"You know you always look up to me."
The words rang out, echoing across the training field.
"Ugh."
Hiro groaned audibly, dragging a hand down his face before finally giving in to the urge to slap his forehead.
The resounding smack of palm meeting skin conveyed his exasperation perfectly. Beside him, Sama let out a loud, dramatic sigh, shaking her head in disbelief.
"And since when does your Sharingan have four tomoe?!" Sama asked.
Renjiro's grin widened. He leapt down, landing light as a cat, crimson eyes glinting. "Since I decided three wasn't enough."
"I can't believe I used to think you were a sane person," she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"It's honestly embarrassing," Hiro added.
Renjiro only grinned wider. "I don't see either of you denying that you look up to me, though."
"That's because we're too busy trying to figure out how the hell you managed to pull off that genjutsu!" Hiro snapped, pointing an accusing finger at him.
Renjiro arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean? You two wanted a spar, and I didn't need it. So, I decided to train my mental muscles while you guys worked on your physical ones."
"That's not how that works, and you know it!"
Hiro was practically fuming at this point, pacing back and forth as he gestured wildly. "Not only did you cheat by using genjutsu in a taijutsu match, but I saw your Sharingan had four tomoe instead of three! That means you were using the Eight Gates to enhance your genjutsu! Do you have any idea how unfair that is?!"
Renjiro lazily swung his legs over the branch, letting them dangle. "Unfair? Hiro, you do realize that life itself isn't fair, right?"
"Oh, don't give me that philosophical crap! Just admit you cheated!"
Renjiro chuckled, resting his chin on his palm. "No, no. You see, cheating implies breaking the rules. But you two never set any rules." He smirked. "So really, it's your fault for not being more specific."
Sama, who had been watching their back-and-forth with amusement, finally decided to chime in. She placed her hands on her hips, shaking her head. "You know, when we first met, you were such a well-behaved, polite little boy. And now, look at you—no respect for your elders whatsoever."
Renjiro turned his gaze toward her, his smirk unfaltering. "'Elder?' You're not even that much older than us."
Sama gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "How dare you! I am at least two—no, three years older than you! That's practically a whole generation."
Hiro rolled his eyes. "Sama, that's a stretch, even for you."
Renjiro chuckled before his mind suddenly drifted. 'Now that I think about it… isn't Sama around the same age as Nakada?'
The thought came and went like a passing breeze, but a part of him stored it away for later.
He clapped his hands together. "Well, now that we're done here, you guys have to pay up."
Both Hiro and Sama groaned in unison.
"Oh, come on!" Hiro whined.
"You seriously still expect payment?" Sama huffed, hands on her hips.
Renjiro shrugged. "A bet is a bet. And you two were the ones who insisted on it."
It had all started earlier when Hiro and Sama were trying to convince him to spar. Knowing that Renjiro wasn't particularly interested, they dangled the promise of ryo—the currency of the Land of Fire—as an incentive. 'Winner gets paid by the losers.' That was the deal.
And now, Renjiro was here to collect.
Hiro grumbled, fishing into his pouch for a few folded ryo notes. Just as he was about to hand them over, he hesitated. His brows furrowed, and he looked up at Renjiro suspiciously.
"Wait a minute," Hiro said, pulling his hand back. "Why am I even giving you money? This was supposed to be a taijutsu spar, and you used genjutsu."
Renjiro didn't hesitate. "Either way, I still won. I didn't even need to lift a finger to do so. It was that easy" He reached forward and smoothly plucked the money from Hiro's reluctant grip.
Sama crossed her arms, pouting as she handed over her share. "For someone who makes a fortune selling sealing scrolls, you sure are greedy."
Renjiro tucked the money away with a satisfied expression. "That's called being business-savvy, Sama-san."
Sama scoffed, crossing her arms. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Renjiro stretched his arms above his head, rolling his shoulders. "Well, I don't know about you two, but I'm starving. Let's head to Teuchi's."
Hiro's expression immediately brightened. "Now that's a good idea."
Sama nodded, already turning toward the direction of Ichiraku Ramen. "For once, I actually agree with you."
Konoha's streets buzzed with noon activity—vendors hawking skewered dango, shinobi darting across rooftops, civilians haggling over fabrics dyed in summer hues. The trio wove through the crowd, Renjiro leading with a spring in his step, Hiro grumbling about "Uchiha bullshit," and Sama rolling her eyes at both.
The small ramen stand was a familiar sight, its wooden counters polished from years of use. The rich aroma of broth and freshly cooked noodles filled the air, making Renjiro's stomach grumble in anticipation.
"Ah, welcome back, Renjiro!" Teuchi greeted from behind the counter, his face lighting up with recognition. "The usual?"
Renjiro nodded. "You know me too well, Teuchi."
Hiro and Sama slid onto the stools beside him, placing their orders as well. Within minutes, steaming bowls of ramen were set before them, the scent alone enough to make their mouths water.
Renjiro grabbed his chopsticks, ready to dig in when—
"By the way, Renjiro, did you know my brother's about to get married?"
The words barely registered before Renjiro took a sip of his broth—
And then—
Cough! Splutter! Choke!
He nearly spat his food out, coughing violently as he slammed a fist against his chest.
"Wait, what?!" he croaked, blinking at Sama in disbelief.
Sama tilted her head innocently. "What? You didn't know?"
Hiro snorted, barely containing his laughter.
Renjiro wiped his mouth, still recovering. "Minato—Minato Namikaze—is getting married?!"
Sama hummed, picking up her chopsticks. "Mhm. To Uzumaki Kushina."
Renjiro's mind reeled as he tried to process the information. He knew this was supposed to happen, but hearing it so casually thrown at him like this caught him completely off guard.
Sama smirked at his reaction. "You okay there, Mr. 'Always Ahead of Everyone Else'?"
Renjiro groaned, rubbing his temples. This day just kept throwing surprises at him.
Hiro clapped a hand on his back, grinning. "Man, I love seeing you speechless for once."
Renjiro shot him a glare before sighing in defeat. "Just let me eat my damn ramen in peace."
=====
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