"Hey, kid! Come with me!" The bald director enthusiastically waved Sasuke over while explaining as they walked.
"Our production team spent a whopping fifty million ryo to secure the rights to this new script from Lord Radadi."
"So you better give it your all! There's a big reward in it for you!"
"A new script? What's it about?" Sasuke asked, a little curious. Playing himself felt a bit embarrassing, but on the other hand, he was confident in portraying his own character.
After all, who understands me better than myself?
The bald director led Sasuke to a seat and handed him a thick hardcover script.
"Here, take a look at it first. We're still short one lead actor, so I need to go find someone else."
"Make yourself comfortable, kid! There's food and drinks, so help yourself."
With that, the director hurried off.
Sasuke picked up the script and, in a display of professionalism, prepared to read it through.
His hand trembled slightly. The title alone gave him a bad feeling, especially considering who had written this script—
That blond bastard…
"Long ago, in a distant village called Konohagakure, there were two childhood friends who couldn't stand each other. Their names were Sasuke and Naruto…"
Childhood friends, my ass!
"When they were five years old, they met by chance. What they didn't know was that, long before they were born, their parents had arranged for them to be engaged. However, since they were both boys, the arrangement was eventually abandoned."
"But fate works in mysterious ways. Even though they were of the same gender, something unexpected began to develop between them, starting with their accidental first kiss… (During the Academy graduation team assignments)."
…!
What the hell?!
The more he read, the angrier Sasuke became. He seriously considered tearing the script to shreds on the spot! A murderous aura radiated from him as he entertained the thought of storming the so-called Minister of Economy's office and obliterating that man from existence.
Just stay dead and stop poisoning the shinobi world!
Click.
Suddenly, the sound of a door opening snapped Sasuke out of his fury. He looked up to see the bald director returning—this time with Naruto in tow.
"Hahaha! What a stroke of luck!" the director beamed. "I found the perfect person to play the other lead! Kid, tell me—doesn't this guy look just like Naruto?"
Look like? This is Naruto!
Transformation Jutsu could be faked, but the Nine-Tails inside that belly sure couldn't be. Sasuke's Rinnegan immediately saw through everything.
And then he panicked. Why the hell was Naruto here?! If he found out the truth—that this was actually him—his loudmouth would spread the news throughout the entire village by tomorrow, and by the day after, the entire shinobi world would know.
That would be way too humiliating!
"Oi! Sasuke! You're here making money acting too?" Naruto immediately recognized him with the help of Kurama's sensory abilities and excitedly approached.
Sasuke turned away in disgust. "You've got the wrong guy. This is just a Transformation Jutsu—I'm not the real Sasuke."
"No way, you feel exactly like the real Sasuke! Even Kurama says you're the real deal!"
Naruto leaned in even closer, scrutinizing him.
Sasuke shot a death glare at Naruto's stomach. Within, Kurama's eyes momentarily flashed with the pattern of the Rinnegan—
And the fox chickened out instantly.
"Naruto, I must've been mistaken just now. This guy is probably using the Transformation Jutsu."
"Really?" Naruto scratched his head in confusion. "But he looks exactly like Sasuke—especially with that arrogant expression. It's way too similar."
"Nope, I definitely sensed wrong."
"Fine, fine. Geez, Kurama, are you getting old or something? How could you mess up something so simple?" Naruto grumbled.
Seeing that he had successfully fooled them, Sasuke let out a sigh of relief. Life was tough—who knew he'd end up doing something like this just for money?
"Alright, you two! Let's get to filming! We're on a tight schedule, so let's get this done quickly!"
...
And then…
The real nightmare began.
"Look at the camera, boys! Yes, yes! That perfect look of mutual disdain! Excellent!"
"No, no, get a little closer! Naruto, you need to have that hesitant yet expectant look! Sasuke, be a little more domineering!"
"Come on, don't slack now! I know these scenes are tough, but I'll give you both a raise! A big raise!"
"Fantastic! Just fantastic! Naruto, now show me that furious expression—like you want to murder Orochimaru for hurting your beloved Sasuke!"
"Wait, no! This scene needs more tension! You should look conflicted, like you're saying one thing but feeling another!"
"But… if this were really Sasuke and Naruto, they wouldn't act like this, would they?"
The director's face darkened. "What the hell do you kids know about Sasuke and Naruto? Just follow the script or I'll dock your pay!"
A week later, when Sasuke and Naruto finally left the set, they both felt utterly drained. At the same time, they shivered involuntarily.
That place was terrifying. Never again.
A month later, the movie Sasaren & Narubo, written by the mysterious rising author Radadi and directed by the most renowned filmmaker in the shinobi world, became a massive hit. It grossed ten billion ryo at the box office and ignited a sudden craze for Transformation Jutsu across the continent.
Due to the overwhelming number of people using the jutsu, it started causing social disruptions. In response, Takigakure passed a law restricting its use, allowing it only in specific public areas under certain conditions. Violators would be fined, and repeat offenders could even face detention.
At first, Sasuke and Naruto were relieved upon hearing this news—finally, they wouldn't have to see random clones of themselves wandering the streets anymore!
But soon, they realized…
This was actually the beginning of their true nightmare.
"Ahhh! It's Narubo!" Walking down the street, Naruto was bombarded by excited screams from fangirls. Many of them rushed up to take pictures with him.
Unable to refuse their enthusiasm, he reluctantly indulged them before finally escaping to the restaurant where he was supposed to meet his friends.
Inside, Team 7, along with their former teachers Kakashi, Guy, Kurenai, and Asuma, were already waiting.
"Sorry, I'm late," Naruto apologized sheepishly.
Immediately, Sakura stood up with a big smile and grabbed his arm.
"It's okay! Narubo is allowed to be a little late!"
As Naruto moved to sit beside Sasuke and Kakashi, Sakura and Ino quickly dragged him to the other side.
"Can Narubo sit with us instead?"
"Yeah, Sasuke won't mind, right?"
"Here, Narubo, have some meat! Careful, it's hot!"
For once, Naruto—normally so cheerful—felt a wave of exhaustion. He had always dreamed of surpassing Sasuke, of winning over Sakura and gaining the admiration of girls.
He just never thought it would happen like this… and he wasn't sure if he liked it.
Meanwhile, Kiba nudged Hinata. "Aren't you gonna say hi to Naruto?"
Hinata, staring at Naruto with a wistful expression, shook her head.
"I still think… he and Sasuke suit each other better."
"Maybe… I never really had a chance in the first place."