"?"
Ren turned his head slightly, glancing at Rin Nohara.
Rin looked a little embarrassed, her fingers nervously twisting together as she spoke.
"Well… I actually really like fluffy animals," she admitted softly. "I've always wanted to raise a small white dog at home, but… I never had the chance."
---
"…Wait a second."
A strange thought immediately flashed through Ren's mind.
A small white dog… in the Nohara household…?
The corners of his lips twitched uncontrollably.
"If that ever happens," he muttered inwardly, "please don't name it something like 'bai'…"
His imagination spiraled further.
"If Uncle Hiroshi ever has a second child, I should definitely suggest he ask the Hokage to name them… just like the first one. Show proper respect, right?"
Ren almost laughed out loud.
Thankfully, he held it in.
---
Returning to Konoha
Two days after the resolution of the spy incident, the group finally departed.
Led by Minato Namikaze, Ren and the others left Wildfire City, carrying:
A mission report written by Akiyama Hayato
A recommendation letter from Snake Ci
And began their journey back to Konohagakure.
---
This time—
The journey was smooth.
No ambushes.
No unexpected enemies.
No life-or-death situations.
Just… travel.
---
Learning on the Road
Minato didn't waste the time.
As always, he used the journey as a training opportunity.
He patiently taught:
Combat fundamentals
Practical battle awareness
Common mistakes in ninjutsu usage
---
Although Minato himself specialized in speed-based combat centered around the Flying Thunder God Technique, his foundation was impeccable.
After all—
He was a former academy genius.
And the future Fourth Hokage.
---
His guidance?
More than enough for Ren and Obito.
---
Occasionally—
Hatake Kakashi would chime in from the side, adding precise details.
His explanations were sharp.
Efficient.
Almost cold.
---
Meanwhile—
Uchiha Obito looked like he had something on his mind.
Several times, he wanted to ask about the legendary White Fang of Konoha.
But every time—
Kakashi was nearby.
Watching.
---
Obito swallowed his questions.
For now.
---
Why Kakashi Stayed Close
As for why Kakashi kept sticking near Obito…
The answer was simple.
Ren had stopped asking him to spar with swords.
Without that distraction—
Kakashi had nothing better to do.
So he stayed.
Quietly.
Observing.
---
Ren's True Focus
During these days—
Ren had shifted his priorities.
Completely.
Instead of chasing offensive techniques—
He focused on one thing:
> Healing Technique.
Even though his Great Fireball Technique was closest to leveling up—
He deliberately ignored it.
Because this wasn't about combat.
This was about opportunity.
> Becoming a disciple of Tsunade.
A "Familiar" level Healing Technique might impress Snake Ci…
But Tsunade?
That was another level entirely.
Dr
Ren knew this clearly.
So he made a decision.
---
> Push Healing Technique to "Attachment" first.
Only then—
Would he have a real chance.
---
Brutal Training Method
And so—
He began training.
In his own way.
---
Ren caught:
Wild rabbits
River fish
Then—
Knocked them unconscious.
Injured them.
Healed them.
Repeated.
---
Over and over again.
---
If they survived—
They were healed again.
If they didn't—
They went into the cooking pot.
---
Efficient.
Practical.
Brutal.
---
Watching this—
Rin couldn't stay idle.
She joined in.
Helping with treatment.
Learning alongside him.
---
At first—
Obito complained.
A lot.
---
But then—
Ren handed him a roasted rabbit leg.
---
"…Okay, this isn't so bad."
---
After eating—
Obito became significantly more cooperative.
Though he still liked to squat beside Rin, watching her work like an overly curious child.
---
The Breakthrough
Fortunately—
Ren already had a solid foundation.
During earlier missions, he had treated many injured shinobi, raising his proficiency significantly.
And—
The Healing Technique itself…
Felt like a gentle, patient older sister.
Easy to approach.
Easy to understand.
---
So after days of intense effort—
As their return journey ended—
Ren finally succeeded.
---
[Healing Technique]
Affinity: 75/100 (Familiar)
---
Rewards Obtained:
Constitution +3
Trait: Healing Brand
> Wounds treated by you leave behind a subtle "Healing Brand."
For three weeks, the affected area continues to repair itself until fully restored.
---
"…That should be enough."
Ren nodded in satisfaction.
---
Home in Sight
At that moment—
The gates of Konoha appeared in the distance.
---
Relief washed over the group.
Rin sighed softly.
Obito stretched dramatically.
Even Kakashi's expression relaxed slightly.
---
The exhaustion of days on the road…
Seemed to fade.
---
Minato's Instructions
Minato turned around, smiling gently.
"You've all done well."
"I'll handle the mission report."
"For the next few days—rest."
"No mandatory training."
---
Then—
He added:
"If you encounter any problems, go to Kakashi."
"He knows how to find me."
---
Finally—
He looked at Ren and Rin.
---
"If you go to see Lady Tsunade…"
"You can mention my name."
---
"By seniority—she's my martial aunt."
"She should give me some face."
---
It wasn't a guarantee.
But—
It was a safety net.
---
Minato clapped his hands.
"Dismissed."
---
After Dismissal
"Yes, Minato-sensei."
Kakashi nodded.
Then—
He walked away alone.
---
His back looked…
Lonely.
---
Obito watched him go.
Opened his mouth.
Then—
Closed it again.
---
Instead—
He turned to Ren and Rin.
"So, what now?"
---
Ren stretched lazily.
"Hot bath."
"Sleep."
"Tomorrow—we go to the hospital."
---
Rin nodded immediately.
"Definitely."
"I feel filthy after being outside for so long."
Then she smiled at Ren.
"Don't forget to call me."
---
"…I'm coming too!"
Obito jumped in.
"I want to see this Lady Tsunade myself!"
---
Ren waved him off casually.
"Fine."
"Just don't be late."
---
The Next Morning
Their rest needed no elaboration.
---
The next morning—
Ren and Rin met at the agreed spot.
And headed toward Konoha Hospital together.
---
As expected—
Obito was late.
---
Arrival at the Hospital
At the entrance—
A young girl greeted them.
---
Shizune.
---
"You're Ren and Rin, recommended by Senior Snake Ci, right?"
"Please follow me."
---
Under her guidance—
They walked through long corridors.
Passed restricted areas.
And entered a building not open to the public.
---
Finally—
They stopped outside a ward.
---
Inside the Critical Ward
The door opened.
---
A wave of scent hit them instantly.
Medicine.
Disinfectant.
Sterility.
---
Inside—
Rows of hospital beds.
Patients with severe injuries.
Bandages.
Machines.
Quiet suffering.
---
But Ren's attention—
Was drawn elsewhere.
---
First Sight of Tsunade
In the corner of the room—
A woman stood.
---
Back facing the door.
---
She wore a flowing emerald robe.
Her blonde hair was tied neatly into twin tails.
Even standing still—
She radiated presence.
Authority.
Power.
---
Then—
She turned.
---
A beautiful face came into view.
Sharp.
Elegant.
Slightly impatient.
---
And then—
The most impossible thing to ignore—
---
Her overwhelming figure.
---
Arms crossed.
Posture firm.
A presence that felt—
Unshakable.
---
There was no mistaking it.
> One of the Legendary Sannin.
Tsunade.
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So… this is Tsunade."
The moment—
Marked the beginning of something new.
Something important.
A turning point—
In his path as a ninja.
-------------------------------------------
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