The training field behind the Academy buzzed with morning activity, but one section near the far edge remained quiet — reserved.
Iruka stood with arms crossed, watching Ren prepare. Nearby, Hinata Hyūga adjusted her gloves nervously, glancing toward Ren then quickly looking away.
Naruto, loud as usual, was halfway through a log-walking exercise before jogging over with a grin.
"So what's this? Private training with big bro Ren?"
"You're here to train too," Ren replied flatly.
"Hah! Lucky you, Hinata. Ren's got the patience of a frog monk or something."
Hinata blushed instantly and mumbled something incoherent.
Ren simply knelt and gestured toward the stump in front of him.
"We're focusing on chakra control today. You both have potential, but you're leaking energy with every step. We fix that now."
He held up two leaves, placing one in each of their palms.
"Your job is to keep the leaf stuck with only chakra control. No squeezing. No tricks. Just chakra."
Hinata – Too Gentle
Her hands trembled slightly.
Ren knelt beside her.
"Don't hold back so much. Your chakra's soft, but it still has weight. Let it settle."
She took a breath.
The leaf twitched.
Then held still.
"Good. Now keep that for five minutes."
He glanced sideways and noticed something else —
Hinata occasionally peeked toward Naruto when he wasn't looking, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Ren smirked internally.
"Go get him, Hinata."
Naruto – Too Much
Naruto gritted his teeth, face scrunched, chakra flaring too wildly. The leaf flew off.
"Ugh, again?!"
Ren handed him another.
"You're forcing it. Stop yelling with your chakra. Try listening instead."
"That's... hard."
"So is everything worth doing. Focus."
Naruto groaned but tried again.
Hinata peeked toward him, then looked away.
Thirty minutes passed. Then forty-five.
Hinata's leaf stayed perfectly still. Naruto's fluttered but remained on his palm longer with each try.
Ren stood.
"You're both improving. You didn't need me to show you — just someone to watch."
Hinata bowed politely.
"T-thank you, Ren. Really."
Naruto flopped onto the grass.
"You say that like watching is easy. You're like... a hawk. A ninja hawk."
Ren smirked faintly.
"If I'm a hawk, you're a storm."
Naruto laughed.
"Damn right. I'll blow you away one day."
"Try not to blow yourself up first."
Hinata laughed softly. For a moment, it was just the three of them — no missions, no secrets, just progress.
Off to the side, Iruka quietly jotted another note in his book.
"Ren teaches by silence. And somehow, it works."
As they gathered their things to leave, Naruto grinned over his shoulder.
"Not bad for the older twin, huh?"
Ren rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah... all five seconds of wisdom."
Naruto gave him a thumbs up. "Don't forget it, little bro!"
Ren just smirked and shook his head.
Some things never changed.