Morning arrived quietly over Konoha, sunlight filtering through wooden shutters and painting soft lines across the floor. The village stirred awake as merchants prepared their stalls and shinobi reported for early duties.
Ren woke as he always did—calm, alert, disciplined.
He washed, tied his hair neatly, and walked toward Tsunade's room with a certain mischievous purpose in mind. Standing outside her door, he gathered chakra without forming hand signs.
A small sphere of water condensed in his palm.
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it.
Splash.
Tsunade jolted upright, water dripping down her face. Her golden eyes narrowed slowly at the sight before her.
Her favorite body pillow had just attacked her again.
"You really have a death wish, don't you?" she asked dangerously, a vein popping on her forehead.
Ren gulped. "Wa-wait, today I—"
He never finished the sentence.
In a blur of speed, Tsunade grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close, her fingers immediately attacking his cheeks.
She pinched them repeatedly until they turned red.
"You wake me up like this?" she demanded. "Again?"
"Ow—nee-san—today's important!"
After venting her irritation, she released him with a huff.
Ren looked at her for a moment.
Then he turned and walked away without another word.
He didn't shout.
He didn't complain.
He simply left.
Shizune entered moments later, drawn by the noise.
"Lady Tsunade… what happened?"
Tsunade shrugged. "He threw a water ball at me again."
Shizune's expression changed slightly.
"Lady Tsunade," she said carefully, "today is Ren's first day at the Academy. You promised you would take him."
Silence fell.
Tsunade froze.
Her face went pale.
"Where is he?"
Shizune sighed softly.
"He left alone."
Tsunade rubbed her forehead.
Last night she had drunk alcohol for the first time in six years. Ever since Ren was born into her life, she had stopped gambling excessively and abandoned drinking entirely.
Last night had been an exception.
And now she had forgotten her promise.
Her eyes drifted toward the side of her bed.
A neatly folded kimono lay there.
Sakura-patterned fabric, elegant and refined.
Shizune noticed it too.
"That's the gift he picked for us yesterday," she said quietly. "He bought it without letting us know. A surprise."
Tsunade exhaled slowly.
"That's why I stopped drinking," she murmured. "And I slipped."
Her jaw tightened slightly.
"Well… I'd better think of a way to apologize to our little guy."
Shizune nodded gently.
---
Ren walked alone toward the Academy.
The early morning breeze brushed against his face, cooling the faint sting in his cheeks. By the time he reached the main street, his mood had already stabilized.
He wasn't truly angry.
He knew Tsunade had sacrificed much for him. She had stopped drinking. Stopped gambling. She had chosen stability.
One mistake did not erase that.
"She'll apologize," he muttered quietly. "I know her."
Just as he reached the Academy gates—
"Rennnnn!"
A chaotic burst of energy approached from behind.
Without even turning fully, his Rikugan processed the incoming trajectory. A familiar blonde missile launched at him mid-run.
He pivoted slightly and caught her effortlessly.
"Ino," he sighed.
She clung to him for a second before stepping back, hands on hips.
"You're too calm," she complained. "You should at least pretend to be surprised."
"You really shouldn't jump on people from behind," Ren said helplessly. "One day someone might throw you."
Ino stuck her tongue out playfully and gave him an exaggerated innocent smile.
Ren cursed internally.
She knew that expression worked on him every time.
Behind her, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Choji approached at a much calmer pace.
Shikamaru sighed. "Ino being Ino."
Choji nodded while chewing something already. "Mhm."
"Well," Ren asked, adjusting his collar slightly, "ready for the Academy?"
The others nodded, though with varying enthusiasm.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered. "I'd rather sleep at home."
"I'd rather eat at home," Choji added honestly.
Sakura hesitated slightly.
"I'm… a little nervous."
Her voice was softer than usual.
Ren noticed immediately.
Sakura wasn't from a major clan like Ino or Hinata. She didn't have inherited techniques or a bloodline advantage.
She feared being left behind.
Ren stepped forward and gently ruffled her hair.
"No thinking negatively before trying," he said firmly. "And I already have something prepared for you and Hinata."
Sakura blinked.
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
"Y-You do?"
"Yes."
She nodded rapidly. "Right. You're right. I should try first before feeling scared."
Ren smiled slightly and turned toward Hinata.
She stood quietly beside them, fingers nervously intertwined.
"See? Even Sakura is trying," he said warmly. "You aren't going to stay behind either, right, Hina?"
Hinata flinched lightly.
"N-no—that's not—"
Ren placed his hand gently on her shoulder.
"Hey," he said softly. "I told you before, didn't I? You're not alone."
She looked up at him.
"And I will never let you be left behind," he continued. "You believe me, right?"
"Yes."
This time, her voice didn't stutter.
Ren smiled.
"See? Just believe in yourself—and in me. You're going to be fine. I won't let you feel lonely. Just be the Hina I know. You don't need to think about anyone else."
Hinata nodded, her expression steadier.
"Fi-fine."
"Good. Let's go."
He began walking, adjusting his pace to match hers naturally.
"Hey!" Ino shouted. "We're here too!"
She rushed forward to his other side, looping her arm through his.
Sakura followed quickly.
Shikamaru and Choji trailed behind at their usual speed.
---
Inside the classroom, they chose seats together.
Ren sat between Hinata and Ino.
Sakura took the seat in front of them.
Shikamaru and Choji claimed desks toward the back.
Before the instructor arrived, Ren reached into his bag.
"I almost forgot," he said casually. "These are for you guys."
He handed Shikamaru a neatly wrapped pillow.
Shikamaru stared at it.
"…You're a genius."
He placed it on the desk immediately and laid his head down.
Within seconds, he was asleep.
Ren sighed. "He could compete with Nodita in sleeping speed."
Choji received several rare chip flavors.
His eyes widened.
"These are limited edition!"
"You're welcome."
Choji immediately opened one bag.
"For Sakura."
He handed her the silver sakura bracelet.
She froze as she unwrapped it.
Her eyes sparkled.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
The sakura petals were crafted delicately, light catching along the polished metal.
"You remembered I like flowers," she said quietly.
Ren shrugged. "Of course."
Sakura carefully put it on, her smile bright and genuine.
"For Ino."
He handed her the bush clover pendant.
Ino gasped softly as she examined it.
"It matches my style perfectly!" she declared proudly. "You have good taste, Ren."
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek quickly.
"That's for the gift."
Ren coughed awkwardly.
"For Hinata."
He handed her the white lily pendant.
Hinata held it gently in both hands.
"It's… very pretty."
Her fingers trembled slightly as she put it on.
"It suits you," Ren said softly.
Hinata's cheeks turned pink.
"Th-thank you…"
She touched the pendant lightly, smiling in a way that was both shy and deeply happy.
For a moment, the nervous tension around her completely disappeared.
Ren leaned back in his seat.
Good.
If today was the start of their journey as shinobi, he wanted it to begin with confidence—not fear.
As the classroom door slid open and their instructor stepped inside, Ren felt something steady within him.
Six Eyes.
Sage Body.
A second life.
But more than that—
Friends.
And this time, he would walk forward with them.
[Spacial chapter for - Vendetta240]
[Hay Guys suggest me 3rd talent for Mc]