Wen Tai wanted to grow closer to Shigeo Aburame, and Shigeo felt the same. The two hit it off instantly, and when Wen Tai extended an invitation, Shigeo accepted without hesitation.
After notifying Jiraiya, Shigeo used reverse summoning to visit Mount Myoboku.
Since it was a visit, he didn't come empty-handed.
Ordinary gifts wouldn't do, so Shigeo prepared various flavored synthetic insects as presents for the residents of Mount Myoboku.
It turned out to be the perfect choice.
Fukasaku loved roasted fish-flavored beetles, Shima had a soft spot for honey-glazed grasshoppers, and the Great Toad Sage favored hawthorn-flavored caterpillars.
As a gesture of gratitude, Shima even cooked up a large insect-based feast for Shigeo. However, the taste…
Let's just say it was an acquired one.
Thankfully, Shigeo was already accustomed to the grotesque appearance of insects from regularly eating his fruit-and-snack-based synthetic bugs. He managed to eat Shima's cooking without flinching.
His composed demeanor earned Shima's approval.
Naturally, the second meal was even more lavish.
Realizing this couldn't go on, Shigeo took the initiative. Using the fruits and insects around Mount Myoboku, he synthesized a large batch of ingredients himself.
When he handed these to Shima, that very evening, Fukasaku ended up overeating.
Clutching his belly, Fukasaku praised his wife's exceptional cooking and remarked how Jiraiya had truly found an outstanding student.
After winning over the two elder toads, Shigeo turned his attention to Wen Tai.
Mount Myoboku was home to many large insects. Mixing these bugs with alcohol, Shigeo created a brew that had both a grassy aroma and a rich liquor scent.
It was Wen Tai's absolute favorite.
With his ample chakra reserves, Shigeo didn't hold back and synthesized a large batch of these "alcohol bugs," allowing Wen Tai to indulge to his heart's content.
A tipsy Wen Tai, utterly satisfied, insisted on performing a brotherhood ceremony with Shigeo, declaring them sworn brothers who would share fortune and hardship alike.
And thus, Shigeo officially outshone Jiraiya in popularity on Mount Myoboku, becoming its rising star.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya was entirely unaware. He spent all his time, apart from teaching Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, writing his book *The Tales of the Gutsy Ninja.*
The novel, a narrative piece, featured a protagonist named Naruto and told a story of a ninja who never gave up. By now, it was about halfway finished.
Shigeo had glanced at the manuscript but quickly lost interest.
The plot was shallow, the dialogue cringey, and the writing style amateurish.
It was even worse than the work of a certain flop author called "24K Pure Handsome Crow" from the webnovels of his past life. He couldn't bring himself to read further.
With time on his hands before he could collect Nagato's hair, Shigeo decided to write his own book.
No sooner had the idea struck than he grabbed Jiraiya's pen and a stack of blank paper and began writing.
As the saying goes, *"Read ten thousand books, and the words will flow effortlessly."*
Once Shigeo entered the writing zone, inspiration flowed like a torrent. In no time, he had filled several pages.
When he finally paused, he realized it was about time to prepare dinner, so he set down the pen and headed into the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya returned home.
Seeing the still-wet manuscript on the table, his face lit up with curiosity as he picked it up and began reading.
"Oh? A story about Hanzo?"
Jiraiya's interest was immediately piqued, and he dove into the manuscript.
The deeper he read, the wider his eyes grew, his face turning redder by the moment. Soon, he felt a warmth in his nose, and two streams of blood dripped out.
"This is too intense…"
…
Two months later, a novel titled *The Young Hanzo* began circulating in the Land of Rain. It quickly became a nationwide sensation.
Male ninjas in Amegakure, in particular, each seemed to have their own copy.
The book's appeal didn't stem from their admiration for Hanzo as a leader. Rather, they simply adored the story itself.
The main storyline was straightforward: the protagonist dies in battle, only to awaken and find himself reincarnated decades earlier as the young Hanzo in Amegakure.
Determined to change his fate, the protagonist trains diligently, rises to power as the leader of Amegakure, and uses his foresight to lead the village to defeat surrounding nations, ultimately becoming the Rain Shadow.
The novel portrayed the protagonist as a magnetic figure: followers would kneel before him, while enemies trembled at his name.
The most thrilling parts, however, were his encounters with numerous stunning beauties.
These women included Rain Country civilians, kunoichi from Amegakure, defeated enemy ninja, and even princesses and noblewomen from other nations.
Without exception, all of them fell for the protagonist, leading to a series of risqué adventures.
Since the Land of Rain had no strict censorship, these scenes were described in vivid detail, leaving readers with racing hearts.
The reincarnation element made the story highly relatable, while the tight pacing, engaging plot, and tantalizing romance kept readers hooked.
Even Hanzo himself, upon reading it, found it oddly exhilarating.
Particularly, the protagonist's lines left him deeply stirred:
*"Thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west bank—never underestimate the youth!"*
*"I, Hanzo, act without need for explanation!"*
*"I'm not targeting you. I'm saying everyone here is trash!"*
It was electrifying, wasn't it?
However, Hanzo couldn't ignore the book's explicit content. As the leader of a ninja village, he couldn't afford to tarnish his reputation with rumors of scandalous affairs.
Lately, even his female subordinates were giving him strange looks.
Realizing this couldn't continue, Hanzo issued a decree banning *The Young Hanzo* from circulation.
Unfortunately, the ban backfired.
Those with copies began hiding them, while those without were willing to pay steep prices to see why the book was banned.
*The Young Hanzo* became even more popular.
This left Hanzo feeling deeply conflicted.
With Amegakure still embroiled in battles against Iwagakure and Sunagakure, Hanzo couldn't spare the resources to address this issue. But ignoring it wasn't an option either—he didn't want his name associated with wild rumors.
To prevent further damage, Hanzo convened his advisors and devised a swift, practical solution.
Half a month later, several bookstores in Amegakure jointly released a new book. On launch day, Hanzo himself led his confidants to purchase copies.
After Hanzo left, curious onlookers entered the bookstore and saw a familiar-looking title—
*The Young Danzo.*
(End of Chapter)