The rich aroma of broth drifted through the small ramen shop, mixing with the chatter of young ninja enjoying a rare moment of peace.
Ren swallowed his mouthful of noodles before looking up.
"It's Kurenai."
He smiled faintly at Kurenai Yuhi, his tone calm and relaxed.
"I just got back yesterday. Finished a B-rank mission a few days ago."
Kurenai's eyes widened instantly.
"B-rank?!" she exclaimed, leaning forward with undisguised excitement. "That's amazing, Ren! As expected of you."
Her enthusiasm drew attention from the others nearby.
"We only did a C-rank mission," she added with a pout. "And it was the boring kind too… no danger, no excitement. What about you? What kind of mission was it? Can you tell us?"
Before Ren could respond, footsteps approached.
Asuma Sarutobi and Raido Namiashi joined them.
Kurenai naturally slid into the seat beside Ren.
Asuma's lips tightened slightly at the sight.
Without a word, he sat down on Ren's other side.
"Boss," Asuma called out casually, "two bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen—one spicy, one regular—and a bamboo shoot ramen."
"Coming right up!"
The shop owner's voice echoed from the back.
---
A Subtle Shift in Atmosphere
While waiting for their food, Kurenai continued her questioning.
"How's your team lately? Still training every day?"
Ren nodded, while Rin Nohara added details from the side.
Meanwhile, Obito Uchiha—unable to stay quiet for long—started bragging loudly about his own "great achievements."
Ren didn't bother stopping him.
It was… normal.
Then suddenly—
Obito froze mid-sentence.
"Hey, Asuma… let me ask you something."
His tone shifted, unusually serious.
"Do you know about… 'Konoha's White Fang'?"
---
The Name That Silenced the Table
The lively atmosphere died instantly.
Even the steam rising from the ramen bowls seemed to slow.
Asuma's chopsticks paused mid-air.
He glanced at Obito, confirming that this wasn't a joke.
Then he sighed.
"…Yeah. I know."
His voice dropped slightly, losing its usual casual tone.
"Sakumo Hatake… he was a legend back then."
Ren quietly listened.
He already knew the story.
But for the others—
This was the first time.
"His reputation in the village," Asuma continued, "was almost on par with the current Sannin."
Kurenai's eyes widened slightly.
Even Rin straightened unconsciously.
"As for his strength…" Asuma exhaled slowly. "They say his swordsmanship could rival the 'Demigod of the Rain.'"
A name unspoken—but everyone understood.
Then came the pause.
A heavy one.
"…So what happened to him?" Obito asked quietly.
---
The Truth Behind a Hero's Fall
Asuma lowered his gaze.
"…During an important mission, he made a choice."
"To abandon the mission… and save his comrades."
The words hit like a stone dropped into still water.
"But because of that decision," Asuma continued, "the village suffered massive losses."
"And afterward…"
He hesitated.
"…people turned on him."
Rin's fingers tightened slightly around her chopsticks.
"Even the comrades he saved," Asuma said softly, "stood up and accused him."
Silence.
Complete silence.
"In the end…"
Asuma's voice dropped to a whisper.
"He couldn't bear the pressure. He took his own life."
---
A Broken Understanding
Clatter.
Obito's chopsticks slipped from his hand and hit the table.
His eyes trembled.
"So… that's what happened…"
Fragments of memory flashed through his mind—
Kakashi's cold expression.
His indifference.
His strict obsession with rules.
Everything suddenly… made sense.
"…No wonder he's always like that…"
Obito's voice cracked slightly.
At this point, he was still someone who felt deeply.
Still someone who cared too much.
Without warning, he shot to his feet.
"I—I'm going to apologize to him!"
Before anyone could stop him, he dashed out of the shop.
---
After the Storm
"…That guy…"
Kurenai blinked.
Rin looked worried.
"Should we go after him?"
Ren calmly picked up his bowl and continued eating.
"No need."
His tone was steady.
Rin hesitated.
Then slowly nodded.
She knew Obito well enough.
At worst, he and Kakashi Hatake would argue again.
It wouldn't get worse than usual.
"…Still," she murmured, "I hope they'll understand each other someday."
Ren didn't respond.
But his eyes flickered slightly.
---
An Invitation… and Competition
"Ren…"
Kurenai spoke again, her voice softer this time.
"Are you free this afternoon?"
He looked up.
"I've hit a bottleneck in my combat techniques," she admitted. "I was hoping you could help me train."
Before Ren could answer—
"I want to go too!"
Rin suddenly spoke up.
Her voice carried an unusual urgency.
"I feel like I'm falling behind lately," she admitted honestly. "Compared to you, Kakashi, and Obito… I don't want to become the one dragging the team down."
That wasn't insecurity.
It was reality.
Kakashi was a prodigy.
Obito had the Uchiha Clan bloodline.
And Ren…
Had something far beyond either of them.
Rin clenched her fists slightly.
"I need to get stronger."
Asuma cleared his throat.
"Then I'll join too."
He looked directly at Ren.
"I've learned a couple of new jutsu recently. I need someone to test them against."
Ren blinked.
…Seriously?
Obito had just left, and suddenly everyone's attention shifted to him.
Even Raido, sitting quietly nearby, seemed completely forgotten.
Ren sighed inwardly.
So much for a peaceful afternoon.
Still…
"Fine," he said.
"Training Ground 13. Three o'clock."
---
Training Ground 13 – Reunion
The afternoon sun filtered through tall trees, casting shifting patterns of light across the ground.
Training Ground 13 was quiet.
Calm.
Until they arrived.
Ren stood at the center, hands in his pockets.
Rin, Kurenai, and Asuma approached from different directions.
"Who's first?" Ren asked casually.
There was a brief silence.
"…I'll go."
Kurenai stepped forward.
She glanced at Asuma briefly—but he said nothing.
So she moved ahead.
Standing firmly in the center of the field.
---
The First Match Begins
"Come."
Ren raised a hand, motioning casually.
Kurenai frowned.
"You're not using a weapon?"
"Not yet," Ren replied. "Let's see how much you've improved."
"…Alright."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Then don't regret it."
The moment her voice fell—
Shuriken flew.
A flash of steel tore through the air.
Ren tilted his body slightly, effortlessly dodging.
But Kurenai was already moving.
Body Flicker Technique.
She closed the distance instantly.
Her kunai flashed—
Straight for his shoulder.
---
Close Combat Clash
Ren leaned back just enough to avoid the strike.
At the same time—
His hand shot out.
Grabbing her wrist.
"Got you."
"Not yet!"
Kurenai twisted her wrist sharply.
The kunai flipped downward—
A precise counter aimed at his fingers.
Ren reacted instantly.
Instead of holding—
He struck.
Smack!
His palm hit the outside of her forearm.
The impact wasn't heavy.
But it was precise.
Kurenai's arm went numb.
She retreated immediately.
---
A Clear Gap
The two separated.
Breathing steady.
Eyes locked.
Ren observed quietly.
Kurenai wasn't weak.
Not at all.
Her movements were sharp, controlled, and deliberate.
She focused on vital points—
Joints.
Openings.
Every strike had purpose.
If anything—
Her Taijutsu was already impressive for her level.
But—
Ren stepped forward.
Just one step.
And suddenly—
The pressure changed.
Kurenai's expression tightened.
Because she could feel it.
The gap between them.
---
Different Fighting Styles
Kurenai moved again.
Light.
Swift.
Her attacks came from multiple angles—
Kunai flashing like streaks of silver.
Ren didn't rush.
He defended.
Blocked.
Redirected.
Every motion efficient.
Minimal.
Then—
Without warning—
He advanced.
Fast.
Kurenai's rhythm broke instantly.
She stumbled back, barely maintaining her guard.
---
An Unfair Difference
It wasn't just skill.
It was something more.
Ren's foundation—
His speed.
His reaction.
His control—
All of it exceeded hers by a clear margin.
And the reason was simple.
He had a system.
Before gaining it—
His Taijutsu was only slightly better than Kurenai's.
But now?
If nothing changed after gaining such an advantage—
Then what would be the point?
---
The Beginning of Growth
Kurenai steadied her breathing.
Her grip tightened.
She didn't retreat again.
Instead—
She stepped forward.
Eyes burning with determination.
"Again."
Ren smiled faintly.
"Good."
Because this—
This was what real training looked like.
Not victory.
Not defeat.
But—
Growth.
--------------------------------
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