Silence stretched across the academy training ground.
Daichi remained on the dirt outside the combat ring, one hand pressed beneath his ribs. His Byakugan had already deactivated, leaving his pale eyes fixed on the ground.
At last, he lowered his head.
"I lost."
His voice was barely louder than a whisper.
Ren stood above him at the edge of the ring.
"And?"
Daichi looked up in confusion.
"What else?"
Ren's expression did not change. "You made a promise before the match."
Daichi finally understood.
Admitting defeat was already humiliating. Now Ren expected him to apologize to three E-rank ninjutsu in front of both academy classes.
Was that truly necessary?
The Transformation, Clone, and Substitution Techniques were still the lowest-ranked ninjutsu taught by Konoha. Even after witnessing Ren's victory, Daichi could not bring himself to think of them as anything more than basic skills.
Yet everyone had heard his agreement.
If he broke his word immediately after losing, the humiliation would not belong to him alone. Other students might claim a member of the Hyūga clan lacked honor.
If that rumor reached the clan elders, the consequences would be far worse than bowing his head now.
Daichi's fingers clenched against the dirt.
His pride resisted.
His reason forced it down.
After several painful seconds, he lowered his head again.
"I'm sorry," he said through gritted teeth. "I shouldn't have looked down on the Three Basic Techniques."
Ren studied him.
The apology was reluctant, but it was sincere enough to satisfy the terms of their agreement.
"That's better."
The system chimed.
A series of notifications flooded Ren's vision.
The Transformation Technique appeared first. Her black hair swayed as she clapped with visible delight.
[Transformation Technique: "Wonderful! Every part of that strategy was beautifully executed. His Byakugan could see through illusions, yet you still made him question everything he saw."]
[Transformation Technique: "That Hyūga boy will remember us for a very long time."]
The Clone Technique appeared beside her with both arms folded. She tried to maintain her usual scowl, but a faint blush betrayed her.
[Clone Technique: "Ren, you shameless rascal…"]
[Clone Technique: "Fine. I admit that I underestimated you. You fought for all three of us, so I'll treat you slightly better from now on."]
Her eyes narrowed.
[Clone Technique: "But stay away from that red-haired woman."]
The Great Fireball Technique immediately forced her way into the dialogue.
[Great Fireball Technique: "?"]
The Clone Technique glared at her.
[Clone Technique: "You heard me."]
[Great Fireball Technique: "Who do you think you are, ordering him around?"]
[Clone Technique: "His partner."]
[Great Fireball Technique: "You're an E-rank illusion."]
[Clone Technique: "At least I participated in the battle."]
Flames erupted around the Great Fireball Technique's portrait.
[Great Fireball Technique: "Say that again."]
Before their argument could escalate, the Substitution Technique appeared quietly behind them.
Unlike the others, she did not seem interested in fighting for Ren's attention. Her reserved expression softened as she looked at him.
[Substitution Technique: "Ren… you were very brave."]
Then the system's formal notifications arrived.
The favorability earned through Ren's performance during the examination was calculated first. His use of Perfect Form had pleased the Transformation Technique, his tactics earned reluctant recognition from the Clone Technique, and his reliance on Sealless Instant Release deepened his connection with the Substitution Technique.
Even the Great Fireball Technique had become unusually enthusiastic while watching Ren confront Daichi.
[Combat Performance Favorability Calculated.]
[Transformation Technique favorability +2]
[Clone Technique favorability +1]
[Substitution Technique favorability +2]
[Great Fireball Technique favorability +6]
A golden notification covered the arguing portraits.
[Limited-Time Event: "Defend the Dignity of the Three Basic Techniques" completed.]
[Transformation Technique favorability +10]
[Transformation Technique — 70/100 — Intimate]
[Clone Technique favorability +10]
[Clone Technique — 37/100 — Friendly]
[Substitution Technique favorability +10]
[Substitution Technique — 47/100 — Friendly]
[Great Fireball Technique favorability +4]
[Great Fireball Technique — 28/100 — Friendly]
Four favorability bars surged forward at once.
Two of them crossed the twenty-five-point threshold.
Golden light erupted across Ren's vision.
[Clone Technique has reached the Friendly stage.]
[Physical Attribute Increase: +1]
[Unique Trait Acquired: Visual Sharing]
[Visual Sharing: Clones produced through the Clone Technique possess a limited independent field of view. Through concentration, the user may connect their vision with one active clone and observe what it sees.]
A second notification followed immediately.
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique has reached the Friendly stage.]
[Physical Attribute Increase: +1]
[Unique Trait Acquired: Spirit of Fire]
[Spirit of Fire: The user's affinity for fire-natured chakra has increased slightly. All Fire Release techniques receive a thirty-percent increase in power based on their current level.]
Ren's composure nearly shattered.
Visual Sharing.
An increase in Fire Release power.
Both rewards were far more valuable than he had expected.
The first resembled the shared vision used by the Six Paths of Pain. Those bodies could coordinate seamlessly because each one saw what the others saw, leaving almost no opening in their combined field of view.
Ren's Clone Technique was nowhere near that level.
His clones remained intangible illusions. They could not attack, carry objects, or perform independent missions. Their movement and behavior were also limited compared with true Shadow Clones.
Even so, Visual Sharing turned them into mobile observation points.
Ren could leave a clone around a corner and inspect the area without exposing his real body. He could place one behind an enemy, watch a doorway from two angles, or scout the opposite side of an obstacle.
At present, the trait allowed him to connect with only one clone at a time.
That limitation did not reduce its value.
It was already an exceptional reconnaissance ability.
And if the trait continued evolving with favorability—or if Ren eventually learned the Shadow Clone Technique—its potential would become terrifying.
A Shadow Clone possessed physical substance, independent movement, and the ability to perform ninjutsu. Combining those traits with shared vision could produce something genuinely similar to the Six Paths' battlefield awareness.
The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique would be even more extraordinary.
But that technique was forbidden and stored in the Scroll of Seals. Obtaining it would be nearly impossible for an academy student.
Ren forced the idea aside.
He had just defended the dignity of the Three Basic Techniques. Abandoning the Clone Technique for a superior version the moment he saw its potential would make him exactly the kind of shameless opportunist she believed him to be.
Besides, he had not yet discovered the limits of an ordinary clone.
There was no need to chase a forbidden technique before fully understanding the ability already in his hands.
The Spirit of Fire trait was more straightforward.
Thirty percent did not sound overwhelming until Ren considered what it actually meant. His Great Fireball was currently only the size of a large exercise ball. A direct thirty-percent increase in power would make the flames larger, hotter, and more dangerous without requiring him to increase his chakra output.
As his mastery improved, that enhancement would scale with it.
If his Great Fireball eventually reached Obito's current level, the trait would amplify that stronger foundation.
And this was only the Friendly-stage reward.
"What kind of abilities will appear at fifty and one hundred?"
Ren's pulse quickened.
The two physical attribute points activated next.
Warmth surged from his abdomen and spread through his body. It flowed into his arms and legs like spring rain soaking dry earth.
The soreness in his right arm faded.
The sharp ache beneath his skin left by Daichi's Gentle Fist eased. His breathing stabilized, and the fatigue accumulated during the match rapidly diminished.
Ren clenched one hand.
His grip felt stronger.
His balance had improved again.
The changes were subtle individually, but together they lifted his body another step beyond its former limits.
Ren now possessed five additional physical attribute points in total.
Ten days earlier, he had struggled through two hundred laps with Guy and collapsed on the training ground.
Now he had exchanged blows with a Hyūga, survived the Gentle Fist, and still possessed enough strength to continue fighting.
The progress was almost frightening.
Ren closed the system interface and jumped down from the combat ring.
Rin reached him first.
"Congratulations!"
Her smile was bright enough to erase the tension left by the fight.
"I was worried when Daichi used the Thirty-Two Palms. I thought Instructor Oki would have to stop the match."
"So did I," Ren admitted.
"That last substitution was incredible. And turning into a shuriken to hide from the Byakugan…" Rin shook her head in amazement. "You saw a weakness none of us even knew existed."
"It was partly luck."
Rin gave him a doubtful look.
"No one wins a match like that through luck alone."
She reached out, ready to support him if the Gentle Fist had injured his arm.
Ren noticed Obito watching from several steps away. The Uchiha boy looked pleased by Daichi's defeat but considerably less pleased by Rin's concern for Ren.
"I'm fine," Ren assured her, flexing his arm. "The injuries are already easing."
Rin's medical instincts immediately awakened.
"Injuries don't disappear that quickly. Let me check."
"It really was only a glancing strike."
Obito stepped closer, forcing a laugh.
"Rin, if he can still talk this much, he's obviously fine."
She turned toward him. "Internal injuries aren't always visible."
Obito had no response to that.
The surrounding students were still discussing the fight.
"Daichi really lost."
"Even with the Byakugan activated."
"Ren defeated him using academy techniques!"
"Did you see the instant substitution? I thought he teleported."
A student from the neighboring class looked toward Daichi, who had finally pushed himself upright.
"Does falling outside the ring truly count as a loss? He could still stand."
Genma shook his head.
"If this had been a real fight, Ren wouldn't have used a wooden shuriken or an open-handed strike. Daichi would never have gotten back up."
That observation silenced several students.
This had been an academy assessment with strict safety rules.
On a battlefield, the same trap could have ended with a blade driven into Daichi's back.
Asuma remained apart from the crowd. His eyes followed Ren with a newly cautious interest.
Kurenai was equally thoughtful.
A student everyone had considered average had suddenly demonstrated perfect transformation, instantaneous substitution, and enough tactical awareness to defeat the Byakugan.
The balance within their class had changed.
Then Guy appeared.
He pushed through the students and seized Ren by both shoulders. His eyes blazed with excitement.
"Ren, you rascal!"
Ren winced. "Why is everyone calling me that today?"
"I never realized your youth had already burned to such magnificent heights!" Guy declared. "Those two hundred laps were clearly not your limit!"
"They absolutely were."
"I challenge you! Let us clash and experience the passion of youth together!"
Rin stepped between them.
"Guy, Ren just finished a difficult match. He needs to rest, not fight again."
Guy froze.
His expression shifted from excitement to immediate guilt.
"You're right. I allowed my passion to overwhelm my judgment."
He released Ren's shoulders and bowed.
"My apologies!"
"It's fine."
"To demonstrate my sincerity, I'll run two hundred laps around the academy!"
"That isn't necessary."
Guy had already disappeared.
A green blur raced toward the training track.
The students watched him go in silence.
Ren sighed.
"Why is running his solution to everything?"
Instructor Oki clapped his hands loudly.
"That's enough. Return to the waiting area. The assessment is still in progress."
The students reluctantly began dispersing.
Oki's gaze settled on Ren.
"And Ren…"
Something about his tone made Ren pause.
"When today's assessment is finished, remain behind."
Instructor Himura stood beside him with the same serious expression.
"We have several questions about the Substitution Technique you used."
Ren's satisfaction cooled.
He had expected the ability to attract attention, but the instructors' reaction suggested he might have revealed more than intended.
"Understood."
Oki returned to the examination platform.
Ren watched him leave as a final system notification appeared.
[New traits successfully integrated.]
[Warning: Exceptional performance has attracted the attention of Konoha's instructors.]
Then another line emerged beneath it.
[Your strength is no longer ordinary. From this moment onward, remaining unnoticed will become increasingly difficult.]