After the two of them left.
Uzumaki Naruto's expression returned to calm as he casually tossed the thirty thousand ryo he had just received onto the bed.
Thirty thousand ryo!?
How generous.
If he truly had such intentions, why didn't he raise Naruto's monthly living expenses? He merely wanted Naruto to sink into darkness.
Giving him thirty thousand ryo—wasn't that like being a whore while setting up a chastity arch, wanting to become the one ray of light in Naruto's life?
In terms from his previous life, this was PUA and Stockholm syndrome.
The Uzumaki Naruto from the original story had probably been like this.
After briefly cleaning up the spilled soup by the front door, Uzumaki Naruto sent his consciousness into the Sealing Space.
Passing through a sewer-like passage.
Uzumaki Naruto arrived before an enormous cage.
The fox with nine tails that blotted out the sky slowly opened its eyes, baring its fangs as a violent aura seeped forth.
Before the Nine-Tails, Uzumaki Naruto appeared exceptionally tiny, yet he showed no fear at all and said with a smile:
"Kurama, you did great. Do you like fish or mice? If I get the chance, I'll bring you some."
Kurama's face darkened. He abruptly stood up, slammed a paw against the seal, and roared, "Naruto, don't treat me like some fox! I'm a Tailed Beast, understand? A Tailed Beast!!!"
Uzumaki Naruto stroked his chin and smiled. "Don't say that. Foxes naturally eat fish and mice. Or do you prefer rabbits and snakes?"
Kurama: "..."
The Nine-Tailed Fox waved his nine massive tails and said darkly, "Naruto, once I get out, the first thing I'll do is tear that mouth of yours apart."
Uzumaki Naruto could not help bursting into laughter.
In all of Konoha, the only one who could bring him even a trace of warmth was Little Hinata.
But in Konoha, the only one who could argue and bicker with him was the Nine-Tailed Fox, who was as lonely as he was.
After quite a while.
Uzumaki Naruto sat back down in his chair, picked up his pencil, and continued writing.
Though he was unwilling.
Though he was angry.
Uzumaki Naruto rationally knew that he had no way to change any of this right now.
Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was grave as he said in a low voice, "Kakashi, what did your Sharingan see? Were there no signs that Uzumaki Naruto was awakening Adamantine Chains?"
Kakashi shook his head slightly.
"No, there were absolutely no signs of Adamantine Chains awakening."
"Adamantine Chains are a tangible Kekkei Genkai. If Uzumaki Naruto were about to awaken them, the Sharingan would definitely be able to see it. However, the Nine-Tails Chakra inside Uzumaki Naruto is quite active."
Sarutobi Hiruzen ignored Kakashi's last remark.
Uzumaki Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Wasn't active Tailed Beast Chakra perfectly normal?
"Then how do you explain Uzumaki Naruto's recent changes?"
Kakashi pondered for a moment.
"This... I think it is probably the Uzumaki clan's bloodline, just like his teacher's wife, Uzumaki Kushina."
"Although Uzumaki Naruto's hair is blond, he still has half of the Uzumaki bloodline. It is normal for him to be somewhat stronger."
Only then did Sarutobi Hiruzen finally put his mind at ease.
He also knew that Uzumaki Kushina had great strength. Uzumaki Naruto had likely inherited that half from his mother.
"Alright, you may go back first."
The next day.
Uzumaki Naruto, dark circles under his eyes and a stack of blank paper tucked under his arm, strode into a bookstore.
"Boss, this is a book I wrote. I want to publish it."
The shop owner gave Uzumaki Naruto a disgusted glance. He did not want to receive this monster whom everyone in the village despised, but professional ethics still made him pick up the papers and read them.
At first, it did not seem like much.
Then the shop owner's eyes grew wider and wider. Finally, with a Pfft, two streams of blood sprayed from his nostrils, and he was launched into the air, crashing into a ceiling beam.
The shop owner collapsed on the floor, blood continuously pouring from his nose. Yet he still clutched the papers tightly as if they were a priceless treasure, saying feverishly, "This will definitely become a huge hit. This book will definitely become a huge hit. If this doesn't become popular, then there is no justice in the world..."
"Good heavens!!!"
"How could there be such an outstanding work? It feels as though I'm right there..."
"..."
After coming back to his senses, the shop owner hurriedly wiped the blood from his nose and stared at Uzumaki Naruto with shining eyes.
"Th-this, this was written by you?"
Uzumaki Naruto nodded slightly.
The shop owner no longer cared about his disgust and seized Uzumaki Naruto's hand with excitement in his eyes.
"Uzumaki Naruto, please, you must publish this book through our publishing house."
"Our publishing house spans the entire Ninja World. Give this book to us, and we will definitely make it famous throughout the Ninja World."
Uzumaki Naruto frowned.
The shop owner had said so much, yet not one word was what he wanted to hear.
"Money!!!"
Uzumaki Naruto did not bother pretending as he calmly said, "How much will you pay me!?"
Only then did the shop owner calm down. He looked at Uzumaki Naruto with some difficulty.
"Well, this book has not been published yet, so for now there is no way to..."
Uzumaki Naruto directly reached for his stack of papers.
"Then forget it. I believe other publishing houses will definitely be interested in my work."
The shop owner was horrified. He quickly hugged the stack of papers to his chest and shouted, "One million!!!"
"I'll pay you one million in advance."
"This is my limit. If your book were not exceptionally good, there is no way I would advance you this much money."
"Even if other publishing houses paid you, they could not possibly offer as much as I can. Please, you must publish it with me."
Uzumaki Naruto revealed a faint smile.
"Fine, but keep my identity hidden."
The shop owner gave him a knowing look.
After all, it was Erotic Novels. Many authors were unwilling to reveal their real names.
"Then what will your pen name be?"
the shop owner asked.
Uzumaki Naruto thought for a moment before saying, "It'll be... Menma!"
"Yes, Menma!"
Menma, Namikaze Menma!
The shop owner naturally did not know the origin of that name, but he did not ask any unnecessary questions.
Soon,
a stack of banknotes was delivered before Uzumaki Naruto. They were currency used throughout the Land of Fire and could be exchanged anywhere.
Uzumaki Naruto carefully counted them.
"One million, exactly!"
"After improving part of my strength, I can also use some of it to buy Little Hinata gifts."
Before you continue