Jiraiya's Masterpiece

Regarding his captain's peculiar sense of humor, Te-saku sometimes felt quite helpless, so he immediately spoke up to change the subject:

"Speaking of which."

"The way you handled the emergency this time, Captain, was clean and efficient. With just a few words, you nipped the entire incident in the bud."

"Plus, with Shisui apprehending the thief and reporting it to the Konoha Military Police Force, it counts as a meritorious deed."

"Who knows, Captain, you might be getting a promotion again."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The devil-may-care expression on Uchiha Shingen's face immediately vanished for the most part.

A promotion?

Are you kidding me? That absolutely cannot happen!

Uchiha Shingen was very satisfied with his current position.

As a squad leader in the Konoha Military Police Force, it was neither too big nor too small.

It counted as management, so he didn't have to do everything himself, and he had a few subordinates he could squeeze for labor.

Life was carefree and comfortable.

And because it wasn't high-level management, whenever a major issue arose, he could report it upward, leaving the top-tier Jonin of the Konoha Military Police Force to deal with it.

It was the perfect position for slacking off and enjoying a peaceful retirement.

If he could, Uchiha Shingen would rather stay in this squad leader position for the rest of his life.

After a moment of thought.

Uchiha Shingen reached out and patted Shisui on the shoulder:

"The one who put in the most effort was this kid, along with all of you. This credit naturally belongs to you all as well, and your bonuses at the end of the month will be a bit higher."

"This..."

Shisui was stunned, feeling even more ashamed.

He knew in his heart that if it weren't for his own impulsive actions, yesterday's crisis would never have happened.

Now, not only did Uchiha Shingen brush off the matter of his confinement with a single sentence, but he was even willing to share the credit with everyone...

Such spirit and will were things he had only ever seen in the clansmen of the Senju.

This is the Will of Fire!

No...

Is this what they teach in Make-Out Hell?!

Could those illustrations actually contain such a profound Will of Fire?

Looking at the magazine in Uchiha Shingen's hand, Shisui's eyes flickered with light.

People came and went on the street as the sun hurried across the sky.

Soon.

It was time to get off work.

Uchiha Shingen clocked out right on time.

After hesitating for a moment where he stood, Shisui turned and ducked into the bookstore that Uchiha Shingen frequented.

He spotted Make-Out Hell placed in the most prominent position on the shelf at a single glance.

The cover illustration featured a sexy woman, her upper body slightly leaning forward, revealing an astonishing curve.

Shisui's young face turned red immediately. He bit the bullet, reached out to take it off the shelf, and tiptoed to the counter, saying shyly:

"Boss, I want this."

"Kid, don't try to explore taboos that don't belong to your age!"

The boss's teasing words made Shisui blush so hard he wanted to crawl into a hole, but his feet felt rooted to the ground as he gathered his courage to speak:

"Captain Shingen said that the secret to becoming Hokage is hidden in this book, so I..."

"You believe that nonsense?! Here, this book isn't sold to minors!"

The bookstore owner pointed to the upper left corner of the Make-Out Hell cover.

Shisui followed the owner's finger and saw an "18+" label that was particularly eye-catching.

Not sold to minors?

Then why could Captain Shingen buy it?

If I remember correctly, he's only thirteen this year... Transformation Jutsu?!

When Shisui realized this, he felt nothing but annoyance.

If he had seen this earlier, he wouldn't have had to be so embarrassed!

As expected of Captain Shingen!

Buying such a forbidden book, he was already so practiced at it!

Thinking of this, Shisui took a deep breath, placed Make-Out Hell on the table, and prepared to leave the bookstore so he could return with the appearance of an adult.

As he turned, he collided with a wall.

Feeling the texture of fabric, Shisui realized that what he had bumped into was not a wall, but a tall, middle-aged man with messy, long silver hair.

"Lord Jiraiya?!"

Recognizing the person, Shisui's young face turned even redder.

Jiraiya's name was known to everyone in Konoha, but because he spent his years traveling throughout the ninja world, few had actually seen him in person.

As one of the Third Hokage's disciples, he had joined forces with Orochimaru and Tsunade during the Second Shinobi World War to fight against the leader of Amegakure, the man known as the Demigod, Hanzo.

It was also in that battle that they earned the title of the Sannin.

He was also recognized in Konoha as one of the strongest candidates most likely to inherit the position of Hokage after the Third Hokage stepped down.

Being caught buying a forbidden book by such a big figure, Shisui felt like he wanted to die.

"Yo!"

Jiraiya was boisterous and acted like an old friend, reaching out to pat Shisui on the shoulder as he said with a hint of smugness:

"Can even a boy of your age no longer resist the charm of Make-Out Hell?!"

"It seems that as a bestselling author, my popularity has become unstoppable?!"

"Heh heh~"

Shisui gave a sheepish laugh:

"Captain Shingen said that the secret to becoming Hokage is in this book."

"Huh?"

Jiraiya looked completely bewildered.

No...

There's such a theory?!

The inspiration for this Make-Out Hell came from the proprietress of a hot spring inn in the Land of Hot Water; it had absolutely nothing to do with the Will of Fire!

He suddenly became interested:

"My book has this kind of function?!"

"Mm."

Shisui responded subconsciously and was just about to turn and leave, but he paused when he remembered Jiraiya's words:

"This is your work?!"

"Of course!"

Jiraiya nodded, admitting it quite proudly:

"I am the hottest bestselling author in the ninja world. I travel constantly precisely to gather inspiration everywhere."

"Is that so..."

Shisui wore an expression of sudden realization.

No wonder!

No wonder Captain Shingen would specifically read this book!

If it was the work of Lord Jiraiya, then everything made sense!

As one of the ninjas closest to the position of Hokage in Konoha, Lord Jiraiya naturally had the qualifications to write his own understanding of the Will of Fire into his books.

After all, books were the presentation of an author's core spirit!

"If it is your masterpiece, then I can understand why Captain Shingen reads it with such obsession."

"Obsession~"

Jiraiya keenly captured the keyword and was in a great mood, feeling a sudden interest in the Captain Shingen that Shisui mentioned.

As an author, this was the moment to communicate with a fan at close range!

"Then, what exactly did that Captain Shingen of yours say?!"

Shisui lowered his head in thought, beginning to recall what Uchiha Xixunuan had said to him. After a long while, he squeezed out a sentence:

"The illustrations are nice."

"..."

"That's it?"

Jiraiya waited for a few seconds, and seeing that Shisui had nothing more to add, he couldn't help but press him.

Shisui nodded honestly:

"That's it... oh, wait, no, he also said something else."

"No emotion, no tension, just pure fanservice from start to finish, not even third-rate..."

The more he spoke.

The quieter Shisui's voice became.

Even though he was keeping his head bowed, he could still feel the expression on Jiraiya's face gradually stiffening.

"You wicked Uchiha brat, what could you possibly know about appreciating the masterpieces of this Sage!"