"Why are you back so early?"
Inside the inn, hearing Tsunade, Shizune, and Karin knocking on the door, Akira Ren—who had been studying secret technique scrolls with his Wood Clones—looked at the three in surprise.
"Huh? Karin, what's wrong with you?"
Noticing her slightly red eyes, clearly from crying, he frowned. "Did someone bully you?"
A trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes.
His little girl—only he could bully her. No one else.
"N-No one bullied me… you idiot, Akira Ren!"
Karin's face flushed. She lowered her head shyly, then quickly reacted and bared her teeth at him again.
"Alright, Akira Ren, stop overthinking…"
Tsunade rolled her eyes and knocked him lightly on the head. "With me around, who else could bully Karin besides you?"
"Akira Ren, Karin just got emotional while treating someone and started missing her mother, Nono," Shizune explained with a gentle smile.
"Tonton~ Tonton~"
The pig in her arms nodded along.
Karin, standing behind them, kept her head lowered, face burning red. Her hands twisted together as if she wanted to disappear into the ground.
Was she too pathetic? It had only been two years since she separated from her mother…
But she really missed her so much.
"I see…"
Akira Ren suddenly understood. He had thought someone had crossed a line and earned a death sentence.
"Akira Ren, I've got a task for you—and a half-month vacation as well," Tsunade said directly. "Take Karin back to Konoha so she can reunite with Nono. Come back after half a month!"
"Anyway, you've already learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, so you can find us anytime."
"Huh? Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Shizune's eyes widened in shock, staring at Akira Ren. "Not just the Spirit Transformation Technique—even that technique, you've mastered it too?"
Having followed Tsunade around for years, she naturally knew about it. The Second Hokage, its creator, was once known as the fastest ninja in the world.
Not to mention the Fourth Hokage's legendary feats—
He earned the title "Yellow Flash" precisely because of that space-time ninjutsu.
Once, he single-handedly turned the tide of battle by instantly killing fifty elite ninja from Iwagakure using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Enemies were so terrified that other villages even issued orders: if you encounter the Yellow Flash during a mission, you may abandon it without punishment.
"Just got lucky," Akira Ren said with a smile.
It was indeed a great technique—but he still planned to improve it further. Otherwise, it had too many limitations in high-level battles.
"Lucky…"
Shizune's lips twitched as she looked at him speechlessly.
When would she ever "get lucky" enough to master the Strength of a Hundred Seal?
Meanwhile, Karin looked confused.
"Um… what exactly is the Flying Thunder God Technique?" she asked softly.
"It's a space-time ninjutsu created by the Second Hokage. Once a marking is placed, the user can instantly teleport to it regardless of distance," Tsunade explained lazily, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "But it's extremely difficult—an S-rank technique—and requires special talent. Even among Hokage, only the Second and Fourth ever mastered it."
"So amazing?"
Karin's eyes widened.
This kind of ability completely shattered her understanding. But given Akira Ren's ridiculous talent, it somehow felt natural.
"Want to learn?" Akira Ren said with a teasing smile. "Call me 'senior brother' or 'big brother Akira Ren,' and I'll teach you."
Even if she might not master it, he wouldn't mind teaching her.
"Hmph, no thanks!"
Karin was tempted, but she puffed her cheeks and turned her head away arrogantly.
This annoying Akira Ren—always teasing her. Why couldn't he be a bit gentler?
He was always so gentle with Tsunade and Shizune. He used to be that way with her too…
But then he changed. Always picking on her.
And yet… he was so handsome. So frustrating.
"Alright, enough messing around…" Tsunade said. "Akira Ren, Karin, pack your things and get ready to leave."
Then she glanced at Akira Ren and added, "You must be missing your little girlfriends back in Konoha, huh?"
She knew very well—Akira Ren had two girlfriends there.
And he had once boldly claimed there were three, including the already grown Kurenai.
Absolutely ridiculous.
"Girlfriends?"
Karin's eyes widened in disbelief.
More than one?!
She clenched her fists angrily. "As expected—Akira Ren is a total playboy!"
"Stay out of adult matters, kid…"
Akira Ren knocked her lightly on the head, easily suppressing her as she tried to pounce on him.
He then looked at Tsunade with a smile. "Going back for a bit is fine, but…"
After so long, it wouldn't hurt to take a short break.
He did miss Ino and Tenten.
And especially… the beautiful and gentle Kurenai.
But the bet he had won couldn't just be forgotten.
"Put it on hold for now!"
Tsunade interrupted quickly, her face calm but heart skipping a beat.
"Deal."
Akira Ren smiled.
He'd collect interest later.
Watching the two exchange meaningful words, Karin and Shizune glanced at each other.
They couldn't shake the feeling…
that there was some kind of secret between them.
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