Konoha-style kenjutsu, no matter how one looked at it, ultimately fell under the broader category of taijutsu.
And Ren's system had a particularly interesting trait.
As long as an ability belonged to the same system, once he mastered it—or received it as a reward—he could seamlessly integrate it and immediately bring it up to his current level of strength.
It was the same principle as his Water Release and Earth Release. Once the level was there, even newly learned techniques could be unleashed at full power.
From that perspective, his cheat really was terrifying.
The problem was—
Free Points were hard to come by.
They were tied strictly to mission difficulty. Ren was the living embodiment of "building a towering skyscraper from the ground up, with rises and falls entirely on your own shoulders."
One misstep, and he could very well end up dead.
"Still… this reward is pretty interesting."
This time, Ren's reward had come through Yugao Uzuki, allowing him to acquire some of her abilities as well.
"Crescent Moon Dance, Veiled Night, and Konoha-Style Continuous Slash?"
The first two were fine, but the last one left him baffled. He vaguely remembered it sounding like something from a gacha game.
But details didn't matter.
What mattered was that these techniques expanded his combat options.
And if he factored in the rewards Hiruzen Sarutobi had promised—his so-called "task incentives"—this was nothing short of a major power boost.
"What's wrong?"
Walking through Konoha's streets, Yugao—now changed into casual clothes—looked at Ren with some confusion.
"You seem distracted."
"It's nothing," Ren shook his head and sighed lightly. "I was just thinking about the injured teammates… and those who didn't come back."
His answer made Yugao fall silent for a moment before she spoke with a serious expression.
"That's the fate of ANBU. We accepted it long ago—because we stand at the very front lines for Konoha."
"I understand, senpai."
Ren nodded quickly. He had no intention of being dragged into a moral lecture, so he immediately echoed her words.
"We walk in darkness, in service of the light. That is ANBU."
"…In service of the light. That is ANBU."
Yugao was visibly moved.
That single sentence captured the meaning of ANBU perfectly.
She found herself realizing that this newly recruited junior seemed to understand ANBU even better than she did.
She had joined ANBU alongside her senior, Hayate Gekkō, two years ago—yet somehow she felt she fell short of this newcomer.
The thought left her a little heavy-hearted.
Fortunately, Ren wasn't the type to let the mood sink.
With his lead, they quickly found common ground, the atmosphere lightening as they talked. Ren also took the chance to learn more about her.
For instance—she enjoyed flower viewing, was deeply passionate about swordsmanship and kenjutsu, and had her own opinions about comrades who had joined around the same time.
Yugao spoke earnestly.
And Ren listened with genuine interest.
"If there's a chance, I'd really like to spar with you and learn your sword techniques," Ren said sincerely. "I hope you won't hold back, senpai."
"Of course," Yugao smiled faintly. "And just call me Yugao. Though during missions, stick to code names."
They continued chatting and laughing as they walked. When Yugao heard that Ren was also interested in swordsmanship, she was even happier.
Before long, they arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.
It was past peak hours, so there weren't many customers.
But Ren noticed something unexpected.
A blond little boy stood under the eaves nearby, clutching his stomach while stealing glances at the ramen stand.
"That kid…"
Yugao frowned when she saw him. Clearly, she didn't know much about Naruto—and like many villagers, she carried a faint sense of aversion.
"What about him?" Ren asked, deliberately blinking in confusion.
"You haven't heard the rumors?" Yugao looked at Ren in surprise, her voice lowering.
"They say that kid is the incarnation of the demon fox—the one responsible for everything five years ago."
Five years ago, the Nine-Tails' rampage had brought devastating disaster to Konoha.
The Fourth Hokage and his wife died.
Countless ninja and innocent civilians perished.
It could only be said that Obito truly understood 'repaying kindness.'
"Then if he's really the demon fox's incarnation," Ren asked curiously,
"why is he still allowed to stay in Konoha?"
Yugao froze.
After a moment, she replied with a righteous tone.
"That's… because the Hokage is benevolent. He didn't want to trouble himself with that brat."
"Is that so?"
Ren tilted his head, looking half-convinced.
"But even if the Hokage is benevolent, he wouldn't endanger the villagers, right?
What if that kid suddenly loses control one day?"
"Th—this…"
Yugao was at a loss for words.
She wanted to say that ANBU existed. That Konoha's ninja existed. That the Third Hokage existed.
But the words wouldn't come out.
She had seen Konoha's ruins after the Nine-Tails' attack.
She had attended the Fourth Hokage's funeral.
She knew better than most how terrifying the demon fox truly was.
So why… was that child still allowed to remain?
Seeing her reaction, Ren understood immediately.
At Yugao's clearance level, she likely didn't know about jinchūriki at all.
Strictly speaking, neither should Ren.
But unfortunately—
He was a transmigrator.
And as a seasoned workplace veteran, he knew one thing very clearly:
If I'm officially not supposed to know, then I'm even safer saying it.
He wasn't some paranoid Uchiha, after all.
He was a loyal, Konoha-serving, utterly humble public instrument of society.
Besides, Danzō would probably love for him to get close to Naruto.
"So, senpai," Ren said casually, patting Yugao's shoulder in a very familiar manner,
"don't question the Third Hokage's judgment."
He smiled and added lightly,
"Rumors are just rumors. As ANBU, we must trust the Hokage.
You don't think the Hokage would put Konoha in danger… do you?"
"I—of course not. And… just call me Yugao."
Yugao hesitated, clearly conflicted.
She didn't know whether it was Ren's natural familiarity or his words that unsettled her.
She had no way to refute him.
Because the moment she did, it would turn into questioning the Hokage—
Which, for ANBU, was extremely incorrect.
Still troubled by years of rumors, she felt uneasy.
But Ren didn't dwell on it.
He had already taken her hand and was walking straight toward the blond boy.
Naruto hadn't noticed them approaching.
He was busy counting the coins in his shriveled little frog wallet, his face full of distress.
Then—
A boy's voice suddenly sounded beside him.
"Huh? That's all? That's not even enough for one bowl of ramen."
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