"…Obito chose to break the rules of a shinobi to save his comrades."
"…And in doing so, sacrificed himself. The remaining two completed the mission, securing victory in the war."
"…."
Shikaku fell into thought for a moment.
"Hokage-sama, it's an interesting script… but only civilians who've never been on the battlefield would believe something like this."
"A shinobi is an executor of missions. We must remain rational and composed."
"Sometimes… abandoning a comrade is unavoidable."
"…But if I were inside that story…"
"I would still hope for a teammate who would never abandon me."
Ren nodded.
Shikaku was right.
In this era—
The "shinobi as tools" ideology dominated everything.
Abandoning comrades for mission success?
Completely normal.
But what Ren wanted to challenge—
Was exactly that.
Shinobi—
Were human first.
Not tools.
They felt pain. Anger. Grief.
And sometimes—
That emotion made them defy the rules.
"Shikaku ."
"Who do you think is more numerous—shinobi or ordinary people?"
"…Obviously civilians."
"Exactly."
"Civilians are emotional."
"And no one wants to be treated like a disposable tool."
Ren spoke casually.
Shikaku 's expression shifted slightly.
He understood.
The times—
Were changing.
"Brilliant insight, Hokage-sama."
—
With agreement reached—
Ren began thinking about casting.
A three-person squad.
In this era—
There was only one obvious choice:
Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.
The classic trio.
Orochimaru—
Pale, refined, almost feminine.
A natural fit for certain roles.
…Though his future development was… questionable.
Tsunade—
Still flat.
Not yet fully "evolved."
A pity.
Missed marketing potential.
Jiraiya—
Hopeless.
No comment.
—
The next day—
The three stood in Ren's office.
Ninja Academy students—
Dragged into child labor.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru were stiff with nerves.
Speaking was difficult.
Only Tsunade remained calm.
She had grown up around powerful figures.
This was nothing new.
"You've heard the requirements."
"This is Konoha's first attempt in film."
"You've been given a rare opportunity."
"Will you accept the role?"
"I will!"
Jiraiya answered instantly.
He hadn't understood a word of the script.
But that didn't matter.
This was the Hokage's invitation.
No way he'd refuse.
Tsunade, however, had a different concern.
"Hokage-sama… is there payment?"
She had recently been cut off financially.
After a gambling incident—
Mito had shut down her allowance completely.
Ren smiled.
"Of course."
"Fifty thousand ryo each."
A fortune—
For children.
"Hehehe… deal!"
Tsunade beamed.
Enough for a full day at the gambling den.
This time—
She'd win everything back.
Definitely.
Meanwhile—
Orochimaru spoke calmly.
"I don't need payment."
"I want to study under you."
Ren's eyes lit up.
As expected—
A future genius.
He agreed immediately.
Though—
He had no intention of teaching Orochimaru himself.
Better to hand him over to Tobirama Senju.
A true master—
Should shape raw talent.
Besides—
Becoming Orochimaru's teacher?
Too dangerous.
—
"Take the scripts."
"Memorize them."
"No need to attend Academy classes for now."
With that—
The trio was dismissed.
Ren moved on to production logistics.
—
He contacted the Fire Daimyō.
Promotion—
Nationwide.
The Daimyō agreed immediately.
Ren had made him rich.
This request?
Trivial.
Not just the Land of Fire—
Other nations too.
The Daimyō promised full support.
Distribution—
Secured.
Extras?
Even easier.
Unemployed shinobi flooded in.
The moment the notice went out—
It was overcrowded.
Even a background role—
Was worth it.
—
That night—
Ren returned to the underground lab.
"Tobirama."
"I need film technology upgraded."
"Fast."
"Drop everything else."
"…You're making movies?"
"You're the Hokage."
"Why are you doing this?"
Tobirama frowned.
Completely baffled.
"You don't understand."
"This is about controlling public opinion."
"If we don't take it—someone else will."
"Ever heard of propaganda?"
"There are heroes and villains in every story."
"Konoha is the hero."
"Guess who the villain is?"
"…."
Tobirama went silent.
Then—
Understood instantly.
If the entire world began associating Konoha with justice—
The benefits would be immeasurable.
"…I'll handle it."
He agreed immediately.
—
Later—
When he heard Tsunade was starring—
He grabbed Ren's collar.
"I'm watching the premiere."
"Absolutely not."
"Then I stop working."
"…Fine."
Compromise.
He'd watch it in the lab.
—
Everything was ready.
Filming was about to begin.
Then—
Mito arrived.
She sat down.
Expression cold.
"I heard you're making a movie."
"And Tsunade is the lead?"
"What's the problem?"
"She agreed herself."
Ren spoke first.
Defensive.
"I know that."
"I don't oppose her acting."
"I just don't like the pay."
Ah.
Here it comes.
Mito had learned her lesson.
The power plant deal—
Still haunted her.
Billions in profit.
Sold for millions.
She had been played.
Thoroughly.
And this time—
She wasn't letting it happen again.
"Fifty thousand is fair."
"She's just a student."
"That's already generous."
"Others are paid the same."
"This isn't negotiable."
Ren shook his head.
"Rules?"
"What rules?"
"Did you make them?"
"If you cancel that contract—"
"I'll drop this."
"A billion business—and you paid me one million?"
"You have the nerve?!"
Mito was furious.
Partly for the money.
Partly for—
Realizing she'd been fooled.
Ren coughed awkwardly.
"…That contract stays."
Non-negotiable.
"Fine."
She raised one finger.
"Ten percent of total revenue."
"…You're dreaming."
"Production costs, salaries, marketing—everything comes from us."
"You want ten percent for nothing?"
"Impossible."
Ren rejected instantly.
If she pushed too far—
He'd replace Tsunade.
Reluctantly—
But he would.
"Then name your price."
"Double the pay."
"Or one percent of total revenue."
"That's my final offer."
Mito paused.
She recalled the data she had gathered.
Even the highest-grossing films—
Barely reached fifty million ryo.
After costs—
Even less.
Compared to that—
Five hundred thousand upfront…
Was safer.
More certain.
Her eyes flickered.
Calculation.
Silence.
The negotiation—
Was far from over.
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