Dawn broke, pale light pushing away the last wisps of morning mist.
Ren sat at the edge of the bed, freshly washed, watching Yugao finish dressing. A faint smile lingered at the corner of his lips.
Peaceful days were always something to cherish.
Unfortunately, whether he wanted it or not, true peace rarely lasted long.
For him, there had never been such a thing as stagnation. His strength never regressed—it only climbed higher. But the era itself had no intention of calming down.
"You've been staring at me for years. Still not bored of it?"
Yugao turned slightly, amused, catching him in the act.
"Never," Ren replied lazily as he stood and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "If anything, you've only gotten prettier."
"Really?" She tilted her head with a soft laugh. "I think Hikari's the one getting more beautiful. And Sensei looks younger every year. You don't need to flatter me."
Ren wisely said nothing.
Experience had taught him that when other women entered the conversation, silence was the safest strategy.
Instead, he shifted topics.
"ANBU's been busy lately? Even you've been coming and going early and late."
Yugao wasn't just another operative anymore. Between Ren's influence and her own relentless effort, she had risen to lead both the dispatch and medical squads within ANBU. Her authority wasn't as flashy as a division captain's, but her importance—and relative safety—were unquestionable.
She rarely handled frontline combat now. Most of her direct superiors were either the Hokage or Tsunade.
Yet she was busier than ever.
"You handle matters outside the village," she said with a small smile, brushing her hair back before turning to hug him properly. "You don't see everything happening inside."
"Tsunade-sensei didn't tell you? The Third Hokage is stepping down soon. The schedule's being finalized. We're running rehearsals and security checks."
"And the Chūnin Exams need to be airtight. After all… certain people have made quite a few enemies."
Ren blinked.
So this was somehow his fault?
Thinking about it… fair enough.
This Chūnin Exam would be far grander than the one he remembered. A spectacle meant to display Konoha's overwhelming dominance.
And yes—he had done quite a lot.
Kidnapped the Raikage.
Captured the Tsuchikage.
Detained Kurotsuchi and even Chiyo and Ebizō.
Framed Obito and Orochimaru.
Shook the Hidden Mist so badly he'd personally hauled the Fourth Mizukage back to Konoha.
His "achievements" were known across the world.
Invincible?
Perhaps.
Universally hated?
Also perhaps.
The worst part was Danzo was dead. There was no convenient scapegoat left.
Everything now fell squarely under "Konoha did it."
In short—
No one was getting off the hook.
"Alright, I'm heading to ANBU," Yugao said after lingering a moment longer. "Hikari's probably up already. Tsunade-sensei left early too. I'd rather not be late."
"Yes, yes."
Ren let her go reluctantly, appreciating the effortless grace in her movements as she jogged downstairs.
Once alone, he frowned slightly.
"…How is there still no child?"
The shinobi world wasn't exactly overflowing with birth control measures. He had long assumed he'd be a father by now.
Yet nothing.
Was it his bloodline evolution? Had his body crossed some threshold into something beyond ordinary humanity?
Reproductive isolation?
"…I don't have horns growing out of my head," he muttered dryly.
As he descended the stairs, he found Hikari already waiting in the living room.
Today she wore white robes, her long black hair cascading like ink. Her temperament remained cool and refined—until she saw him. Then, faint ripples stirred in her clear eyes.
"You're slow."
"Not particularly."
Ren smiled, then studied her more closely.
"You've been more proactive than I expected lately."
"Hmph. I'm not like you."
She turned and headed for the door.
"Not like me how?"
She shot him a sideways glare.
"Never mind."
He caught up easily.
"Flying Thunder God, or walking?"
"Walking."
She reached out and took his hand.
Ren glanced at their interlocked fingers and chuckled—but tightened his grip all the same.
Sunlight poured down over Konoha's bustling streets. Hikari lifted her face to the sky, a rare smile touching her lips.
"Beautiful weather."
"Your mood's better than the weather."
"Is that bad?"
"Not at all. Watching you change these past few years… we're all happy."
"And you?"
"…I'm happy too."
Satisfied, she fell silent.
Truthfully, since recovering her memories and confronting her past, she had changed more than she'd expected.
But there was one sentence—spoken half-seriously, half-jokingly—that had lodged itself in her mind.
At first, it angered her.
Later, it left her conflicted.
Now… it lingered.
You said it. But did you mean it?
The wind brushed through her hair.
From the day he saved her, helped her avenge herself, guided her into this world, and restored her lost memories—
The debt she owed him felt immeasurable.
And yet…
He didn't seem to care about that debt at all.
Which irritated her.
"…Maybe I need to be more proactive."
The thought surfaced unbidden.
The Senju clan had dispersed. Ren carried their power now. His path wouldn't be simple.
She was an Uchiha, raised in the Warring States era. She had grown up hearing one lesson over and over—
Clans must endure.
Bloodlines must continue.
Even if she once despised it, that ideology had rooted itself deep within her.
"And he and Yugao still don't have a child…"
Her gaze shifted subtly.
Whatever else happened—
She was a pure Uchiha.
If she made a decision, she would see it through.
She refused to owe anyone forever.
Perhaps…
This was an opportunity.
At the Academy, anticipation buzzed.
Naruto sat with Shikamaru and Chōji.
Ever since Ren's "education," Naruto had changed considerably. No more reckless pranks.
He still skipped class occasionally—but somehow, he always took the fall. Shikamaru's mind was sharper.
"Think we'll be on the same team?" Chōji leaned forward, whispering.
"Low probability," Shikamaru drawled without lifting his head. "You and I, likely. Probably Ino too."
"And yes, Chōji, you're out of allowance again."
"Eh?!"
Naruto's eyes widened. "That's why we always eat at your place?! You've been scamming me?! I still owe that big brother ramen money!"
Shikamaru blinked.
"…You didn't know?"
Chōji flushed.
"I really did have stuff to do sometimes!"
Naruto clutched his chest in exaggerated agony.
"I can't believe this! My money!"
Ino scooted away.
"Idiots."
Sasuke, meanwhile, sat quietly, eyes closed.
He felt exhausted.
And exhilarated.
Graduated.
Top of his class.
Three years of 4 a.m. training.
And always—
The image of that man.
The one who had dismantled Itachi effortlessly.
If he could earn that man's acknowledgment…
If he could learn from him…
Then avenging the Uchiha would no longer be a dream.
Back in Root headquarters, Ren sifted through reports.
The Land of Rain thrived.
Sunagakure strained under debt.
Iwagakure experienced "frequent explosions."
"…Deidara?" Ren muttered.
Interesting.
He opened a sealed scroll from Kakuzu.
Akatsuki's current roster had shifted.
Jūzō still alive.
Orochimaru remained.
Hidan added.
Others under consideration.
Even without Deidara, the lineup was formidable.
Ren smiled faintly.
Cluster them together—it makes harvesting easier.
"Why are you smiling like that?"
Hikari entered with another scroll.
"Nothing. Good news."
She walked over—and without warning—sat directly on his lap.
Ren blinked.
"You said sit anywhere."
"…Fair."
He adjusted her sideways, one arm around her waist so he could still read.
She stiffened slightly.
"You…"
"What?"
He looked genuinely puzzled.
After a pause, he lowered the scroll and studied her instead.
"I'm more curious what you're thinking."
She hesitated.
"You said it. I accepted it. I'm willing."
Ren's brain took a moment to catch up.
"…You're not doing this out of gratitude, are you?"
"Would you dislike it?"
He answered honestly.
"No."
"Then that's enough."
She leaned back against him, arms around his neck.
The room fell quiet.
Until—
"Get up. Someone's coming."
"So what?"
"This looks bad."
The door swung open.
The Third Hokage stepped in.
He froze.
The atmosphere shifted from serene to suffocating.
After several seconds, he slowly turned his head away.
"Strange. Ren doesn't seem to be here. Kabuto, you're not doing your job properly."
Outside, Kabuto glanced in, immediately lowering his head.
"My apologies, Hokage-sama. Lord Ren must be in another office. I'll escort you."
Later, at a cleared-out teahouse.
Hiruzen smiled, pipe in hand.
Ren poured tea, unbothered.
Neither mentioned the office incident.
"The Hidden Mist," Hiruzen began. "You're familiar with them."
Ren nodded.
The Fourth Mizukage was comfortably retired under joint supervision.
"Akatsuki's been robbing merchants. The Mist is reacting aggressively. One target in particular—Gatō—in the Land of Waves."
Ren's eyes sharpened.
Akatsuki.
And Gatō.
He smiled.
"This could be interesting."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
"You already have intel?"
"Yes. Akatsuki's also moving."
Perfect.
Three birds.
Chūnin-level mission.
New generation trial by blood.
Akatsuki observation.
And a little harvesting on the side.
Hiruzen sighed.
"You won't let them die?"
"I'll bring everyone back."
"…Fine."
He stood.
"One more thing. You've been officially nominated as Hokage Advisor. It will be announced soon."
Ren blinked.
So he'd stepped fully into Danzo's former role.
"I'm old," Hiruzen said softly. "After the Exams, Tsunade will succeed me."
Ren imagined it suddenly—
Ren: You'll regret this, Tsunade.
Tsunade: You've overstepped. I'm the Hokage.
Ren: That's even better.
He almost laughed.
Hiruzen smirked knowingly.
"And next time… be careful in your office. What if Yugao walked in?"
"…Understood."
"Oh, and perhaps… work harder. You should have a child by now."
Ren nearly choked.
"…Hokage-sama?"
"…You'll make a fine Advisor."
Elsewhere—
Obito stood above a roaring waterfall in the Land of Grass.
The terrain had changed drastically since Ren's battle years ago.
Black Zetsu spoke quietly.
"Is moving against the Land of Waves wise?"
Obito's gaze remained distant.
"Akatsuki's drifting. Nagato's resolve is weakening. If we don't escalate their hatred, they'll soften."
Black Zetsu felt uneasy.
Obito had failed before.
But still—
"If Ten-Tails awakens," Obito murmured, "everything will be decided."
Zetsu hesitated.
"…Perhaps."
Or perhaps not.
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