Now that Ren knew the system's refreshed sign-in location, he didn't hesitate. He packed light and headed out.
But the instant he stepped beyond the Uchiha District—
His Observation Haki prickled.
Sothing's off.
He extended his sensing outward—calm on the surface, razor-focused inside.
"Nine presences nearby," he counted silently. "Two Uchiha… one of them is Shisui. Three ANBU. Three Root."
Ren's expression didn't change, but his mood soured.
Usually, when people tailed him, it was one watcher. Maybe two.
Now it was three from Root, three from ANBU… and even clan shinobi?
And Shisui—why the hell was Shisui involved?
Ren had never spoken to Shisui directly, but they'd crossed paths a few tis at the Konoha Military Police Force building. Back then, Ren had quietly morized his chakra "signature."
So he was certain.
This is Shisui.
Ren sighed inwardly.
Whatever. Waste your ti if you want.
He activated Soru—one of the Rokushiki (Six Powers)—and vanished forward in a blur.
—Whoosh!
Only an afterimage remained.
Hidden in the shadows, the people tailing him felt their scalps tighten.
"So fast…"
"That's pure physical speed?"
"Is this what a taijutsu specialist looks like…?"
Even Shisui's eyes narrowed slightly, caught off guard.
They were elite shinobi. They could tell imdiately—
Ren wasn't using flashy movent techniques.
He was moving on raw body control and explosive acceleration.
Still, surprise didn't stop them.
They followed.
What none of them realized was this:
For shinobi trained in concealnt and assassination, their hiding was excellent.
But in front of Advanced Observation Haki, it was aningless.
They might as well have been carrying lanterns.
Konohagakure — Hokage Office
"They've begun."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a slow drag from his pipe and watched the Crystal Ball's image with half-lidded eyes.
A harsh snort sounded behind him.
The man leaning on a cane—Shimura Danzō—had arrived earlier, and the air in the office had chilled the mont he walked in.
"As expected of you, Hiruzen," Danzō said with a thin smile. "Using Uchiha Shisui to test Uchiha Ren … only you would think of that."
Hiruzen didn't look back. "And you didn't send Root?"
Danzō's brow creased.
Hiruzen exhaled smoke and spoke lazily, "Ren refused ANBU and Root, joined the Military Police… and then chose a dead-end path. Taijutsu. A joke, for an Uchiha."
"Ren is nothing," Danzō said bluntly. "Even if his fists are sharp, it changes nothing."
Then his voice dropped.
"So hand Shisui to ."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.
Danzō continued, unashad. "You know how terrifying Shisui's eyes are."
Hiruzen set his pipe down with a soft click and shook his head.
"Danzō. Don't bring that up again."
"I will keep bringing it up," Danzō replied, unwilling to yield. "Konoha is our Konoha, not the Uchiha's. They're growing more disobedient. Why don't we—"
"Enough."
Hiruzen cut him off sharply, his voice suddenly carrying weight.
"The Uchiha have their role. My job is to keep the village stable."
Danzō shrugged, falling silent.
He'd expected this.
Besides… he understood Hiruzen better than anyone.
The Third Hokage liked to look gentle.
But if you believed that, you were a fool.
He'd removed plenty of threats without ever dirtying his hands in public.
Then Hiruzen's gaze shifted on the crystal ball, and he let out a small sound of surprise.
"Hm? Ren went to Hokage Rock."
Danzō frowned. "Why would he go there?"
By every pattern they'd mapped, Ren should've gone to a training ground first—where Shisui could "happen" to appear and test him.
Hiruzen stared a mont longer, then simply said, "No idea."
And picked up his pipe again.
Hokage Rock — First Hokage's Stone Face
—Whoosh—
Ren landed atop the First Hokage's carved head, steady as if he'd stepped onto ordinary ground.
Below him, Konoha sprawled out under the morning light—rooftops, streets, misty lanes, and the quiet hum of a village waking up.
He didn't waste ti.
"System," he ordered silently, "sign in at the First Hokage's stone face."
One second.
Ten.
Thirty.
He stood completely still—like a statue on a statue.
Finally, when the minute mark hit—
Ding… Congratulations, User. Special sign-in location complete.
Ding… Rewards obtained: Senju Hashirama's Sage Body, Armant Haki (Advanced), and 4.4% progress.
Ding… Rewards stored in system inventory.
Ren's breath caught for the first ti.
"…What?"
He didn't even bother pretending to be calm now.
"System—show ."
Senju Hashirama's Sage Body — A physique with imnse potential. Great vitality, terrifying recovery, overwhelming stamina, and chakra reserves comparable to a tailed beast.
(User's base physique is already extrely strong. Upon acceptance: instant fusion.)
Armant Haki (Advanced) — One of the three types of Haki. Greatly boosts offense and defense; can strike and "grip" even intangible targets.
(Upon acceptance: instant mastery of Hardening, Coating, and Emission.)
Whitebeard Template progress: 40.60% 4.40% → 45.00% unlocked
Then another line appeared—
Ding… Whitebeard Template unlocked to 45%. User has gained Whitebeard's Observation Haki and Armant Haki.
Ren stared.
For a mont, even he didn't know what to say.
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