Chapter 10: The Self-Cultivation of a Popular Character.

The final reward for the first episode wasn’t points or items, but something much more special. 

[Negotiations with the production team completed]

[Please choose one item from the following as your remuneration]

[1. Independent Promotional Poster & Merchandise Production]

[2. Opportunity to Participate in OP1/ED1 (Selectable before the end of Episode 5)]

[3. Opportunity to Film an Independent OVA]

“Oh my, this is truly a difficult choice.”

After seeing this, Hanabi was unusually conflicted. 

An independent OVA was huge. She was currently a supporting character, and her screen time was always limited.

Hanabi had also noticed earlier that when she appeared alongside the protagonist Naruto, she gained the most popularity. However, in independent scenes without Naruto, the popularity she gained was much less. In an OVA, she would be the protagonist, and perhaps she could earn full popularity throughout the entire duration, striking it rich in one go.

But the opportunity to appear in the OP/ED was also incredible. This could better solidify the impression she gave to the audience. However, OP/EDs would eventually be replaced.

As for the first option, posters and merchandise sales, that was more of a steady stream to increase exposure and gain popularity, which wasn’t bad either.

After careful consideration, Hanabi chose the opportunity to participate in the OP/ED.

It all comes back to that phrase: first impressions.

Hanabi knew she was just a supporting character, but she wanted to give the audience the feeling that she was actually the female lead.

In fact, quite a few people already felt this way after the first episode.

However, in shonen manga, it’s not uncommon for the girl introduced in the first chapter to fade into obscurity from the second chapter onwards, suddenly turning into a background character.

Popularity is fleeting.

Even if she was a supporting character, as long as she was the protagonist in the eyes of the audience, that was enough.

A true idol wouldn’t be bewildered by immediate benefits and this so-called stage.

An idol should lead the trend.

[Application Submitted]

[Opening and Ending filming will take place after the completion of Episode 5]

“Let me see.”

Aside from the Hourglass which couldn’t be used during “performance,” Hanabi now had 20,000 Popularity Points, 1 Close-up Camera Card, and 1 Daily Camera Card. The shop allowed the purchase of 5 Random Camera Cards.

“In the original work, the second episode is basically Naruto’s solo show. I won’t be able to accumulate much popularity, so I might as well use it to improve myself.”

Hanabi bought the Camera Cards first, obtaining 3 Close-up Camera Cards and 2 Daily Camera Cards.

The remaining 15,000 popularity points were just enough to upgrade a character card.

Upgrading a five-star character card from LV1 to LV2 cost 5,000 popularity points, and LV2 to LV3 doubled that cost.

“The next ‘plot’ should be Kakashi and the Land of Waves.”

Although her stage positioning was only a supporting character, this world truly existed, and this series was essentially a “reality show.”

In terms of character positioning, Hanabi was theoretically the one with the best grades and was also Naruto’s friend, whereas Naruto didn’t have that obsession with Sakura Haruno as in the original work.

“Defying heaven and changing fate” was possible. But there had to be a “reason.”

And Hanabi had already given enough reasons.

Well, actually, what was more critical was that Hanabi had gone to beg her cheap old dad, asking Hiashi to tell the Third Hokage that his daughter’s condition was somewhat special, and it would be best if she could be teammates with someone familiar…

If there’s a back door, you’d be a fool not to use it. LMAO, I even rigged the operation.

Mm, but when the time comes, I still need to act the part.

The audience just needs to watch the plot; Eldest Miss Hanabi has to consider much more regarding her under-the-table deals.

Having confirmed her entry into Team 7, naturally, she had to start planning.

“Although it’s somewhat useful against Chunin, it’s hard to say at the Jonin level. So I should improve my combat power now.”

Even if the enemy could be confused, if her attack power couldn’t penetrate their defense, it wouldn’t matter.

Shiranui Style ninjutsu was Fire Style, which would be countered in the Land of Waves.

Hanabi could use the Hyūga clan’s Taijutsu herself.

But once she used those trump card moves, she would expose herself, and her early-stage persona with the blindfold would be hard to maintain. That should be a “foreshadowing” used only when revealing a plot twist later. Secrets are unraveled layer by layer; revealing her hand now would be irresponsible to the audience.

A good idol should always have a way to fire up the audience.

“Then, let’s upgrade Jingliu’s Character Card.”

Strengthening the Character Card was essentially strengthening the token. Hanabi took off the black gauze blindfold and then upgraded it.

“—!!!”

When the level reached LV3, Hanabi clearly felt a peculiar cold light flow from the blindfold into her spiritual center.

It was a sensation mixed with bone-chilling cold and an aberrant killing intent.

[Character Inheritance Card]

[Transcendent Flash – Jingliu LV3]

[Rarity: Five Stars]

[Talent/Skills: Ice Attribute Affinity, Yin Attribute Affinity, Swordsmanship Affinity]

[Bonus: When wearing Chinese-style attire, Attention +10%]

[Token: Black Blindfold of Vision – Blindfold]

[Token Function: Increases Attention by 12% when worn, Cultivation Speed +12%, and grants Enhanced Perception.]

[LV3 Additional Talent: Ancient Mirror Reflecting the Spirit]

[Ancient Mirror Reflecting the Spirit (2/2): For every continuous 7 days the Black Blindfold of Vision is worn, you can resonate with Jingliu once.]

At LV3, LV7, and LV10, the Character Card would provide unique skills.

Unfortunately, Hanabi couldn’t continue upgrading because from LV3 to LV4, the required Popularity Points increased tenfold, jumping from 10,000 points to 100,000.

“Resonate?”

Ancient Mirror Reflecting the Spirit seemed to be Jingliu’s original ability, something like creating a freezing field, but the Character Card’s ability was resonance?

“Miss Hanabi, it’s time to wash up.” Natsu Hyūga’s voice came from outside the door.

Today was the rest day after the exam, and they were going to take graduation photos. So Natsu Hyūga wanted to dress Hanabi up properly.

“Mm.”

As for the so-called “resonance,” she would try it out after finishing her business.

[First!]

[Seven years! I’ve waited a whole seven years!]

[Woohoo, taking off~]

[Never seen such a good start!]

Just then, bullet comments appeared again. This meant the second episode of Ninja Road had started.

Then—

Hanabi used a Daily Camera Card without hesitation.

While Naruto hadn’t appeared yet, she decided to intercept the scene first. The second episode was the “daily life plot” of Naruto and Konohamaru; appearing in the middle wasn’t as good as appearing at the beginning.

Whether it brought popularity or not didn’t matter; stealing some screen time came first.

The screen indeed switched to Hanabi.

Hanabi wasn’t wearing her blindfold while putting on makeup; her eyes were closed.

The camera seemed very savvy; it didn’t show her full face. All parts that would reveal her eyes were cleverly obscured by the camera angles, sometimes using Natsu Hyūga, sometimes using the camera itself. Meanwhile, soothing daily life BGM played.

“Miss Hanabi.” Natsu Hyūga was currently combing Hanabi’s hair. She spoke softly, her voice very gentle.

[Hanabi!]

[It’s Hanabi!]

[Lady Hanabi, I am your dog!]

[Cameraman, pan up a bit, you’re losing your bonus!]

[Deduct money, deduct the cameraman’s money!]

[Am I the only one who thinks the short-haired maid lady next to her is also very pretty?]

[The maid has Byakugan too!]

[The forum’s analysis was quite reliable. Hanabi really is an eldest miss, and looking at the maid, could this whole family have Byakugan?]

[If Hanabi wasn’t blind, she should have Byakugan too, right?]

[Someone on the forum Photoshopped Byakugan onto Hanabi, go check it out.]

[Suffering Byakugan (cold looks) at my father-in-law’s house.]

The goofy netizens were full of fun.

The comments above came one after another. However, the content appearing on the screen was quite heartwarming.

“After you become a ninja, I won’t be able to stay by your side every day. You have chosen a difficult path.”

“This is my own decision. Sister Natsu, you know that.”

Although she was a thrill-seeker, unlike Sparkle from Star Rail, her “character setting” wasn’t purely about seeking amusement.

She wanted the audience to know that she was a person with strong opinions, and no one could change the decisions she made.

“Yes, no one can change what Lady Hanabi has decided.” Natsu Hyūga was Hanabi’s maid, so she naturally knew Hanabi’s usual condition.

“You are so elegant usually, but almost cruel to yourself during training, and your determination is as firm as steel.”

Yes, yes, yes, Sister Natsu, if you can talk, say more!

Hanabi was very satisfied because the bullet comments had already begun to skyrocket.

[Miss Hanabi seems to be a person with a story.]

[A big family, surely a lot has happened.]

[Cruel how? How can Hanabi’s genjutsu be cruel?]

[Didn’t you see the wooden stake outside the door is deformed?]

[But there don’t seem to be any calluses on Lady Hanabi’s hands, right?]

While they were speaking, the camera knowingly cut to the wooden stake outside; that was the stake Hanabi had used.

As for calluses, there were none. On one hand, her maintenance was very good. On the other hand, Hanabi discovered she seemed to have a constitution that didn’t develop calluses; even the soles of her feet had none. Although this was good for her image, it also meant that every time she trained, the pain Hanabi felt wouldn’t lessen like it would for others.

Therefore, Hanabi suffered even more than ordinary people during training. Yet even so, Hanabi never stopped.

It wasn’t because Hanabi truly didn’t fear pain.

It was just that Hanabi discovered becoming the number one Dimensional Idol was indeed a dream and goal that suited her heart perfectly.

Being an idol isn’t bad at all.

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