A month had passed since the incident with Utakata, but for Ren, it felt like a lifetime. The days began early, following the ritual of training in the courtyard. The 20 kg weights, gradually reintroduced after his recovery, had returned as a regular part of his routine. The familiar whistle of kunai slicing through the air blended with the sounds of the village awakening. For Ren, these moments represented a sense of stability.
"Don't overdo it," Aoi commented one morning during a break at the academy, watching as Ren rubbed his arm. "My dad says you should still be resting."
"I'm fine," Ren replied, wiping the sweat from his brow with a quick motion. "I can't afford to fall behind."
Jun'ko, standing nearby, rolled her eyes. "Typical of you two. One worries too much, the other doesn't worry enough."
Their conversation was interrupted by Fujimoto-sensei, who called them to order. That week, his lessons seemed to follow a specific theme.
"Today we'll revisit the Water Barrier," he announced in his strict tone. "A ninja must be able to defend themselves in any situation."
Fujimoto demonstrated the technique with the precision that defined him. His hands moved swiftly through the seals, and a crystalline wall of water rose from the training pool.
"Mi, Hitsuji, Tora," he explained. "It requires chakra control to maintain stability. But, as you know, no technique is perfect. Can anyone tell me the weaknesses of this technique?"
The students began to answer. Kaori, speaking confidently, observed, "It only protects you from the front, so you always need to position it between yourself and the enemy."
Aoi, more reflective, added, "Mobility! If you're forced to move, it's hard to use."
Fujimoto gave a faint smile. "Correct. But there are ways to address these weaknesses. The first is to create a water clone that can perform the barrier. This allows the user to maintain mobility and defend from other angles. The second is to use the barrier on the move, adapting it to your movements. A third, more versatile option, is to combine the two: creating a moving barrier and adding a second clone to strengthen the defense."
Fujimoto then paired the students up to practice creating a moving water barrier, challenging them to keep it stable while moving. The room filled with attempts, some successful, others less so.
In one corner, Jun'ko and Shinji trained together. "Don't think you'll get away with that fancy technique of yours!" Jun'ko teased, noticing Shinji's attempt to incorporate coral into the barrier.
"Fancy? This is the Super Karachi Coral Barrier!" Shinji declared in a tone that was half-serious, half-boastful, as he admired his work with a smug grin. "Meanwhile, you seem more interested in splashing water everywhere, Jun'ko."
At that moment, an unexpected jet of water struck Jun'ko in the face, making her shiver and leaving her momentarily speechless. "Oh, you're dead!" she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with determination as she chased Shinji around the room. He laughed while dodging her, but Jun'ko's resolve only made the scene more hilarious. Just as the chaos seemed to escalate, Shinji deftly slipped between Yukiko and Ren, who were practicing together.
"Don't worry, Ren," Shinji said with a sly grin, turning to Jun'ko. "I've found my human shield."
Jun'ko stopped abruptly, glaring at Ren for a moment. "You're lucky Ren is still recovering; otherwise, you wouldn't stand a chance," she said, crossing her arms and huffing.
Ren shook his head, stifling a laugh. "Don't worry about me, Jun'ko. I can still dodge a few hits." Yukiko raised a water barrier, her cold expression softened by a hint of irony. "If you keep this up, Shinji, I'll have to add you to today's list of problems," she said in her usual sharp tone.
Shinji responded with a bow, his smugness barely concealed. "Always at the service of the class," he said with a sly smile. Fujimoto-sensei, observing from a distance, shook his head with a faint smile before calling everyone back to order.
In the afternoon, Ren's training with Tatsumi was equally intense. With Ganryu on a mission, Ren no longer limited himself to Sunday sessions but visited the master every afternoon. Tatsumi seemed to appreciate Ren's consistent presence and often involved him in requests for seals from villagers. For Ren, who was honing his chakra control more and more, these activities were an excellent opportunity to put his skills into practice.
While Ren worked with Tatsumi, Kurara was already helping at Yuki's shop. She didn't do it out of obligation but because she felt comfortable around Yuki, as if the house had become a little hers too.
"Finger Carving Seal—do you know it?" Tatsumi asked one afternoon while preparing a scroll with fluid movements.
Ren hesitated for a moment. "I think I read something about it in the tomes you gave me," he said thoughtfully. It was a half-truth; he had seen it countless times in Naruto, but he preferred not to seem overly knowledgeable.
"It's an advanced technique," Tatsumi explained. "It allows you to focus chakra into the tip of your finger to inscribe on any surface.
Ren nodded, but Tatsumi wasn't finished. "Soon, you'll be able to try it," the master continued, fixing him with a firm gaze. "I'll show you how to concentrate chakra, but the rest will be up to you. You'll have to apply your knowledge and replicate what you do with ink—this time using chakra."
At the end of an especially intense day, something unexpected happened. Ren was walking home after saying goodbye to Aoi and Jun'ko. Their lighthearted conversation had distracted him, but as he passed through one of the narrower village streets, he felt a shiver run down his spine. Someone was watching him.
Ren slowed his pace, trying to act naturally. Feigning nonchalance, he changed direction, heading into a side alley. The footsteps behind him mirrored his movements. There was no doubt—he was being followed.
Calmly, he picked up his pace slightly and, taking advantage of a sharp turn, disappeared around a corner. Holding his breath, he leaned against the wall and listened. The footsteps stopped, but whoever it was didn't approach. After a minute of silence, Ren cautiously resumed his walk home, remaining alert.
"Who could it be?" he wondered.
He hadn't sensed an immediate threat, but the idea of being watched annoyed him. Yet, the situation reminded him of something: the incident with Utakata had not been in vain. It had made him more aware of details, more attuned to subtle cues. Even though he hated to admit it, that crisis had sharpened his instincts in ways he'd never had before.
As Ren approached his home, the ever-present fog seemed heavier, mirroring the lingering doubts about his mysterious observer. After a quiet dinner with Yuki and Kurara—where his mother's unusual protectiveness surfaced as she urged him to eat more and rest enough—Ren retired to his room. Summoning his notebook from a scroll, he began jotting down ideas and reflections from the day.A knock on the door interrupted his focus. With a quick motion, Ren closed the notebook and tucked it away in the scroll. "You've learned to knock," he commented, raising an eyebrow as Kurara entered with her usual determined demeanor.
"Yuki told me to," Kurara replied matter-of-factly, stepping into the room anyway. "Though honestly, I don't see the point if I'm coming in anyway."
Ren shook his head, stifling a wry smile. He remained silent, knowing some battles with Kurara were pointless. Kurara crossed her arms, her gaze resolute. "I want to fight," she declared, leaving no room for doubt about her intentions.
Ren paused for a moment. It was true—since the incident, they hadn't sparred. Perhaps it was time. Without another word, he nodded and stood.
Minutes later, they found themselves in the courtyard, illuminated by moonlight. No words, no hesitation. The two began their friendly duel.
[ Hi there! Ito-kun here ^.^
Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63, ao2_6309, Diegoa, Desert_Dust0 , DaoistDW5XU4, Malar, AKIB19 and Miguel_024!
let me know what do you think in the comment and remember about the Power Stones, these are the motivation for my work :)]