Chapter 42: Chapter 42: I'm Asking You If You Want to Become Stronger
Naruto spotted Sasuke and ran up to him with a big grin on his face. His sudden enthusiasm immediately set off alarms in Sasuke's mind. This wasn't like Naruto at all. He was usually more reserved about showing such interest, especially in him.
"Sasuke! Why didn't you show up to the gathering today?" Naruto asked, though he already knew the answer.
Sasuke looked uncomfortable. He couldn't possibly admit that he had spent the entire night spying on Naruto from the trees outside his home. Instead, he tried to deflect: "I wasn't feeling up to it."
Naruto smirked knowingly but decided not to push. "Fair enough. But let's cut to the chase—do you want to become stronger?" he asked, his tone suddenly serious.
Sasuke hesitated. There was something odd about Naruto's demeanor. Was this another one of his tricks? His mind flashed back to the time Naruto had somehow convinced him to wear a dress. Sasuke tensed. "Naruto, I… I like girls," he said awkwardly.
Naruto blinked in confusion. "Huh? What does that have to do with anything?"
Sasuke shifted uncomfortably. "If you're asking me to—"
"No!" Naruto interrupted, finally understanding where Sasuke's mind had gone. "I'm not interested in you like that, you idiot! I'm asking if you want to get stronger!" His frustration was evident as he glared at Sasuke, waiting for a proper answer.
After a moment's pause, Sasuke sighed. "Of course, I do. That's all I've ever wanted."
"Good," Naruto said with a grin. "I have a plan."
---
Naruto laid out his idea with the precision of someone who had been scheming for days. He explained how Sasuke's good looks could be monetized by turning him into a heartthrob idol. Pictures of Sasuke would sell like hotcakes among the girls in the village—and possibly beyond. With the money they'd earn, Naruto could fund his projects and even provide Sasuke with advanced training.
Sasuke frowned. "You're serious about this?"
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Dead serious. Think about it. With your looks, you'll have fans from every corner of the ninja world—widows, mistresses, little girls, even—"
"Stop!" Sasuke interrupted, his face turning red. "Fine, I'll do it, but only if you promise to train me properly."
"Done!" Naruto said, sealing the deal with a firm handshake. "We'll start tomorrow. Make sure you're well-rested. No dark circles under your eyes, got it?"
Sasuke nodded reluctantly, not fully realizing the implications of what he had just agreed to. Little did he know, these photos would not only circulate throughout Konoha but would eventually find their way into the hands of his estranged brother, Uchiha Itachi, and even the Akatsuki. Sasuke's future reputation as a powerful shinobi would be overshadowed by his new title: The Guy in Those Photos.
---
Meanwhile, Haruno Sakura was working hard on her end of the plan—gathering intel on Sasuke's potential fanbase. Her first stop was Ino's flower shop.
"Ino, I need your help," Sakura began hesitantly.
Ino crossed her arms and gave Sakura a skeptical look. "What do you want now?"
"I'm gathering customers for a… project involving Sasuke," Sakura said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Sasuke?" Ino raised an eyebrow. "I've moved on from him, you know. I'm all about Naruto these days."
Sakura felt a pang of frustration but managed to keep her composure. "I know, I know. But this isn't about you—it's business. Think of it as a way to earn some extra cash."
Ino thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. I'll help you, but don't think this means I'm switching back to being a Sasuke fan."
---
Together, Sakura and Ino visited various classmates, pitching the idea of owning exclusive photos of Sasuke. Some were skeptical, but others were intrigued. The two girls worked tirelessly, using their charm and persistence to build a list of potential customers.
By nightfall, they had gathered enough interest to feel confident in their plan. "Seven customers so far," Sakura said as she reviewed their notes. "Not bad for a start. Once they start showing off their photos, word will spread like wildfire."
Ino nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and once parents catch wind of it, they'll want to buy photos for their kids too. It's a goldmine!"
Sakura and Ino exchanged excited looks, feeling more optimistic than ever.
---
Back at the Uchiha compound, Naruto was putting the finishing touches on his plans with Sasuke.
"Alright, everything's set. I'll handle the photoshoot tomorrow, and Sakura will take care of sales. You just focus on looking good and staying in shape," Naruto said.
Sasuke rolled his eyes but didn't argue. As much as he hated to admit it, he trusted Naruto's judgment.
As Naruto left, he called back over his shoulder, "Remember, this is just the beginning. Stick with me, and you'll be stronger than ever."
Sasuke watched him go, a mix of doubt and determination swirling in his mind. For better or worse, he had thrown his lot in with Naruto.
---
The Day of the Photoshoot
The next morning, Sasuke stood awkwardly in front of the camera, dressed in a simple but stylish outfit that Naruto had picked out. Naruto fussed over the lighting and angles, muttering about how important it was to capture Sasuke's "best side."
"Can we just get this over with?" Sasuke grumbled.
"Relax," Naruto said. "This is for your future, remember? Now strike a pose!"
As Sasuke reluctantly followed Naruto's instructions, he couldn't help but wonder how he had ended up in this situation. But deep down, he trusted Naruto's vision. If this ridiculous photoshoot could somehow make him stronger, it would all be worth it.
---
Market Launch
With the photos ready, Sakura and Ino began selling them around the village. The response was overwhelming. Girls swooned over Sasuke's brooding expression and perfectly styled hair, while boys reluctantly admitted that he looked cool.
Even some adults took an interest, much to Sasuke's horror. Within days, the photos became a hot commodity, and Sakura's stash of prints quickly sold out.
"This is just the beginning," Naruto said with a smirk as he counted the earnings. "With this kind of success, we'll be unstoppable."
Sakura nodded eagerly. "I think we should expand. Maybe include some action shots or even a calendar."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Now you're thinking like a businesswoman! Let's keep this momentum going."
---
As the operation grew, Sasuke found himself becoming an unlikely celebrity. Despite his initial reluctance, he couldn't deny that Naruto's plan was working. The income from the photos funded his training, and Naruto's guidance helped him grow stronger with each passing day.
In the end, Sasuke realized that sometimes, success required stepping out of his comfort zone—and trusting the people who believed in him.
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