"Transformation."
White smoke erupted across the examination platform.
It curled around Ren's body for a moment before thinning in the winter air. When the last veil of smoke faded, Instructor Himura stood where Ren had been.
The copy was flawless.
He possessed the same height, facial structure, hairstyle, clothing, and slight crease between his eyebrows as the real Himura. Even the faint chalk mark on the instructor's right sleeve had been perfectly reproduced.
Instructor Oki had already lowered his eyes toward the scoring sheet, expecting an ordinary performance. Ren was a civilian student whose practical scores had remained consistently average. Children without clan resources rarely achieved dramatic breakthroughs within a few days, so Oki believed he already understood Ren's level.
Then the transformed Ren spoke.
"Is there a problem, Instructor Oki?"
The voice was exact.
Oki's pen stopped above the paper.
He slowly raised his head.
His gaze moved from the Himura standing on the platform to the real Himura beside him. Then it shifted back again.
"Wait…"
He looked between them a second time.
"You are Ren, correct?"
The transformed Ren frowned with perfect imitation.
"I'm Himura. Have you forgotten your own colleague?"
Instructor Oki's eyes widened.
He turned toward the real Himura. "Then who are you?"
The real Himura stared at him.
"I'm the actual Himura."
His voice carried the weary patience of a man reconsidering every professional decision that had brought him to this moment.
Oki pointed at the platform. "That one looks exactly like you."
"I'm aware."
"He sounds exactly like you too."
"I also noticed."
Oki leaned closer to the real Himura and lowered his voice. "Are you certain you didn't arrange this as some sort of joke?"
"How would that even work? We've been standing beside each other since the assessment began."
Several students in the waiting area began laughing.
Ren maintained Himura's stern expression, though amusement flickered in his eyes.
The real Himura studied the transformation more carefully. He circled the platform, examining Ren from several angles.
There were no distorted proportions, mismatched colors, unstable edges, or other common flaws. Ren's breathing altered the copied chest naturally. His clothing moved with the wind. Even the pattern of wear on Himura's sandals had been reproduced.
It was not merely a surface-level disguise.
Perfect Form had rewritten Ren's physical appearance down to the smallest visible detail.
Himura finally looked toward Oki.
"Ren has always held the highest academic score in his year, hasn't he?"
"Yes. His written work is exceptional, but his practical performance…"
"Was average," Himura finished. "It seems that is no longer the case."
Oki's surprise gradually changed into professional interest.
"You've worked hard, Ren."
The transformed Ren bowed his head. "Thank you, Instructor."
Oki watched his mannerisms and shook his head in disbelief.
"You copied his posture too. If I hadn't watched you transform, I genuinely might have mistaken you for him."
The students began whispering.
Asuma's previously relaxed expression became more focused. Kurenai leaned forward with interest, while Rin's eyes shone with excitement.
Even Daichi's confidence faltered for an instant.
Instructor Himura returned to Oki's side.
"His visual imitation is nearly perfect. Give him full marks for the Transformation Technique."
Oki nodded and wrote on the scoring sheet.
Ren had earned the highest possible score in the first event.
The chibi Transformation Technique appeared at the edge of his vision, hiding a pleased smile behind her sleeve.
[Transformation Technique: "Naturally. Did they really expect anything less from us?"]
Ren nearly smiled.
Instructor Oki gestured for him to continue.
"Next is the Clone Technique."
Ren released his transformation.
Smoke briefly covered the platform before revealing his original form. He formed the required seal and divided his chakra according to the method taught at the academy.
"Clone Technique."
Two illusionary copies appeared beside him.
They were not as extraordinary as Perfect Form, but both clones were stable, properly colored, and free of obvious distortions. When Ren moved, they mirrored him smoothly.
Instructor Oki stepped closer.
"Hold them."
Ren maintained the technique.
Five seconds passed.
Then ten.
The clones remained clear.
Oki walked around them before making another note on his sheet.
"Your chakra distribution has improved considerably. Not perfect, but comfortably above the required standard."
The Clone Technique's pale avatar appeared for an instant.
She had her arms folded and her face turned away.
[Clone Technique: "Barely acceptable."]
Ren resisted the urge to argue with a ninjutsu in front of the entire class.
Instructor Oki lifted one hand.
"Finally, the Substitution Technique."
Ren released the clones.
He could have activated the technique without seals and completed the exchange in two-tenths of a second. Doing so, however, would expose his greatest defensive trump card to every student and instructor present.
There was no reason to reveal it during an academy evaluation.
Instead, Ren deliberately formed the conventional seals. He selected a prepared wooden log near the edge of the platform and activated the technique at an ordinary speed.
His body disappeared in a burst of smoke.
A wooden log dropped into the space where he had stood.
Ren reappeared several meters away.
The performance was clean, controlled, and fast enough to receive an excellent score without drawing dangerous attention.
Instructor Oki marked the final result.
"Very good. You may leave the platform."
Ren bowed to both instructors before stepping down.
The entire demonstration had lasted less than three minutes.
Yet when he returned to the waiting area, the way his classmates looked at him had changed.
Rin was the first to approach.
"That was amazing!"
She clapped enthusiastically, her smile filled with genuine pride.
"Your Transformation Technique completely fooled Instructor Oki. For a moment, even I wondered whether Instructor Himura had somehow taken your place."
Ren smiled. "It wasn't that dramatic."
"It was," Rin insisted. "Your Three Basic Techniques might be better than Asuma's now. You could take first place in this part of the assessment."
"First place?" Obito immediately stepped closer. "His Transformation Technique was decent, but the other two were nothing special."
Rin covered her mouth as she laughed.
Obito's face reddened. "What? I'm telling the truth!"
Ren glanced at him. "Thank you for calling it decent."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll accept it anyway."
Obito opened his mouth to argue, but Daichi's voice interrupted them.
"First place?"
The Hyūga boy stood a short distance away with his arms folded.
"It was a slight improvement in the Three Basic Techniques. Nothing more."
Rin's smile faded.
Daichi continued, his gaze fixed on Ren.
"The practical combat assessment is what matters. A polished disguise won't help against the Byakugan, and illusionary clones are useless against the Gentle Fist."
Ren said nothing.
He had no interest in arguing. Daichi's pride came from years of clan training, and words would not change it. Their scheduled match would provide a better answer.
Ren turned back toward Rin.
Being ignored only made Daichi more irritated.
He stepped closer.
"Some people spend all their time polishing the weakest techniques because they're incapable of learning anything stronger."
That earned a few uneasy looks from nearby students.
Daichi noticed the attention and raised his voice.
"The Three Basic Techniques are E-rank ninjutsu. They're useful for academy students, but that's all. On a real battlefield, any competent shinobi would see through them immediately."
Ren's right eyelid twitched.
The system chimed.
A large notification opened before his eyes.
[Special Event Keyword Detected.]
[Limited-Time Mission activated.]
The familiar three chibi sisters appeared together.
The Transformation Technique had lost her playful smile. The Clone Technique stood behind her with her fists clenched, while the Substitution Technique remained half-hidden in shadow.
[On the grounds of the Ninja Academy, a member of the Hyūga clan has publicly dismissed the Three Basic Techniques as weak and useless.]
[His words have wounded the pride of the Transformation Technique, Clone Technique, and Substitution Technique.]
[For generations, the Three Basic Techniques have accompanied nearly every academy student taking their first steps toward becoming a shinobi. Yet because of their low rank and ordinary origins, they are often abandoned and ridiculed in favor of more glamorous ninjutsu.]
[Will you defend their dignity through your actions?]
[Yes / No]
Ren selected [Yes] without hesitation.
This was a limited-time mission.
Whatever reward waited at the end, he had no intention of letting it escape.
Daichi noticed the sudden intensity in Ren's eyes and shifted his weight.
"What?"
Ren turned to face him fully.
"You said the Three Basic Techniques are useless?"
Daichi hesitated.
He had expected Ren to become defensive, but there was something disturbingly serious about his expression.
"I said they're low-level techniques," Daichi replied. "That's simply a fact."
Ren took one step toward him.
"What have the Three Basic Techniques ever done to you?"
Daichi blinked. "What?"
"They accompany almost every child who begins learning ninjutsu. They teach transformation, deception, evasion, chakra division, timing, and control. For countless civilian students, they are the first tools that make survival possible."
Several students turned to listen.
Ren's voice grew firmer.
"They work tirelessly beside every new shinobi, like three patient older sisters guiding children through their first steps."
Rin stared at him.
Obito looked completely lost.
Even Instructor Oki glanced over from the platform.
Daichi's mouth opened, but Ren continued before he could speak.
"Just because the Hyūga clan specializes in taijutsu, does that give you the right to insult ninjutsu?"
"No, but—"
"It does not."
Ren pointed toward the academy building.
"When you dismiss the Three Basic Techniques, you dismiss the foundation of this assessment. When you dismiss the assessment, you dismiss the academy's teaching methods. And when you dismiss the academy, you insult the countless Konoha shinobi who began their careers here."
Daichi's face changed.
"How did this become an insult against Konoha?"
"You insulted techniques passed down to every generation of the village. That means you have also insulted the Will of Fire."
A stunned silence spread through the waiting area.
Daichi looked as though someone had struck him.
He had called three E-rank techniques weak. Somehow, within less than a minute, Ren had transformed that statement into evidence that the Hyūga clan opposed Konoha's founding philosophy.
"Therefore," Ren declared, "I order you to apologize to the Three Basic Techniques."
Daichi stared at him.
"Apologize… to ninjutsu?"
The Transformation Technique's dialogue appeared.
[Transformation Technique: "Ren… you've already done enough. He isn't entirely wrong. We are the most ordinary techniques in the ninja world. Knowing that you were willing to defend us is sufficient."]
The Clone Technique's avatar pushed forward.
[Clone Technique: "Hmph. You may be shameless and unreliable, but at least you said something worthwhile today."]
[Clone Technique favorability +2]
[Clone Technique — Favorability: 26/100 — Friendly]
A golden light flashed across the Clone Technique's status bar.
[Favorability stage advanced. New stage reward detected.]
[Reward issuance suspended until the Limited-Time Mission is resolved.]
Ren's determination immediately doubled.
The Substitution Technique emerged slightly from the shadows.
[Substitution Technique: "Ren…"]
Before she could continue, another portrait forced its way into the conversation.
The Great Fireball Technique appeared with her arms crossed and her crimson hair blazing behind her.
[Great Fireball Technique: "This discussion has nothing to do with me. I am a noble C-rank ninjutsu, after all."]
She glanced toward Daichi.
[Great Fireball Technique: "Still, I dislike that arrogant boy. Defeat him. Thoroughly."]
The Clone Technique turned toward her.
[Clone Technique: "Who are you?"]
The Great Fireball Technique blinked.
[Great Fireball Technique: "Who are you?"]
[Clone Technique: "Why are you connected to Ren?"]
[Great Fireball Technique: "Why are you?"]
Their dialogue boxes began appearing faster.
Ren ignored all of them.
He kept his eyes fixed on Daichi.
"Didn't you hear me? Apologize."
Daichi took an involuntary step backward before catching himself. Embarrassment rapidly transformed into anger.
"And if I refuse?"
Ren stepped forward again.
"Then we settle this during our match."
Daichi's Byakugan eyes hardened.
Ren pointed toward the combat ring in the center of the training ground.
"You called the Three Basic Techniques useless. Fine. I'll use only those three techniques against you."
A murmur swept through the students.
Rin's eyes widened.
Obito stopped laughing.
Even Guy's expression became serious.
Ren's voice carried clearly across the training ground.
"I'll defeat the Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist using nothing but the Transformation, Clone, and Substitution Techniques."
He met Daichi's gaze without flinching.
"And when I win, you will bow before the entire academy—and apologize to all three of them."