"You're really making a fuss over such a small amount of money? Sure, it's nice that sales are up, but this is still far from good enough."
Like always, Hinata opened the cash box with practiced ease and activated her Byakugan to count the money. 1.2 million ryo—decent, but to her it was still just transitional income. After all, this little operation was still minor: a photo book series, nothing too fancy.
"You're right, of course," the store owner Squirrel said, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "But that's why I wanted to ask if you'd consider deeper cooperation with us?"
The Fox's Tale series already had a storyline, unlike typical sleazy photo collections. It had evolved from simple adult content to something more refined, and therefore appealed to a much broader market. Sales had naturally soared.
"That won't be necessary. Just keep distributing our works on time. We're ninja, not businessmen. Making money is just a necessary step on the path to strength. But… if the time comes, we'll let you know."
With the cash box in hand, Hinata turned to leave, but then paused and looked back. "Wait. Give me a few copies of the new Fox's Tale issue."
"Huh? Ah, right away!" Squirrel bent down behind the counter and retrieved five copies. They were similar in size to Make-Out Paradise, but printed on high-quality paper with lavish illustrations. The cover featured Naruto as the bewitching fox spirit on the front, and Sasuke as the elegant nobleman on the back. The production quality was truly top-notch.
But what really drew Hinata's attention was the price tag.
"1,000 ryo per book? That's… steep."
Still, she knew the target audience were adults, so selling at that price wouldn't be a problem.
"HINATA!!"
The sudden roar nearly burst her eardrums. Hinata turned, mildly irritated, to see a man with pineapple-shaped hair, a standard green flak jacket, and a signature scar across his nose—it was their current ninja instructor, Iruka Umino.
"Ah… Iruka-sensei. What's wrong?"
Though Hinata had a long list of grievances about this world, Iruka was someone she couldn't bring herself to dislike. He had lost his parents to the Nine-Tails, but unlike others in the village, he didn't hate Naruto. Instead, he genuinely cared for all his students, and his guidance helped Naruto form a healthy worldview. No flashy powers, no plot armor—just a decent man doing his best.
"You stop mimicking Shikamaru's lazy attitude, and don't pretend you don't know why I'm here! If I'm not mistaken, this is your seventeenth skipped class this month, isn't it?!"
Iruka folded his arms and scolded her sternly. "You're a young lady! How could you act like Naruto and the boys?"
Classic Iruka—nagging like a teacher but not with malice, just concern. Hinata inwardly sighed. She'd been planning to skip class today to prep for the next phase of her training, but now…
"Yes, sorry, Iruka-sensei. I'll head to class right away."
She bowed obediently, and Iruka's stern face softened into a relieved smile.
"That's better. Hinata is such a sweet girl. You shouldn't be horsing around like Naruto. Let's go—the girls' class this afternoon is flower arranging and tea ceremony!"
"Ugh!!"
Hinata froze. Damn it—she'd forgotten the school's gender-based curriculum. Boys got physical training while girls had to learn traditional feminine skills. That sort of class was fine for the original Hinata, but for her—someone who had transmigrated into this body—it was pure torture. Like being forced to have a second period.
"Sorry, Iruka-sensei! I just remembered—my house is on fire! Gotta go put it out!"
She spun on her heel and took off like lightning. Iruka blinked, then yelled angrily, "Wait, Hinata! If your house is on fire, I'll come with you!"
"Oh no, no, I couldn't possibly trouble you, Sensei! Here—look at this great photo book I found!"
Without turning around, she flung one of the Fox's Tale issues under her arm straight at Iruka. He caught it out of reflex and, recognizing Naruto's sexy transformation on the cover, nearly fainted.
"HINATA!! What is this?! Why do you have something like this?! It's adult-only content! You stop right there!"
By the time he looked up, Hinata had already vanished over the rooftops. Forget flower arranging—she had more important things to do.
Sprinting out of the village with her money box and four remaining copies, Hinata made her way to their usual meeting spot near the waterfall, where six familiar figures were already waiting.
"Ah~ Hinata, you're so slow~"
Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, and the transformed Ino and Sakura were all there. Clearly, Ino and Sakura had gone to great lengths to be part of this, skipping class themselves.
"Ugh! Ran into Iruka on the way—almost got dragged back! You guys have been skipping way too many classes!"
Scowling, Hinata tossed the money box into their circle and quickly took stock of everyone.
Naruto was the same as ever. Sasuke sat coolly with his arms folded, flanked by Ino and Sakura in full servant-girl mode. Choji munched happily on an oversized bag of chips, while Shikamaru slouched lazily under a tree.
"Whatever. After today, we all go to class tomorrow. Otherwise, Iruka might come for us one by one."
She opened the cash box, and even Shikamaru winced at the sight inside. 1.2 million ryo—enough to hire ninja for an A-rank mission. Back in the original story, the bridge builder in the Land of Waves couldn't even afford a B-rank mission. That was how serious this money was.
"WHOA! So much money! I could buy chips for life!"
Choji nearly dropped his snack bag in excitement. Ino and Sakura, eyes wide, swallowed hard—this was more cash than either had ever seen in their lives.
"Ugh… what a drag…"
Shikamaru massaged his forehead. He knew too well: money like this always meant bigger trouble.
"...Sure, it's exciting to get paid… but when I think of what I had to do to earn this, it doesn't feel like much anymore..."
Naruto looked pale, still reeling from his "actress" duties. Sasuke simply turned his head with a brooding grunt.
"Hehehe~ This is what talent looks like. Creative vision combined with organization and execution—it all turns into cold hard cash."
Smugly, Hinata distributed the money: one stack per person. Twelve stacks in total—each stack 100,000 ryo.
"Huh? What's this for?"
Sakura looked nervously at the ten stacks in her hands. At this point, Hinata had become "the girl who knows how to make bank" in their minds. She and Ino were visibly overwhelmed by the windfall.
"Your advance salary. I'm a generous boss. As long as you work hard for the production, you'll get your fair share."
She handed one extra stack to Shikamaru, who looked up reluctantly.
"What's this for?"
"Ugh—Shikamaru, you're the smartest one here. I want you to analyze our sales across the Fire Country's towns and draft the best distribution plan. The bookstores have the data, but crunching the numbers takes effort."
Hinata snapped the money box shut. Aside from the 100,000 she gave herself, she kept the remaining 400,000 as a reimbursement for her previous training expenses.
"Seriously? You could hire a pro accountant for that kind of money. I'm just a schoolkid!"
Shikamaru looked at the cash in his hands with a face full of dread. He'd never been so annoyed by getting paid.
"Zip it. I don't trust accountants. You, on the other hand—well, let's just say I've got leverage. Who else am I gonna use? Miss Shikamaru, don't disappoint me~ Or else… you know."
Hinata's sweet reminder made Shikamaru visibly flinch.
"Alright, everyone dismissed. Naruto, Sasuke—your next training scroll is ready. If you're not afraid of dying, follow me."