Chapter 46: New Beginnings
Ren stared at the chakra paper, its surface glistening faintly. For a moment, he thought he was imagining things. But as he looked closer, he realized the paper was damp—not from the humidity, but from his chakra. His brow furrowed, and he felt a small shiver run down his spine. What did this mean?
"Juro-sensei…" Ren murmured, his voice trailing off. He handed the paper to his mentor, unsure of what he was seeing. "It's… wet?"
Juro took the paper with a calm expression, inspecting it closely. His sharp eyes narrowed as he traced the faint, wet spots with his fingers. He didn't say anything at first, simply continuing to observe the paper. Ren could feel his heart race in anticipation, a mix of curiosity and nervousness swirling inside him.
Finally, Juro looked up. "It looks like you have Yin-Yang Release and Water Release," he said thoughtfully.
Ren blinked in surprise. Yin-Yang Release? Water Release? He hadn't expected anything like that. His mind raced, trying to process the implications of what Juro had just said. Yin-Yang Release was a high-level concept, one tied to balance and creation. It felt like something so far beyond what he could comprehend at his age.
"I have both?" Ren asked, his voice barely a whisper. "But… that's impossible, isn't it? How could I—"
Juro raised a hand to stop him. "It's not impossible, Ren. The chakra paper doesn't lie. It's just… rare. You'll need time to understand these two elements. Yin and Yang release are complex—they're not something most people can use well until they've mastered the basics. Water, however, is more straightforward for you. Your chakra paper reacted strongly to it. I'd suggest focusing on Water Release for now."
Ren nodded slowly, digesting Juro's words. Water Release. That seemed manageable. It was elemental, something he could easily picture and understand. But Yin and Yang? That was beyond his reach at the moment. The weight of it was almost suffocating.
"Yin and Yang are higher concepts," Juro continued, his voice lowering slightly, as if he understood the internal struggle Ren was going through. "They deal with creation and destruction, life and death, balance. But they're also what help with things like Genjutsu. Yin Release is often used for illusions and psychological control, while Yang Release is linked to vitality, healing, and physical enhancement. Healing… well, that's where your other power could come in handy. But you need to understand the human body if you're going to learn that."
Ren felt a pang of uncertainty in his chest. The idea of using his chakra for healing, for life… it felt powerful, but overwhelming. Was he really ready for that? Could he heal someone in the way that he wished he could have healed Aki or Taro?
"Focus on Water Release for now," Juro reiterated, sensing Ren's hesitation. "Water is the easiest to manipulate. It requires control, but you'll understand it better than the others for now. Once you've built up your foundation, you can begin to experiment with Yin Release for Genjutsu, and Yang for healing techniques."
Ren closed his eyes for a moment, trying to quiet his thoughts. The mention of healing stirred something deep inside him. He thought of the many injuries he had seen over the last few months—Aki, Taro, the civilians, all those who had suffered because of the war. He wished he could have done something, anything to stop the pain. He clenched his fists, the weight of his newfound power feeling heavier than before.
"Genjutsu…" Ren repeated, trying to steer his mind away from the emotional weight. "That sounds complicated. I'm not sure how to begin."
Juro gave a small, knowing smile. "It is complicated. But it's also something that can give you an advantage without needing raw strength. Genjutsu doesn't rely on chakra strength—it relies on manipulating the senses, controlling the mind. If you want to learn it, you have to think beyond just jutsu. You need to understand the mental and emotional state of others. It's about knowing how to affect their perception."
Ren thought about it for a moment. Genjutsu, the art of illusion. He had always thought of it as something that was used in battles to confuse or deceive an opponent. But if it was about understanding someone's emotions—about knowing their mind—that meant it wasn't just a tool for combat. It was a way to connect with people, to manipulate the very fabric of their reality.
"Does it ever feel... heavy?" Ren asked suddenly, looking at Juro. His voice was soft, unsure, as if the question had been a long time coming. "Knowing that you have all this power, all this potential? Does it ever feel like you're not ready?"
Juro's expression softened slightly, and he looked away, almost as if he were lost in thought. "Sometimes. Power is a strange thing. It can be a gift, but it can also be a burden. It's easy to feel like you're not ready—especially when you're just starting out. But that's the thing, Ren. You're never truly 'ready.' You have to step into it and grow with it. It's okay to feel like you're not there yet. The important thing is that you keep going."
Ren nodded quietly, his heart feeling a little lighter. He was beginning to understand. Power wasn't about being perfect right away. It was about stepping forward, even when you didn't know if you were prepared.
"You've got a long road ahead of you," Juro continued, his tone lightening, "but take it one step at a time. Focus on the basics for now. Water. Then move on to Yin and Yang. And remember, I'm here to guide you whenever you need it."
Ren managed a small smile. "Thanks, Juro-sensei."
The words felt strange, but comforting. Juro wasn't just a teacher—he was someone who understood the weight of the path Ren was walking. And that, Ren realized, made all the difference.
He glanced at the chakra paper again. Its surface had dried, but the faint wetness still lingered.
"So, where do I begin with Water Release?" Ren asked, ready to start anew.
Juro's smile widened slightly. "First, you learn to feel the flow. Then you learn to control it. We'll start with something simple, something you can visualize easily. Let's begin."
As they began, Ren's mind focused, his emotions settling. The journey had only just begun, but for the first time in a while, he felt like he was moving forward, step by step, toward something he could understand.
---
The apartment was quiet. The kind of quiet that made the walls feel too close.
Ren sat on the floor, legs crossed, his eyes on the wooden bowl filled with tap water in front of him. A faint ripple disturbed the surface, reacting to the tiniest shift of chakra in his palm.
Juro-sensei said I have to learn how to create water from chakra, Ren thought, frowning. But… that's not something I can do yet.
He exhaled slowly, watching the surface still.
He also said I need to understand how water works. Pull it from the air, from the ground, from anything that holds moisture. But not just feel it—use it. Shape it. Control it.
His hands trembled slightly as he recalled the brief demonstration Juro had given—effortless streams of water weaving through the air.
For now… I'll need to rely on external sources. Rivers. Fog. Puddles. Even sweat, maybe. I'll have to be creative.
His eyes drifted to the wall where his gear hung neatly. The forehead protector sat at the center, still untouched.
I'm officially a genin now, he thought, a small flutter in his chest. Which means tomorrow… my first mission. Real responsibility.
Ren leaned back on his hands and stared at the ceiling. The moment of quiet gave him time to reflect.
The chakra suppression technique… I thought it was just a stealth tool. But when I suppress my chakra, it clears my senses. It's like the noise in my body quiets down, and I can listen better… like really listen.
He paused, closing his eyes and letting the silence deepen.
Footsteps outside the door. Two people. One's barefoot… probably a kid.
Down the hallway—keys jingling, but the sound is slow. Someone's tired. Elderly maybe.
And… there. His focus narrowed. In the alley. Someone digging through a pouch. Seven objects. Light, soft. Probably food. Dango skewers?
His eyes snapped open.
I can hear how many things are in someone's pocket.
The realization made his heart skip. No—not just that. I heard a whisper in the market from ten meters away last week. I could tell who was lying by the change in their breath. I heard a squirrel land on a branch during training.
Is this… because of the chakra suppression jutsu? Or something else? He wasn't sure. But it made him feel like all the pieces were starting to connect.
He stood slowly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Tomorrow, I'll get my first mission. No more just watching from the sidelines. No more training just to survive. Now it's real.
Ren walked to the window and stared into the dark streets of the village. Lights flickered in distant homes. Somewhere out there, his future was waiting—hidden behind paper walls, whispered footsteps, and the ever-flowing current of chakra that ran through the world.
I have to be ready.
- - -
Morning light filtered through the thin curtains, soft and pale. The chill in the air made Ren's bare feet tingle against the wooden floor as he stepped into the small training space he'd cleared near his bed. A deep breath. Then another. His body moved into the routine.
Push-ups. Squats. Core holds. Shinobi training wasn't just about ninjutsu. Especially not for someone like him.
One… two… three… His muscles strained as he counted silently. Faster than before…
After his body training, he sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes. His palms faced upward, resting gently on his knees. Breath in. Focus on the first chakra. Root. His connection to the ground.
Breathe in. Ground. Safety. Stillness.
Breathe out. Let it go.
Then to the next. Sacral. Solar. Heart. Throat. Each breath guided energy through his body with a familiarity that had taken weeks to develop.
I definitely have more chakra than most genin, Ren thought as he sat in stillness. Is it because of this seven chakra breathing method? Or was it all the time I spent trying to learn tree climbing while we were in the war zone?
His fingers twitched slightly. The chakra now flowed smoother through his limbs, even when still. Maybe it's both. Four months ago, I didn't even know what chakra really was. Now…
He glanced down at his arms. His muscles had more definition than before—nothing dramatic, but enough to notice. His body had been forced to grow, adapt. That was the only way to survive out there.
My stamina's not bad now, he thought with a quiet grin. Good enough for a new genin, I think.
Then a stray thought crossed his mind, and his brow furrowed slightly.
Wait… no one in Naruto ever really has six-packs, do they? Not even Naruto himself until way later. Huh. He smirked. Should I start training for that? Maybe I'll be the first genin with abs. Or maybe that's just wasted chakra.
He shook his head with a quiet chuckle and stood up, slipping on his gear and tying the forehead protector carefully around his neck. Today was the day. His first mission.
---
The mission hall was already buzzing with activity by the time he arrived. Shinobi of all ranks moved through the corridors—some collecting scrolls, others reporting in. Ren stepped through the entrance and immediately caught the sound of a raised voice near the front desk.
"I don't care how short-staffed you are, I was told this mission would be ready by this morning!" a chunin barked. He had a tall, lean frame, arms crossed impatiently, his foot tapping in irritation.
The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes, gave a stiff smile. "I understand, but all available genin teams have been assigned already. If you give us until—"
"I don't have time for 'until.' I need a genin now. Even just one!"
Ren blinked, then stepped forward.
"Um… I'm a genin," he said, a little awkwardly. "I came to ask if there were any missions available."
The receptionist's eyes lit up like someone tossed her a life preserver.
"Perfect! You're just in time!" she said quickly, already pushing a mission scroll into Ren's hands. "Ren, right? This chunin has a mission request and now you're assigned to it. All set. Have fun."
Before he could ask for details, the chunin gave him a long look—half skeptical, half surprised.
"You're the only one available?" he asked.
Ren nodded. "Yes, sir."
"…Fine. Whatever. Just don't get in the way."
He turned on his heel and stalked off, clearly expecting Ren to follow.
Ren blinked again, holding the scroll in his hand. Guess that's how this works, he thought.
He turned back to the receptionist who gave him a sympathetic shrug. "First mission. Welcome to the job."
---------------------------------------
What do you think his first mission is about. Comment on this chapter and give me some review it will be a good help.