A full year had passed since Ren began his training.
He had not slacked off a single day. Not once.
Every sunrise had been greeted with sweat and discipline. Every night had ended with calculated recovery and silent observation. His body was no longer that of a fragile toddler. It was still small, but dense—refined like tempered steel beneath soft skin.
And today was different.
Today, he would begin training Hinata Hyuga.
Ren lay on his bed before dawn, staring at the ceiling in the dim light. His breathing slowed deliberately.
"System," he whispered internally, "activate Spiritual Teaching Mode."
(Activating…)
A strange pulling sensation tugged at his consciousness.
Then—
His physical body remained asleep on the bed.
But another version of him rose upward.
A translucent, faintly glowing spiritual form hovered above his small sleeping body. Ren stared down at himself, eyes wide with excitement.
"This is so cool," he breathed, circling once in midair. "I look like some final-boss ghost."
He waved a hand through the wall experimentally. It passed through effortlessly.
"Alright… let's gooo."
With a thought, he drifted out of his house and into the cool early morning air. The village was quiet, bathed in pale blue light as the sun prepared to rise over Konohagakure.
In this form, he was undetectable to everyone except his chosen student.
"Not even Naruto's sugar daddy could see me," Ren muttered smugly. "Take that, cosmic favoritism."
He floated toward the Hyūga compound.
The estate stood dignified and traditional, guarded but calm at this hour. Ren passed through walls like mist, his Rikugan active even in spiritual state. Chakra signatures glowed faintly throughout the compound.
Then he saw her.
Hinata.
She was alone in the courtyard, small hands trembling slightly as she practiced the Gentle Fist forms. Her lavender eyes were focused, but her movements lacked confidence. Her strikes were precise in theory but weak in conviction.
Ren observed the surroundings carefully.
He phased through nearby buildings, checking for observers. He scanned chakra signatures to ensure no clan elder was watching her humiliating early practice.
"So no one is watching her… good," he murmured.
He floated down and appeared a short distance away.
"Yoooo."
Hinata blinked.
Her pale Byakugan eyes widened slowly.
A boy her age was floating in the air, waving casually at her.
Her brain reached the simplest conclusion.
"Gh—ghost!" she stammered, stumbling back in fear.
Ren quickly descended and landed lightly on the ground, maintaining distance so he wouldn't startle her further.
"Who are you calling a ghost?" he protested. "I am Ren. I live in Konoha. You can go ask anyone around."
She swallowed hard, eyes darting between him and the empty air behind him.
"Th-then why are you like that? W-where is your body?"
Her voice trembled, but her expression also carried a faint "Do I look stupid?" reaction.
Ren's mouth twitched.
"It's a special jutsu I created," he said smoothly. "I've been watching you train for a few days. You're doing it wrong, so I came to help."
He crossed his arms lightly.
"Do you want me to teach you?"
Hinata hesitated.
Her upbringing screamed caution. Her father's stern voice echoed in her mind about discipline and reputation.
Ren shrugged.
"Fine. If you don't trust me, I'll come tomorrow again. If you don't believe I'm alive, go to the park later. I'll be there physically."
He floated upward slightly.
"Same time tomorrow. Think about it."
Then he returned to his body.
Ren's eyes snapped open in his bedroom. He stretched lazily.
"That went better than expected."
After completing his usual morning physical training and washing up, he headed toward the park.
He sat on a wooden bench, swinging his legs casually as if nothing unusual had happened.
A few minutes later, he saw a familiar small figure approaching cautiously.
Hinata.
She scanned the area nervously before spotting him.
"Yooo, scaredy-cat," Ren called, waving.
Her eyes widened.
"You… you were telling the truth?"
"Of course," Ren replied calmly. "I don't lie about important things."
She approached slowly.
He nodded approvingly. "In this world, you shouldn't trust others easily. That's smart."
He extended his hand toward her.
She hesitated.
Then, slowly, she reached out and touched his hand.
Solid.
Warm.
Real.
Only then did she exhale in relief.
"You… you created your own jutsu?" she asked, awe creeping into her voice. "You must be a genius."
Ren shrugged casually.
"Maybe. Or maybe I just work harder than everyone else."
He tilted his head slightly.
"So, what do you say? Want me to help you train? It would be better than training alone."
Hinata's gaze lowered.
"But… I'm not talented," she whispered. "My father said I was a disappointment."
Ren did not comfort her.
Instead, he stood.
"Follow me."
Without explaining further, he walked toward his regular barbecue restaurant. Hinata followed quietly, her fingers twitching nervously. Her head remained bowed as she walked a step behind him.
They arrived at Yakiniku Q.
Ren pushed open the door confidently.
"Hey, old man. Is my room available?"
The owner laughed warmly. "Oh, it's Ren-kun. Yes, your regular room is free."
His eyes shifted to Hinata.
"Eating with friends today?"
"Yap. Double the regular order."
The old man blinked. "You sure? Will you two be able to finish it?"
Ren smirked.
"Don't worry, old man. I'm hungry."
The owner chuckled. "Alright, alright. Go wait in your usual room."
They entered a small private room Ren frequently used. Plates after plates of raw meat were soon placed before them.
Hinata stared at the mountain of food.
"Are you really going to eat this much?"
Ren shook his head.
"Nope. We both are. Start eating."
"Ehhh?" Hinata panicked. "N-no, I-I can't—"
"Just eat," Ren interrupted, already grilling slices of meat carefully.
He placed a portion on her plate.
"Training requires fuel. A weak body can't support strong chakra."
Hinata picked up a piece hesitantly.
She ate slowly at first.
Ren began chatting casually about small things—how annoying academy kids were, how the weather was getting warmer, how shinobi wasted chakra during training.
Without realizing it, Hinata relaxed.
She ate more.
And more.
She forgot to restrain herself.
By the time she noticed, her stomach was full.
Her face turned bright red.
"I-I'm sorry—"
Ren interrupted immediately.
"Look at how much I ate before you apologize."
Hinata glanced at his plates.
Her mouth fell open.
He had eaten five plates more than her.
"From now on," Ren said firmly, "you will eat until you're full. If you can't do it at home, come here or another restaurant."
He leaned forward slightly.
"As the Hyūga princess, you should have enough money, right?"
She nodded slowly.
She had savings from birthdays and pocket money.
"Good," Ren continued. "I'll visit you every early morning with my jutsu. If you train the way I tell you, you will become stronger."
He paused deliberately.
"Even your father will praise you."
That line struck deeply.
Hinata nodded repeatedly, almost like a chicken pecking grain.
After being told she was a failure for so long, the possibility of earning praise lit a small fire in her heart.
"But then," Ren added casually, "today's meal is on me."
Hinata blinked. "I-I can pay—"
"You didn't bring your wallet," Ren pointed out calmly.
She froze.
He grinned.
"Relax. You can treat me next time."
After Ren paid, they stepped outside together.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the street.
"Tomorrow," Ren reminded her.
"Tomorrow," Hinata repeated softly.
They walked in opposite directions, both carrying something new.
Hinata carried hope.
And Ren carried the beginning of his first true lesson.