Oliver held the first completed copies of Clarke Kent in his hands. After months of work, long nights, and more ink stains than he cared to admit, the first true manga of this world was ready.
Now came the hard part—getting people to read it.
Naruto, theWalkingAdvertisement
"HEY, EVERYONE! READ THIS! IT'S AWESOME!"
Oliver rubbed his temples as Naruto ran through the village, waving a copy of the manga over his head like a lunatic. This was not how Oliver planned to introduce his work to the world.
People turned to stare. Some laughed. Some ignored him.
A few curious civilians actually took the manga from Naruto's hands, flipping through the pages.
A boy around seven years old tugged at his mother's sleeve. "Mom, can I get this?"
The woman glanced at it. "A storybook? But it's all in black and white?"
Naruto leaned in. "Yeah, but trust me, lady—IT'S AMAZING!"
The woman hesitated, then shrugged. "Alright."
Oliver exhaled. One copy sold.
It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Word Spreads
Over the next few days, more and more people started noticing the strange new books. The idea of an illustrated story wasn't completely unheard of, but the way manga focused on dynamic action, emotions, and unique paneling was new.
Some genin picked it up out of curiosity.
Some chunin read it in their free time.
And then, the kids got their hands on it.
And that's when things exploded.
"I wanna be like Clarke Kent when I grow up!"
"The way he dodged that attack—so cool!"
"I bet he could take on a real ninja!"
Shikamaru smirked when he overheard the conversations. "Looks like you've started something big, Oliver."
Oliver crossed his arms. "I just told a story. They're the ones who decided to love it."
Tenten grinned. "Told you it was gonna work."
Unexpected attention
Oliver sat in his small apartment, nervously. The word had spread, and now it was time to see how the villagers would react to his work. But he knew this wasn't just about what they thought—it was about what others might fear.
Naruto was the first to bring in feedback, his usual enthusiasm barely contained. "Oliver! Everyone loved it! I mean, really loved it. Even Sasuke said the fight scenes were intense."
Oliver smirked, his nervousness easing slightly. "Sasuke said that?"
"Yeah! He said it was 'efficient'," Naruto said, trying to sound serious but breaking into a grin. "I think that's Sasuke for 'awesome'."
Ino had also shared some positive feedback. "The characters are so… relatable. It's like we're watching them grow up. Like Clarke Kent, he's not perfect, but he's trying so hard to be a hero. People can connect with that."
Oliver smiled, appreciating the praise, but he knew the true test was still to come—the more established members of the village.
Danzo's Warning to Hiruzen
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, there was a growing concern.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, looking over reports, when Danzo Shimura entered, his usual stern face devoid of any warmth.
"Hiruzen," Danzo began, his voice low, "there's something you need to know."
Hiruzen glanced up from his work. "What is it, Danzo?"
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "There are whispers in the village. I've seen the books that Oliver Queen has been distributing. These… manga books." He scoffed. "This is dangerous, Hiruzen. You know how the villagers react to new ideas. Especially one like this."
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. "Manga, Danzo? It's simply a form of entertainment. A creative outlet."
Danzo shook his head, his fingers tapping his cane with agitation. "Entertainment? No. It's more than that. People will start questioning things. The stories, the artwork, they could begin to influence young minds. What if these characters make them question their loyalty? Their role as shinobi?"
Hiruzen let out a soft sigh, clearly understanding the concern but dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "You always assume the worst, Danzo. People are capable of much more than mindless influence. Oliver's intentions are innocent, and his book brings people together. It's harmless fun."
Danzo's expression darkened. "Fun? You've seen how young people behave when they latch onto new ideas. If this takes off, it could inspire more rebellion—perhaps even against the Will of Fire itself. You know how easily things can spiral out of control."
Hiruzen leaned forward, his gaze hardening. "I will not punish creativity. I trust my people to think for themselves. You have your Root, Danzo, but I do not live in fear of ideas."
Danzo stood in silence for a moment, his gaze unwavering. "I only hope you're not being blinded by your own nostalgia, Hokage-sama. The village cannot afford another disaster. You would be wise to keep an eye on Oliver Queen."
Hiruzen's expression softened, but his tone remained firm. "I will, Danzo. But this is not your decision to make."
Danzo turned to leave but paused at the door, his voice cold. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
Oliver's Next Move
Back at his apartment, Oliver sat down to review the first batch of reader feedback. He had already seen the reactions from Naruto, Ino, and Shikamaru—positive, yet there was always that nagging feeling in the back of his mind.
But then a knock at his door interrupted his thoughts.
When he opened it, he found Kakashi Hatake standing there, his hands tucked casually into his pockets.
"Kakashi-sensei," Oliver greeted him with a respectful nod.
"Oliver," Kakashi said with a grin. "I hear you've made quite an impact with that… manga of yours."
Oliver shrugged. "It's nothing too serious. Just a little fun."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Is it? I've seen some of the copies floating around. And I'm sure I'm not the only one. Just remember—ideas are powerful things. And sometimes, they can have consequences."
Oliver blinked, understanding Kakashi's implication. "I know. I'll be careful."
Kakashi chuckled softly. "Good. Just… keep in mind that not everyone sees things as you do. Be mindful of the reactions. There's always someone who will feel threatened by something new."
As Kakashi turned to leave, Oliver felt a knot tighten in his chest. He had always known there would be resistance—the establishment had a way of pushing back against new ideas. But he hadn't expected Danzo to take notice.
For now, though, Oliver pushed those thoughts aside. He had a story to finish, and the world was listening.