"Ren-kun, the negotiations with the Hidden Mist went smoothly. Their delegation has already arrived. Even Genji himself came."
On the rooftop of the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi's wrinkled face carried a faint, slightly strained smile.
This round of talks had gone far better than expected.
At the beginning, he had truly been startled.
The Land of Waves was close to Kirigakure. Ren had been there personally.
Which meant—
If Ren had left a Flying Thunder God mark in the Mist, he could appear there with a single thought.
If he wanted to cause trouble, no one could stop him.
Thankfully, Ren had behaved.
Not only behaved—
He had brought tangible benefits to Konoha.
Profit distribution was negotiable.
And more importantly, this wasn't merely about profit.
It was alliance-building.
The "Small-Nation Ninja Village Plan" was progressing steadily. Konoha couldn't recoup investments overnight, but they now had a stable market pipeline generating continuous revenue.
Besides—
The initial funding came from the Daimyō, not Konoha's treasury.
Why worry?
Under Konoha's economic leadership, the Rain Country and Sunagakure had both stabilized.
Kirigakure would be blind not to notice.
Especially since their current Mizukage's regime had only risen under Konoha's "assistance."
Their interest in joining the framework was understandable.
"Genji personally came?" Ren sipped his tea lightly. "Hope his health holds. He's not exactly young."
"Don't underestimate old shinobi," Hiruzen snorted. "Look at Ōnoki. Still walking like he's in his prime."
But soon his expression grew more serious.
"About the Chūnin Exams… are you confident? I never imagined Orochimaru would go this far—using Edo Tensei. Even summoning the Second Hokage…"
He sighed.
Tobirama had been his teacher.
Seeing his master desecrated like that—
It hurt.
Disturbing the dead was already unacceptable.
Weaponizing a Hokage against Konoha?
Vile.
Reports confirmed Tobirama retained Flying Thunder God proficiency.
That alone was terrifying.
If Ren hadn't crushed him so decisively—
Hiruzen wouldn't be smiling now.
"It's a good technique," Ren replied casually, gazing toward the Hokage Monument. "Tsunade-sensei and I are already discussing how to standardize its usage."
Hiruzen blinked.
"Standardize…?"
"Yes."
Ren leaned back comfortably.
"Executing death-row criminals is wasteful. Kill them, then reanimate them. Have them serve Konoha eternally."
"They don't need food. No rest. No pensions. No injury downtime."
"They can perform the most dangerous missions. Fight their former villages. Redeem themselves through service."
"Pure cannon fodder. Perfect labor force."
"And we save a fortune in compensation."
"This," Ren said lightly, "is the Second Hokage's treasure to Konoha."
"…?"
Hiruzen stared.
What are we talking about?
I was discussing existential threats.
You're discussing undead labor economics?!
"Your thinking is too extreme," Hiruzen began weakly. "Tsunade would never—"
"She has reservations," Ren sighed dramatically.
Hiruzen exhaled in relief—
Then choked on tea.
"But she did ask me to draft a detailed proposal and review past deceased criminals of exceptional capability."
"Pfft—!"
Hiruzen barely stopped himself from spraying tea across Ren's face.
And the worst part?
He felt tempted.
Damn it.
"Ren… this matter may be…"
"You're worried about the Exams, aren't you?" Ren cut in smoothly.
Hiruzen massaged his temple.
We are not in the same conversation.
Ren continued calmly:
"Orochimaru escalated by using Edo Tensei. Next step may well be the First Hokage."
"But for me, the pressure isn't significant."
"I have allies."
"With proper handling, nothing will spiral."
Hiruzen stared.
He understood now.
Ren wasn't worried.
And—
He didn't want Hiruzen over-involved.
After all, retirement loomed.
Tsunade would soon assume full authority.
New era.
New decisions.
Too much old guidance would only complicate things.
"You're ruthless," Hiruzen muttered.
"Getting old makes one overthink. To you young ones, it sounds like nagging."
Ren smiled faintly.
"Being cared for by elders is never a bad thing."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"You smooth talker."
Then, as Ren stood to leave, Hiruzen suddenly blinked.
"Wait… this is the first time I've seen you wearing a forehead protector."
He chuckled lightly.
"Looks good on you."
Ren instinctively touched his forehead.
"…Yeah."
If only he had a choice.
—
The heartbeat continued.
Stronger.
Clearer.
Ren's perception sharpened beyond anything prior.
Everything around him felt deconstructed.
All chakra—regardless of elemental nature—appeared as pure, unified blue energy in his senses.
Even natural energy felt docile.
As if—
If he wished—
He could absorb it effortlessly.
The sensation was intoxicating.
Spatial layers rippled distinctly in his awareness.
Dimensional fluctuations became structured.
Coherent.
Precise.
In his mind—
A chaotic void formed.
Primitive.
Undifferentiated.
Then, with each pulse—
Ripples expanded.
Structure emerged.
And in that hazy inner space—
A silhouette stood.
Silent.
Contemplative.
Like a statue.
"Unity through chaos…"
He didn't fully understand.
But the system prompt appeared.
[Bloodline undergoing major mutation. Please observe carefully.]
Again.
Evolution.
Yet—
No agony this time.
Just transformation.
He opened his eyes.
His chest pulsed.
His heart burned.
But wrapped within that fire—
Was another layer of energy.
Protective.
Nurturing.
As long as the "Flame of Life" remained—
He would not fall.
He thought of Naruto reigniting Might Guy's life after Night Guy.
Crude.
Brutal.
But effective.
Ren couldn't replicate that.
Yet—
His life force now felt inexhaustible.
Endless vitality circled him.
Unlike Naruto and Sasuke—
Whose power came from "administrative privilege"—
Ren built his own.
No revocation risk.
He smiled faintly.
Then—
He touched his forehead again.
A small protrusion.
Subtle.
Like swelling flesh.
Or—
The budding base of a horn.
"…I don't have Ōtsutsuki blood, do I?"
He frowned slightly.
Senju. Uchiha. Hyūga. Uzumaki.
Those bloodlines carried physical mutation traits tied to Kaguya.
But then—
He realized something.
Chakra itself—
Originated from Kaguya.
Strictly speaking—
All chakra users were touched by Ōtsutsuki legacy.
Kaguya reclaiming chakra during the Fourth War?
Simply reclaiming her property.
Ren had pursued chakra fusion.
And body evolution.
If chakra's root was Ōtsutsuki—
Then contamination was inevitable.
He pressed gently at the protrusion.
Beneath it—
A dense cluster of chakra condensed.
Brewing.
Would it dissolve into full-body refinement?
Or—
Like Madara—
Would breaking it birth a new eye?
He wasn't certain.
But one thing was clear.
This evolution—
Was not regression.
—
Summer deepened.
Konoha buzzed with life.
Foreign shinobi trickled in.
Among them—
A trio in brown garments waited outside the gates.
Kankurō grumbled.
Temari sighed.
Gaara remained silent.
Soon, they entered.
Konoha's lush vitality contrasted sharply with Sunagakure's arid austerity.
"Not bad," Kankurō muttered.
"Meaningless," Gaara replied coldly.
A voice interrupted.
"If it's meaningless to you, perhaps your village is lacking."
They turned.
Ren approached, clad in black robes resembling a Hokage mantle, combat gear beneath.
Headband gleaming.
Presence unmistakable.
Maki's face stiffened.
"Ren-sama… it has been years."
"Indeed," Ren smiled. "You've risen well. Special Advisor now."
Maki bowed slightly.
Small talk ended quickly.
Ren had no obligation to personally escort exam participants.
Status hierarchy mattered.
After Ren left, Kankurō whispered:
"Who was that?"
Maki answered quietly.
"Shihara Ren. One of Konoha's most powerful figures."
Temari blinked.
"He's that young?"
"Do not be deceived."
Maki summarized fragments—
Mist coup.
Fourth Mizukage's fall.
Raikage capture.
Grass Village breach.
Gaara's expression darkened.
"A worthy target."
Maki sighed internally.
If only you knew—
Three-Tails once howled beneath that man's power.
And at that moment—
Shukaku stirred.
A tremor.
Not rage.
Not agitation.
Fear.
—
In a teahouse.
Ren sat opposite Konan.
"Welcome back to Konoha."
"Congratulations on becoming Hokage Advisor," she replied softly.
After brief pleasantries—
He clapped lightly.
The noisy teahouse emptied instantly.
Konan stared.
"…All your people?"
"Occupational necessity," Ren shrugged.
She rolled her eyes.
Then grew serious.
"Pain will move."
"Not alone. Iwa and Kumo are supporting from the shadows."
"And Orochimaru improved Edo Tensei."
Ren nodded thoughtfully.
Storm brewing.
Good.
The bigger the storm—
The richer the harvest.
"You continue regardless?" she asked.
He leaned back lazily.
"You once asked how peace is achieved."
She nodded.
"You said a raised hand hurts most before it lands."
"And strength is foundational."
He met her gaze.
"New order threatens old interest groups."
"Hanzo allied with Danzō to crush Yahiko."
"Now Ōnoki, the Fourth Raikage, and Rasa align with Akatsuki."
"History repeats."
Konan's expression shifted.
Uncomfortable truth.
He continued gently:
"I will not rule by terror."
"I will demonstrate results."
"Cooperation. Shared growth."
"Let the world compare."
"When conflict comes, they will know who seeks peace."
His rhetoric was thick.
Convincing.
She believed him.
Almost too much.
"So this confrontation resolves it?"
"No."
He waved quickly.
"Merely testing."
"True restructuring comes later."
"You gather intel. We prepare."
"Rain Country remains priority."
She exhaled slowly.
"…Understood."
Then he smiled faintly.
"I've offered considerable sincerity."
"Perhaps it's time you reciprocate."
She blinked.
This again?
After a long pause—
She nodded.
"When this ends… you will see our sincerity."
Ren smiled.
Behind that smile—
Calculation flickered.
Storm coming.
Points incoming.
And beneath his forehead—
That budding horn pulsed softly.
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