Chapter 124: Jiraiya's New Film Premieres

"Leave it to me, Tsunade!"

After saying these brief words, Kato Mifune fell silent. He simply gazed tenderly into Tsunade’s eyes with his bright, star-like pupils, his large hand gently yet firmly clasping her delicate one. Tsunade had initially intended to speak, but feeling the strength in his broad palm, she swallowed her words. She turned her hand over, gripping his—a palm that was warm, broad, and powerful. Her own clear, water-like eyes met his pale blue gaze. In that moment, silence spoke louder than words; everything was understood without needing to be said.

***

Inside a cinema in Konoha, a pure romance ninja film was playing on the big screen. The movie was titled "Her Affection," reportedly adapted from the hit novel of the same name by the rising star of the ninja world’s romance genre, the Wandering Toad Little Fairy Meat.

The film was well-made, with a gripping, rollercoaster plot. The acting was also commendable, featuring actors from the overseas Land of Rainbow; the men were handsome and dashing, the women elegant and graceful. With a high-quality script and skilled performances, the film vividly captured the pure, beautiful love between young ninja couples. At the very least, it had Tsunade, who was watching intently from their private booth, sobbing uncontrollably.

Beside her, Kato Mifune’s thoughts were far from the screen; he was busy massaging the "white rabbits" in his hands.

After finishing dinner at the Snow Cow Yakiniku restaurant, the couple had come to this cinema according to Mifune’s planned date itinerary. Seeing the familiar title "Her Affection" and the equally familiar pseudonym of the author, Mifune had decisively chosen this film. Tsunade had initially wanted to see a suspense-thriller, but under Mifune’s strong recommendation, she had agreed to this one.

However, once the movie began, Mifune realized the content was worlds apart from the original book. One was a story of true love, while the other was a generic "love action" flick. Mifune lamented being deceived, losing all interest in the film and declaring that clickbait titles were heresy that should be punished with the utmost severity.

***

"...Sob, it’s so tragic, the heroine is so pitiful."

"Mifune, is this the book you were reading a while ago that shares the same title?"

"I always thought that colorful cover of 'Her Affection' was just a trashy novel... I wronged you, Mifune!"

Tsunade sniffled softly while keeping her eyes glued to the screen, not forgetting to discuss the plot with Mifune. Perhaps deeply immersed in the story, she didn't care whether Mifune responded, simply continuing to talk to herself.

"..."

What could Kato Mifune do? He could only remain silent, using a tissue to wipe away her pearly tears while continuing to soothe her "white rabbits" to ease her chest tightness.

The film's plot: The heroine, a princess of a small nation, had been the apple of her father’s and the citizens' eyes since birth, known for her passionate, generous, and warm personality. The hero had always harbored a secret crush on her, vowing to become a guard ninja to protect her. However, the hero was a coward; he only dared to love her in secret and never confessed his feelings before his death. The current scene showed the hero sacrificing himself to protect the princess, leaving her alone to face the invading forces of an evil nation.

*So cliché... they took a good original story and turned it into this mess. It’s a waste of Jiraiya’s hard work!*

Listening to Tsunade, Mifune silently criticized the melodramatic plot.

"Waaa... Mifune, will you be like the hero in the movie? Will you abandon me one day in the future and leave me to face this world alone...?"

Perhaps because she, too, was a princess of a nation, Tsunade had fully projected herself onto the heroine. Seeing the heroine’s tragic plight really touched her. The tears flowed like pearls, as if they were free. She turned to Mifune, demanding to know if he would ever abandon her.

This time, her question was different—she clearly wanted an answer. Judging by how she pulled his hand away from her chest, Mifune knew he couldn't remain silent. If he wanted to keep touching her tonight, he had to answer, and he couldn't just brush her off; the answer had to satisfy her.

"There, there, don't cry, my love. How could I ever abandon you? Here, have a drink."

"My little Tsunade, I will absolutely never leave you. The movie is just lying... come now, be good."

As he spoke, Mifune held a passion fruit lemonade to her lips while wiping her tears with a wet wipe. Unfortunately, Tsunade was deeply affected, her tears falling like scattered pearls. It was a tragedy; he had intended to use those wet wipes for something else, but who would have thought a romance movie would make her cry like this? Women were truly made of water sometimes.

*Damn the screenwriter, damn Jiraiya...*

"Slurp... *sob*"

Tsunade obediently took the straw between her cherry lips, sipping the drink while still sobbing, her misty eyes waiting for her boyfriend’s answer. Mifune tried everything, but the tears wouldn't stop. Feeling a mix of a headache and heartache, he cursed the screenwriter and that "white-haired" ninja again.

He decided to pull out his trump card. Abandoning the tissue, he used his fingers to wipe the large tears from her face, then licked them off his own skin. He repeated this until he captured her full attention. Seeing the mood shift, he began his sincere confession.

"Look at that foolish hero in the movie. He didn't even dare to confess to the woman he loved his entire life."

"Little fool, am I as stupid as him?" Mifune flicked her delicate nose. "He only expressed his love in a vague way right before he died. Throughout their time together, he was a coward who only knew how to harbor a secret crush."

"Besides, the hero in the movie is white-haired. Is he as handsome as me? Tsunade, look at my stylish, cool, light-blue hair."

Mifune fluffed his hair and reached out to tuck back her slightly messy golden locks.

"How could I, Kato Mifune, be like such a coward? I aspire to be a man as free as the wind."

"As a man, if you don't even have the courage to confess to the woman you love, how can you talk about giving her happiness? Wouldn't it be better to just be a bachelor?"

"If you love her, you have to tell her!"

"Tsunade, I am not like that fool in the movie. I will protect and cherish you forever. I will never leave you alone or abandon you to face this cruel world by yourself..."

"Tsunade, I love you!"

At the peak of his emotion, Mifune said those three words to her for the first time. He then gently cradled her tear-stained face, kissing away the salty pearls one by one—from the corners of her eyes to her bridge, her cheeks, her chin, and finally, her soft, pink lips.