In Konoha, at a large training ground—
Even though they'd run into Asuma Sarutobi, Hatake Kakashi, and Might Guy by accident, it didn't affect Uzuki Yūgao, Kurenai Yūhi, and Uchiha Ren at all.
Once they stepped onto the field, Yūgao and Kurenai immediately slipped into their training rhythm.
"Genjutsu: Sanzakura!"
A faint ripple of chakra spread.
Kurenai formed seals quickly, dropped into a low crouch—and her body scattered into countless vivid petals.
Ren's brows tightened.
"No. Your hand seals are too slow."
He didn't sugarcoat it.
"You don't have the Sharingan. If you want to fight with genjutsu, you either speed up your seals until they're reflex—or you reach the point where you can cast without seals at all. Genjutsu has to become invisible."
His presence shifted.
A heavy, crushing pressure rolled out toward the swirling petals.
BOOM—!
Kurenai's petal form collapsed instantly, forced back into her real body in a burst of white smoke.
"I get it…" Kurenai pouted, clearly wanting to argue—then swallowed it. She pushed herself up and started forming seals again, faster this time.
"Still too slow."
"Did you skip dinner?"
"Not good enough. Start by running a thousand seals. Warm up."
"…!"
Before long, Ren's harsh corrections kept coming, one after another.
Under his relentless pace, Kurenai's "today's training" turned into a brutal grind.
Yūgao watched with shining eyes.
Ren was strict—almost merciless.
And somehow, that made him even more reliable.
Then Ren's gaze snapped onto her.
"And you—what are you staring at? Practice your sword."
"Y-Yes!"
The instant she met his eyes, Yūgao jumped like a startled rabbit. She yanked the short sword from her back and began drilling Konoha-Style Swordsmanship.
"Hmph."
Ren let out a quiet snort and moved to the side, sitting down with a frown as he watched her form.
Genjutsu, he could teach.
As a Uchiha who'd studied countless techniques—and with a three-tomoe Sharingan—he had enough insight to guide Kurenai around common pitfalls.
But swordsmanship…
Ren wasn't truly an expert.
With his level of combat sense, he could spot flaws everywhere in Yūgao's movements—yet for her, Konoha-Style was already considered top-tier instruction.
If I want her to level up… I need real blade arts.
Ren exhaled through his nose.
"Looks like I'll have to get my hands on better swordsmanship."
Then, in his mind:
"System—sign in at the Konoha training ground."
That was the other reason he'd come.
This time, the System's refreshed sign-in location was the Konoha training ground.
Over this stretch, Ren had been signing in and training steadily. The Whitebeard Template had already climbed to 60%.
The Gura Gura no Mi still hadn't awakened—probably because his unlock level wasn't high enough yet.
But even without it, Ren's strength kept rising.
One second… ten seconds… thirty…
A minute later, the System chimed again.
Ding! Sign-in at refreshed location — Konoha Training Ground — successful.
Ding! Rewards acquired:Forbidden Technique: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu; Supreme Grade Blade (one of the Twelve): Murakumogiri; and +5% progress.
Ding! Rewards stored in system inventory.
"System—show me."
Forbidden Technique: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu
A technique that consumes enormous chakra to create a massive number of shadow clones—hundreds or even thousands.
Because most shinobi can't withstand the chakra drain and feedback, it was classified as forbidden.
(Upon claiming: instant mastery. No hand seals required—clap once to cast.)
Supreme Grade Blade: Murakumogiri
One of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades. Whitebeard's long-handled weapon.
Given the User's physique and fighting style, the Murakumogiri obtained can freely adjust its size.
Template Progress
Whitebeard Template: 60% + 5% → 65%
Ding! Congratulations, User. Whitebeard Template has reached 65%. Whitebeard's swordsmanship has been unlocked.
"…"
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly—then a slow smile tugged at his lips.
Perfect.
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