He Loves Kaguya More Than Black Zetsu

"Why don't you go back? Didn't you already answer for me just now?"

"Those people of Sandayu are no match for Dotō at all. Even if I overthrow him with the help of others, I'll just be a woman who only knows how to act."

Because Shirozumi had spoken her mind earlier, and coupled with the script for the new movie Shirozumi provided, Kazahana Koyuki's attitude towards Shirozumi was completely different from her attitude towards Kakashi.

"Then, let's develop movies."

"Hm?"

"Since you only know this area, then let's make the Land of Snow a good... uh, a movie country."

"That won't work. The environment in the Land of Snow is too harsh, with no spring, just ice and snow everywhere. It's fine for filming certain special themes, but we can't achieve what you're calling a 'movie country'."

Kazahana Koyuki shook her head, dismissing Shirozumi's idea.

"Your..."

"Hm?"

Kazahana Koyuki followed Shirozumi's gaze and looked down, her cheeks instantly flushing red as she covered her chest.

"I meant your necklace."

"...This was left to me by my father."

Kazahana Koyuki's expression was a little embarrassed. She released her grip on her collar, took off the necklace, and examined it in her palm.

"This is the key to activating a geothermal device. Once activated, it can bring spring to the Land of Snow."

"...How do you know that?"

Kazahana Koyuki was stunned.

She didn't suspect Shirozumi was lying, but she was confused as to how he knew something that she and her uncle didn't.

"Intelligence."

"I understand."

Shirozumi's two words made Kazahana Koyuki suddenly enlightened.

This was the current T0-level character in the Ninja World—Intelligence Shirozumi.

"Melting the ice and snow to farm using the geothermal device would be too extravagant, but it would be very practical for creating the climate needed for each season according to movie requirements.

For the daily necessities the Land of Snow needs, you can consider joining the national development organization I initiated, which is still in its early stages—the Inter-mutual Alliance. The nearby Land of Earth can provide you with stable supplies."

"Look, this is the agreement I signed with the Tsuchikage."

"Wow, so impressive."

Kazahana Koyuki stared blankly at a scroll Shirozumi presented.

And if she wasn't mistaken, besides the Fourth Tsuchikage, the Fifth Mizukage's name was also on it...

She had only heard of Shirozumi before and thought he was just a talented ninja, similar to Jiraiya who wrote the Make-Out Series.

She hadn't expected that besides his writing talent, Shirozumi also understood these things.

"Then, Dotō, he..."

Her mind reeling from Shirozumi's grand vision, Kazahana Koyuki suddenly felt that her uncle wasn't so terrifying anymore.

"Don't worry, that guy is too weak. He thinks he can sweep across the Five Great Nations by developing some chakra armor. If Iwagakure guards its gates, he wouldn't even be able to leave his own doorstep."

Shirozumi could only say so much.

For an actress who wasn't a ninja, Shirozumi couldn't simply describe the specific power gap in words for her to comprehend.

The terrifying scene of "Snow Falling on Humans" outside earlier, Shirozumi also felt it wasn't suitable as proof of his strength, so he humbly attributed it to Gaara.

"I, I believe you, okay, I'll go back!"

Kazahana Koyuki picked up the script from the side and looked at the crew members who were still chatting, "Everyone, it's time to set off, right?"

This script was written by Shirozumi.

"He convinced her just like that?"

Kakashi tilted his head, feeling his worldview had been refreshed.

At the dock in the Land of Fire.

Kazahana Koyuki, while reading Shirozumi's script, prepared to board the ship.

On the journey, Kazahana Koyuki carefully read the script's content, feeling the emotions of the characters within.

"Can I just take a look, just one glance..."

On the ship, Naruto pleaded, wanting to see the script.

"Naruto, if you read it now, you won't have that sense of freshness when you watch the movie later, and besides, this is someone's commercial secret."

Kakashi, sitting on the ship's railing and reading Icha Icha Paradise, said calmly upon hearing Naruto's clamor.

"It doesn't really matter, as long as you sign a confidentiality agreement, you can look all you want."

"Besides, we're filming this on the go, so you'll have to find out some of the plot eventually anyway."

"Also, as ninja, you might not have time to watch it when the movie comes out. By the time you're free, everyone else will have already spoiled it for you..."

Before Shirozumi could finish speaking, Naruto, holding a blank scroll and a brush, eagerly approached Shirozumi with an expectant look on his face.

"Since you put it that way, I'll sign it too."

Kakashi suddenly put away his Icha Icha Paradise, appeared beside Naruto, and snatched the brush.

In truth, Kakashi had wanted to read Shirozumi's script for a while.

Sakura and Sasuke also came over to sign the confidentiality agreement, and then everyone happily took a copy of the script to read.

The name of this movie was--Lotus Lantern.

It was the Lotus Lantern after Shirozumi had heavily modified it.

He had initially considered changing it to "Snow Lotus Lantern" if he were customizing it for Kazahana Koyuki, but then he thought that snow lotuses were too rare, so he dropped the idea.

This was a story about a child who, after enduring countless hardships, successfully rescued their mother.

A long, long time ago, Kaguya came to the mortal realm, bringing power and hope. But she knew that her origins, the ruthless Celestial Clan, would not let her go.

For this reason, Kaguya yearned for power, to protect herself and everything within her sight.

But her son did not understand her, believing his mother sacrificed her emotions for power.

He failed to grasp that his mother could not embrace everyone while holding a sword, and could not protect everyone if she put it down.

Unable to understand Kaguya, her son mercilessly sealed her away on the Moon.

Kaguya's youngest son, Chenxiang, who had only recently been born, watched his mother leave in despair, helpless.

Compared to her brother who sealed their mother, her power was far too weak.

But Chenxiang did not give up.

Though she was weak, she inherited the longevity of the Celestial Clan.

She was indomitable, her will unwavering. She vowed that even if it took a thousand years, ten thousand years, even if it meant facing mountains of blades and seas of fire, a near-certain death, she would rescue her mother.

While everyone else was reading the script, Kazahana Koyuki was in the recording booth on a different level, recording the movie's songs. The music emanated from the speakers.

The lyrics, fitting the plot, and the moving melody, made people feel deeply.

For example--

The stars in the sky are so beautiful, but without you, nothing has life... I don't want to see you only in the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

And--

I crossed mountains and rivers for you, but had no heart to see the scenery.

What about--

Spring, summer, autumn, winter, on the thirty-six thousand five hundredth day of thinking of you.

Watching the story, listening to the songs.

Sasuke thought of his parents, and his whole demeanor softened.

Naruto pouted. He wanted to remember his parents, but he didn't even know who they were.

However, he could understand the story's protagonist, Chenxiang. If his mother were sealed away, he too would do everything in his power to save her.

Besides those on the ship, in the woods outside the dock, Black Zetsu was holding the script and reading it.

Reading the script, Black Zetsu felt that Shirozumi wanted his mother to be resurrected even more than he did, which was somewhat absurd.