building, Kishimoto couldn't help but shower him with more praise. "It's a great honor for you to choose our publishing house. I assure you that we will promote your book wholeheartedly. It is bound to become a sensational hit, even surpassing 'Icha Icha Paradise.'"
Hearing such flattery, Naruto couldn't help but feel a surge of elation. Even Kaze, in the consciousness space, received a message from the system.
[Major personality trust dependency value: 40%]
...
After signing the contract with Shueisha and expressing his gratitude to Ayame, Naruto hurried back home.
He spread the prepared paper and pens on the table, ready for the next step.
Naruto called out to Kaze within his mind, seeking his guidance. "Kaze, the manuscript is sent. The 20,000 words will be serialized in the magazine first. Once it reaches 100,000 words, the publishing house will print a booklet for sale. Now, let's continue writing the rest of the story!"
Having relished Kishimoto's flattery, Naruto's eagerness to write and publish his work had intensified. Unfortunately, he couldn't do it alone; he relied on Kaze's assistance.
"I've seen the process, so there's no need to repeat it," Kaze responded calmly. "However, we need to discuss the income distribution among us."
"Income?" Naruto was puzzled. "Can't we just share the money we earn?"
Kaze's voice turned cold as he sneered, "I wrote the words and conceived the plot. You merely lend me your body. Do you think it's fair for us to split it equally?"
Naruto couldn't deny the truth in Kaze's words. Feeling discouraged, he asked, "Alright, then how should we divide it?"
"Ninety percent for me, and ten percent for you," Kaze declared. "Ten percent is enough for you to fulfill your dream of free ramen, while the remaining ninety percent has no use for you."
"What? I only get ten percent?" Naruto's head drooped, and he lamented, "You don't even come out often. Why do you need so much money?"
Kaze's cold voice remained unwavering. "You don't need to concern yourself with that. Just say whether you agree or disagree."
Seeing Kaze's determination, Naruto reluctantly agreed. "Fine, I agree. You have the final say."
He added with a hint of resignation, "As long as I have free ramen, I don't really know how to spend too much money anyway."
[Major personality trust dependency value: 38%]
The 2% drop in the falsely inflated trust value didn't bother Kaze. Until it reached 80%, Naruto knew it was all just a castle in the air, so he didn't pay much attention to it.
"Leave your body, and I'll finish writing the remaining 80,000 words in one afternoon," Kaze commanded.
With his elite Jonin physical fitness, Kaze could write 7-8 characters per second.
Combined with the time needed for conception, one afternoon was sufficient.
"Okay!" Naruto surrendered control of his body, and the sound of a pencil scratching against paper filled the room.
Hours flew by, and as the evening approached, Kaze finished writing the last word and returned control of Naruto's body.
After spending the entire afternoon writing, Naruto felt a bit exhausted. "Already done so soon? I wasn't done reading it..."
Kaze ignored Naruto's unsatisfied expression and closed his eyes, entering a state of meditation within the consciousness space.
Naruto, clutching the stack of manuscripts, left his home and headed towards Ichiraku Ramen. He planned to have dinner there and show the manuscript to Ayame, as promised earlier.
...
The next day, Naruto woke up naturally and made his way to the Hokage Building.
Although he had already passed the graduation exam and obtained his ninja headband, he still needed to take official pictures and complete the registration process to become an official shinobi of Konoha Village.
Today was the only day allotted for registration and photo-taking, and the place was bustling with people.
Despite the crowds, Naruto took his time to paint a large painted face of himself, just as he did in the original story. He considered it an art form for taking pictures.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen reprimanded him for his painted face and asked him to retake the photo.
Soon after, Konohamaru appeared and began pestering Naruto, much like the events from the original story.
Naruto taught Konohamaru the Sexy Jutsu and ninja techniques, forging a bond between them.
***
After this chapter updates will be at 8 AM EST (Eastern Standard Time)
Probably an extra chapter today since we're very close to 100 Power Stones.
Power Stone goals for Extra Chapters-
100 PS- 1 Extra Chapter.
300 PS- 2 Extra Chapter.
500 PS- 3 Extra Chapters.
Bonus- 2000 Power stones in a week and two chapters every day for the corresponding week
*******
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