This wasn't even the most impressive part.
The Land of Rain experienced constant downpours, and there were no tents on the battlefield for resting—usually, you had to grab whatever spot you could find for a quick break. Where did Jiraiya find the time to write a book? Where did he find a dry place to do it?
The manuscript was spotless—not even touched by the rain.
Takashi genuinely admired Jiraiya for his dedication. To create, to write such a risqué book, this guy really went all out.
Coming back drenched, he immediately produced a stack of written pages—how did he manage it?
"Ahahaha..."
Seeing Takashi give him a thumbs-up, Jiraiya smiled sheepishly.
You're something else, Jiraiya. Alright, let me take a look at this manuscript—I'll give it a review.
Takashi picked up the manuscript and began to read.
After reading a few pages, he glanced up at Jiraiya, then looked back down at the manuscript.
Jiraiya suddenly felt a pang of nervousness. Did he write it poorly?
Maybe the storyline wasn't smooth enough? But the plot of "The Pure Housewife Bai Jie" he had devised was pretty solid, wasn't it?
After reading a few more pages, Takashi handed the manuscript back to Jiraiya without hesitation.
"It's very well written. Keep it up, and once it's done, send it to a publisher. I'm sure it'll become a big hit across the ninja world."
This guy, Jiraiya, really is a master of risqué writing. He writes with true flair—though the protagonist, Bai Jie's first love interest, felt somewhat familiar.
"Really?" Jiraiya's heart nearly leaped out of his chest in joy as he jumped to his feet.
"Yes, really. Trust yourself, trust my judgment. If you still don't believe me, let Orochimaru take a look."
"Alright, I'll go find that conceited Orochimaru. Once I finish the manuscript, I'll have someone send it back to the village... or no, asking someone isn't safe. I'll have the toads help me deliver it for printing and publication."
With the manuscript in hand, Jiraiya dashed away, grinning from ear to ear.
Takashi rubbed his face to wake himself up. "Hopefully, that guy doesn't get beaten to death."
Bursting into the morgue, Jiraiya found Orochimaru resting. He proudly put on an arrogant expression and handed the manuscript over.
"This is my new book. Takashi said I should ask you to take a look."
"???"
New book?
Didn't you just head to the battlefield?
When did you find the time to write a new book?
Like Takashi, Orochimaru shared the same question.
If it was just Jiraiya asking him to read it, he'd have refused outright and ignored him. But since Takashi had sent Jiraiya here, Orochimaru decided to at least glance at it.
Taking the manuscript, Orochimaru skimmed a few pages, his usually calm face suddenly darkening.
"Smack!!"
He slapped the manuscript down on the table with force, his entire body emanating a frightening aura. "Explain to me right now why the male lead is called 'Big Snake-Snake.'"
Jiraiya explained, "He's a genius! Just like you—a jack-of-all-trades. Takashi called him a 'hexagon warrior'—someone so well-rounded that Bai Jie would be irresistibly attracted to him. Isn't it great? It's just like you!"
"Get out!!"
Orochimaru kicked Jiraiya out of the room.
You idiot! You used me as a reference to write a risqué character, making me the male lead?!
Orochimaru couldn't remember the last time he'd been this angry.
Jiraiya, you jerk. Writing me as the male lead is bad enough, but you made the character so... unflattering.
"Don't be mad! Give me back my manuscript! Damn it, Orochimaru! My manuscript!!"
"Get out! Take this garbage with you!!"
"Don't be mad. I can even share some of the royalties with you..."
"Get out!!!"
In a fit of rage, Orochimaru chased Jiraiya down, delivering a solid beating. Fortunately, the manuscript was spared. Though Jiraiya was bruised and battered, he remained incredibly cheerful.
He figured that Orochimaru's anger meant his portrayal had been too spot-on.
The character must have been depicted perfectly, which is why it struck a nerve with Orochimaru.
Grinning ear to ear, Jiraiya made his way to the command center, where he eagerly asked, "Senior Shikashin, do I have any missions coming up?"
"There are missions, but I think it'd be better for you to take some time off."
Seeing Jiraiya's black eyes and bruised face, Nara Shikashin stifled his initial thought of assigning a mission.
This kid really has it rough—got beaten up like this and still wants to go on a mission.
"That's great! I could use some time to finish my manuscript. Senior, I'll head back for now."
With his time off secured, Jiraiya planned to finish the rest of his writing in one go and send it back to the village for printing.
Nara Shikashin: "..."
It seems the Hokage's student has a few screws loose. Should I report this to the Hokage?
Finding an empty tent, Jiraiya slipped inside. Not even bothering to change out of his wet clothes, he took out paper and pen and began furiously writing away, feeling more inspired than ever.
---
The Land of Rain was in turmoil, and Konoha wasn't much better.
With Amegakure having declared war, the ball was now in the hands of the three Great Villages.
The three Great Villages, which had been cautious before, could now freely unleash their full strength.
This was precisely what Sunagakure had wanted, but it wasn't something Konoha was too happy about.
Konoha had been on the defensive all along, previously using the lack of an official declaration of war to hold Sunagakure accountable for starting the conflict. Now, with Amegakure having shattered that dynamic, Sunagakure no longer had to worry about taking the blame.
"Everyone, Amegakure has declared war on us. How should we respond?"
The Third Hokage had been stressed to the point of losing a good amount of hair recently.
What in the world happened to Hanzo of the Salamander? What kind of provocation made him suddenly decide to take the blame for Sunagakure? Was it really worth it?
With war breaking out, the Land of Rain was already destined to become a casualty. It was only a matter of time before it got ravaged. But just after Sunagakure looted it, Hanzo couldn't hold back any longer?
The Third Hokage was frustrated, as Hanzo's actions had put Konoha in a difficult position.
"If Amegakure has the audacity to declare war on us, then as one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, we must retaliate fiercely," Koharu Utatane said, her fiery temper still in full swing.
The Land of Rain was plundered. If you want revenge, go after Sunagakure! Why drag Konoha into this?
Do you really think Konoha is that much of a pushover? Declaring war on us so directly...
"I believe Sunagakure and Iwagakure feel the same way. The pride and bottom line of the Five Great Ninja Villages cannot be challenged!"
"I agree with Koharu."
Homura Mitokado, who rarely spoke during meetings, voiced his support.
The ball had been kicked into their court—if they didn't strike back, people would think Konoha was scared of Amegakure.
Chubby, what do you think?
The Third Hokage glanced at Torifu Akimichi, who patted his round belly and smiled.
"Koharu makes a valid point. Regardless of the reason, since Amegakure has declared war, we must respond.
"But I suggest we hold off for now."
"What do you mean by that?"
Are you just trying to oppose us, Torifu?
Koharu seemed displeased.