Oliver leaned against the windowsill in his small apartment, gazing out at the Hidden Leaf Village. His mind was still racing from his meeting with the Hokage. He understood why Sarutobi had rejected his book idea—the Will of Fire was the cornerstone of Konoha's unity and strength. But it also meant Oliver's practical guide to survival would never see the light of day in the village unless it aligned with their agenda.
But that didn't mean he was going to give up.
A thought had been simmering in the back of his mind for days, one that seemed ridiculous at first but now appeared more and more like a potential solution.
What if he could write his survival guide as a manga?
Manga. A simple, straightforward comic book.
Oliver smiled at the thought. He had always enjoyed sketching in his old life. Drawing was something he had done since he was young, even before he'd started archery. A skill he had honed over the years, but mostly as a hobby.
Now, it seemed that hobby could become his outlet for all the knowledge he had accumulated about being a ninja. He could write a manga—a story about a skilled young ninja who faced battles and missions, learning from each one, growing stronger and smarter. He could incorporate real-world survival tactics and ninja techniques, disguising them in fictional scenarios.
The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. He could use his experience, his knowledge, and his creativity to reach others while avoiding the Hokage's censorship. The Hokage would never approve of a practical survival guide, but a manga? That was another matter.
There was one problem, though: Manga didn't exist in the Naruto world.
As far as Oliver knew, there was no comic book culture in the ninja world. No manga. No graphic novels.
He would be starting something entirely new.
He couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it. He was about to introduce an entire medium to a world that had never seen anything like it. In fact, he wasn't even sure how people would react to the concept of comics.
Oliver thought about it for a moment. He was going to have to explain what manga was if he wanted anyone to understand. How would he do that?
He grabbed a piece of parchment and a pen, jotting down a quick explanation.
"Manga is a form of storytelling that uses pictures and words together to tell a story," he wrote. "It's like a book, but it's drawn out, with artwork and dialogue combined. The pages are usually divided into panels, and the characters move across the page in sequence, almost like a moving picture, but all still. Each page tells part of the story. It's an easy way to teach, entertain, and even inspire."
Oliver frowned as he read it over. It sounded a bit strange, but he was sure that once they saw it in action, people would understand. After all, manga had captivated millions on Earth. There had to be a way to make it work here too.
The real challenge would be turning it into something people would want to read. But then again, Oliver had learned a lot about storytelling from his time in the Naruto world, and his experiences with people like Naruto, Lee, and Tenten had shown him the power of inspiring others. Maybe a comic was exactly what they needed—something to not only entertain but to teach them how to survive the ninja world without losing themselves in the process.
What he didn't expect, though, was how much he had been shaped by his past life on Earth—all the manga, comics, and stories he had devoured over the years. The Marvel Universe had been particularly influential. Characters like Spider-Man, Wolverine, Iron Man, and Captain America had shaped his view of what it meant to be a hero. They were flawed, relatable, and deeply human—even in their extraordinary powers.
He also remembered the great manga authors of his time—the stories of Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Attack on Titan, and more. They had captivated him with their rich worlds, complex characters, and gripping plots. Those stories had taught him not just how to write—but how to create something that could inspire.
And now, with his skills in the ninja world, Oliver saw how he could blend all those elements into his own story. He could draw inspiration from the vast collection of superhero comics and manga he had consumed. Like the way the Marvel Universe had created a shared world with its interconnected heroes, Oliver could do something similar, weaving a network of characters—each with their own unique skills and struggles. These characters wouldn't just be ninjas—they would be symbols of strength, survival, and sacrifice, each embodying their own lesson about overcoming obstacles and facing down the impossible.
Oliver's head swam with ideas for different arcs, powers, and characters. What if the protagonist wasn't just an ordinary ninja? What if they started out as weak, just like Naruto—until they encountered a powerful mentor, or maybe a tragic failure that pushed them to grow? The lessons would be layered in, slowly revealing the truths about being a ninja. The mentor figure would be wise, like Jiraiya—someone who had lived through hardships and learned to grow. The villains, however, would be much more complex. Not evil for the sake of being evil, but driven by personal pain, much like the characters he had read about in stories like Death Note or Attack on Titan.
He grabbed a notebook and started sketching out ideas. A young, talented ninja who learns the hard way that relying on strength alone won't keep him alive. Someone who has to become smarter, more resourceful. Someone who could channel the energy of fire, wind, and thunder, much like Oliver himself. These elements would serve as metaphors for the character's personal growth—learning to control their destructive power, adapting to their surroundings, and ultimately finding balance.
As he scribbled down ideas, a plan started to form in his mind.
The story would be about a ninja on a journey. Each chapter would present a new lesson, a new technique to master. He could write the survival guide as part of the narrative itself, weaving in tips and techniques naturally within the story. The character would struggle, fail, and succeed, just like any real-life ninja—highlighting the importance of adaptability, strategy, and learning from failure.
The more Oliver thought about it, the more excited he became.
He would write this manga, and he would get it published, no matter what. Even if it meant going underground or working with a different publisher outside the Hokage's reach. He knew there was an audience for this kind of work, especially in a village full of young ninjas just starting out.
But first things first: He needed to figure out how to turn his ideas into a cohesive plot, create characters that felt real, and develop a unique art style that would stand out.
And there was one more thing—
He would need help.
The story of a ninja was never complete without his friends and allies. His teammates. His support system.
So, Oliver decided it was time to talk to someone about this. Tenten had always been the most practical of his friends, and she knew what it was like to be a ninja who was constantly training and looking for new ways to improve. She would understand. And maybe, just maybe, she would be the perfect person to help him get started on this project.
He grabbed his things and made his way out of his apartment, heading toward the training grounds where he knew Tenten would be working on her weapons.
Later that afternoon, Tenten was working on her training when Oliver approached her, holding the notebook where he had sketched his initial ideas for the manga.
"Hey, Tenten," he greeted, a little nervously.
She looked up, smiling as she wiped sweat off her brow. "Hey, Oliver. What's up?"
He hesitated for a moment before showing her the notebook. "I've been thinking about doing something—something a little unconventional. I want to write a manga or a comic. It's going to be about a ninja, but with real survival techniques. It's not just for entertainment. It's for teaching others how to be smarter, how to survive."
Tenten raised an eyebrow. "A manga? Like, a novel?"
Oliver nodded. "Yeah. I think it could be the perfect way to teach without getting into trouble with the Hokage. What do you think?"
Tenten looked thoughtful for a moment before her face lit up with excitement. "I love it. I think it's a great idea! I can help with the weapons and techniques part—I know a lot about different styles and weapons. And you're great at strategy and tactics. We could make it really educational and fun!"
Oliver smiled, relieved that Tenten was on board. "Thanks. I'm going to need all the help I can get. I'll write the story, but I want it to be as realistic as possible, too. It's going to take time, but I think it's worth it."
Tenten grinned. "Count me in. Let's make it happen."
As they stood there, planning out the first steps of their manga project, Oliver couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. This was a new chapter.