The next morning.
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
Ren's spinning whip kick brought a whooshing sound of wind. Kakashi's eyes narrowed, his lower body slightly crouched, and his left arm assumed a blocking posture.
As the two made contact, Kakashi felt a huge force strike him. He used the momentum to fly back three or four meters, then landed on his feet and stabilised his body.
What great strength! Although not as strong as Might Guy, it's even stronger than last time!
Kakashi shook his numb arm, looking at Ren standing opposite him, his eyes filled with fighting spirit. Just as Kakashi was about to draw his Kunai and engage Ren in close combat again, a voice called a halt to the match.
"I say, breakfast is ready. Let's end the morning training here."
Sakumo stood in the shade of the eaves, looking at the two in the yard, and said helplessly.
"Then let's stop here for today. We'll fight again next time, Kakashi."
"Alright then."
Since Sakumo had spoken, Kakashi put his Kunai back into his Ninja tool pouch and walked towards the house with Ren.
Ren, who had come out to the yard early in the morning to train, saw Kakashi, who was also up and training. Since they had nothing else to do, the two sparred in Taijutsu for a while until Sakumo finished making breakfast.
"Do either of you have any plans for today?"
Sakumo said, looking at the two while eating breakfast.
"I'm going to find Might Guy today. We arranged to do rock climbing training."
Kakashi stirred the natto in his bowl and replied.
"I'm going to learn Water Release Ninjutsu from a senior today."
Ren finished the last sip of miso soup in his bowl, put down his chopsticks, wiped the corners of his mouth with a tissue, and then looked at Sakumo.
"Mr. Sakumo, are you going on a mission today?"
Sakumo's chopsticks paused, and his gaze turned to Ren.
"Yes, the Village has assigned an A-rank mission. I'll be out of the Village for two days."
"Is that so? Then Uncle, please be careful."
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
Sakumo smiled and patted Ren's shoulder. Breakfast was almost finished. Kakashi and Ren tidied up the bowls and chopsticks. At the doorstep, Ren waved goodbye to the two.
"I'm off, Uncle Sakumo, Kakashi."
"Goodbye." X2
Watching Ren's back disappear, Sakumo and Kakashi walked back into the house.
"Let's go. I need to get ready too. Kakashi, come help me. I need to gather soon."
"Yes."
...
"You're quite early, young man."
Ren, waiting for Kosuke under the big tree at the Ninja School gate, looked up. It was indeed Kosuke.
"Senior Kosuke, you can just call me Ren."
"Alright, then Ren, let's go."
"Yes."
Ren handed Kosuke his breakfast as usual. It was still early, so the two were not in a hurry and walked leisurely.
"We're here."
A quarter of an hour later, Ren followed Kosuke into a forest. After going several hundred meters deep, there was an open space ahead, with a river several meters wide separating it. Looking across, the source was not visible.
"Let's start directly. Watch carefully."
Kosuke turned around and said without delay.
"Yes."
Kosuke stood in front of the river, rapidly forming hand seals. Chakra began to fluctuate, then he clasped his hands together. Suddenly, several streams of water appeared out of thin air around Kosuke, then continuously expanded and rose, rapidly swirling in the air like a tornado. Afterwards spread out like a waterfall, impacting the surrounding ground.
The immense impact force from tens of meters down, combined with the continuous erosion, created large pits all around. Then, water poured into the pits. In just a few seconds, the environment of this half of the open space was changed.
"This..."
Ren's eyes were filled with shock, mixed with a hint of fervour. Was this the Water Release inherited from the Second Hokage? As expected of "the man who made a pact with the ocean."
Just then, the swirling water tornado slowly decelerated, beginning to continuously shrink and descend in height. A few seconds later, the water dissipated, revealing Kosuke in the centre.
"This is the Ninjutsu I'm going to teach you today."
Kosuke lowered his hands and motioned for Ren to come closer. He suddenly asked,
"Let me test you. What Ninjutsu is this?"
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave."
As soon as Kosuke asked, Ren answered, and then immediately continued,
"An A-rank Water Release Ninjutsu, created by the Second Hokage-sama. It's a Water Release Ninjutsu used in places without water. After forming hand seals, it summons a large amount of water out of thin air, which rapidly spins and rises while continuously expanding. Then, the water spreads out like a waterfall and attacks the opponent downwards, ultimately forming a water tornado. It can be used for both offence and defence."
"Very good, very good. It seems you've studied it well."
Kosuke applauded lightly, very satisfied with Ren's answer. At the same time, he admired Ren even more. Who wouldn't like a student who is strong, humble, and eager to learn?
"Thank you, Senior Kosuke."
Ren scratched his head awkwardly. No kidding, he could practically recite the information about these generations of Hokage by heart. These questions were child's play.
"This is your current learning objective. When you master it, we'll move on to the next one. This is the hand seal for Water Severing Wave. Watch carefully..."
There weren't many hand seals, only 6, but their complexity was among the top for A-rank Ninjutsu.
After barely memorising them, Ren didn't start immediately. Instead, he brought his index and middle fingers together, crossed his hands, and let out a low cry,
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
"Bang!"
A puff of white smoke exploded next to Ren, followed by a clone identical to Ren appearing in place. Immediately after, Ren repeated the process, using the Shadow Clone Technique three more times.
"Oh? Good idea. To think of using Shadow Clone for training."
Kosuke stood by, watching Ren's actions with interest.
The Shadow Clone Technique was also a B-rank Ninjutsu invented by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju. This technique can summon physical clones, but the clones will equally divide the user's Chakra. They have independent self-awareness from the main body and a certain degree of resistance to damage. After dispelling, the clones' experience and memories return to the main body.
Originally, it was a Ninjutsu created by Tobirama Senju for espionage, but it later spread widely in the Ninja World. Now, most major Ninja Villages have this Ninjutsu.
Looking at the three Shadow Clones in front of him, Ren felt a bit helpless. His own mental strength could bear it, but his Chakra didn't allow him to split into too many Shadow Clones. For now, this was all he could do.
"Brothers, let's get to it! We'll strive to learn Water Severing Wave today!"
"Oh!"
The Shadow Clones responded in unison. Including the main body, the four stood in various corners of the open space and began practising repeatedly.
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
A stream of water rippled outwards, but it scattered with a crash after flying only two or three meters, and the water fell, drenching the Shadow Clone.
"Operation error, huh... Let's try again."
"Whoosh!"
Ren's main body walked out of the water, looking dejectedly at the Shadow Clone next to him.
That Shadow Clone gave an awkward smile, flashed to a distance, and continued a new round of experiments.
The path of a Ninja... is long and arduous.