"Absolutely not."
Utakata's voice cut right through Ren and Nami's conspiratorial chatter. Both of them turned to look at him, pouting like scolded children. Nami complained first, "What's the matter, Uta-chan? I'm just having a conversation with your student."
Ren chimed in immediately, "That's right, Sensei! We're just talking no need to be offended."
Utakata gave them both a blank stare, completely unmoved by their attempt to play innocent. "A conversation that happens at the expense of my dignity is not something I want you two to have."
Ren huffed, leaning back with his arms crossed. "Well, that's your stand. We're the ones having the conversation, so it's up to us what topic we choose."
He turned back to Nami, grinning. "Ma'am, I don't really have any embarrassing stories. He's always been like a block of ice with us. But don't worry, I'll make sure you meet my dad. He'll definitely have 'many' things to share."
Nami's eyes turned into crescent moons with how wide she was smiling. She nodded conspiratorially, "Alright then remember your promise. And when that happens, I'll make sure you get some very satisfying information in return."
Utakata, standing to the side, just stared at the two of them, numb to their plotting. Honestly, he'd expected their first meeting to go exactly like this, so he wasn't even surprised. As for embarrassing moments, as long as he threatened Juichi properly, his secrets would stay buried forever. He was sure of that much.
He cleared his throat and turned to Ren. "Why are you here?"
Ren stopped playing around and spoke more seriously, "I want the third book."
Utakata stared at him for a moment, then nodded. "Come to my study."
He glanced at Nami as he walked away. "He'll be leaving soon, so there's no need for snacks or tea."
Ren threw up a hand in protest, "I want snacks."
Utakata turned his blank stare on him, voice flat. "You don't. Really."
Something in his tone made Ren hesitate. He glanced at Nami and she looked just as confused as he was and then he just nodded, falling in step behind his Sensei.
The study was larger than Utakata's office in the hospital but had the same neat, restrained feel. Unlike the hospital, though, there were a few personal touches photos on the shelves and walls.
There was a Genin team picture of Team Jiraiya and Genin Team photo of Team 1 was besides that, another of Team Jiraiya grown up, then one with all of them together at Minato's wedding. One showed them all standing together again, but this time Minato wore the ceremonial Hokage robes.
One photo, in the corner, made Ren freeze. It was a wedding group shot of Juichi and Sayaka, with Jiraiya, Utakata, Minato, Kushina, and Tsunade in it. Ren picked it up slowly, eyes drawn to one face in particular.
It was the first time he'd actually seen his mother. There hadn't been a single photo of her in his entire house. Before his memories returned, he'd been too young to care about something like that and after he'd regained them, he just hadn't bothered. She was gone. What did it matter what she looked like?
But now, staring at the photo, he understood why everyone said he was the spitting image of her, the same blue hair but longer, the same light blue eyes, that same grin that made it look like she didn't have a single worry in the world.
Utakata stayed silent, watching him. He knew what was going through Ren's mind, so he sat down and let him have his moment. After a few seconds, Ren set the photo back down. His expression was calm, almost indifferent.
He knew now what had really happened when he was born. Sayaka had died because of him. He didn't know if the ability to own the Flow was his or the 'original' Ren's but either way, that was why she'd faced the wrath of the world when she gave birth. That was why she'd died.
He wouldn't let it slow him down but he'd remember it. When he made the world his bitch, he'd make sure to collect that debt with interest.
He took a seat across from Utakata, who finally spoke. "Do you know what happened at the time of your birth?"
Ren nodded. Utakata sighed, rubbing his temple. "I only learned the whole truth a little while ago myself. Originally, I thought Tsunade-sama knew about your birth but didn't care, that she just left. There were some doubts, but I couldn't voice them. Even Juichi refused to tell me anything, so I figured it must involve something bigger."
Ren shook his head. "Sensei, I get it. It's not your fault. The blame lies with the Third and Danzo. I understand the old man's desire to keep Lady Tsunade on the Sand front, but he shouldn't have told her I died. That probably broke her too much and then they made her hold a fake cremation for us. They twisted the story so everyone believed it. It's no wonder you couldn't do anything."
He leaned back, "Also, don't worry too much. Lady Tsunade will probably want to deal with the Third herself. They've been student and teacher for so many years it's better to leave that to them."
Utakata nodded, his expression turning serious as he spoke, "What you did today in the meeting with Danzo was very dangerous. Although I don't understand your reason for being so vindictive toward him, such openly hostile interaction at such an early stage isn't good."
Ren leaned back in his chair, replying casually, "It wasn't without reason though. He sent three squads of Root operatives to assassinate me, five elite jonin-level fighters. Fortunately, I'm awesome and came out on top, but it still annoyed me a bit, so I played with him a little."
Utakata countered sharply, "Yes and that 'playing' is exactly what's dangerous. Danzo is a very, very petty man. His ego is that of a child. You repeatedly put him down today, and he'll surely retaliate somehow. I know and he knows that he can't do anything to you or Juichi for now unless he acts on his own. But what about Yugao and Hitoshi? What if he sends someone after them? They don't have your strength, both of them just have the strength of a normal jonin right now. If an elite jonin attacks them, they'd surely die."
Ren nodded thoughtfully, "I know, Sensei. But it was also necessary. The clan leaders have long grown used to the Third covering for Danzo, that's what allowed him to go wild in the first place. What they needed was proof that someone could stand against him, even with the Third present.
A lot of people knew I'm the grandson of the Second, but they weren't sure if Danzo would care or if the Third would back him up in front of me. But today, the clan leaders saw that I could speak out against Danzo openly. Even when the Third stepped in and I apologized, I still kept taking digs at him, and the Third let it go. That alone will boost the clan leaders' confidence."
He leaned forward, voice calm, "That makes whatever plan you and Commander Yoru are plotting much easier, right? If you have the support of the other clan leaders too, it becomes easier right?
This is exactly in line with what Commander told me, he asked me to be the light, right? That's what I did. Danzo is the darkness, and I was the light. A proof was needed that the light can contest the darkness, and that proof was given today. A lot of the small clan leaders are only afraid of Danzo because they think no one can go against the man backed by the Hokage. But after today, they'll have some confidence. It'll make it easier for the Commander to use that when the time comes."
He looked Utakata in the eye, "As for Yugao and Hitoshi, I'm not worried about Yugao. She's in Kakashi's squad and has Itachi alongside her. So they're in the same situation as me, unless Danzo acts himself, they can either win or get away. As for Hitoshi, the deterrence of the Aburame clan might not stop Danzo if he really wants to act, so I'll ask the Commander to make some preparations for him too since he's in the ANBU."
Utakata thought for a while, then nodded and pulled out a small book from his desk drawer, sliding it across the table toward Ren. Ren picked it up and flipped through the pages of Fuinjutsu for Barbarians, Volume 3.
This one was thicker than the previous volumes, so he figured it must contain new, advanced aspects he hadn't tackled yet. He tucked the book into his storage belt and nodded at Utakata, "Thank you, Sensei."
Utakata waved him off and asked, "Anything else?"
Ren nodded, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. A sealing formula spread across the room in an instant. Utakata glanced at the table and there was a brief spark of approval in his eyes.
"Hm. I was a bit skeptical whether you were truly at the level to need that third volume, but if you can hijack my sealing formula like this, it seems you've really crossed the threshold. You're a real Level 5 Fuinjutsu master now."
Ren couldn't help but smile at the compliment, but his expression turned serious as he asked, "Sensei, do you have anything related to the Flying Thunder God from Minato-San?"
Utakata paused, staring at him for a moment. Something seemed to click for him and he nodded, stood up, and moved toward one of the walls.
Ren watched as Utakata removed a hidden section of the wall to reveal a massive vault built right into the house. He opened it, stepped inside, and disappeared from view for a minute while Ren waited quietly outside.
Soon enough, Utakata returned, closed the vault, and re-placed the wall section as if it had never been touched. Sitting back down, he pushed two things across the desk to Ren: a thick stack of research papers and a bundle of four three-pronged kunai.
Utakata spoke evenly as Ren picked up one of the kunai, inspecting its unique design,
"It's not much, but this is all I have left related to the FTG. Everything else was ordered to be handed over to the village. These kunai were the conduits Minato used to place his sealing formula.
The documents contain our research and analysis, what kinds of materials could hold the marker, how the seals could be engraved, and other details about the anchors. They might help you a lot as they also have some notes from the three of us, me, Minato, and Kushina who was, unarguably, the best Fuinjutsu user the village has ever seen. Study them well."
Ren carefully stored the kunai and the documents in his storage belt, then looked at Utakata and gave him a respectful nod, "Thank you, Sensei."
Utakata just waved him toward the door, "Alright, go now."
Ren got up and turned to leave, genuinely relieved that Utakata hadn't pressed him with questions. He knew that even with Utakata, some information wasn't safe to share yet. Just as he reached the door, Utakata's voice called out behind him a random comment, yet strangely thoughtful.
"There was a time when Minato excitedly reached a conclusion, he said, 'Space isn't an obstacle. It doesn't actually hinder you.' I never understood what he meant, but maybe it'll help you."
Ren paused at the doorway, turning the words over in his mind. He didn't fully understand either, but maybe once he learned Minato's seal, it would click into place.
He glanced back, "Thank you, sensei."
Once Utakata saw Ren going, he returned to Nami who was feeding a few toads in the backyard. Seeing Utakata stand besides her, she smiled softly as she asked, "Is your student gone?"
Utakata nodded and didn't speak much but Nami continued talking, about how cute Ren was, how he'll be a ladykiller in the future, how the two of them would get along 'really' well.
Seeing this Utakata just sighed but got startled a bit when he heard Nami's next words, "I remember you had a female student right? I really want to meet her too." Utakata imagined Nami and Yugao together and what he imagined wasn't good for his mental health so he erased it and just nodded.
Nami also fell quiet for a while then asked, "Uta-chan, why didn't you let me prepare snacks for your student, for everyone I've cooked till now said my cooking is divine." She spoke a bit smugly but Utakata's response made her blush.
Utakata spoke, "Yes, that is why I didn't want him to taste your cooking. As far as I know him, he would start coming here regularly and disturb our time together."
Nami shyly fluttered her eyebrows as she leaned closer to Utakata and spoke, "Oh your sugary mouth, although you don't speak much when you do, it practically drips honey doesn't it."
The two of them stayed locked in their position for a bit letting their eyes do the talking, then Utakata picked Nami up as she let out a yelp but she let her continue.
He carried her like this to their room, touched the door a few times as he activated a few seals and went in as the door closes behind them.
~~~~~
{Though he got some things I won't be delving into them right now and would explain them later when we once again the FTG section.}
{Also, while writing this I realised one thing, if I write romance, I might just die from the cringe I feel. I mean it was such a short portion but I still needed sooooo much time to write this because I kept deleting everything I wrote.}
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{ h t t p s : / / w w w . p a t r e o n . c o m / Z e e n o n }
{You know what else}
{280 Stones = Extra chapter}
{STONES!!!!}