Chapter 3: CH - 03 Writing Books
As Akihiko reflected on the situation, he realized that in this world, only nobles had surnames, and as a noble himself, his surname was Kusano, which meant 'Grass field.' This was why the country was named the Land of Grass by his ancestors. However, Akihiko recognized that it was important for everyone, regardless of their noble status, to have a surname. He made a mental note to edit the teaching materials of Kusagakure School to include this change.
After being thanked by the old man and his son, Akihiko continued his inspection of the village construction, accompanied by Kana. Eventually, they grew tired and returned home.
Now, you might be wondering why Kana lives with Akihiko. Well, it's not because she serves as his maid or anything like that. The truth is, it's due to Kana's physique. Living together in Akihiko's home is convenient for her work, and she also takes care of him. Yes, that's the reason, definitely (*cough*). A/N - (¬‿¬).
Returning to the tasks at hand, Akihiko knew that building the Land of Grass, implementing the "Talent Acquisition" plan, and urgently making money were all top priorities. He couldn't afford to waste any time.
As for making money, Akihiko decided to employ a trick he had learned from other transmigrators. He would write novels. Of course, he couldn't write the same movies and novels from his previous life in this Shinobi world, but he could draw inspiration from Jiraiya and write his own "ero-novels." After all, even Kakashi, the "Copy Ninja," was addicted to them.
Considering the limited options for income in the small country, Akihiko found writing novels to be the most viable choice. Kusagakure didn't have any significant sources of revenue, and even if they were to accept tasks, no one would entrust them with important missions. Promoting the Land of Grass as a beautiful country was also challenging since there were no effective means of promotion available in the current era.
Speaking of technology, it's worth noting that the technology progression in the Naruto series can be a bit confusing. In Boruto, there was significant technological advancement, with trains running and even a handheld gaming device. However, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, there were video conferences between the daimyo and the Kages using TVs. While the connection may have been wired, it was still impressive to have color video conferences on a big screen. Additionally, the renowned scientist and one of the Three Sannin, Orochimaru, even created a giant mecha-sized Naruto robot.
The inconsistency in technological advancement could be attributed to the continuous wars and conflicts that have plagued the shinobi world. These conflicts likely diverted resources and attention away from scientific and technological advancements.
After arriving home, "I need to work quietly next". Akihiko looked at Kana and said seriously, " Knock on the door before entering if you need something." The words fell
Kana nodded earnestly, understanding the importance of not disturbing Akihiko's work. she
put her hands in front of her lap, and bent down, "I will definitely not disturb your work"
She was accustomed to this routine, as Akihiko often immersed himself in his tasks and emerged exhausted afterward. She knew he must be working hard for the country's sake.
Kana couldn't help but smile, realizing that Akihiko's dedication and hard work were what allowed them to sustain the country and its finances. She admired his silent efforts and wanted to support him in any way she could, "If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. I will not bother you anymore. I should prepare dinner and hot water."
Akihiko appreciated her offer and nodded before entering his room.From outside, Kana watched as he closed the door, and with determination, she patted her face and murmured 'I have to prepare a delicious dinner tonight'
But before starting with dinner, she noticed a scent on her arm and blushed slightly. "I should take a bath first," she whispered to herself. "If he gets tired, I'll help him refresh himself." With that thought in mind, Kana went to prepare a warm bath for herself, looking forward to taking care of Akihiko's needs and providing him with a comforting evening.
....
Meanwhile, As Akihiko settled into his room, he began his quiet work of writing stories. His current focus was on creating engaging narratives that would resonate with the people in the Shinobi Continent, taking into consideration the vast cultural differences between the modern world and their society.
Reflecting on his previous work, "The Story of Uchiha Ahyin and a Hyuga Gatekeeper," Akihiko scrolled through his system. He mumbled to himself, "It's a good thing I used a pseudonym. It would have been quite embarrassing if my true identity was discovered." The thought of others discovering his involvement in writing such stories made him shudder.
Although he had entrusted booksellers from other countries to publish his works, the royalties he received were relatively low. However, given the current situation in the Land of Grass, there were no booksellers with the capacity to publish his stories across the five major nations.
After searching for a while, Akihiko finally came across an interesting option. As he looked at the visual representation of the story, he found himself hesitating. "Should I write a novel, or perhaps a color manga would be more popular?" Considering the preferences of the audience, he made the decision to switch to creating a color manga instead.
....
As night fell, Kana observed Akihiko emerging from the room with a weary expression. Her heart ached at the sight, realizing the immense amount of effort Akihiko put into his work. Being the driving force behind the establishment of the Land of Grass, the burden of responsibility rested heavily on his shoulders. Kana couldn't help but feel grateful for all the favors she had received from him, yet she longed to do something meaningful in return.
With each passing moment, her determination to take better care of Akihiko grew stronger. She wanted to provide him with the support he needed and deserved. Thoughts flooded her mind, and a blush tinted her cheeks as she contemplated ways to fulfill her newfound resolution.
.....
Three days later, Akihiko, having completed the manga and brimming with energy, arrived at the agreed-upon location with the bookseller. The bookseller was one of the largest in the Land of Fire, boasting stores across the five major nations and various smaller countries, making them quite influential.
"Mr. Ekinu, you're here," the enthusiastic branch manager greeted him.
Akihiko dismissed his enthusiasm and placed the book in front of him, saying, "Read it first, then we can talk."
Curiosity piqued, the store manager accepted the book with solemnity. However, his initial shock quickly transformed into disbelief as he observed the explicit content within. The erotic illustrations depicting toad girls, snake figures, slug girls, and other fantastical creatures left him astounded. Some elements were beyond his comprehension, such as angels and demons.
The store manager wiped his nose and carefully stored the book, expressing his concern, "This book is not suitable for the general public."
Akihiko remained indifferent to the store manager's reaction, as he understood the stark cultural differences between the two worlds. As the creator, such content couldn't affect him personally unless he was brain dead.
Ignoring the manager's comment, Akihiko urged, "Let's proceed with the discussion."
The store manager hesitated before asking, "Same deal as usual?"
Without even sparing him a glance, Akihiko turned around, signaling his intention to leave.
The store manager quickly intervened, fearing the loss of their lucrative partnership. He pleaded, "Ahh! Don't go. Mr. Ekinu, you already receive a substantial share, and we don't earn much from it. Printing, promotion... they all add up. Increasing the share would only lead to our loss."
Akihiko coolly responded, "Then I'll seek out booksellers from the Land of Thunder. You won't have to worry about any loss. They approached me recently. Let them bear the loss instead."
The store manager cursed at the audacity of their competitors and, realizing the disdain in Mr. Ekinu's eyes, quickly adjusted his stance. He smiled and offered, "No loss. No loss. I'll increase it to three... no, five percent. This is already the highest offer. You know it too, Mr. Ekinu, nobody can beat us."
"Five percent it is! Additionally, I hope you can assist me in purchasing a batch of food," Akihiko requested. The upcoming reconstruction work in the Land of Grass would require a significant amount of food, and the country's high consumption always posed a challenge. After finalizing their agreement, Akihiko left, preparing for the next phase of their plan—the "Talent Acquisition" in the Land of Rain.