Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent, looking at Ren.
He felt that he and the others had thought wrong.
Originally, they believed that Ren would be enraged, angry, or even act out upon learning of the situation.
After all, this had absolutely nothing to do with their Konoha; he had taken the risk to obtain it entirely from the Hidden Mist Village himself, so they had no reason to demand it.
But now, before he could even speak, Ren directly handed over all the Ninja Swords; although he was to choose, in Hiruzen Sarutobi's opinion, it was completely harmless.
He had previously been thinking about how to persuade Ren, and now, remembering it, he felt truly ashamed.
"But…"
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi felt ashamed, Ren spoke again. He looked up and subconsciously replied.
"But what?"
"I've contributed all the Ninja Swords. Shouldn't you show some appreciation?"
Ren leaned towards the desk, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together, looking at the other party with a slight smile.
"…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened, then he put his pipe on the table and said irritably.
"What do you want? I don't have any money."
"I don't want money."
Ren waved his hand, then grinned and said softly.
"Could you let me learn about ten more Ninjutsu from the book of sealing?"
"…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately understood; Ren had been waiting for him here. However, this reward wasn't too excessive.
"Alright."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't think too much and immediately got up and walked out; Ren quickly followed.
The two walked along the corridor to the very end on the right. This place was different from others; there was only one door, and two Anbu stood on either side. Upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi, they immediately knelt down.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Mm."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, then stepped forward, pushed open the door, and walked in. Ren followed closely behind him.
Upon entering, Hiruzen Sarutobi fumbled on the wall for a moment, and the lights came on. Ren instantly felt his eyes brighten.
It was a small room of about several tens of square meters, with bookshelves lining the walls, filled with various books and scrolls.
Ren, with his sharp eyes, quickly noticed that the classification of these items was very interesting: Ninjutsu and knowledge of the five elements occupied five corners respectively, and Medical Ninjutsu had its own separate bookshelf.
"This is the Secret Ninjutsu Collection Room."
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued to walk forward as he spoke, and Ren quickly followed.
The two soon arrived at the innermost part of the secret room, which was a blank wall. Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and pressed a few spots he knew, and the wall split open to reveal an entrance as tall and wide as a person.
"Come in."
After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he walked straight in, and Ren followed closely behind him.
Upon entering, what immediately came into view was a small room of about a dozen square meters. Several small lights hung on the walls, illuminating the dark room.
In the very center was a small platform, where a massive scroll lay quietly.
This was Ren's objective for this trip—the book of sealing!
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked forward, took it from the platform, and then, under Ren's eager gaze, handed it over, saying in a deep voice.
"The book of sealing cannot be taken out of here. Choose what you want to learn first, and then I'll find you a copy."
After he finished speaking, he didn't forget to add a sentence.
"Oh, and you can only choose three."
If he were to truly open all the forbidden Ninjutsu to him, this kid would definitely cause another huge commotion. To be safe, it was better to limit him.
Konoha, as it was now, could not withstand any more upheaval.
"Understood, understood."
Ren agreed and immediately sat cross-legged on the ground, spreading the book of sealing open and beginning to read. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by, silently watching him.
As soon as Ren opened it, the first thing he saw was Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu. He knew it, so he skipped it.
Mutual Exploding Tag, skipped. Edo Tensei, skipped. Eight Gates…
Ren's gaze shifted slightly, and he fell into thought as he looked at those words.
Although he could learn it from Uncle Dai, and the other party would definitely teach him, it wouldn't be proper.
He would use it sooner or later, and if it was traced back to Uncle Dai, wouldn't that just cause trouble for him? It was better to choose it himself.
After noting down Eight Gates, Ren quickly locked onto his second target.
Flying Thunder God Technique!
Ren had coveted this Ninjutsu for a long time. It had powerful uses in offense, assault, and retreat; it was simply an essential skill for killing and arson.
If combined with his own sensory abilities, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.
Also, the most important reason was that his own elder brother was the master of Flying Thunder God.
The founder of Flying Thunder God was the Second Hokage, but Minato had developed Flying Thunder God extensively based on his foundation.
Flying Thunder God Second Step, Flying Thunder God Guiding Thunder, Flying Thunder God Formation, and Spiraling Flash Super Round Dance Howl Style Three.
With such excellent conditions, if he didn't use them, it would truly be a waste.
After deciding on the second one, Ren's gaze began to scan again.
Upon seeing the Wood Release Ninjutsu, Ren's eyes immediately lit up, and he looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying.
"Old man, can you give me copies of these Wood Release Ninjutsu?"
"Hm?"
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with some surprise.
"What do you want those for? You can't learn them without Wood Release…"
As he spoke, he suddenly widened his eyes and looked at Ren with a look of shock, his mouth agape.
"You…"
"Stop!"
Seeing his expression, Ren knew what he was thinking. He quickly called a halt, saying somewhat helplessly.
"I haven't mastered Wood Release. Don't think such nonsense, old man. I want these things just to reference and learn from them, to develop my Bloodline Limit."
"Phew."
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally relaxed. He had thought this kid had really mastered Wood Release.
He even imagined Ren inheriting the Fifth Generation, using Wood Release to suppress the Ninja World once again. Who knew, it was a false alarm.
"Alright, alright, hurry up, kid. I still have a pile of things to be busy with."
He had gone to the capital yesterday to meet the Daimyo, so many documents had accumulated and not yet been processed. Tonight, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep again.
"Please wait a moment, old man, it'll be ready soon."
As Ren spoke, he had already turned to the end of the book of sealing. Here were various Water Release secret Ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu.
He already knew the few Water Release Ninjutsu listed there, as he was, after all, a descendant of the Second Hokage's lineage. As for Sealing Jutsu…
After a quick glance, Ren had his answer in mind.
"Alright, old man."
Ren stood up, closed the scroll in his hand, and handed it over.
"Have you decided?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised an eyebrow as he took it, and said.
"Mm."
Ren nodded, then extended three fingers, and said softly.
"Eight Gates, Flying Thunder God Technique, and also…"
Ren looked at the two fingers he had lowered, then lowered the last one, and smiled.
"Reaper Death Seal!"