Ren continued his training.
The forest clearing had long since become his personal battlefield. Burnt grass, scorched earth, and cracked stone bore witness to his relentless practice. Heat shimmered in the air, distorting the horizon like a mirage.
But Ren paid it no mind.
Right now, his focus was entirely on one thing
Perfecting his Fire Release.
Even before obtaining the scroll for Great Dragon Fire Technique, his affinity with Phoenix Sage Fire Technique had already been close to a breakthrough.
Now, after only a short period of continuous practice—
The system responded.
---
[Phoenix Sage Fire Technique Favorability +2]
Current Favorability: 26/100 (Friendly)
[Stage Reward Obtained]
→ Physique +1
→ Trait: Explosive Shells
Ren paused mid-training, narrowing his eyes as the new information flooded his mind.
"…Tracking… and explosive effects?"
He slowly exhaled, the lingering heat escaping his lungs.
A faint smile formed on his lips.
"Not bad."
---
Immediately, he raised his hand and performed the familiar seals.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
Whoosh—!
A volley of small fireballs burst forth from his mouth, scattering into the air like a flock of blazing birds.
But this time—
Something was different.
The fireballs didn't simply fly forward.
They curved.
Adjusted.
Locked on.
Each flame began tracking its target.
Ren focused his gaze on a distant tree.
The fireballs twisted mid-air, their trajectories unpredictable, zigzagging like living creatures before converging—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions erupted upon impact.
Not large enough to rival the destructive force of Great Dragon Fire—
But fast.
Unpredictable.
Relentless.
"Hard to dodge… and even harder to defend against," Ren murmured.
This was no longer just a scatter-type technique.
It had evolved.
From suppression to pursuit.
Satisfied, Ren lowered his hands.
Then his gaze shifted slightly.
"…Now for the other one."
Unlike Phoenix Sage Fire, his Dragon Fire Technique was still in its infancy.
Its favorability was low.
Its control—imperfect.
Even forming the flame required conscious effort.
---
Ren went through the hand seals again.
"Snake… Dragon… Rabbit… Tiger…"
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
A narrow stream of fire shot forward.
Straight.
Focused.
But lacking the elegance and precision he had seen earlier.
Ren frowned slightly.
"…Too stiff."
---
He recalled the notes from the scroll.
> Best used in combination with steel wire
"…So that's the key."
The technique wasn't meant to stand alone.
It was designed for control.
Restriction.
Execution.
---
Ren glanced at his hands thoughtfully.
"If I combine this with rope or wire techniques… I could trap an enemy first… then deliver a guaranteed hit."
He nodded slowly.
"…Looks like I'll need to train my rope techniques too."
Even so—
Ren wasn't dissatisfied.
On the contrary—
His Fire Release system was finally taking shape.
He mentally reviewed everything he had.
• Wide-area firepower: Great Fireball Technique
• High-speed piercing attack: Great Dragon Fire Technique
• Scatter & pursuit: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique
• Future expansion: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson
• Defense: Great Fire Wall
Ren crossed his arms, a hint of pride in his expression.
"I'm not lacking anything anymore."
For now, his plan was simple.
Push all his core Fire Release techniques to 50 favorability.
Only then would his foundation be truly solid.
As for what came next…
Close combat?
Water Release?
Ren shook his head.
"No rush."
He would wait until he unlocked the trait of the Hatake Sword Style before deciding.
There was no need to scatter his focus.
He stretched his arms, loosening his shoulders.
"The Advanced Medical Class assessment is in a couple of days…"
He exhaled lightly.
"Passing shouldn't be a problem."
But—
Tsunade had personally reminded him.
That alone was enough reason to take it seriously.
"…I should prepare properly."
Then, another thought crossed his mind.
"…I'll help Rin too."
Rin Nohara was talented—no doubt about it.
But compared to Ren?
Her progress was slightly slower.
And the Advanced Medical Class…
It wasn't easy.
If the Ninja Academy's standard curriculum was equivalent to middle school—
Then this?
At least vocational college level.
Some topics even bordered on advanced research fields.
Even Ren couldn't claim complete mastery.
"…Better safe than sorry."
A Few Days Later
Konoha Hospital – Operating Room
The sterile white light of the surgical lamp illuminated the room.
The faint scent of disinfectant filled the air.
Every movement had to be precise.
Controlled.
Perfect.
Ren and Rin stood side by side, dressed in surgical gowns, masks covering their faces.
Their eyes were sharp.
Focused.
Behind the observation glass—
Tsunade and Shizune watched silently.
"…Hemostatic forceps."
Ren's voice was calm.
Steady.
---
Rin reacted instantly.
"Here."
---
The instrument was placed into his hand without hesitation.
Their coordination—
At first, slightly awkward.
But gradually—
It improved.
---
"There are still fragments in the wound," Ren continued. "Use tweezers to remove them. Then apply Healing Technique to assist with hemostasis."
"I'll finish suturing the tendons here and come help you."
---
"Okay!"
---
Rin took a deep breath.
Her hands trembled slightly at first—
But soon steadied.
---
Time passed.
Minute by minute.
---
Sweat formed beneath their masks.
The tension in the room was suffocating.
Finally—
The last stitch was completed.
Ren tied the final knot.
Rin withdrew her hands.
They both stepped back.
Simultaneously.
Their eyes moved to the monitor.
The fluctuating indicators…
Slowly stabilized.
"…We did it."
They exhaled together.
The system responded.
[Healing Technique Favorability +1]
[Special Event: Personally Treat 100 Patients]
Progress: 23/100
After changing clothes, the two stepped into the corridor.
Waiting for them—
Was Tsunade.
She tilted her chin slightly, expression unreadable.
"…Hmph. Passable."
Her tone was calm.
But her eyes were sharp.
"The suturing was a bit crude. Hemostasis was slow."
She crossed her arms.
"But for Genin… this level is acceptable."
A brief pause.
Then—
---
"You may continue in the Medical Squad."
"Yay!"
Rin couldn't hold it in.
The tension shattered instantly.
Without thinking—
She turned and hugged Ren tightly.
"That's great, Ren! We passed!"
Her voice was bright.
Filled with relief.
Ren froze slightly.
Because—
He felt it.
The soft warmth pressing against his arm through layers of clothing.
His heartbeat sped up.
Just a little.
"…Yeah," he said softly. "We did well."
A few seconds passed.
Then—
Rin suddenly realized what she had done.
---
Her body stiffened.
Her face turned bright red.
"Ah—! S-sorry, Ren! I—I was just too excited—!"
She let go instantly, stepping back like she'd been electrocuted.
"It's fine," Ren replied calmly.
Though—
His expression was slightly unnatural.
"…Alright, that's enough."
---
Tsunade's voice cut in.
Flat.
Unamused.
"Since you passed, go do what you need to do."
Then her gaze shifted.
Locking onto Ren.
"Ren. Stay."
"I have something to discuss with you."
Rin blinked, still flustered.
"Ah—okay! See you later!"
She bowed quickly—
Then hurried off.
Leaving the two alone.
---
Tsunade cleared her throat.
Her tone shifted.
More serious.
"About the 'Nerve Activation Technique' you asked me about…"
Ren's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…There's news."
"I checked the archives."
Tsunade's expression darkened slightly.
"Konoha did conduct research on it."
"But—"
"The project was sealed."
Ren didn't interrupt.
He listened carefully.
"The risks were too high," Tsunade continued.
"During testing, more than a dozen ninjas suffered severe nerve damage… or brain death."
The air grew heavy.
"Even the few successful cases…" she added, her voice quieter,
"…didn't achieve the expected results."
Then she looked directly at him.
Eyes piercing.
---
"Are you sure you still want to study it?"
---
Ren didn't hesitate.
"I'm sure."
---
But then—
He added calmly—
"I won't use it recklessly."
"I just want to understand how it enhances nerve reaction through ninjutsu… and what risks are involved."
His gaze was steady.
"It's for developing future techniques."
Tsunade studied him for a long moment.
Then—
She sighed.
"…Fine."
She turned.
"Follow me."
Ren nodded and followed.
He expected to be led to her office.
But instead—
They left the hospital entirely.
Ten minutes later—
They arrived at a seemingly ordinary building near the outskirts of the village.
---
But the moment Ren stepped closer—
He felt it.
Something was different.
Hidden guards.
Concealed chakra signatures.
A barrier surrounding the structure.
---
As they passed through the entrance—
It felt like walking through invisible water.
A ripple.
A shift.
"…This place…"
Ren murmured.
Tsunade spoke without looking back.
"This is the Konoha Research Institute."
"Managed by Orochimaru."
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Most research on new ninjutsu is conducted here."
"And the archive you want…"
She glanced over her shoulder.
"Is inside."
They walked deeper into the facility.
The atmosphere grew colder.
More oppressive.
"Because of confidentiality," Tsunade continued,
"You can only read the materials here."
---
"No taking them out."
"No copying."
She stopped at a sealed door.
Then added—
"I vouched for you."
The door slowly opened.
"You have three days."
Tsunade's voice turned stern.
"Don't cause me trouble."
--------------------------------
"Free readers are still behind… but Patreon members are already ahead 😏
Catch up now [patreon.com/Samurai492 ]"
__________________________________