"Ding-a-ling-ling!"
The urgent ringing of the bell sounded, and students outside the classroom stopped their playing, turning and rushing towards their classes.
In the blink of an eye, the previously bustling crowd quickly dispersed, leaving only two or three classes of students gathered in small groups on the vast playground, chatting while waiting for their teachers to arrive.
On the rooftop, two people stood, facing the autumn wind, their gaze fixed downwards.
"Teacher."
Ren pulled out two Soldier Ration Pills from his body, then handed them over with a smile.
"Have you eaten? Want two?"
"Hmm?"
Looking at the Soldier Ration Pills handed to him, Yamanaka Ryo took them, looking at Ren with a slightly reproving tone.
"Unless you're on a mission, you should eat less of these."
Soldier Ration Pills are powerful and a type of strategic material. Not only can they provide satiety, but they can also restore a user's Chakra and temporarily increase their Chakra limit. Such powerful effects make them a necessity for Ninja, whether for missions or daily training, some must always be prepared.
Although there are no usage restrictions, there are more or less some side effects. Using too many Soldier Ration Pills in a short period can lead to poor digestion and a certain degree of drug resistance, reducing their recovery effect.
Also, for children of Ren's age, eating too many Soldier Ration Pills could have an adverse effect on their growing bodies.
"It's fine, no big deal."
Ren waved his hand, responding with a cheerful smile.
"These are specially developed by the Akimichi Clan; their effect is more geared towards satiety, weakening part of the Chakra restoration function. Basically, there are no major side effects."
Ren wasn't stupid; how could he let side effects affect his body? So, he had already contacted Akimichi Dōton and paid to order a batch of these Soldier Ration Pills from the Akimichi Clan, primarily for their time and effort-saving benefits.
Yamanaka Ryo skeptically bit into the Soldier Ration Pill in his mouth. Instantly, a rich chocolate flavor filled his oral cavity, and the Chakra in his body began to slowly recover.
"Not bad."
"Right, right?"
Ren raised his hand, took out an unopened box of Soldier Ration Pills from his body, and handed it over, chuckling.
"I came in a hurry and didn't bring any gifts. Please accept this as a snack."
"You brat."
Yamanaka Ryo cursed with a smile, but didn't refuse, taking it and putting it into his embrace.
He had asked for so many days off for this kid before; what was wrong with accepting some snacks?
"Alright."
Yamanaka Ryo raised his hand and patted Ren's shoulder, nodding with a smile.
"It's time for work, and I still have some documents to process, so I'll be going now."
As the teaching director, he was accustomed to lingering outside the classrooms at this time every day. If he didn't catch two students violating discipline, he wouldn't feel right all day.
"Alright, then you go get busy. I'll come see you next time I have free time."
After watching the other party leave with the Instantaneous Body Technique, Ren also withdrew his gaze. After a final look at the playground, he also left the area with the Instantaneous Body Technique.
In a short while, the rooftop returned to tranquility. Gusts of cool wind blew, stirring up faint dust, as if no one had ever been there...
"Achoo!"
Looking at the bustling crowd, Kotetsu Hagane took out a tissue and wiped his nose, instinctively tightening his clothes in the biting cold wind.
"Are you alright, Kotetsu?"
Noticing his companion's unusual state, Izumo Kamizuki, who was standing not far away, quickly turned his head and asked with concern.
"I'm fine, just a bit of a cold."
Kotetsu Hagane shook his head, then picked up a tissue nearby and blew his nose, immediately feeling much better.
Although Ninja have stronger physiques than ordinary people and a very low probability of getting sick, they are not completely immune after all.
See? Kotetsu Hagane had caught something.
"Just bear with it a little longer; we're about to change shifts."
As he spoke, Izumo Kamizuki finished checking a document. He handed it back to the other party with a smile.
"Alright, welcome to Konoha."
"Thank you."
After seeing the other person leave, Izumo Kamizuki was about to turn his head and chat with his companion when a figure suddenly appeared in his line of sight.
A dark uniform, a short sword slung across his back, and a wolf mask on his face—it was Anbu.
Izumo Kamizuki was startled when he saw the person, then quickly walked forward and politely said,
"Please show your identification."
"Okay."
A familiar voice sounded, and Izumo Kamizuki was stunned again. He subconsciously took the identification while looking at the mask, saying with some hesitation,
"Ren?"
"You guys are on duty today, Izumo."
Ren nodded slightly, then turned his head to look at Kotetsu Hagane, who was looking over from not far away, and smiled.
"And Kotetsu."
"Yo."
Kotetsu Hagane walked over, wrinkled his nose, and greeted him with a raised hand.
"On a mission, Ren?"
"Yes, a mission just came down from above; I need to go out for a bit."
As soon as Ren finished speaking, Izumo Kamizuki handed over the item from beside him, smiling.
"Checked. Go get busy."
"Alright, then goodbye."
Ren waved to the two of them, then turned and walked out the gate. The next moment, his figure vanished from the spot.
"Anbu, it's really great."
Kotetsu Hagane walked back into the hall and sat down, looking in the direction Ren had left, his voice filled with unconcealed envy.
They were all young men; who hadn't dreamed of becoming a Jonin, joining Anbu, making a name for themselves in the Ninja World, and becoming Hokage under everyone's gaze?
But, ideals are beautiful, reality is harsh.
Their family backgrounds and talents might be considered excellent among the general populace, but when placed alongside true geniuses, they appeared quite ordinary.
Most of their classmates from back then had now been promoted from Genin.
He and Izumo Kamizuki, Asuma, Yuhi, Might Guy, Genma, Aoba, and others had successively become Chunin.
Kakashi, Ryufeng, and Ren had even become Jonin, with two of them joining Anbu.
If nothing unexpected happened, the future Fifth Hokage would likely be born among them.
As for them, even the promotion to Jonin was a distant prospect, let alone competing on the same stage as Ren and the others.
"Alright, alright."
Izumo Kamizuki walked into the hall, patting his partner's shoulder, comforting him.
"The Ninja for the shift change have arrived. Let's go. I'll treat you to ramen; cheer up."
"Izumo..."
At this moment, Ren naturally didn't know what was happening there. He was flying at a steady speed in mid-air, holding a map in his hand, comparing it to his surroundings.
"It's this way, that's right."
Ren muttered a few words, then put it away. The several pairs of wings on his back flapped faster, and his speed gradually increased.
"Target: Land of Lightning! Depart!"