Under the shade of a tree.
Hatake Kakashi stared at Kamizuki Hikari with a helpless expression.
He had finally realized just how thick-skinned this guy was.
Hadn't his earlier hints been obvious enough?!
'Bro, I just wanna ask when your next book is coming out—and if you could add more illustrations to make me happy!'
Yet Hikari had completely ignored him, leaving Kakashi at loss.
What should he do?
Watching Hikari lounging leisurely, Kakashi frowned slightly.
Threats? No good. With Tsunade-sama backing him, even Jiraiya wouldn't be able to pressure Hikari.
Bribery? Useless. The royalties from his books alone were enough to sustain him for life.
Rumor had it that some of his novels were even being adapted into short films, with exclusive releases for subscribers.
With that, Hikari would never have to worry about money again.
So... what now?
Hikari lay there, thoroughly amused as he watched Kakashi's conflicted expression—
'I know you want something, come on, just say it.'
'Oh, Kakashi... How the tables have turned.'
'Back then, you ignored me. Now, you're the one begging.'
'Hohoho!'
'Today is a good day.'
After another ten minutes of silence, Kakashi finally spoke up again.
"Hikari, you and Gai are close, and Gai and I are close. So by extension, shouldn't we be close too? I admit, asking about your next book so bluntly was rude of me. But there's a reason!"
"As your loyal reader, isn't it natural for me to care about your upcoming works?"
Since Kakashi had gone this far, Hikari couldn't keep ignoring him any longer.
He sighed, sat up, and leaned against the tree.
"Kakashi, it's not that I don't want to write—you know how it is. Writing a book takes a lot of brainpower. I need time to build the story outline and everything. Ever since I got popular, I've actually become afraid to write carelessly. If I mess it up, my reputation is on the line. So when I think about it that way... maybe it's better not to write at all. You get what I mean, right?"
"No, no way!" Kakashi finally got a response from Hikari, only for it to be so disheartening. He wasn't about to accept that.
"Holy Light-sensei, I've collected every single one of your books. Compared to Jiraiya-sama's works, yours are far more elegant and immersive. And most importantly—your illustrations are absolutely breathtaking!"
The moment he mentioned the illustrations, Kakashi's eyes sparkled, his face twisting into a perverted grin that startled Hikari.
'No way!'
'Has Kakashi abandoned his title as "Konoha's First Technician" to become "Konoha's Perverted Hermit" because of my books?!'
'Honestly... I'm kinda excited!'
If Kakashi publicly crashed and burned in embarrassment, wouldn't that be deliciously satisfying?
"So you're saying, the illustrations in my books are a hundred times better than Jiraiya's, right?"
Well, if they're a few times better, rounding up to a hundred isn't that big of a stretch, is it?
Kakashi: I have never seen anyone this shameless in my life.
Normally, Kakashi would've just walked away.
But the thought of missing out on Hikari's next literary masterpiece was too much to bear.
"That's right, Holy Light-sensei is the best!" Kakashi said, praising him against his better judgment.
"Good, then I've got a question for you. Out of all those illustrations, which one is your favorite?" Hikari smirked, watching Kakashi closely.
That question was about to expose Kakashi's true degenerate nature.
But since there weren't many people around, Hikari decided not to totally wreck him. He still needed this guy to become the Sixth Hokage someday. If he got socially obliterated now, there'd be no one left to take the fall when things went south.
"Can I... skip this question?" Kakashi's face was hesitant. He glanced around cautiously and even eyed Hikari's hands, checking for any hidden recording devices.
He'd heard about these new shinobi-world gadgets—voice recorders that could capture conversations. If Hikari had one, Kakashi's dignity would be gone.
Normally, when he snuck around reading Icha Icha Paradise, everyone just pretended not to notice. No big deal.
But if hard evidence came out? That would be bad—real bad.
"If you answer, I might consider doubling the illustrations in my next book... tailored to your preferences. How's that sound?" Hikari tempted him.
Kakashi: I swear, as the current head of the Hatake clan, for the rest of my life, I shall never forgive anyone who tampers with my addictions.
This kind of offer meant nothing to someone like Naruto, but to a perv like Kakashi? It was heaven.
The idea of his beloved 2D waifus increasing in number... it was almost too good to be true.
"The one I like... is Airi-chan."
"Oh? Don't you think Marina's figure is better? Or do you prefer the petite type? If that's the case, I could recommend Shizune—her figure might just be your type!"
"Weren't we talking about illustrations?! Why bring Shizune into this?!" Kakashi groaned.
"It's just a casual discussion. What about Shirayuki? What do you think of her?" Hikari grinned brightly.
Kakashi's back hunched slightly. "She's... not bad."
"How about Nanase Ren?"
"Also good."
"Asuka?"
"*Cough!*" Kakashi couldn't even straighten up anymore. "Hikari, let's drop this topic! As long as you're the one drawing the heroine, I love them all. So tell me—when's your next book coming out?"
"Soon. Don't worry."
"Alright, if that's all, I'll be going now!" Kakashi said, then vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
Hikari shook his head in disbelief. "That guy, he's got real women all around him and still insists on loving 2D. Is solving things with his hand really that good?"
He truly couldn't understand Kakashi's thinking.
In Konoha, Kakashi was basically the full package: strong, famous, handsome—a total heartthrob. So many women saw him as their Prince Charming, yet the guy never went looking for a partner. How many hearts had he shattered like that?
'Speaking of Prince Charming... what if I did a spinoff?'
'Call it White-Horse Shinobi instead.'
'The main character would have silver hair, styled like Kakashi's, always wear a mask, and his summon beast would be a white horse. One day, he saves a princess who's being hunted. Turns out, the princess's stepmother—the wife of a feudal lord—is jealous of her beauty and sends assassins to eliminate her.'
'If Kakashi reads this, the self-insert potential would be insane.'
'But then again, if he figures out I'm parodying him, he might get pissed and unleash Kamui on me...'
'Too risky.'
'Better to change the hair color and hairstyle. Keep the mask, though. That way, Kakashi probably won't realize I'm hinting at him.'
'Probably.'
-----
Read 40 advanced chapters on my P@treon.
[email protected]/KakuzuTL