Beside the testing arena, Ren stepped forward calmly.
Two teachers stood there evaluating the students—Mr. Oki and Mr. Himura.
Without hesitation, Ren raised his hands and began forming hand seals.
His movements were smooth, precise, and incredibly fluid.
A moment later—
Poof!
A cloud of white smoke appeared.
When the smoke cleared, Ren had completely transformed.
Standing there now was an exact copy of Mr. Himura.
Not just the face.
Not just the clothes.
Even the posture and subtle chakra fluctuations were perfectly imitated.
For a moment, the teachers were silent.
Then Mr. Oki frowned slightly.
"…Huh?"
He looked at the real Mr. Himura standing beside him.
Then he looked back at Ren.
Then back at Mr. Himura again.
His expression slowly turned confused.
"Wait a second…"
He squinted his eyes.
"You are Ren… right?"
Ren—still disguised as Mr. Himura—cleared his throat and answered in a hoarse voice.
"I'm Himura. What are you talking about, Teacher Oki?"
"…Eh??"
Mr. Oki's eyes widened.
He immediately turned toward the real teacher beside him.
"Then who are you?!"
The real Mr. Himura rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"I'm the real Himura."
He pointed at Ren.
"Even if you can't tell us apart, you can at least look at where we're standing."
Mr. Oki blinked twice.
Then he finally realized what was happening.
"…Ah."
He looked at Ren again, this time with clear surprise.
Meanwhile, Mr. Himura studied Ren carefully.
His expression slowly turned thoughtful.
"I remember this student," he said.
"Ren, right?"
"He's been ranked first in the entire grade for cultural subjects for a long time."
Mr. Himura crossed his arms.
"The only thing holding him back was his combat ability."
"But judging from this Transformation Technique…"
"It seems he has been training very hard recently."
Mr. Oki nodded slowly.
"Yes…"
He sighed in relief.
"For a moment I really thought Teacher Himura was disguising himself as a student to prank me."
He shook his head in amazement.
"Not only the appearance…"
"Even the chakra aura is perfectly imitated."
"That's truly impressive."
Mr. Himura nodded.
"Indeed."
"Alright, Ren."
"Show us the Clone Technique next."
---
Ren wasn't surprised by their reaction.
After all, the Transformation Technique with the 'Perfect Form' trait was no longer just a simple illusion.
It involved subtle physical transformation.
In a way, it resembled a simplified version of the Facial Transformation Technique Orochimaru would later develop.
If two Chunin-level teachers could easily see through it…
Then the gala system would truly be worthless.
As for the Clone Technique—
Although it hadn't unlocked any special trait yet, it was still more than good enough to pass the academy test.
Two minutes later, Ren finished his demonstration.
The teachers nodded.
"Pass."
Ren stepped off the stage.
---
The moment he returned to the student area—
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Rin Nohara was clapping enthusiastically.
"Wow, Ren-kun!"
"That Transformation Technique was amazing!"
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Obito and I were both startled!"
Obito immediately crossed his arms and snorted.
"Hmph! It wasn't that impressive!"
He turned his head stubbornly.
"Just average."
Rin couldn't help laughing softly.
Then she looked at Ren again.
Her tone became serious.
"Honestly…"
"I think even Asuma's Three Basic Jutsu weren't as good as yours."
"Maybe you can even get first place in this test!"
Ren scratched his head awkwardly.
"That might be a bit difficult…"
He was about to say something modest.
But before he could continue—
A cold voice interrupted.
"Hmph."
Not far away, Hyuga Homon stood with his arms crossed.
His expression was sour.
"Just because you improved a little in the Three Basic Jutsu doesn't mean anything."
He spoke arrogantly.
"The real test is the practical combat match."
"That's what truly matters."
Ren glanced at him briefly.
"…Heh."
He didn't bother replying.
Instead, he turned back to continue chatting with Rin.
Being completely ignored made Homon's face darken.
"Hmph!"
He couldn't hold back any longer.
"Some people only know how to practice low-level ninjutsu."
"They don't even realize how useless those techniques are."
"In a real battlefield, the Three Basic Jutsu would be seen through instantly."
---
Ren's eyelids twitched.
Then—
He slowly turned his head.
His eyes locked onto Homon.
For a moment, his gaze resembled that of a hungry wolf spotting prey.
"…What are you looking at?" Homon asked uneasily.
Ren narrowed his eyes.
"You just said…"
"That the Three Basic Jutsu are useless, right?"
---
At that moment—
A notification suddenly appeared in Ren's vision.
[Special event keyword detected. Limited-time task triggered!]
[Location: Ninja Academy Playground]
[Event: A member of the Hyuga Clan publicly dismissed the Three Basic Jutsu as low-level techniques.]
[These cruel words deeply hurt the hearts of the Three Basic Jutsu—especially the timid Clone Technique.]
[Although they are hardworking and loyal companions to every ninja beginner, they lack noble lineage like the Great Fireball Technique and can only hide in the shadows feeling sad.]
[Do you wish to defend the dignity of the Three Basic Jutsu?]
[Yes / No]
---
"Yes!"
Ren answered instantly.
A limited-time event?
Of course he would accept it.
Without hesitation.
---
He turned back toward Homon.
His gaze became incredibly intense.
"Classmate Hyuga."
Ren spoke slowly.
"Let me ask you something."
"What have the Three Basic Jutsu ever done to offend you?"
His voice suddenly rose.
"How dare you call them low-level ninjutsu?!"
The surrounding students froze.
Ren continued passionately.
"They work tirelessly!"
"They accompany every child when they first step into the world of ninjutsu!"
"They guide beginners patiently like three gentle older sisters!"
"And yet you insult them so casually?"
Ren pointed directly at Homon.
"Just because the Hyuga Clan doesn't specialize in ninjutsu—"
"Does that give you the right to insult them?!"
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
His voice grew louder and louder.
"You denying the Three Basic Jutsu…"
"Means you are denying this exam!"
"You are denying the teaching philosophy of the Ninja Academy!"
"You are denying the founding ideals of Konoha!"
"You are denying the Will of Fire itself!!"
The entire playground went silent.
Ren raised his hand dramatically.
"So I order you—"
"Right now."
"Immediately."
"Apologize to the Three Basic Jutsu!"
---
"…Huh?"
Hyuga Homon stood there completely stunned.
Apologize?
Apologize to what?!
The Three Basic Jutsu were the lowest-ranked E-rank techniques.
Even the Byakugan could see through them easily.
Everything he said was technically true.
So how did this suddenly escalate into denying the Will of Fire?!
Was Ren serious?!
---
Meanwhile, inside Ren's vision—
The system interface appeared again.
[Transformation Technique]: Little Ren… sigh… actually, he's not entirely wrong. We are indeed ordinary techniques. The fact that you spoke up for us is already enough. An apology isn't really necessary.
[Clone Technique]: Hmph… you're usually unreliable, but at least what you said today sounded nice. I won't argue with you this time.
[Clone Technique Favorability +2]
[Substitution Jutsu]: Ren-kun…
Then another voice suddenly appeared.
[Great Fireball Technique]: Hmm? Your conversation earlier didn't involve me, right? After all, I'm a C-rank ninjutsu.
[Great Fireball Technique]: Anyway, hurry up and fight! Beat that arrogant guy into the ground! Who does he think he is, talking like that?!
[Clone Technique]: Wait… who are you? Why are you appearing together with him?
[Great Fireball Technique]: ?
---
Ren ignored the chaotic chatter from the ninjutsu spirits.
Instead, he stepped forward.
His eyes stared directly into Homon's.
"Hey."
"Are you deaf?"
"Didn't you hear what I just said?"
Homon instinctively stepped back.
"I…"
"What if I don't apologize?"
Ren smiled slightly.
"Then we duel."
He took another step forward.
His tone was calm—but filled with determination.
"As you can see…"
"I only know the Three Basic Jutsu."
"So I will use only the Three Basic Jutsu."
He pointed directly at Homon.
"And I will defeat you."
"When that happens—"
"You will bow your head in front of the entire academy…"
"And apologize to the Three Basic Jutsu!"
---------------------------------------------
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