Chapter 78: Princess Gale Ninja Scroll! On How to Be the Male Lead on Set
One year later, in the northern territory.
This is the border filming location of the Land of Snow, with cold winds whistling and carrying snowflakes. The entire film crew for "Princess Gale" was in chaos.
"Cut! Cut! That's not it!"
The director grabbed his already sparse hair in agony and roared, "Miss Fujikaze Yukie! We need a determined gaze! The courage to believe in miracles even when facing a desperate situation! The look in your eyes right now is like... like a salted fish that's anxious to go home and collect the laundry!"
In the center of the set, the popular actress wrapped in thick furs—Fujikaze Yukie, who was actually the Princess of the Land of Snow, Fuka Koyuki, who had fled her homeland years ago—was standing there with her arms crossed, looking impatient.
"There's no need to film such a childish movie." She snorted coldly, her eyes filled with decadence, "What 'believe in miracles'... where are there so many heroes in reality?"
"Who says there aren't?"
Just as the scene was about to freeze, a vibrant voice cut through the wind and snow.
The crew turned around to see two figures, one big and one small, stepping through the snow. The Blonde Youth walking in front, despite his nose being red from the cold, had his deep blue eyes glued to Fujikaze Yukie's face, almost emitting light.
[My god! Is this the legendary top celebrity of the Ninja World?!]
Uzumaki Naruto stopped in his tracks, his heart pounding wildly.
[I've seen the posters countless times, but in person... this aura is simply amazing! This cold, world-weary face that looks at everyone like they're trash... Hiss! For those of us used to hot-blooded anime, this script of a 'high-mountain flower being pulled down from the altar' is the absolute best!]
Without any warning, that heavenly curtain, visible only to specific women, silently unfolded in the snowstorm, hovering above the somewhat dazed Fujikaze Yukie.
Koyuki, who had been preparing to throw a tantrum and quit, froze completely.
She looked at the colorful floating comments that suddenly popped into her head, forgetting the cold for a moment.
[Is the current plot not working because the villain is too stupid, making the heroine feel nothing? The director still doesn't understand acting!]
[If I were the male lead, even if it were just as a stunt double... in this sky full of flying snow, when the enemies rush over in overwhelming numbers, I would just pull her into my arms like this.]
[She would be flustered, she would shout 'Let go of me', but I would just lower my head, look at her with that domineering gaze of 'No one is allowed to bully you except me', and then say in her ear: 'Hold on tight, we're about to take off.']
[That moment of the suspension bridge effect would definitely make her heart rate soar to 180! Whether it's acting or real, this kind of hero-saves-beauty trope is cliché, but it works!]
Koyuki's face turned red in an instant. That usually indifferent face finally showed a look of panic.
Who is this guy? What kind of wild things is he thinking about? Heart rate of 180? Who wants to be hugged by him!
"Who are you?" Koyuki took a subconscious step back, her voice trembling slightly.
"I'm... uh, a passing extra! A part-time bodyguard!" Naruto, wanting to blend into the crew, blurted it out. Jiraiya, standing beside him, hadn't even had a chance to speak when a real explosion sounded in the distance.
Boom—!
The snow on the slope exploded, and several Ninjas wearing special cold-resistant armor and stepping on snowboards descended from the sky. They were the assassins sent by the Land of Snow's Daimyo, Kazahana Dotō.
"Take that woman away!" The leader, Rouga Nadare, grinned and threw out several Kunai with Chakra wires attached.
"Ah—! There really are assassins!"
The film crew instantly fell into chaos, everyone screaming and fleeing in all directions. Koyuki's face was pale, her legs unable to move as if they were filled with lead. It was that nightmare... the people sent by her uncle had finally caught up.
Just as that cold Kunai was about to pierce her, a golden flash tore through the wind and snow.
Pfft!
The Kunai was slapped away by a palm covered in blue Chakra. Naruto's figure stood in front of her, his back straight and reassuring. He didn't turn around, but his voice was full of energy.
"Hey, Director! Did you film that scene just now?" Naruto still had the leisure to shout at the director, who had already crawled under the table, "It doesn't matter if you didn't, because the main event is coming up next!"
He turned around abruptly, and before Koyuki could react, his right hand firmly wrapped around her slender waist, even having to lift her up a bit due to momentum.
That momentary touch made Koyuki stiffen. And following it was that oversized, highlighted psychological activity on the heavenly curtain.
[Gotcha! Such a slim waist!]
[Is this the body management of a female celebrity? Looks beautiful, feels light when held, not a bit of meat on her. How can this be?]
[No, no, if I marry her home... no, take her back to Konoha, the first thing I have to do is take her to Ichiraku Ramen for special training! Even if it's kidnapping, I'll make her finish the deluxe extra-large chashu ramen, soup and all! I don't believe I can't fatten her up!]
Surrounded by assassins, Koyuki's mind went blank, and she actually forgot to be afraid. She stared blankly at this youth who, despite being in danger, was planning how to "force-feed" her.
Fatten her up? Because... she's too thin to be comfortable to hold?
[Ding!]
A crisp notification sound rang in her mind.
[Detected host Fujikaze Yukie, received an emotional critical hit from'Straight-male-style warmth (Force-feeding plan)'.]
[That simple desire that doesn't need you to be perfect, only caring about whether you're full or not, shattered the 'cold, glamorous queen' mask you've maintained for years.]
[Obtained special reward: Bloodline Awakening · Ice Release (No longer just a vase). Passive Skill — [Emotional Burst Acting] (When your partner is him, even if it's fake, your eyes can still pull strings).]
"Hold on tight!"
Naruto gave a low shout, not giving Koyuki any time to think. The Chakra under his feet erupted, and he shot into the sky with the beauty in his arms.
The Ninjutsu attacks from those snow Ninjas exploded behind them, just like the carefully designed special effect fireworks in a movie.
"You... are you an idiot! Put me down, I'll drag you down with me!" Although Koyuki shouted this, her hands honestly grabbed Naruto's collar tightly.
"Drag me down? Are you kidding me!"
Naruto made various high-difficulty evasive maneuvers in the air while turning his head to give her that iconic, silly smile, "In my script, the male lead never leaves the female lead behind!"
At this moment, the Rasengan in Naruto's hand had already formed.
[Let me think, what should this move be called? To match the promotion of this movie... Got it!]
He descended from the sky, slamming the Rasengan in his hand fiercely towards the closest pursuer, Rouga Nadare.
"Rasengan · Special Effect Extended Version · Hero-Saves-Beauty Rotating Smash!"
Boom!
The huge spiral force not only blasted the enemies away but also kicked up a sky full of snow dust. The sunlight happened to pierce through the clouds at this moment, spilling onto the two of them.
The scene froze.
Naruto landed steadily, maintaining the posture of holding Koyuki with one hand, looking at her with deep affection.
"How is it, Princess? Did this scene... pass?"
Koyuki stared blankly at those deep blue eyes. This time, there was no need for the director's roar, no need for eye drops to assist. Her eyes naturally turned red.
The original resistance, arrogance, and disguised world-weariness seemed to be melted away by the temperature of the youth's palm at this moment.
"Idiot..."
She murmured softly, and under the director's gaze, who was so excited he was about to faint, she no longer stiffly let herself be held, but actively reached out, wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck, and buried her face into the crook of his neck, which carried sweat and warmth.
"...This scene, I'll let it pass."
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host! Achieved achievement [Bulldozer: Crossover Strategy], successfully made the top celebrity of the Ninja World fall for you (even if it was just a momentary suspension bridge effect).]
[Obtained reward: Charm Halo · Star Effect (Your name will spread more easily among female groups). Fuka Koyuki's exclusive gift: [Lifetime Ramen Payment Right (She really intends to go to Ichiraku Ramen to eat and get a bit fatter)].]
Jiraiya in the distance had already taken out his small notebook, writing furiously, tears streaming down his face.
"Great... material! This is the perfect material! 'make-out tactics: Land of Snow Arc', this will definitely sell like crazy!"
And the director, who was peeking from the side, was already crazily directing the cameraman: "Did you get it! Especially that last look! That look! This is the 'believe in miracles' I wanted! This is the love I wanted!"
Only Naruto was still regretfully feeling the texture.
[Hmm, still too thin. Really need to take her back and feed her up properly...]