Prologue to Volume 3

Years passed by, and Shiori and Naruto have turned 12, close to graduating.

Many things have changed in these years.

Konoha's market place has transformed. Uzumaki Park has expanded, and Uzumaki Mall has opened beside it.

The number of tourists has increased by five times before the opening of the Uzumaki Park, and the tax collected by Konoha from commercial activity is increasing year by year.

Jump! has emerged as the new publishing company, almost creating monopoly over all kinds of stories.

Pokemon, Mob Psycho, Snake's Nest, Shin-chan, and even the famous Tales of a Gutsy Ninja and Icha-Icha's manga adaptations are under the Jump label.

Banners all around the Land of Fire, depicting Sasuke, Hinata, Ino and Sakura in all age aspects wearing the 'Kool' branded clothes has become a trend.

Asuma was blushing as he saw Kurenai's banner wearing a party dress displayed over the 15 floor mall.

But grumbled as he saw Kakashi's banner beside hers.

Shiori has rejected him being a model for her clothing brand. Moreover, she chased him off from her office, because smoking is banned in her territories.

Speaking of territories, almost half of the Uchiha clan compound has been taken over by Shiori, where her palace stands instead of the one or two floored houses.

Hiruzen sighed as he threw away another complaint letter from the Civilian Council to ban Shiori's activities that is harming their business. Well, she hasn't broken any laws of Land of Fire and Konoha. And once she graduates from the Academy, she will officially become an adult and become a part of the civilian council.

Hiruzen will be relieved when she gains influence in it so that the council stops interfering in the academy and other financial matters of Konoha.

Back at the Uzumaki Palace at the outskirts of the village, where Uchiha clan compound was, Shiori was relaxing by the pool, while Naruto was performing pushups on the water, and catching his sweat so that it doesn't get into the pool.

"1,998!"

"1,999!"

"2,000!"

Naruto finally finished his morning workout, and received his daily kiss from Shiori.

"Now go and take bath. It will be time for academy soon."

Naruto nodded and left for the bathroom, while Shiori analysed her gauntlets, smirking.

'These are going to sell for a lot.'

In the years, Naruto has grown a lot stronger.

He has good chakra control, to be even able to do pushups on a hot spring without any ripples. His physical condition and taijutsu is obviously top-notch.

And, he can already do Rasengan with one hand. And has already learnt Wind style chakra transformation.

While he isn't a genius at fuinjutsu, he is really good at using the seals that Shiori makes. Well, he himself will probably come close to Jiraiya in fuinjutsu, not like Minato and Kushina.

As for Shiori, she has gradually been surpassed by Sakura and Karin in taijutsu. She can't really use chakra anyway, but her most important ability is money and fuinjutsu.

She even managed to create a way for her to use some ninjutsu, and even summon Naruto to herself. These gauntlets are her greatest creation.

Well, Naruto needs to provide the ninjutsu, and Shiori just releases it.

Her kenjutsu level can't really be determined right now though, unless she gets a Jonin-sensei who is good with it. But she doesn't believe that just swinging her sword and trying to slash at Guy-sensei would do any good.

And she was defeated by Tenten in kenjutsu easily enough, but she can't really compare herself with a weapons master.

After sunbathing for a bit, she changed from her swimsuit to her normal ninja clothes, and grinned to herself as she saw herself in the mirror.

Even though she is just 12, her curves are more than her flat twig self in her past life. Judging by her size, she wouldn't be any inferior to Hinata in the future.

She sat on the dining table with Naruto and Karin, and Karin's Shadow Clone brought the breakfast.

"What do you think our teams will be?"

If the team selection goes the same way as canon, Ino-Shika-Cho will not be any different.

But since Naruto is at the second, because of theory exams, Sasuke is at first, because the maximum marks on taijutsu and ninjutsu can't be more than 100, there isn't really anything that Shiori can be sure of.

But, it goes without saying that both Naruto and Sasuke will be under Kakashi, because of his Sharingan.

"Well, I will retire from being a ninja after becoming a Chunin."

Naruto and Karin nodded at that though.

Not being able to use Chakra is a huge disadvantage. Unlike Guy-sensei and Lee, I can't even strengthen my body with chakra.

It's not like they can't use chakra. They can't use ninjutsu. They can't easily release chakra out of their body. Even learning to walk on water was very difficult for them.

But me? I can't use chakra at all, unless Tsunade comes and does something about it. Most of the fuinjutsu I created needs to be activated by Naruto or by my blood or spit.

Anyway, after eating, we left for the Academy.

"Good morning Shiori-sama!"

Many kids and people greeted me along the way.

Afterall, I have provided jobs to the kids who couldn't pass the Academy.

I h*ld h*nds with Naruto and entered the class, and sat at our usual place.

Sakura was playing Shogi with Shikamaru, Chouji was eating chips, Ino was looking at the fashion magazine of 'Kool', Kiba stayed away from me because I hate dogs, and Sasuke was sitting beside Hinata.

Hinata has started admiring Sasuke's perseverance, and Sasuke had to take her on dates occassionally according to the contract he signed with me.

After Izumi disappeared, he started challenging Naruto more and more, even at the cost of selling half of the Uchiha compound to me.

That land has no value, because no one wants to live where the entire Uchiha clan was massacred.

Well, he is probably doing fine with the constant therapy.

Anyway, Iruka-sensei arrived in the class, and started announcing the teams.

"Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Hinata Hyuga, Sasuke Uchiha under Kakashi Hatake."

Hmm... okay. I just need to warn Hinata one last time.

"Team 8: Shino Aburame, Sakura Haruno, Kiba Inuzuka under Kurenai Yuhi."

Well, it's better for Sakura.

"Team 10: Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka and Chouji Akimichi under Asuma Sarutobi."

As expected.

"Team 14: Sai, Karin Uzumaki, Shiori under Yugao Uzuki."

Hmm. Well...

That's good.