“So, Senior is struggling with what to name your first book?”
Yakiniku Q.
Jiraiya had a few drinks and began to open up.
The cruelty of the Ninja World wasn’t suitable to discuss with naive students.
After much thought, the only thing he could talk about was his own book.
“Yes, this is my first book, my life’s work.
It must have a good name!”
Gekko Ryun’s expression was somewhat subtle.
First book?
Probably not…
“Has Senior decided on your pen name?”
Jiraiya’s eyes lit up as he proudly declared, “I’ll call myself the Toad Sage.
How about that?
Pretty impressive, right?”
Huh?
Gekko Ryun was a bit puzzled.
If he remembered correctly, Jiraiya should have used his real name for his writing.
He quickly brushed aside this minor detail.
That subtle feeling in his heart grew stronger.
His own pen name was “Toad Literary Master,” while Jiraiya’s was “Toad Sage.”
If his book became popular…
When Jiraiya’s book was released, it might be seen as a “sequel” and could likely boost sales significantly.
However, it might also get heavily criticized for not meeting expectations.
But that’s okay.
After all, Jiraiya would eventually write “Make-Out Paradise” anyway.
Different paths lead to the same destination, different paths lead to the same destination…
“What kind of story is Uncle going to write?”
Kushina, enjoying the delicious grilled meat, was very curious about Jiraiya writing a book.
“The story is…”
Listening to Jiraiya’s passionate narration, Gekko Ryun’s mouth twitched.
If he remembered correctly, this book in the original should be called “The Tale of Gutsy Ninja,” with Naruto as the protagonist.
In the original, Minato Namikaze named his son “Naruto” after this book.
The general plot was about a ninja upholding his beliefs and adventuring through the Ninja World.
How to put it?
In two words: cliché.
In three words: very cliché.
It wasn’t the theme that was problematic, but the plot points Jiraiya described.
The protagonist would encounter various hardships and dangers, but without exception, he could overcome them through unwavering faith.
Either the enemies would be moved by his words, or his companions would unite to defeat the enemies, and then persuade them…
To summarize, it was essentially a “Talk-no-Jutsu case collection.”
He could only say that advocating for strong beliefs wasn’t wrong, but beliefs alone weren’t enough.
Ninjas from the major Hidden Villages were all mentally unstable, each more obsessive than the last.
If you told them they didn’t need talent or hard training, that strong beliefs alone could make them powerful?
Anyone who believed that should go to the village entrance and take two Tailed Beast Bombs to the face to sober up.
‘This book probably won’t sell well, no wonder Jiraiya later switched to writing “Make-Out Paradise.”‘
He felt somewhat moved.
The literary world lost an insignificant figure.
The borderline genre gained a peerless genius!
Minato hadn’t moved his chopsticks at all, listening intently the whole time, occasionally exclaiming in amazement.
“Senior is amazing!
How did you come up with such a thrilling plot?”
Kushina listened with great interest, chiming in, “Yeah, yeah, Uncle, you can actually write books?”
Gekko Ryun: “…”
Amazing where?
Thrilling where?
Skilled at writing where?
Weren’t all the plot resolutions achieved through Talk-no-Jutsu turning the tide?
It was unrealistic, but very Hokage-like.
He glanced at Minato Namikaze and sighed inwardly.
Little Sun truly hasn’t experienced anything better.
Once my book is published, I’ll find a way to send him a copy and let him see what real twists and turns look like!
As for Kushina…
she should read something normal to improve her taste a bit.
Jiraiya laughed heartily, slapping Minato on the shoulder.
“Although the name you came up with is strange, your appreciation level is quite good!
Kushina, you have great taste too!”
He turned his gaze to Gekko Ryun.
“What do you think?”
Gekko Ryun held his forehead and let out a long sigh.
“I say the senior has excellent insight.
Once it’s published, I’ll definitely buy a copy to treasure.”
Consider it contributing to Jiraiya’s sales.
Jiraiya laughed uproariously at the sky.
Today was the happiest he’d been in the past two years, aside from when Tsunade beat him up.
Minato scratched his head.
“Senior, why do you say the name I came up with is strange?”
“Hmm…” Jiraiya stopped laughing, took a sip of wine, and looked at the two sitting opposite him.
“Do you want to hear the book title Minato came up with?”
“Yes!”
The two exchanged a glance and spoke in unison.
Kushina loved watching the drama unfold.
Gekko Ryun also had some understanding of Minato’s naming skills from the original work, but he had never heard the name Minato gave to The Tale of the Gutsy Shinobi.
This was firsthand information!
He was very interested in this.
“Let me think…
it was called Ninja Way…
something or other?”
Seeing this, Minato reminded him, “Senior, it’s Super Ninja Way Flash Heart Ultimate Resonance Freeform Adventure Travelogue Zero-Type.”
Jiraiya fell silent.
Although it wasn’t the first time he’d heard it, every time he did, it still managed to crash his language system.
Kushina: “…”
Gekko Ryun: “…”
He took a deep breath, barely suppressing the urge to complain.
Damn, what kind of bizarre name is this?!
So hard to hold back!
Minato turned his gaze to the two of them, his tone unable to hide his disappointment.
“Do you also think…
this name isn’t good?”
Kushina tried hard to suppress the corners of her mouth from turning upward, afraid she would burst out laughing the moment she opened her mouth.
She cast a pleading look toward Gekko Ryun.
He gave Minato a complicated look.
When it came to coming up with disappointing names, Minato Namikaze never disappointed.
After thinking carefully, he said, “Although it’s a bit strange, I think this name does have its merits.”
Minato’s eyes lit up.
He understands me!
Jiraiya and Kushina, however, widened their eyes and looked at him in disbelief.
Seriously, bro?
You can even praise this?
Did you get paid?
After hesitating for a moment, he had a sudden inspiration.
“Think about it.
If you went to a bookstore and saw a book with a title this long and this strange, what would you think?”
Kushina said blankly, “What would I think?”
Jiraiya frowned, deep in thought.
“…Buy a copy to see?”
Clap!
Gekko Ryun brought his palms together.
“Right!
A book title this long and this weird—if I saw it, I’d probably want to buy a copy to see what it’s all about.”
“It can be like that?” Kushina didn’t quite understand.
Jiraiya’s eyes lit up.
Although it felt strange, thinking about it, it also seemed quite reasonable.
“That makes sense!”
He looked at Minato Namikaze with some surprise.
Was this also part of your calculations?
…
A lively barbecue feast was nearing its end.
Everyone had eaten their fill.
Minato let out several satisfied burps in a row, feeling a bit embarrassed.
The three of them each held their round, full bellies and smiled at each other.
“So, is everyone full?”
Jiraiya paid the bill, and even as a disciple of the Hokage, the lengthy receipt made him wince a little.
But he didn’t dwell on it.
Getting to know two promising juniors and gaining plenty of inspiration for his book was more than worth it.
The three youngsters nodded in unison.
“No need to rush off.
Sit and rest for a while.”
Given the current situation, if his predictions were correct, the Second Great Ninja War shouldn’t be too far away.
He wondered if the three before him would survive the war.
Minato and Kushina were both geniuses, and Gekko Ryun could teach Minato swordsmanship and Kushina ninjutsu—he was likely the most talented among the three.
But geniuses who fell on the battlefield were never in short supply.
Thinking of this, Jiraiya suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of melancholy.
Damn this war!
Could Minato be the Child of Prophecy spoken of by the Great Toad Sage?
Would he truly bring unprecedented peace to the Ninja World?
Jiraiya let out a soft sigh.
‘It’s time.’
Gekko Ryun stood up and poured a glass of water for everyone.
When handing Jiraiya his glass, he inadvertently brushed against Jiraiya’s arm.
[New equipment material detected]