Departure

"NO--!" Oda Toru looked disappointed. "Why?"

"With my strength, making money wouldn't be difficult, but it'd sound awful if people found out the strongest in the Shinobi World had been a child star. What if I was in the middle of a fight and my opponent suddenly pulled out my photo to humiliate me?"

As soon as Xiu finished speaking, Kurenai Yuhi beside him burst out laughing.

Though the image certainly sounded amusing, given Xiu's strength, it really wasn't impossible.

Xiu shot Odagiri a sidelong look. "Besides, there are a lot of suspicious points about this mission! Even a photo shoot counts as a C-rank mission. Why do you need our squad for something that can be solved with a single Transformation Technique?"

"Don't worry. We've already looked into all those reasons."

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained, "This shoot is for this year's new winter collection, so it needs to be done in the Land of Iron. Besides the shoot itself, you'll also be responsible for escorting them along the way. Essentially, it's the equivalent of two C-rank missions, so the payment is five hundred thousand ryō."

"I see." Kurenai nodded. "But why do you specifically need good-looking people?"

Xiu glanced at her from the side. "You really have no shame. I was trying to ask indirectly."

"Shut up! Wasn't I asking for you?" Kurenai immediately snapped in embarrassment.

"Regarding that question, I did try it before, but the results were truly hard to describe."

Odagiri sighed. "No matter how handsome or beautiful the people created by the Transformation Technique are, they only give me a vulgar, contrived feeling. But even if beautiful people make themselves ordinary, they still possess an unforgettable air about them."

Seeing their puzzled expressions, he continued, "You may find it difficult to understand, but please think carefully. Have you ever enjoyed the conveniences brought by your looks?"

"For example, when buying something, clerks give you extra gifts. When eating at a restaurant, not only are the portions generous, but you get complimentary side dishes. The people around you are especially tolerant of you, strangers are particularly enthusiastic toward you, and even if you're just standing there blankly, passersby will kindly ask whether you've run into some trouble?"

"Mm-hmm." ×4

The four members of Kurenai Squad all nodded in unison.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was difficult to describe. Before becoming Hokage, he had never experienced such a thing even once.

Oda Toru said excitedly, "That's exactly what I want! That aura of being cherished by the world! People who have never experienced it can never convey that feeling, no matter what. Even many good-looking people only vulgarly enjoy the attention of those around them, rather than enjoying that sense of harmony and naturalness with the world."

I see, cherished by the world?

I know that one well!

Xiu nodded and provisionally accepted the man's explanation.

"As for why I'm looking for ninja, it's because this shoot has a snowy mountain theme. I tried finding professional celebrity models, but those stars with their abundant material lives couldn't give me the effect I wanted—that serene, frosty, clean... look in their eyes!"

"So I thought of ninja!"

As Oda Toru spoke, he shook his head regretfully. "The first place I went was Iwagakure, but those people were so ugly they hurt my eyes. I heard the Land of Fire was blessed with outstanding people, and that even the Hokage was a great handsome man, so I thought I'd come try my luck. But then..."

Oda Toru looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his expression difficult to describe.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened. "I mean the Fourth Hokage! The Fourth Hokage really is a great handsome man!"

Uchiha Shu couldn't help laughing. Whatever Hiruzen Sarutobi's character was like, at least the old man didn't put on airs.

"That really is a shame. If I could hire the Hokage as an endorser, I'd be willing to pay any endorsement fee."

Oda Toru shook his head regretfully, then turned his gaze back to them. "In summary, all of you happen to fall within the categories I mentioned: a gentle mature woman, a cool and glamorous lady, a sweet little girl, and this young man who is so handsome he's left me at a loss for words~"

Odagiri's tone sounded a little too flamboyant, giving Xiu goosebumps.

He had always thought those gay makeup artists in film and television dramas were merely stereotypes about men in the fashion industry. He hadn't expected to actually encounter one.

"Well? We can discuss the payment. I'll cover all your food and lodging on the road, and all the latest outfits needed for this shoot can be taken with you afterward as well. What do you say?"

Odagiri rubbed his hands together and looked eagerly at Xiu.

Uchiha Shu didn't particularly care, but he could feel the breathing of the people behind him growing noticeably heavier. The mother and daughter's hands on his shoulders were gradually tightening as well.

"Fine, I have no problem with it. We'll just follow the normal mission procedure." Xiu nodded, feeling that if he remained oblivious any longer, he would be strangled to death.

"Then the mission is settled."

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his seal and heavily stamped the documents, then impatiently called in the next squad and drove this group of fulfilled socialites out of the room.

An hour later, the fully equipped group gathered at the village gates.

Oda Toru was not traveling alone. A team of more than ten people accompanied him, with four carriages in total.

The four squad members traveled in a 1-2-1 formation. Xiu led the way at the front, Hazuki and Izumi covered the flanks, and Kurenai Yuhi kept watch at the rear.

Oda Toru snatched the job of driving from one of his subordinates and chatted endlessly with Uchiha Shu along the way, trying every possible method to get Xiu to sign with him.

"What difference does it make? You've paid the commission, so even if I don't sign an endorsement deal, I still have to cooperate with the shoot, right?" Xiu was somewhat puzzled. "Wouldn't that save you that one million?"

"It's not the same. This job only covers the magazine shoot. Have you heard of Ninja Style NO.1?" Oda Toru asked.

"No." Xiu shook his head.

"It's currently the hottest fashion magazine on the market."

Oda Toru proudly tugged at his little mustache. "But I can't stand studios. Those places filled with falseness are unworthy of the clothes I design. That's why I specially assembled this photography team. It's a bit more troublesome, but we manage to claim the cover every time~"

Oda Toru talked nonstop, speaking about his design philosophy, how he had opened up markets in various countries, and his company's future development plans.

Uchiha Shu showed no impatience and simply listened quietly.

Ever since crossing over, he had always existed within the world of ninja. Although Konoha was diverse, its foundation was ultimately still that of a ninja village, and everything extended outward from ninja culture.

Oda Toru's words made him feel as though he had returned to a modern city. They gave him a sense of reality—so people in this world could live brilliant lives in ways other than being ninja.

They also made the Shinobi World seem less one-dimensional in his eyes than before.

Along the way, everything seemed novel to Xiu: the towns they passed, the peaceful villages, merchant caravans from foreign lands, even setting up camp and standing watch at night.

In his previous life, he had been nothing more than a country bumpkin from the city, and after crossing over, Uchiha Hazuki had taken excellent care of him. When had he ever experienced any of this?

Just as the group was about to cross the border of the Land of Fire, Kurenai Yuhi at the rear suddenly issued a warning.

"We're about to leave the Land of Fire. Stay alert."

"What? Is it chaotic outside the country?"