We stopped by the printing press again, handed over the cover, and left.
"I suppose I should call you Author Jiraiya now."
"Haha, you're making blush."
Jiraiya scratched his head, embarrassed.
"You drank too much yesterday, so how about so Ichiraku Ran? Kurenai, is that okay?"
"Sure. I was wanting so hot soup, so that works out."
"Great. My stomach isn't feeling great after yesterday either."
When I suggested going to Ichiraku Ran for a hangover cure, everyone agreed.
We went to Ichiraku Ran, had a delicious al, and gave so chashu to Satoru. As we were leaving, feeling full, we heard a loud commotion. Looking over, we saw Yamato walking with several ninjas, talking loudly.
"So the angle of the breasts is important! A one-degree difference matters, so pay attention, got it?"
"Factory manager, there are people around, please..."
"You fool! You still have a long way to go! Have so professional pride! We are people who stake our lives on a single milliter of a hip!"
"Sigh... Yes, factory manager..."
Because of the loud conversation, people were giving them a wide berth again. But I was surprised and looked at Yamato.
'Yamato is a factory manager...'
As I stood watching, Kurenai asked, "Isn't that Yamato?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
"He seems to be in charge of the new factory. That's a good thing, isn't it?"
I didn't know if Hiruzen was recognizing Yamato's hard work or giving him the position to prevent him from going missing-nin, but it seed fortunate that Yamato now had many subordinates, as Kurenai said.
"Yeah, I suppose so."
We watched them for a bit, then did so shopping and returned ho.
I planned to release Demon Slayer Volu 7 slowly. To avoid clashing with the release of 'Love Love New Paradise'.
'It's a work I helped with, so I should at least do this much.'
There was a reason for this. Many people only waited for my novels, and I wanted to spread their attention. It wasn't bad to keep writing novels, but that wasn't my only goal, and I needed to make ti. Also, I wanted Jiraiya, having learned from , to succeed.
A few days later, 'Love Love New Paradise' was finally published. I had designed the cover, and thanks to the printing press's promotion, it caught people's attention and began to sell.
"This newly released work is good."
"That's not by Author Jin, though."
"True. But it's worth reading. A decent new author. And the cover was drawn by Author Jin."
"Then is he Author Jin's student?"
"I'm not sure, but they seem close."
"Really? Maybe I'll buy it."
He certainly succeeded in getting attention. The reviews were not bad, and word spread, leading to good sales. Jiraiya watched the public reaction with satisfaction.
"Good. This is what makes being an author worthwhile."
"Now you need to start preparing your next work. This won't be the last, will it?"
At my question, Jiraiya smiled and said, "Of course not."
I also began to slowly wrap up Demon Slayer Volu 7. This volu was the Mugen Train arc. Unfortunately, the Naruto world didn't have trains yet. Since trains appeared in Boruto, I had to change the setting to a ship instead. That was a bit disappointing. But it wasn't all bad. I could include underwater action and sea-related episodes.
'Hmm... Not bad.'
I was reviewing the completed Volu 7 when Kurenai, watching from beside , asked, "Is it finished?"
"No, I'm just doing a final check."
"I see. Show when you're done."
Kurenai's training was stabilizing, so it seed ti to move to the next stage. I casually asked, "Co to think of it, didn't you say you wanted to learn Total Concentration Breathing?"
"Oh~ Can I? I'm getting tired of practicing hand seals."
Fortunately, she responded positively.
"Of course you can. But what nature do you use?"
"I mainly use Yin Release."
Yin Release mainly uses spiritual energy, encompassing genjutsu, the Nara clan's shadow techniques, the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switch Technique, and so on.
"Yin Release... Then Moon Breathing would be good."
"Moon Breathing? That exists?"
"Yes. It'll appear in Demon Slayer later."
With this, I could fulfill Kokushibo's request to pass on Moon Breathing. Even if it was a different world.
'I wonder what Kurenai's reaction will be when Kokushibo appears in the novel.'
Like with Naruto and the others, I brought the smallest bottle and placed it in front of Kurenai.
"I don't know your lung capacity yet, so want to give it a try?"
"Ah, this is that bottle training, right? I'll try."
Kurenai grabbed the bottle and blew hard.
Pop!
"Oh~ You did it right away."
Kurenai had solid basics, worthy of Jonin recomndation.
"Hmph, this is nothing."
"Good! Now the second one."
I placed a larger bottle in front of her. Kurenai grabbed it and began blowing.
"Huuuhp~!!"
She blew for a long ti but couldn't burst it.
"Fail."
"My mouth hurts... I thought I could get it with a little more..."
I first handed Kurenai a wooden sword and sandbags, planning to have her do basic swordsmanship and physical training. Kurenai made a face at the sandbags.
"Ugh... physical training at my age... By the way, if I go train, who will guard you? Let's train together. You must be out of shape from just writing novels."
Kurenai suggested we train together. I thought about it. If sothing happened, I might have to use force, so this would be a good cover. Besides, with training her directly, her physical abilities would improve quickly due to the 'Teacher' effect.
"You think so? But I need to finish the novel today, so let's start tomorrow."
"Okay."
From the next day, Kurenai and I began training together: physical training in the morning and swordsmanship after lunch. Satoru sohow ended up joining the physical training.
"Ugh... I haven't run in a while; I'm dying..."
I subtly pretended to be tired too.
"Swordsmanship after lunch."
"Ugh... Maybe I shouldn't have volunteered..."
Kurenai, , Jiraiya, and Satoru had lunch together. Jiraiya asked the exhausted Kurenai, "You've started training again?"
"I'm training in Total Concentration Breathing with Jin."
"Ah, that technique from the novel. I've seen the children using it. It's quite a powerful taijutsu. It would certainly be helpful to learn."
Jiraiya seed to think Total Concentration Breathing was just 'taijutsu'.
"Then Jiraiya-sama, why don't you train with us?"
When Kurenai invited him, Jiraiya patted his lower back and cleared his throat.
"Ahem... I'm old now..."
"Really, a legendary ninja making excuses."
"At my age, I should be retired and playing with my grandchildren."
"You're not even married, so what grandchildren?"
"Grr..."
Kurenai seed annoyed that Jiraiya refused. Anyway, after finishing swordsmanship, we went shopping.
"Ugh... I'm so tired... And we have to do this every day... This reminds of my genin days."
"It's just the first day. You'll get used to it."
"R-Really?"
Just then, Hinata, who had been hiding behind a tree, fidgeting, approached and greeted us.
"Hello, Author-nim."
"Oh~ Hinata. Long ti no see."
After hesitating for a long ti, Hinata carefully asked, "Um... could I also learn that Total Concentration Breathing?"
"Huh? How do you know about it?"
"Well, you see..."
Hinata said she had followed Naruto and happened to see him and Sasuke training.
"I see. But if you learn that, the Hyuga clan head might not like it. Is that okay?"
"W-Well..."
Hinata seed to want to learn secretly. Thinking this might cause problems later, I said, "Instead, why don't you ask for permission openly?"
Hinata looked flustered.
"That would be... impossible..."
"You never know until you try."
I took Hinata and Kurenai to the Hyuga clan compound. Hyuga Hiashi looked slightly surprised to see us.
"Author Jin? What brings you here, with Hinata in tow?"
"Clan head, give Hinata to ."
"What??? I've never seen such a pervert! Hinata is still young! Wait until she's older..."
Hiashi seed to have seriously misunderstood.
"I don't know what you're misunderstanding, but I an as my student. And I already have a lover."
Realizing his mistake, Hiashi cleared his throat, embarrassed.
"Ahem! My apologies. I misunderstood. Please co inside and we'll discuss it in detail."
"Understood."
Kurenai and I followed Hiashi inside and waited in the living room. After a mont, Hiashi served us tea and spoke.
"You said you wanted to take Hinata as your student?"
"Yes. I heard that the second daughter, Hanabi, is likely to be the next clan head. So I would like to take responsibility for raising Hinata."
"Hmm... I see. You want to raise her as a novelist..."
Hiashi was misunderstanding again. But it didn't matter, so I didn't correct him.
"Does Hinata agree?"
"Yes. She said she wants to learn. Clan head, the Hyuga are certainly a prestigious ninja family. But not everyone is born with the sa talent. If she has talent in a different field, I think it's wise to guide her in that direction."
This was more about Hinata's personality than a lack of talent.
"Hmm... That makes sense. The successor is practically decided anyway, so you're not wrong. But there's a problem. Hinata possesses the Byakugan. There are many who covet it. She was nearly kidnapped before."
"Don't worry about that. Currently, Jiraiya-sama, one of the legendary Sannin, is also staying at our house, and Kurenai, though no longer a ninja, is a genjutsu specialist. We can protect her sufficiently."
"Is that so? Jiraiya, you say... Then I suppose we can trust you. Very well."
It was surprisingly easy to persuade him. Hiashi raised no major objections.
'Unexpected...'
But sitting beside him, I realized the reason when I heard what Hiashi said to Hinata.
"Hinata, you're lucky. Recognized as talented by Author Jin. Now, beco a successful novelist and contribute to the clan's finances."
Hiashi knew I was making a lot of money, so he likely agreed easily, thinking Hinata would also bring in huge sums for the clan.
'Huh... What a pathetic leaf... Their thinking is collectively warped.'
Hinata, flustered, tried to say otherwise.
"Father, that's not..."
I quickly covered Hinata's mouth and said, "Hyuga clan head, I don't want to burden my student with that."
I then took two gold ingots from my pocket and placed them in front of Hiashi.
"This is all I have on now. I'll bring two more later. So please don't place any burden on Hinata."
Hiashi picked up a gold ingot and examined it.
"Whoa! Real gold. Ahem... Very well. Since you insist, I agree."
"You promise?"
"Yes, I promise on the clan head's na. But why go to such lengths for Hinata?"
I answered briefly, "Because I haven't seen a child with such potential in a long ti."
"I see. Then, will you take her today?"
"Yes. We have children and won at ho, so there shouldn't be a problem."
"Then please wait a mont. I'll have her things packed."
When Hiashi left, Kurenai, who had been beside , poked my side, as if she had a lot to say. But I put my finger to my lips, signaling her to be quiet. Hinata, watching, remained silent.
After a mont, a Hyuga woman entered with Hiashi, carrying Hinata's luggage on her back.
"Preparations are done."
"I see."
We stood up, bowed to the clan head, and prepared to leave.
"Then, I entrust Hinata to you. The luggage will be carried by a clan mber."
"Understood. Until next ti. I'll bring Hinata to visit occasionally."
"Hinata, study hard."
At Hiashi's words, Hinata bowed her head and answered softly.
"Yes, Father..."
We returned ho. I assigned Hinata the room Kurenai had used before and, together with the Hyuga woman who had accompanied us, organized her belongings. Jiraiya and the children were not ho, so they must have already gone for training.
"Then, please take care of the young lady."
"Understood. And please give these to the clan head."
I handed two gold ingots to the Hyuga woman. She received them, bowed once more, and left.
As soon as she left, Kurenai said accusingly, "Is this okay? You didn't bring her here to teach her novels. You said to be honest and get permission..."
"I didn't lie. I never said I would teach her novels."
"That's... true, but..."
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