"Kakashi-senpai! Kakashi-senpai!"
…
"Nara-senpai, let's chat for a bit!"
…
"Uncle Ichiraku, two bowls of ramen — and let's talk!"
…
"No one's talking to me?"
Ren looked at the people who hurried away every time they saw him. He sighed and shifted his gaze to the distance.
"Come on, little Pakkun, let's chat for a bit."
Even roadside dogs weren't safe from his conversations.
Pakkun turned his head to look at Ren.
In his dog eyes… there was unmistakable human-like disgust.
Then he turned and walked away.
"Don't go! Teach me how to carve a dog head into Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
"Does that count as 'dog-head life insurance'?!"
Tap tap tap.
Unfortunately, Pakkun bolted and disappeared in a flash.
Only Ren remained sitting on the village street, staring sadly at the sinking sun.
From morning until now — over ten hours — he hadn't copied a single trait.
He talked to plenty of people…
But every copy attempt failed.
"Is today just bad luck or something?"
Just then, the system popped up a notification.
[Congratulations to the host for sunbathing for 666 minutes. Chakra +666.]
"Six-six-six?! Seriously, System? You're not even pretending anymore!"
Ren's face darkened as he turned and headed back toward the clan grounds.
"Woof woof."
But interestingly, on his way back, a group of dogs led by Pakkun suddenly chased after him.
Seven or eight pugs and Akitas surrounded his legs, affectionately rubbing against him.
Ren froze.
"Huh? I don't remember copying Kakashi's summoning trait?"
"Don't tell me Kakashi thinks sending a dog over can shut my mouth?"
Three minutes later.
"Pakkun… you're kinda squishy."
And honestly — who doesn't love puppies?
Cute. Soft. Squishy puppies.
Ten minutes later.
When Ren returned to the clan compound holding a puppy in his arms, a burly man stood at the entrance.
In his hand was a long stick.
On it were clearly printed the words: 'Seven Wolves.'
Uchiha Fugaku.
When he saw Ren, his face darkened even further.
"Hmph. Ren!"
"Present!"
Fugaku: …
"What exactly did you do to Sasuke?!"
His voice carried suppressed anger.
Over the years, knowing Ren's talent, he usually only observed quietly and rarely interfered.
But now it involved his other son.
That crossed the line.
"Sasuke? What did he do?"
Ren casually rubbed Pakkun's head, confused.
Didn't old man just beat the second pillar this morning already?
"Hmph! Since morning, that kid's been yelling about sunbathing to get stronger!"
"Saying nonsense like 'sunlight makes me stronger' while laughing like an idiot — even claiming he wants to become Hokage!"
"Listen to that! A child of the Uchiha wants to become Hokage?!"
"No matter how much I beat him, he wouldn't listen! He even said he'd rather die on the top of the wall!"
As he spoke, Fugaku angrily raised the stick and swung it down—
"Woof! Woof! Awoooo!"
…and smacked Pakkun instead.
Ren shamelessly shifted Pakkun out of the way and softly suggested:
"Uh… maybe I should go talk to him?"
"Hmph! Go!"
"If you can't talk him back to normal tonight — then we're having dog meat for dinner!"
With that, Fugaku flicked his sleeve and left.
Three- or four-year-old kids were at their most troublesome anyway.
Might as well dump the problem onto Ren.
Who knows — maybe another genius might pop out.
Behind Ren, Pakkun curled his tail tightly.
Why was he suddenly the one getting eaten?!
He didn't understand.
He really didn't understand.
And suddenly felt this mission might be a little dangerous…
…
Three minutes later.
On the clan head's courtyard wall.
A tiny figure stood atop the wall, howling at the sky.
"The sky is clear! The rain has stopped! I, Uchiha Sasuke, am going to become Hokage!!"
Sasuke shouted toward the sunset, repeating exactly what Ren had casually said before.
Then, just like he remembered Ren doing, he shoved his hand into his hair, covered his face, and burst into wild laughter.
"Hahahahaha! Hahaha!"
"About seventy percent accurate. But your voice is too childish, your mouth doesn't open wide enough, and your throat isn't laughing deeply enough."
Ren's commentary drifted up lazily from below.
He shook his head, holding Pakkun in his arms, seven yawning dogs trailing behind him.
Who would've thought that a joke meant to tease the second pillar would actually stick in the kid's head?
Now the second pillar wasn't destroying the village anymore…
He wanted to become Hokage instead!
Then what about Naruto?!
"Y-you you you—why did you suddenly come back?!"
Getting caught like this felt like being seen wetting the bed by your mortal enemy.
Sasuke's face flushed bright red as he turned his head away stubbornly.
He refused to look down.
Until Ren gently rubbed the dog's head and asked softly:
"So… Sasuke also wants to become as strong as your big brother?"
"Huh?"
Sasuke had never heard Ren speak so gently before.
He hesitated — then stubbornly shook his head in refusal.
"By the way, about yesterday's shuriken—"
Ren casually flicked a metal shard.
It sliced through the air in seven sharp zigzag arcs, shredding the distant target into splinters.
"You want to reach this level, right?"
Gulp.
Sasuke stared at the exploding wood fragments, swallowing hard.
He was completely tempted.
That flashy shuriken technique had been stabbing straight into his heart these past two days.
After struggling internally for a moment, he muttered softly:
"O-okay… but you begged me, alright?! Even if I get stronger, I'll still beat you up!"
"At most… I'll beat you a little lighter…"
Agreed?
Good. Very good.
Ren dragged things out a bit.
[After talking with Uchiha Sasuke for ten minutes, attempting to copy trait…]
[Copy failed. Chakra +1.]
Failed again?!
What was wrong with today?!
If talking didn't work — then it was time to raise the intensity!
Ren grinned and patted Pakkun.
"Release the dogs. Bite him."
Sasuke: ???
Pakkun: WOOF!!! 🐶
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