Chapter 25 – A Quiet Evening
Ren slowly woke up from his deep sleep, stretching lazily as the afternoon sunlight filtered through the window. After washing his face and changing his clothes, he glanced at the sky outside.
"Still some time before the second exam," he muttered.
Forming a quick hand seal, Ren disappeared in a flash of space distortion and teleported to the safe house.
Inside, Sakura Haruno stood at a table, carefully practicing medical ninjutsu on a fish. Her hands glowed with soft green chakra as she focused intensely on repairing the damaged tissue.
Ren quietly walked closer and observed her work.
Her chakra control was precise and steady.
When she finally finished, Ren gently placed a hand around her shoulder.
"You did great," he said with a warm smile. "At this rate, you might even surpass Tsunade someday."
Sakura rolled her eyes slightly, though a small smile appeared on her lips.
"That's a long way ahead," she replied. "Don't exaggerate."
Ren chuckled and casually ruffled her long pink hair.
Sakura simply sighed in resignation.
"You really enjoy messing with my hair, don't you?"
"Of course," Ren said innocently.
Then his smile turned mischievous.
Before Sakura could react, Ren suddenly lifted her into a princess carry.
"Hey!" Sakura exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing?!"
She lightly hit his shoulder.
"I still have training to do!"
Ren shook his head.
"Nope. Not today."
In the next instant, space twisted around them as Ren activated his Flying Thunder God technique.
They reappeared on a peaceful mountain range far from the village, near the borders of Kumogakure.
The sun was slowly setting over the horizon, painting the sky in beautiful shades of orange and gold.
Sakura blinked in surprise at the breathtaking view.
Ren calmly unsealed the items he always kept With him for time like this.
Within moments, everything appeared.
A picnic mat spread across the grass, several dishes of warm food, and even a few flowers placed neatly beside them.
Sakura looked at the scene and couldn't help but smile.
"You planned this?"
Ren shrugged casually.
"Gotta enjoy life sometimes."
He sat down and patted the mat beside him.
"Now sit. I'm hungry."
Sakura laughed softly and sat beside him.
"Fine, fine. Let's eat."
They spent the evening eating together while talking and laughing about random things. From academy memories to funny mission stories, the conversation flowed naturally between them.
At one point Sakura teased him.
"You only brought me here because you were bored, didn't you?"
Ren smirked.
"Maybe."
Sakura lightly elbowed him.
"You're impossible."
After finishing their meal, they moved beneath a nearby tree.
The sky slowly darkened as stars began appearing one by one.
Sakura leaned comfortably against Ren, resting her head on his left arm while her hand rested gently on his chest.
Ren wrapped his other arm around her waist.
The quiet mountain breeze made the moment peaceful.
Soon, both of them drifted into sleep with calm smiles on their faces.
As for danger—
Ren had already prepared several layers of protection.
Multiple alarm seals surrounded the area, along with powerful barrier seals hidden within the ground.
Even something like Zetsu wouldn't be able to approach them unnoticed.
Time passed quietly through the night.
Just before sunrise, Ren slowly opened his eyes.
Sakura woke up shortly after, blinking sleepily.
"Morning," Ren said softly.
Sakura stretched slightly.
"Morning… that was actually really nice."
They both stood up and teleported back to the safe house to wash up before returning to the village.
Although only Ren and Hinata Hyuga could directly use the Flying Thunder God technique, Ren had created fixed-point teleportation seals for the others.
Those seals allowed them to teleport to the safe house whenever necessary and return to their saved location afterward.
After finishing their preparations, Ren and Sakura teleported back to Konohagakure.
The village was already lively as participants headed toward the next stage of the Chūnin Exams.
Together, Ren and Sakura walked toward the massive gates of the Forest of Death.
"Ready for the survival exam?" Ren asked casually.
Sakura smiled confidently.
"Of course."
Ahead of them, the dark forest waited silently.
The second stage of the Chūnin Exams was about to begin.