[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique: I clearly could have burned that cataract-eyed guy to a crisp! But no—somehow I just had to miss! This young lady is absolutely furious! It's all because of you weaklings that my true power never gets to shine! And now those guys even mock me as the 'Kindness Technique'! Hmph! Don't come looking for me for the next few days!]
[Transformation Technique: Little Ren, the tactics you used just now were wonderful. By coordinating information and ninjutsu, even a Chunin was caught off guard. However, it's best not to attempt such dangerous things again next time, okay? We'll worry about you.]
[Substitution Jutsu: Mr. Ren… I'm glad you're okay… (｡ŏ_ŏ)]
[Substitution Jutsu Favorability +1]
---
Ren stared blankly at the system interface floating before his eyes.
Because he had used several ninjutsu during the sparring match earlier, the Ninja World Galgame System seemed to interpret the situation as "targets appearing." As a result, several of his techniques had suddenly popped up in the interface to express their thoughts.
Transformation Technique appeared first, acting like the calm and reliable "big sister."
Substitution Jutsu timidly followed, speaking softly and gaining a small boost in affection.
But the one making the biggest fuss was—
Great Fireball Technique.
She was absolutely livid.
And then there was another voice.
[Clone Technique: Hey! What's the meaning of this?! Why didn't you call me for the fight?! The older sister and little sister both got to appear, and even that red-haired guy was there!]
Ren blinked.
"…?"
Wait a second.
You really don't know why I didn't use the Clone Technique?
He rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Against someone with the Byakugan, techniques like the Transformation Technique or Substitution Jutsu still had some value. But the Clone Technique? It was only an E-rank illusion clone. Anyone with decent perception—or worse, a Byakugan user—could see through it instantly.
Using it in that situation would have been meaningless.
Of course, Ren couldn't say that out loud.
If he bluntly told the Clone Technique that it was useless in combat, who knew how badly its affection would drop? Maybe it would even run away crying.
So Ren could only sigh and say diplomatically,
"Well… that kind of sparring match doesn't require using every technique."
Thankfully, the gentle Transformation Technique stepped in to smooth things over.
With her calm persuasion, the Clone Technique eventually stopped sulking.
As for the Great Fireball Technique…
That one was truly angry.
No matter how Ren tried to start a conversation through the system's [Talk] function, she completely ignored him.
Not even a single reply.
Ren could only sigh again.
"I guess I'll try apologizing later…"
How should he put it?
The system's level of personification was honestly too realistic.
Sure, it made things interesting.
But it also made things… incredibly troublesome.
Still, Ren didn't think it would become a serious problem.
---
By the time all the training and sparring ended, the sun was already sinking toward the horizon.
The sky over Konoha turned golden-orange as evening approached.
Ren originally planned to find Might Duy and discuss the Eight Gates technique with him.
But looking at the dimming sky, he realized it was already too late.
"Guess I'll have to ask him tomorrow…"
So he changed his plan and began heading home.
As he walked toward the residential district, a familiar voice suddenly called out.
"Oh, Ren-kun, you're back already? What a coincidence."
Ren looked up.
Walking toward him were two familiar figures.
Rin Nohara and Aoi Mikami.
Rin was holding a few books in her arms, while Ren's mother carried two bags filled with fruits and vegetables. The two of them were chatting cheerfully.
When they saw Ren, they both smiled.
"Mom. Rin."
Ren immediately walked over and took the grocery bags from his mother's hands.
Then he peeked inside.
"Huh? Why did you buy so much fruit?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't this stuff expensive? Are we trying to bankrupt the family?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Aoi scolded lightly, though she was smiling.
She explained,
"A letter from your father arrived today, along with the village subsidy. And just so happened, Rin told me about your excellent performance at the Ninja Academy."
"So I decided to buy some extra ingredients and reward you tonight."
Then she turned to Rin warmly.
"Rin, come join us for dinner later. Bring your parents too."
"Okay!"
Rin nodded happily.
Beside them, Ren raised an eyebrow.
So… that father of mine is still alive.
Interesting.
At least it meant he didn't obtain the system through the classic 'tragic orphan protagonist' setup.
That was… reassuring.
---
Soon after, the three of them returned home.
Rin left briefly to drop off her books at her house and promised to return later with her parents.
Meanwhile, Ren sat down at the table and picked up the letter his mother mentioned.
The sender's name was Mikami Tajima.
Ren's father.
Coincidentally, his name was the same as Uchiha Madara's father, though their backgrounds couldn't be more different.
The real Mikami Tajima was just an ordinary shinobi.
A Chunin.
Average talent. Average strength. Nothing particularly remarkable.
Ren skimmed the letter.
Most of it contained ordinary updates—he was safe, his team rotation would end soon, and he expected to return to Konoha in about two months.
Ren froze.
"…Come on, man."
He stared at the letter with a troubled expression.
"You can't just casually raise a flag like that."
Two months?
In a peaceful era, that wouldn't mean much.
But this wasn't peaceful.
This was the eve of the Third Great Ninja War.
Earlier that day, Ren had overheard conversations in Konoha Hospital.
Tensions along the borders were rising rapidly.
If conflict broke out during these two months…
Then Mikami Tajima might become one of the countless shinobi sacrificed on the battlefield.
And if that happened—
Ren frowned.
"What happens to our family income?"
After all…
He hadn't even become a ninja yet.
---
To be fair, the average ninja income wasn't bad.
Genin had it rough.
Most of their missions involved trivial tasks like catching lost pets or helping villagers. The pay was limited.
But once someone became a Chunin, things improved dramatically.
A single C-rank mission could reward tens of thousands of ryo.
After subtracting the village's share, splitting it among teammates, and covering basic expenses like food and equipment, there was still decent money left over.
Ninjas stationed at the border—like Mikami Tajima—also received additional subsidies.
The amount wasn't huge, but it was enough for a family to live comfortably.
Of course…
That comfort only applied compared to ordinary civilians.
It was nothing compared to the great ninja clans.
Ren had heard stories about them.
Children from powerful clans were raised with luxurious diets—bird's nest soup, rare meats, medicinal broths.
Some even had regular medicinal baths and specialized training massages.
Their bodies were strengthened from childhood.
And if they were born with a Bloodline Limit…
They were practically Konoha's little superhumans.
Ren sighed.
"If Dad comes back safely…"
"I should convince him to start a side business or something."
The Third Ninja War was coming.
For someone with Mikami Tajima's level of strength—
He was basically cannon fodder.
Changing careers might be the smarter move.
---
That evening, the Nohara family came over for dinner.
Rin's father, Hiroshi Nohara, was also a Chunin.
But his strength was clearly higher than Mikami Tajima's.
If Tajima was early-stage Chunin…
Then Hiroshi was already close to the peak of Chunin.
With some luck and effort, he might even reach the level of a Special Jonin someday.
Ren had been amused when he first heard his name.
Hiroshi Nohara.
For a moment, Ren wondered if Rin had a younger brother named Shinnosuke somewhere.
But after meeting him, Ren quickly realized—
This Uncle Hiroshi was completely different.
He spoke calmly, behaved maturely, and definitely didn't look like someone drowning in mortgage debt.
---
During dinner, Hiroshi laughed heartily.
"When Tajima comes back, we have to celebrate! Let's drink together."
Ren paused mid-bite.
Great.
Another flag.
But his expression remained calm as he politely nodded.
"Of course."
His composed response made Hiroshi laugh even louder.
"Haha! Your Ren really knows how to talk."
"Unlike my Rin, who only knows how to eat."
"?"
Rin froze mid-sip, confusion slowly appearing on her face.
Mikami Aoi laughed gently and added,
"Brother Hiroshi, don't say that. Rin is a wonderful girl."
"She even helped me carry groceries today."
"I wonder which lucky boy will get to walk hand-in-hand with Rin someday."
"Cough! Cough!"
Rin immediately choked on her soup.
Ren calmly handed her a tissue.
Then he awkwardly smiled at the adults before lowering his head and continuing to eat.
The dinner lasted about half an hour.
The atmosphere remained warm and lively the entire time.
Eventually, the Nohara family prepared to leave.
Aoi escorted them to the door.
---
After returning to the kitchen to clean the dishes, she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh!"
She opened the refrigerator and pulled out two bags.
One filled with grapes.
The other with oranges.
"I almost forgot," she said.
"I was going to give some fruit to the Nohara family earlier, but I forgot to mention it."
Then she turned to Ren.
"Ren, take these to Uncle Hiroshi's house."
"Oh. Okay."
Ren picked up the fruit bags.
But as he walked toward the door, he glanced back suspiciously.
Did she really forget?
For some reason…
It looked more like she planned this on purpose.
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