Not having a captain actually wasn't a good thing for Ren.
Having someone above him at least gave him a sense of stability—even if whoever became his captain always seemed to misunderstand him in some way.
But overall, his relationship with every captain he'd had wasn't bad.
Whether it was Shisui, Kakashi, or Jiraiya.
"Honestly, captains are already good enough," Ren muttered to himself. "Being my direct superior would be even better… but I'm worried you wouldn't survive the pressure."
Thinking of his former superior, Danzo, Ren could only sigh before breaking into a faint smile.
That old man's days didn't seem to be going very well lately.
Based on the intelligence Ren had picked up from Jiraiya—and the fact that when they returned to Konoha, only three of the Four Elders appeared, while his former superior showed up personally—
"It seems our Hokage-sama is already dissatisfied with my old boss."
Making things uncomfortable for Danzo right inside Konoha's core had always been part of Ren's plan. It was just happening faster than he'd expected.
But that wasn't a bad thing.
According to Ren's own projections, cleaning Danzo up would take only a few more years at most.
The hatred had been drawn almost to its limit already. Pushing further wouldn't bring much additional value.
Especially after the Uchiha incident—Ren remembered clearly that Danzo had been suspended for a period back then.
And that window?
That was the most critical time for Ren to act.
"I still need to push a bit harder," Ren thought. "Otherwise, sending that old bastard off won't be easy."
With that in mind, he walked toward the room—and just happened to see Tsunade inside, calmly applying nail polish.
She really was generous… and wealthy.
Ren couldn't help wondering what exactly she'd eaten to develop to this extent.
"Hm? Ren?"
Tsunade seemed to sense something. She looked up and raised an eyebrow.
"You brat—slacking off again? Not training properly and wandering around instead?"
"I'm done with training."
Ren shrugged casually. In truth, his "training" was mostly symbolic now. With his status panel right there, many things didn't require deliberate practice anymore.
Once he categorized something, he could master it almost instantly.
"Tch. Talented people really are annoying."
Tsunade shook her head, capped the nail polish, and stood up. Stretching lazily, she made no effort to hide her figure before turning back to Ren.
"By the way… when exactly did you learn Sage Mode? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Sage Mode?"
Ren blinked, instantly understanding.
Most likely, his use of Yang Release · Chakra Mode had reached Tsunade's ears. Combined with Jiraiya's enthusiastic exaggeration, it had been misunderstood.
A misunderstanding was fine.
Ren had no intention of explaining the difference. After all, even he could claim he didn't fully understand it yet.
"I saw it mentioned in the scroll you gave me, sensei," Ren said calmly. "It seemed interesting, so I tried it. I didn't expect…"
"Tried it?"
Tsunade stepped right in front of him, frowning deeply.
"Are you insane? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? Even my grandfather never messed with it recklessly. Are you sure you're fine? And how did you even manage it?"
"You mean the erosion from natural energy?"
Ren smiled lightly.
Of course he understood.
Sage training was never simple. At Mount Myōboku, it required toad oil, supervision, and constant monitoring to prevent petrification.
Even Jiraiya—after decades—still couldn't enter Sage Mode instantly. He needed preparation, markings, and assistance from the two great toads.
Ren's ability to enter the state instantly was absurd by any standard.
Fortunately, he'd prepared an explanation long ago.
"It is difficult," he said. "Sensing natural energy, resisting its side effects—none of that is easy. Especially since your scroll didn't explain how to do it, only the basics."
Of course it didn't.
Hashirama had learned at Shikkotsu Forest. What he wrote down were only post-training impressions.
Tsunade snorted softly. She genuinely thought Ren was being reckless.
But before she could scold him further, he continued.
"What's strange is… absorbing natural energy doesn't seem that hard for me."
"…Not hard?"
Tsunade's mouth twitched.
That was the first time she'd ever heard someone describe natural energy that way.
Ren raised his hand.
In an instant, a peculiar power gathered in his palm.
Tsunade froze.
Even if she wasn't deeply familiar with it, she recognized it immediately. Jiraiya had bragged about it often enough.
And she had personally experienced her grandfather's Sage Mode before.
"…Natural energy," Ren said calmly. "I told you—it's really not that difficult for me."
Tsunade didn't respond.
Who asked you to prove it?!
"So how are you controlling it?" she finally asked. "Didn't you say it's hard to manage?"
"It is," Ren nodded. "But something interesting happens."
He subtly increased the output.
Explaining his Yang Release as Sage Mode reduced unnecessary trouble—even if it undersold the technique itself.
Using misunderstanding to gain combat advantage was far more valuable than pride.
"I can feel natural energy trying to petrify me," Ren said slowly. "But there's another power inside me that neutralizes it. They counterbalance each other."
"And controlling them together isn't easy. The results are… unexpected."
As his words ended, Ren activated his Curse Mark.
At the same time, Yang Release and the Dragon Vein chakra sealed within him fused instantly.
A deep hum echoed.
Golden chakra surged around Ren, wrapping him in a radiant cloak.
The violent pressure made even Tsunade tense.
Staring at that golden figure, Tsunade felt dazed.
The vitality.
The overwhelming life force.
For a moment, it was as if she was seeing her grandfather again.
This was frighteningly close.
Then suddenly, she frowned and looked outside.
A white-haired figure was peeking in through the opening.
"…You called for me?"
At the same time, far away in Sunagakure, Pakura stepped calmly into a sealed room.
The interior was nothing like the outside desert. Where the Wind Country was scorching and dry, this place felt like spring.
Chiyo and Ebizō sat side by side near a large pond.
Water.
In a village that lacked it most.
Building something like this—and using it to fish—was extravagant beyond belief.
"You're here, Pakura," Chiyo said calmly. "Sit. Want to try fishing? It's not a natural pond, but for the Wind Country, this is already impressive."
"If it were me, I'd rather spend these resources on the village," Pakura replied coldly.
It had been three years since she learned she'd been abandoned—sent to Kirigakure to die.
That kind of betrayal didn't fade easily.
She'd once considered leaving, becoming a missing-nin.
The world was large enough.
But Ebizō had convinced her to stay, promising compensation.
Still, some things were hard to let go.
"You might be right," Ebizō said mildly. "But resources spent in the village vanish like sand in the desert. Spent here, they restore us—so we can keep protecting the village."
"Excuses," Pakura snapped. "You're at the top already. Why indulge yourselves with these empty rewards?"
"You're still young," Chiyo sighed. "Without rewards, how would people know we once gave everything?"
She stood and walked closer.
"This mission is a test. You're not ready yet—but one day, you will be."
Pakura opened the scroll.
Her expression changed instantly.
"…Kirigakure?"
"Don't misunderstand," Chiyo said quickly. "This time, no one will touch you. Maki, several jōnin, and an ANBU tactical squad will protect you."
Talks between Konoha and Iwagakure had resumed. Iwa had paused its movements.
The real problem now was Kirigakure.
And they needed to talk.
Even if it meant paying a price.
Back in Konoha, Jiraiya stared at Ren in disbelief, his face covered in bruises.
"So you're using Yang Release to balance Sage energy?"
"More or less."
"…Only the First Hokage could do that."
Hiruzen later heard the report and smiled.
Ren's shadow was growing longer.
More and more like Senju Hashirama.
That night, alone in his room, Ren looked at the sealed White Zetsu body.
"I've had this thing for long enough," he murmured.
He had no intention of using it himself.
He didn't need it.
But Tsunade…
"She's a Senju."
White Zetsu wasn't perfect. But it carried Hashirama's cellular legacy.
Used carefully—
It could change everything.
Ren smiled slowly.
"Now… how do I convince her?"
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL