"…"
A string of cold, mechanical System prompts rang out, and Ren stood there for a moment—genuinely stunned.
He hadn't expected this kind of haul from a refreshed-location sign-in.
Forbidden Technique — Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu didn't even need explaining. With Hashirama Senju's Sage Body fused into him, it was practically tailor-made. Perfect timing.
And then there was Murakumogiri—one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades, Whitebeard's weapon. A legendary blade at the very top of that world.
But the real surprise—
When the Whitebeard Template reached 65%, it unlocked Whitebeard's swordsmanship.
Did Whitebeard—the "World's Strongest Man"—know swordsmanship?
Of course he did.
It's just that the Gura Gura no Mi was so overwhelmingly destructive that his blade work rarely stole the spotlight.
Now that Ren had it—
he could walk the path of a true great swordsman too.
Ren inhaled slowly.
"System. Fuse Whitebeard's swordsmanship."
Ding… User. Whitebeard's swordsmanship is being delivered.
HUM—!
In the next instant, a razor-edged presence surged into Ren—an aura that felt less like chakra and more like killing intent forged into shape.
"…This is—"
The moment that "sword presence" poured into his mind, a scene snapped into focus—so vivid it felt like memory.
Whitebeard, holding Murakumogiri, sat drinking with Red-Haired Shanks.
Before the cups even touched their lips, the two locked eyes, laughed like old friends—
and each threw out a single clash.
BOOM—!
A terrifying pressure detonated outward.
The sea bucked and roared, waves rising like mountains. The horizon warped under the weight of their intent, like the world couldn't breathe.
And then—
as if nothing happened—
they casually went right back to drinking.
"…Ridiculous."
By the time Ren finished absorbing it all, a rare hint of awe showed on his face.
Whitebeard's swordsmanship was brutally strong.
Maybe not as purely "refined" as Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman—
but paired with the Gura Gura no Mi?
That was more than worthy of the title World's Strongest Man.
Ren steadied himself.
"System. Show me my status panel."
Ding… generating User status panel…
Ding… status panel ready.
Status Panel
User: Uchiha Ren
Age: 11
Permanent Sign-In Region: Konohagakure (Konoha)
High-value Rewards Obtained (Cumulative):
Whitebeard Template — 65% Unlocked
Rokushiki (Six Powers) — Proficient
Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation (Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku)
Forbidden Technique: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu
Observation Haki — Peak
Armament Haki — Peak
Conqueror's Haki — Unlocked (Whitebeard)
Hashirama Senju's Sage Body — Fused
Murakumogiri — One of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades
Next refreshed sign-in location: 90 days
(Note: refreshed locations grant far better rewards.)
"Not bad."
Ren swept through it quickly, lips curling into a small smile.
Every refreshed-location sign-in made him stronger.
That feeling never got old.
At the same time—
he hadn't noticed when it happened, but Yūgao and Kurenai had stopped training.
Both of them were staring at him, wide-eyed.
Because just a moment ago, they'd felt it—
a faint, almost invisible sword intent leaking from Ren.
It didn't make sense.
They knew Ren was a taijutsu-focused Elite Jōnin.
Since when was he also… a swordsman?
"Hmph."
Ren caught them staring. He opened his eyes and snorted—expression flat, yet somehow more intimidating.
Kurenai snapped back first. "We—We're training."
"Y-Yeah. Training!" Yūgao echoed, moving like she'd been caught doing something wrong.
Ren didn't bother replying.
Instead—
he vanished.
Whoosh—!
He reappeared right beside Yūgao.
"Close your eyes."
"A-Ah…!"
Yūgao yelped, her face instantly turning red.
Her thoughts went wild for half a second—
"Stop."
Ren's voice cut through it like a knife.
"Focus. Sense the environment."
He flicked her forehead.
Tap!
"Ow—!"
"Calm down," Ren said. "And listen."
"O-Okay…"
Still flustered, Yūgao forced herself to settle and reach outward with her senses.
"Well?" Ren asked. "What do you feel?"
"Nothing…" Yūgao answered, confused.
Ren's gaze sharpened slightly.
"How about now?"
He released a thread—just a thread—of that newly acquired sword intent.
HUM—
In Yūgao's perception, the world went deathly quiet.
And then…
she heard it.
Soft. Steady.
Breathing.
"H-Hold on…!"
Yūgao's eyes snapped open, her face drained pale.
"I… I felt it…!"
"The trees… they're breathing."
"That training post too—like it's breathing…!"
Her voice shook.
"What is this?! Am I—am I seeing ghosts?!"
Ren watched her reaction, expression unreadable.
…
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