Ren didn't actually know the exact point in time when Kakashi created the Chidori. The original story never clearly explained it. Still, one thing was certain—it had definitely happened before the Kannabi Bridge mission. So seeing Kakashi beginning to grasp the prototype of the technique now wasn't strange at all.
What truly made Ren feel regretful was something else entirely.
He didn't possess a Lightning affinity.
Otherwise, he would have absolutely tried to copy the technique.
At the intersection near the civilian district, Obito reluctantly waved goodbye to Rin and Ren before heading back toward the Uchiha Clan compound.
"See you tomorrow!" Obito shouted loudly while walking backward.
"Watch where you're going," Kakashi said flatly.
"Tch! As if I'd trip over someth—"
Before he could finish speaking, Obito nearly slammed directly into a wooden cart on the side of the road.
Kakashi silently turned away as though he didn't know him.
Rin burst into laughter while Ren rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Some things in life truly never changed.
That afternoon, Ren once again headed toward Orochimaru's underground laboratory.
The atmosphere there remained just as cold and unsettling as before. Strange experimental equipment lined the walls, while the air carried a mixture of disinfectant, chemicals, and the faint metallic smell of blood.
Even after several visits, the place still felt uncomfortable.
Orochimaru barely acknowledged Ren's arrival.
The pale Sannin sat before a long table covered in research documents and experimental samples, his snake-like golden eyes occasionally flashing with an obsession that bordered on madness.
For nearly half a day, Ren helped organize records, prepare materials, and stabilize chakra during several experiments.
Fortunately, today wasn't their agreed payment day.
Otherwise, Ren honestly wasn't sure whether receiving rewards from Orochimaru was a blessing or a curse.
The man's research became more frightening the deeper one understood it.
Still…
Knowledge was knowledge.
Even dangerous knowledge had value.
By evening, Rin arrived at the Mikami household carrying several notebooks.
Mikami Aoi greeted her warmly at the entrance with a smile that immediately made Rin blush.
Ren could practically hear his mother imagining grandchildren already.
Before the situation became awkward, he quickly dragged Rin upstairs into his room.
The two sat side-by-side beneath the warm desk lamp.
Between them rested the scroll containing the Mystical Palm Technique.
"Alright," Ren sighed dramatically while stretching his fingers. "Let's continue before my hand falls off."
Rin covered her mouth while laughing softly.
For the next several hours, only the sound of brushes scratching against paper echoed through the room.
The Mystical Palm Technique was vastly more complicated than ordinary academy-level ninjutsu. Chakra circulation routes, anatomical diagrams, medical theory, precision control explanations—every section was packed with information.
Halfway through the process, Ren suddenly dropped his brush onto the table.
"Damn it… why are there this many words?!"
He rubbed his sore wrist with a pained expression.
Rin laughed even harder.
"You're the one insisting on copying every single detail perfectly."
"Of course I am," Ren replied seriously. "Medical ninjutsu isn't something you can casually mess up. One tiny mistake and instead of healing someone, you destroy their organs."
Rin immediately stopped laughing.
"…Fair point."
By the time the sun fully set, the two had only managed to finish about half the transcription.
In the end, they decided to continue the next day.
After Rin carefully packed the scroll and returned home, Ren stretched lazily before preparing for a bath and some well-deserved rest.
At the same time, part of his consciousness entered the Gala System.
The cheerful "ninjutsu girls" immediately surrounded him noisily inside the system space, making the exhausted Ren feel oddly relaxed.
The next day, the copying operation resumed.
This time, Ren and Rin spent nearly the entire day finishing the transcription of the Mystical Palm Technique.
Even the complicated anatomical illustrations were carefully redrawn.
At one point, Ren considered creating several Water Clones to help speed things up.
But after imagining water splashing onto the precious scroll…
He immediately abandoned the idea.
"No," he muttered. "I seriously need to learn Shadow Clones."
During the past several days, the Gala System had steadily increased his Physique stats by another twenty to thirty points.
Although his chakra reserves still couldn't compare to monsters like the Uzumaki Clan or the Uchiha Clan, he had already surpassed most children from ordinary ninja families.
At this point, learning the Shadow Clone Technique should be possible.
And honestly, the utility of that technique was terrifying.
Extra training.
Extra studying.
Extra labor.
Extra combat experience.
It was practically a cheat skill.
Fortunately, there was someone perfectly capable of teaching him.
Minato Namikaze.
If Ren seriously asked, Minato would almost certainly agree.
After all, Minato genuinely cared about his students.
Once the transcription was finally completed, Ren secretly attempted something else.
He presented the copied scroll to the Gala System.
A familiar notification instantly appeared before him.
[Detected giftable item: Advanced Limited Skin (Self-Made) — Healing Technique: Mystical Palm Technique!]
Ren's eyes lit up immediately.
Success.
That completely confirmed his theory.
Even self-transcribed scrolls could be recognized as "skins" by the system.
This discovery was extremely important.
As long as he could access enough ninjutsu, he could theoretically create countless compatible gifts for the system girls.
Of course, there was no reason to rush.
For now, Ren couldn't openly use advanced medical ninjutsu anyway.
If a civilian child suddenly mastered the Mystical Palm Technique, it would attract dangerous attention almost immediately.
Meanwhile, Rin had already started carefully studying the copied material.
Her expression became increasingly focused as she analyzed every chakra pathway and note.
Watching her, Ren couldn't help smiling faintly.
Rin genuinely possessed talent for medical ninjutsu.
But more importantly…
She truly loved learning it.
That kind of passion was rare.
As for Ren himself, he grabbed another stack of paper and began drafting something completely different.
At the top of the page, he wrote:
KONOHA RAW COLA — BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Yes.
He was still thinking about the bet with Tsunade.
Technically speaking, losing the bet wouldn't be disastrous. The punishment was only one request, and considering Tsunade's personality, she probably wouldn't demand anything immoral or outrageous.
But Ren simply hated losing.
More importantly…
He had started seriously considering the future of the Mikami family.
Being a ninja required enormous amounts of money.
Ninja tools, medicine, training costs, mission supplies, emergency treatment—all of it consumed funds endlessly.
Now that Mikami Tajima had retired because of his injuries, the family's financial situation had quietly become unstable.
Their current savings and village compensation could support them temporarily.
But only temporarily.
Mikami Aoi's librarian salary barely covered their daily living expenses.
Anything beyond that would eventually become Ren's responsibility.
And Ren absolutely refused to grow up poor.
So he continued outlining the cola business carefully.
Formula protection.
Production methods.
Transportation logistics.
Marketing.
Distribution systems.
Supply chains.
Consumer psychology.
The more he wrote, the more complicated the project became.
This wasn't modern Earth.
The Ninja World lacked industrial infrastructure, mass transportation, and widespread consumer culture.
Still…
Ren genuinely believed it could succeed.
After all, in a world constantly filled with missions, wars, and stress, what could possibly be more addictive than a cold, sweet, fizzy drink?
Especially if marketed properly.
Naturally, many implementation details would need adjustment later depending on reality.
But those practical problems weren't his concern.
That was Mikami Tajima's responsibility.
His father had over a decade of ninja experience and far more understanding of the real world than Ren could openly display.
As long as Ren provided the core ideas, the project should at least become feasible within Konohagakure.
Several peaceful days passed afterward.
Early one morning, Ren woke up as usual, washed, ate breakfast, and prepared to head toward the training ground.
However, the moment he stepped outside—
He froze slightly.
A familiar silver-haired figure stood nearby.
"Kakashi?"
"Yeah."
Kakashi nodded calmly beneath his mask.
"In half an hour, gather at Training Ground Seven."
His visible eye shifted toward Ren.
"Get Rin. I'll notify Obito."
Then Kakashi added:
"Sensei Minato is back. He has a new mission to discuss."
Before Ren could ask anything else, Kakashi disappeared instantly using the Body Flicker Technique.
Ren blinked once.
Then he immediately turned and headed toward the neighboring Nohara residence.
Not long afterward, Team Minato reunited at Training Ground Seven.
Standing there beneath the soft morning sunlight…
Was Minato Namikaze.
Compared to their gathering from two months ago, Minato looked mostly the same.
Golden hair.
Gentle smile.
Calm blue eyes.
However, there was now a faint trace of exhaustion hidden beneath his expression, likely caused by continuous long-distance missions.
Still, the moment he saw his students, warmth immediately appeared in his eyes.
"Ren, Rin, Kakashi, Obito," Minato said softly. "Long time no see. How have you all been lately?"
"Sensei Minato!"
Obito practically exploded with excitement.
"You're finally back!"
The atmosphere immediately became lively again.
Even Ren deliberately showed the excitement expected from a child his age.
Minato smiled helplessly.
"I recently completed several important missions and just finished transferring responsibilities back to the village."
Then his gaze slowly swept across the four of them.
"I also heard Kakashi's report regarding your recent training and mission performance."
There was unmistakable pride in his voice now.
"You've all done extremely well."
"Truly… you are my students."
Rin smiled shyly.
Kakashi remained calm outwardly, though his posture subtly straightened.
As for Obito—
"Hehe! Of course!"
He proudly pointed toward himself.
"Sensei Minato, you didn't see it, but my Great Fireball Technique is already almost as good as Ren's!"
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Almost?"
"Tch! I'll surpass you soon anyway!"
Obito crossed his arms proudly before continuing excitedly:
"The bandits outside the village already tremble when they hear my name! Honestly, fighting weaklings all the time is boring. I wish I could fight real ninja already!"
The training ground suddenly became quiet.
A brief but strange silence filled the air.
Ren immediately noticed the subtle change in Minato's expression.
It wasn't anger.
Nor fear.
It was something heavier.
Something thoughtful.
The morning breeze passed silently through the trees surrounding the training ground.
Then Minato sighed softly.
"The opportunity…"
His calm voice became unusually serious.
"…may already have arrived."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Even Obito finally realized something was wrong.
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed slightly.
Rin looked nervous.
And Ren silently understood.
The peaceful days…
Were beginning to end.
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