Chapter 30
Ren, along with Team 7 and Team 10, arrived at the central tower carrying an unconscious Sasuke. The tension from earlier still lingered in the air as Kakashi quickly took Sasuke from them, his visible eye narrowing slightly as he examined the curse mark.
Naruto watched anxiously. "Will he be okay?" he asked, his usual loud voice carrying a rare hint of concern.
Hinata raised an eyebrow, her lips curving slightly. "Ara… Naruto-kun is worried about Sasuke?" she teased softly. The others turned toward him with strange looks, and Kiba even took a step away.
"Hey—don't look at me like that!" Naruto protested, flustered. "He's my teammate, of course I'm worried!" His reaction only made everyone more suspicious.
Hinata covered her mouth lightly as she chuckled. "Ahem… he will be fine. Ren and I already checked him," she reassured calmly, easing the tension slightly.
Soon, the teams submitted their scrolls and officially passed the second phase. Just as things were settling down, Hinata and Sakura both noticed a certain blonde from Suna glaring intensely at Ren.
Temari stood at a distance, her face flushed red with anger—and something else—her eyes locked onto Ren like she wanted to tear him apart.
Hinata and Sakura slowly turned toward Ren in unison. "What did you do this time?" they asked together, their tone dangerously calm.
Ren shrugged innocently. "Oh, nothing much. Just helped fix her brother's seal," he said casually. "And took payment for my services."
Both girls' mouths twitched. Sakura narrowed her eyes. "And what exactly was the payment?" she asked slowly.
Ren smiled without shame. "A thank-you kiss."
Right at that moment, Ino walked over and heard everything. She stopped mid-step and stared at him for a second before sighing deeply. "You really are something else," she muttered, half impressed, half exasperated.
Ren turned toward her with a grin and patted her head gently. "Ino, I missed you," he said before pecking her cheek. Just like that, her irritation melted away.
Hinata and Sakura rolled their eyes in sync, already used to his shameless behavior.
Just then, the Third Hokage stepped forward, drawing everyone's attention. His calm yet authoritative voice echoed across the hall as he announced, "The next phase of the Chunin Exams will begin in one month."
A wave of murmurs spread among the participants. Some looked relieved, others determined.
Ren stretched lazily before turning to the girls. "Let's go. I'll make special food for you as congratulations for passing the second exam," he said with a smile.
Hinata and Sakura brightened immediately. "We'll help you," they said together.
"And I'll cheer you on," Ino added with a grin.
The four of them laughed lightly as they began walking away toward the Senju compound, completely ignoring everyone else behind them.
Naruto blinked, then shouted, "Hey! What about us?!"
Ren waved his hand casually without turning back. "Tsk… go train. You guys need it if you want to win," he replied lazily.
"Damn that guy," Kiba complained, crossing his arms. "Why does he get to have fun with three beautiful girls while we're stuck training?"
As they continued walking, Hinata's gaze shifted toward another group nearby—Team Guy. Neji approached them calmly, his expression softer than usual.
"Brother Neji," Hinata greeted gently.
"You did great, Lady Hinata," Neji said respectfully.
Ren immediately smacked him lightly on the shoulder. "Come on, man, drop the 'Lady' stuff. You're technically the big brother here," he said with a grin.
Neji scratched his head awkwardly. "Well… I've gotten used to calling her 'Young Lady,'" he admitted.
"What a youthful brother-sister reun—" Lee suddenly appeared, radiating energy.
"Oi! Lee, keep your 'youthfulness' away from my Hinata," Ren interrupted instantly, narrowing his eyes.
"Hey! Don't say that! Youth is—"
"No! I don't want to hear your youth monologue!" Ren complained loudly, already grabbing Hinata, Ino, and Sakura by their hands.
Before Team Guy could react, he bolted away with them.
"Brother Neji, Tenten, Lee—stop being third wheels!" Ren's voice echoed as they disappeared.
Team Guy stood there in stunned silence for a moment.
Tenten's eye twitched. "Did he just… insult all of us at once?"
Neji sighed quietly, while Lee clenched his fists dramatically. "Such youthful arrogance!"
"Damn it," Tenten muttered. "So what if he has three girls? Does that mean he gets to ignore us?"