Chapter 7: Journey to the West
Senju Miyuki left in high spirits, carrying the seasonings Yamamoto Nami had given her.
Yamamoto Ryusei walked Komiya Yuki and Yamashita So home, briefly informing their parents that they would be eating at his house for the time being. Their parents quickly agreed and insisted on giving him money for their meals. Ryusei didn't refuse, said his goodbyes, and headed back.
Upon returning home, Ryusei gave the money from So and Yuki's parents to his mother. "This is for So's and Yuki's meals."
"Why did you take this back?" Nami said. "It's not like we're short on that little bit of money."
Yamamoto Shuichi interjected, "You should take it. If you don't, those two kids won't come over to eat."
Nami thought for a moment and accepted the money. After saying goodnight to his parents, Ryusei went to his room.
He sat down at his desk, took out the manuscript paper, and prepared to write a novel. Although the restaurant plan could make money, who knew when Hashirama would be back? It was better to write a book first to earn some emergency funds.
What should I write? He had read too many novels in his past life, but in terms of profound impact, nothing beat the Four Great Classical Novels.
Dream of the Red Chamber was all about love and romance, probably not suitable for the ninja world.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, while full of brilliant strategies and thrilling tales, relied too heavily on history. The people of the ninja world would be slow to accept it, which didn't fit his goal of making a quick profit.
That left Journey to the West and The Investiture of the Gods. After a moment of contemplation, Ryusei decided to write Journey to the West. That guy "AB" who drew Naruto didn't just copy Chinese hand seals; he copied a lot of elements from Journey to the West as well.
For example, Sun Wukong, the Ruyi Jingu Bang, and so on. Journey to the West would give them a greater sense of familiarity. Alright... I'll write Journey to the West.
Ryusei spread out the manuscript paper and began to write. He wrote in vernacular Chinese, but he still had to copy down the classical poems.
Chapter 1: The Divine Monkey is Born
Before chaos divided, heaven and earth were a blur,
Vast and murky, with no one to see.
Since Pan Gu smashed the great void,
And opened a way for the clear and turbid to be.
All living things look up to his benevolence,
The invention of all things is for the good.
To know the tales of creation and destiny,
One must read the "Journey to the West."
A long, long time ago, the world was divided into four great continents: The Eastern Purvavideha, the Western Aparagodaniya, the Southern Jambudvipa, and the Northern Uttarakuru.
On the Eastern continent, in the country of Aolai, there was a mountain called the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. On this mountain was a magical stone. One day, the stone split open, and from within leaped a stone monkey. As the wind blew upon it, the monkey grew, and from its eyes shot beams of golden light. The light pierced the heavens and shook the Celestial Court...
...Two hours later, Ryusei stopped writing right at the part where Sun Wukong had caused chaos at the Peach Banquet, fled back to the mortal world, and the Celestial Court was preparing to send its army to attack the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit.
In his past life, he had been driven to the brink of madness by authors who left stories on cliffhangers. Now that he was an author, he had to let the people of the ninja world have a taste of that feeling.
Ryusei put down his pen, refined chakra a few times to nourish his body, and went to sleep.
The Next Day
Ryusei was training at the edge of the forest. Yamashita So and Komiya Yuki were engrossed in reading the manuscript of Journey to the West that he had written the night before. Suddenly, So rushed in front of him and asked anxiously, "Big Brother, what happens next? What happens next? Did the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, get captured by the Celestial Court?"
Ryusei naturally wasn't going to give any spoilers. He answered perfunctorily, "I haven't thought of what happens next. What do you guys think of it so far?"
So jumped up. "Is there even a need to ask? The Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong, is so domineering! I wish I were Sun Wukong! Hu-ha! Huhu-ha!"
So had found a wooden stick from somewhere and was now swinging it around wildly.
Watching him, Ryusei knew that Journey to the West was a great fit for the tastes of the ninja world.
However, although Komiya Yuki was also excited, she was much calmer compared to So.
That makes sense. Although Journey to the West is for all ages, for girls, it can't quite compare to those sappy romance stories. But this book will still sell well in the ninja world.
Ryusei instructed them, "I'm going to submit the book now. Remember, do not tell anyone that I wrote it. You can't even tell your parents."
"We know," So and Yuki promised.
In Konoha, Ryusei used the Transformation Jutsu to turn himself into a tough-looking middle-aged man with a Konoha forehead protector. Carrying the manuscript, he walked into a relatively large bookstore.
The shop owner came to greet him respectfully. "Esteemed Ninja-sama, what would you like to buy?"
Ryusei gestured to the manuscript in his hand. "I have a book here. Why don't you take a look?"
The shop owner's face immediately fell. He looked at the fierce-faced Ryusei and thought, A ninja this intimidating writing a book? He must be here to extort money.
'Hmph, coming here to scam me without even investigating my background. If this book is too terrible, I'll make you pay.'
The shop owner took the book and began to read it slowly. Before long, he was completely absorbed. Ryusei paid him no mind and began to browse the store.
Half an hour later, "BRILLIANT!" The owner, having reached the part where Sun Wukong was granted the title of "Great Sage, Equal to Heaven," couldn't help but shout, jolting him back to reality. Seeing the other customers he had startled, the owner quickly apologized and rushed over to Ryusei.
His attitude was completely different. "Sir, please come to the quiet room for a detailed discussion."
In the quiet room, the shop owner finished reading the volume of Journey to the West and said, "My name is Yagyu Kuraaki. May I ask for your name, sir?"
Ryusei thought for a moment and chose a pseudonym. "My name is Miyamoto Musashi."
Yagyu Kuraaki sighed with emotion. "Mr. Miyamoto, you are truly a talent for the ages, to be able to write such a magnificent and epic book. May I ask how you would like to cooperate? A one-time buyout, or a profit-sharing model?"
Ryusei asked curiously, "What are the terms for a buyout versus profit-sharing?"
Yagyu Kuraaki explained, "For a buyout, the highest price I can offer for this volume is five hundred thousand ryo. For profit-sharing, the highest I can offer is thirty percent of the profits. A book currently sells for one hundred ryo. After subtracting the forty ryo cost, you would get about eighteen ryo per book. We would settle the accounts monthly. If you are in urgent need of money, sir, I suggest the buyout."
Ryusei thought for a moment. He didn't need a large sum of money right now, and a buyout for Journey to the West was a terrible deal. Profit-sharing it is.
"Let's go with the profit-sharing model."
Yagyu Kuraaki agreed immediately. "Excellent! I will go and draw up the contract right away."
Ryusei reviewed the contract several times and, finding no problems, signed it.
Yagyu Kuraaki then asked, "Does Mr. Miyamoto need a pen name?"
Ryusei replied with a righteous air, "There's no need. I, Miyamoto Musashi, have never changed my name in my life. Why would I need a pen name? Just use my real name."
Yagyu Kuraaki said with a look of admiration, "You are a man of great character, sir." 'And I'll believe you, my foot! If that's your real name, I'll write my name, Yagyu Kuraaki, backwards!'
The owner then added, "Sir, the first volume will be released in two days. For the following story, we will need at least one volume per week, otherwise, the hype won't build and the book won't sell well. And the quality must be guaranteed."
Ryusei was a bit speechless. He hadn't even received any money yet, and he was already being pestered for the next update. Still, he agreed. "Fine. I'll get to writing when I get back. The quality will definitely not drop."
Ryusei walked out of the bookstore and quickly found a deserted alley. After dispelling his transformation, he hopped over a wall and left.
My chakra is still a bit weak. I almost couldn't maintain the transformation.
Yagyu Kuraaki immediately summoned his staff to print the book. He sent one copy to the capital of the Land of Fire first, so the main store there could print and distribute it.
Ryusei returned to the edge of the forest, where So and Yuki immediately ran over to him.
"Ryusei-nii, how did it go? Was it a success?" Yuki asked eagerly.
Ryusei took out the contract. "It's a success. Yuki, So, we'll have money next month."
Yuki took the contract and examined it carefully. Then her eyes lit up. "Ryusei-nii, when we have money, can you buy me some new clothes?"
Ryusei laughed. "Of course. You can buy as many as you want."
So jumped up happily. "Yay! I knew it would work! Big Brother, when we're rich, can you take me to play with the older sisters next to my house? I heard you need money to get in."
Komiya Yuki's face turned black. She landed a punch on So's face that sent him flying several meters.
"You pervert! Don't corrupt Ryusei-nii with your lechery!"
Ryusei rubbed his head, a little embarrassed. 'I want to go too. I don't need So to corrupt me.'
He put the contract back in his pocket. "Alright, that's enough celebrating for now. We still have to train our bodies so we can chase our dreams."
The trio continued their physical training, working hard for a better tomorrow.