Ren had actually known Might Duy for quite some time.
After all, the man was practically impossible to miss.
Every day, Might Duy would run dozens of laps around Konoha Village, often shouting loudly about the "power of youth" while sprinting through the streets. On top of that, he frequently took on low-rank missions like chasing stray cats or catching runaway dogs. Because of this, he could appear in almost any alley or street corner of the village.
As long as someone didn't spend all their time locked indoors, they were bound to encounter him sooner or later.
Duy himself was a very simple person.
He was passionate, energetic, and extremely sincere—but he also lacked a bit of social awareness. In theory, if someone chatted with him often enough, trained with him enthusiastically, and showed genuine passion for Taijutsu, there was a real chance he might personally offer guidance.
And if one was lucky enough…
They might even gain access to the legendary forbidden technique—
The Eight Gates.
Ren had actually tried to pursue that opportunity before.
Unfortunately…
He failed.
It wasn't because Might Duy refused to teach him.
The real problem was the terrifying entry requirement.
According to Duy, someone had to be able to run ten full laps around Konoha Village without stopping just to grasp the fundamentals of the technique.
And that was only the beginning.
If someone hoped to open more than three gates, the physical standards became far more extreme.
Duy himself had spent twenty to thirty years relentlessly training his body to reach his current level.
Even then, the years of intense training had left him with numerous hidden injuries. From time to time, he would still feel aches throughout his body.
Still, his judgment about the Eight Gates' physical requirements was absolutely reliable.
After all, the technique demanded monstrous endurance.
Even Might Guy, his son, had only just reached the beginner stage of the Eight Gates despite years of brutal training.
Guy simply hadn't used it during academy exams yet.
As for Ren…
He was already eight years old.
And yet, he still couldn't match the daily training intensity that six-year-old Guy maintained.
Because of that, Ren had never even been considered a candidate for learning the Eight Gates.
But now—
Things were different.
Thanks to the system, Ren's physique had been steadily improving.
After completing a few more objectives, he believed he might finally meet the basic requirement.
Maybe it was time to visit Might Duy again.
Perhaps this time…
He would finally qualify.
---
After saying goodbye to Teachers Oki and Himura, Ren left the academy building and began walking toward home.
However, just as he reached the school gate, he noticed three familiar figures waiting there.
"Hmm?"
Ren slowed his steps.
"Rin… you're still here?"
Standing near the gate were Rin Nohara, Obito Uchiha, and Might Guy.
The three of them had clearly been waiting.
Obito and Guy, in particular, were loudly arguing.
Obito still seemed upset about losing earlier during the combat spar.
He kept pointing at Guy while demanding a rematch.
Rin, meanwhile, looked slightly helpless as she tried to calm them down.
When she saw Ren approaching, her face brightened.
"Ren-kun, you're finally out."
She smiled gently.
"We came together this morning, so I thought it would be nice if we went home together too."
"It's only been a few minutes anyway."
She paused and glanced sideways at Guy.
"As for Guy-kun…"
"REN!"
Guy suddenly jumped forward dramatically.
He struck his signature pose, giving a huge thumbs-up while his teeth sparkled.
"I've been waiting with unbearable excitement!"
"Let me witness your youth!"
Ren blinked.
Wait…
Wasn't Guy supposed to challenge Kakashi all the time?
Why was he suddenly targeting him?
Was this some kind of youthful rivalry transfer?
Ren sighed internally.
"Guy… it's already late."
"We've all had a long day of testing. Everyone's tired."
"It's not the best time for another fight."
Guy tilted his head.
"Huh?"
Ren thought for a moment.
Then he snapped his fingers.
"How about we change the way we compete?"
Guy leaned forward curiously.
"What do you mean?"
Ren pointed toward the street.
"How about this."
"We go to Ichiraku Ramen, order a bowl each, and compete to see who finishes first."
"The loser pays."
Guy froze.
"…Eh?"
He thought about it seriously.
Strange.
Very strange.
But somehow…
It still sounded like a competition.
Guy nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright! I accept this youthful challenge!"
Rin raised her hand shyly.
"Can I come too?"
"I haven't eaten Ichiraku Ramen in a long time."
"I wonder if Uncle Teuchi has created any new flavors."
If Rin was going, Obito obviously wouldn't refuse.
After all…
Being Rin's personal bodyguard was practically his life mission.
And so—
Ren found himself leading three companions toward the ramen shop he had once dreamed of working at.
---
Ichiraku Ramen was famous throughout Konoha Village.
Despite its reputation, the shop itself was actually quite small.
It only had a single long counter with several seats.
Still, that was more than enough for four children.
Ren ordered a bowl of tonkotsu ramen.
Guy ordered a special chashu ramen.
The competition began.
Ren had just taken his second bite—
When suddenly—
SLURP.
Guy finished his noodles.
Then he lifted the bowl and drank the remaining soup.
CLACK.
He placed the empty bowl on the counter.
Then he turned toward Ren and gave a proud thumbs-up.
"Ren!"
"It seems I won!"
Ren blinked slowly.
"…Congratulations."
He calmly pulled out some money and slid it across the counter.
"This bowl is on me."
"If you order another one, you're paying for it yourself."
Of course, Ren knew exactly what he was doing.
Given Guy's absurd training routine, his appetite was probably enormous.
If the competition had been about quantity, Ren would have been completely doomed.
By limiting the contest to speed, the maximum loss was only one bowl of ramen.
Guy, however, didn't notice the trick at all.
About thirty minutes later, the four of them finished eating and left the shop.
---
Eventually, the road split into several directions.
Guy's house lay elsewhere, so he waved energetically before sprinting away into the distance.
Obito's home wasn't in the same direction either.
But he stubbornly insisted on escorting Rin.
"It's dangerous to walk at night!"
"I'll protect you!"
So he followed them all the way.
Finally, they arrived at their homes.
"Alright, Obito-kun," Rin said gently.
"Ren and I are home now."
"It's getting late, you should head back too."
"Otherwise Grandma Toka will worry."
Obito looked reluctant.
"…Okay."
"I'll come find you tomorrow."
Rin shook her head.
"Tomorrow might not work."
Obito blinked.
"Huh?"
Rin glanced toward Ren.
"Tomorrow, Ren-kun and I have an appointment."
"We're going to Konoha Hospital together."
"…?!"
Obito froze.
His eyes widened dramatically.
"An appointment?!"
"Why the hospital?!"
"What happened?!"
Then his gaze slowly drifted toward Rin's stomach.
Ren nearly choked.
What kind of wild imagination was this kid having?!
Rin, however, remained completely unaware.
She explained calmly.
"It's not for treatment."
"It's a medical training lecture."
"Teacher Oki helped us sign up."
"We'll be attending every weekend from now on."
"So I might not have time to play."
Obito visibly relaxed.
"Oh… a training class."
He immediately raised his hand.
"Then I'm going too!"
Rin looked surprised.
"Eh?"
Obito puffed out his chest proudly.
"Don't underestimate me!"
"I'm actually very interested in Medical Ninjutsu."
"If I'm going to become Hokage someday, I need to know how to save people!"
"Even if the class is full, I can just stand in the back and listen!"
He turned to Ren and winked exaggeratedly.
"Right, Ren?"
Rin also looked toward him expectantly.
Ren shrugged.
"I don't mind."
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