The next morning.
Inside Ren's bedroom, Shisui slowly woke up with his eyes closed. He stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling for a moment before suddenly reacting, then quickly stood up.
The commotion inside the room startled Ren. He was holding a toothbrush and a water cup. Seeing Shisui awake, he chuckled softly.
"You're awake. Go ahead and wash up first."
"Okay, Brother Ren."
Only after seeing it was Ren did Shisui lower his guard. Memories then slowly surfaced in his mind.
Yesterday, after eating at Ren's house, when he was about to go home, Brother Ren strongly urged him to stay.
Since there was no one at his own house, Shisui didn't refuse much and agreed. After waking up, his mind was still hazy, which was why he didn't react immediately.
When Shisui finished washing up and came out of the bathroom, he saw Ren in the kitchen frying eggs in a pan, oil splattering in the pan with a sizzling sound.
"Just a moment, it'll be ready soon."
While frying eggs, Ren pointed to two bags of milk soaking in hot water nearby and the toasted bread slices not far away, nodding.
"Shisui, lend a hand."
"Okay."
Shisui nodded, then brought the toasted bread slices and milk that Ren had already prepared in the kitchen to the table and finished setting them up. As he subconsciously looked up, he saw the time on the clock on the wall, and his expression suddenly changed. He turned to Ren, who was not far away, and spoke.
"Brother Ren, it's already 9:30 AM. It's almost time to meet Ryufeng."
"Relax."
Ren brought two plates of fried eggs to the dining table and set them down. He then picked up the milk nearby and took a sip before slowly speaking.
"My house is only a ten-minute walk from the Seventh Training Ground. Breakfast will take fifteen minutes, so we definitely won't be late. Eat your food."
...
Shisui's mouth twitched twice, but seeing Ren already eating his fried eggs, he could only resign himself, sit down, and start eating.
Fifteen minutes later, Ren and Shisui left on time, walking slowly as if strolling.
It must be said that even though it wasn't May yet, this early summer was already very hot, and the blazing sun overhead made both of them feel uncomfortable.
At 9:55 AM, the two entered the Seventh Training Ground on time and immediately saw Ryufeng leaning against a nearby wall, resting with his eyes closed.
Ren raised his hand, taking the lead in greeting.
"Yo, Ryufeng!"
Ryufeng opened his eyes and walked over. After greeting Shisui, he turned his gaze to Ren and nodded.
"Tell me, what did you call me here for?"
"No rush, let's go somewhere else to talk first."
Ren looked at the blazing sun overhead, then turned and led the two to sit in the shade of a nearby forest, immediately feeling much more comfortable.
Ren leaned against the tree trunk. A gentle breeze brushed against his skin, bringing a hint of coolness, which made him feel a little sleepy.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Seeing Ryufeng's darkened expression, Shisui quickly coughed to remind Ren. Ren then reacted, sat up straight, and chuckled sheepishly.
"My apologies, I didn't sleep well last night."
After speaking, Ren paused, then pulled out a scroll from his person and placed it in front of him while explaining.
"I came here today for two things."
"Bang!"
As he spoke, a white mist exploded. When it dispersed, seven strange-looking weapons appeared on the ground.
"Uh..."
The two immediately recognized these weapons as the seven Ninja Swords. After a moment of surprise, they both looked up, casting questioning glances at Ren.
"The first thing is to help you two choose two handy weapons."
While speaking, Ren picked up Needle Threading from the ground and handed it to Shisui, smiling.
"Shisui, this sword should be quite suitable for you."
Although he said it was about allocating slots, Ren already had a general idea of who to give them to.
Needle Threading relies heavily on speed, so it was perfectly suited for Shisui, who possessed the Instantaneous Body Technique.
"Ah, me?"
Shisui took Needle Threading, then looked at Ren with some hesitation and spoke.
"This isn't appropriate, Brother Ren."
"What's not appropriate about it?"
Ren tossed the scroll up and down, saying indifferently.
"Anyway, these are my things. I'll give them to whoever I want. Who can stop me?"
Anyway, the summoning scroll was with him. If he got angry, he could just summon them back.
"This..."
While Shisui was still hesitating, Ryufeng had already stepped forward to pick and choose, saying without raising his head.
"Take it. No one in the clan is more suitable for this sword than you."
Since both of them said so, Shisui no longer hesitated. He leaped onto a tree trunk and darted into the jungle, his voice coming from afar.
"Then I'll go practice first."
"Young people are so impatient."
Ren shook his head, then turned his gaze to Ryufeng, saying with a bored expression.
"So, Ryufeng, which one do you want?"
"Don't rush me!"
Ryufeng put down the Hiramekarei and said in an annoyed tone.
Ren took two steps forward, held up Lightning Blade Kiba, and said with interest.
"How do you like this one?"
In Ren's opinion, cumbersome weapons like Exploding Blade Shibuki and Kubikiribocho were not suitable for Ryufeng. Lightning Blade Kiba, however, was light and portable, and known for its attack speed.
Lightning Blade's extreme speed of attack combined with the Sharingan's ultra-clear vision would definitely result in a synergy greater than the sum of its parts.
Wherever his gaze fell, there would be heavenly lightning!
"Good."
Ryufeng also didn't hesitate. He simply took it, then leaped onto a tree trunk, disappearing into the forest in the blink of an eye, without even leaving a word.
"Tsk, seriously."
Ren looked in the direction the two had left, then took off his jacket and placed it behind his head. He leaned against the tree trunk, removed the forehead protector from his arm and covered his eyes, adjusted to a more comfortable position, and then slowly closed his eyes under the cool breeze...
"Captain, Captain!"
In a daze, Ren felt someone calling him. He raised his hand, pushed up his forehead protector, and said somewhat impatiently.
"What is it? Disturbing my good dream."
"It's us, Captain."
Hearing the familiar voice, Ren slowly opened his eyes and saw Yao squatting beside him, pushing him, while Suzuki and Shio stood not far away, circling the Ninja Swords he hadn't put away earlier.
"Sorry, I accidentally fell asleep."
Ren yawned, then slowly got up. Seeing this, Suzuki raised the Kubikiribocho and shouted excitedly towards him.
"Captain, are these the legendary Ninja Swords of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?!"
"What if they are?"
Ren slowly walked closer, then took the Kubikiribocho from him and slung it behind his back, saying lazily.
"Anyway, it's not yours."