Team 1 trained as usual under the mid-morning sun. Birds chirped lazily in the trees while Aika practiced her sensory range and Kenji fine-tuned his tripwire traps. Arata stood nearby, arms crossed, observing with his usual calm but calculating demeanor.
Ren was silent, focused — but something else occupied his mind.
"Sensei," he said suddenly, approaching Arata.
The jonin blinked, curious. "Yeah?"
Ren looked serious, a rare intensity behind his calm voice. "Do you know about the Rasengan?"
Arata's expression shifted slightly — not alarmed, but definitely surprised. "That's not something most genin bring up. Where did you hear about it?"
"The Hokage mentioned it yesterday," Ren admitted. "He didn't say much — just enough. But I think I understand the concept."
Arata's gaze narrowed slightly. "That's an advanced technique. Difficult to control. Dangerous if rushed."
"I'm not trying to master it today," Ren replied calmly. "But I want to try."
Arata was silent for a beat, then gave a nod. "Show me. But be careful."
Ren stepped a few feet away, raising his hand slowly. He concentrated, chakra swirling into his palm. At first it flickered — wild and unstable — but then it began to rotate, forming a small but visible sphere of chakra.
It didn't hold long. With a faint crack, it imploded and vanished into smoke.
Aika and Kenji stood wide-eyed.
"What... was that?" Aika whispered.
"It didn't even have hand signs," Kenji muttered.
Ren took a steady breath, lowering his hand. "It's called the Rasengan. It's a technique created by the Fourth Hokage. It doesn't rely on hand seals — just pure chakra manipulation."
Arata crossed his arms again, nodding slowly. "Impressive. You're not far from the core shape. But it'll take more than talent to stabilize it."
Ren glanced toward his teammates, then back to Arata. "Please don't tell Naruto yet. I want to be sure before I show him."
Kenji and Aika both nodded solemnly.
"Your secret's safe," Kenji said.
"I won't say a word," Aika added.
Arata gave a faint smile. "You're walking a dangerous path, Ren. But you're walking it well."
Ren nodded, eyes focused once more on his palm — already preparing for another attempt.