The morning started with an unexpected surprise. As Ren stretched and prepared to rise, he suddenly felt a strange tingling sensation across his arms and legs—then, without warning, something splattered over his face and upper body. A thick, sticky substance dripped down his forehead.
Ink.
A soft giggle echoed in the room. Then another.
Two identical voices spoke in unison, full of amusement. "Good morning, sleepyhead!"
Ren wiped at his face, blinking furiously as he tried to clear his vision. His eyes darted around, landing on two mischievous-looking girls peeking from behind the doorway. They were identical, both with short dark hair and bright, curious eyes. Their grins were wide and utterly shameless.
"Who—?" Ren began, narrowing his eyes.
"We're Hina and Sayo!" one of them chirped.
"Grandpa Tetsuo's granddaughters!" the other added. "And you looked like the perfect target for a morning prank."
Ren groaned, looking down at himself. The ink had seeped into his clothes, staining them dark blue. He knew it would take a while to wash off.
The twins burst into laughter, holding onto each other as they watched his reaction. It was clear they had expected something far more dramatic, but Ren simply let out a slow exhale and rubbed his temples.
"Let me guess," he muttered. "A chakra-based ink technique?"
Hina clapped her hands. "You're sharp! We learned it from Grandpa! It's harmless… mostly."
Sayo grinned. "We wanted to see if you'd freak out more, but you're pretty calm. Guess we'll have to try something better next time!"
Ren sighed, already realizing that these two weren't going to leave him alone anytime soon. He couldn't help but feel a mix of annoyance and amusement. The twins were relentless, but there was something refreshing about their energy. Still, he made a mental note to stay on his guard—next time, he wouldn't be caught off guard.
From the other room, Tetsuo's voice called out, half exasperated, half indulgent. "Girls, don't torment our guest too much."
Hina pouted. "But Grandpa, he didn't even react properly!"
Sayo nodded. "Yeah, we need to test him again!"
Tetsuo let out a heavy sigh but didn't press them further. Ren could already tell—Tetsuo might have been an informant and a skilled shinobi, but when it came to his granddaughters, he was completely at their mercy.
As Ren finished cleaning up, Hayate, who had been watching from a corner with his arms crossed, finally spoke up. "You got careless, Ren. Just because you're in a peaceful environment doesn't mean you can lower your guard. A shinobi must always be aware of their surroundings."
Ren scowled slightly, rubbing more ink from his arm. "I'll keep that in mind."
Hayate smirked. "Good. Because I doubt this will be the last time those two try something on you."
After the morning commotion, Ren, still slightly stained with ink, found himself sitting at a low wooden table, the smell of freshly cooked rice, grilled fish, and miso soup filling the air. Tetsuo moved gracefully around the kitchen, setting out plates while the twins bounced into their seats, still grinning mischievously.
"Alright, eat up," Tetsuo said as he settled down. "You'll need the energy for today."
Ren picked up his chopsticks, still wary of his surroundings in case another prank was waiting for him. Hina and Sayo whispered to each other but seemed more focused on their meal—for now.
Tetsuo glanced at Ren. "I suppose I should properly introduce my granddaughters, though they already made quite the first impression. Hina and Sayo are both eight years old and currently attending the Ninja Academy. They're... spirited, as you've already seen."
"We're also top of our class in taijutsu!" Hina chimed in proudly.
Sayo nodded eagerly. "Grandpa teaches us in secret sometimes, too! He says we have potential."
Tetsuo chuckled, shaking his head. "I say a lot of things. But yes, they're learning quickly. And since you'll be training with me, they'll be joining in as well."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "They're going to be part of the training?"
"Of course!" Hina grinned. "It'll be fun!"
"And maybe we'll finally see you get flustered!" Sayo teased.
Ren sighed, realizing that breakfast was only the calm before another storm. He glanced at Hayate, who was quietly eating his meal, seemingly unfazed by all of this.
"This should be interesting," Ren muttered under his breath before taking a bite of his rice. He had a feeling things were about to get even more chaotic.
The morning sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the training field. Ren stood beside Hina and Sayo, the remnants of breakfast still lingering in the air. The twins had spent the meal teasing him mercilessly, but there was a playful edge to their banter that made it hard to stay annoyed. Still, Ren couldn't help but feel a little out of place. These two were clearly experienced, and he was just starting out.
Tetsuo stood in front of them, his arms crossed and his expression stern. He had a way of commanding attention without saying a word, and Ren found himself straightening his posture instinctively.
"Alright," Tetsuo began, his voice gruff but not unkind. "Taijutsu isn't just about throwing punches and kicks. It's about precision, timing, and using your body as a weapon. You need to be fast, strong, and smart. Got it?"
"Got it, Grandpa!" Sayo chirped, her grin wide and infectious. She elbowed Ren playfully. "Don't worry, Ren. We'll go easy on you."
Ren shot her a half-hearted glare. "Thanks, but I think I'll manage."
Hina rolled her eyes, her tone dry. "Don't tease him, Sayo. Everyone starts somewhere."
Tetsuo nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the group. "Hina's right. Taijutsu takes years to master, but with discipline and hard work, you'll get there. Now, let's start with the basics: footwork."
Ren clenched his fists, feeling the weight of expectations pressing down on him. He had been training for months, but this felt different. Tetsuo wasn't just teaching him how to fight—he was testing him. Ren couldn't afford to mess this up.
"I've been working harder than anyone knows," Ren thought, his determination flaring. "I'll show them I'm not just some beginner."
Tetsuo demonstrated the basic footwork, his movements fluid and precise. Each step was deliberate, calculated to maximize speed and balance. Ren watched closely, committing every detail to memory.
"Your feet are your foundation," Tetsuo explained. "If your footwork is sloppy, your entire technique falls apart. Now, you try."
Hina went first, her movements crisp and efficient. Sayo followed, her style more aggressive but still effective. Then it was Ren's turn.
Sayo smirked, unable to resist another jab. "Don't trip over your own feet, Ren!"
Ren ignored her, focusing on Tetsuo's instructions. He took a deep breath and began, his movements surprisingly smooth and controlled. His months of physical training had paid off—his footwork was faster and more precise than anyone expected.
Hina raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Huh. Not bad."
Sayo's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, what? Since when are you so fast?"
Ren couldn't help but smirk. "Guess I'm a quick learner."
Tetsuo nodded approvingly, though his expression remained stern. "Good. You've got potential. But don't get cocky—this is just the beginning."
As Ren practiced, Tetsuo watched him closely, his sharp eyes missing nothing. He had heard stories about Hayate's grandson, but seeing Ren in action was something else entirely.
"The kid's got speed," Tetsuo thought. "And his footwork is better than most beginners. But there's something else… something raw. He's holding back."
He noticed the way Ren's eyes darted around, analyzing every movement, every detail. It was the look of someone who had been trained to think, not just act.
"Hayate's been teaching him more than just the basics," Tetsuo realized. "This kid's got a sharp mind. If he can channel that into his Taijutsu, he'll be a force to reckon with.
As the training session continued, Hayate approached the group, his expression unreadable. "Tetsuo, I need to step out for a while. There are some people I need to meet. Keep an eye on Ren for me."
Tetsuo nodded. "Don't worry. He's in good hands."
Hayate gave Ren a brief nod before walking away, his cloak billowing behind him. Ren watched him go, a mix of curiosity and unease settling in his chest.
"Who is he meeting?" Ren wondered. "And why does it feel like he's hiding something?"
"Strikes are about more than just power," Tetsuo explained. "You need to focus on accuracy and timing. A well-placed strike can take down an opponent twice your size. Now, you try."
Hina and Sayo went first, their strikes clean and efficient. Then it was Ren's turn again. This time, he didn't hesitate. His strikes were fast and precise, his movements fluid and controlled.
Sayo grinned, clearly impressed. "Okay, I'll admit it. You're not half bad."
Hina smirked, her tone teasing but not unkind. "Don't let it go to your head, Ren. You've still got a long way to go."
Ren smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I'll take that as a compliment."
As the sun began to set, Tetsuo called an end to the training session. "Good work today. You've all got potential, but potential means nothing without hard work. Remember that."
Sayo grinned, her energy undiminished. "Don't worry, Grandpa. We'll make you proud."
Hina nodded, her expression serious but not unkind. "And we'll make sure Ren doesn't slack off."
Ren chuckled, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie. "I'll hold you to that."