In the ninja world, there existed an unspoken but deeply rooted rule—
A division of labor.
The nobles governed wealth, land, and administration.
The ninja handled war, bloodshed, and survival.
On the surface, the Daimyo stood above all, holding the authority to appoint the Kage. But in reality… things were never that simple.
Power, after all, depended on circumstances.
The harsher the environment of a hidden village, the more it relied on the Daimyo's financial support.
Unless—
That village could sustain itself.
For example, the Hidden Sand Village had its unique advantage—the Gold Dust Bloodline Limit. Through it, they could generate wealth independently, reducing their reliance on external funding.
But such cases were rare.
Most hidden villages still needed noble backing to function.
And because of that—
There was one rule no ninja dared to break lightly:
Never target the nobility.
Even enemy nobles.
Because they weren't just wealthy patrons.
They were legitimacy itself.
Killing them meant more than eliminating a target—it meant declaring war against the entire political structure of the ninja world.
And if exposed…
You wouldn't just face one village.
You'd face them all.
---
Ren walked quietly along the road, hands tucked behind his head, eyes half-lidded in thought.
As someone who had come from a modern world, his feelings toward nobles were… complicated.
He didn't particularly like them.
But he didn't hate them either.
After all—
Compared to the chaotic, emotionally unstable groups that made up most ninja clans…
The feudal system here was almost civilized.
Sure, there were corrupt nobles.
Power-hungry individuals.
People who abused their status.
But at the very least—
They had education.
They governed.
They maintained order.
If someone truly wanted to change this world…
Then the blade shouldn't be aimed at the nobles first.
It should be aimed at the ninja system itself.
Ren exhaled softly.
"…Let's go. We should head back and pack."
His voice broke the silence as he continued down the path.
---
The Escort Mission
Their mission target this time was simple.
A family of four.
The head of the household was Masamune Tachibana, a man rumored to have distant ties to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
He was traveling with his wife and two children, heading to the Land of Tea to visit relatives—the prestigious Uesugi family.
A routine escort mission.
At least on the surface.
---
Breaking the Ice
At the start of the journey, the two children were clearly intimidated.
After all—
The group escorting them were ninja.
Real ninja.
Wearing forehead protectors.
Carrying weapons.
Radiating an aura of danger.
They kept their distance at first, peeking cautiously from inside the carriage.
But children were children.
Curiosity always won in the end.
Eventually, they began to inch closer.
And naturally—
They gravitated toward the easiest target.
Obito.
---
"Hey, ninja big brother…"
The little boy leaned out of the carriage window, eyes shining.
"Can you really breathe fire?"
Obito puffed up instantly.
"Of course I can!" he declared proudly, giving a thumbs-up. "That's called the Great Fireball Technique! And I've mastered it to an incredible level!"
"Wow!"
The little girl leaned forward, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Then… can you make copies of yourself too?"
Obito grinned.
"That's the Clone Technique! Watch this!"
His hands flew through seals.
Poof!
Two identical Obitos appeared beside him.
They immediately began pulling exaggerated faces—crossed eyes, puffed cheeks, ridiculous poses.
The children burst into laughter.
The tension melted away instantly.
Encouraged, Obito launched into a full performance—boasting about life in Konoha, embellishing his "heroic deeds," and throwing in dramatic gestures every few seconds.
To him, this wasn't just conversation anymore.
It was a stage.
---
Quiet Observations
Behind them, Rin watched the scene with a soft smile.
"…Obito-kun really is good with children."
Her voice was gentle.
"Even though he was the one complaining the most earlier."
Minato chuckled lightly.
"Yes… Obito may seem reckless, but he's a very kind person."
His gaze softened as he continued.
"If I have a child in the future, I think they would get along very well with him."
Ren, walking nearby, almost laughed.
Oh, they'll get along just fine.
Obito was probably the first person to hold Naruto… and maybe the one who held him the longest.
---
A Question About Growth
Ren quickened his pace slightly, moving to walk beside Minato.
"Minato-sensei… can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Minato replied, turning toward him.
Ren organized his thoughts carefully.
"Is there a way to train spatial balance… and neural reaction speed?"
Minato's expression shifted—just slightly.
Interest.
Ren continued calmly.
"I've been developing a combat style centered around the Substitution Jutsu."
"I'm combining it with the principles of the Transformation Technique, Clone Technique, and even Genjutsu."
"My goal is to create the effect of multiple 'real bodies' attacking simultaneously within a certain range."
He paused briefly.
"But… I've run into some problems."
---
Minato's Insight
Minato studied Ren silently.
He had noticed it long ago—
Ren's Substitution Jutsu was… different.
Unusual.
It carried faint similarities to something far more advanced.
The Flying Thunder God.
And with every passing day…
That resemblance was becoming stronger.
Minato didn't say it out loud.
But the thought had already crossed his mind:
If Ren truly has the talent for space-time ninjutsu…
Then perhaps, one day, I could teach him.
After all—
Having another person capable of using Flying Thunder God would be a tremendous asset to Konoha.
But—
Not yet.
Ren was still too young.
Only nine years old.
And more importantly—
His character still needed time to be observed.
The Flying Thunder God wasn't just a technique.
It was a responsibility.
---
Minato finally spoke.
"For spatial balance… the foundation lies in extreme conditions."
His tone was calm but serious.
"You should practice high-speed movement across unstable terrain—cliffs, rivers, suspension bridges."
"Train your body to adapt to constant instability."
"Additionally…"
He gestured slightly.
"Practice walking on water under strong currents. Or climb surfaces beneath waterfalls."
"Let your body experience disorientation—and learn to overcome it."
Ren listened carefully, absorbing every word.
Minato continued:
"Once you're comfortable… do it blindfolded."
"…!"
Ren's eyes sharpened slightly.
That was brutal.
But effective.
---
Dangerous Training
Minato's voice grew more serious.
"There is also a more extreme method."
"Jump from a high place… and stabilize your body in the final moments before landing."
"That will greatly improve your instantaneous chakra control."
He paused.
"But it is extremely dangerous."
"You must ensure complete safety measures."
Ren nodded.
"I understand."
---
Limits of the Body
"As for neural reaction speed…"
Minato sighed lightly.
"That depends heavily on innate talent."
"Training can help—but only to a point."
"You can practice hitting fast-moving targets, or defending against dense shuriken attacks."
"But eventually… you'll reach a ceiling."
Ren's brows furrowed slightly.
"…And beyond that?"
Minato glanced at him.
"There is one method."
"Using chakra to forcibly stimulate the body's cells and nervous system."
Ren's eyes narrowed.
"Kumogakure has researched this extensively."
"Konoha attempted it as well… but didn't achieve much success."
He thought for a moment.
"If you want details… you should consult Lady Tsunade."
"And Lord Orochimaru."
"They led that research."
---
A New Direction
Ren nodded slowly.
"…I see."
Tsunade.
That complicated things.
But—
Not too much.
He had been interacting with her more frequently lately, especially after his grandfather's injury.
Their relationship wasn't close enough to be called master and disciple yet…
But it wasn't distant either.
Maybe… after I pass the Advanced Medical Class assessment.
That should be a good time to ask.
He made a mental note.
"For now… I'll start with balance training."
---
The Question of a Name
Just as Ren was organizing his thoughts—
Minato suddenly spoke again.
"Oh, right… Ren."
"…?"
Ren looked up.
Minato smiled slightly.
"Have you thought of a name for your new technique?"
"…A name?"
"If you haven't," Minato added casually, "I can help."
His expression was calm.
But there was a hint of confidence in his voice.
"To be honest…"
"I'm quite good at naming things."
---
Ren froze for a second.
A very bad feeling crept up his spine.
"…Minato-sensei."
He hesitated.
"…What kind of names have you come up with before?"
Minato's smile deepened.
"Something like—"
He paused slightly.
As if recalling something grand.
Something magnificent.
Something—
Dangerous.
---
And for the first time since transmigrating—
Ren felt genuine fear.
--------------------------------
"Free readers are still behind… but Patreon members are already ahead 😏
Catch up now [patreon.com/Samurai492 ]"
__________________________________