— — — — — —
Renzo continued explaining with a calm voice, "So, the generic Sage Body—just like the name suggests—is a completely standard artificial bloodline limit I developed by reverse-engineering the Uzumaki Clan's Sage Body."
"It doesn't have all the mystical powers of the Uzumakis, obviously, but when it comes to chakra reserves, vitality, and overall physical enhancement? It's still seriously impressive!"
"You're looking at a 2 to 5 times boost across the board—body, stamina, and chakra reserves included."
"As for Storm Release?" he paused, then clarified, "That's a bloodline limit created by combining lightning and water chakra natures. Actually, someone in Kumo already has it, so I'm not exactly the first. But I didn't copy theirs—I developed it independently."
"Swift Release comes from combining wind and lightning chakra natures. I've heard rumors others in the ninja world might have something similar, but I'm not sure if it works the same as mine."
"Anyway, my version gives you the speed of both wind and lightning, along with the cutting sharpness of wind and the piercing power of lightning. If you get this bloodline, you won't just be fast—you'll hit like a freight train."
"Blaze Release is a fusion of fire and wind chakra. It gives you intense heat and insane burning power. You want destructive flames? This is your go-to."
"So, pick one!" he said with a grin. "My suggestion? Go with the Standard Sage Body plus one other elemental bloodline—that's the most well-rounded setup."
This was basically his way of giving them the VIP treatment.
After all, these three were top-tier tools—ahem, ninjas—that both he and Minato had high hopes for.
Any difficult missions in the future? Just toss them at these guys.
Giving them some perks now was totally worth it.
"Uh… we're just getting this? Like, just like that?" Obito asked skeptically.
He had wanted this stuff badly when it was out of reach.
Now that it was being handed to him, he suddenly had doubts. Like a guy staring at a falling meat pie and wondering if it was poisoned.
Asuma, Kakashi, and even Rin all nodded in agreement.
"Of course it's not that simple," Renzo said with a smirk, holding Kurenai in his arms while giving them a meaningful look. "All of this was developed using major village resources. If you accept this, you'll owe the village—a lot. Which means more missions, more responsibilities."
"That's the only condition. Any objections?"
...Of course, everything Renzo had just said was a complete fabrication.
He could mass-produce this stuff on a whim using his Fantasy creation ability.
But he wasn't planning to do that.
He wasn't some kind of village workhorse, after all.
The ones he was handing out now really had been made with actual village resources and budget.
So technically... he wasn't lying.
And if he had to spin a little tale to motivate his favorite tools—well, he was very dedicated to the craft.
"Nope! We're good!"
Obito and the others shook their heads without hesitation, eyes lighting up like kids in a candy store. They immediately started discussing options with barely-contained excitement.
"I mean, which two should I pick?" Obito asked eagerly. "If I get these two new bloodlines, that makes three in total for me! How cool is that?!"
He was practically bouncing from excitement—he could already picture himself as some unstoppable beast in the future.
Kakashi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The Sage Body's a no-brainer. If we want to get stronger, then boosting chakra, stamina, and healing is essential. Survivability and combat potential all go up."
"As for my second choice... I'm going with Swift Release. It fits my style, and it might help boost my neural response speed. With that, I might finally get full control over Chidori and Raikiri."
Since he didn't get a Sharingan from Obito like in the original story, his control over Chidori's always been shaky because of the reaction lag—especially with his visual nerves.
Asuma took a long drag of his cigarette, then nodded. "Guess I'll take Swift Release too. Works great with my wind affinity."
"Hey, Kakashi, maybe we'll be known as the Swift Twins of Konoha, yeah?" he said with a chuckle.
Kakashi: "..."
What kind of lame nickname is that? Absolutely not.
"Maybe Storm Release?" Obito considered aloud, then shook his head.
"Nope! I'll go with Blaze Release! I'm an Uchiha—it's gotta be fire!"
Obito made up his mind, then turned to Rin and asked, "What about you, Rin?"
"Hmm…" Rin hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "I'll go with Ice Release!"
"Huh?!" Obito blinked. "Why Ice? Don't tell me you want to form a 'Fire and Ice Duo' with me or something?"
Before he could finish that thought, Rin punched him straight into the ground.
She hadn't fully mastered Tsunade's monster strength yet, but she was right on the edge of it—and that blow nearly knocked Obito out cold.
Rin stuck her tongue out, looking apologetic. "Oops! Reflex!"
Obito: "..."
His emotions were... complicated.
All of this is Renzo's fault. Why the hell did he have Rin train under Lady Tsunade?! Now she's a monster in more ways than one!
He felt like the sweet and gentle Rin he once knew was gone forever.
"Rin, I'm curious too—why Ice Release?" Kurenai asked from Renzo's arms, clearly intrigued.
Renzo had just promised to give her Ice Release as well.
Was there some hidden benefit she wasn't aware of?
"Hehe~" Rin giggled and leaned in conspiratorially. "You don't know this, but I did some reading in the academy library. The Yuki Clan? The ones who can use Ice Release? No matter if they're male or female, they're all ridiculously pretty. Flawless skin, too! Like, next-level beauty."
Kurenai's eyes sparkled instantly. "Seriously?!"
Rin nodded eagerly. "Yup!"
"Then I want it too!"
Kurenai turned to Renzo, her eyes sparkling.
"Go ahead—take whichever ones you like," Renzo said warmly, ruffling her hair with a smile. "If you want every single bloodline, I'll still back you up."
Yeah, he was that kind of guy—ridiculously generous and blatantly biased. Watching from the side, Kakashi and the others were practically drowning in jealousy.
"…Actually, never mind," Kurenai chuckled. "Too many might be overkill. I'll add Swift Release to go with it. Might help me run away faster if things get dicey."
Renzo couldn't help but laugh and shake his head. "Sure, whatever you say."
"..."
"Okay, can you two stop showing off your couple energy already? Some of us are dying of secondhand embarrassment here," Kakashi groaned, clearly unimpressed.
"What is this world coming to…? Is being single illegal now?"
Renzo was like this. Obito kinda was like this. Even Asuma had gotten swept up in the romance wave.
Then something seemed to click in Kakashi's mind. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Rin with a strange expression. "Wait a sec… Did I hear that right? You said the Yuki Clan… no matter if they're male or female… are all pretty? As in, beautiful? Even the guys?"
Obito and Asuma turned to look as well, clearly curious now.
"Hehe, that's right!" Rin beamed. "I was surprised too, but that's what the book said!"
Then she turned toward Renzo. "Renzo-kun, you've met some Yuki Clan shinobi before, right? Is that true?"
"…It's true," Renzo replied, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Oh, he'd seen it all right. Orochimaru had even gifted him two corpses from the Yuki Clan for research.
Those guys… looked like crossdressers. Pretty faces, smooth skin—it was downright unsettling.
No wonder Haku, in the original timeline, looked more like a beautiful girl than a boy. Turns out, that wasn't just a personal quirk—it was a clan trait. Or maybe a "gift" from the Ice Release bloodline.
Honestly… was this some kind of cursed trap bloodline?
At least—for the guys—it sure felt that way.
Speaking of which, Renzo had already injected himself with Ice Release.
But maybe his own ice-based power was already too strong… he didn't notice much of a change.
"Tsk, tsk…"
Kakashi, Obito, and Asuma all looked a little disturbed.
"Why would any guy want to look that pretty? That's just… creepy."
"…But wait," Obito suddenly perked up, eyes lighting up as he looked at Rin. "If it makes girls even more beautiful, then Rin, I totally support your decision!"
"Ugh, give me a break," Kakashi muttered. Asuma rolled his eyes. "So lame."
Asuma cleared his throat and looked seriously at Renzo. "Hey, can I ask for one of those Ice Release serums for my future wife?"
Kakashi: "…"
Bro… what the hell?
Renzo chuckled. "Once you're ready to settle down and get married, I'll give you one as a wedding gift."
Then he glanced at the slightly tempted Kakashi and added, "You too, Kakashi."
"Thanks, man. Seriously—you're the best," Asuma said, deeply moved.
Kakashi took a long breath, then finally nodded. "Thanks."
Who wouldn't want their future wife to be more beautiful? And if you can pass that bloodline to your kids for free… why not?
"Obito, what about you?" Rin asked playfully.
Obito shook his head, beaming. "I don't need it. Having you is more than enough for me!"
"Ugh, shut up! Who said I was gonna be with you?!"
WHAM!
Rin's monster punch landed square on Obito's face, knocking him flat—again. The sheer power in her strike nearly knocked him unconscious.
Obito: "…"
Renzo burst out laughing at the sight.
It was like watching a rerun of Jiraiya getting flattened by Tsunade.
.
.
.