The sharp kunai landed on Nawaki's neck, and the blood that appeared once more proved that this was Nawaki's real body.
Nawaki was dumbfounded. He looked at Ren in disbelief and said, "What happened? When did you get behind me?!"
The steam slowly dissipated, and Ren was nowhere to be seen in the distance.
Orochimaru watched with a hint of amusement. "When the steam appeared, he used it as cover to close in quickly. But being able to find Nawaki within the mist—that's sensory ability. Physique, taijutsu, ninjutsu, sensory ability... truly perfect."
As Orochimaru spoke, his gaze lingered on Ren with unconcealed interest and excitement.
Tsunade shook her head. "Orochimaru... this is the Nawaki you trained? Why do I feel like he's gotten worse than before?"
Orochimaru shook his head. "There simply wasn't time to teach Nawaki during those six years of closed training. So I taught him a few ninjutsu and let him cultivate on his own. Nawaki doesn't lack ninjutsu now; what he lacks is experience—combat experience. Compared to Ren's combat experience, Nawaki is like a child. But Ren's actions are completely unlike those of a Genin who just graduated!"
Tsunade nodded silently, then looked at Ren and Nawaki in the distance. "All right... that's enough! Ren is the winner, and Nawaki is the loser. Even if the gap is a little large, Nawaki is already sixteen and still lost to twelve-year-old Ren. Go back and wait for your punishment..."
After saying that, Tsunade looked at Ren. "I didn't see any taijutsu, nor did I see any Medical Ninjutsu. But your ninjutsu was used well, and your combat experience is exceptional too. I really don't know how a little brat like you trained."
Ren smiled softly at that. After all, no one knew that within the Dog Clan, he had so many mechanical beasts to fight against.
Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and stared joyfully at Ren. "Truly perfect... Ren, are you interested in becoming my disciple?"
As he spoke, a smile appeared on his pale face.
Facing Orochimaru's gaze, Ren merely smiled. "There's no need for that. If I have the chance, I'll ask Uncle Orochimaru for guidance."
When facing Orochimaru now, he no longer felt as uneasy as before. Still, Ren found the man who kept sticking out his tongue and occasionally pulling out snakes to play with rather disgusting.
Orochimaru nodded, then looked at Nawaki. "Nawaki... come with me. It seems those six years of closed training didn't help you grow much. I'll be intensifying your training now!"
In the blink of an eye, Nawaki and Orochimaru had left.
Tsunade looked at Ren. "Keep training! Ask if there's anything you don't understand. Also, if you want to learn any Fire Release or Lightning Release, just tell me!"
Ren did not care in the slightest. He had far too many ninjutsu.
In the blink of an eye, night had fallen.
Ren watched Kushina leave, then turned and walked toward his bedroom.
Six years. A full six years.
Ever since Mito Uzumaki's death, six years had allowed Ren to grow considerably. He was only twelve, yet he far surpassed those his age.
Ren entered his bedroom without stopping and instantly entered the passageway in the corner.
The silent passageway carried an air of age. Ren's eyes were cold. "Six years ago, I came here lamenting my own weakness. Six years later, I have come here again, still lamenting my own weakness."
Ren entered the secret chamber and stared at the scrolls within, filled with the desire to become stronger.
Six years ago, Ren had witnessed Mito Uzumaki's death, as well as the arrival of the New Era.
Unfortunately, he later watched Kushina being taken away to become the vessel that sealed the Nine-Tails. It was not only Kushina; Reiko Uzumaki was the same.
The Nine-Tails had been divided and sealed separately within Kushina and Reiko. From then on, Reiko became Shadow Darkness, a Jinchuriki hidden in the shadows. Kushina was the Jinchuriki in the open. This arrangement protected the Jinchuriki's safety to the greatest extent possible.
That day, Ren had returned and entered this secret chamber. Unfortunately, he had known then that he was still unqualified to cultivate such ninjutsu.
Thus, Ren could only remain silent.
Six years later, Ren came here again and reopened Madara Uchiha's scroll.
The words, faintly exuding Haki, were committed to memory by Ren.
Ren knew that he was now fully qualified to cultivate them.
Just as Ren was memorizing them, the sound of footsteps came from nearby.
Ren turned his head and saw his grandfather's aged figure.
His grandfather said, "You came again!"
Ren nodded silently. "Grandpa... I should be qualified now!"
His grandfather fell silent before finally saying, "Sigh... since you insist on cultivating them, then do so. But most of the ninjutsu within haven't been perfected. After all, the Second Hokage died too early. These incomplete ninjutsu could be dangerous if handled improperly!"
Ren naturally knew this. For instance, the Flying Thunder God before him had originally been created by the Second Hokage. But it had been carried forward and perfected by Minato!
Impure World Reincarnation was the same. Although the Second Hokage had created it, Orochimaru had perfected it!
Ren memorized several of the ninjutsu, then turned and left the secret chamber!
His grandfather watched Ren's retreating back and muttered, "This child really is somewhat like that person. I only hope Ren does not become that person!"
Late at night, Ren sat cross-legged and stared at the crystal before him. "I've cultivated for six years. It's time to break the restraint I placed on myself six years ago. I wonder how great an increase I can gain!"
As soon as the words fell, the spiritual power within Ren's mind surged forth and rapidly rose.
From Battle Through the Heavens
Within the silent bedroom, a faint roar could be heard.
Sweat ran down Ren's forehead, and veins bulged faintly beneath his skin.
Six years ago, Ren had learned that if he wanted the Trash Station to produce garbage from powerful worlds, he needed to improve himself dramatically. Otherwise, he would have to wait for himself to grow continuously, slowly advancing from low-level worlds to higher-level worlds.
That process was far too slow and filled with too many uncertainties.
Ren also knew that if the Trash Station was to obtain garbage from high-level worlds, his physique, spiritual power, or Chakra needed to improve drastically. Increasing Chakra was the easiest, but it could also damage his cells. Improving his physique was the slowest option, and it had to be gradual; it was impossible to increase it severalfold at once. It would be different if he had heavenly treasures, but such treasures were far too rare.
Therefore, Ren came up with an idea.
He would seal away his spiritual power, then cultivate the Meditation Technique every day and constantly increase it. Ren had found a Sealing Jutsu for sealing spiritual power from Kushina Uzumaki. Although Sealing Jutsu that sealed spiritual power were rare, the Uzumaki Clan even possessed Sealing Jutsu capable of sealing souls. Sealing spiritual power was hardly difficult.
After obtaining that Sealing Jutsu, Ren sealed his spiritual power away. Then, he cultivated the Meditation Technique every day, increasing it little by little. In the end, he cultivated for six years and only released the seal today!
Now, his surging spiritual power crashed like ocean waves. Ren knew that such an impact was dangerous. If things went wrong, he could become an idiot. But he also knew that only this method could allow him to obtain high-level garbage from the Trash Station.
Not long after, the surging spiritual power finally stabilized, and Ren looked as though he had collapsed from exhaustion.
Yet the faint tremor between his brows made Ren smile. "Heh... my assumption was correct. New garbage has appeared in the Trash Station."
"Hoo..."
Ren let out a breath of foul air, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and instantly vanished from the silent bedroom.
Before you continue