"Hokage-sama… isn't that a bit exaggerated?"
From what the examiner had just said, this overly energetic kid had already been rejected once last year—and now again this year.
Clearly—
He belonged to the "untalented" category.
Even if he barely got in, he'd likely end up as nothing more than cannon fodder Genin.
Shikaku looked at the utterly unremarkable boy in front of him—
Might Dai.
Thick eyebrows.
Watermelon haircut.
Ridiculous green training suit.
This guy…
Could kick the First Hokage to death?
What kind of absurd joke was this?
The entire Shinobi War had started because the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, suddenly died.
If he were still alive—
He alone could crush the entire shinobi world.
"Exaggerated?"
Ren tilted his head.
"Yeah… maybe a little."
"He'd still need support. Like Tobirama Senju as a top-tier support unit."
"With that combo… one Hashirama probably wouldn't be enough."
"Maybe two."
"…"
Shikaku shut his mouth immediately.
This was getting more ridiculous by the second.
Second Hokage as a support?
Kicking two First Hokage-level fighters to death?
If this wasn't the Hokage speaking—
He would've already had someone dragged off to ANBU for interrogation.
Some things—
Weren't jokes.
But since it was the Hokage—
He endured.
"There are always a few ordinary people in this world."
"No talent. Nothing special."
"Yet through sheer effort and persistence…"
"They climb to the very top."
"And by the time you look up again—"
"You can't even see their back anymore."
Ren patted Shikaku 's shoulder and delivered a perfectly polished speech.
In this world—
The only ones who could reach Six Paths-level through pure effort—
Were probably Might Dai and his son.
Everyone else—
Either relied on bloodline or divine intervention.
Ren?
He'd rely on… something else entirely.
—
He walked toward Might Dai.
At this moment—
Dai was crying like a fountain.
Clinging to the examiner while shouting about youth and passion.
The scene was both awkward—
And ridiculous.
"You really want to become a ninja?"
Ren asked.
Dai froze.
Then turned—
And saw him.
"Hokage-sama?!"
His eyes lit up instantly.
Target changed.
He lunged—
"Hokage-sama! I really want to become a ninja! My youth—!"
Ren stepped back immediately.
That robe was a nightmare to clean.
"I get it."
"You passed."
"You're accepted into the Academy."
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
Tears doubled.
Dai tried to hug him again.
Ren shot Shikaku a glance.
Shikaku stepped forward—
And took the full impact of Dai's "youth."
"…!"
"Listen carefully!"
Ren raised his voice, turning to the crowd.
"The Will of Fire means—"
"Anyone can become a great ninja through effort!"
"A true ninja must possess—"
And just like that—
He launched into an impassioned speech.
Flawless delivery.
Effort.
Hope.
Will of Fire.
He could say it all without thinking.
Dai was completely fired up.
His tears—
Reached a new level.
Ren was mildly concerned he might dehydrate.
Still—
If Dai really grew into his future self—
This moment would likely become legendary.
A tale of Hokage Ren recognizing hidden talent.
—
Ren wrapped up quickly.
Then—
Left.
Because he noticed—
Dai's target was shifting back to him again.
—
Back inside the Academy—
Ren casually hummed a tune.
The melody was light.
Shikaku even found himself swaying along.
"…Hokage-sama sings pretty well."
"Shikaku ."
"Which class is Tsunade in?"
Shikaku led him to a classroom.
Inside—
The teacher was lecturing passionately.
On the side—
Jiraiya was dozing off.
Orochimaru was listening attentively.
And Tsunade—
Was reading something… suspicious.
Her fingers moved subtly.
Ren thought she was practicing hand seals—
Until—
She pulled out dice.
"…Of course."
Shikaku coughed awkwardly.
He had heard rumors.
Seeing it firsthand—
Was something else.
Ren stepped forward.
"Anyone sleeping or gambling—stand at the back!"
Tsunade jumped up instantly.
Jiraiya—
Still asleep.
The class exploded.
"Hokage-sama?!"
The atmosphere transformed immediately.
From boring lecture—
To fan meeting.
Ren handed out a few autographs.
Things nearly got out of control—
Until the teacher restored order.
—
Back at the Hokage Office—
"Allocate resources to Might Dai."
"Especially taijutsu—special funding."
"Medicinal baths. Recovery medicine."
"Monthly supply."
Ren spoke decisively.
A future Six Paths-level fighter—
Was worth the investment.
"And… ask about the Eight Gates."
"Who created it?"
Shikaku nodded.
"…Understood."
But in his mind—
A strange thought surfaced again.
Could he really… kick the First Hokage to death?
"…No."
"Impossible."
He shook his head.
—
Ren, meanwhile, flipped through system missions.
Combat missions?
Skip.
Ridiculous lifestyle missions?
Skip.
Then—
He paused.
Two options:
Entertainment.
Food control.
"…Entertainment first."
He leaned back.
A grin forming.
"Shikaku ."
"What do you think about Konoha making movies?"
"…Movies?"
"Ninja acting skills are top-tier."
"Disguise, infiltration—we're professionals."
"The nobles' films are garbage."
"Outdated. Black and white."
"We dominate technology—"
"And content."
"We lead the industry."
"And…"
"Create jobs."
Shikaku blinked.
This…
Was not normal Hokage work.
Still—
He thought carefully.
Then said cautiously—
"…What kind of movies?"
"…Adult ones?"
Ren froze.
…Wait.
That actually made sense.
Shadow clones.
Transformation technique.
One actor—
Multiple roles.
Cost—
Basically zero.
Profit—
Terrifying.
But—
He still had some dignity left.
"…Not that."
"…But if you want to do it—"
"I can fund you."
"…No! Absolutely not!"
Shikaku refused immediately.
He still had a reputation to maintain.
Ren nodded.
"…Then we make war films."
"Real ninja battles."
"Real destruction."
"No special effects needed."
"The Shinobi War is still fresh."
"We ride the momentum."
He had already chosen the direction.
And then—
He smiled slightly.
"The script…"
"I already have an idea."
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