Ren and Tsunade continued refining the Byakugō Seal late into the nights.
Scrolls covered the low table in Tsunade's study, layered with chakra formulas and experimental matrices. Ink-stained fingers and tired eyes became routine as theory slowly transformed into tangible progress.
At the same time, the girls had begun attempting something new.
They were creating their own jutsu.
---
Hinata and Sakura deepened their medical training under Shizune.
What began as textbook memorization had evolved into practical application—chakra scalpels, cellular regeneration exercises, poison extraction drills. Even Tsunade and Shizune were quietly surprised by their rate of improvement.
"They're advancing faster than expected," Shizune admitted one evening.
Tsunade nodded. "Much faster."
There was pride in her voice.
---
Eventually, Tsunade made her decision.
"I'll take you two as my disciples."
Hinata and Sakura both froze for a moment.
Then they bowed deeply.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
The air itself seemed to shift that day.
---
Hinata focused on developing her Twin Lion Fists technique.
Her Byakugan allowed her to see chakra flow with microscopic precision. Combined with Tsunade's monstrous strength technique, she achieved frightening efficiency—more power with less chakra expenditure.
Because her control was nearly flawless, her strikes carried overwhelming force.
Sakura also mastered Tsunade's strength technique.
Her innate talent for chakra control made her progress incredibly fast. In raw application she was still slightly behind Hinata, but her improvement curve was sharper.
When it came to antidotes and poison formulation, however, Sakura surpassed Hinata.
Her analytical mind excelled in chemical ratios and reaction timing.
---
Ino learned Tsunade's strength technique as well.
For her, it was not a primary focus but a finishing move—something decisive. She poured most of her attention into her clan's jutsu, determined to evolve them beyond tradition.
One afternoon, Ren had mentioned an idea casually.
"What if you create a clone inside your target's mind?" he said. "A pure Yin construct. It wouldn't fully possess them, but it could disrupt their thoughts."
Ino's eyes lit up instantly.
"Like Mind Body Switch… but internal?"
"Exactly," Ren replied. "Your body stays safe. Even a one-second pause from the enemy gives you advantage."
Ino grinned. "I'll make it happen."
---
Months passed again in that steady rhythm of growth.
Hinata successfully formed her Twin Lion Fists.
The chakra lions shimmered around her hands, roaring faintly with condensed chakra pressure. However, her reserves and control were not yet sufficient to maintain them for extended battles.
"I can hold it longer now," she said determinedly.
"You'll get there," Ren assured her.
And she believed him.
---
Meanwhile, Ren developed gravity seals for physical conditioning.
Since he was already immersed in seal research with Tsunade, the concept came naturally. Adjustable gravitational weight matrices allowed progressive overload without damaging joints or chakra coils.
Even Tsunade was impressed.
"You made this?"
Ren shrugged. "It's just controlled pressure."
She tested it herself.
"…Hah. Not bad."
It became a private training seal for their group.
No one else knew.
---
There were seven of them now.
Ren. Hinata. Ino. Sakura. Tsunade. Shizune. Katsuyu.
And together, they were monsters walking in human skin.
They were far too strong for the Academy.
---
They deliberately delayed graduation.
Once they became genin, their time would no longer belong to them. Missions, politics, external scrutiny—those things would interrupt their progress.
Inside the Academy, no one could force them to go all out.
So they hid their true strength.
Carefully.
---
Except one person noticed something.
Sasuke Uchiha.
Every sparring match ended the same way.
Defeat.
His glare at Ren grew sharper with each loss, as if Ren personally carried responsibility for the Uchiha tragedy rather than his brother.
Ren couldn't even blame the kid.
He was, objectively, a walking cheat.
With Sage Body and Six Eyes combined, Sasuke had no realistic chance.
---
But everything changed the day Sasuke lost to Hinata.
She did not hesitate.
Her strikes were precise, her Twin Lion Fists overwhelming. The match ended decisively.
After that, Sasuke began hovering near her constantly.
"Train with me," he demanded.
Ren's mouth twitched every time.
He couldn't help the thought that surfaced repeatedly.
Bro, are you trying to steal my future wife right in front of me?
---
Hinata was no longer the timid girl from years ago.
She was still gentle, still kind—but in battle she was serious and confident. She had already refused Sasuke clearly.
But he persisted.
One afternoon, the confrontation happened openly.
Hinata spoke calmly.
"I train with Lady Tsunade, as she is my teacher. But you are not. So you can't join training."
Sasuke's jaw tightened.
He glanced at Ren, who was casually telling Ino and Sakura he would "get revenge" for them enjoying the show too much.
"Then why can he join?" Sasuke demanded.
"He is Lady Tsunade's brother, duh," Hinata replied evenly. "And he is also our trainer."
There was no hesitation in her voice.
---
Sasuke left, irritation obvious in every step.
Ren simply ignored him.
He was just a kid.
And Hinata was already his.
They had been friends since they were three years old. She had been his first real bond outside family.
She knew his feelings.
And she shared them.
---
Which made her current behavior even more dangerous.
Because she enjoyed teasing him.
Whenever Sasuke approached her, Hinata would subtly glance at Ren, watching his reaction.
His jaw would tighten slightly.
His eye would twitch.
And she would fight a smile.
---
Ino and Sakura made it worse.
They began bringing snacks to training sessions whenever Sasuke showed up.
"Popcorn?" Ino whispered once, holding up a bag of chips.
Sakura nodded solemnly. "Best drama in Konoha."
Ren heard them.
His eyebrow twitched.
---
One afternoon, Sasuke approached again.
"Hinata. Spar with me."
She folded her arms calmly.
"I already said no."
"Why?" Sasuke pressed.
"Because I have training scheduled."
"With him?" Sasuke asked sharply.
Hinata met his gaze without flinching.
"Yes."
Ren inhaled slowly.
Ino leaned toward Sakura. "He's going to explode."
Sakura grinned. "Three… two…"
---
Ren walked forward calmly.
"If you want a match," he said casually, "I'm free."
Sasuke's eyes sharpened.
"Fine."
The Academy training field went silent.
They clashed.
---
Ren limited himself heavily.
Even so, the difference was obvious.
Sasuke's fire techniques were clean. His taijutsu had improved. His Sharingan activated mid-fight.
But Ren's perception saw everything.
He dodged before movements fully formed.
He countered before strikes landed.
He won.
Again.
---
Sasuke's fists trembled slightly.
"I'll surpass you," he muttered.
Ren's expression softened faintly.
"I hope you do."
There was no mockery in his voice.
Only honesty.
---
That sincerity somehow irritated Sasuke even more.
He left without another word.
Ino tossed a chip into her mouth.
"Ten out of ten performance."
Sakura nodded. "Very entertaining."
Hinata looked at Ren with barely hidden amusement.
Ren exhaled slowly.
"You three are enjoying this too much."
---
Ino smirked. "What are you going to do about it?"
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'll take revenge in today's training."
Sakura froze.
Hinata blinked.
Ino stepped back cautiously.
"You're joking."
Ren smiled.
Six clones appeared instantly around them.
Each glowing a different color.
---
The girls gulped.
Gravity seals activated beneath their feet.
"Oh no," Ino muttered.
"Oh yes," Ren replied calmly.
And the training field erupted into chaos once more.