At Mount Myoboku, Uchiha Ren stood still as he absorbed natural energy. After about a minute, orange pigmentation appeared around his eyes.
Now it only took one minute to enter Sage Mode. Although it was not as effortless as Hashirama Senju activating it instantly, this level was already very impressive.
A satisfied smile appeared on Ren's face. Being able to reach this stage meant his progress was significant. In real combat, buying one minute to gather natural energy was completely within his capability.
He then tested using shadow clones to gather natural energy. The effect was even better. With clone coordination, he could practically activate Sage Mode instantly during battle.
Not far away, Jiraiya and Fukasaku watched in amazement.
"This is unbelievable. How did his Sage Mode improve so much in just one day?"
Fukasaku was shocked. Ren's talent had always been high, but still within an acceptable range. Now it has completely surpassed that. No matter how much he thought about it, he could not understand how Ren had suddenly undergone such a transformation.
Jiraiya looked on with envy. "Lord Hokage's progress is incredible. I'm still stuck at sensing natural energy. Fukasaku-sama, how long will it take me to reach his level?"
He watched Ren freely unleash senjutsu techniques. A single attack shattered a massive boulder and left a deep crater. Another technique spread intense cold outward, freezing everything it touched into ice. Moments later, lightning appeared.
Fukasaku grabbed Jiraiya and pulled him farther away to avoid being caught in the aftermath.
"You are too weak," he said bluntly. "At your current pace, set a small goal. Ten years. If you can reach his level within ten years, that would already be excellent."
Jiraiya froze. Ten years felt painfully long.
Fukasaku continued, "There is a saying among humans. The gap between people can be greater than the gap between people and pigs."
The words hit hard. Jiraiya felt discouraged, but he quickly comforted himself. Even if he could not match Ren, his strength had been steadily improving. His training was not in vain.
By evening, the training ground had been reduced to ruins. The ground was filled with craters, and there was barely any intact space left.
Ren looked around and decided to stop. If he kept going, the toads might drive him out.
After saying goodbye to Fukasaku, Ren returned to Konoha with Jiraiya. He treated Jiraiya to dinner and then went home.
He did not go to the lab. If he did, Tobirama Senju would definitely bring up the Senju issue again, and that was something he did not want to deal with.
Back home, Ren lay on the sofa and stared at the ceiling. Too many things were weighing on his mind.
The issue with Hashirama cells could be delayed. Tobirama could be handled. But Uchiha Madara was different.
That could not be postponed for long.
Ren had already made his preparations. In terms of strength, he was ready.
Sage Mode, Susanoo, a body enhanced by Hashirama cells, and the final Sharingan experience card granted by the system. With all these combined, if he truly went all out, he might even be able to use a complete Susanoo. He was not entirely certain, but the possibility existed.
He already had the strength to flip the table if necessary.
But there was no need to go that far.
His current life was good. Working during the day, training in the afternoon, and spending peaceful nights at home. There was no reason to risk everything against Madara.
Tomorrow was the meeting.
Ren felt uneasy.
Feng and Ling quietly came to his side. They could not help him solve his problems, but their presence alone was comforting.
Ren steadied himself. Tomorrow was important. He needed to stay composed.
He took a shower and went to bed, holding both of them. The faint fragrance in the air relaxed him, and he soon fell asleep.
The next morning, Ren woke up early. The effects of Hashirama cells were very noticeable. After washing up and eating breakfast, he headed to the Hokage building.
"You can bring them this afternoon. The meeting will be at the Hokage Monument."
He informed the shop owner and sent him to deliver the message.
At the factory, Uchiha Madara was working efficiently on the assembly line, competing for the highest production of the month.
Even among injured former shinobi, he stood out. Some used shadow clones to increase efficiency, and he did the same.
The message arrived.
"Afternoon. Fine."
Madara frowned slightly. That meant losing half a day of work, but his real purpose in Konoha was Ren.
He returned to work without hesitation.
After work, he went to pick up Ito Sosuke. Sosuke was extremely excited. He even changed into clean clothes to prepare for the meeting.
That afternoon, Ren stood at the top of the Hokage Monument, wearing his Hokage robes. The cloak fluttered in the wind, and the words "Third Hokage" could be faintly seen.
From above, the village looked small, with people moving like ants.
After a while, Madara and Sosuke arrived.
Sosuke was out of breath from climbing. A cool breeze passed, easing his fatigue.
He looked up and saw Ren standing there.
His heart began to race.
"Hokage-sama…"
He wanted to call out but found himself too nervous to speak.
Madara glanced at him with mild disdain. Then his gaze shifted to Ren.
The Hokage robe did suit him.
If things had been different, perhaps he would have been the one standing there.
If he had become Hokage back then, Ren might have become his student, carefully trained and guided.
Perhaps Hashirama would still be alive. Obtaining his cells would have been simple.
Konoha under their leadership might have become even more prosperous, and that prosperity could have spread across the entire shinobi world.
And Tobirama would have been completely overshadowed.
Madara felt a trace of regret.
They continued walking forward.
Sosuke finally gathered his courage.
"Hokage-sama!"
Ren smiled and stepped forward, placing a hand on his head.
"You're Ito Sosuke, right? Nice to meet you."
Sosuke excitedly took out a brand-new copy of his book and handed it over for a signature.
Ren signed it simply.
"Ito Sosuke, I hope you become an outstanding shinobi.
— Uchiha Ren"
Sosuke was overjoyed.
Only then did he remember Madara.
"This is Grandpa Ban Zhu. He's the one who collected all the cards and gave them to me."
Ren looked at Madara.
A Transformation Jutsu had changed his appearance.
But that hairstyle…
was still unmistakable.
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