Hinata, who had been listening, bowed her head to .
"Thank you for your help. I'll definitely pay you back for the gold."
"No, I have more money than I know what to do with, so don't worry about it. Just learn well and go."
"Still... such a large sum because of ..."
Hinata kept apologizing, fidgeting. I patted her head. Gold was everywhere in my inventory. Enough to turn all of Konohagakure into gold and still have leftovers. Besides, I could duplicate it with [Material Duplication], so to , it was as worthless as pebbles on the road. The only reason I didn't use it was because it would ruin this world's economy.
"Let's prepare a welco party. We have a new family mber."
Kurenai and I prepared a large feast. Hinata helped. Then Jiraiya, Naruto, Sasuke, and Tenten returned from training.
"Bro, I'm ho~! Oh~ Another party, ya know?"
"Yeah. Hinata will be living with us from today."
All eyes turned to Hinata. Embarrassed, she blushed and bowed her head.
"So, Hinata will be training with us from now, ya know?"
"Yes. Hinata will train with you starting today. So you guys help her get settled."
"Okay."
Hinata also greeted the children.
"Nice to et you, Naruto, Sasuke, Tenten."
Naruto smiled and said, "Sa here, Hinata."
Everyone welcod Hinata, and we ate heartily, celebrating.
With Hinata's arrival, training schedules were adjusted. Physical training continued in the morning, and after a short rest, Kurenai and Hinata did swordsmanship training together.
But a problem arose. Hinata had Fire and Lightning natures, but sohow, both balanced well, making it difficult to teach just one breathing technique.
'Love Breathing might fit best, but the weapon would be hard to get used to...'
Certainly, Kanroji Mitsuri's Love Breathing used a specialized sword, which had many issues. It was difficult to use and teach, as beginners could injure themselves. Mitsuri was simply born to use that weapon.
'Hmm... Should I create a new breathing technique?'
While I was pondering this, soone ca to the house. It was the printing press owner.
"Author-nim, isn't Demon Slayer Volu 7 taking too long?"
"Isn't the printing press very busy right now? Do you have the capacity? I think it's fine to publish it a little later."
The owner looked troubled.
"You're right. But it's no longer just about the printing press. The higher-ups are waiting, and we're also exporting to other countries, so various interests are involved."
From what he said, my novels and goods were being exported to many countries, and the Land of Fire was using this opportunity to greatly expand its comrcial influence and benefit from trade.
"Even so, I can't produce a novel that doesn't exist. Sotis the words don't co. Forcing it might ruin it. And I've already published many volus."
"That's true, but..."
It was a situation where the novels were so popular that taking a break was difficult.
"Anyway, I understand. I'll do my best."
"Alright, I'll leave it to you."
As the owner left, Jiraiya, who had been watching, said, "Wow... Popular authors have it rough."
"Soon, Author Jiraiya, that will happen to you too."
"Haha, you think so?"
Jiraiya seed to secretly hope the sa thing would happen to him.
A few days later, I showed the completed Demon Slayer Volu 7 to the children.
"Kyojuro was so strong, but I didn't know Upper Moons were this strong..."
"Hey! So of us haven't read it yet. Don't spoil it!"
Naruto, excited after reading the manuscript, was told off by a frowning Sasuke.
"Oh, right... Sorry... It was so shocking..."
Sasuke took the manuscript and read it intently. Then he tilted his head and asked , "Author-nim, can you really stop bleeding with just breathing, like Rengoku told Tanjiro?"
"Yes, I've heard it's possible. But I haven't trained to that level myself."
"I see."
Sasuke certainly didn't miss such details. Next, Hinata and Jiraiya also read it. Kurenai, having already read it, didn't reread it.
"I never thought soone as strong and righteous as Kyojuro would die. I was just starting to like him."
Hinata quietly stated her opinion. Naruto agreed.
"Yeah, I thought Kyojuro would survive to the end. I never thought he'd die like that."
"In my novels, that's not the case. The protagonist can die too."
Everyone seed surprised.
"What??? So Tanjiro could die, ya know?"
"Well... maybe he will, maybe he won't."
I smiled slyly. Naruto tore at his hair in agony.
"Ugh~! Seriously! Bro, you're a villain!"
Sasuke thought for a mont, then said, "Co to think of it, many protagonists in Author-nim's works have died. So Tanjiro might also..."
"That won't happen."
"Right, if Tanjiro dies, what would Nezuko do?"
Everyone said it wouldn't happen, but Jiraiya, who had been listening, spoke.
"You never know. It could end with Tanjiro sacrificing himself for his family, and Nezuko returning to human and living well. It's sad, but as an author, you could make it a touching, beautiful story."
At that, Naruto was flustered. "Huh... Do pervy sage authors think like that?"
"That's right."
Naruto suddenly grabbed and started shaking.
"Bro, tell the truth! Does Tanjiro die, ya know???"
I patted his shoulder to calm him down.
"You know it's no fun if you know in advance. So read it when it cos out."
Then Naruto asked with a serious expression.
"Then promise you won't kill Tanjiro."
"I don't want to. It's my story. He might die, he might not."
I smiled and teased him again. Naruto tore at his hair in agony.
"Ugh~! Seriously! I'm going crazy!"
Everyone laughed at Naruto's distress.
After taking Demon Slayer Volu 7 to the printing press, it was published a few days later. The villagers' reactions were no different from the children's. Everyone was surprised at the Upper Moons' strength and deeply saddened by Kyojuro's death.
"I didn't know Upper Moons were this strong... The gap from Lower Moons is huge."
"I know, right. The Hashira were so strong too. But a trained demon..."
"Kyojuro left too soon, it's so sad..."
Then, theater tickets and invitations were delivered to the house. The letter said: 'We cordially invite you, Author-nim, to the opening night. Your presence at the beginning of this work would be a great honor for us and a more special ti for the audience.' Eight tickets were enclosed.
"Kurenai, an invitation to the 'Ryoma and Yurie' play has arrived."
Kurenai was overjoyed.
"Really? That's my favorite work! When is it?"
"It says a week from now."
"A week... Do I have anything to wear?"
"Let's all get one or two outfits for special occasions."
I was worried about Kurenai's clothes, but the children and Jiraiya probably didn't have suitable clothes either, so I decided to buy them together.
"That's a good idea."
We waited for Naruto and the others, then went to a clothing store as a group. The won bought two 'furisode' each, and the n bought two 'montsuki haori hakama' each. Both are traditional Japanese attire worn on special occasions. The fabric was quite luxurious, so the price was high. Not wanting them to feel burdened, I secretly paid and left.
"These clothes... weren't they expensive?"
But Kurenai noticed and asked worriedly.
"Don't worry about it. I'm the richest person in Konohagakure."
"That may be, but..."
"It's money I have no use for anyway. Just think of it as a gift."
"Okay. It's nice having a rich boyfriend."
On the day of the play, we dressed up and headed to the theater. On the way, villagers recognized and asked for autographs. I signed as we walked, so we arrived just in ti.
We sat down to wait for the play to begin. Next to , I saw Hiruzen.
"So you ca too. They've been practicing for a long ti, so you can look forward to it."
"I see."
Then Naruto quietly said, "This is my first ti. A play is like, acting out what Bro wrote in real life, right?"
"Yeah. Don't they teach about theater at the Academy?"
"No. Just a little math and history, and how to throw ninjutsu and shuriken..."
"I-I see..."
I was flabbergasted. The Academy seed to teach the children almost no basic knowledge. I understood it was a place to train ninja, but still, this was extre.
Just then, the curtain parted, revealing the stage. Lights ca on, the narrator appeared and explained the background of 'Ryoma and Yurie', and the play began with music.
But contrary to my expectations, the actors wore heavy makeup and delivered their lines stiffly. The narrator's interjections were also very distracting.
'Wow... What was I expecting... Even elentary school students wouldn't act like this...'
The funny thing was, everyone except was watching intently. They must have been seeing it for the first ti. Having seen modern plays, I found it hard to watch. But as befits a ninja village, the action scenes and bloodshed were well done. The problem was that those were the only decent parts.
"This poison works fast. Yurie, leaving my last kiss on your lips... I'm leaving now."
As the climax of 'Ryoma and Yurie' played, Kurenai, upset, covered her mouth and cried.
"Ah... no..."
I handed her a handkerchief and waited impatiently for it to end.
The play concluded with the two rival clan heads making peace. The lights ca on, and the cast took a collective bow. The audience stood, cheered, and applauded.
"We extend our gratitude to Author Jin, who created this wonderful work."
Suddenly, the narrator pointed at and expressed thanks. I had no choice but to stand and bow to the audience.
"Wow~"
"More great works, please~"
"Author Jin, you're so handso~"
The audience, looking satisfied, began to leave. We also stood and headed ho.
"Wow~ That was so fun! So that's a play."
"I know, right. I want to see it again."
The children were excited, talking about the play. I was a bit disappointed, but since the children enjoyed it, I decided to be satisfied.
"It's late, so let's eat at Ichiraku Ran. Tenten, co too."
"Oh~ Great!"
"Okay, Master."
The next day, word spread, and the play was a huge hit. Tickets were always sold out. Scalpers erged, and the ANBU cracked down.
"I didn't know it would be this big..."
"Why? It was good, wasn't it? I expected this."
Kurenai said she had known it would be a hit after seeing the play.
"I hope we get more things like this in our village. It's been a bit boring."
"Really?"
"Until now, the only things were missions, training, or resting at ho or having a drink. But since you ca, many things have changed. We have fun novels, a theater to watch plays."
"I'm glad you think so."
As Kurenai said, there were many problems in this village.
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