Three days later, at Konoha's gates.
The news of Renya leaving the village today had already spread among those familiar with him, and they had come of their own accord to see him off.
"Renya-kun, be careful on the road," Koharu said.
"Koharu, you and Danzo should also be careful when you're out on missions," Renya replied with a smile.
He didn't want to return to the village six months later only to hear the news of their deaths.
Although he planned to strengthen the "Eye of the Moon Plan," there was no guarantee Madara wouldn't make a move against them. Better to be cautious…
He couldn't possibly entrust their lives to Madara's mood, could he?
"Hmph, as if we need your reminder." Danzo crossed his arms and gave a cold snort.
He had no idea how many times Renya had said the same thing. They weren't children. If they encountered danger, of course they would retreat. There was no need for him to nag them constantly.
He always felt like this guy was overly worried about their safety…
"Hahaha, as long as you know," Renya said with a laugh.
To save these few people, he had even gone so far as to join Madara's camp. He had done more than enough.
If they still ended up dying in the end, then it could only be said that fate had decided so.
"Renya-san, you must come back soon!" Tsunade said reluctantly. With Renya-san leaving the village, for half a year she wouldn't be able to eat his delicious cooking.
"Hahaha, no problem." Renya chuckled and ruffled the little girl's head, comforting her.
This girl was clearly upset because she wouldn't be able to eat good food for a long time, not because she truly couldn't bear to part with him. She just couldn't part with the big meals.
His gaze fell on Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
"You two should train well. Especially you, Jiraiya—don't keep dragging behind the others."
"Got it, Renya-sama!" Jiraiya clenched his fists in excitement and shouted, "When I get back, I'll study hard and aim for grades in cultural classes as good as yours!"
Renya: "…"
Good grief, that was unnecessary.
Never in his life had he imagined Jiraiya would say something like that, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"What an idiot," Orochimaru muttered, unable to hide the disdain in his heart.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others all turned their eyes to Renya, each with strange expressions.
Had Jiraiya gone mad? He actually wanted to have grades in cultural classes like Renya's.
They had lived so many years, and it was their first time hearing such an absurd request.
If they remembered correctly, Renya's grades in cultural classes had never once passed, right?
It was one thing for him to fool children, but to fool them this badly?
They never expected Renya to be that kind of person…
Facing their stares, Renya's lips twitched, not knowing how to explain.
Heaven bear witness—he had never boasted that his cultural grades were good! This was all something Jiraiya made up in his own head!
"Hahaha, ambition is good." Renya forced a smile and patted Jiraiya's shoulder. At this point, he could only grit his teeth and admit it.
He couldn't exactly say his cultural grades were at the very bottom of the class, could he?
If he did, the grand and reliable image he had in the hearts of these three kids would completely collapse.
To maintain his persona, he had no choice but to encourage Jiraiya under the scornful gazes of Danzo and the others.
Hiruzen and the rest: "…"
They had never seen someone so shameless!
"Hahaha, it's getting late. Everyone, I'll be off now. See you in half a year!"
Not daring to meet his companions' expressions, Renya gave a quick farewell before leaving the village.
With that, his figure blurred and quickly disappeared from their sight.
"Hmph, this guy sure knows how to run fast." Danzo's lips curved into the faintest of smiles.
It was the first time he had ever seen Renya look embarrassed.
Seeing this, Hiruzen and the others couldn't help but laugh.
"Orochimaru, what are they laughing at?" Jiraiya whispered as he leaned close to Orochimaru.
He had no idea it was all because of what he had just said.
"Idiot." Orochimaru's face was blank.
"Bastard, why are you calling me names again!" Jiraiya flared up instantly.
If he didn't want to answer, then don't—but why insult him?
"These kids are quite amusing." Hiruzen watched the two bicker with great interest, not bothering to hide his admiration for them.
"Don't say I didn't warn you—Renya has long since planned to take them as disciples." Danzo shot Hiruzen a glance and said softly.
Given how much Renya valued the three of them, it was obvious he had his eye on them.
If Hiruzen tried to swoop in and snatch them while Renya was away, he would definitely die a miserable death…
"Hahaha, so that's how it is." Hiruzen shrank his neck. If Danzo hadn't reminded him, he really might have tried to take them as disciples.
But now it seemed, it wasn't meant to be.
...
Hokage's office.
Senju Tobirama stood silently at the window, his red eyes gazing into the distance.
The Hokage building was the tallest structure in the village, and from this position he could see the village gates.
He had witnessed the scene of everyone seeing Renya off. Only after Renya's figure disappeared from view did he return to his desk to deal with paperwork.
With that brat gone, for quite a long time, there would be no one to prepare his three daily meals.
"Half a year is still too long."
Had he known, he would never have allowed Renya to leave for such a long time.
If he could do it over again, he would never have granted a six-month leave. But unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret in this world.
He could only say—learn from your mistakes, and never repeat them again.
Tobirama opened a drawer, looked at the soldier pills inside, and sighed helplessly.
Until Renya returned to the village, he could only rely on soldier pills to get by.
...
Renya left Konoha without stopping, running fifty miles without rest.
Using a summoning technique too close to the village could be noticed by Tobirama. To be safe, he had to find a more secure location.
If that old man truly discovered it, there would be no way to explain.
Even though he had joined Madara for the sake of his companions' safety, this matter still couldn't be revealed to others!
Renya arrived at a hidden cave and pulled out the summoning scroll Madara had once given him.
He bit his fingertip, formed the hand seals, then slammed one hand onto the ground. In an instant, complex markings spread across the earth.
"Come out, Fat Cat!"
As his voice fell, a loud bang resounded, smoke filling the cave. A plump black cat appeared within the haze.
"Kid, why did you summon me?" Scar asked in puzzlement. This brat had signed the contract so long ago, and today was the very first time he had called it out.
"Fat Cat, take me to see Madara-sama," Renya said.
"No problem, kid… wait a second—what did you just call me?!"
Scar instantly bristled, baring its teeth and roaring.
"You're the fat cat! Your whole family are fat cats!"
"I'm Scar! Scar!"
"Did you get that clearly?!"