A thorny path

In the Hidden Cloud Village, also known as Kumogakure, there is a man who holds the title of Dodomeki. They say that when he was born and the doctor slapped him to make him cry… he slapped him back. The doctor still goes to therapy. They say that when he fell for the first time as a child… the ground was the one that lost out. Now there's a new ravine that wasn't on any maps. They say that when he was at the academy, he told the teachers how to teach. The Raikage had to ask him to raise the teachers' grades. They say that at the hot springs there are three sections: men, women, and then him. Because when he goes, none of the men dare to go, and there are too many women. They say that if an incurable disease appears, he rolls up his sleeves, and the disease becomes curable from fear. And that was only during the first week of his life! The Naruto universe and the franchises mentioned belong to their respective creators and companies. This story does not seek to replace or alter the original works, but rather to pay homage to them through an independent narrative.

Magic has existed forever. Within every being is a Resonant Heartbeat, a song played by the soul, capable of channeling mana into limitless possibilities.

What makes dragons strong? It's not their power or magic, but their mind. Arrogance, greed, Iron Will, and the lack of human restraints. What would happen if you threw such a creature into human society? Would they understand humans? What does love even mean to them? This is the situation that our MC, Arad Orion found himself in. A newborn dragon bringing "Might make Right" to the humanoids, but why? Due to an abnormal condition, the mighty void dragons are on the brink of extinction. Their bodies have suddenly started rejecting their kind. Due to that, Arad's mother dropped his egg into a forest where he could hatch safely, leaving him with a fragment of her consciousness and informing him of the condition of their race. From that point, his goal became clear. To save their race by either finding a cure for their condition or going the second route of making more void dragons. But, sadly, nothing is ever that easy. Finding a cure is almost impossible. Arad is still practically a newborn and cannot tap into the terrifying might of his race, and his rarity makes him a prime target for mages and scholars seeking to study the dying race. Dragons are arrogant, proud, and vicious. Yet those feeling extends to those whom they love. You who touched a dragon's love, Retribution is an insult, and life is a crime. Beware as merely existing draws the dragon's wrath. Follow Arad on his journey as he grows from a naive wyrmling to a grown dragon with enough wisdom and power to stand with the strongest of the world. *** If you liked the story, please support it with power stones and comments! The story now has a Discord server. Please visit it to see character art by me and the community. https://discord.gg/CPJXDj6Adg *** You can contact me at Discord at any time Alen_Tanor#1599 And last. Please don't forget to leave a review, it really helps!

Wounded by the betrayal of Yashamaru, Gaara flees the Hidden Sand, throwing it into turmoil. Not only is a disgruntled jinchuriki on the loose, but the team that would have been formed from the Kazekage's children is now down one member. Baki finds a boy who may be able to replace the wayward Gaara: how much of a difference does the right person in the wrong place make?

2003, the soaring era, the beginning of the best decade. What can Tan Jincheng, returning to the golden age, bring to this world? Making up for the regrets of his past life? Absolutely essential! Engaging in foreign trade to earn US dollars, intelligent manufacturing—I want it all! ... A slow-burn story focused on daily life, starting a business, and slice-of-life.

Chen Pingjiang, a failed entrepreneur, restarts his life back in college. He lies low and starts a business on the university campus to make money, and accidentally becomes a billionaire. “Why are you taking classes? Go manage the company!” “Student, how about we arrange a spot for you in our graduate program?” ... “Are you kidding me? The richest man is a college student?” Chen Pingjiang: "I have little interest in being the richest man; I just want to have the wind and freedom, and return still a young man."

Victor Hugo: "You all call me 'The Conscience of France,' but at this moment, it is beating in Lionel's chest!" Émile Zola: "'Naturalism' or 'Realism'? No, only Lionel's 'Modernism' belongs to the 20th century!" Gustave Flaubert: "Maupassant is my best student; Lionel is my kindred spirit." Guy de Maupassant: "Lionel's only flaw is that he was not infected with noble, magnificent syphilis." Anton Chekhov: "What more do we need in the world besides sunshine, air, water, and smiles? Lionel's works, of course!" Leo Tolstoy: "Are you suggesting I should go to Sweden to accept the Nobel Prize that Lionel Sorel refused?" Arthur Conan Doyle: "It is my honor to serve as the assistant to the great detective Sherlock Holmes and to be written into a novel by Monsieur Lionel!" Oscar Wilde: "Lionel, light of my life, fire of my loins, my sin, my soul!" Nikola Tesla: "Without Lionel, there would be no 'Tesla-Sorel Electric Company'!" Thomas Edison: "The demon who dug the light bulb out of my heart, the demon!" Yan Fu: "The French man of letters, Lionel Sorel, is a genius of universal scale, a lover of humanity, and master of the Chinese language. He should be brought in as the Imperial Tutor!" Sa Zhenbing : "Brother Sorel, the 'New China' you spoke of, I have witnessed it!"

In a world where everyone is born with the potential to awaken a power known as Arcana, the path to strength is a dangerous one. Awakening requires a "Persona Split"—a psychological fracturing where the mind loses its grip on reality. Caught in the chaos of who they truly are versus what they have become, many mages lose control, their newly found powers spiraling into destruction. Fourteen-year-old Silver Archive wants no part of this cycle. His only dream is a life of peace, far from the tragedies that have haunted his clan. But as the third in line to the nearly extinct Archive name, the pressure to awaken is mounting. Will Silver become another victim of the Persona Split, or can he find a way to claim his power without losing his soul?

Ellen had everything. Fame, a successful acting career and a secret celebrity boyfriend. "How dare you steal my fiancé, Ellen!" Reality slapped Ellen hard across the face in the form of her best friend, accusing her of being a homewrecker. Her boyfriend was never hers. Her career was over. Her parents died, leaving her an orphan. To escape it all, Ellen moved into a modest apartment to start afresh. Her friendly, handsome new neighbour introduced himself and extended his hand while smiling confidently to her. “I trust you, Ellen. Don’t be afraid of anything anymore.” Why did he seem so familiar? Ellen began to wonder, could her new neighbour be her long time playmate in the online game 'Era of the Jade Dawn'? Flint kept his identity a secret because he's actually the creator of the game! When they meet in real life, sparks fly and he realises he needs her! He wants to protect her! No one can mess with the woman he loves!