Chapter 14
The official production team for "Movie Twins" suddenly released a promotional photo. In the photo, two people—one a sharp-looking beauty in magnificent attire and the other an elegant, refined youth—walk toward each other. Despite their vastly different styles, the two possess identical faces.
As soon as this character poster was released, netizens were clamoring in the comments.
【Is this a rookie who just debuted? I've never seen her before, but she's way too beautiful, isn't she?!】
Three minutes. I want her full name!
[It's rare to see such a great crossdresser; this is what true crossdressing looks like. Those former female stars used to stick on a fake beard and claim they were men—do they think we're blind?]
Thanks to strong financial backing and a sufficient promotional budget, this character portrait immediately topped the trending topics as soon as it was released.
Where there are fans, there are naturally haters.
[No way, no way, does anyone seriously not know that photos can be photoshopped? Who knows how many times a photo has been edited, or what the person actually looks like in real life?]
Playing the lead right after debuting? The resources are just too good, aren't they?
The person above is right. If newcomers like this don't follow the right path, they won't last long!
However, whether they were fans or haters, everyone assumed the person in this promotional photo was female. There was no other reason; that beautiful photo was simply so stunning that everyone took it for granted that she was a girl.
Liu Ying had accidentally seen this promotional photo and was immediately struck by the breathtaking beauty in it, becoming an instant fan of the lady. Just as she was about to counter the smear campaign against her, she saw that the Movie Twins production crew had released another video.
The boisterous crowd gradually fell silent as everyone watched a veiled beauty walk out; her brows were like distant mountains and her eyes like autumn waters, even the half of her face that was visible was enough to captivate all living beings.
"With a face like that, I could be a fan of this lady for a lifetime!" This sentence was quickly liked and surged to the top of the trending list.
Immediately after, the official account tagged Uchiha Izuna's newly opened social media account. It wasn't until everyone flocked to his official Weibo and read the bio that they realized
It turns out he's actually a boy!
The group of men who had rushed in suddenly were stunned, while the girls began to get excited.
[I don't believe someone so good-looking is actually a guy!]
As expected, he's so handsome, he's a boy!
The promotional still and video released by the "Movie Twins" production crew brought immense popularity to the film, but they also became a thorn in the side of certain people.
Immediately following that, a crowd of people began giving the movie low ratings even before it had premiered.
Watching a crowd of internet trolls smearing the movie online, Kikuchi Kiko smiled hypocritically and said, "It's not enough for this movie to just have good acting; there are so many intricacies to learn within it."
Watanabe Kamibayashi smiled. "Sister is right, there is so much to learn from this."
Beep, beep..
Just as the two were feeling triumphant, Kikuchi Yuri's phone rang.
"Hello, I am Kikuchi.." Before Kikuchi Yuri could even finish her sentence, she was interrupted by the voice on the other end of the line.
"As of today, your position is dissolved, all activities under Watanabe Kamibayashi's name are to cease. Aside from Watanabe Kamibayashi, all artists under your name are to be handed over to someone else to manage," the voice from the phone said coldly and ruthlessly.
“Why?!” Kikuchi Kiko was stunned by the sudden news, her entire being frozen in shock. “I have worked so hard for the company for all these years, how could you treat me like this?!”
“On what grounds?! You idiot! You went after someone without even investigating their background; the company was almost implicated by you two idiots." After shouting, the other party hung up immediately, leaving Watanabe Kamibayashi and Kikuchi Kiko staring at each other in bewilderment, not knowing what to do.
Watanabe Kamibayashi and his manager were struck by a crushing blow before they could even stir up much of a storm online.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Uchiha Izuna, who had caused a sensation online thanks to her beauty, had remained silent online.
Hello, everyone!
A stranger suddenly interrupted the gathering of Oda Sakunosuke, Dazai Osamu, Sakaguchi Ango at the bar.
The heroic beauty with long black hair sat down beside them, the three of them hadn't even sensed her presence before she arrived.
The three of them simultaneously heightened their alertness; this person was definitely a master.
"My name is Senju Hashiko." Senju Hashirama grinned, revealing a pair of pearly white teeth, his originally majestic and magnanimous aura instantly turned comical.
“Senju Hashiko, what a strange name!” Dazai Osamu could tell this person had no ill intent, but faced with this name, he couldn't help but let out a remark identical to those from the Port Mafia, “Did your father really take naming seriously?” Or rather, are you being serious with this alias?
“Is it really that strange?” Senju Hashirama said, resting his chin on one hand. “My youngest brother is named Tobirama, I have two other brothers named Gaima and Itama. It feels quite normal to me.”
"I have no doubt that if you were a man, your father would have named you Hashirama," Dazai Osamu remarked without mercy.
"Eh, how did you know?" Senju Hashirama's eyes widened.
"It seems your father really likes building houses." Facing the fact that the other party couldn't catch his sarcasm and instead exposed his true name, Dazai Osamu could only manage a dry laugh; it wasn't that he was too smart, but rather that his enemy was too dim-witted.
"Hahahaha, you really know how to joke." Senju Hashirama laughed loudly.
"I heard there's an injured Uchiha child in your family as well." After laughing, he turned to Oda Sakunosuke and spoke.
"And you are?" Oda Sakunosuke's gaze sharpened slightly.
Hahaha, I am Madara's good friend." Senju Hashirama paid no mind to his sudden alertness. "I am quite skilled at healing; Madara asked me to come and check on the child's injuries.
"I see!" Oda Sakunosuke nodded, lowering his guard.
Senju Hashirama was the kind of person who, once you spent time with him, would infect you with his enthusiasm and cheerfulness, making it very difficult for anyone to feel wary of him.
“Madara said your identity files were made by you, that you did a great job. Make one for me too!” Senju Hashirama said to Sakaguchi Ango, who had been silently collecting information like a ghost, just before he left.
Why am I the only one being picked on?" Sakaguchi Ango said, drinking a glass of liquor dejectedly. "Isn't Uchiha Madara the leader of the Port Mafia? Can't he do it himself?!
"Hehe, it's probably because your ability is just too excellent and too satisfying!" Dazai Osamu mocked him without a shred of camaraderie.
Uchiha Izuna, who had caused a sensation online not long after Senju Hashirama and Oda Sakunosuke had left, arrived at the bar.
Uchiha Izuna, who had been harboring a surge of anger in his heart ever since hearing Uchiha Shisui's words, decided to find Oda Sakunosuke to grab a drink.
"Yo, what are you doing here?" Dazai Osamu asked in surprise when he saw Uchiha Izuna in the bar, before suddenly adding with ill intent, "Boss, give this guest ten or eight bottles of your most expensive red wine. This is a big star, a very wealthy person." He still held a grudge from the last time Uchiha Izuna had caused him trouble.
"Put the bill on Dazai's tab," Uchiha Izuna said calmly.
"On what grounds? Why would a big star like you care about such a small amount of money?" Dazai Osamu was very dissatisfied.
I prefer the feeling of picking pockets.
It seems you're in a bad mood today!" Dazai Osamu stroked his chin and came up with a wicked idea, "There are plenty of beauties around here; do you want me to call one over for you?
"Based on looks alone, I don't know if I'm the one taking advantage of her, or if she's the one taking advantage of me," Uchiha Izuna huffed.
There aren't many women who can win based on looks alone; if that's how you think, it's going to be quite difficult for you to find a partner." Dazai Osamu shook his head, then suddenly remembered something with surprise, "You're not still a chu, are you?
“I'm definitely not, but I know you definitely are a virgin.” Uchiha Izuna gave him a disdainful look.
"May I have the honor of knowing who you gave your first time to?" Dazai Osamu's eyes sparkled; if someone could catch the eye of the fastidious Uchiha Izuna, they certainly couldn't be an ordinary person.
"There's nothing to mention!" Uchiha Izuna said after a moment of silence.
"Why is that?" Dazai Osamu asked curiously, then added thoughtfully, "Could it be that your family doesn't approve?" For someone as powerful and brilliant as Uchiha Izuna, the only obstacle would typically be family resistance.
"Pretty much." Uchiha Izuna was somewhat surprised by Dazai Osamu's perceptiveness.
It's not that difficult." Sakaguchi Ango, who had been striving to remain invisible since Uchiha Izuna sat down, pushed up his glasses, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "First, find someone terrible and bring them home to cause a scene. Once your family members lose their patience, then bring home the one you actually like.
"It's not that simple," Uchiha Izuna shook his head, but said nothing more.
"By the way, who was that opponent you mentioned last time, the one who could fight your brother to a standstill?" Dazai Osamu noticed that Uchiha Izuna didn't want to discuss the topic anymore, but he suddenly remembered what Uchiha Izuna had said last time, couldn't help but feel curious about who could actually go toe-to-toe with Uchiha Madara.
His name is Senju Hashirama, he is a man who is very good with silver-tongued words!" Uchiha Izuna said with a cold laugh. "My brother was only deceived by him because he is too kind and too trusting of others!
What! Hearing the name Senju Hashirama, both of them momentarily forgot to comment on the fact that Uchiha Madara was kind. At this moment, the expressions of both Dazai Osamu and Sakaguchi Ango were somewhat unnatural; fortunately, the lighting in the Lupin Bar was dim at night, making it hard to see clearly, Uchiha Izuna's attention was not focused on the two of them.
Author's Note:
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Chapter 15
“Ahem, I'm a bit curious about how he managed to deceive your brother.” Dazai Osamu thought of that long-haired beauty from just now. Between a man and a woman, hmm, could it be something related to romance? “What kind of person is he?”
Sakaguchi Ango couldn't help but prick up his ears as well.
“Senju Hashirama,” Uchiha Izuna gave Dazai Osamu a suspicious glance, “why did you suddenly think of wanting to learn about him?”
"I'm just curious," Dazai Osamu said, looking completely innocent.
Uchiha Izuna didn't think much of it; at this moment, he desperately needed someone to join him in complaining about Senju Hashirama.
That guy Senju Hashirama only knows how to talk big and chase unrealistic dreams, he's always thinking about teaming up with my brother," Uchiha Izuna said with a triumphant smile. "Fortunately, I saw through his schemes long ago and never let him succeed.
"It sounds more like you drove them apart," Dazai Osamu thought to himself.
"It's a pity that after I was gone, Madara-san was deceived by this guy. My brother was just too trusting of others," Uchiha Izuna said, his voice turning despondent once again.
After listening to Uchiha Izuna's words, Dazai Osamu and Sakaguchi Ango exchanged glances; clearly, both of them felt that what Uchiha Izuna had just said was heavily biased by personal subjectivity and held little practical value.
Look at how he talks; in his eyes, his brother has practically become a peerless white lotus, weak, innocent, easily deceived. Heaven knows how many layers of filters Uchiha Izuna uses when looking at his brother, Uchiha Madara!
“I've heard everything from Madara-san; he and Izuna received a lot of care from you when they arrived here,” Senju Hashirama said to Oda Sakunosuke with a smile. “Thank you for looking after Madara-san.”
“It was nothing, just a small favor.” Oda Sakunosuke shook his head. “Madara-san's help was even greater. Although Madara-san's temperament makes him look unapproachable, he is actually a very gentle person. If it weren't for her, Dazai and I wouldn't have been able to leave the Port Mafia so easily.”
"That's right, Madara-san is constantly misunderstood because he looks so unapproachable, but he is actually very gentle. Even when he beat my brother because of Izuna's matter, he only beat him to the point of serious injury." Senju Hashirama felt this deeply agreed with Oda Sakunosuke's words. Given Senju Hashirama's healing abilities, there was no difference between being left with a single breath and being beaten at all, let alone being seriously injured.
Oda Sakunosuke?? Is there something wrong with that sentence?
Oda Sakunosuke didn't know back then that if you took Madara-san seriously, you had already lost.
Uchiha Shisui was sitting in a chair at this moment. Upon hearing the sound of the door opening, he keenly sensed that as the door opened, someone else entered along with the sound of Oda Sakunosuke's footsteps.
The footsteps were steady yet light, definitely not those of an ordinary person. More importantly, he actually sensed a vibrant, majestic aura of chakra emanating from this person.
Ever since Uchiha Izuna had exchanged information with him, Uchiha Shisui had known that he was no longer in his original world. Therefore, anyone possessing chakra must be from his original world, not to mention that the chakra aura this person possessed was stronger than anything he had ever heard of.
Shisui-kun, I'm back." Oda Sakunosuke greeted Uchiha Shisui as he entered the room. "This is a friend of Madara-san's; he has come to see you at Madara-san's request.
“Hahaha.” Uchiha Shisui felt that person walk up in front of him. “Are you Madara's junior?”
Uchiha Shisui's heart sank. During this time, he had already roughly realized that this "Madara" likely referred to Uchiha Madara, since Uchiha Madara was a rogue ninja and this man had a very good relationship with him, that meant..
Don't be nervous, young man." Senju Hashirama glanced at Uchiha Shisui's expression and knew exactly what the other was thinking. "I think you've heard my name before; my name is Senju Hashirama.
"Lord First Hokage!" Uchiha Shisui cried out in shock.
No wonder, no wonder. If it is the First Hokage, then it explains such powerful chakra that also feels warm and full of vitality, because it is the First Hokage, who possesses the Wood Style bloodline limit.
Oda Sakunosuke watched with wide eyes as Uchiha Shisui's expression shifted from one of vigilance to respect the very second he heard the other's introduction. It felt quite miraculous; having dealt with three Uchihas, Oda Sakunosuke considered himself to have a relatively deep understanding of them. Strength might force them to submit, but gaining their true recognition was no easy feat.