After the mission ended, Ren looked noticeably drained.
It was the kind of exhaustion that came after a long, intense high—almost like entering sage-after mode. And honestly, that was perfectly normal.
He'd just completed an extremely "stimulating" mission, finished allocating his stat points, and—most importantly—there were no immediate follow-up tasks.
In moments like this, it felt exactly like lighting a cigarette afterward: savoring the aftertaste while quietly recovering his strength.
Ren would've been perfectly happy staying home, digging through intelligence files and continuing his search for that buried Uchiha—
But Yūgao had had enough.
"Seriously, why are you staying inside all day?" she complained, one hand holding Karin, the other glaring at Ren.
"You finally get some rest and still won't go out for air."
"And all you do at home is make the teacher angry. I really don't understand what's going on in that head of yours."
"Who told you I made her angry?" Ren replied lazily, hands clasped behind his head as he strolled forward.
"I just told the truth. She's the one who can't accept it."
"Tell me I'm wrong," he added casually.
"Doesn't she lose every bet? Just bet against her and you'll be living in a seaside villa sooner or later."
"…You're still thinking about Kirigakure?"
Yūgao sighed, wisely refusing to continue any topic involving Tsunade.
Beside them, Karin nodded quietly in agreement.
Lady Tsunade's gambling luck really was terrifying.
Ever since she'd had more money, she spent her days drinking or at the card hall. Karin had gone looking for her several times—and every single time, Tsunade had already lost everything.
"Kirigakure, huh… who knows," Ren tilted his head, thinking.
"Maybe I'll go someday. After all, Uchiha Obito might be hiding there."
Truthfully, Kirigakure had been silent for a long time.
Ever since Ren suggested that Obito might be hiding there—leading to the massive bounty announcements—Konoha had started quietly infiltrating Kirigakure.
Time passed.
But Ren hadn't received any further instructions.
He was genuinely interested in going there. Even if there wasn't much "fun," at the very least he could pay a visit to their future Mizukage and deepen mutual understanding.
More importantly—
If he exposed Obito there and planned things carefully, the odds of earning a huge number of Freedom Points were very high.
It was hard not to be interested.
Unfortunately…
Konoha seemed a bit slow.
"Uchiha Obito…"
Yūgao sighed softly.
"Who would've thought that the dead-last student would end up doing all this?"
She'd heard about him—poor grades, constant failure.
Yet even a dead-last had proven his courage in war, becoming one of the "Two Sharingan Heroes" at Kannabi Bridge.
And now?
A fallen hero.
"Never underestimate a dead-last," Ren shrugged.
"Who knows which one of them is a hidden stock?"
Then he added calmly:
"Nohara Rin-senpai really had terrifying charm. That guy was completely obsessed."
Rin was beautiful—Ren didn't deny that.
But the Uchiha clan was generally good-looking to begin with, especially the women.
Still, Obito never seemed interested in that.
What drew him to Rin was probably her gentleness.
From records—and Ren's memories—Rin was kind to everyone.
She didn't look down on you for bad grades, nor make you feel inferior next to excellence.
And Obito, as a dead-last, had probably endured plenty of quiet contempt.
Meeting Rin at that time?
Getting lost was inevitable.
"The problem," Ren continued flatly,
"is that she treated everyone the same—and that made him think he was special."
"That kind of one-sided obsession… is it really healthy?"
Ren found it hard to sympathize.
After everything went wrong, Obito blamed Minato—and then the world itself.
It felt painfully familiar.
Push all responsibility outward.
Reject the world entirely.
"…That's just crazy," Ren concluded.
"Well, he is an Uchiha."
"Gentle and kind?"
Yūgao blinked and looked at him.
"So… that's your type?"
"Who wouldn't like that?" Ren smiled, then added casually,
"But I'm pretty tolerant. And Yūgao-senpai's personality is great too."
"…Tch. I'm not talking to you."
Yūgao turned away, flustered.
Karin blinked—then nearly squeaked when Ren casually took Yūgao's hand.
"Hey—what are you doing?"
Yūgao struggled briefly, then stopped. She was already used to it.
She just lowered her voice.
"Karin's still here. Behave yourself."
"I'm very well-behaved, senpai."
Ren chuckled—but didn't let go.
Yūgao sighed, equal parts amused and helpless.
It was already Year 55 of Konoha.
She'd met Ren back in Year 52.
She still remembered how he'd blocked Orochimaru alone so she could escape—and how he'd saved her twice.
They'd teamed up afterward, mission after mission, memory after memory.
"Yes… you're reckless," she admitted silently.
"In missions. And with me."
At first, she hadn't liked it.
But over time, she realized—
Ren's judgments were almost always right.
And knowing his past softened her heart.
An orphanage child.
Raised in bloodshed.
Root training.
She could see it clearly from Tenzo alone.
And yet—
That past hadn't twisted his heart.
He stayed optimistic.
Kept pushing forward.
Always tried to do his best.
Maybe that was why she'd gone from discomfort… to acceptance… to habit.
Even if he was two years younger.
"…You're not honest," she muttered.
"I've known you three years. You've never been honest."
"Hands-on is more like it."
"Alright, alright," Ren laughed.
"So what are we doing today?"
"…Movies?"
"Movies?"
Yūgao stared at him strangely.
"You suddenly want to watch movies?"
"I've never seen one. Want to try?"
"…Fine."
Ren didn't understand her reaction—until later.
The ninja world's movies were…
Painful.
Boring.
Childish.
Full of "evil dragon kidnaps princess" clichés.
Ren nearly fell asleep.
"And that Fireball is way too big!"
"And the hand seals are wrong!"
"And since when does one fireball kill dozens of people?!"
"And why does taijutsu spin around for five minutes when one stab would do?!"
Yūgao couldn't help laughing.
"That's why I asked if you were sure. It's just entertainment."
"Adaptation doesn't mean nonsense," Ren sighed.
Then he turned to Karin, who was watching intently.
"Listen carefully. If you can kill an enemy—aim for the heart or throat.
No posing. No speeches.
Talk after you're sure they're dead."
"…Is that really necessary?" Yūgao finally cracked.
"Yes. Absolutely."
She sighed.
"…I agree, actually. They really are stupid."
Ren blinked—then burst out laughing.
Only Karin looked conflicted.
But it looked cool…
Afterward, they ran into Jiraiya—covered in bruises.
Apparently, he'd been chased down by hot-spring staff.
"YOU TWO!" he yelled.
"I almost got beaten to death!"
"Weren't you peeping?" Ren shrugged.
"And they weren't even serious. Otherwise, you wouldn't be standing."
"Hmph! This Toad Sage doesn't use chakra on civilians!"
Ren immediately offered to call Tsunade.
Jiraiya panicked.
"STOP—STOP—!"
Later, Jiraiya sighed.
"Iwagakure talks are mostly settled."
Then he hesitated.
"…But there's new intelligence."
Ren looked up.
"Kirigakure has made progress."
"…Also," Jiraiya added seriously,
"How much do you really know about Akatsuki… and Uchiha Obito?"
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