Inside the Hokage's Office.
"Ren, your mission has been approved."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked seriously at Ren, Shisui, and the rest of the five-man squad standing before him.
Same lineup.
Same familiar faces.
Although Uchiha Itachi technically belonged to Kakashi's team, it was clear he hadn't been granted permission to participate in this mission.
However, Ren noticed something unexpected.
"…Jiraiya?"
Ren looked at the white-haired man in front of him, genuinely confused. No matter how he thought about it, this guy really shouldn't be in Konoha at this point in time.
"I brought in a suitable leader for this mission," Hiruzen said with a smile, pointing to the man beside him.
"This is one of the village's finest jōnin—Jiraiya. I believe you all know him."
"Wow, a bunch of brats."
Jiraiya walked over, casually sizing everyone up before grinning.
"Hey, Kakashi! Long time no see. Didn't expect you to grow this big so fast. Not bad—not as gloomy as before."
"Jiraiya-sama," Kakashi replied respectfully.
"Long time no see."
"You're Tsunade's clansman, right?" Jiraiya asked, patting Kakashi's shoulder before turning to Ren with curiosity.
"Huh… you don't look like much. Definitely not as handsome as this Sage."
"…"
Ren fell silent for a second.
This man's shamelessness exceeds expectations.
He looked Jiraiya up and down thoughtfully before asking in genuine confusion:
"Are you the perverted, dumb toad Tsunade-sensei mentioned?"
"..."
Jiraiya froze.
That was absolutely something Tsunade would say.
But losing face in front of kids was unacceptable. He immediately jumped up, shouting:
"Nonsense! This Sage is neither dumb nor perverted! Women chase me wherever I go, alright?!
And Tsunade—that woman pretending to stay young—she used to be flat as a washboard!"
"Cough, cough, cough—"
Hiruzen finally snapped.
He smacked Jiraiya on the head with his pipe.
"You should both be grateful she's not here. Otherwise, you'd all be hospitalized instead of going on a mission!"
Jiraiya visibly shuddered.
Trauma resurfaced.
"…Right. Moving on," Jiraiya coughed, instantly turning serious.
"We should depart. Any questions can be handled on the road."
"Fine," Hiruzen waved him off. "Just remember—stay safe."
Jiraiya clearly wanted out of Konoha fast before Tsunade returned.
"Alright, brats—move out!"
They barely had time to react before being dragged straight out of the village.
As they turned to leave, Tenzo leaned over and whispered to Ren:
"…What's a washboard? And what's 'big and soft'?"
"..."
Ren glanced at Yūgao, who silently put her mask back on.
Kak.
Kakashi punched Tenzo on the head.
"Shut up. Let's go."
"I agree," Shisui nodded solemnly. "You really should shut up."
Tenzo instantly felt wronged.
At the front, Jiraiya led the way—but stole a glance back at Ren.
Why does this kid understand everything…?
They exited the village in silence before Jiraiya finally spoke again, more seriously this time.
"This mission is dangerous. I expect full cooperation and obedience. Understood?"
No one answered.
Instead, everyone looked at Ren.
Jiraiya blinked.
"…He has that much authority?"
Given Wood Release and Flying Thunder God, it made sense—but what Jiraiya didn't know was that Kakashi and Shisui had learned the hard way:
When Ren politely agreed to listen—
Someone was about to carry the blame.
"No problem," Ren said cheerfully, nodding.
"We'll definitely follow your command, Captain Jiraiya."
Listening to orders was his specialty.
How to listen, however… that depended.
And convincing Jiraiya?
Easy.
Because Jiraiya had one very obvious weakness—
Orochimaru.
And coincidentally…
They might really run into Orochimaru this time.
Root Base — Konoha
"So… Ren is on another mission?"
Danzo Shimura stared at the report in his hand, displeasure flickering across his face.
He had no idea what Ren was doing this time.
And worse—
No one told him.
"Hiruzen… your capacity really is limited."
Still, Danzo tossed the scroll aside.
The negotiations with Iwagakure had been a success—for him.
Under Ren's shadow coordination, his influence over Sunagakure had paid off massively.
Aburame Ryūma's message had forced Suna into action—and they had obeyed.
Results mattered.
Konoha gained benefits.
But Danzo wasn't satisfied.
Konoha could've taken more.
So he prepared for "punitive actions."
Then Hiruzen showed up—along with the two elders.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said coldly,
"I don't care what you're planning, but stop. Now."
Danzo had panicked then.
Root destroyed.
Assassination exposed.
Tenzo taken away.
But he steadied himself.
"You're too soft," Danzo shot back.
"You're harming Konoha."
"That's enough. I am the Hokage."
And just like that—
Danzo lost again.
Now, recalling it, he slammed the desk.
"Damn it…"
Still, his desire burned stronger than ever.
One day… I'll say those words back.
Because of that confrontation—and his actions during the Iwa negotiations—Danzo's movements were restricted.
Most importantly—
His contact with Ren was cut off.
"Trying to sever us completely… like you did with Tenzo?"
Danzo's gaze turned cold.
Ren was too valuable to abandon.
A genius. Strong. Intelligent.
And still had weaknesses.
"I'll tighten the screws."
"Ryūma."
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
"Order Yakushi Nono to eliminate a target hiding in Iwagakure."
"And inform Yakushi Kabuto—tell him there's a Root operative there and have him make contact."
Danzo stood, patience gone.
Both of them wanted freedom.
Idiots.
"Kill them," he thought coldly.
"And bind Ren forever with hatred."
Orochimaru could clean up the rest.
Akatsuki — Rain Country
"These meetings are getting frequent."
Sasori's projection looked at Pain with dissatisfaction.
"This isn't a mission," Pain replied calmly.
"We're recruiting."
"…Who?"
"Someone you all know well."
"…Orochimaru."
Shock rippled through the group.
Even Kakuzu stiffened.
Pain continued:
"He's strong. Knows Konoha. Valuable."
"And Kakuzu's intelligence places him near Iwagakure."
Kakuzu broke out in cold sweat.
I just read the script, boss…
On the Road — Fire Country
Jiraiya glanced at Ren.
"Where's your informant? Shouldn't we meet them first?"
Ren shrugged casually.
"Meeting them would expose them. Better not."
"What about our route?"
"Grass Country," Ren said. "We'll pass Kannabi Bridge."
Kakashi's fist clenched.
"…Of course we will."
Rain Country was rejected.
Waterfall Country chosen.
And while Jiraiya groaned internally, Ren quietly slipped beside Yūgao.
"Senpai, you seem unhappy."
"…I'm fine."
He took her hand.
"Don't—Jiraiya-sama's right there!"
She struggled, failed, and sighed.
"…You're learning bad habits."
Ren blinked.
"How?"
"…Earlier. What you said."
"Oh," Ren realized.
"That."
He smiled innocently.
"I read Icha Icha Paradise once. Kakashi-senpai was reading it."
"Cough—!"
Kakashi nearly died.
Jiraiya stumbled.
A black pot descended—squarely on Jiraiya's head.
"…That book is MINE?!" Yūgao muttered, mortified.
"I was just trying to learn how to make you happier," Ren whispered.
"But I still like you better as you are."
"Enough!" Yūgao snapped, elbowing him lightly.
"I'm telling Tsunade-sensei!"
Jiraiya's face darkened.
I've been framed…
Iwagakure
Kabuto returned home and immediately sensed something wrong.
A scroll.
An order.
Three days. Midnight. Contact.
His blood ran cold.
"…So it's time."
Danzo had moved.
Elsewhere, Orochimaru licked his lips.
"Who survives… follows me."
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