Black Zetsu appeared in the shadows of the harbor for one reason: to deliver the goods.
He handed Makoto a heavy, insulated briefcase containing the organized catalog and the blood samples collected so far.
Originally, Zetsu had only planned to deliver the catalog.
But after hearing those scripts along the way, he changed his mind.
These items would be safest with Makoto!
Zetsu knew his limitations.
His only strength was stealth and manipulation, and right now, he had a bigger problem: Isshiki Otsutsuki.
As a member of his Mother's clan, Isshiki likely possessed the power to permanently kill Zetsu.
Carrying crucial assets while hunting for Isshiki was too risky.
"Take them," Zetsu rasped, sinking into the ground. "And keep writing. You have a... vision."
After receiving the package, Makoto gave Zetsu a simple side quest.
"Have White Zetsu collect blood samples from everyone in the Land of Snow's leadership. Deliver them to Hidan. We might need another... cleansing."
...
On the Deck.
Kakashi reluctantly put down the script, now, he looked like he had just finished a five-course meal but was still hungry for a dessert!
He had devoured everything.
Not just The Lotus Lantern: Otsutsuki Kagura, but several other screenplays Makoto had "casually" produced.
These scripts had all been purchased by the Director for a small fortune, with generous royalty clauses.
The genres varied wildly.
The movie currently filming was a family drama focused on emotional outbursts.
But the others? They were epic!
For example, one script was titled: "Man of Steel: The Kaguya Chronicles."
It told the story of an alien girl, Kaguya, who was adopted by a kind Elemental Nation couple.
As she grew up, she discovered her superhuman powers—flight, laser eyes, super strength, and she began fighting bandits and helping farmers.
Until one day, a fleet from her home planet arrived.
General Zod—er, Momoshiki—came to Earth with a terraforming machine, intending to turn the planet into a chakra farm for the Otsutsuki Clan.
Kaguya resolutely chose humanity!
She engaged in a desperate DBZ-style battle against her own kin.
The fight was so intense it shattered mountains and darkened the sun!
To protect Elemental Nation, Kaguya painfully killed her own clansmen.
She snapped Momoshiki's neck in a controversial finale.
However, the humans grew fearful.
They distrusted her godlike power.
So, they used the corpse of Momoshiki to create a biological weapon—Doomsday—designed to kill Kaguya.
To protect everyone, Kaguya fought Doomsday and perished with it, sacrificing herself to seal the monster away.
Until one day, crisis descended once more, as enemies from beyond the sky reappeared.
Even united, everyone was utterly defeated.
At that moment, they finally remembered Kaguya and decided to revive her!
Kakashi thought these plots were excellent.
The action descriptions were vivid. But... they weren't exactly what he was looking for.
He sidled up to Makoto while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Hey," Kakashi whispered. "Do you have anything... spicier? Like Jiraiya-sensei's work?"
He discreetly handed Makoto a dog-eared copy of Icha Icha Paradise.
"You know. Emotional entanglements. Unrequited love turning to hate. Steamy scenes in the rain. That sort of thing."
Makoto looked at the orange book, then at Kakashi.
"Writing that kind of content is no problem for me," Makoto said smoothly. "But you should understand... as the 'Master' who wrote these epics script, if I suddenly publish smut, it could damage my brand."
"So," Makoto grinned. "I'll write it, but we publish it under your name, Kakashi. 'Written by Hatake Kakashi.' Is that alright?"
Kakashi blinked.
'My name?'
He thought about it.
Jiraiya did it, and he was a legendary Sannin.
It wasn't that shameful... it was cultured!
Plus, if it was under his name, he would get to read the drafts first.
"Deal," Kakashi nodded instantly. "I'll be your ghostwriter's ghost."
Kakashi was desperate.
Jiraiya's update schedule was atrocious. He had been waiting for Icha Icha Tactics since he was eighteen.
At this rate, he'd be dead before the next volume dropped.
Seeing Kakashi agree and Makoto decided to kill some time on the voyage.
He pulled out a notebook and began to write.
...
Half a day later.
The ship entered the freezing waters of the northern seas. Icebergs floated past like silent sentinels.
Makoto finished his work and he handed a thick manuscript to the Director.
"This is something Kakashi wrote," Makoto whispered loudly. "He was too embarrassed to pitch it himself, so he asked me to help publish it."
"Oh?" The Director looked surprised. He glanced at Kakashi, who was leaning against the railing trying to look cool.
"Of course, no problem!"
The Director skimmed the first page.
His eyes immediately widens and his face turned red.
"This... was this really written by Hatake Kakashi?"
"Of course," Makoto nodded solemnly. "Don't be fooled by his aloof mask. He's a closet pervert. Look, here's his favorite book."
Makoto showed the copy of Icha Icha Paradise Kakashi had given him earlier.
"Ah! I understand perfectly!" The Director nodded sagely. "It's always the quiet ones huh."
Across the deck, Kakashi saw them looking at him.
He assumed they were discussing the literary brilliance of the manuscript.
He scratched his head and offered a shy, embarrassed smile.
The Director saw the smile and thought, 'He's bashful about his porn! How charming!'
Just then...
"Everyone! Get inside the cabin!" Makoto's voice cut through the air. "Secure the equipment! Find a corner and brace yourselves! Enemies incoming!"
"Huh? Okay, okay!"
The Director panicked, barking orders at the crew to pack up the expensive cameras.
Soon, the deck was clear.
Only the Director remained, tied to the mast with a rope like a chaotic Captain Ahab, holding a handheld camera.
What if there was some spectacular scenery?, He refused to miss the action!
"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura! Battle stations!"
Kakashi snapped into jonin mode as he saw the figures appearing on the ice floes ahead.
The three genin jumped down onto the ice, ready to fight.
"They've finally come." Koyuki stood by the railing was gripping her necklace and her face was pale.
"Not 'finally'," Makoto corrected, standing beside her. "They waited until now because their jutsu sucks."
"These guys use Ice Release. But unlike real Ice Release, theirs relies on the environment. They're powerless in the Land of Fire. That's why they had to wait until we hit the ice cap."
'It's like Chojuro's Water Release. Useless without a puddle.'
Makoto scanned the horizon.
'Where is Zetsu?'
Makoto's defense and support were S-tier. His Crazy Diamond could heal anything, and C-Moon could manipulate gravity. But his offensive capabilities—especially large-scale destruction—were still a work in progress.
He needed a heavy hitter.
Suddenly, the Snow Ninja below made their move.
Three ninjas on snowboards gathered their chakra.
"Ice Release: One Horned White Whale!"
A massive, mountain-sized whale made of solid ice erupted from the frozen sea. It soared into the air, aiming to crush the ship like a toy boat.
It cast a massive shadow over the deck.
"Hold onto me," Makoto said to Koyuki.
He gripped the ship's railing with his left hand and the entire massive steel ship suddenly lifted into the sky!
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator