Compared to Minato, Ren Uchiha undeniably possessed a body built like a tank. While they were both heavily injured—Minato having been skewered with a gaping hole by Kushina—Minato was stuck in bed for three months.
Ren, however?
Relying on his Undying Body, the forbidden Body Revival Jutsu, and his newly acquired Tailed Beast Physique, the two arms he had lost to his own "limit-breaking" recklessness had already grown back. This sheer resilience, allowing him to hop off the bed and move around the moment he woke up, left the bedridden Minato looking on with pure envy.
Soon, under the watchful eyes of Jiraiya and Minato, Ren followed Aburame Ryōma out of Konoha Hospital, heading south. They passed the gates of the Ninja Academy and arrived at the Hokage Building nestled beneath the Great Hokage Rock.
However, Ryōma didn't immediately take him to the Hokage's office for a standard mission briefing. Instead, they headed to the second floor, entering a room that looked like a lounge—lined with cabinets, furnished with sofas, benches, and a square table littered with a scattered deck of playing cards.
Ren realized with a start: This is probably where Kakashi worked after joining the Anbu in the original story. It seemed like a cushy job if they could play cards on the clock. No wonder Might Guy was so desperate to join—he probably just wanted to play Kakashi every day!
"This is the Anbu squad muster point," Ryōma explained, leading Ren to a locker by the window. He tossed Ren a key. "This locker is yours. Put on the gear inside, then follow me."
Ren opened the locker to find three sets of Anbu uniforms. There was the classic short-vest style (all black with exposed arms and a silver vest), a long-vest style, and a third one...
It was a midriff-baring, navel-exposed outfit strikingly similar to what Sai wore in the original series!
Ryōma leaned in with a subtle, mischievous grin, pointing at the third option. "You should wear this one. It's what a 'Root' member really wears!"
"Absolutely not!" Ren recoiled in horror. If he showed up in front of Mei Terumī or Hidan wearing a crop top, he'd never hear the end of it.
Gritting his teeth, Ren shoved his superior's face away, grabbed the Kakashi-style standard Anbu gear, and pulled it on. He donned the blue-patterned cat mask and turned to Ryōma with a flat stare.
"Let's go."
Ryōma chuckled and put on his own mask, but he didn't move. He sat down on the lounge sofa and waved Ren off. "No rush. We're waiting for one more member."
As he spoke, a small white snake slithered from the corner of the room, climbed onto the table, and spat out a scroll.
"A communication snake?" Ren recognized it instantly. He looked at Ryōma. "What are you and Orochimaru up to now?"
Ryōma didn't answer. He scanned the scroll, his eyes narrowing slightly behind his sunglasses as a smile tugged at his lips.
Time ticked by. Eventually, the door creaked open, and a timid little head peeked inside.
"H-hello! Lord Ryōma... and Lord Shura!"
"I... I am 'Kinoe'."
Ren's eyebrows shot up. The newcomer wore a baggy black combat suit under an Anbu vest, possessed brown hair, and wore a forehead-framing Konoha protector. He was a full head shorter than Ren.
Ren was floored. This was the only person in Konoha, since Hashirama Senju, to possess the Wood Style: Yamato.
At this point, Yamato hadn't met Kakashi yet, nor had the Iburi clan met their end. He hadn't been recruited by the Third Hokage or given the name "Tenzo"—he was still just "Kinoe," a name given by Danzō meaning "First."
But why would Danzō send his prized possession here? Putting a Wood Style user in front of an Uchiha—was he just showing off?
"Yosh, you're on time!" Ryōma stood up, grabbed Kinoe by the shoulder, and pushed him toward Ren. "Starting today, Ren Uchiha, this kid is your subordinate!"
"?" Ren looked down at the "little sprout" in front of him, feeling the world turn increasingly surreal.
Ryōma coughed and nudged the dazed Ren. "Don't underestimate him. He carries a power that once made the entire world tremble—Wood Style!"
Ren scratched his head. He already knew that, but he feigned surprise to satisfy Ryōma's ego. "So, what's he for? Is he coming to Hell Valley to die with me? He doesn't look like he can handle an S-rank mission."
Faced with two legendary seniors who had assassinated high-level targets behind enemy lines, young Yamato turned red in the face. He suddenly snapped into a ninety-degree bow!
"Senior Shura! I have been sent as a control tool to prevent you from going berserk! I look forward to your guidance!"
"???" Ren looked at Ryōma, then back at the kid. Talk about blunt! He just told me to his face that he's here to hit me?
"That's right," Ryōma said, patting Ren's shoulder solemnly. "Orochimaru has... 'stimulated' the Tailed Beast within you. Its power is immense, so you need a handler." He looked at the bowing child and looked slightly awkward. "Though his age is... well, you need to train him. Make sure he grows strong enough to pin you down!"
"YES! I will work hard, Senior Shura!" young Yamato shouted, bowing even deeper.
Ren was speechless. Not only was this kid sent to beat him up, but he was supposed to teach the kid how to do it?
The absurdity was so high that Ren instinctively activated his Sharingan to check on the "Zero-Tails" inside his seal. The tiny, puny snake-thing lifted its head groggily and scratched its red cowlick with its tail.
"Chiu?" it squeaked, looking utterly gormless.
Ren's lip twitched. You call THIS "immense power"? Where exactly did it evolve? I don't see it.
Returning to reality, Ren looked at the expectant gazes of Ryōma and the kid. He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine... you can follow me for now."
He sized up the "little sprout," rubbing his chin. "Also, for convenience's sake, from now on, your name is... Yamato."
Note: Support me and get early access to chapters on Pat reon.com/XareonMTL