The world around Ren shifted.
The Academy's rear training ground dissolved into a warm haze, and the System drew his consciousness into a vivid illusion.
Beneath a brilliant afternoon sun stood a girl dressed entirely in red. She was lively and radiant, like a phoenix flower given human form. Her long hair resembled flowing flames, and several small fireballs danced above her fingertips as though they were living creatures.
The girl tilted her head and examined Ren with undisguised curiosity.
[Phoenix Sage Fire Technique: Oh! Are you the boy my elder sister mentioned? You're much more handsome than I expected. Do you want to play with me? I can fly really fast!]
A translucent pink box appeared between them.
[A: Of course! It would be my honor to play with someone as beautiful as a phoenix flower.]
[B: I came here to train, not to play. What are you trying to do?]
[C: Play? What kind of game? It had better be exciting.]
Ren silently studied the three choices.
Phoenix Sage Fire was completely different from Great Fireball.
Great Fireball was proud, temperamental, and obsessed with maintaining the dignity of a noble young lady. Phoenix Sage Fire, by comparison, seemed like an energetic girl who would climb onto the roof, throw burning objects into the air, and call the resulting explosion a game.
In other words, she was eccentric.
Ren briefly considered choosing the flattering first option, but Great Fireball already received more than enough praise from him. Using the same approach with every technique would be boring.
He decided to try something different.
Ren selected C.
Phoenix Sage Fire's lips curled upward. Her eyes narrowed into cheerful crescents as the flames around her began spinning faster.
[Phoenix Sage Fire Technique: Hehe! I didn't expect you to be so interesting. Then let's try something simple first. If you can release a fireball that satisfies me, I'll take you somewhere fun!]
The System illusion faded.
Ren's awareness returned to the rear training ground, where Hiruzen Sarutobi stood a short distance away. The Third Hokage watched him patiently, apparently assuming that Ren had been mentally reviewing the explanation.
"Are you ready?" Hiruzen asked.
Ren nodded.
He brought his hands together and recalled every detail of Hiruzen's instruction. Chakra rose from his abdomen, passed through his chest, and gathered inside his lungs.
The key was division.
Instead of expelling all his chakra at once, as he would with Great Fireball, Ren separated it into several smaller portions. His fingers moved through the seals Hiruzen had demonstrated.
Rat. Tiger. Dog. Ox. Hare. Tiger.
Ren inhaled deeply.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
Whoosh!
Several orange-red fireballs burst from his mouth.
Each was roughly the size of a small melon. They flew steadily across the training ground, maintaining their shape for six or seven meters before striking separate earthen targets.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The fireballs exploded into showers of sparks and left several black scorch marks across the targets. Their destructive power could not compare with Hiruzen's earlier demonstration, but the technique had formed successfully.
Ren had mastered its basic structure on his first attempt.
For a newly graduated Genin learning a C-rank Fire Release technique, that result was exceptional.
Strictly speaking, Ren could now consider himself half a Fire Release genius.
The Spirit of Fire trait did not apply only to Great Fireball. Its increase to Ren's fire-nature chakra affinity was universal, meaning every Fire Release technique he learned would benefit from it.
His understanding of fire transformation had grown considerably through his repeated practice with Great Fireball. Once Hiruzen explained how to divide and guide the flames, there were no major obstacles remaining.
A delighted voice echoed inside Ren's mind.
[Phoenix Sage Fire Technique: Success! You did it on your first try!]
In the System space, the red-haired girl spun lightly through the air. Her flame-like hair spread behind her, while several smaller fireballs circled her body like excited birds.
[Phoenix Sage Fire Technique: The flames were a little crooked, and they weren't fast enough, but this is only the beginning. I'll give you a passing grade!]
[Phoenix Sage Fire Technique favorability increased by 3.]
[Phoenix Sage Fire Technique has been added to the favorability list.]
[Current favorability: 3/100—Stranger.]
Ren concealed his satisfaction.
Three favorability points from a single attempt was a good beginning. Phoenix Sage Fire also seemed considerably easier to please than the Eight Gates.
Nearby, Hiruzen gave a slow, approving nod.
"For a first attempt, successfully completing the chakra transformation and forming multiple stable flames is already impressive," he said. "Your fireballs were somewhat uneven, but that is merely an issue of control."
He stepped closer and pointed toward the scorched targets.
"The moment you divided your chakra, the third portion became slightly weaker than the others. That imbalance affected the spacing between your fireballs. Phoenix Sage Fire depends upon maintaining several independent flames at once, so stability matters more than raw power."
Ren carefully memorized every word.
"Try again," Hiruzen continued. "This time, focus on maintaining an equal flow of chakra to each flame. Do not rush to increase their size."
"Understood."
Ren closed his eyes and took a slow breath.
The first attempt had already proven that he could use the technique. Now he needed to improve his control.
He completed the hand seals again.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
A much larger barrage of flames erupted from his mouth.
This time, Ren created more than a dozen fireballs. Each was larger, hotter, and more stable than those from his first attempt.
But almost as soon as the technique formed, Ren sensed that something was wrong.
The flames were not following the trajectories he had intended.
Instead of flying directly toward the earthen targets, the fireballs slowed in midair. They appeared to be suspended by invisible threads, their blazing forms shifting into a strangely precise arrangement.
Ren's eyes widened.
What is she doing?
Several flames moved diagonally upward while others curved downward, forming a massive arrow pointing toward the sky.
The arrow held its shape for two seconds.
Then it collapsed.
Before Ren could regain control, all the fireballs snapped into a perfectly straight horizontal line. They hovered there briefly before curving around one another and forming a blazing ring.
The ring began spinning.
Faster.
Faster.
Golden sparks scattered in every direction as the circle expanded above the training ground. Then the entire formation burst apart like a flower blooming in the sky.
The fireballs shot upward, downward, left, and right.
Some spiraled around one another. Two collided and exploded into a shower of embers. Another pair traced intersecting arcs through the air before striking the ground.
The final flames rose high above the training ground and burst into countless golden sparks. They drifted downward like a glittering rain of fire, briefly illuminating the trees and earthen targets in warm orange light.
It was undeniably beautiful.
It was also absolutely nothing like what Ren had intended.
Hiruzen's eyes widened.
Even someone with decades of experience seemed momentarily unable to understand what he had just witnessed.
Ren struggled to maintain a calm expression while Phoenix Sage Fire's delighted laughter filled his mind.
[Phoenix Sage Fire Technique: This is so much fun! Flying freely is the best! Look, Ren! Look how beautiful the sparks are!]
In the System space, the girl raced after the chaotic fireballs, laughing as she passed between them. Every movement sent her flame-like hair fluttering behind her.
Ren felt a headache beginning to form.
You're supposed to hit the targets, not perform a festival show.
Phoenix Sage Fire apparently had no interest in such boring concerns. She continued spinning among the flames as if she had just discovered the greatest game in existence.
Hiruzen remained silent for two or three full seconds.
Then he slowly turned toward Ren.
"How did you do that?"
Ren coughed lightly.
"I… wanted to experiment."
It was the only reasonable explanation he could offer.
The fireballs had indeed come from his technique. Claiming that the ninjutsu itself had become excited and hijacked their trajectories would probably make Hiruzen send him to Konoha Hospital for a mental evaluation.
Ren was also grateful that Phoenix Sage Fire had limited herself to simple shapes. If she had arranged the flames into a giant heart—or spelled something ridiculous across the sky—he would never have been able to explain himself.
Hiruzen studied the fading embers, his surprise gradually transforming into appreciation.
"Impressive," he said at last. "You have only just learned Phoenix Sage Fire, yet you can already alter the individual trajectories of more than a dozen flames."
Ren maintained a modest expression.
Hiruzen continued, "Even many experienced Chūnin struggle to control so many separate chakra constructs simultaneously. Your fireballs lacked accuracy, but the control required to create those formations was far more difficult than simply striking stationary targets."
The Third Hokage stroked his beard, his gaze growing increasingly thoughtful.
"It appears your talent for Fire Release exceeds my original expectations."
"Hokage-sama is flattering me," Ren replied.
"No. Excessive modesty can be just as misleading as arrogance," Hiruzen said. "Talent should be acknowledged. What matters is how you choose to use it."
He paused, apparently reaching a decision.
"Since you possess such an affinity for Fire Release…"
Hiruzen slipped one hand inside his haori and withdrew two scrolls.
Both were made from slightly aged yellow-brown parchment. Dark green cords had been wrapped around them, and the titles were written neatly along their outer edges.
Ren recognized the name on the first scroll immediately.
Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
The second made his heart beat faster.
Fire Release: Great Fire Wall Technique.
Hiruzen held them out.
"The first scroll contains the complete training method for Phoenix Sage Fire, including several exercises for improving its trajectory and stability. You should study them carefully."
He tapped the second scroll with one finger.
"Great Fire Wall is also a C-rank ninjutsu, but unlike Phoenix Sage Fire and Great Fireball, it is primarily defensive. The user releases a broad wall of flame that can obstruct projectiles, disrupt an enemy's advance, and burn anyone attempting to force their way through it."
Hiruzen's expression became serious.
"I have recorded the important details and common mistakes inside. You may take both scrolls with you. If you encounter anything you do not understand, ask your Jonin instructor for guidance."
Ren stared at the scrolls.
This was an unexpected reward.
Hiruzen had originally promised to teach him only Phoenix Sage Fire. Now, because of the technique's spontaneous display, Ren had received Great Fire Wall as well.
More importantly, the System had not recognized Great Fire Wall as a separate romance target.
That strongly suggested it was an alternate form—or new skin—for Great Fireball.
A gift had practically fallen into his hands.
Ren suppressed his excitement and accepted the scrolls with both hands.
"Thank you, Lord Third. I'll study them carefully."
Hiruzen did not release the scrolls immediately.
"Remember one thing," he said. "The path of a shinobi cannot be rushed. Learning many techniques may increase your options, but techniques you cannot use properly become distractions rather than strengths."
Ren's expression turned solemn.
"First master Phoenix Sage Fire and make it completely your own. Only then should you devote your attention to Great Fire Wall."
"I understand," Ren answered. "I'll proceed steadily and make sure I have a firm grasp of Phoenix Sage Fire before practicing the second technique."
Only then did Hiruzen release the scrolls.
"Good."
The old man placed a hand on Ren's shoulder. His expression remained gentle, but his voice carried unmistakable expectation.
"Your Jonin instructor should have reached the Academy by now. Return to the auditorium and meet your teammates. Today is the beginning of a new stage in your life."
His gaze briefly shifted toward the Hokage Monument beyond the Academy walls.
"Konoha's future depends upon new sprouts like you. Grow strong—but do not forget the people who gave you the chance to grow."
Ren bowed his head.
"I won't forget."
Hiruzen stepped away. Leaves stirred around his feet as chakra gathered through his body.
With a quiet burst of wind, the Third Hokage vanished from the training ground, leaving behind a thin spiral of smoke.
Ren remained still until Hiruzen's presence had completely disappeared.
Then he looked down at the two scrolls in his hands.
Phoenix Sage Fire had officially entered his favorability list. Great Fire Wall could likely be given to Great Fireball as a gift. In one short lesson, he had gained both a new target and a potential method of advancing an existing relationship.
The rewards had exceeded every expectation.
Still, Ren resisted the urge to offer the gift immediately.
Great Fireball's special mission was already active, and he did not know how her new skin might affect it. There was no need to act recklessly. The scroll would remain safely in his possession, and he could choose the proper moment later.
Right now, something else mattered more.
Who is my Jonin instructor?
Ren secured both scrolls inside his clothing and headed back toward the Academy.
By the time he reached the auditorium, the building had become unnaturally quiet. The laughter, arguments, and excited conversations of the graduating students were gone.
Ren slid open the door.
Rows of empty tables and chairs stretched across the room. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating countless particles of dust drifting through the air.
Only one person remained.
Rin sat near the center of the auditorium with an open medical scroll resting on her desk. Her attention was fixed on a detailed diagram of the human circulatory system, but she looked up the moment she heard Ren's footsteps.
"Ren, you're back."
A gentle smile spread across her face, though there was a trace of uncertainty behind it.
"Did your lesson with Lord Hokage go well?"
"It went better than expected," Ren replied. "He gave me two Fire Release scrolls."
Rin's eyes brightened. "Two? That's amazing."
Ren looked around the empty auditorium once more.
"Where is everyone? Have the teams already been announced?"
Rin closed her medical scroll and nodded.
"Guy, Genma, and Ebisu were placed together. Asuma, Kurenai, and Raidō are on another team. Shinen and Homon were also assigned, along with most of the others."
Her voice gradually became more hesitant.
"Teacher Oki told me to remain here and wait for you. I assumed you already knew why."
Ren's brows drew together.
If every other student had already met their team, why had Rin been ordered to wait for him?
And where were their remaining teammate and Jonin instructor?
"I wasn't told anything," Ren said.
Rin's smile faded slightly.
Before either of them could speculate further, the floorboards outside the auditorium creaked.
Slow, measured footsteps approached the door.
Ren and Rin turned at the same moment.
A shadow fell across the entrance.
Their mysterious Jonin instructor had finally arrived.