Ren paused after hearing Rin's question, then slowly turned back to look at her. The corridor outside the lodging room was quiet, lit by the dull yellow glow of a hanging lamp, and the night air of Wildfire Outpost carried the faint smell of dust, medicine, and oil from freshly maintained weapons. Rin stood a few steps behind him, her small face slightly flushed, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the strap of her medical pouch. Her eyes kept drifting away from his face, then returning, as if she regretted asking the question but wanted the answer too much to take it back.
It was obvious that Jiraiya's teasing earlier had left a mark on her. Even though Rin was usually gentle and calm, she was still a girl her age, and Pakura was undeniably striking in presence. Setting aside the fact that Pakura was an enemy shinobi, she was already a Jonin-level genius at fourteen, carried the rare Scorch Release bloodline limit, and had the confidence of someone who had survived real battle. For Rin, who had worked hard just to keep up with the monsters around her, it was hard not to feel a little pressure.
Ren understood the look on her face almost immediately. He blinked once, then smiled helplessly. "How is that possible?"
Rin looked up. "Really?"
"Really," Ren said, his tone calm and casual. "I'm interested in her Scorch Release. That's all. A bloodline limit that can evaporate moisture from a target's body is extremely rare. I want to understand how it works, how her chakra nature changes, and whether the principle can be studied from a medical perspective. Lord Jiraiya is just…" Ren stopped, searching for a polite word, then gave up. "He says strange things. Don't take him too seriously."
Rin's shoulders relaxed a little, though her cheeks were still faintly red. "I-is that so? Sorry, Ren. I asked something weird."
"It's not weird," Ren replied. "After what Lord Jiraiya said, anyone might misunderstand."
That made Rin smile faintly. The awkwardness between them softened, replaced by a quieter feeling neither of them knew how to name. For a moment, they simply stood there facing each other, the lamplight catching the edge of Rin's hair and the tired but gentle look in her eyes. The battlefield had forced all of them to grow quickly, yet in small moments like this, they still seemed like children trying to understand emotions bigger than themselves.
Then Rin hesitated again. "By the way… is Lord Jiraiya really that improper? And that book Kakashi reads—Icha Icha Paradise—is it really like what Obito says? Lord Jiraiya is one of the Three Legendary Sannin. How could someone like him write that kind of thing?"
Ren coughed lightly. "The Three Legendary Sannin are still human. Lady Tsunade likes drinking and gambling when she has free time, right? Great shinobi can still have strange hobbies."
The air became silent again.
Rin stared at him, and Ren looked back. The silence somehow grew more delicate than before. Just as the atmosphere was about to become truly dangerous, Obito's head suddenly popped through the doorway like a summoned disaster.
"Rin! Ren! You're both here!" Obito grinned brightly, completely unaware of what he had interrupted. "Ren, want to spar with me? My Fire Release has improved a lot recently. Now that I've awakened my Sharingan, I feel like I can finally be your opponent!"
Ren stared at him for a second. In his heart, he thought, You awakened your eyes two days ago. What kind of dramatic improvement could you possibly have made already? But aloud, he only said, "Tomorrow. It's late. Rest first."
Obito looked disappointed but quickly recovered. "Fine! Definitely tomorrow!"
After finally sending Obito away, Ren picked up his mug, went out to wash up, brushed his teeth, wiped his face, and returned to the lodging room. The accommodation at Wildfire Outpost was better than what they had endured at Ryūgetsu Outpost, but only slightly. This was still the front line. There were no comfortable beds, no proper baths, and no peaceful streets outside the window. Everything was simple, temporary, and built around the assumption that an alarm could ring at any moment.
After turning off the light, Ren lay down in the darkness. For a while, sleep did not come. His thoughts drifted away from the battlefield and back toward Konoha.
He remembered persuading Mr. Mikami to begin a profitable publishing project. He remembered the business plan for a special carbonated drink. He remembered handing over the formula, arranging the name, and leaving behind enough details for the family to test the market. He wondered how everything had developed while he was away.
At that very moment, in Konoha Village, the answer was beginning to spread through the streets like wildfire.
The next morning, soft sunlight broke through the clouds and poured over Konoha's main road. The village gate stood tall and familiar beneath the morning sky, and three dusty young shinobi stepped through it after completing a multi-day supply escort mission.
Asuma Sarutobi let out a long breath the moment he saw the familiar streets. "Finally back."
Out of habit, his hand moved toward his ninja pouch, searching for a cigarette. It was a habit he had picked up recently, one he still pretended was not becoming serious. But when his eyes shifted toward the girl walking beside him, he paused. Kurenai Yuhi was there, tired from the journey but still composed, her ruby-red eyes bright beneath the morning light. Asuma awkwardly rubbed his fingers together and decided he would find some other place to smoke later.
Kurenai did not seem to notice. She stretched her shoulders slightly and sighed. "We're finally back. There wasn't much fighting, but the distance was exhausting. I feel like my whole body is falling apart."
Raido Namiashi, walking with them, nodded silently in agreement.
Kurenai glanced down the road, then said, "Come to think of it, I feel like I haven't seen Ren or Kakashi in the village for quite a while."
Asuma looked surprised. "You didn't hear?"
"Hear what?"
"They were specially approved to go to the Sunagakure front line."
Kurenai stopped walking. "The front line?" Her eyes widened. "Isn't that a place only shinobi with at least Chunin-level strength are supposed to be sent? Ren is still officially a Genin."
Asuma's mouth twitched. "Kurenai, you don't really think those guys are normal Genin, do you? Kakashi became a Chunin years ago. As for Ren, his progress is ridiculous. Honestly, he might even be stronger than Kakashi now."
At that moment, Asuma did not know he had accidentally spoken the truth. He was mostly guessing based on rumors and what little he had seen before Ren left the village. In his mind, Kakashi was still the standard of genius among their generation. Saying Ren might have caught up was already bold enough. Saying he had surpassed him would have sounded absurd.
After a short pause, Asuma leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Also, I heard something from the old man—well, from Lord Third Hokage. The village may hold a Chunin Exams soon."
Kurenai's attention sharpened. "A Chunin Exams?"
"Yeah," Asuma said. "The village wants to show strength to other nations and stabilize the situation. If Konoha can prove that the younger generation is strong, it might make some enemies hesitate before escalating the war further. Since Ren and the others are still officially Genin, they might be called back to participate."
Kurenai's tired expression brightened. "Really?"
Her hands clenched unconsciously. During this time, she had trained hard every day, often seeking guidance from her father, Shinku Yuhi. Her genjutsu had improved, and her basic combat ability had become far more stable. Still, whenever she thought of Ren, Kakashi, and the others on the front line, she felt as if the distance between them had grown again.
If she passed the Chunin Exams, perhaps she could finally stand a little closer to that world. Perhaps she could stand closer to them.
Before the conversation could continue, a wave of noise rose from a nearby street corner. Raido, who rarely spoke first, pointed ahead. "There are a lot of people lining up over there. What are they buying?"
The three looked over and saw a long queue stretching out from a shop with the sign "Akimichi Drink Shop." The line included both civilians and shinobi. Some people were craning their necks to look inside, while others excitedly discussed what they had already heard.
"Is that the new Konoha Raw Cola?"
"I heard it tastes amazing. Sweet, cold, refreshing, and better than sake on a hot day."
"My neighbor's older brother is a shinobi. He said drinking it helps him recover from fatigue faster, kind of like a soldier pill, but much gentler on the stomach."
"Really?"
"That's what they say! I also heard Lady Tsunade personally helped with the formula. Her gambling luck may be terrible, but her medical skill is unmatched. If her name is attached to it, it must be good."
"Konoha Raw Cola?" Kurenai stood on tiptoe curiously.
At that moment, several customers walked out of the shop holding transparent glass bottles printed with a simple leaf logo. The bottles were covered in cold condensation, and when one customer twisted open the cap, there was a crisp hiss. Fine bubbles rose inside the dark liquid, lively and sparkling in the sunlight. It looked strangely refreshing.
Kurenai's eyes lingered on the bottle.
Asuma immediately noticed. "There are this many people lining up, so it probably isn't bad. Let's try it. My treat."
Kurenai smiled. "Thank you. I'll treat you next time."
After waiting for about fifteen minutes, it was finally their turn. The price board inside the shop clearly read: large bottle, fifteen ryo; small bottle, ten ryo. Asuma was not short on money, so he bought three large bottles without hesitation.
The moment Kurenai took the chilled bottle into her hands, she felt the coolness spread through her fingers. Following the others' example, she twisted off the cap. A pop sounded, followed by a soft hiss, and a sweet, refreshing fragrance immediately rose from the bottle.
She took a careful sip.
Her eyes widened.
"Mmm!"
The taste was unlike anything she had experienced before. It was sweet, but not heavy. Cold, but not biting. The tiny bubbles burst against her tongue like sparks, washing away the fatigue from the road and leaving her mouth crisp and clean. It felt as if the tiredness buried in her muscles had been pushed back for a moment by pure freshness.
"This is really good," Kurenai said, unable to hide her surprise.
Beside her, Asuma drank nearly half the bottle in one go. His throat moved, and then he let out a satisfied sigh. "Ha! That's strong. The texture is incredible. No wonder people are lining up."
Raido nodded silently, but the speed at which he drank his bottle said more than words.
"Let's buy two more," Asuma said.
Unfortunately, by the time they tried to queue again, the shopkeeper raised his hands and announced that the day's supply of Konoha Raw Cola had sold out.
The disappointed crowd scattered immediately, rushing toward other streets to find shops that still had stock. However, there were not many stores selling it yet, and each had limited supply. Soon, an amusing scene began appearing across Konoha.
Customers walked into dango shops, tea stalls, noodle stands, and sweet shops, all asking the same question.
"Boss, do you sell Konoha Raw Cola?"
"Raw cola? No, customer, we mainly sell dango and sweet soup."
"You don't have it? Then forget it. I'll check somewhere else."
"Wait! Our red bean soup is excellent too!"
At the Three-Color Dango Sweet Shop, the owner was sweating after being asked the same question several times in a row. Finally, he slammed a hand on the counter and shouted toward his apprentice, "Why are you still standing there? Go find out where this Konoha Raw Cola is supplied from!"
The apprentice nodded quickly and ran out of the shop.
Similar scenes began spreading through several food shops. Shop owners who had ignored the new drink in the morning were now anxiously searching for a way to stock it before their customers ran elsewhere.
Asuma, Kurenai, and Raido watched the village's sudden cola fever with fascination.
"I didn't expect something this interesting to appear after only a few days away," Asuma said, shaking the half-finished bottle in his hand. "Next time we go on a mission, we should buy a few bottles for the road."
Kurenai nodded, but her gaze remained on the simple leaf logo printed on the bottle.
For some reason, Ren's figure suddenly appeared in her mind. Lady Tsunade had never been known for business, and Kurenai had heard that Ren had been learning from her. This drink's rumored medical angle also sounded suspiciously like something he might be involved in.
Could this be connected to him?
Meanwhile, inside the Senju residence, Tsunade sat in light casual clothing, staring at several bottles of Konoha Raw Cola placed on the low table before her. Shizune stood nearby, reporting everything she had seen in the village.
Tsunade frowned slightly. "So this is the finished product Mr. Mikami produced? It isn't much different from the previous samples. Can this really make people line up to buy it? Since when did Konoha villagers develop this kind of taste?"
Shizune scratched her head awkwardly. "I don't fully understand it either, Lady Tsunade. But it really is selling extremely well. I checked the streets earlier. Every shop with stock had long lines outside, and both civilians and shinobi were buying it."
Tsunade's eyes shifted to the bottle.
Shizune continued carefully, "Also, I heard that Yakiniku Q and Ichiraku Ramen are already discussing cooperation with the Mikami family. They want to launch special combinations like barbecue with cola and ramen with cola. At this rate, Konoha Raw Cola may really become one of the village's signature drinks."
A signature drink.
Tsunade's fingers tightened slightly around the bottle.
A few months earlier, Ren had come to her with a serious expression and a strange formula, boldly proposing a bet. Back then, Tsunade had been certain she would win. After all, she was Tsunade, the greatest medical ninja in Konoha, and he was just a brat with too many strange ideas. She had not taken the wager seriously.
But now…
No way.
Was she going to lose again?
Tsunade's heart skipped in irritation, though her face remained proud and dismissive. She snorted. "It's only selling because it's new. People always rush to try strange things when they first appear. We'll only know its real value after some time passes."
Shizune hesitated. "Lady Tsunade, there is one more thing."
"What?"
"Ren mentioned before that if the business succeeded, he was willing to give you thirty percent of the profits as a technical consultant fee. But at the time, you refused."
Silence fell.
Tsunade's face stiffened.
Her fingers tightened around the bottle until the glass made a faint, dangerous creaking sound. Whether she won or lost the bet in the end, one thing was already clear—Konoha Raw Cola could sell. If it really reached the sales target Ren had predicted, then thirty percent of the profits would not be small. It might even cover a painful amount of her gambling debts.
Should she go back and tell that brat she had only been joking?
Theoretically, it was not impossible.
But she had refused with her own mouth.
She was Tsunade, one of the Three Legendary Sannin, granddaughter of the First Hokage, and a woman with pride carved into her bones. How could she lower her head for a share of profits she had already rejected?
Tsunade coughed loudly, then slammed the half-full bottle onto the table with a heavy thud. "Stop nagging! It's only thirty percent. Who do you think I am? Do I need to snatch money from a wet-behind-the-ears brat?"
Shizune said nothing.
Tsunade stood abruptly and grabbed her green coat with the word "gamble" on the back. "Let's go, Shizune."
"Huh? Lady Tsunade, where are we going? You still have work at Konoha Hospital this afternoon."
"What hospital?" Tsunade said irritably while putting on her coat. "That brat and Rin aren't even in the village. Can't the remaining students be taught by medical Jonin for one afternoon? Come with me to the casino. I need to get rid of this bad luck."
Shizune's expression instantly became hopeless.
She was still young and had not yet followed Tsunade for decades, but she already understood one thing very clearly. When Lady Tsunade said she was going to get rid of bad luck by gambling, it usually meant the bad luck was about to become worse.
After all, Tsunade's reputation for losing nine bets out of ten was not an exaggeration. If Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya had not secretly warned Konoha's gambling dens to take it easy on her, she might have lost even more terribly by now.
Shizune looked at the bottles of Konoha Raw Cola on the table, then at Tsunade's proud back as she marched toward the door.
Outside, Konoha was buzzing with excitement over the new drink. Rumors of the upcoming Chunin Exams had begun to stir among the younger generation. At the front lines, Ren was still unaware that one of his casual business plans had started shaking the village's food market.
Konoha Raw Cola had made its debut. The Chunin Exams were approaching. And before long, the front-line children would be called back into a village already changing in ways none of them expected.
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