Aside from his daily training—
There was one more matter worth mentioning.
Tsunade had kept her promise.
Although her hemophobia still prevented her from personally performing surgery on Mikami Tajima, she had taken full responsibility for his diagnosis and had designed a detailed surgical and recovery plan.
If everything went well…
There was about a thirty percent chance that Tajima would be able to walk again.
For an injury like his, that probability was already remarkably high.
After all, years later, when Rock Lee faced a similar situation—even with Tsunade overcoming her fear and personally conducting the surgery—he had nearly died on the operating table.
Compared to that, Tajima's chances could already be considered fortunate.
As for whether he could ever return to being a shinobi…
That was another matter entirely.
The early assessment was simple—
Extremely unlikely.
Ren didn't dwell on it.
In fact, from his perspective, remaining a shinobi in this era wasn't necessarily a good thing.
If his father could regain basic mobility—enough to live a normal life, to walk without being bedridden for years—that would already be the best outcome.
As for fighting again?
That path could stay closed.
---
To repay the favor, Ren made a special trip to thank Tsunade.
Inside her office at Konoha Hospital—
Tsunade sat behind her desk, casually flipping through a medical book.
Without even looking up, she spoke.
"No need to thank me. This is my responsibility as part of Konoha Hospital."
Ren paused, then nodded slightly.
But before he could say anything else, Tsunade added—
"If you have time, worry more about the Medical Squad assessment at the end of this month."
Her tone sharpened slightly.
"I've already said this before. If you don't pass, both you and Rin are out."
Ren's lips curved faintly.
"…Thanks for the reminder, Lady Tsunade. But you don't need to worry about that."
There was quiet confidence in his voice.
"I'm ready. I can take the assessment anytime. As for Rin—I'll make sure she passes too."
Tsunade finally looked up.
"Oh?"
She set the book aside, studying him.
"So confident?"
Then she stretched lazily.
The movement was completely natural—
But the effect…
Was anything but.
The curves of her figure became even more pronounced, the contrast between her slender waist and full chest impossible to ignore.
Ren froze for half a second.
Gulp.
He swallowed instinctively.
Who could stay calm in front of that?
Even Tsunade seemed to notice something was off. She narrowed her eyes slightly, then stopped stretching.
"You should go check on your father instead of wasting time here," she said, her tone returning to normal. "His surgery is in two days. The risk isn't high… but it's not zero either."
Ren didn't move immediately.
"…Lady Tsunade."
He took a breath.
"I have one more question."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"It's about the Nerve Activation Technique…"
---
A while later—
Ren left the office.
By the time he returned to the ward, his father was in high spirits.
Learning that he had a chance to walk again had completely changed his mood.
"Ren!"
Tajima waved him over enthusiastically.
"I've been thinking about what I told you before. About using my merit to exchange for ninjutsu."
Ren sat down beside the bed.
"You shouldn't leave that merit unused," Tajima continued. "It's better to turn it into something useful for you."
His expression grew serious.
"The war has already started. You might be sent to the battlefield sooner or later. If you wait until then to prepare, it'll be too late."
Ren fell into thought.
He had already been considering this issue.
In fact, he had even sought out Minato privately for advice.
At this stage, his combat system was relatively clear.
One side—
Close combat.
Based on the Three Basic Techniques and enhanced by the Hatake Sword Style.
The other—
Fire Release.
Centered around the Great Fireball Technique.
The former had strong potential.
The latter had high destructive power.
As for Water Release and the Eight Gates…
He hadn't mastered them yet.
They were still secondary.
So the question was—
Should he strengthen his strengths?
Or compensate for his weaknesses?
Ren leaned toward the former.
Water Release and the Eight Gates both required high chakra reserves. Even with his special traits, reaching that level would take time.
But Fire Release—
That was already taking shape.
It made more sense to build on it first.
---
Minato's advice had been straightforward.
"If you want to expand your Fire Release system, I recommend choosing a long-range attack."
Ren remembered those words clearly.
"Your Great Fireball is already well-developed. Combined with Phoenix Flower Fire, your close-to-mid-range pressure is sufficient."
Minato had smiled slightly.
"But you lack precision at long range."
"Techniques like Dragon Fire Technique or Great Dragon Fire Technique would solve that problem."
"Especially the latter. Once mastered, you can release multiple fire dragons simultaneously."
Minato's eyes had held a hint of approval.
"With your talent, reaching that level shouldn't be difficult."
---
Ren had considered other options too.
For example—
Great Fire Annihilation.
The sheer spectacle of it was unforgettable.
A single technique overwhelming multiple water releases…
It was powerful.
But after thinking carefully—
It was still just an enhanced version of the Great Fireball.
Higher power.
Higher cost.
But still easy to evade for skilled opponents.
What he truly lacked…
Was precision.
"Then…"
Ren made his decision.
"I'll go with Great Dragon Fire Technique."
---
Two days later—
Afternoon.
Ren arrived at the Konoha Mission Hall with his father's identification.
The place was bustling as always—shinobi coming and going, exchanging missions, submitting reports, and handling logistics.
Ren stepped up to the reception desk.
"I'm here to exchange ninjutsu using mission merit."
The ninja behind the counter glanced at the document—
Then paused.
"…Ren, right? From Minato Namikaze's team?"
Ren blinked.
"…Yes."
The receptionist nodded.
"Your father's merit is enough to exchange for two C-rank techniques."
He flipped through a ledger.
"But it's still slightly short for a B-rank."
Ren wasn't surprised.
That matched his expectations.
However—
The next sentence caught him off guard.
"Also… Jonin Minato came by a few days ago."
Ren froze slightly.
"He left instructions that if you needed additional merit, it could be deducted from his own."
"…?"
For a moment, Ren didn't know what to say.
Minato…
Had prepared this in advance?
Without even telling him?
---
Before he could process it fully—
Something even stranger happened.
A familiar voice echoed in his mind.
---
[Under the recommendation of your father and teacher, you have arrived at a matchmaking agency located in the center of the village.]
[The staff warmly welcomes you and informs you that your father and teacher have already registered you as a member.]
[They have even selected a suitable match for you—a simple and reliable candidate named "Great Dragon Fire Technique."]
---
Ren: "..."
---
[Would you like to initiate contact?]
[Yes / No]
---
Ren's eyelid twitched.
What the hell was this system…
---
[Alternatively, you may browse other candidates available at the matchmaking agency: ______]
---
Ren stood there in silence.
In front of him—
The Mission Hall bustled as usual.
Behind him—
War loomed over the entire village.
Inside his mind—
A ridiculous "matchmaking system" was asking him to pick a "partner."
For ninjutsu.
---
After a long pause—
Ren slowly exhaled.
"…Yes."
If this was how the system wanted to phrase it—
Fine.
Then he would choose.
Because right now—
He needed strength more than anything else.
And if that meant "forming a bond" with a new technique—
Then so be it.
The "matchmaking" had begun.
--------------------------------
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