Wait.
Hold on.
What was this…?
A new notification suddenly appeared in Ren's mind.
[You have learned from the Clone Technique that although the Great Fireball Technique appears dazzling and noble on the surface, she is not truly respected.]
[Behind her back, many refer to her mockingly as the "Kindness Technique."]
[Although she does not admit it, she deeply cares about this and wishes to prove her strength to silence those who ridicule her.]
---
Ren blinked.
---
[Do you wish to take action to vindicate the Great Fireball Technique?]
[Yes / No]
---
[Time Limit: 15 Days]
---
"…!"
---
Ren's eyes lit up instantly.
---
This… this is huge.
---
For a brief second—
He almost wanted to laugh out loud.
---
Clone Technique… you absolute genius.
---
Three sentences.
That was all it took.
---
And it had triggered a special event.
---
Ren felt genuine admiration.
---
Good job.
You've done very well.
---
There was no hesitation.
---
"Accept."
---
---
As soon as he made his choice—
The system updated.
---
[Great Fireball Technique: (The flames calm slightly but still burn brightly) Hmph! That's more like it! You better keep your word! This Young Miss will be watching!]
---
[Great Fireball Technique Favorability +2]
---
Ren exhaled slowly.
---
Fifteen days…
---
The condition itself wasn't clearly defined.
"Vindication" was vague.
---
But—
The intention was obvious.
---
He needed to prove—
That the Great Fireball Technique was not weak.
---
And in the ninja world—
There was only one true way to prove strength.
---
Battle.
---
Ren's gaze sharpened slightly.
---
If necessary—
He would kill.
---
In this era—
That wasn't unusual.
---
War loomed.
Conflicts simmered.
Bandits roamed.
---
If he couldn't find enemies on missions—
He could always hunt down rogue shinobi or mountain bandits.
---
The method didn't matter.
---
The result did.
---
Madara could elevate a C-Rank technique to A-Rank power…
---
Ren clenched his fist slightly.
---
Then I can do the same.
---
---
With that thought—
He ended his training for the day.
---
The sun dipped below the horizon.
The sky darkened.
---
Ren returned home, exhausted but satisfied.
He washed up quickly, ate a simple meal, and lay down.
---
His body was tired.
But his mind—
Was already planning the next step.
---
---
Time passed.
---
In the blink of an eye—
---
The day of the graduation ceremony arrived.
---
---
It was a rare occasion.
---
Just like the entrance ceremony—
This was one of the most important events at the Ninja Academy.
---
Parents were invited.
Students gathered.
---
It was both an ending—
And a beginning.
---
---
Early that morning—
Ren's mother, Aoi, woke him up.
---
"Ren, get up. You'll be late."
---
"I'm up."
---
He sat up, rubbing his eyes slightly before getting dressed.
---
While he ate breakfast—
Aoi disappeared into her room.
---
When she came out again—
She had changed into a neat, carefully chosen outfit.
---
Simple.
But elegant.
---
This day mattered to her.
---
More than she said aloud.
---
---
When they stepped outside—
They found their neighbors already leaving.
---
Rin stood between her parents—
Hiroshi Nohara and Mebuki Nohara.
---
"Good morning, Aoi! Ren!" Hiroshi greeted warmly.
---
"I've been meaning to congratulate you," he continued with a laugh. "Rin told us everything—you got first place! That's incredible!"
---
Ren smiled politely.
---
"You're too kind, Uncle Hiroshi. If not for the ninjutsu scrolls you gave me, I wouldn't have improved this quickly."
---
Hiroshi waved it off immediately.
---
"Nonsense!"
---
"It took me months to learn those techniques back then."
---
"The fact that you mastered them so quickly just proves your talent."
---
"Even without them, you would've stood out."
---
Ren didn't argue further.
---
Sometimes—
Accepting praise was better than deflecting it.
---
---
The two families walked together toward the Academy.
---
By the time they arrived—
It was already bustling.
---
---
The Grand Auditorium was packed.
---
Students.
Parents.
Instructors.
---
The air buzzed with excitement.
---
Ren scanned the room quietly.
---
Familiar faces appeared one after another.
---
Kurenai's father—Kurenai Shinku.
Might Duy.
Hyūga Hizashi.
Members of the Nara clan—recognizable by their iconic hairstyles.
---
Then—
Rin leaned closer.
---
"…Do you think Obito is late again?"
---
Ren didn't even hesitate.
---
"…Most likely."
---
It felt inevitable.
---
"Let's find our seats first," Ren said.
---
They located their assigned spots and sat down.
---
---
The ceremony began.
---
The principal of the Ninja Academy, Fujimoto Itsuki, stepped onto the stage.
---
And then—
---
The speech started.
---
Long.
Formal.
Expected.
---
He spoke about the past.
About the future.
About responsibility.
About the Will of Fire.
---
Every word carefully chosen.
Every sentence polished.
---
Finally—
---
He raised his voice.
---
"In this year's class—"
---
"A total of thirty-three students have passed the graduation assessment!"
---
"They will officially receive their Konoha headbands—"
---
"And become genin of the Hidden Leaf Village!"
---
"Please give them your applause!"
---
Clap! Clap! Clap!
---
The hall erupted.
---
But—
Whispers followed.
---
"Thirty-three? That's a lot…"
"Wasn't it only twenty-one last year?"
"Even Ebisu passed this time…?"
---
Then—
An older voice cut in quietly.
---
"Keep your voice down."
---
"This isn't a peaceful time."
---
"The village needs fresh blood."
---
The murmurs faded.
---
Ren remained silent.
---
He understood.
---
War was approaching.
---
The rules had changed.
---
---
Next—
It was his turn.
---
As the top student—
Ren was called to the stage.
---
He stepped forward calmly.
---
Last night—
He had spent two full hours preparing this speech.
---
Every word.
Every phrase.
---
Carefully crafted.
---
It aligned perfectly with the Will of Fire.
---
Not because he believed in it blindly—
But because he understood its importance.
---
This—
Was exposure.
---
This—
Was positioning.
---
---
He began speaking.
---
Clear.
Confident.
Measured.
---
He spoke of duty.
Of growth.
Of protecting the village.
---
He spoke like someone who belonged.
---
---
When he finished—
---
Thunderous applause filled the hall.
---
Rin clapped the hardest.
---
Aoi's eyes shone with pride.
---
---
Then—
Another figure stepped forward.
---
Hiruzen Sarutobi.
---
The Third Hokage.
---
With a gentle smile—
He personally handed out the Konoha headbands.
---
One by one—
Each student stepped forward.
---
Receiving—
---
Their identity.
---
Their future.
---
Their responsibility.
---
---
When it ended—
Parents began to leave.
Some returned to missions.
Others gathered to celebrate.
---
The students, however—
Stayed behind.
---
They were waiting.
---
For the next step.
---
Team assignments.
---
---
At that moment—
Oki-sensei approached Ren.
---
"Ren," he said quietly.
---
"Your situation is a bit special."
---
"The Hokage has instructed that you meet him at the training ground behind the building."
---
Ren blinked slightly.
---
"…Understood."
---
---
Under the curious—and slightly envious—gazes of others—
He stood up and left the auditorium.
---
---
Behind the Academy—
In the quiet training field—
---
Hiruzen Sarutobi was already waiting.
---
Pipe in hand.
Expression relaxed.
---
"You're here."
---
Ren approached and bowed slightly.
---
"Hokage-sama."
---
Hiruzen removed the pipe from his mouth.
---
"Let's not waste time."
---
"I'm here to fulfill my promise."
---
"To teach you—"
---
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique."
---
---
Ren's attention sharpened instantly.
---
Hiruzen continued calmly.
---
"This is a C-Rank Fire Release technique."
---
"Unlike the Great Fireball—"
---
"Which focuses on explosive power and range—"
---
"This technique emphasizes dispersion and sustained pressure."
---
---
Then—
---
The lesson began.
---
---
Hiruzen explained everything in simple terms.
---
Chakra flow.
Breathing rhythm.
Hand seals.
---
He even compared it to other techniques—
Including Great Fireball—
And Water Release.
---
His teaching was clear.
Precise.
Effortless.
---
This was the legendary—
Professor of Ninjutsu.
---
---
Finally—
---
He demonstrated.
---
"Watch carefully."
---
"Rat—Tiger—Dog—Ox—Hare—Tiger—"
---
His hands moved fluidly.
---
Then—
---
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
---
---
Whoosh—!
---
Multiple fireballs shot out.
---
Not in a straight line—
---
But in arcs.
---
Curved.
Tracking.
---
Like living flames.
---
They scattered—
---
Striking multiple targets.
---
Boom! Boom! Boom!
---
Each impact shattered the earthen dummies.
---
Efficient.
Controlled.
Deadly.
---
---
Ren's eyes narrowed.
---
So this is it…
---
And at that moment—
---
A new notification appeared.
[High-quality target detected: "Phoenix Sage Fire Technique"]
[Limited-time encounter mission triggered!]
Ren's lips curved slightly.
Perfect timing.
A new hunt had begun.
--------------------------------
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