With his Appraisal ability, he could easily identify every plant and mushroom, distinguishing edible from poisonous. He also used Clairvoyance occasionally, scanning wider areas for signs of life.
Yet, despite these powerful abilities, the forest seemed reluctant to yield its bounty. He found many safe-to-eat plants, ripe wild berries, and starchy roots.
But animals to hunt? None at all.
Ren tracked small footprints—perhaps rabbits or squirrels—but found no signs of larger animals like deer or wild boars that could provide meat for the group.
Even birds were scarce and too agile to catch easily.
The forest felt eerily quiet, as if its larger fauna had vanished or never existed in significant numbers at the ravine's base.
"What's going on?! Why are there no animals except insects?"
Standing on a high tree branch, his gaze swept the forest below. Ren had explored for hours, using his abilities, but to no avail.
The absence of animals in this forest was truly strange, even for such a remote place.
"Hm?"
Then, with Clairvoyance, he spotted the silhouette of a fruit tree in the distance—an intriguing anomaly amid the towering trees.
Without hesitation, Ren headed toward it, moving in a way impossible for ordinary humans—leaping from branch to branch like a ninja darting through the Naruto world.
His movements were fluid and nearly silent, gliding through the forest canopy.
Upon reaching the fruit tree, Ren activated Appraisal. An information panel appeared, identifying it as:
[Name: Wild Banana (Musa acuminata Colla)]
[Type: Fruit Plant (Wild/Native)]
[Status: Non-Toxic]
"Heh~ So this is what bananas looked like before human genetic engineering."
Its appearance was starkly different from supermarket bananas.
They were shorter and stubbier, unlike the long Cavendish. The skin was dark green with scattered black and brown spots, not smooth like cultivated bananas.
Ren plucked one, peeling it to reveal pale, creamy-white flesh. Most strikingly, it was filled with rows of large, hard black seeds taking up much of the space. The edible flesh was minimal, interspersed with these dense, bitter seeds.
"This is solid proof of evolution and human genetic engineering turning wild fruit into an easily consumed commodity."
"Whatever. Better than starving. They'll eat it even if they don't like the taste. In a survival situation, anything that keeps us alive shouldn't be wasted."
Making his decision, Ren snapped off several banana bunches, carrying them effortlessly in one hand. The quantity was substantial, likely enough for several meals for the group.
"Time to head back. I've been gone for two hours. Umi and the others might be worried something bad happened to me, right?"
Ren gave up hunting animals for now. His priority was bringing back the food he'd found and easing the camp's worries.
Turning, he headed back to the camp with swift steps.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Ren arrived at the camp, wild banana bunches dangling from his hand. He saw Kaito and Nanao had returned.
Mafuyu and Umi's faces showed relief upon seeing him. Clearly, they'd been worried about his safety after the three men split up in the forest.
"Woah, you found bananas! You're awesome, Rokuhara!" Nanao exclaimed, his eyes sparkling at the greenish-yellow fruit.
He hurried to help Ren, taking a bunch. Kaito said nothing but grabbed another bunch, his stern expression visibly relieved.
"Don't get your hopes up. They're wild bananas." Ren warned, noting their enthusiasm. He set the last bunch on the ground. "They're much smaller and stubbier than the bananas we're used to from supermarkets. The skin's thicker and greenish. Most importantly, there's little flesh—mostly large, hard black seeds. So, don't expect the sweet, seedless bananas you're used to."
Ren's explanation dimmed Nanao's smile slightly, but they nodded in understanding. Food was food.
"You didn't hunt anything either? What's with this forest? Except for insects, I didn't see any animals!" Nanao complained, his voice laced with frustration.
Like Ren, he and Kaito had found no game either.
"Thankfully, Nanao and I found a small stream. So, we don't need to worry about water." Kaito shared good news, pointing to several water bottles they'd filled from the stream.
"Oh, that's great news." Ren nodded lightly, appreciating the update.
Water was the top priority.
While the three men discussed their meager findings, Mafuyu and Umi busied themselves with the wild bananas, berries, and other fruits Ren brought.
They didn't want to be a burden. Umi deftly peeled bananas and cut fruits, while Mafuyu prepared a salvaged lunchbox from the bus.
"Ren-senpai must be thirsty after walking so far. Here's water for you."
Umi approached Ren with a full water bottle.
"Thanks, Umi."
Taking the bottle, Ren drank deeply. The cold liquid was refreshing after his forest trek.
After giving Ren water, Umi carried a bento box of cut fruits to the women's tent. Patiently, she fed Yuuna, Nanao, and Rika, who were still weak.
Meanwhile, Mafuyu went to the men's tent. Coach Takigawa, Seiya, and Ryohei's severe conditions made eating on their own difficult. Awkwardly, Mafuyu took fruit pieces and began feeding them one by one.
"Ugh… If this keeps up, I could get used to a broken leg for life." Ryohei muttered suddenly, chewing a piece of wild banana Mafuyu fed him.
His face grimaced slightly at the odd taste, but his eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Being fed directly by Kirisu-sensei… If the guys at school knew, they'd be so jealous they'd spit blood!"
Mafuyu shot Ryohei a cold look.
"Don't talk nonsense, Yamanouchi-kun. Focus on your recovery."
"Sorry, Sensei. It's just, this is a rare moment that might never happen again. It'll definitely be an epic story in the future!" Ryohei chuckled softly, wincing through his pain.