Departure

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

"With my strength, making money wouldn't be hard, but it'd sound awful if people found out the strongest in the Shinobi World had been a child star. What if I'm fighting someone and they suddenly pull out my photos to humiliate me?"

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

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

Xiu shot Odagiri a sidelong glance. "Besides, there are a lot of suspicious things about this mission! A photo shoot counts as a C-rank mission? Why hire our team for something a single Transformation Technique could solve?"

"Rest assured, we've already looked into all of those reasons."

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained, "This shoot is for this year's new winter clothing collection, so it requires traveling to the Land of Iron. Besides the shoot itself, you'll also be responsible for escort duty along the way. In essence, it's equivalent to two C-rank missions, so the reward is five hundred thousand ryo."

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

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

"Cut it out! Wasn't I asking for you?" Kurenai immediately flew into a rage from embarrassment.

"As for 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 were, they only gave me a vulgar, artificial feeling. But even when attractive people make themselves look ordinary, they still possess an unforgettable aura."

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

"For example, shop clerks giving you extra gifts when you buy something; restaurants serving generous portions and complimentary side dishes; people around you being especially tolerant; strangers being particularly friendly; or even passersby warmly asking whether you need help when you're simply standing there blankly?"

"Mm-hm." ×4

The members of Kurenai's team all nodded together.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was difficult to describe. Before becoming Hokage, he had never experienced such things 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 beautiful people merely vulgarize themselves by enjoying the attention of those around them, rather than enjoying that natural harmony with the world."

I see, cherished by the world?

I know that one well!

Xiu nodded, provisionally accepting the man's explanation.

"As for why I sought out ninja, this shoot has a snow mountain theme. I tried looking for professional celebrity models, but those stars with their lavish material lives couldn't give me the effect I wanted. That tranquil, cold, pure... gaze!"

"So I thought of ninja!"

As Oda Toru spoke, he shook his head regretfully. "I first went to Iwagakure, but those people were too ugly to bear. I heard the Land of Fire was blessed with outstanding people, and even the Hokage was a great-looking man, so I thought I'd come try my luck. But then..."

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened. "I meant the Fourth Hokage! The Fourth Hokage really was a handsome man!"

Uchiha Xiu couldn't hold back his laughter. Regardless of Hiruzen Sarutobi's character, at least the old man didn't put on airs.

"That truly is a pity. If I could invite the Hokage to endorse my brand, I'd be willing to pay any endorsement fee."

Oda Toru shook his head regretfully, then turned his gaze back to the group. "In conclusion, all of you happen to fit the categories I mentioned: a gentle mature woman, a cool and glamorous beauty, a sweet young girl, and this young man so beautiful that I'm at a loss for words~"

Odagiri's tone sounded a little too flamboyant, making Xiu break out in goosebumps.

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

"Well? We can discuss the reward. I'll cover all your food and lodging along the way, and all the latest clothing used for this shoot can be taken home by you afterward. What do you say?"

Odagiri rubbed his hands together and looked eagerly at Xiu.

Uchiha Xiu himself didn't particularly care, but he could feel the breathing of the people behind him grow noticeably heavier. The hands of the mother and daughter on his shoulders also gradually tightened.

"Fine, I have no problem with it. Just follow the normal mission procedures." 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 stamped it heavily onto the document, then eagerly called in the next team and drove this bunch of fulfilled extroverts out of the room.

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

Oda Toru was not alone. He was accompanied by a team of more than ten people and four horse-drawn carriages.

The four-person squad traveled in a 1-2-1 formation. Xiu took the lead, 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 talked nonstop to Uchiha Xiu along the way, trying every possible method to get Xiu to sign with him.

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

"It's not the same. This job only covers the magazine shoot. Have you heard of Shinobi 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 are full of falseness, and they don't deserve the clothes I design. That's why I specially formed this photography team. It's a bit more troublesome, but we get the cover every time~"

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

Uchiha Xiu did not grow impatient. He simply listened quietly.

Ever since crossing over, he had always lived in the world of ninja. Although Konoha was highly diverse, at its core it was still a ninja village, with everything extending outward from ninja culture.

Listening to Oda Toru made him feel as though he had returned to a modern city. It gave him a real sense that there were people in this world besides ninja, living brilliantly in other ways as well.

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

Along the way, everything Xiu saw felt novel—the towns they passed through, the peaceful villages, merchant caravans from abroad, even setting up camp and standing watch at night.

In his previous life, he had been nothing more than a city boy, 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 called out a warning.

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

"What, is it chaotic outside the country?"