Three months had passed since that intense training session with Utakata, and Ren continued to develop, fueled by the network of relationships he was building. During this time, he honed his abilities, improving in many areas but not without sacrifices.
At the Academy, the end-of-semester evaluations tested every student, aiming to measure progress and identify emerging talents.
"The village is looking for potential candidates to join the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist," Fujimoto-sensei announced one day in class.
This news ignited the interest of many students, including Ren. Though he tried not to stand out too much, he wanted to compete for the opportunity.
The recruitment project had been in the works for a while. However, the death of the Third Mizukage and the initial unrest during Yagura's rise to power had delayed the process. Now the village was determined to find worthy candidates for the legendary seven swords.
"This is a great opportunity. If I could obtain one of the seven swords, my development would advance by leaps and bounds," Ren thought. "I need to be smart: show potential without overdoing it, keeping a few aces up my sleeve."
During the first-semester exams, Ren distinguished himself with his skills, ranking fourth, just behind Shinji, Hiroshi, and Yukiko. He deliberately lost to Hiroshi but did so with dignity, playing the role of a cautious strategist rather than an aggressive fighter.
The weekly training sessions with Utakata had become a cornerstone of Ren's growth. Each sparring match was a trial that pushed him beyond his limits. Utakata, despite his friendly demeanor, proved to be a strict and meticulous sparring partner, capable of highlighting every weakness and encouraging Ren to think more creatively.
Over the past three months, Ren had learned to better utilize his mist-based techniques, combining Utakata's teachings with those of Ganryu. Now, he used the mist not just to hide but to force his opponents to move where he wanted them to.
"Don't just hide," Utakata had told him. "Make your opponent move according to your plan."
During these sessions, Ren decided to reveal his skill with seals to Utakata, integrating them into his fighting style. This decision, made to further earn Utakata's trust, also proved strategic in increasing his experience with combined techniques.
"I need to make seals an integral part of my style," Ren reflected, "and I want Utakata to know that I trust him."
Over time, their bond grew, and Utakata came to see Ren as a trustworthy friend. Meanwhile, Ren worked diligently to better mask his chakra, an ability in which he was showing significant progress.
Every evening, Ren consistently dedicated himself to training with Kurara. Though he had yet to decipher the mystery of her chakra issues, he made an intriguing discovery during a sparring session: his genjutsu seemed to have no effect on her. This led him to two possible conclusions: either Kurara possessed a rare, undocumented kekkei genkai, or her chakra meridians functioned differently.
Kurara, for her part, began to show significant improvements in chakra control. However, she continued to struggle with jutsu execution, finding it incredibly difficult to complete even basic techniques.
Ren's relationship with Tatsumi had evolved into a genuine collaboration. He was no longer just a student but also a trusted assistant for fuinjutsu-related tasks. This allowed him to apply his knowledge in practical contexts, improving both his precision and speed in executing seals.
During these three months, Ren achieved a basic mastery of the Finger Carving Seal. While he wasn't yet capable of creating complex seals with absolute precision, he could effectively trace simple seals, both visible and invisible.
With Ganryu's return from his mission, Ren enthusiastically resumed kenjutsu training under his guidance. Initially skeptical about Ren's progress, Ganryu couldn't help but be impressed by the boy's growth.
The kid has improved a lot, Ganryu thought as he observed Ren during an exchange. I was gone for just one mission, and he's already showing greater proficiency in real combat.
But true to his style, Ganryu wasn't one to openly praise. "I expected a bit more from you," he said sarcastically, crossing his arms. "Looks like you've been slacking off these past months."
Ren suppressed a smile, recognizing his master's intent. I wasn't born yesterday. He's just trying to motivate me, he thought. Well, I can't wait to see his face when I finally manage to land a hit on him.
Despite Ganryu's words, Ren knew his master was attuned to the progress he'd made. And he, for his part, hadn't forgotten the promise: learning the Kage Bunshin once he managed to land a hit on Ganryu during a sparring session. That challenge had become a constant source of motivation to push his limits.
Present Day
Sitting by the lake, Ren reflected on all he had learned in the past few months.
"My style is starting to take shape," he thought. "Thanks to Utakata, I've been able to refine many of my mistakes. But I still can't land a solid hit on Ganryu-sama like I want to."
As he stared at the water, Ren began formulating a new strategy. "I need to create a favorable environment. I could prepare seals in advance and place them in strategic locations to force him where I want. Of course, Ganryu will notice them, so I'll need to mask them with overlapping seals or create distractions."
Focusing, he swiftly performed a series of hand seals, creating a powerful jet of water that surged from the lake's surface—much stronger than his previous attempts. Adding additional seals, he mixed small stones into the stream, increasing the speed and range of the technique. Some of those stones transformed into kunai with explosive tags, ready to catch the opponent off guard.
Ren watched the results with a satisfied smile. "Not perfect yet, but enough to distract Ganryu and set up my next move."
As Ren headed home, something caught his attention. "Kurara?" he murmured, spotting her walking leisurely through the village streets with a skewer of yakitori in hand. She chewed calmly, seemingly lost in thought, her gaze wandering across the stalls.
Ren observed her for a moment, puzzled. She should be at my mom's shop by now. What's she doing here? he wondered, deciding to follow her.
Just as he was about to approach and greet her, Kurara entered a shop, unaware of his presence. Ren stopped and glanced at the sign above the entrance: Silken Blossoms Boutique. It was a women's clothing store.
Strange... I've never seen her interested in this kind of thing, Ren thought, cautiously moving closer. Curiosity got the better of him, and he leaned in to peek through the entrance but before he could get a good look, a voice startled him.
"I didn't know spying was part of your skillset, Mizutani."
Ren nearly jumped out of his skin, stumbling slightly. He spun around to see Yukiko, her usual cold and analytical gaze fixed on him. With her arms crossed and one eyebrow raised, she looked both amused and intimidating.
"N-no! I wasn't spying!" Ren stammered, his face turning crimson. "I was just... uh... checking on Kurara!"
"Oh, really?" Yukiko replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Because it looked like you were staring at the entrance with a rather suspicious expression."
Ren raised his hands as if surrendering. "I swear, it's not what it looks like! I was just… waiting!"
"Sure, sure," Yukiko replied, her lips curling into a faint smirk. "You know, next time, you might as well bring binoculars. It'll make the spying more professional."
Ren opened his mouth to retort, but before he could say anything, the shop door opened, and Kurara stepped out, holding a paper bag decorated with floral patterns.
"Oh, there you are. I was looking for you," she said to Yukiko, completely oblivious to the tension in the air. Then she noticed Ren. "Hi, Ren," she greeted him in her usual calm tone, utterly unaware of the embarrassment painted on his face.
Yukiko seized the opportunity to escalate the situation. "You know, Kurara, I think Ren was very curious about this store. Maybe he wanted to try something on."
Kurara tilted her head slightly, genuinely considering the statement. "Oh, I didn't know you wanted to try on women's clothing, Ren," she said, her tone entirely innocent and free of malice, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Ren's eyes widened as his cheeks burned brighter. "N-no! That's not true!" he protested, raising his hands defensively. "This is all a misunderstanding! I wasn't… I didn't mean… It's not what it looks like!"
Kurara observed him for a moment and then added, "But it's an interesting idea. I'm sure we could find something that suits you."
Ren groaned, covering his face with his hands. Why me? he thought, feeling the situation spiraling further out of control.
Meanwhile, Yukiko was clearly enjoying herself. "You know, Ren, I think a nice floral kimono would suit you perfectly," she said, her tone sharp and laced with sarcasm.
Kurara, still misunderstanding the context, turned to Yukiko with genuine curiosity. "I thought this store only had women's clothing. Do they have kimonos for men?"
"For Ren, I'm sure they'd make an exception," Yukiko replied, her smirk widening.
Ren, now thoroughly exasperated, decided it was time to retreat. "Anyway! What are you two doing here? Kurara, shouldn't you be at my mom's shop?"
"Oh, your mom gave me money to buy a new outfit," Kurara explained casually. "I've never been to a women's clothing store, so I asked Yukiko to help me."
Yukiko nodded, adding with an amused tone, "And I must say, she adapted surprisingly well. But you, Ren, what exactly were you doing here?"
Ren rubbed the back of his neck, desperately searching for an excuse. "Uh… I was just passing by," he said, avoiding eye contact.
Kurara nodded with a small smile. "Well, that's lucky. Maybe you could help us pick an accessory for my new outfit."
Ren sighed, desperate to escape. "Well, it looks like you have everything under control. I… uh… have an appointment with Aoi for some training. Yes, that's right! He's waiting for me at the training grounds!" he said hastily, taking a step back.
Kurara gave him a puzzled look. "But didn't Aoi said he'd be at the hospital with his father this afternoon?"
"Uh… yes! But he finishes early, and he wanted to get some practice in. You know how diligent he is," Ren improvised, waving his hands. "Anyway, enjoy your shopping! See you later!" With that, he quickly turned and walked away, trying to maintain what little dignity he had left.
Just as he was about to round the corner, Yukiko's voice reached him like a dagger. "You know, Ren, if you change your mind, you could always come back and check out some accessories. A nice decorative fan might suit you."
Ren froze for a moment, clenching his fists as his face burned red once more. "Thanks, but I'll pass!" he called back without turning around, disappearing as quickly as possible.
Kurara looked at Yukiko, slightly confused. "Do you really think a decorative fan would suit him?" she asked, her tone genuinely curious.
Yukiko chuckled lightly, crossing her arms. "Kurara, sometimes I think you're too straightforward for your own good… or maybe you're just sharper than you let on."
Still flustered, Ren made his way to the Academy library, determined to shake off the embarrassment. The quiet atmosphere of the library offered him the perfect place to refocus. Among the dusty shelves filled with scrolls and books, Ren began his search for techniques that could aid him in his upcoming sparring session with Ganryu.
He sifted through various techniques of D and E ranks, jotting down notes on anything that seemed promising. One technique, in particular, caught his attention: the Manipulated Shuriken Technique. Its simplicity intrigued him. The technique allowed the user to control shuriken mid-air using fine chakra threads, altering their trajectory to strike from unexpected angles.
"This could be interesting. If I can combine it with explosive tags or other distractions, Ganryu might not see it coming," Ren thought, grabbing the scroll to study it further.
He spent the afternoon immersed in the scroll, taking detailed notes and visualizing how he might incorporate the technique into his strategy. Though ranked as a D-level jutsu for its simplicity, Ren recognized its potential to become a powerful tool with the right creativity.
Returning home as the sun dipped below the horizon, Ren sat down for dinner with Yuki and Kurara. The warm aroma of miso soup filled the room, creating a comforting atmosphere. They chatted about mundane topics, the usual rhythm of their evenings together.
"So, how was your shopping trip today, Kurara?" Yuki asked casually as she served the soup.
Ren, mid-sip, froze. The question hit him like a kunai. His face flushed as he tried to focus on the miso in front of him, keeping his head low to avoid eye contact.
"It was nice," Kurara replied in her usual calm tone. "Yukiko helped me pick out a dress. It was fun."
Yuki smiled warmly. "I'm glad to hear that. I hope you found something you liked. What kind of dress did you choose?"
"Something simple, but Yukiko said it suits me," Kurara answered with natural ease, unaware of the tension emanating from Ren. Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, "Oh, and Ren seemed interested in shopping too."
Ren nearly choked on his soup. He coughed, trying to recover, avoiding the questioning gazes of both Yuki and Kurara. No, no, no. This isn't happening, he thought, fighting to maintain his composure.
"Really?" Yuki asked, her curiosity piqued. "Ren, you didn't mention anything. What caught your eye?"
"Uh… nothing important!" Ren said quickly, standing up with urgency. "I just remembered—I need to check on something in my room. Thanks for dinner!" Without waiting for a response, he excused himself and hurried away.
Yuki and Kurara exchanged a glance as Ren disappeared upstairs.
"Do you think he wanted to try something on?" Kurara asked innocently.
Yuki stifled a laugh, shaking her head. "Oh, Kurara, with Ren, you never know."
---
In the safety of his room, Ren let out a long sigh, leaning back against his chair. I really need to get better at handling these situations, he thought, rubbing his temples.
Deciding to distract himself, Ren pulled out a box containing shuriken, chakra threads, and explosive tags. He spread them out on his desk, examining each tool with care. I need to test this combination before trying it against Ganryu, he thought, sketching out potential patterns and setups.
His mind drifted to the Manipulated Shuriken Technique he had studied earlier. He envisioned shuriken moving unpredictably through the air, enhanced by his seals. This time, Ganryu won't underestimate me, he thought with a determined smile.
He was still lost in his plans when a sudden knock echoed through the house, breaking his concentration. At first, Ren assumed someone was calling for him from the hallway, but the sound came from the front door.
"Ren, could you get that?" Yuki called from the kitchen, busy tidying up after dinner. Kurara, helping her, looked up curiously but remained silent.
Ren stood, slightly puzzled. Visitors at this hour were unusual. He walked to the front door, his footsteps echoing in the quiet evening. Slowly, he reached for the handle and opened the door, the dim light from outside spilling into the house.
[ Hi there! Ito-kun here ^.^
Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63, ao2_6309, Red7o3, Nuswa, DaoistZxKiQq , Braden_T, Cordell_Clinton, Ian_Clark_6978, BagusPardana, Diegoa, Desert_Dust0 , DaoistDW5XU4, Daoist9Qy0Nv, DaoistAZmi17, Malar, AKIB19, Overlord_Of_KARMA GeorgiusKARA and Miguel_024!
Sincerely Thanks and remember about the Power Stones, these are the motivation for my work :)
This time will be the new release date ^.^]