Ren's system was simple. It didn't issue quests, had no exchange shops, and lacked any other special functions. Besides a few brief annotations, it only provided information on characters' strategies and their favorability.
For male characters, there was a bond route; for female characters, there was a strategy route.
The former granted rewards when bonds were established, while the latter was more complex, with two stages: a kiss and… well, something more intimate.
If Ren wanted, the latter could actually be simpler. But Ren wasn't a villainous person.
According to the system's favorability annotations, a stranger's favorability typically ranged between 55–60. Anything above 60 signified goodwill, above 70 meant friendship, and over 80 indicated a deep bond, suggesting the possibility of a romantic relationship.
When favorability reached 90, as in Shisui's case, the bond was unbreakable, with absolute trust and mutual reliance. At 95, it symbolized an undying, unwavering loyalty.
However, numbers were rigid, while people were living beings. These numbers only reflected a person's attitude—they didn't lock it in place.
Anything Ren said or did could cause these numbers to fluctuate.
He had learned this not long after acquiring the system.
Yūhi Kurenai's favorability sat at 40, a level of resentment. If it dropped any lower, it would likely reach a stage where she'd draw her weapon on sight.
Yet, Ren didn't regret what he had done.
As a ninja, he was already someone who excelled in all areas, adhering to the standards of a Jōnin. He could use basic genjutsu, and there were many strategies to counter it.
But after receiving the "Master of Genjutsu" reward, he realized how little he truly understood about genjutsu.
Before, it was like glimpsing only the tip of an iceberg. Now, it was as if he owned the entire mountain of ice.
Visual genjutsu, auditory genjutsu, tactile genjutsu, and binding illusions—all these techniques now resided in his mind. In essence, Ren had mastered every form of genjutsu except for those requiring special conditions to activate.
Where he was once skilled in taijutsu, he was now a true master of genjutsu.
Kurenai, however, might hold a grudge against him and could attempt some form of revenge.
He wasn't worried.
Root.
As usual, after reporting in, Ren was summoned by Danzo. This was the second time he had met Danzo since joining Root. His mentor, Kak, wasn't present.
"There's a mission I need to assign you," Danzo began bluntly, handing Ren a scroll. "Open it."
Ren accepted it with both hands, unrolling it to read.
The mission appeared straightforward: surveillance. But the target was someone unique. Or rather, sensitive.
Fugaku Uchiha.
"Monitoring the Uchiha has never ceased, but there are certain aspects we can't overstep," Danzo explained, as if deliberately filling Ren in on certain details.
"However, there's been a recent uptick in conflicts between the Uchiha and the villagers. I need you to closely monitor Fugaku's activities and gather intelligence to determine the cause."
"Do not expose yourself."
"...Understood," Ren replied, bowing his head.
Being tasked with monitoring the Uchiha clan leader? Such a peculiar mission couldn't help but prompt thoughts about Danzo's true intentions.
Setting aside the difficulty of executing the mission, Danzo certainly had other capable and trusted subordinates, like Ren's mentor, Kak. So why assign this to a newcomer like him?
Another test, perhaps.
But this time, it wasn't to probe his abilities or temperament; it was to gauge where his loyalties lay.
Ren had entered Root through Shisui, a member of the Uchiha clan, and it wasn't hard to imagine Danzo suspecting that Ren might be Shisui's spy, or even the Uchiha's spy.
Danzo likely intended to use this mission as a way to determine Ren's allegiance. And if Fugaku discovered Ren's presence, it would serve as a warning shot from Danzo to the Uchiha.
Petty political games.
Ren mused inwardly.
Compared to these hidden agendas, the mission itself seemed weak and tedious.
Later, Ren met up with Shisui and told him everything. They arranged to meet in the forest on the outskirts of Konoha.
Unlike Ren, Shisui's primary concern was Uchiha Fugaku.
"Aren't you going to tell him?" Ren asked.
"I've spoken to the clan leader many times, but each time I feel his resolve harden even more," Shisui replied, sighing. "This kind of pressure will only provoke him further. Ren, be very careful not to expose yourself during this mission."
Resolve? The resolve to rebel?
Ren didn't respond, silently watching Shisui.
"What's wrong?" Shisui asked, noticing Ren's unusual expression.
"You sure know how to give me tough tasks," Ren replied. "Fugaku is the head of the Uchiha. I'm just a chūnin."
"Ren," Shisui sighed, "I know your abilities. You'll be fine if you're cautious."
Ren leaned against a nearby tree. "And what happens if I do get exposed? The Hokage's ANBU are already monitoring the Uchiha day and night, and Danzo's forces are doing the same."
"The tension is becoming more apparent. It's only a matter of time before something erupts."
Shisui shook his head. "There's still room for negotiation."
"Negotiate with whom?" Ren scoffed. "The Hokage or the Uchiha clan leader?"
"The Hokage is willing to give the Uchiha a chance, but only if they don't rebel, right?" Ren pressed.
Shisui looked shocked. "Ren, how—"
"Guessed it," Ren said coolly. "You think the Hokage is being generous?"
"...The Hokage has shown remarkable patience with the Uchiha," Shisui said after a pause.
Ren smirked. "Has the Hokage done anything concrete to defuse the situation?"
"Instead, he's shifted the burden onto you and the Uchiha."
"He turns a blind eye to Danzo's actions but draws a hard line with the Uchiha. Is that the patience you're talking about?"
"Push someone to the edge, then claim they chose the path themselves, saying, 'I gave you a chance.' That's a politician's favorite tactic."
"Enough!" Shisui closed his eyes in frustration. "You're too biased, Ren."
Ren's gaze darkened. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't care about the Uchiha's fate."
"But if the Uchiha are wiped out for rebelling, what will you do, Shisui?"
"Will you be hailed as the hero who destroyed your own clan?"
"Or will you be the last remnant of a disgraced lineage?"
"Which label do you want to live with for the rest of your life?"
Shisui, resolute, replied, "The Uchiha will not rebel!"
"Oh?" Ren scoffed. "And what makes you so sure?"
Shisui's gaze hardened, as if he'd made a decision. "I'll change his mind."
"Change his mind?" Ren echoed.
"..." Shisui fell silent.
"And even if Fugaku changes his mind, will the village leaders stop distrusting the Uchiha?" Ren pressed. "Will Danzo relent? Will the villagers shed their prejudice? Will the Uchiha integrate peacefully?"
"Can you change any of that?"
"In the end, the problem won't be solved, and there will be another Uchiha leader, forced to repeat the same mistakes."
Shisui found himself speechless, unable to argue.
"These things can be fixed gradually," Shisui muttered, though with less confidence than before.
Ren's tone softened. "If Fugaku's resolve is hardening, doesn't that mean he's being cornered into this path? He might have considered other options before, but now he sees no way forward."
"The conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha can't be solved by just one side giving in."
"To truly solve this, both the village and the Uchiha must change. Expecting to fix everything by changing just one person is unrealistic."
Shisui looked up, staring at Ren. "How do we change them both?"
Ren's expression remained cold. "Then change two people."
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