Chapter 54: The Father-in-law Situation Intensifies
Following Hinata and her teammates, Ren soon arrived at a secluded training ground—a peaceful clearing bordered by whispering bamboo. And there, standing with the elegant poise of a seasoned kunoichi, was Yuhi Kurenai.
"Kurenai-sensei! Sorry to keep you waiting!"
The members of Team 8 hurried forward. Today, Kurenai wore a fitted red and white ensemble that accentuated her mature figure, her dark hair framing a face that balanced sharp intelligence with undeniable beauty. Her crimson eyes tracked their approach, lingering curiously on the unexpected addition to their group.
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[VIP Highlight: Yuhi Shinku - "Get away from my daughter!"]
Damn, Ren thought, his modern sensibilities briefly overriding his ninja composure. No wonder Asuma couldn't resist. With that presence, who could? The figurines and wallpapers from his past life were pathetic imitations compared to the real woman standing before him.
Yuhi Shinku (Regular Viewer): What the hell?! Kid, why are you staring at my daughter like that? What are you planning?!
Ren's appreciative gaze didn't waver, though in the Pure Land, Hyuga Hizashi felt a brief, petty satisfaction.
Hyuga Hizashi (VIP1): Brother Shinku, stay calm. A real man doesn't worry about such things, especially where women are concerned.
Yuhi Shinku: What kind of nonsense is that?!
Hyuga Hizashi: Weren't you comforting me with similar words earlier?
Yuhi Shinku: That's different! This is my daughter! My own flesh and blood!
Hyuga Hizashi: And Hinata is my cherished niece! My brother's daughter!
The argument might have continued, but in the living world, Kurenai was already speaking.
"Isn't this the academy's top graduate? What brings you to Team 8's gathering?" Her voice was warm, professional, but her crimson eyes held genuine curiosity.
As the jōnin assigned to guide this year's graduates, Kurenai had naturally studied the files of all top performers. Ren's photograph—serious, intense—had stood out even among the usual crop of talented children. The boy in person was both exactly like and completely different from that image.
Hinata stepped forward slightly, her voice soft. "K-Kurenai-sensei, Ren-kun said he... didn't have plans today, so he wanted to... observe."
Kurenai's lips curved into a gentle smile. "I see."
Ren approached, his own smile bright and seemingly guileless—the picture of a polite, harmless academy student. Only Kiba and Shino, who had felt the weight of his chakra pressure earlier, knew what lurked beneath that pleasant facade.
"Kurenai-sensei, I hope my presence isn't disruptive?" Ren asked with perfect courtesy.
"Not at all. Today is just introductions and basic team assessment. Nothing classified." Kurenai waved a dismissive hand, though internally she was reassessing. Most geniuses his age are either arrogantly aloof or painfully awkward. This one's social calibration is... unnervingly good. She found herself comparing him to a young Kakashi—all sharp edges and visible superiority—and found the contrast striking.
"That's reassuring. If I become a distraction, please tell me and I'll leave immediately." Ren nodded, the picture of considerate deference.
Minato Namikaze (VIP1): He's... very smooth, isn't he?
Kushina Uzumaki (VIP1): He knows how to talk to people! I like that! Better than those broody, silent types!
Uchiha Mikoto (VIP2): He reminds me a bit of Fugaku when he was trying to be charming. That same... deliberate warmth.
Uchiha Fugaku: I was never this... performative.
Uchiha Izuna: Weren't you? I recall you following Mikoto around for weeks, leaving flowers and poorly written poetry at—
Uchiha Fugaku: Izuna! Not another word!
Kurenai laughed softly, a genuine, warm sound. "What a polite young man. Handsome, talented, and well-mannered. I wonder which lucky girl will catch your eye someday."
Ren's smile didn't falter. If anything, it gained a playful edge. "Well, if I had to choose a standard, I'd want someone as beautiful and composed as you, Kurenai-sensei."
Kurenai covered her mouth, a surprised laugh escaping. "Oh, you little charmer! Such a sweet tongue!"
"Only because you inspire it, sensei. With you here, even the air tastes sweeter."
This earned another genuine laugh. In Kurenai's eyes, Ren had transformed into the perfect student—handsome, respectful, talented, and delightfully witty. Completely disarming.
Of course, the entire performance was being dissected in real-time by the afterlife's most critical audience.
Yuhi Shinku: YOU LITTLE BEAST! MY DAUGHTER IS DECADES OLDER THAN YOU! HAVE YOU NO SHAME?!
Ren Arakawa (subvocalizing): Love knows no age barriers, Father-in-law. My intentions are sincere.
Hyuga Hizashi: Snorts. Serves you right.
Yuhi Kurenai (in the stream): Wait, didn't you publicly confess to Hyuga Hinata just days ago? In front of the entire academy?
Ren Arakawa: That's correct.
Yuhi Kurenai: And yet here you are, flirting with my living self? Perhaps you're better suited to the Hyuga girl after all...
Hyuga Hizashi: WHAT?! You're trying to pawn him off on my family now?! How dare you!
Yuhi Kurenai: I'm merely observing the age-appropriate match. They're peers, after all.
Hyuga Hizashi: But he just said his true affection is for your daughter!
Ren Arakawa: Adds helpfully. Uncle Hizashi, my feelings for Hinata are also completely genuine!
Hyuga Hizashi: ...
Yuhi Shinku: ...
In the training ground, Kurenai wiped a tear of laughter from her eye. "Alright, alright, enough flattery. Since you're here, you might as well observe our team assessment. It could be educational."
Her crimson eyes met his, and for a moment, Ren saw something shift—the professional assessment of a jōnin recognizing that this "polite boy" was something far more complex. But she simply smiled and turned to her team.
"Now then, Team 8. Let's begin with basic introductions and compatibility exercises. Ren, you may observe from the sidelines."
Ren bowed slightly and stepped back, leaning against a bamboo stalk. His expression remained pleasant, but his mind was already analyzing Kurenai's posture, her chakra flow, the subtle way she positioned herself to monitor all three students simultaneously.
Tobirama Senju (VIP5): He's assessing her combat capabilities even now. The boy never stops calculating.
Hashirama Senju (Regular Viewer): He's certainly... thorough in his appreciations.
Uchiha Madara (VIP1): At least he has taste. This red-eyed woman carries herself like a proper kunoichi. Not like these modern coddled children.
As Kurenai began guiding Hinata, Kiba, and Shino through their first team coordination drills, Ren watched with half his attention. The other half remained on the live stream, where the father-in-law debate was escalating into a full-blown spectral shouting match, with Minato occasionally trying to mediate and Kushina offering unhelpful commentary about "following your heart."
Ren smiled to himself. This, he thought, is what makes the system worthwhile. Not just the techniques. The drama.
And somewhere in the Hokage Tower, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt another inexplicable headache coming on, as if the very fabric of Konoha's future was being quietly, cheerfully unraveled by a boy with too many dead mentors and absolutely no shame.