Ren's late-night research session stretched on, a solitary island of focused activity in the quiet Yūhi household. Shinku Yuhi and Kurenai Yuhi had long since retired, succumbing to the reasonable human need for sleep.
Not everyone was blessed—or cursed—with the seemingly boundless stamina that Ren possessed, a clear testament to the Uzumaki lineage's legendary vitality beginning to manifest.
But effort, as the adage goes, is never betrayed. Having grasped the foundational principle of chakra nature transformation, it took only a few hours of intense, iterative experimentation before Ren achieved a breakthrough.
In the moonlit backyard, he stood before a training post. He brought his hands together, forming a simplified, single-handed seal—an adaptation, not the formal sequence for any known ninjutsu, but a focus point for his intent. He extended his index finger, aiming at the wooden stake.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"
Crackle-ZAP!
A searing, concentrated bolt of pale white lightning erupted from his fingertip with a sharp, electric scream. It crossed the short distance in an instant, striking the training post dead-center. A charred, finger-sized hole was punched clean through the thick wood, sending a spray of smoldering splinters into the night air.
Observing the damage, Ren couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. "So it does require a hand seal. Incredible, yet… perfectly logical. Very few ninjutsu in this world are truly seal-less."
The realization crystallized.
To successfully transplant Hadō #4: Byakurai from the Bleach universe into the framework of the Naruto world, two conditions had to be met: possessing the innate Lightning Release chakra nature, and utilizing hand seals to guide and shape the energy.
It made fundamental sense. Aside from certain kekkei genkai and a handful of esoteric techniques, the vast majority of ninjutsu relied on hand seals to navigate chakra through specific pathways within the body for successful execution. One mustn't forget—even the First Hokage's famed clap-and-summon style involved a physical gesture, which was itself a form of seal.
Rather than a perfect replication of Kidō, it was more accurate to say Ren had developed a new ninjutsu. He had taken the core principle and methodology of the Kidō, researched it, and modified its expression to conform to this world's rules of engagement. It was a process of creative adaptation.
The logic was akin to his earlier, fanciful mention of Lightning Release: Kirin—if the underlying conditions could be met, the technique could theoretically be realized. The system-rewarded Kidō all followed this same adaptable template.
"I'll test Bakudō and Shunpo later…" he murmured to himself, a spark of satisfaction in his eyes. "But for now… time for bed."
A glance at the moon's position told him it was well past midnight. Tomorrow was his promised day off with Kurenai. The "Grind Lord" could afford to stand down for a day; tomorrow, he would embrace the noble path of the slacker.
The night passed without further incident.
Morning.
Ren awoke feeling utterly refreshed, as if the previous day's mental and physical exertions had been completely erased. The system's passive enhancements were clearly doing their work, maintaining a reservoir of energy that felt almost unnatural.
In short: excellent physical fitness, robust health, and… promising prospects for the future. A blessed existence indeed.
"Time for the morning routine."
He executed a crisp ' Front-flip' from his futon, landed on his feet, and headed for the bathroom. After a quick wash, he emerged into the quiet living room. Noting that Shinku and Kurenai were still asleep, he decided to take charge of breakfast.
In this household, Kurenai Yuhi was the sole culinary liability—a girl who could confidently confuse sugar for salt and oil for water. After one unforgettable experience with her "gourmet creation," both Shinku and Ren had unanimously and gently guided her away from any future culinary ambitions. Some paths were not meant to be walked.
As Ren busied himself at the stove, Shinku Yuhi emerged, stretching. Seeing Ren at the cooktop, he raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "What's the occasion? You're usually doing reps in the backyard at this hour."
Ren's combination of monstrous talent and relentless work ethic had become a household constant. The sight of him prioritizing pancakes over push-ups was noteworthy.
"Even I need to dial it back sometimes," Ren replied without turning from the sizzling pan. "I'm taking Kurenai out today. Training's on hold."
"That's good," Shinku nodded approvingly. Dedication was vital, but so was balance. Perhaps the boy's mind needed the break as much as his body…
He shook off the strange thought and asked, "Have you decided where you're headed?"
Ren deftly flipped an egg, aiming for a perfect runny yolk.
"Haven't really thought about it. Maybe just wander. Konoha's not exactly a hub of entertainment. If we get bored, the hot springs are always an option." He shot a glance over his shoulder. "You free today, Uncle Shinku? Want to join?"
In truth, Konoha's total area wasn't vast—a single Shinra Tensei had once proven that. Entertainment options were limited: hot springs, a few gambling dens, and the… well, the licensed quarter. The latter two were firmly off-limits for a child. The hot springs, however, were perfectly respectable. He wondered idly if they had mixed bathing… ahem.
Shinku shook his head.
"I've got a mission today. You two go and have fun. If you need mo—" He caught himself, remembering the substantial sum now sitting in Ren's savings—a sum that likely dwarfed his own jōnin reserves. That kid and his unsolvable problem sets… even the Hokage had been stumped. It was oddly comforting. Geniuses operated on a different plane. "—just make sure you look after Kurenai," he finished.
"Got it," Ren acknowledged, his attention returning to the now-perfectly fried egg. The bacon was next.
Soon, a simple but hearty breakfast was laid out, just as a freshly washed Kurenai Yuhi padded into the room.
As they ate, Ren casually inquired, "What's the mission about, Uncle Shinku? Do you have to leave the village?"
Lacking access to formal intelligence channels, Ren occasionally tried to glean information about the wider shinobi world's climate from Shinku. A butterfly's wings could stir a typhoon; his own presence might already be causing subtle ripples in the timeline. Staying informed was prudent.
Shinku, bound by operational security, kept it vague. "We apprehended a spy. Standard interrogation duty. Nothing major, and I'll be staying within the village."
"I see." Ren's interest promptly evaporated, and he returned to his meal. It made sense—Shinku was a genjutsu specialist, and genjutsu was a potent tool for information extraction. Though, the Uchiha were arguably the best for that line of work, given their Sharingan… but the current political climate with the Uchiha clan was… well, complicated. Those in the know, knew.
Kurenai, uninterested in spy talk, was far more invested in the day's plans.
"Ren, where are we going? Really the hot springs?" Her eyes sparkled at the prospect.
"The hot springs it is," Ren confirmed.
"Yay!" Kurenai's face lit up. "I've always wanted to go! But I heard it's kind of expensive…"
Ren waved a dismissive hand, embodying the nonchalant swagger of the newly affluent. "Money is the least of our concerns. I may lack many things, but funds are not among them. I'm practically looking for ways to spend it!"
"Hehe, Ren, you're the best!" Kurenai cheered, then her expression shifted into one of practiced, wide-eyed innocence. She batted her crimson eyes. "Since you're so amazing… could you maybe give your adorable little sister some pocket money?"
Ren's response was swift and decisive. "Denied. I need to save up for my future wife. Frugality where necessary, generosity where appropriate."
"Hmph! Stingy!" Kurenai grumbled under her breath, then muttered something almost inaudibly, "Why bother with a wife anyway? Isn't having a cute little sister like me enough…?"
Ren didn't catch the words clearly, but the muttering tone was suspect. His gaze sharpened. "What was that? Were you talking behind my back again?"
Spare the rod, spoil the child. This little sister was getting bolder by the day.
Kurenai stuck out her tongue impishly. "Nyah, nyah! I said nothing!"
Watching their familiar, affectionate bickering, Shinku Yuhi smiled warmly into his tea. This kind of ordinary, heartwarming scene… he truly hoped it could last forever.