"Stop her!"
Asama Sandayu clenched his fists and shouted when he saw Kazahana Koyuki running out of the film set. Several nearby crew members immediately chased after her.
Kurama, lounging lazily on Kaede's shoulder, watched the scene with clear boredom. His tails swayed a few times before he turned and muttered, "Kaede, I wanna go home and play games."
Kaede expressionlessly grabbed one of his tails and lifted him into the air like a dangling ornament. He glanced at him and said, "You're the one who insisted on coming along. Now you suddenly want to go home? You're acting like a child."
"Don't carry me like this!! Put me down, you brute!!"
Kurama went berserk instantly. To him, this was the most humiliating position he had ever experienced. He began thrashing wildly, his chakra surging as he struggled.
But before he could even release it, Kaede's hand suppressed his chakra effortlessly. All that happened was a slight puff in his orange fur, his belly and tail even looked a bit chubbier as he flailed his limbs helplessly.
He looked like a fat orange cat being scruffed by the neck.
Hinata, watching this scene, stiffened slightly. Her expression turned awkward, her image of Kurama had just crumbled.
Was this really the same mighty Nine-Tails…
The Tailed Beast of the Hidden Leaf, who always lounged outside the village gates?
She quickly forced herself to look away and walked toward Asama Sandayu.
"Um… excuse me, are you the one who submitted the escort mission request?"
Asama finally snapped out of his thoughts and turned toward her. When he noticed the Konoha headband she wore, he nodded.
"Yes, that was my request. You're the ninja assigned to this mission?"
"Mm-hmm."
Hinata nodded and presented her mission credentials.
Asama did the same. After confirming each other's identity, he exhaled and asked with slight hesitation,
"So… is it just the two of you?"
Hinata's timid aura made him question whether she could really handle such a high-level protection mission. As for the silver-haired boy beside her, he looked just as delicate and unthreatening.
He did think Kaede's face looked a bit familiar… but for some reason, he couldn't place where he'd seen him before.
"Y-Yes," Hinata said softly, but as Kaede's gaze landed on her, her heart steadied. She stood upright and said firmly, "I'll carry out the mission. You can trust me!"
Asama paused. But since they were from Konoha, the only remaining shinobi village in the world now, and the most trusted when it came to mission success, he gave a small nod.
"Then I leave it to you."
Just then, the guards who had chased after Koyuki returned, escorting her back. Asama bowed and said apologetically,
"Forgive me, Yukie-sama. But you signed the film contract, and we have to finish shooting in Land of Snow."
Koyuki shot him a blank look. Realizing there was no point in resisting any further, she simply turned and walked back toward her room without a word.
Watching her leave, Asama sighed. A steely determination flickered in his eyes.
They had to escort Koyuki back to Land of Snow.
They had to take down Kazahana Doto…
And avenge Sosetsu-sama!
As these thoughts filled his mind, the film director, who had been standing nearby, stared blankly at Kaede for a few moments, then walked over. He circled around Kaede curiously.
"Um… are you a Konoha ninja too?"
Kaede wasn't wearing a forehead protector, but he'd come in with Hinata, and was carrying a talking fox. Clearly not an ordinary person.
Kaede casually swung the fox dangling from his tail, looked at the director, and gave a small smile. "Yeah. I'm a Konoha ninja."
The director stepped in front of him, clapped a fist into his open palm, and lit up like he had just discovered something amazing.
"Hmm… would you be willing to appear in the final installment of the Adventures of Princess Gale's series? You're a perfect fit for a character I had in mind."
Hearing this, Hinata blinked several times and showed an odd, uncomfortable expression. She wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.
That's the Fifth Hokage of Konoha you're talking to…
Just the idea of the Fifth Hokage being in a movie was surreal.
"That's not part of the escort mission," Kaede replied casually. He set the flailing Kurama back on his shoulder.
Kurama immediately bit down on Kaede's ear in protest.
But no matter how hard he bit…
Not a single mark was left.
The director clapped his hands again and said, "Ah, right. Since the escort mission is A-rank, how about this? I'll submit another A-rank mission directly to Konoha to formally invite you. It's just a minor role, no complex scenes. You'll only have a few lines and a couple of actions."
"Quit fooling around."
Kaede plucked Kurama off his ear and held him by the scruff again. Then he looked at him and said,
"Wanna be in that movie you like so much, Fox?"
"Hah?! Me, act in some human movie?! No way!" Kurama snapped.
But then… he hesitated.
If he could show off his power a little… maybe he could finally get the respect he deserved from humans?
With that thought, Kurama turned toward the director.
"Hey. You. If you're sincerely asking, then I might consider it. Just this once."
The director nearly facepalmed at the fox's arrogance, but honestly, Kurama was a perfect match for another role he had in mind. He immediately nodded.
"Of course I'm sincere. The scene I've planned for you will be a huge hit!"
Tch.
Saying no with your mouth, but your body's already agreeing…
Kaede clicked his tongue and looked at Kurama.
"Fine, go ahead and set it up. I'm not busy anyway. You don't need to file another mission request, as long as I'm fine with the script."
"Thank you! I promise you'll be satisfied!" the director beamed.
Standing nearby, Hinata stared at the scene in disbelief.
The so-called God of Shinobi and the Nine-Tails… starring in a movie?
This felt like a dream.
Still… now she couldn't help but look forward to it. No matter what, she'd be there when it premiered.
With a cast like this…
It might just become the most legendary film in shinobi history.
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria