Chapter 44

The sharp kunai landed on Nawaki's neck, and the blood that appeared once more proved that this was Nawaki's true body.

Nawaki stared in disbelief at Ren. "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 an amused look. "As soon as the steam appeared, he used it as cover to quickly close in. But being able to locate Nawaki within the mist—that is sensory ability. Physique, taijutsu, ninjutsu, sensory ability... truly perfect!"

As Orochimaru spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Ren, filled with excitement.

Tsunade shook her head. "Orochimaru... is this the Nawaki you raised? Why do I feel he is even worse than before?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "Six years was simply not enough time to teach Nawaki properly. So I taught him a few ninjutsu and let him train on his own. Nawaki does not lack ninjutsu now; what he lacks is experience—combat experience. Compared to Ren's combat experience, Nawaki is like a child. But Ren's methods are nothing like those of a Genin who has just graduated!"

Tsunade nodded silently, then looked at Ren and Nawaki in the distance. "All right... that is enough! Ren is the victor, and Nawaki is the loser. The gap may be rather large, but Nawaki is sixteen this year and actually lost to twelve-year-old Ren. Go back and wait for your punishment..."

After saying that, Tsunade looked at Ren. "I did not see any taijutsu, nor did I see any Medical Ninjutsu. But your ninjutsu was used well, and your combat experience is remarkable too. I really do not know how a little brat like you trained."

Ren merely chuckled. 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 at Ren with delight. "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 only smiled faintly. "There is no need to become your disciple. If I have time, I will ask Uncle Orochimaru for guidance!"

When facing Orochimaru now, he no longer felt as uneasy as before. But that fellow kept sticking out his tongue and occasionally pulling out snakes to play with. Ren found him disgusting from the bottom of his heart.

Orochimaru nodded, then looked at Nawaki. "Nawaki... come with me. It seems six years of closed-off training did not help you grow much. I will intensify your training now!"

In the blink of an eye, Nawaki and Orochimaru had already left.

Tsunade looked at Ren. "Continue training! Ask if there is anything you do not understand. And if there are any Fire Release or Lightning Release techniques you want to learn, 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 passed away, six years had allowed Ren to grow considerably. Though only twelve years old, he had already far surpassed those his age.

Ren entered his bedroom without stopping, immediately slipping into the passageway in the corner of the wall.

The silent passageway felt somewhat weathered. Ren's eyes turned cold. "Six years ago, I came here and lamented my lack of strength. Six years later, I have come here again, and I still lament my lack of strength."

Ren entered the secret chamber and stared at the scrolls within, filled with a desire to become stronger.

Six years ago, Ren witnessed Mito Uzumaki's death and the arrival of a new era.

Unfortunately, he later saw Kushina being taken away to become the vessel that sealed the Nine-Tails. It was not just Kushina; Reiko Uzumaki was the same.

The Nine-Tails was divided and sealed separately within Kushina and Reiko. From then on, Reiko became a hidden Jinchuriki, concealed in the shadows. Kushina became the Jinchuriki in the open. This arrangement protected the Jinchuriki's safety to the greatest extent.

That day, Ren returned and entered this secret chamber. Unfortunately, he knew at the time that he was still unqualified to cultivate such ninjutsu.

Therefore, Ren could only remain silent.

Six years later, Ren came here once again and reopened Madara Uchiha's scroll.

The words faintly radiated dominance as Ren committed the forbidden techniques within to memory.

Ren knew that he was fully qualified to cultivate them now.

Just as Ren was memorizing them, footsteps sounded.

Ren turned around and saw his grandfather's aged figure.

His grandfather said, "You came again!"

Ren nodded silently. "Grandfather... 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 are incomplete. After all, the Second Hokage died too early. These incomplete ninjutsu could be dangerous if you are not careful!"

Ren naturally knew this. For example, the Flying Thunder God before him had originally been created by the Second Hokage. But it had flourished under Minato, mainly because Minato perfected the Flying Thunder God!

The Impure World Reincarnation was the same. Although the Second Hokage created it, Orochimaru perfected it!

Ren memorized several of the techniques, then turned and left the secret chamber!

Watching Ren's back, his grandfather murmured, "This child really is somewhat similar to 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 have trained for six years. It is time to break the restraint I established six years ago. I wonder how great an increase I can obtain!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the spiritual power in Ren's mind surged forth and rapidly increased.

Chapter 60: From Battle Through the Heavens

In the silent bedroom, a faint roar could be heard.

Sweat streamed 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 trash from powerful worlds, he needed a major increase in strength. Otherwise, he would have to wait for himself to keep growing, slowly advancing from low-level worlds to high-level worlds.

That would take far too long and involved too many uncertainties.

Ren also knew that if the Trash Station was to obtain trash from high-level worlds, his physique, spiritual power, or chakra had to increase dramatically. Increasing chakra was the easiest, but it could damage his cells. Improving his physique was the slowest method, and it had to be gradual; it was impossible to multiply it several times at once. It would be different if he possessed heavenly treasures, but such treasures were far too rare.

Therefore, Ren came up with an idea.

He would seal away his spiritual power, then continually practice meditation every day and steadily increase it. Ren found a Sealing Jutsu for sealing spiritual power from Kushina Uzumaki. Although Sealing Jutsu capable of sealing spiritual power was rare, the Uzumaki Clan even possessed Sealing Jutsu that could seal souls. Sealing spiritual power was hardly difficult.

After obtaining this Sealing Jutsu, Ren sealed his spiritual power and practiced meditation every day, increasing it little by little. He trained for six full years, and only today did he release the seal!

Now, his surging spiritual power crashed like ocean waves. Ren knew this impact was dangerous. If anything went wrong, he could become an idiot. But he also knew that only this method could allow him to obtain high-level trash from the Trash Station.

Not long afterward, the surging spiritual power finally settled down, and Ren looked utterly drained.

However, a faint tremor between his brows brought a smile to his face. "Hehe... my assumption was correct. New trash has appeared in the Trash Station."

"Phew..."

Ren exhaled a breath of stale air, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and instantly vanished from the silent bedroom.