Naruto: Naraku Grows Stronger as a Beautiful, Tragic Side Character

Chapter 8: Chapter 8 The first wave of popularity; being sent to the hospital

There was no more information worth noting below that, so Naraku exited the discussion thread and continued scrolling.

”The Officials Are Too Good, It’s a Traditional Art!”

1L (OP): These two screenshots of a hero saving the beauty can be used as desktop wallpapers. You can tell it’s the Old Thief’s original art.

[Image], [Image].

2L: I have to say, the traditional art of ”Hokage” is truly top-tier. In the first part, Hashirama and Madara—if one of them had been a woman, the world would’ve been at peace a long time ago. In the second part, Hiruzen and Danzo, Jiraiya and Orochimaru... I watched the first three episodes and thought this time it would finally be a pure romance between Minato and Kushina, but then they pulled this stunt again.

3L: Can’t get enough, absolutely can’t get enough (shoveling it in).

4L: All the main characters are handsome men and beautiful women. I’m looking forward to seeing what Kakashi and Naraku look like when they grow up.

5L: Are you kidding? How could an Uchiha not be good-looking?

6L: Go check out Mackerel-sensei’s update, she’s already gone all out!

... 11L: And these few, [Image], [Image], [Image]. I love seeing little boys cry, hehehe, come to Auntie’s arms.

12L: The above is a pure pervert, confirmed. Thanks, I’ll take the pictures. jpg

13L: Both the above and the one above are pure perverts, confirmed...

22L: Kakashi will definitely become Naraku’s salvation, right QAQ

23L: Absolutely. Otherwise, why would the animators arrange them like this?

24L: I feel like Naraku becoming a yandere later on would be pretty exciting. Something like, ”Kakashi is mine alone,” ”I can do anything for you,” ”All I want is you.”

25L: Are there any great writers out there to write fanfics? Isn’t this exciting?

... ”A Quick Sketch of Kakashi and Naraku When They Grow Up”

1L (OP): [Image].

2L: Mackerel-sensei, you are my god!

3L: This face, this waist, these legs, awsl.

... 9L: Old Thief, did you see this? Draw it like this from now on!

10L: Hokage is amazing with you!

... Naraku clicked on the image and was first amazed by the solid drawing skills. The entire drawing was dynamic and full of tension. The grown-up Kakashi and he seemed to float in the air, effortlessly and naturally. Their posture and gazes were slightly intimate, but nothing excessive.

Young Kakashi looked almost identical to his original counterpart, to the point where most girls in the Ninja World would blush at a glance. As for himself, he bore some resemblance to Uchiha Izuna in his youth, likely inferred from his younger appearance. To avoid looking too childish, the artist had specifically worked on his eyes, making his expression much sharper. His hair, unlike other Uchiha, was very smooth, probably to hint at a more gentle personality.

Silently thanking the artist for her meticulous effort, Naraku saved the image to the system before contentedly exiting the network.

”System, how many popularity points do I have now?”

[Your popularity points are currently 2716.]

”Open the store.”

The system store offered a wide variety of items, including various Ninjutsu, elemental Ninjutsu, Bloodline Limits, and even items from other worlds. Naraku even saw ”Unlock One-Tomoe Sharingan,” valued at 5000 points.

It had only been a little over two hours since episodes five and six aired. His popularity should continue to rise, so reaching 5000 shouldn’t be a problem.

Because the Sharingan could only be activated when an Uchiha Clan member experienced strong emotional stimulation, Naraku, as a transmigrator and anime actor, found it difficult to meet the conditions. He could only purchase the unlock ability and, at an appropriate time, make it seem as if he activated it due to stimulation.

Given his current situation, acquiring other abilities would be too abrupt. The One-Tomoe was more suitable; it required less investment and offered quick returns, significantly enhancing his strength.

Moreover, he could also use the timing of his Sharingan activation to earn another wave of popularity, killing two birds with one stone.

”Very good. Next, I’ll skip class and rest at home for a day. After all, given my condition...”

... Kakashi kept glancing at Naraku’s usual seat, which remained empty. His anxiety grew stronger and stronger.

That guy hasn’t been here all day. Is he okay?

Images of Naraku covered in wounds, and that fragility so unlike an Uchiha, flashed repeatedly before his eyes. He was practically restless.

The second class was throwing practice. Kakashi couldn’t hold back any longer. After Uchiha Obito failed his throwing test yet again, he quietly scoffed, ”dead last.” Obito, as expected, fell for it and threatened to beat him to a pulp.

”Don’t get cocky, Kakashi! If you’re so good, let’s have a match!”

Obito glanced at Rin nearby, who was looking in his direction because of his voice, and thus wanted to perform even better.

”Forget it, dead last. Come challenge me when you have half of Uchiha Naraku’s strength.”

Kakashi, uncharacteristically, provoked him. When Obito was about to jump up again, he casually asked the question that was bothering him the most: ”Why isn’t Uchiha Naraku here?”

”Huh? I don’t know.”

Obito, whose topic had been diverted, didn’t react immediately. He instinctively answered honestly, even scratching his head in some embarrassment, explaining, ”That guy is very reclusive; I’m not familiar with him. Do you need him for something?”

Not only did Obito fail to provide information, but he also curiously pressed Kakashi on why he was asking, which made Kakashi even more annoyed. He brushed him off with a few perfunctory remarks and ignored him.

As soon as school was finally dismissed, Kakashi hurriedly left for the Uchiha Clan Compound. But after only a few steps, he remembered that he had no idea where Naraku’s house was. Moreover, it was difficult for outsiders to enter the Uchiha Clan Compound, let alone inquire about someone’s address inside.

As he scratched his head, he spotted his homeroom teacher, Hoshino Akira, walking along the street. Her direction seemed to be towards the Uchiha Clan Compound as well.

”Teacher Hoshino.”

Kakashi quickly caught up, uncharacteristically approaching his teacher to greet him.

Hoshino Akira didn’t expect to run into Kakashi and replied with slight surprise, ”Oh, Kakashi? What are you doing here? I thought your house wasn’t in this direction.”

”Teacher, what are you going that way for?”

”It’s nothing major. Uchiha Naraku didn’t come to school all day and didn’t ask for leave, so I wanted to check on his situation.”

Hoshino Akira smiled apologetically, not minding that Kakashi hadn’t answered his question, and enthusiastically invited, ”Perfect, Kakashi. If you’re not busy, come along. You’re classmates, after all.”

”Okay.”

He was more than happy to catch this ride with a legitimate reason.

With Hoshino Akira leading the way, Kakashi smoothly entered the Uchiha Clan Compound without any difficulty.

A Ninja Academy homeroom teacher visiting a student—even the Uchiha wouldn’t intentionally obstruct that.

The two quickly arrived at Uchiha Shinji’s doorstep. Hoshino Akira called out twice with no response. With a gentle push, the door actually opened.

”Excuse me, Mr. Uchiha Shinji!”

Hoshino Akira carefully stepped inside, explaining as he made his way into the dim living room, ”I’m Hoshino from the Ninja Academy. Are you home, sir?”

It was quiet all around, as if no one was home.

Kakashi also followed into the hallway, glanced into the living room, and noticed a few strands of long black hair hidden in the corner.

He reached out and turned on the living room light. There, in the corner, was Naraku, who had been unconscious for a long time. His hair was disheveled, his body had many scattered bloodstains, his bandages were in disarray, and new injuries covered old ones, making him look much worse than when he had helped bandage him yesterday.

”Hey!”

Kakashi rushed over to help him up, and finding that he was still breathing, he subconsciously let out a sigh of relief. But then he saw the dense, shocking wounds on his hands.

”How could this happen?”

Hoshino Akira was both shocked and heartbroken. He quickly examined Naraku’s injuries.

”No, he must go to the Hospital for treatment!”

Carrying his unconscious student, Hoshino Akira rushed out the door, even forgetting that this was the Uchiha Clan Compound. He ran at the fastest speed of his life towards Konoha Hospital.

It was also fortunate that Shinji’s house was in a more outer part of the Clan Compound, where the neighbors were mostly ordinary Clan Member. Otherwise, he might have been apprehended by the Uchiha Clan before he could even get out.