Naruto:Dark Return

After signing the contract with kishimoto and thanking Ayame for her help, Naruto rushed home in high spirits.

Laying the pen and paper Ichiro had prepared on the table, he called out in his mind.

"Ichiro, we did it! The publisher accepted the manuscript! The first 20,000 words are going to be serialized, and when it reaches 100,000 words, they'll print the book!"

Naruto's excitement was palpable.

"So let's get started on writing the rest!"

Ichiro's calm voice responded.

"I saw everything. We can continue, but let's discuss something first—profits."

"Profits?" Naruto blinked, confused.

"Yeah. I wrote the words, came up with the plot, and you just handed over your body. You can't expect an equal share," Ichiro reasoned.

Naruto scratched his head. "So… how do we split it?"

Ichiro's voice grew firm.

"I take 90%, you get 10%. That's enough for your ramen freedom. The rest is mine to manage."

"Only 10%?!" Naruto pouted, but when Ichiro remained silent, he sighed. "Fine, fine. But what do you even need money for?"

"You'll find out eventually," Ichiro said cryptically.

After sealing the agreement, Naruto handed control of his body over to Ichiro.

It was late afternoon when Ichiro began writing. With his sharp mind and Jōnin-level stamina, the remaining 80,000 words were completed by evening.

As the final word was written, Ichiro relinquished control back to Naruto.

"Whoa, you're done already? That's amazing!" Naruto marveled, looking at the thick stack of paper.

Without replying, Ichiro retreated into the consciousness space to rest.

Carrying the manuscript, Naruto made his way to Ichiraku Ramen to hand it over to Ayame for review, as promised.

The next morning, Naruto woke early, eager for the announcement of team assignments.

At the ninja school, he took his usual seat and noticed that most of the class was already there. His eyes immediately fell on Sasuke, whose usual arrogance had given way to a dark, brooding aura.

"Why is he so gloomy today?" Naruto muttered. "Probably just pretending to be cool again."

Hearing this, Sasuke's expression darkened further, but he didn't retaliate.

Naruto, surprised by the lack of a snarky remark, shrugged it off and began daydreaming about his future team.

"It'd be awesome if I could be with Sakura. But please, no Sasuke! If I'm with Sakura, she'll finally notice me."

His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and Sakura entered. Naruto's heart raced, but his hopes were dashed when she ignored him and went straight to Sasuke.

Naruto scowled.

"What does she see in him anyway?!"

Before he could dwell on it, Iruka entered the classroom, silencing the chatter.

Iruka began with a congratulatory speech, as was tradition.

"You've all taken the first step to becoming ninja. From now on, you'll be in teams under the guidance of a Jōnin teacher."

The class leaned in, eager to hear the team announcements.

"Team 7: Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, and Uchiha Sasuke."

Naruto's heart soared at Sakura's name but immediately plummeted when he heard Sasuke's.

"Team 8: Hyūga Hinata, Aburame Shino, and Inuzuka Kiba."

"Team 10: Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chōji, and Yamanaka Ino."

Cheers, groans, and exclamations filled the room.

Naruto leaned back in his seat, a mix of excitement and frustration.

"At least I'm with Sakura. But why Sasuke?!"

Across the room, Sasuke was silent, his fists clenched under the desk.

Hokage's Office: The Jōnin Meeting

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen reviewed the team arrangements with the assigned Jōnin.

Present were Kakashi Hatake, holding a manuscript of Young Aito; Kurenai Yūhi, her elegant outfit catching the light; and Asuma Sarutobi, exuding a casual demeanor.

"The Seventh Team will be led by Kakashi, the Eighth by Kurenai, and the Tenth by Asuma," Hiruzen said. "Do you have any objections?"

The three exchanged glances and shook their heads.

However, a voice rang out from outside the room.

"They might not have objections, but I do."

Everyone turned to see Danzo Shimura entering the room, his presence as cold and commanding as ever.

"I do not agree with Kakashi leading Team 7," Danzo said firmly.

End of Chapter.

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