The next day.
Ninja School.
"Ding-a-ling-ling-ling!"
"That's all for today's class. Goodbye, everyone."
After saying that, Yamanaka Ryo left with an Instantaneous Body Technique.
Hearing the teacher announce dismissal, the students cheered, grabbed their backpacks, and walked out in twos and threes.
"Hmm? Is school already over?"
Ren put down the medical book in his hand, rubbed his eyes, and then stretched.
"School's out, Ren. Let's go."
Kurenai, who had already tidied up, stood in the aisle with her backpack on, patting Ren's arm as she spoke.
Uchiha Ryufeng also looked at Ren, casting an inquiring gaze his way.
"Um... Kurenai, I have something to do this afternoon, so I might be home a little late today."
"Also, Ryufeng, I won't be training these two days. Please tell Shisui for me."
After Ren came to his senses, he looked at Kurenai with some hesitation as he walked, then instructed Ryufeng.
"I understand. If anything comes up, find me."
Ryufeng didn't ask further. He simply left a sentence, then walked out with his backpack, leaving the two of them with his back.
"Hmm... Can you tell me what it is? You took leave yesterday and didn't come to school. Did you encounter any difficulties?"
Kurenai stood still for a moment after hearing Ren's reply, then continued walking forward while looking at Ren, asking somewhat awkwardly.
"It's nothing too important. I took leave yesterday to visit an elder. And later, Kakashi and I agreed to have a sparring match today. Do you want to come watch?"
"Eh? Really?"
Kurenai's eyes lit up, her red pupils fixed on Ren.
"Of course! Let's go, we'll head over now."
"Mm-hmm."
Kurenai obediently followed beside Ren towards Training Ground No. 2. It was only 4:30 PM, still half an hour until their agreed time, so there was no need to rush.
"Madam, six skewers of three-colored dango, please."
"Alright, six skewers of three-colored dango. Here you go, customer."
After paying, Ren took the three-colored dango handed over by the madam and immediately gave it to Kurenai, who was beside him.
The madam smiled, looking gently at the two of them. Her gaze softened even more as she watched Ren hand the dango to the girl next to him.
"Ren, you eat some too."
Kurenai took the three-colored dango and began to eat. She looked at Ren, who was standing quietly beside her, watching her eat. After looking at the three-colored dango in her hand, she took out a few skewers and handed them to Ren.
"Oh? Hahaha, then I won't be polite."
Ren was slightly stunned for a moment, then came back to his senses. He took the dango Kurenai handed back, and seeing Kurenai's cheeks puffed out like a hamster as she ate, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Goodbye, boss. We'll come again next time."
The two of them said goodbye to the madam while eating.
"Goodbye, customers. Welcome again next time."
The madam's smile remained as warm as ever as she watched the two of them leave.
They truly are two lovely customers...
Eating dango and chatting, they arrived at the second duel arena twenty minutes before the agreed time.
Strangely, there were only three people in the arena at the moment.
"Lord Jiraiya."
Ren led Kurenai closer to the group, first greeting Jiraiya, then looking at the other two beside him with some confusion.
"Why are you two here, Obito and Rin?"
Indeed, the two were Ren and Kurenai's classmates, Uchiha Obito and Rin Nohara.
"Yo, hello Ren and Kurenai! Rin and I heard you were going to spar with Kakashi, so we came to watch."
Uchiha Obito casually ruffled his short black hair, responding while looking towards the training ground entrance, muttering, "Why isn't that idiot Kakashi here yet?"
Rin watched the lively Obito helplessly, shaking her head. Then she walked over and greeted Ren before being pulled by Kurenai to sit aside. The two girls were good friends at school, and today they were both here to be cheerleaders, just for different people.
"Yo, kid, you're doing well. You even have a girlfriend. You've got the style of Lord Jiraiya back in the day."
Jiraiya stood by, looking at Kurenai, who had come with Ren, and then began to wink at Ren.
"Lord Jiraiya is joking."
Just as the two were chatting idly, Kakashi and his father finally appeared at the entrance of the duel arena.
"Uncle Sakumo, Kakashi."
"Seniors, you're here."
Ren and Jiraiya greeted the two as they walked over.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Sakumo looked at the group with an apologetic expression, speaking with a hint of remorse.
"No, we just arrived a moment ago."
After some pleasantries, Ren turned his gaze to Kakashi.
"Shall we begin, Kakashi?"
"Alright, come on."
Kakashi nodded, and then the two walked towards the centre of the arena, with Sakumo following closely behind.
Obito, being perceptive, retreated with Jiraiya to the spectator stands to watch.
"Then I'll be the referee."
Sakumo smiled at the two standing opposite each other, taking his position in the centre of the arena, ready to announce the start of the match at any moment.
"Hmph."
Ren's hands were slightly bent, his body slightly lowered, and he stared at Kakashi opposite him, waiting for Sakumo's signal.
Kakashi, who was equally prepared, drew the short sword from his back, its tip angled towards the ground, and then his gaze also turned to his father.
Sakumo looked at the two ready on either side, raised one hand, and then brought it down in a chop.
"Then, let the match begin!"
Immediately, he used the Instantaneous Body Technique to flash ten meters away, leaving them enough space to fight, and began to focus his attention on the arena.
As soon as his voice fell, both of them simultaneously retreated, creating distance.
Did they think of the same thing?
Ren stood still, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his hands quickly formed hand seals. Kakashi also watched him.
These hand seals... He stuck his short sword to the side and then also began to form hand seals.
Wind Release: Wind Cutter!
Ren pushed his hands forward, and dozens of small wind blades shot directly towards Kakashi.
It is Wind Cutter!
Kakashi looked at the many incoming wind blades, his gaze sharpening. At the same time, he pressed his hands down, and a mud wall erupted from the ground. In the centre of the mud wall was a dog's head. With several roars, the Ninjutsu collided.
After a few seconds, when the aftermath dissipated, the Earth Release: Mud Wall was already in ruins. Kakashi stood behind the mud wall, looking at Ren in the distance with a solemn expression. This wave of attack was not easily blocked.
In this brief exchange, the few people watching from the spectator stands also showed surprise.
It was clear that Ren was not at a disadvantage in the first exchange with Kakashi.
"This kid, he's got something."
Jiraiya looked at the two still facing off in the arena, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
This... I won't lose, will I?
...............................
To access the advanced chapter, visit Patreon:-
patreon.com/fanfictionstories419