After Ren passed the Ninja Academy's graduation assessment, he received his own forehead protector with the Konoha symbol. The five of them, as previously agreed, walked towards the barbecue shop.
Walking on the streets of Konoha, Ren, who had been away from the village for four years, was filled with emotion, returning to this familiar place. He couldn't help but sigh. 'No wonder other great nations always covet the Land of Fire; in terms of weather conditions, crop planting, and overall environment, only the Land of Fire offers the most abundant and high-quality conditions for human survival.'
After four years of experience, Ren's understanding of the world had matured significantly. Now twelve years old, the childishness that once graced his face had gradually faded, replaced by exquisite and perfect facial features. His sword-like eyebrows were distinct, his eyes long and deep, his nose bridge high, his pupils black as ink, and the resolute curve of his jawline perfectly defined. His long black hair was tied high on the top of his head. He wore a white Heavenly Feather Robe with dark stripes, silver-white boots on his feet, and a white jade crown on his head. His entire demeanor exuded luxury and grace; every movement carried the charming aura of a nobleman.
At this time, Ren was walking through Konoha with Might Guy, Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji Hyūga, heading towards the barbecue shop. What he didn't know was that his appearance had caused a huge stir in Konoha Village! Along the way, young girls constantly fixed their eyes on Ren.
"Wow! That boy is so handsome!"
"Oh my God, where did that handsome guy come from? He's too handsome, isn't he?!"
"Look, isn't that Master Neji of the Hyūga clan next to him? I didn't expect him to be overshadowed by that handsome guy!"
...
A series of discussions and excited whispers came from time to time. Ren also smiled and greeted all the villagers he knew and hadn't seen in a long time.
At her flower shop, Ino Yamanaka, who was helping arrange flowers, suddenly heard the voices of people talking outside. She raised her head and saw a beautiful profile on the road in the distance.
"Wow, good-looking little brother, he's my type!"
Ino's eyes lit up immediately, and she held her chin in her hands, looking completely infatuated. Her amazed voice made Shikamaru and Chōji, who were helping in her flower shop, look over. Shikamaru said speechlessly, "Why, weren't you very interested in Sasuke before?"
"How can Sasuke compare to him? If I can be with this little brother, Sasuke can have Sakura's wide forehead!" Ino said with her hands on her hips, her face full of indifference.
"Okay... it's really troublesome, ha~" Shikamaru yawned boredly, a speechless expression on his face.
"No, I can't miss this opportunity to meet this handsome guy!" Ino's eyes darted around, then she picked up a basket of flowers and ran out.
"What did she go out for?" Chōji asked with a bewildered face, biting the potato chips in his hand.
Shikamaru shook his head speechlessly. "What else could it be... It must be to talk to him."
"Handsome guy, do you want a bunch of flowers? Today our flower shop has a special promotion, and we can send you a bouquet of your favorite flowers for free~"
Ino's pale blond hair swayed in the air, and she wore a beautiful and bright smile like a flower on her face.
"Then this bunch." Ren said.
Ino was stunned for a moment. The bunch of flowers he picked happened to be... Cosmos? 'My favorite flower is cosmos, is this a coincidence?'
"Can't you?" Ren asked with a smile.
At this, Ino snapped out of her daze, and she quickly said: "Yes, yes! Of course it is!" She hurriedly handed the white cosmos bouquet to Ren.
"How... how did you choose this bunch of flowers?" Ino couldn't help but ask.
Ren smiled and said, "Because I think this kind of flower is very beautiful and has a good meaning."
The flower language of cosmos—the true heart of a girl. Ino's face flushed slightly. It was like... she felt like she was picked up by accident.
"Is your house from a flower shop?" Ren asked. "Can I order flowers from your shop and have them delivered to my house every week?"
"Sure!" Ino said excitedly. She couldn't help but get even more excited. If this handsome guy orders flowers... does that mean she can get his home address?! And there's still a chance to meet this handsome young man again later! 'Yes! Such an opportunity is really great!'
"This is my home address. I hope to see your flowers every week in the future. Thank you, Miss Ino." Ren handed the note with his home address to Ino. Every gesture exuded the grace and extravagance of a gentleman.
"OK!" Ino hurriedly clutched the note like a treasure.
It wasn't until Ren and the others were far away that Ino, who was standing there giggling, suddenly realized something. 'Wait, wait... That handsome guy... he actually knows my name?!'
Ren returned to Konoha and successfully passed the Ninja Academy's graduation exam, receiving his Konoha forehead protector. Everyone in Ren's family was very happy about these things. Especially Ren and Tenten's parents, they were simply overjoyed, in a state of utter bliss. Even to every ninja who went to their home weapon store to buy ninja gear, Ren's father, Tatsuo, couldn't help but tell others how his son and daughter had now become ninja, and how good things they were as siblings. His brows danced with pride and joy that couldn't be contained. Ren and Tenten were both deeply helpless about this. Their parents finally looked so happy, but they didn't want to disappoint them, so they just let them be.
Naruto and Hinata naturally soon learned the news that Ren had returned to Konoha. In the early morning of the next day, Naruto even chose to skip class and went to Ren's house, full of high spirits.
"Big Brother Ren! Big Brother Ren! I heard you're back, right?" Naruto shouted into the room with a loud voice.
"Early in the morning, Naruto, you are really full of energy." Ren came out of the room with slightly sleepy eyes. In the years he had been practicing outside, he had never had such a good night's sleep. 'Sure enough, the bed is the most comfortable in the house.'
"Big Brother Ren, tell me quickly, what have you encountered while practicing outside?" Naruto asked excitedly. "Have you seen a person with six hands? Or four legs and two heads? Do those monsters eat people?"
Ren: "..."
'What is this and what... Naruto, have you read too many comic books?' But he had really seen people with six hands, people with four legs, and people with two heads.
"Do you want to hear the story of my journey?" Ren asked Naruto with slanted eyes and a smile.
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded very crisply; he was completely obedient and docile like a puppy in front of Ren. If Iruka, who was having a headache because of him at this time, saw his obedient appearance, he would definitely be so shocked his chin couldn't close.
"Let me tell the story... It's not impossible. I have seen those monsters you just mentioned when I was practicing outside. There are many stories in my stomach." Ren deliberately whetted Naruto's appetite.
"Big Brother Ren, tell me quickly!" Naruto said with a worried expression on his face.
"It's okay to hear the story, but I have one request."
"Any request?"
"Cultivation, cultivation?" Naruto was immediately dumbfounded. He didn't expect Big Brother Ren to make such a request to him as soon as he came back. "Yes, but cultivation is really too difficult, and I still can't learn Clone Jutsu..."
"I can teach you, but the premise of what I teach you is, your attitude towards cultivation is serious enough, instead of giving up because of a little setback." Ren patted Naruto on the shoulder, and with the appearance of a big brother, he said to him earnestly, "Naruto, although now you have a friend like me by your side, but I believe that deep down in your heart, you also really want to change other villagers' views of you and gain their approval, don't you?"