After the excitement surrounding Shinku Yuhi's test faded, the atmosphere inside the tower gradually became more relaxed.
Kurenai remained beside Ren for quite a while.
Under the perfectly reasonable excuse of "asking for training advice," she questioned him about chakra control, taijutsu, combat awareness, and even how he decided which techniques to use during a fight.
At first, it was mostly just the two of them talking.
Then Rin joined in.
A few minutes later, Asuma somehow found his way into the conversation as well.
Obito tried several times.
Every attempt ended the same way.
"Actually, I think—"
"Kurenai, your genjutsu is already your biggest advantage. You don't need to force yourself into someone else's combat style," Ren said.
"Right..." Kurenai nodded thoughtfully.
Obito opened his mouth again.
"About that—"
"If you want more versatility," Rin added, "maybe you could strengthen your close-range defense."
"That's exactly what I was thinking!"
Obito's eyebrow twitched.
He tried once more.
"I also—"
"Asuma, don't interrupt."
"I didn't even say anything!"
Obito stared at them for several seconds.
Then he silently stood up and walked away.
Traitors.
Every single one of them.
With nothing better to do, he wandered around the enormous circular hall, opening cabinets, inspecting shelves, and poking at anything that looked even remotely interesting.
A few minutes later—
"Hey!"
Obito's excited shout echoed through the tower.
Everyone turned.
He came running back while holding a worn deck of playing cards over his head like some priceless treasure.
"Look what I found!"
Asuma stared at him.
"...Cards?"
"Old Maid!"
Obito slammed the deck onto the floor in front of them.
"Let's play! Loser gets a strip of paper stuck on their face!"
Asuma's expression immediately darkened.
"We're in the middle of the Chunin Exams."
"So?"
"We could have another combat test in three days!"
"So?"
"We should be training!"
Obito leaned forward.
"Are you scared?"
Asuma's eye twitched.
"What did you say?"
"I said maybe the Hokage's son is afraid of losing at cards."
"Deal them."
Rin sighed.
Kurenai covered her mouth, hiding a laugh.
Ren simply leaned back against the wall.
He certainly wasn't against killing a little time.
Within moments, the cards were shuffled.
Asuma insisted on dealing them personally, claiming that Obito looked like the type who would cheat before the game had even begun.
The first round started calmly.
That lasted less than thirty seconds.
Obito suddenly shot to his feet.
"HAHA! ASUMA!"
He pointed dramatically.
"You got the Joker! I saw it!"
Asuma nearly threw his entire hand at him.
"SHUT UP!"
"What?"
"Do you even understand the rules of Old Maid?!"
"Of course I do!"
"Then stop announcing everyone's cards!"
"But I saw it!"
"THAT'S THE PROBLEM!"
Ren lowered his head, shoulders shaking slightly.
Rin was openly laughing now.
Even Kurenai had abandoned any attempt to remain composed.
The game continued.
"Rin."
Ren spread the cards in his hand into a neat fan.
"It's your turn."
Rin immediately became cautious.
Her fingers slowly hovered over the cards.
Ren's expression remained completely neutral.
Too neutral.
That somehow made it worse.
Rin narrowed her eyes.
"Ren..."
"Hm?"
"You're doing something."
"I'm holding cards."
"You're trying to trick me."
"That's an accusation without evidence."
Her fingers moved toward one card.
Ren's eyebrow shifted almost imperceptibly.
Rin froze.
"...This one?"
"Choose whatever you want."
She immediately moved toward another.
Ren's mouth almost curved upward.
Rin pulled her hand back again.
"Ren!"
"What?"
"Stop scaring me!"
"I'm not doing anything."
"You are!"
Eventually, she grabbed a card and immediately checked it.
Not the Joker.
Rin exhaled in relief.
Ren smiled.
Exactly as planned.
Several rounds later, the results became painfully obvious.
Obito had so many paper strips stuck to his cheeks and forehead that he looked like some kind of failed sealing experiment.
Asuma wasn't much better.
Rin had three.
Kurenai had four.
Ren—
had none.
Not one.
Asuma stared at him suspiciously.
"You cheated."
"No."
"You definitely cheated."
"Prove it."
Asuma fell silent.
That was the problem.
Ren's expression barely changed regardless of what cards he held.
Bluffing against him was almost impossible.
Obito pointed accusingly.
"Nobody can win this many times!"
Ren glanced at him.
"Skill issue."
Obito nearly tackled him.
Their ridiculous argument continued until the heavy doors of the tower suddenly creaked open.
Everyone immediately quieted.
The playful atmosphere vanished.
Ren's eyes sharpened.
Three figures entered.
Earth-yellow clothing.
Stone forehead protectors.
Iwagakure.
Asuma's voice dropped.
"Stone ninja."
Ren studied them silently.
The three newcomers looked exhausted, but none appeared seriously injured. Their expressions were cold and guarded, and after briefly examining the Konoha groups already inside, they walked to the opposite side of the hall without offering a greeting.
No one from Konoha tried to start a conversation either.
At present, relations between Konoha and Iwagakure were... complicated.
They weren't enemies.
At least, officially.
Following the Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth had signed a non-aggression agreement.
Compared with Sunagakure, which had already violated agreements with Konoha, or Kumogakure, which continued to exert pressure along the borders, Iwagakure had remained relatively restrained.
There had even been moments when Konoha and Iwa's interests indirectly aligned against Kumogakure.
But that didn't make them friends.
Not even close.
Ren quietly memorized the faces of the three Stone genin.
Something else interested him.
As far as he remembered, there weren't many famous Iwa ninja belonging to this particular generation.
Kitsuchi was older.
Akatsuchi and Deidara belonged to much younger generations.
Perhaps this was simply one of those unfortunate generations swallowed almost completely by the coming Third Shinobi World War.
Or perhaps there were talented ninja among them whose names never made it into history.
Either possibility was worth remembering.
Ren decided he would investigate them later.
The night had already grown late.
The cards were packed away, much to Obito's disappointment.
The two Konoha teams separated into nearby rooms, arranged a rotating night watch, and finally settled down to sleep.
Soon, silence returned to the tower.
Only steady breathing filled the rooms, mixed with the faint chirping of insects beyond the thick stone walls.
No attacks came.
No traps were triggered.
No examiner suddenly appeared from the ceiling to announce another hidden test.
For once—
the night passed peacefully.
The following morning, the tower became lively again.
The next group to arrive could be heard before anyone actually saw them.
"REN!"
A thunderous voice exploded through the entrance.
"LET US CELEBRATE OUR YOUTH WITH A GLORIOUS DUEL!"
Ren closed his eyes.
There was only one person in Konoha who could make an entrance like that.
Might Guy charged into the hall, still somehow overflowing with energy after spending an entire day inside the Forest of Death.
Behind him walked Shiranui Genma and Ebisu.
Both looked tired.
Neither looked surprised by Guy's behavior.
They had clearly suffered enough.
Guy pointed dramatically.
"Ren! Asuma! Obito! One of you must accept my challenge!"
"No."
Ren answered instantly.
"Next time."
Guy's eyes burned brighter.
"ANOTHER PROMISE OF A FUTURE DUEL!"
"That's not what I—"
"MY YOUTH WILL WAIT!"
Genma walked past him without even looking.
"Please stop encouraging him."
More teams arrived as the morning passed.
Hyuga Homon's squad entered next.
Then came another team from Amegakure.
Unlike the earlier arrivals, these groups looked terrible.
Their clothing was torn.
Mud covered their legs and arms.
Several carried fresh cuts and bandaged wounds.
One Rain ninja was practically being supported by his teammate.
They didn't bother speaking.
The moment they entered, they found empty areas along the walls, sat down, and began treating their injuries.
By then, the outcome had become clear.
Six teams had successfully completed the second stage.
Three candidates from other groups had suffered injuries severe enough to force withdrawal during the Forest of Death trial.
That left fifteen genin.
Fifteen candidates moving on.
Not long afterward, footsteps echoed from the upper corridor.
Shinku Yuhi entered the hall.
Kakashi walked beside him.
Two chunin proctors followed.
The remaining chatter immediately stopped.
Shinku stood before the gathered examinees.
His gaze swept across them.
"Congratulations."
No one spoke.
"You have passed the second stage of the Chunin Exams—the Hostage Retrieval Trial."
Obito grinned.
Guy clenched his fists in triumph.
Several exhausted candidates simply sighed in relief.
Shinku continued.
"The final examination will be held in three days."
That caught everyone's attention.
"The third stage will consist of individual combat. Detailed match rules and pairings will be announced later."
His tone hardened.
"Use these three days wisely. Recover from your injuries. Study your opponents. Prepare whatever equipment you require."
Then—
his gaze shifted toward Ren.
"Genin Ren."
Ren looked up.
"Yes?"
"You're coming with me."
A few heads immediately turned.
"There are several matters that need to be confirmed regarding what happened during the second stage."
Ren already had a good idea what this was about.
The Grass ninja.
And the blood.
---
A short while later, Ren stood inside the Hokage's office.
The moment he entered, he realized this wasn't going to be an ordinary debriefing.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk with his pipe in hand.
Tsunade stood nearby.
Minato Namikaze was there as well.
And beside him stood Kushina Uzumaki.
Ren bowed slightly.
"Hokage-sama. Lady Tsunade. Minato-sensei. Kushina-senpai."
Hiruzen exhaled a slow cloud of smoke.
"Ren."
His aged eyes rested on the young ninja.
"It's been some time."
He tapped his pipe lightly against the ashtray.
"Shinku has already reported what occurred during the examination."
A faint smile appeared.
"You performed exceptionally well. Better than I expected, in fact."
Ren remained silent.
Praise from the Third Hokage usually meant another sentence was coming.
Sure enough—
"However, there is something more important we need to confirm."
Hiruzen looked toward Minato.
"Minato."
"Yes."
Minato stepped forward.
His usual warm expression remained, though his blue eyes carried unmistakable seriousness.
"Ren, there's no need to be nervous."
Ren almost laughed.
That sentence rarely made anyone less nervous.
"Just answer honestly."
Minato paused.
"The blood container you confiscated from the Kusagakure ninja... do you still have it?"
Ren nodded.
"Yes."
He had expected this question.
Once the captured Grass ninja entered Konoha custody, the village's interrogation division would inevitably uncover at least part of what Kusagakure had been doing.
And then the blood sample would become extremely important evidence.
Ren reached into his ninja pouch.
From an inner compartment, he removed a tightly sealed container wrapped in oil-treated paper.
He handed it to Minato.
The moment the seal loosened—
the metallic scent of blood spread through the office.
Tsunade's expression changed almost imperceptibly.
Her brows tightened.
Kushina stepped forward and accepted the container.
She smelled the blood carefully.
Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, she dipped the tip of one finger into it.
Ren's eyelid twitched.
Kushina touched the blood to her tongue.
Then closed her eyes.
Several seconds passed.
Ren couldn't help thinking—
This looks disturbingly similar to testing contraband.
Kushina finally opened her eyes.
Her expression had completely changed.
"It's Uzumaki blood."
The office fell silent.
"And the concentration is extremely high."
She looked down at the container.
"This isn't old."
Kushina's voice became colder.
"Three to five days at most."
The relaxed atmosphere disappeared instantly.
Tsunade's face darkened.
Minato's expression hardened.
Hiruzen slowly took another drag from his pipe.
"So the information from the prisoner is accurate."
Smoke drifted across the desk.
"Kusagakure has imprisoned surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan."
His voice became heavier.
"And they're extracting their blood to restore chakra."
Kushina's fingers tightened around the container.
No one missed it.
Ren remembered what the Grass ninja had revealed.
The Uzumaki's extraordinary vitality.
Their blood being consumed as a resource.
People treated not as human beings—
but as living medicine.
Hiruzen's gaze hardened.
"The Uzumaki Clan was Konoha's longstanding ally."
A brief shadow crossed his face.
"They were also Lady Mito's people."
"We cannot ignore this."
There was an uncomfortable truth beneath those words.
Konoha had failed Uzushiogakure once.
But the circumstances back then had been very different.
The Second Shinobi World War had stretched Konoha's military forces dangerously thin. Multiple enemies had pressured the Land of Fire simultaneously, while Uzushiogakure itself had faced attacks from powerful hidden villages.
Whether Konoha could truly have saved them remained debatable.
Now, however—
the situation was different.
And Kusagakure was not Kumogakure.
Nor was it Kirigakure.
A small hidden village positioned between great nations had somehow decided that kidnapping Uzumaki survivors and using their blood as a resource was worth the risk.
Tsunade's gaze turned dangerously cold.
"We should bring them back."
Simple words.
But everyone understood what she meant.
Hiruzen nodded slowly.
"Under normal circumstances, I would authorize an immediate rescue operation."
Then he frowned.
"But Kusagakure's position makes the situation difficult."
He rose from his chair and walked toward the large map hanging behind the desk.
"Kusagakure sits between the Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Rain."
His finger moved across the map.
"If Konoha mobilizes a large force toward Grass territory, Iwagakure will notice."
Another movement.
"So will Amegakure."
His expression darkened.
"Sunagakure and Kumogakure are already creating pressure elsewhere. We cannot risk giving other villages the impression that Konoha is preparing for another major campaign."
A rescue mission was necessary.
But an invasion was unacceptable.
Hiruzen turned.
"Minato."
Minato immediately straightened.
"You will lead a small elite unit into Kusagakure."
Ren's attention sharpened.
"Infiltrate quietly."
Hiruzen continued.
"Confirm the prisoners' location."
"Rescue any surviving Uzumaki you find."
"And whenever possible—"
His eyes hardened.
"Do not reveal Konoha's involvement."
Minato nodded without hesitation.
"Understood."
Then he paused.
"However, Hokage-sama, I would like authority to choose the members of the operation myself."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Granted."
Minato turned his head.
His eyes landed directly on Ren.
Ren suddenly had a bad feeling.
"I want Ren."
"...Huh?"
For once, Ren's expression genuinely cracked.
Me?
He had assumed Kakashi would be the obvious choice.
Minato continued.
"His performance during this examination proved that he has the qualities we need."
He looked toward Hiruzen.
"His judgment is calm. He notices details others miss. He's capable of adapting when the situation changes."
Ren stared.
Sensei.
That sounds suspiciously like you're volunteering me for something extremely dangerous.
"He also already has direct knowledge of the incident."
Hiruzen considered it for only a moment.
Then nodded.
"Very well."
Ren's mouth twitched.
That was fast.
"However, Ren is still participating in the Chunin Exams."
Hiruzen looked toward Minato.
"Choose the other two members first."
"Have them begin reconnaissance."
"Once the final examination concludes, use the Flying Thunder God to rendezvous with them and bring Ren into the operation."
Minato nodded.
"Yes."
Ren silently accepted his fate.
Apparently, passing the Chunin Exams wasn't enough.
Immediately afterward, he would be infiltrating another hidden village.
Wonderful.
Hiruzen studied him for a moment.
Then his expression softened.
"Ren."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"You've performed very well."
His gaze became approving.
"Both on the southwestern battlefield and during these examinations."
"Your combat ability, judgment, and adaptability have exceeded what we normally expect from someone your age."
Hiruzen opened a drawer.
He removed a scroll.
Ren's eyes immediately locked onto it.
"I believe this will suit you."
The Third Hokage slid it across the desk.
"A Water Release technique."
Ren accepted the scroll.
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
"Water Dragon Bullet Technique."
Ren's eyebrows rose.
Then Hiruzen added—
"Specifically, the version modified by the Second Hokage."
Now Ren was genuinely interested.
"The ordinary Water Dragon Bullet requires an impractical number of hand seals."
Hiruzen tapped the scroll.
"Tobirama-sensei modified the technique extensively."
"This version requires only three seals."
Ren's system reacted immediately.
[Ding!]
[Compatible gift detected!]
[Limited Skin acquired—]
[Water Release: Wild Water Wave → Water Dragon Bullet: Senju Tobirama Version!]
Ren's eyes brightened.
Excellent.
Very excellent.
His original Wild Water Wave had gradually fallen behind his overall combat level.
Its power simply wasn't sufficient anymore.
He rarely found situations where using it made sense.
But this—
Water Dragon Bullet.
And not the ordinary version.
The Second Hokage's optimized three-seal version.
That dramatically changed its combat value.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Ren carefully stored the scroll.
Hiruzen wasn't finished.
"After the Chunin Exams conclude, come see me again."
Ren paused.
"I will allow you to choose another advanced ninjutsu from the village's permitted collection."
Hiruzen smiled.
"If it's something appropriate for you to learn, I will personally instruct you."
Ren's eyes sharpened.
Another one?
The system had given him a similar opportunity once before.
Back then, he had only recently graduated from the Academy.
His age, chakra reserves, and official rank had restricted his options considerably.
He had chosen the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
It had served him well, particularly after unlocking the Light Flame Bullet enhancement.
But now—
his circumstances were completely different.
His strength was different.
His status was different.
And his available choices would certainly be different.
Maybe this time...
he could get something truly dangerous.
Ren immediately began sorting through possible techniques in his mind.
There was no reason to rush the decision.
He had three days.
And if the Third Hokage himself was offering advanced ninjutsu—
Ren intended to squeeze every drop of value from the opportunity.
The meeting seemed finished.
Ren prepared to leave.
Then—
"Ahem."
Tsunade deliberately cleared her throat.
Everyone looked toward her.
She folded her arms.
"Old man."
Hiruzen's eyebrow twitched.
"There's something else."
Tsunade casually gestured toward Ren.
"It's about Konoha Raw Cola."
Ren immediately understood.
Here it comes.
"The drink was developed by this white-haired brat and me."
Tsunade spoke as though she had personally spent months performing pharmaceutical research instead of repeatedly bullying Ren during the development process.
"You've tasted it yourself."
Hiruzen nodded.
"It's selling extremely well inside Konoha."
Tsunade continued.
"So we've decided it's time to expand beyond the village."
That got Hiruzen's attention.
"Because of the recent tension with Suna and Kumo, Konoha has committed more manpower to military preparations and border security."
Tsunade's tone became slightly more serious.
"That means fewer shinobi available for ordinary missions."
"Fewer completed missions means less commission revenue".
She shrugged.
"Obviously, one beverage won't replace the village's mission economy."
"But if Raw Cola spreads throughout the Land of Fire, the licensing fees, production, trade, and taxation could create a useful secondary revenue stream."
Hiruzen slowly smoked his pipe.
Ren remained silent.
Tsunade was handling the political side exactly as planned.
What Konoha Raw Cola needed most now wasn't money.
It was legitimacy.
An official signal that the Hokage approved of the expansion.
With that—
merchants would become more cooperative.
Local officials would become friendlier.
And anyone tempted to cause trouble would suddenly have to consider whether they were interfering with a business backed by one of the Sannin...
and indirectly recognized by the Hokage.
Hiruzen finally nodded.
"Very well."
Tsunade smiled.
"If you believe there's potential, pursue it."
Hiruzen's expression softened slightly.
"And if you encounter difficulties that genuinely require the village's assistance, speak with me."
Tsunade's smile widened.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
She glanced sideways at Ren.
Then winked.
Ren nearly laughed.
Done.
Konoha Raw Cola had just received something far more valuable than an advertising campaign.
It had received political protection.
Their business could finally expand outside the village without constantly worrying about local obstacles.
The meeting ended shortly afterward.
Ren left the Hokage's office together with Minato, Kushina, and Tsunade.
In the corridor, Minato placed a hand on Ren's shoulder.
"Ren."
His expression became serious again.
"Prepare carefully over the next few days."
"The Kusagakure operation won't be anything like the Chunin Exams."
There would be no instructors watching.
No one would intervene if something went wrong.
And if their identities were exposed—
the political consequences could become enormous.
Ren nodded.
"I understand."
Minato smiled faintly.
"Kushina and I have something else to handle."
"We'll see you later.
Kushina raised a hand.
"Don't get yourself injured before the finals,
Ren!"
"I'll try."
They disappeared down the corridor.
Ren watched them leave.
Then realized something.
The hallway had suddenly become strangely quiet.
Only he and Tsunade remained.
Ren turned.
Tsunade was smiling.
That smile immediately made him suspicious.
"What?
"Nothing."
She stepped closer.
Ren took half a step back.
Tsunade followed.
"Lady Tsunade..."
"What?"
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
She suddenly hooked one arm around his shoulders.
Ren staggered slightly as she pulled him against her side.
Then—
his entire body stiffened.
Something very soft and very heavy pressed firmly against his back.
Ren stared straight ahead.
Tsunade leaned closer.
Far too close.
Warm breath brushed past his ear.
"Hey..."
Her voice carried unmistakable amusement.
"Little white-haired brat."
Ren swallowed.
Tsunade's grip tightened.
"I worked pretty hard in there, you know."
She tilted her head, her golden-brown eyes gleaming mischievously.
"Thanks to me, your precious Konoha Raw Cola now has the old man's approval."
Ren's instincts screamed that something dangerous was coming.
Tsunade smiled.
A beautiful smile.
A dangerous smile.
The kind of smile that usually meant either money—
or suffering.
Possibly both.
"So tell me, Ren..."
Her voice dropped almost to a whisper beside his ear.
"How exactly are you planning to thank me?"
Ren went completely still.
Three days until the Chunin Exam finals.
A secret mission into Kusagakure waiting immediately afterward.
A newly acquired Water Dragon Bullet.
Another advanced ninjutsu reward waiting to be chosen.
And now Tsunade had him trapped in the corridor while demanding repayment.
Ren suddenly realized something.
The Forest of Death might actually have been safer.
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