"Hmm? Coincidence?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's pupils shrank sharply, his face filled with shock and confusion.
If it wasn't a coincidence, this was the first time his Telescope Technique had been noticed by someone below the level of Jōnin—and the one who sensed it was only a five-year-old child!
That was practically impossible. Even a genius shouldn't be able to do this.
This ninjutsu required extremely strong spiritual power to detect, and such people were generally at the level of Jōnin.
The accumulation of spiritual energy was a slow process. Genius alone didn't mean one possessed immense spiritual energy. It required time, experience, and growth.
Fortunately, Renjiro only gave the corner a quick glance before calmly returning his focus to the lecture. That made Hiruzen think it must have been coincidence.
'Interesting little brat...'
Orochimaru licked the corner of his lips, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Others might dismiss it as coincidence, but to Orochimaru, such anomalies were far too fascinating to ignore.
"An illusion?"
"No... it's the Third Hokage's peeping jutsu!"
Renjiro froze for a moment as realization hit him, then he ignored it entirely, turning his attention back to the lesson.
The class was filled with exactly the kind of basic ninja knowledge he needed most right now.
These teachings—practical experience, valuable skills, fundamental knowledge—were a treasure to him.
Even Renjiro noticed that most of his classmates listened intently. This wasn't anything like the relaxed atmosphere of Naruto's generation in the anime he remembered.
Before long, the bell rang. The once-quiet classroom exploded into chatter as children quickly grouped themselves.
The two largest groups were led by Hyūga Hiashi of the Hyūga clan and Senju Nawaki.
Nawaki in particular had gathered several "Useful people" from their own class, and many from other classes too. Surrounded by followers, he looked every bit like a boss, his presence even overshadowing Hiashi, the Hyūga clan's proud heir.
Meanwhile, a few children from smaller families—those close to the Uchiha—came to befriend Renjiro.
But he waved them off coldly:
"Go play in the sand."
He was a man in his twenties mentally. What kind of conversation could he have with a group of five-year-olds?
Uchiha Mikoto watched him curiously.
Renjiro, however, ignored her and casually took out dried snake meat, chewing it as if no one else existed.
Mikoto, annoyed but kind-hearted, opened her lunch box. The rich aroma instantly caught Renjiro's attention.
He didn't stare, but his eyes kept drifting toward her food from the corners of his vision.
It smells amazing...
Compared to the stiff snake meat he'd chewed for the past week, her lunch felt like a feast from the heavens.
"Here." Mikoto smiled softly, pushing a bento toward him.
"For me?" Renjiro blinked in surprise.
Blushing, Mikoto explained:
"Sister Ruri said the adults in your family aren't around anymore, so there's no one to cook for you. I asked the servants to make an extra lunch."
Renjiro stared into her bright eyes, silent. She turned away quickly, her cheeks redder than before.
"...Thanks. But don't bother next time. I have my own food."
"It's not a bother at all! Grandpa said you're my bodyguard, right? How could it be trouble for me to bring a lunch to my own guard? Besides, I didn't even cook it myself!"
Renjiro pretended to scowl, snatched the chopsticks from her hands, and began devouring the meal.
Mikoto chuckled, remembering Junko's words—that Renjiro had been starving before. Seeing him eat so eagerly only confirmed it.
She smiled as she ate her own bento.
Renjiro, savoring a bite of braised pork, smirked.
"As expected... the most perfect wife and mother among the Hokage's era. Truly a gentle soul."
But before the meal was finished, a group of students stormed into the classroom, led by Uchiha Fugaku.
Renjiro didn't hesitate. He grabbed the bento and bolted.
Mikoto froze in disbelief.
Her grandfather had told him to protect her from Fugaku's pestering. And what did he do? Run away—with her lunch box?!
"He just ran like that? He ate my food and left me here? How shameless!"
She muttered angrily, ignoring Fugaku's attempts to chat with her.
Meanwhile, Renjiro crouched in a corner outside, happily finishing the bento.
"What was I supposed to do? I've only been training for a week. You want me to take on a bunch of second-graders?" He sighed helplessly.
After lunch, he burped, then walked back to his camp. While others rested, he used the noon break to train.
When others played, he trained. When others slept, he pushed himself harder.
If he wanted to return to Earth, he needed power.
In this world where the dead could be revived and even the moon itself was forged by jutsu, nothing was impossible. Returning home was harder than climbing to heaven—but Renjiro refused to give up.
The days passed. Mikoto didn't speak to him anymore. She'd pout, turn away, and act angry whenever he was near.
But still—she brought him lunch every day.
Even if he never once fulfilled his "bodyguard" duties.
Renjiro would eat quietly, watching her back with a faint smile.
"Just give me twenty more days... and I'll deal with that fly Fugaku for you."
Mikoto froze, staring at him with wide eyes before glaring.
"Forget it. You'll only get beaten. Better not."
Despite her words, she forgave him. She was still just a kind, simple child. Otherwise, why keep bringing him food?
Renjiro only laughed.
"You don't believe me?"
"...Really?" Can you do it ?!
"Really."
Twenty days.
With his abnormal chakra refining speed, kunai accuracy, sharp reflexes, and overwhelming mental strength—twenty days was enough. Enough to stand on equal footing with his peers.
End of the chapter.