"Konoha really is peaceful…"
Under the silver moon, Ren and Yugao walked side by side through the streets of Konoha toward a residential district.
The gathering had ended, and Ren—upholding what he called gentlemanly manners—had insisted on walking Yugao home. It left her feeling both amused and exasperated.
After all, she was a kunoichi.
Still, she didn't refuse in the end, and the two of them set off together.
Looking at Konoha's calm, orderly streets, Yugao couldn't help but sigh.
Compared to this, the Land of Wind had been utterly miserable—constant pursuit, harsh terrain, danger everywhere.
After a moment of silence, Yugao blinked and tilted her head.
"Ren… what's your dream for the future?"
She glanced at him curiously as she asked.
"Me?"
Ren looked at her in surprise. After pretending to think for a moment, he smiled.
"To become a powerful shinobi like Jiraiya-sama. And if possible—"
He grinned.
"I want to become a man who becomes Hokage."
"..."
Yugao didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Jiraiya was incredibly strong—but hadn't they just been talking about how he ignored the Three Shinobi Prohibitions?
Was Ren planning to follow that example too?
And becoming Hokage wasn't strange in itself, but for some reason… the way Ren phrased it felt odd.
"…Do your best," she finally said helplessly. "I believe you can do it."
"Thank you, senpai. I'll work hard."
Ren nodded seriously.
If Yugao knew what he was thinking, she'd probably shake her head in disbelief.
As a transmigrator in a world of supernatural power, age wasn't the issue at all.
The real question was—
Do you look good enough?
What was wrong with driving a bigger "vehicle"? Bigger headlights were nice too.
"I told you—just call me Yugao."
Yugao pressed her lips together. She felt this junior of hers wasn't nearly as obedient as he pretended.
But suddenly, she stopped and grabbed the corner of Ren's clothes.
"Ren—look over there. Isn't that… Naruto?"
"Huh?"
Ren lifted his head and followed her gaze.
Sure enough, he spotted the blond kid wandering alone outside a row of closed shops, looking dejected.
No surprises there—he was probably hungry again.
After thinking for a moment, Ren decided to walk over. Nothing had happened last time, and he doubted anything would this time either.
Besides, he never went to see Naruto alone—there was always someone with him.
"Hey, kid. What's wrong this time?"
Holding Yugao's hand, Ren approached. His voice made Naruto jump.
"Big brother! Big sister! It's you!"
Naruto turned around, eyes lighting up when he saw them.
He still remembered the ramen they'd treated him to last time—unfortunately, he'd never gotten their names.
Running into them again made him genuinely happy.
But just as he spoke, his stomach growled loudly.
The kid froze.
"Didn't eat again?"
Ren raised an eyebrow. This was getting a little tragic.
"I overslept… Ichiraku closed."
Naruto glanced mournfully at the now-dark ramen stand.
Ren and Yugao exchanged a look.
At this hour, what shop was still open?
"Why didn't you come out earlier?" Yugao asked, frowning slightly.
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.
"Because… it feels like everyone hates me. I usually come when there aren't many people."
Yugao froze.
Naruto laughed sheepishly.
"Only Uncle Ichiraku, Grandpa Hokage, and you two don't dislike me. Too bad it's closed—otherwise I'd treat you to ramen!"
His monthly allowance had just come in, and he'd promised he'd treat them someday. The timing just wasn't right.
"You little…"
Yugao sighed, then turned to Ren.
"Ren, stay here with him. There aren't many shops open, but I'll go to the convenience store and buy something."
"Hey—big sister—!"
Naruto hurriedly called out as Yugao left, but Ren grabbed him.
"Relax. Just wait."
"Instant ramen at home works too."
"But—"
Naruto tried to protest, but Ren didn't indulge him.
"Instant ramen is already great. When I was on missions, I ate things like cockroaches and rats."
"..."
That wasn't what Naruto wanted to say at all.
Still, he stared at Ren in shock.
"Ninjas… have to eat that stuff?"
"Of course," Ren said seriously. "On missions, you eat whatever's available."
He launched straight into nonsense mode. He'd seen others eat things like that—he'd never touched them himself—but that didn't stop him from terrifying a kid.
"Cough."
A distinctly displeased cough interrupted him.
"Grandpa Hokage!"
Naruto looked up excitedly.
The Third Hokage, pipe in his mouth, walked toward them.
"Yo, Naruto. Didn't eat again?"
Hiruzen puffed out a smoke ring, glanced at Naruto, then turned to Ren.
"Ren, you're here too? Did the gathering go well tonight?"
"Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama. Everything went smoothly."
Ren nodded. With Shisui, Tenzo, Kakashi, and a room full of ANBU, it'd be hard for the Hokage not to know.
"Good."
Hiruzen nodded, then shook his head with a faint sigh.
"That said, after such a pleasant gathering, you shouldn't say things like that. Not all shinobi live that way—you'll scare the child."
He was genuinely displeased.
Was Konoha so poor they couldn't even feed their ninja properly?
Cockroaches and rats—that was Danzō's brand of nonsense, not normal Konoha shinobi life.
Even ANBU rarely went to such extremes.
"..."
Ren gave a dry chuckle and didn't argue.
"You know," Hiruzen continued, changing the subject, "you've completed quite a few missions, but I don't think I've properly rewarded you yet. Is that right?"
"Eh? Reward?"
Naruto's eyes immediately lit up.
"Of course," Hiruzen said with a smile, rubbing Naruto's head.
"Ren is a genius. He's completed many incredible missions—naturally, he deserves a reward."
"I've been thinking about what to give you," he continued, pulling a scroll from his robes.
"And now I've decided. This… I think you should try it."
Ren quickly accepted the scroll.
Then Hiruzen added solemnly,
"This is a technique once mastered by two Hokage. It's extremely difficult—but I hope you'll give it your all."
"..."
Ren instantly knew what it was.
Flying Thunder God.
He glanced at Naruto, who was staring in awe, and sighed inwardly.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Ren replied respectfully.
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