"I choose five hundred thousand!"
"Uchiha Ren, this time I've done my homework. You're not taking advantage of me again. The highest box office in the Land of Fire is only fifty million—and that was made by a relative of the Daimyō!"
"…Then sign the contract."
Ren and Mito Uzumaki signed a confidentiality agreement.
Tsunade's new salary—
Had to remain secret.
If word got out—
It would cause trouble.
Mito, now satisfied, believed she had finally outplayed Ren.
Five hundred thousand ryo—
That was already a huge sum.
Even she hadn't expected to push it that high.
An A-rank mission's reward—
For acting in a movie.
More than enough.
Ren watched her leave—
Victorious.
Smiling.
"…No vision."
He muttered under his breath.
She had just passed up a share of future profits.
If it were him—
He'd take the percentage.
She had no idea—
How much effort he had poured into this film.
—
The Fire Daimyō handled national distribution.
Ren—
Handled the shinobi world.
The other four great villages—
Except Kumogakure (the villains of the film)—
All received letters.
Support the movie.
That was the message.
Even black markets, casinos, and underground groups—
Were notified.
No cost.
Just influence.
A perfect trade.
The film hadn't even released yet—
And it was already trending across the ninja world.
—
The next day.
Filming set.
"Get lost! I'm playing a Konoha ninja—give me that headband!"
"With that dark skin, you clearly belong to Kumogakure!"
"You wanna fight?!"
The extras were already fighting—
Before Ren even arrived.
Kumogakure, as the villain—
Was deeply hated.
Ren stepped in.
Stopped the chaos.
Final decision—
Draw lots.
The set instantly turned into something like a giant role-playing game.
—
Since it was his first time directing—
Ren played it safe.
He hired two veteran directors as assistants.
Everything proceeded smoothly.
—
Scene 5, Shot 6.
The rookie three-man squad enters battle for the first time.
They're inexperienced.
Nearly wiped out.
Saved only by a supporting jonin.
—
"Phew—! I thought I was going to die!"
Jiraiya shouted dramatically.
Covered in dirt.
Clothes torn.
Bleeding.
Their opponents—
Were real chunin.
Ren had ordered realism.
No fake fights.
No holding back.
Medical support was ready.
Injuries?
Healed within hours.
"Tch, Jiraiya—you wet yourself, didn't you?"
Tsunade mocked.
She hadn't done much better.
Ren had even used a light genjutsu—
To make it feel real.
Three academy students—
Facing death for the first time.
Of course they panicked.
"I-It was water style!"
Jiraiya refused to admit it.
His dignity—
Was on the line.
Orochimaru joined in.
Smiling slightly.
He wasn't missing this chance.
—
"Director… isn't this too much?"
One assistant director looked uneasy.
Real blood.
Real injuries.
No safety nets.
This wasn't normal filmmaking.
Ren didn't even look up.
"They're future ninja."
"This is their reality."
The assistant fell silent.
"…They're just children."
Ren paused.
"…That's how war works."
Kids—
On the battlefield—
Was normal.
The assistant director shivered.
"…Cruel."
Ren placed a hand on his shoulder.
"That's exactly why I'm making this film."
"To show the world what war really looks like."
"To make future warmongers think twice."
The assistant director was moved.
Konoha—
Truly righteous.
—
Filming continued.
—
Scene 68, Shot 7.
Kumogakure ANBU—
On a covert mission.
Discovered by civilians.
To protect the mission—
They decide to eliminate witnesses.
Even children.
Konoha arrives.
Stops them.
Saves the family.
—
Pure propaganda.
All villages did similar things.
But this—
Was Ren's film.
Konoha—
Had to be the hero.
—
"Don't be afraid. You're safe now."
"Cut!"
"Again!"
Ren walked over—
Frowning.
"You—what kind of smile is that?!"
"Why is it so cold?!"
The actor—
An Uchiha.
Inabi Uchiha.
Ren wanted the Uchiha to play heroes.
Improve their image.
But—
This guy had failed ten times.
"Get out. Someone else take his place."
"Wait! Clan head!"
"One last chance!"
Ren waved him off.
"Last chance."
—
This time—
It worked.
A warm smile.
Finally.
Ren nodded.
"Good. Next."
—
Just as filming progressed—
Shikaku rushed over.
"Hokage-sama."
"Filming needs to pause."
"The main force returns tomorrow."
"Victory ceremony—you must attend."
Ren blinked.
Right.
The return date.
Perfect timing.
There was a victory scene in the film.
Real footage—
Would save money.
—
Next day.
Konoha gates.
A grand welcome.
Cameras—
Everywhere.
"Raizen—welcome back!"
"Hokage-sama, mission accomplished."
"I even brought a special prisoner."
"Who?"
"Not Onoki."
"A bounty hunter."
"He targeted the Hyuga."
"Strange body… multiple hearts…"
Ren paused.
—
Later.
Banquet.
Laughter.
Wine flowed.
"Takuma—you owe me a drink."
"That bounty hunter almost took the Byakugan."
"Reward is over a hundred million."
"Good thing I caught him."
Hiashi Hyuga stiffened.
Drank three bowls in one go.
"That man…"
"Had five hearts."
"We destroyed four."
Ren froze.
Five hearts?
…He immediately sat up straight.
Interest—
Fully ignited.
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