"You really don't give me even a moment of rest, do you?"
In the forested hills behind the Senju clan's ancestral grounds, Ren looked thoroughly displeased as he stared at the man he hadn't seen in a long time—Uchiha Shisui.
Shisui, on the other hand, grinned without a care in the world. After three years in ANBU—and being forced to let Ren take the blame for him countless times—their relationship was still solid.
"I only came because I heard you were back," Shisui said casually.
"I came plenty of times before and never caught you."
He shook his head, then his expression turned a little more serious.
"Meeting like this… won't it cause you trouble?"
"Just say you came to ask about Uchiha Obito," Ren replied indifferently.
"Why think so much?"
Ren gave Shisui a surprised look, then laughed.
"You've changed after returning to the clan. More cautious now."
"Some things can't be helped," Shisui sighed.
"Especially since you should know what the Uchiha are like right now."
Pressure forced people to grow.
Especially someone like Shisui—proud, convinced that only he could resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha.
So he kept pushing himself, forcing himself toward the limit. Growth like this was only natural.
"I know," Ren nodded.
"I checked yesterday. But it's strange—didn't Uchiha Itachi say anything to the clan?"
Ren spread his hands, then deliberately added with a mocking tone,
"He really follows ANBU doctrine to the letter. No wonder he's so trusted by the Hokage."
"Tch. Not everyone's like you," Shisui snorted, raising an eyebrow.
He felt faintly unsettled inside, but didn't show it.
What exactly is going on with Itachi…?
"Let's get to the point," Shisui said.
"Why did you want to see me this time?"
Ren clapped his hands together.
LV8 Wood Release bloomed instantly.
Vines burst from the ground, twisting together, and in moments a long wooden bench formed between them.
Ren smiled with satisfaction.
His Wood Release control had improved dramatically—he was starting to feel like Tenzo, the so-called furniture master.
Even without relying on Yang Release · Chakra Mode, he could sense that summoning a Wood Golem was now possible.
"If I push a bit harder… maybe I can even try True Thousand Hands."
Of course, a miniature version. Ren knew his limits.
"Convenient," Shisui remarked, raising an eyebrow as he walked over and dropped onto the bench.
Ren sat beside him.
After a brief silence, Shisui looked up.
"You should already know—I've decided to meet that person."
"I know," Ren nodded calmly.
"You mentioned it before I left for the Land of Water."
"If nothing unexpected happens, it'll be soon."
Shisui's expression turned solemn. He covered his mouth slightly, lowering his voice.
"So… if possible, for the sake of our three years together, I hope you can give me some help."
Ren's expression turned strange.
Asking me for intelligence?
He straightened instantly.
"I'm sorry. I can't help you with that."
Remembering that his debt to Lord Danzo was not yet repaid, Ren shook his head firmly.
"Our bond is deep, but I have my own position. I can't reveal too much."
"…I see."
Shisui pressed his lips together, disappointment flickering across his face.
But only briefly.
Because he knew Ren had already helped him enough—helped him see the Uchiha's predicament clearly, and shown him a possible road forward.
Ren didn't want to be dragged in any deeper, and Shisui couldn't blame him.
"Still," Ren added suddenly, smiling,
"I do have a suggestion."
"Some things are better discussed… one-on-one."
Shisui's eyes lit up slightly.
"I want to speak to him alone as well."
Ren nodded.
"Of course, the chances are low. People worry about trouble. You understand that."
"That's exactly why," Shisui said quietly.
Ren leaned back.
"Then it's simple. Talking alone won't be a problem."
Then he smoothly changed the subject.
"Now, let's talk about Uchiha Obito—so you have something to report."
"He controlled the Mizukage and even summoned members of Akatsuki."
Ren spoke animatedly. Shisui developed a headache.
That's not what we were supposed to be discussing…
But he listened carefully anyway.
Then Ren casually dropped another piece of information.
"Speaking of Akatsuki, they're interesting. Eight years ago, Hanzō the Salamander teamed up with someone to wipe them out—and ended up heavily injured himself."
"The one who cooperated with Hanzō… only two people survived."
Ren sighed dramatically.
"Tragic. Really tragic."
Shisui's pupils shrank.
Eight years ago. Entire group wiped out. Only two survivors.
That was more than enough.
Even without explicit names, Shisui understood.
"All right," Ren said, stretching as he stood.
"That's everything I can say."
"Prepare yourself."
He patted Shisui's shoulder.
"And go back soon. It's hot. Autumn mosquitoes are relentless—they slip in anywhere."
With that, Ren turned and walked back toward the Senju compound.
Shisui remained seated, deep in thought.
Ren hadn't said much.
But he had said enough.
Standing up at last, Shisui murmured toward Ren's retreating figure,
"…Thank you, Ren."
Ren, of course, had no idea what Shisui was thinking.
If anything, he was mentally complaining.
Interrupting my rest every day… one of these days I'll dig up your ancestors and teach you a lesson.
But that thought only put him in a better mood.
Because he finally had a lead.
"A century-old record… vague, but fascinating."
The Senju had once led multiple clans in a joint operation.
No target recorded.
No casualty numbers.
But the conclusion was written in bold ink:
A successful operation that dealt a heavy blow to the Uchiha's morale, paving the way for victory in the war.
That kind of description was impossible to ignore.
"Whether it's true or not," Ren muttered,
"before the Uchiha collapse… while I'm free… I should take a look."
Then he paused.
"…Does this count as grave robbing?"
With Shisui's problem temporarily resolved, Ren returned to his favorite pastime—slacking off.
Since there were no missions, he took the opportunity to properly examine something that had been bothering him.
Bloodline Mutation.
The system had given him no explanation.
And honestly, he hadn't felt dramatic changes.
"Everything's clearly improving… but what exactly is changing?"
Ren frowned slightly.
In his view, this might be evolution toward a higher life form.
After all, gods in this world were simply beings of higher dimensionality wielding greater power.
Ōtsutsuki evolved by devouring life.
The God Tree drained a planet's vitality to produce a chakra fruit—pure evolutionary condensation.
"My process seems similar," Ren mused.
"Starting from chakra fusion, reinforcing the body… maybe that's why it's called mutation, not evolution?"
He clenched his fist.
"Only when it becomes evolution… will it truly be complete."
Soon after, Danzo's summons arrived.
Ren delayed a full week under the excuse of writing reports—waiting until Hiruzen was nearly discharged and Danzo was visibly impatient.
Then he finally went.
"Lord Danzo. Long time no see."
Wrapped in a black cloak, Danzo stared coldly at him.
"I thought you'd decided not to see me."
"The report took time," Ren replied politely.
"And there are… Uchiha matters."
Danzo's eyes sharpened.
"Uchiha Obito, hm."
Ren nodded.
"He controlled the Mizukage. Without luck—and without a Byakugan to confirm it—we'd have been turned into Elder Yuan Shi's cannon fodder."
Danzo sneered.
"That reckless madman dared to control a Kage."
Ren seized the opening.
"Mangekyō Sharingan control is terrifying. If not for the Byakugan…"
Danzo fell silent.
White eyes.
Mangekyō control.
A thought formed.
Then Ren gently fanned the flames.
"Perhaps retrieving that Byakugan would be beneficial—for Konoha, and for your path, Lord Danzo."
Danzo's gaze flickered.
"You're doing this deliberately."
Ren looked genuinely puzzled.
"I'm only thinking of Konoha."
After a long pause, Danzo tossed him a scroll.
"Next time I call you, don't be late. It'll be a critical mission."
"And… my condolences."
Ren opened the scroll after Danzo left.
His lips curled into a cold smile.
As expected. Your version is outdated, Lord Danzo.
"Yakushi Nono and Yakushi Kabuto—suspected intercepted by Orochimaru. One body confirmed. One missing."
Hiruzen clearly hadn't told Danzo everything.
Seeds of doubt had been planted.
And once planted, they would grow.
Back home, Ren opened the door—
And was greeted by Tsunade's lazily sprawled figure.
White skin.
Perfect curves.
Utterly lethal.
"…You're back?" she muttered.
Ren swallowed.
"Yes, Sensei."
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