Chapter 31 – The Hannya Squad
"Sharingan?!"
Minamoto Ren froze mid-step. He knew the Power Game System could grant Kekkei Genkai, but he hadn't expected the timing for obtaining the Sharingan to be this… perfect.
Suppressing the urge to awaken it right away, he stuck to his usual routine and headed toward the Senju compound—today's training wasn't over yet. It was Thursday, the day he reported to Lady Tsunade.
He slipped into the Senju compound with practiced ease, unlocked the door with the key Tsunade had given him, and stepped inside—only to be greeted by a scene that made his eyes widen in disbelief.
Tsunade was in the middle of changing clothes. She had just taken off her usual loose-fitting ninja robe and was reaching for the battle armor she wore only for missions.
Ren's gaze instinctively locked onto her… impressive chest. W–What the hell? Who turned on his auto-targeting function?!
Tsunade hadn't noticed him yet. It wasn't until she had completely removed her top that she heard a deep, involuntary breath from behind her.
In truth, Ren had been trying to hold his breath, but… he just couldn't resist sucking in a sharp gasp.
Thwack!
Tsunade's robe flew at him with monstrous force, smacking the top of his head with a resounding crack.
"Get out!"
"Right away!"
A faint blush dusted her cheeks. She was used to living with Mito Uzumaki and Kushina, and since Nawaki had been busy with the Chūnin Exams lately, he rarely came home early. She hadn't bothered locking the door while changing—how was she supposed to know Ren would show up at this exact moment?
Ren stood outside with a straight face, clutching her robe, though his mind kept replaying that… awe-inspiring moment. What power…
A moment later, Tsunade slid the door open, her expression far from pleased. She shot him a sidelong glance.
"Come in. And next time, knock first."
Ren nodded rapidly, like a pecking chicken, and followed her back inside.
"Sensei, are you heading out on a mission?" he asked, steering the conversation away from the awkward incident. Bringing it up again might earn him a punch to the face.
At the mention of work, Tsunade's expression sobered.
"Sunagakure has increased their forces. White Fang can't hold the line alone. The old man is sending us to help."
Ren nodded. He understood.
The truth was, the storyline had long since veered off course. People often said a transmigrator's greatest cheat was knowing the plot in advance… Ren only half-agreed.
In his view, the real advantage was knowing each character's motivations.
Every action has a reason. Orochimaru had set his sights on mastering all jutsu since childhood—his ambition never wavered. That was why he studied under the Third Hokage and collected forbidden techniques. It wasn't until he witnessed Nawaki's death, and saw countless Konoha shinobi die like grass trampled underfoot, that his dream shifted toward the pursuit of immortality.
But even that pursuit was rooted in his original goal—to master all ninjutsu. Orochimaru truly was someone who never forgot his original intent.
Now, in this altered Second Great Ninja War, things had spiraled far beyond the original script. Ren had saved Nawaki, preventing his death. As a result, the Legendary Sannin never split apart. Because they stayed together, Jiraiya returned to Konoha instead of wandering the shinobi world.
That single change meant Jiraiya never took in Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan as disciples. Whether those three founders of Akatsuki were even still alive in the mud and rain of Amegakure was anyone's guess.
Going further down the chain of consequences—would Uchiha Madara seek a different successor? Would Black Zetsu and White Zetsu alter their plans? Everything had become a swirl of unpredictable chaos.
A butterfly flapping its wings in Madagascar might stir a hurricane over the Pacific. Ren didn't need to explain the metaphor to himself.
In the current timeline, because the Sannin remained in Konoha, Sunagakure hadn't launched the kind of desperate surprise attack they had in the original history. Instead, they maintained a low-intensity conflict with Konoha in the Land of Rivers—until recently, when hostilities began to escalate.
Perhaps Chiyo had sent the parents of Sasori of the Red Sand to the Land of Rivers, putting extra strain on White Fang's forces.
"I'll be away from Konoha for a while," Tsunade continued. "Orochimaru too. So follow the training schedule I've set for you. If a mission comes up, take it—but stay safe."
Her gaze lingered briefly on Ren's black hair as she gave her final reminder.
Minamoto Ren nodded.
"Don't worry, sensei. You can count on me. I'll make sure Nawaki stays safe. I'll take good care of him."
Tsunade had already heard the news that Nawaki had been transferred into the ANBU, and naturally knew his new captain was Minamoto Ren. Given their relationship, there was no need for further explanation.
"Then I'm heading out. If you're hungry, grab some food from the kitchen—it's still warm."
With a flick of her ponytail, Tsunade formed a seal without looking back and vanished.
Ren could feel her concern… as a woman, Tsunade's thoughtfulness was far more delicate than that of Orochimaru or Jiraiya.
Stepping into the kitchen, he found the meal still warm on the stove. He sat down, finishing the dishes that still held the faint warmth from earlier, eating them with the hot rice. When he was done, he washed the bowls, tidied the house until it was spotless, and only then disappeared into his room.
Compared to the tiny, run-down apartment Konoha had assigned him, Tsunade's home felt far more like his home.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Ren returned to the ANBU headquarters, putting on his Hannya mask. He wasn't on duty today—his task was to help a newcomer get familiar with ANBU rules and regulations.
Time had passed quickly. From the moment he crossed into this world, to becoming a rookie ANBU operative, and now to training a rookie of his own—it all felt like another lifetime.
"Captain."
A ninja in the traditional Hyūga dojo uniform stood before Ren, maskless, with a somewhat awkward expression.
This was Hyūga Haining. His father, Hyūga Yokohachirō, had kept him locked inside the clan compound for half a year, drilling him relentlessly until his Gentle Fist had reached a satisfactory level. Only then was he allowed to join the ANBU.
Haining had no idea that the captain standing before him was Minamoto Ren—he had been in seclusion all this time, completely cut off from outside contact, and Ren had been busy himself. The two hadn't spoken in six months.
From the lounge, Senju Nawaki came bounding out, his forehead protector now the type worn by chunin, excitement written all over his face. This was the ANBU—the closest department to the Hokage himself! Ren hadn't lied—if he trained hard enough, one day, he really could become Hokage!
Shimura Yū tossed an empty sake bottle into the bin in the ANBU corridor, letting out a boozy hiccup before greeting Ren with a grin.
The Hannya Squad was now complete.
Behind his mask, Ren's eyes were cold. His beautiful, almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly. He hadn't called Yū out for drinking before—that was when they were teammates, and it wasn't his responsibility to interfere. But now he was the squad leader, and he wasn't Yūhi Shinku—he had his own standards for managing his people.
"Cat, you're late."
Ren's tone carried no emotion.
Yū straightened instantly. He wasn't stupid—after working with Ren for so long, he knew his temperament well. When Ren was calm, he was like a warm spring breeze. But when he was angry, he was like the piercing chill of winter.
And right now was winter.
"This time only. Don't let it happen again."
Ren's gaze locked on Yū, but his finger pointed toward the trash bin where the sake bottle had gone. Yū understood instantly—Ren was addressing two issues. No drinking on missions. And no being late.
"Yes, Captain!" Yū's posture snapped straight.
Haining and Nawaki stood nearby, watching. Truthfully, the moment Ren had spoken his first sentence, Haining had already recognized him. That voice was too distinct—wasn't this his own brother?!
"Aniki!" he blurted out, lunging forward to hug Ren.
"In the ANBU, you address by title," Ren said firmly, pushing Haining's head aside.