On the first day of the new semester, Ren felt better than ever.
After more than a month of brutal training, his body had fully absorbed the strength from both rounds of supercompensation.
He had finally adjusted to his improved physique and regained complete control over every movement.
Guy’s willpower was absurdly strong.
The boy spent every day shouting about youth and passion, which made him nearly impossible to break.
For the time being, Ren had no idea how to crack him.
Still, after an entire winter apart, Ren could finally see all his adorable classmates again.
He had missed them terribly.
Last semester, they had studied the Clone Technique.
Their first lesson this semester covered another of the Three Basic Techniques: the Transformation Technique.
Instructor Kengen stood behind the teacher’s desk, looking over the students with satisfaction.
“The first lesson of every semester is always when your enthusiasm reaches its peak.
Everything still feels new, so none of you skip class or fall asleep.” He paused knowingly.
“Based on my many years of teaching experience, half of you will stop paying attention within two weeks.” Several students shifted awkwardly.
“But no matter who you are, never underestimate the Three Basic Techniques.
“For beginners, one of their greatest benefits is that each technique forces chakra to circulate through every part of your body.
The Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, and Body Replacement Technique all accomplish this.” Kengen turned toward the board.
“By practicing them, your body grows accustomed to the movement of chakra, which gradually improves your control.
“Now, let’s begin with the Transformation Technique.” Ren nodded along thoughtfully.
So the Three Basic Techniques served that purpose as well.
They were nearly useless for fooling shinobi with dōjutsu, but they could still work well against opponents weaker than the user.
“The Transformation Technique involves the most basic—and yet one of the most delicate—forms of chakra shape transformation,” Kengen continued.
“By changing the form of your chakra around your body, you can alter your appearance and transform into another person or object.
“Using the Transformation Technique to disguise a log as yourself is also one of the foundations of the Body Replacement Technique.
If you cannot master transformation, you will struggle with replacement as well.” Ren listened with genuine interest.
The mention of shape transformation immediately caught his attention.
The Rasengan from the original story was one of the purest and most advanced examples of chakra shape transformation.
Kengen began explaining how chakra could be used to alter the outline of the body, change its color, and even adjust its apparent density.
By the end of the explanation, Ren felt that chakra was partly governed by the mind.
With chakra as the medium, a shinobi’s consciousness and intent could directly influence the physical world.
If belief played such an important role, then confidence was essential.
A shinobi had to trust completely in the image they were trying to create.
Ren felt as though he had already grasped part of the Transformation Technique’s secret.
“The theory behind transformation is extremely important,” Kengen said at the end of the lesson.
“For the first two weeks of the semester, you will have no other practical coursework.
“Every day, you will focus on chakra control, circulating chakra throughout your bodies, and repeatedly practicing the Transformation Technique.
“You will train hard during class, and you will continue after school.
Do not slack off.” …
Once school ended, Ren walked toward the front row.
“Kurenai, I’ve had a few ideas about the Transformation Technique.
Come on.
Let’s discuss them at our usual training ground.” Rin had already heard that Kurenai had spent most of the break sparring with Ren.
The moment Kurenai followed him out, Rin turned toward Asuma.
Asuma was staring blankly through the window.
He had not been feeling quite that miserable before, but the fact that everyone immediately looked at him somehow made it much worse.
…
One week later, Akimichi Takashi slept through an entire lesson.
When he woke during the break, Nara Saku was no longer beside him.
He had probably gone to the bathroom.
Takashi pulled out a bag of roasted chestnuts and had eaten only two when Saku returned.
“Saku, these first two weeks are all theory lessons.
When are we finally going to deal with Ren?” Saku dropped lazily into his seat.
“There’s no rush.
Did you prepare what I asked for?” “Of course.” Takashi proudly reached into his pocket.
“I found the strongest earplugs available.
During our next sparring lesson, I’ll wear them so I can’t hear a word Ren says.” “Let me see.” Takashi handed the earplugs over.
Saku examined them carefully.
Poof!
Takashi’s eyes widened in terror as white smoke suddenly engulfed his friend.
When it cleared, Nara Saku was gone.
Uchiha Ren sat in his place, wearing his usual arrogant, painfully punchable grin.
He tossed the tightly packed earplugs into the air and casually caught them again.
“You people have no manners!
None at all!” He looked personally offended.
“You know how much I enjoy insulting people, and your solution is to wear earplugs?” Ren pointed accusingly at Takashi.
“That’s like turning off the lights while someone’s trying to talk to you in sign language!
Do you have any idea how rude that is?” Takashi froze.
“And you!” Ren continued.
“You look like such a friendly little fat kid, but Saku has already corrupted you.
You’ve been hanging around that scheming pineapple head for too long!” He leaned closer with a deeply concerned expression.
“Takashi, you have the face of someone destined for a peaceful, happy life.
Don’t let Saku ruin your future.” Ren shook his head sadly.
“Stay away from him.
One look at that boy tells you he’s bad news—and that’s coming from me.
“Only someone as twisted as Saku could invent a plan this cruel.
He found the one thing that could truly hurt me and attacked without mercy!” Takashi panicked so badly that half a chestnut lodged in his throat.
His hands flew to his neck as he tilted his head back, unable to breathe.
‘Oh no!’ He had been tricked by Ren and exposed their entire plan!
Another cloud of white smoke appeared.
Nara Saku returned.
He immediately began pounding Takashi on the back, genuinely terrified that his friend might choke to death.
The moment Takashi saw the real Saku, he calmed down enough to cough up the chestnut.
“Saku!
Why did you scare me like that?
I thought Ren had transformed into you and tricked me into handing over the earplugs!” Saku stared at him.
“Takashi, I was only testing your awareness.
We’re studying the Transformation Technique this semester, so we need to make sure Ren can’t take advantage of us.” He thought for a moment.
“From now on, we’ll use a password whenever we meet.” Saku glanced toward the window.
“The password is maple leaf.” “Got it.” Saku returned the earplugs.
“I’m going to find Asuma and tell him the password.” Just before class resumed, Saku wandered lazily back into the room and sat beside Takashi.
Takashi immediately turned to him.
“Saku, password.” “What password?” “The password you just told me.” Saku frowned.
“I never gave you a password.” Takashi’s eyes narrowed.
His small face filled with the smug confidence of someone who had just solved the greatest mystery in shinobi history.
‘Nice try.
You’ll never fool me.’ He swung one enormous slap across Saku’s face.
“Uchiha Ren!
You thought you could trick me with the Transformation Technique?
We have a password!” The blow knocked Saku out of his chair and sent him tumbling beneath the desk.
He lay there clutching his cheek, staring at Takashi in complete disbelief.
Then the truth struck him.
Takashi had been fooled by Ren.
That bastard had even invented a ridiculous password for him.
“Stop!
Takashi, it’s really me!” Saku shouted.
“The person you met earlier was Ren disguised as me!
“If I were using the Transformation Technique, getting slapped would have broken it!” Takashi froze.
Something was clearly wrong, but he no longer knew what to believe.
Saku hurriedly added, “Last night at the compound, didn’t I tell you to drink water while eating chestnuts so you wouldn’t choke?” Takashi nodded frantically.
That conversation had happened late at night.
Ren could not possibly have known about it.
This was the real Saku.
“I’m so mad!” Takashi wailed.
“Ren played me completely!” He looked guiltily at Saku’s face.
“Sorry.
Did I hit you too hard?
Your pineapple hair is leaning sideways now…” Saku felt more wronged than he ever had in his life.
Still clutching his swollen cheek, he climbed to his feet and listened carefully as Takashi explained how Ren had deceived him.
Ren was not merely cruel.
He was sneaky too.
He had deliberately framed Saku and tricked Takashi into attacking him!
Nara Saku was supposed to be calm, clever, and dignified.
Now he had a giant handprint across his face.
He had never suffered such humiliation in his entire life.
[A nearby shinobi has suffered severe emotional damage.
The Emotional Damage System is now activating…] Standing outside the classroom door, Ren watched the entire scene with great interest.
‘The Transformation Technique is amazing.’ ‘Yeah, I definitely need to master this one.’