"It's done!"
Ren finally withdrew his hands, the soft green glow fading from his palm as the last traces of chakra dissipated into the patient's body. The wound had stabilized beautifully—clean, controlled, and far beyond what a typical Genin should be capable of.
He exhaled slowly.
Just as he was about to nod in thanks, his peripheral vision caught something.
A figure standing slightly to the side.
Rin Nohara.
Her expression was calm… but there was a faint trace of disappointment hidden beneath it.
Ren paused.
His thoughts stirred.
Then he spoke.
"Lady Tsunade… what about Rin?"
---
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
Her golden-brown eyes shifted toward Rin, examining her briefly, before returning to Ren.
"Medical Squad spots are extremely limited," she said flatly. "Her level is decent—for a Genin. But it's nowhere near yours."
She crossed her arms.
"If you're willing to give your place to her… then I might consider it."
---
Rin froze.
Her eyes widened instantly.
"No, no, Lady Tsunade! Ren, I'm fine—really, I don't need—"
"Then there's no need."
Ren cut in calmly.
---
Tsunade blinked.
This time, she was genuinely surprised.
A faint smirk appeared on her lips, tinged with mockery.
"Oh?"
"I thought kids your age valued friendship above everything. Is your camaraderie really that shallow?"
---
Ren met her gaze directly.
"It's not shallow."
He spoke without hesitation.
"It's a decision based on overall benefit."
---
The room went quiet.
Even Shizune paused her movements.
Ren continued, his tone steady and rational.
"My aptitude is higher. That means I can learn more advanced medical techniques faster."
He glanced briefly at Rin before continuing.
"Once I learn them, I can teach her."
"But if she were chosen instead… she might not be able to reach that level, which means neither of us benefits as much."
He straightened slightly.
"So letting me in is the more efficient choice—for both of us."
A brief pause.
Then—
"Students in the Advanced Medical Class are allowed to exchange notes and techniques, right?"
---
Silence.
Tsunade stared at him.
Carefully.
Intently.
As if trying to peel away every layer of his thoughts.
This wasn't how a child should think.
Not at all.
After a few seconds, she spoke again.
"You two… are students of Minato Namikaze, aren't you?"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
"Hmph."
A faint snort escaped her.
"That kid Minato and I go way back…"
She waved her hand dismissively.
"Fine. For his sake—I'll take both of you in. Temporarily."
---
Rin's eyes lit up in disbelief.
Ren remained calm—but his shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.
---
Tsunade's expression turned serious again.
"But listen carefully."
Her voice sharpened.
"Two months from now, there will be an assessment."
She pointed directly at Rin.
"If this girl can't keep up—she's out."
Then her finger shifted to Ren.
"And you too."
---
"No exceptions."
---
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
Rin bowed deeply, her voice filled with gratitude.
Ren also bowed—but more lightly.
Tsunade waved them off impatiently.
"Enough. Shizune, take them next door. I'll be there shortly."
---
The Advanced Medical Class
The Advanced Medical Class was small.
Very small.
Including Ren and Rin, there were only seven or eight students in total.
This wasn't a typical classroom.
It was elite instruction.
Most of the students present were already twelve or thirteen years old—Chunin level or above.
Ren and Rin were the youngest.
---
When Tsunade entered the classroom, something changed.
Her previous impatience vanished.
Her posture straightened.
Her presence deepened.
---
Now—
She wasn't just Tsunade.
---
She was the greatest Medical Ninja in the world.
---
Her lecture began.
From the very first sentence, the level was overwhelming.
"Cell nuclei… regulate genetic expression…"
"Cell walls… maintain structural integrity…"
---
Yes.
Cell walls.
---
Ren blinked once.
People in this world… actually have cell walls?
That sounded ridiculous.
But—
No one questioned it.
It was treated as common knowledge.
---
Ren's mind worked quickly.
Probably related to the origin of chakra…
The influence of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki…
After all, humanity in this world was once connected to the God Tree.
Retaining some plant-like characteristics?
Strange.
But not impossible.
---
Meanwhile, Tsunade continued.
She spoke about physical vitality.
Regeneration mechanisms.
Chakra-driven cellular stimulation.
---
Every concept built upon the last.
Every explanation precise.
Clear.
Authoritative.
---
For most Genin…
This would be incomprehensible.
Like listening to a foreign language.
---
Rin was taking notes furiously.
Her pen moved rapidly across the page.
But even so—
She was struggling to keep up.
Her brows were slightly furrowed.
Her breathing shallow.
---
Ren, on the other hand—
Was completely focused.
Every word.
Every concept.
He absorbed it all.
---
This knowledge…
…can be applied to my Transformation Technique.
---
If he could perfect it—
If he could replicate not just appearance, but biological structure—
Then—
---
He could mimic entire bloodline traits.
---
The Uchiha clan.
The Hyuga clan.
Even more obscure families.
---
Tsunade's lecture continued, diving deeper.
"Bloodline Limits and genetic maps influence each other…"
She began listing examples.
The Uchiha.
The Hyuga.
The Kaguya Clan of the Hidden Mist.
---
Then—
Secret Technique Clans.
---
"The Inuzuka clan possess enhanced olfactory systems."
"The Aburame clan have bodies capable of hosting insects."
"The Ino–Shika–Chō families…"
---
Even without Kekkei Genkai—
Their bodies were fundamentally different.
---
That's why their techniques can't be easily replicated…
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
Unless…
---
Unless the body itself could be replicated.
---
The idea formed.
Incomplete.
But powerful.
---
If I combine this with Shadow Clones…
And sufficient chakra…
---
One person… could become an army.
---
Right now, his abilities were still crude.
Like children playing pretend.
But with this knowledge—
That could change.
---
After Class
The lecture finally ended.
The room felt heavy.
As if everyone had just survived a storm.
---
It was time for questions.
Ren walked directly to Tsunade.
Asked a few precise, targeted questions.
Then stepped back.
Satisfied.
---
Outside the hospital—
The sunlight felt warm.
Alive.
---
Just as they stepped out—
A loud voice rang out.
"Rin! Ren! Did you see Lady Tsunade?!"
---
They turned.
Under the shade of a tree stood a familiar figure.
Obito Uchiha.
His goggles rested on his forehead.
His face was covered in sweat and dust.
The ground around him bore scorch marks—evidence of repeated Fire Style practice.
---
"Yeah, we saw her."
Ren glanced at the sun.
"It's already noon."
He stretched slightly.
"Let's go eat."
---
Rin smiled faintly.
"Sounds good."
---
Obito grinned widely.
"My treat!"
He puffed out his chest proudly.
"Consider it thanks for saving me last time!"
He pointed forward dramatically.
"Let's go to Ichiraku Ramen!"
---
Ichiraku Ramen
After a long time—
Ren found himself standing in front of a familiar place.
Ichiraku Ramen.
---
For a moment—
He felt nostalgic.
---
If the system hadn't appeared…
Would I be working here right now?
---
Becoming a master ramen chef.
Living a peaceful life.
---
It wasn't a bad life.
But—
---
The world of shinobi was far bigger.
---
His thoughts drifted briefly.
That empty land next door… is it still unsold?
Maybe—
When his father returned from border duty—
Opening a small shop there wouldn't be a bad idea.
Safer.
Stable.
---
"…Your ramen is ready."
Teuchi smiled warmly as he placed steaming bowls on the table.
---
Obito was treating.
But Ren didn't overdo it.
He ordered a large bowl of tonkotsu ramen.
Rin chose seafood.
Obito—
Super spicy.
Of course.
---
Ren picked up his chopsticks.
Snapped them apart.
---
Just as he was about to eat—
The curtain behind them lifted.
---
Three figures walked in.
Dusty.
Travel-worn.
Fresh from a mission.
---
Ren glanced up.
Then paused.
---
What a coincidence.
---
It was Asuma's squad.
---
Among them—
A familiar face stepped forward.
Kurenai Yuhi.
Her gaze swept across the group before settling on Ren.
---
She walked over.
Sat beside him.
Then smiled softly.
---
"What a coincidence, Ren."
She glanced at Rin and Obito.
"How have you been lately?"
---
A brief pause.
Then—
---
"Has Minato-sensei been giving you any missions?"
--------------------------------
"Free readers are still behind… but Patreon members are already ahead 😏
Catch up now [patreon.com/Samurai492 ]"
__________________________________