Seeing their expressions shift from surprise to bewilderment, Mito spoke again with a faint smile. "He was a Special Jonin. His specialty was stealth and infiltration, which is how he managed to slip into Konoha—and even into my home."
Mito spoke slowly, her voice steady and rhythmic, as if she were discussing a perfectly mundane affair.
"So, his actual combat capability was below that of a standard Jonin?" Ren asked.
"Correct," Mito nodded. "It is fortunate his direct strength was lacking, otherwise all three of you would have been in grave danger. You must not be so impulsive in the future. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am..."
The two boys quickly offered their reassurances. Satisfied, Mito smiled and produced a scroll, handing it to them. "These are some practical sealing techniques. Take them and study well."
Minato took the scroll, offered his thanks, and walked with Ren over to where Kushina was training.
Kushina had been waiting for them to finish. Heaven knew how bored she was training here alone. When she saw Minato approaching, she wanted to run over and talk, but fearing a scolding from Mito, she had suppressed the urge.
Now that the boys were closer, her talkative nature exploded instantly.
"What did Grandma say to you?"
"Told us to stay safe and not be reckless," Ren replied. He noticed Kushina was still holding a low horse stance and asked curiously, "What exactly are you practicing? Some kind of martial arts?"
Kushina tilted her head. "What's that? Never mind, doesn't matter! Quickly, let me see what sealing jutsu Grandma gave you! If they're simple enough, I can give you some pointers!"
Snatching the scroll from Minato, Kushina rolled it open.
As the long parchment unfurled, a series of incredibly complex formulas and characters appeared before Ren's eyes.
"??? Wait, what even is this?" Ren was completely lost. Didn't she say these were practical basics? This looks like high-level sealing theory no matter how you slice it.
"This... looks like the Four Symbols Seal?" Kushina scrutinized the various markings before reaching a conclusion.
The Four Symbols Seal? Ren was internally staggered. He wondered why Mito would hand out such an advanced sealing technique so casually.
Minato had at least a week of foundational study under his belt, but Ren was starting from absolute zero!
"Grandma! Did you give them the wrong one?" Kushina called out to Mito, who was still sitting on the veranda.
"No, that is intended for them," Mito smiled. "Also, regarding their foundational lessons, I'll have to trouble you to teach them, Kushina."
"Eh!! Me?" Kushina pointed at herself, looking utterly incredulous.
Mito simply nodded with a smile and said no more.
Turning back to the boys, Kushina muttered under her breath, "I'm still a bit of a half-baked student myself, how am I supposed to guide others?"
Seeing Kushina's troubled expression, Ren sighed inwardly but maintained a friendly grin. "Don't feel pressured. You just need to help us recognize and memorize these runes. We'll handle the actual cultivation ourselves."
Minato nodded in agreement. If it was just teaching the "alphabet" of sealing, Kushina was more than capable.
"Exactly. Just help us identify the characters. After that, you can get back to your own training and leave us to it."
Kushina narrowed her eyes. I feel like I'm being underestimated, ya know?
But then she remembered she couldn't even fully decipher the Four Symbols Seal herself. Teaching others was... well, she deflated instantly.
"Fine. I'll teach you the runes..."
Since returning from the Rain front, Ren had settled into a rare period of tranquility. He didn't have to worry about food; after the last mission, their team had received a hefty commission. Spent wisely, it was enough to keep him fed for half a year.
Meanwhile, their new sensei, Jiraiya, remained silent. He seemed to have vanished off the face of the earth.
Two months passed in peaceful study.
During this time, Ren crammed as much sealing knowledge as possible. He could now perform simple sealing techniques; for instance, the Sealing Method: Infusion that Minato had shown off was now something Ren could use proficiently.
Beyond that, he had mastered the basic Five Elements Seals, such as Fire Sealing Method and Water Sealing Method.
Such talent even surprised Mito, though she eventually chalked it up to him being the mind behind the Rasengan.
Even Ren hadn't expected to have such a high affinity for the art. He was privately thrilled.
Now, with two months gone, Ren received notice for the Chunin Exams. Since Jiraiya was absent, the application forms were delivered personally by the Third Hokage.
"So, are you guys going to participate?" Ren asked, looking at the three teammates before him. "Once you become a Chunin, you're definitely going to the front lines."
The tasks for Genin were simple and rarely required leaving the village. If one didn't become a Chunin for many years, they eventually lost the right to even take out-of-village missions, spending their days finding lost cats and dogs—competing for scraps with fresh graduates.
For a reference point, see Might Duy.
However, given the current climate, remaining a Genin seemed objectively safer.
Shibi Aburame and Choza Akimichi didn't hesitate to fill out their forms; they had no intention of wasting time at the Genin rank.
Minato didn't hesitate either. Once the three of them finished, their eyes fell on Ren.
"Fine, I guess I'm signing up too." With a sigh, Ren filled in his information.
Truthfully, life had become a bit dull lately.
Two nights ago, he had met White Coat Ren again in the Brotherhood Space. Having gained Ren's physical specs, the scientist was splitting his time between the gym and the lab. He was frantically boosting his physical fitness while making massive strides in research.
The moment the water supply in his world was compromised, he and Mu Tiancai would retreat to the underground lab to begin developing the "God Gene," aiming to become perfect "Evolved" beings.
After all, the reason various factions were fighting over the Corpse King was to unlock the secret of immortality. With Mu Tiancai's genius and Ren's years of effort, they were confident they could synthesize a true elixir of immortality.
The thought of an immortality elixir made Ninja Ren feel a surge of excitement.
The only reason he was so cautious was his fear of death. If he had an undying body like the Corpse King, couldn't he do whatever he wanted?
Wait! No! The sealing techniques in this world are too strong. Even Kaguya was sealed, let alone a small fry like me!
If someone discovered his secret, he'd end up straight on an experimental table. He'd never see the sun, getting sliced open by scalpels every day while a bunch of weirdos looked at him like he was livestock...
Ren suddenly shuddered. His burning enthusiasm plummeted into the freezing depths of a winter blizzard.
It seems that if I actually get an immortal body, my situation might become even more dangerous than it is now?! No, I am still too weak! When Jiraiya finally gets back, I have to make him take me to Mount Myoboku to learn Sage Mode. I need to push my combat power way higher!