Morning came. Ren got up early, as always, and left his dorm room to face the new day. His life in Konoha was just beginning, and he knew that this day would be important. He was not one to waste time worrying or wondering what was coming. Ren was always focused and knew exactly what he was doing.
He wiped his face with cold water and looked at himself in the mirror. His reddish hair was neatly combed, and his eyes, despite their young age, were full of determination and composure. In their depths, there was a shadow that might not be understood by others, but Ren knew that no one would be able to see it until he decided so.
As always, he preferred not to stand out. His appearance was simple - a light shinobi uniform that did not attract attention. Everything he did was calculated to remain in the shadows, to observe, and not to create unnecessary noise. Everything that happened around him was part of the game, and Ren was prepared for it.
Breakfast was quick and simple, without unnecessary words or interactions. He did not seek out interactions, preferring to focus on his thoughts and the day ahead.
The first day at the Academy was just another stage on the path Ren had chosen for himself. It was a world he knew all too well, a world in which he had to move unnoticed, studying it down to the smallest details. Meeting famous characters was inevitable, but it did not matter to Ren who they would become. He knew that he only needed one thing - to control his destiny and never lose control.
When he entered the classroom, the decor immediately made it clear to him that this place would have some significance for him. At first, he simply looked around - the children sitting in the classroom, whose faces he knew, but their names - he did not. He was prepared for the fact that each of them could become part of his path, but he was not going to rush to conclusions.
The room was fairly ordinary, a standard academy setting. Textbooks were laid out on the tables, and the windows let in light, filling the room with a cozy warmth. Ren chose a seat in the corner, away from prying eyes. He didn't like attention, didn't like being scrutinized too much.
Within a few minutes, the room was filled with noise. It was a typical day for most kids at the academy - first conversations, who was friends with whom, who didn't like whom. Ren didn't listen to these conversations, his attention was focused elsewhere. He was watching.
His gaze first fell on the figure in the corner of the room - Kakashi Hatake. He sat at the table, not showing much emotion, but his eyes were wary, like a predator waiting for the right moment. Ren knew more about him than most of the other kids. Kakashi was not only a strong shinobi, but also known for his coolness and intelligence. He was someone who could be useful in the future, should Ren decide to cross paths with him.
In the other corner, Obito Uchiha sat, his mood completely different. Obito was more open, sometimes too much so. His constant smile and good nature hid a strength and ambition that Ren knew he would need to study. He was interesting to Ren, as a possible ally or as a rival when the time came.
Rin Nahara sat next to them. Also one of the people he knew. She was naive but sincere, full of enthusiasm and determination. Ren saw how she cared about her friends and knew that it was more than just a character trait, but something deeper. Maybe she would be the one to help him when he wanted it, or, on the contrary, hinder him if he made a mistake.
Across the room, Ren noticed Kuranai Yuhi, who was calm but had a sharp gaze. She always seemed to pay attention to details and little things that could be useful. Ren knew that such people do not forget and are able to look for hidden motives, which can play a role in the future.
Asuma Saratobi was not left without attention either. He was the eldest, but Ren felt that there was some kind of strength hidden in him, perhaps even more than in those who were younger. His gaze was confident, and his manner was decisive. Ren knew that this man could be an important ally if necessary.
And of course, there was Might Guy. He was the only one in the class who did not try to hide his emotions, did not try to be smart or cool. Guy was the real deal. He was energetic, with a selfless dedication to his cause. But Ren knew that behind this enthusiasm there was discipline and strength that should not be underestimated.
Ren looked at everyone, knowing that they would all be a part of his life. But to him, they were just pieces on a chessboard that needed to be placed correctly. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate their abilities, on the contrary, he knew that each of them could be useful. However, for now, everything was simple for him: observe, analyze, look for opportunities.
The teacher, entering the classroom, interrupted his thoughts. He was a strict and experienced shinobi who had been teaching at the academy for many years. His voice was firm, and despite his age, he retained all his strength and composure. He began the lesson, and Ren immediately assumed a pose, comfortably for observation.
As expected, everything was expectedly boring. The usual exercises, knowledge testing. Ren knew all this in advance. He was prepared for this. But it was part of the plan - to understand which of these children could be useful to him in the future, and which of them would end up on the path he had chosen for himself.