Chapter 204: Urged to Marry! Renji-sama, Isn't It Time for You to Get Married? Who Will You Choose?
"I'll leave Hinata in your care!"
After handing Hinata over to Renji, Hyūga Hiashi actually felt a hint of reluctance.
Within the clan, the elders had subtly warned him that Renji might not be able to teach Hinata properly. The Hyūga were not like other clans—their techniques were built entirely around the Byakugan. Every jutsu and form served that single bloodline.
Renji, however, had no Byakugan and didn't practice Gentle Fist. In the elders' eyes, no matter how strong he was, he couldn't bring meaningful progress to their heiress.
But Hiashi didn't care. The elders, realizing this, dared not oppose the decision. After all, in the entire Shinobi Nation, who would dare challenge Renji's will?
"It's not like I'm keeping her forever. Must you act so sentimental?"
Renji glanced at Hiashi helplessly, then turned to leave with Hinata.
He'd received enough cold stares from the Hyūga for one day.
Following behind him, Hinata remained silent. Her hands fidgeted slightly—she didn't know what to say or how to act around Renji.
"You don't have to be so nervous," Renji said, noticing her unease. "I don't have many rules. And I won't pressure you with harsh training just to force strength out of you."
He could clearly see what she was thinking. The girl was tense, expecting the worst.
"But, Renji-sama… you said you'd make me stronger."
To Hinata, it sounded like a promise—to return to her father stronger than ever.
If she failed to improve, wouldn't that make Renji's words empty? She assumed he'd push her into relentless training—and she had already accepted that possibility.
Since she'd chosen to become his disciple, she was determined to train earnestly and prove her worth.
"Strength isn't achieved by suffering," Renji said. "It's about finding the right method. Your previous training was flawed, and your temperament doesn't suit that old approach."
Teaching shouldn't be rigid—it must adapt to each person's nature.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji had all trained under him without ever enduring torture.
Two prodigies and one genius didn't need hellish drills. Especially after Kurama agreed to cooperate with Naruto, offering chakra freely instead of fighting him, Naruto's biggest issue had been resolved.
In return, Renji promised to later reunite the Nine-Tails' chakra sealed within Minato's body and free the beasts entirely. From this generation onward, no tailed beast would ever again be sealed inside a jinchūriki.
It was a pact he'd made with all of them—once their current hosts passed, they would be free forever.
The offer was generous, and the tailed beasts readily agreed. A few decades of patience meant nothing to them compared to eternity.
There was no reason to refuse.
"I understand, Renji-sama. I'll do my best no matter what!"
Her tone was firm, her resolve clear. Whether gentle or harsh, she was ready for whatever awaited her.
"Good. Let's go to the Ninja Academy first."
"The academy?"
Hinata blinked in confusion. Was he taking her there to say goodbye to her classmates? She tilted her head slightly but followed him nonetheless.
After the lunch break, students began returning to the academy. Many were now from other villages—the new Shinobi Nation had opened its doors to all.
"Iruka, call these students to the office," Renji said, handing over a list. "The ones here—they all have potential."
They weren't just promising students; they were also, in Renji's mind, potential disciples.
Besides the Konoha Twelve, the list included Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō from Sunagakure, as well as Uzumaki Karin.
If all agreed, there would be sixteen in total.
Luckily, Renji could leave shadow clones to guide them all.
"Yes, Renji-sama."
Iruka, though puzzled by the purpose, obeyed without hesitation.
Soon, the selected students were gathered in the office. Most were filled with curiosity, especially Karin.
She remembered the man before her vividly—from the war between Kusagakure and Konoha. Back then, she had been used as a living blood source to heal others on the battlefield. It was Renji who had saved her and her mother.
They had followed Konoha's forces afterward. Medical examinations later revealed that, had it not been for Renji's intervention, her mother would have died. Thanks to Konoha's care, both had recovered.
Because of her Uzumaki heritage, Karin had been offered a place at the academy. She accepted, determined to become stronger, protect her mother, and master medical ninjutsu to cure her.
All of it—every chance she had—was thanks to Renji.
"Don't be nervous," Renji said with a faint smile. "I called you here to ask one thing—would you like to graduate early and train directly under me?"
The room fell into stunned silence. The students stared at him in disbelief.
They had guessed at many possibilities—but not this.
Renji was offering to take them as his disciples.
"Us?" Temari asked in surprise, pointing to herself with a look of disbelief.
He was choosing them—children of Sunagakure?
Their situation was sensitive. Though the villages were now united under the Shinobi Nation, loyalties still ran deep. Renji had once led Konoha; favoring its students would have been expected.
And their father, Rasa, had been branded a traitor for selling out Pakura.
As Rasa's children, they had lived under that shadow ever since. Although Pakura had forgiven them, many others hadn't. Life in Sunagakure had never been easy for them.
Renji, however, had once saved Pakura's life and shared a deep respect with her. So why would he take Rasa's children as disciples?
"That's right," Renji said calmly. "Think it over carefully."
He didn't push further, letting them decide for themselves.
"Renji-sama, I'm sorry—but I must decline."
Rock Lee bowed firmly.
He was tempted, of course, but he already had a teacher—Might Guy. No matter how powerful Renji was, loyalty came first.
If a student switched mentors just because someone stronger appeared, what did that say about him?
Guy had believed in him when no one else did, guiding him with unwavering dedication. After graduation, he intended to continue training under his sensei.
"I see. Then return to class," Renji said with a nod.
He wasn't angry—in fact, he admired it. That was Lee's nature.
"This fool actually refused Renji-sama?!"
The others were stunned. How could anyone turn down the strongest shinobi alive?
"He's not a fool," Renji said evenly. "He's a good man. If someone abandons their master the moment they meet a stronger one, I'd look down on them too."
Lee left the office then—his back straight and his heart steady.
At least in Renji's eyes, Lee wasn't foolish—he was simply earnest. In fact, following Might Guy might serve him better than following Renji himself.
Perhaps this was what they called youth.
"Shikamaru, should we say yes?"
Ino leaned toward him, whispering softly. She seemed hesitant; after all, as members of clan families, they usually needed their elders' approval.
"Of course we should," Shikamaru replied immediately. "Even our clans will agree."
Come on—this was the strongest shinobi alive offering to be their teacher!
Even if a jōnin team awaited them after graduation, who could compare to Renji?
He had many disciples already, yes, but every single one of them was worth it.
"I heard Naruto's already training under Renji-sama," Chōji added cheerfully. "That means we'll get to see him again!"
They still met Naruto occasionally when Renji gave him leave, but it wasn't like the old academy days.
At that, Ino suddenly brightened. "Wait—that means I'll see Sasuke too!"
Her eyes lit up instantly.
Oh, that settled it. No matter what, she had to become Renji's student—even if her father objected!
"Renji-sama, I agree!" she declared, hand raised high.
"Hey, hey, that was fast," Shikamaru muttered.
Chōji sighed dramatically. "Ah, the power of love. Women really are troublesome."
"Forehead girl, I won't let you have him!" Ino snapped.
"Sakura, huh?"
"Wide forehead!"
"Hmph, sorry—but I'm joining too," Sakura shot back, standing firm.
Then a quiet voice followed. "Gaara."
Renji turned his head. "You agree?"
"Yes," Gaara said simply, his gaze unwavering. He understood this was his chance—to change his fate.
One by one, they all agreed. Only Rock Lee refused. Everyone else accepted eagerly.
Renji nodded to Iruka to make arrangements and inform their families of the apprenticeship.
When news spread, it shook the entire Shinobi Nation. Renji had accepted so many disciples at once.
Within days, Ōnoki, Mei Terumi, and A gathered to confront him.
"Do you have something against us?"
Mei Terumi's tone was edged with irritation—and perhaps a hint of wounded pride. After all, she had supported Renji through some of his most difficult campaigns.
Back during the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Hidden Mist had been the first to stand by him. They'd followed his lead when he overthrew the daimyō system—assassinating the Water Daimyō right after Renji eliminated the Fire Daimyō.
And yet… this man, who had effectively tied the Mist's economy to Konoha's, hadn't taken a single Mist ninja as his student.
Of course she was annoyed.
Ōnoki and A shared the same complaint. Did Renji look down on their villages?
"I don't have anything against you," Renji replied, rubbing his temples. "I simply chose students I thought suited my training."
"We have plenty of suitable ones in the Mist!" Mei protested sharply.
Renji sighed inwardly. Recently, Mei had recalled many defected Mist-nin—Zabuza among them—and reinstated Haku, the last surviving heir of the Yuki Clan, into the academy. She was also searching for other lost talents across the nations.
Haku, for example, was undeniably gifted.
A scowled. "Our Cloud Village was once the second greatest—surely we have talent too!"
"Ha! Don't flatter yourself," Ōnoki snorted. "The Stone Village holds that title!"
Was this really happening?
Renji pressed his fingers to his forehead, exasperated. So this was what it came down to—they were offended he hadn't chosen anyone from their villages.
"Fine," he said at last. "Send me the names of any promising candidates. If I find them suitable, I'll take them."
After all, he didn't actually know much about the up-and-coming talent in those villages.
So far, all his apprentices had been figures prominent in the original timeline—the ones whose names he recognized. The rest? Probably not even worth a "draw."
Still, to calm them down, he agreed.
Satisfied, the Kage finally relaxed. Their only real concern had been whether Renji still held grudges from when they'd once allied against Konoha.
Once they learned even the Mist had no disciple under him, their anxiety eased.
"You all worry too much," Renji said, shaking his head. "Even I have limits—I can only teach so many."
"Renji-sama," Shizune interjected dryly, "you do realize you haven't handled any administrative work at all, right?"
Everyone went silent.
She wasn't wrong.
Renji hadn't touched a single report or file; the secretary corps had been managing everything for weeks.
With Konan on leave, the backlog was growing daily despite Tsunade, Pakura, and Shikaku stepping in to help. Renji hadn't even glanced at the paperwork.
They could already imagine the storm when Konan returned.
At Shizune's remark, the room filled with awkward restraint. Everyone present—Tsunade, Pakura, Shikaku—knew perfectly well how lazy Renji really was.
He coughed lightly, trying to change the subject.
"Well, speaking of responsibility," Genma said suddenly, eyes glinting mischievously, "don't you think it's about time Renji-sama considered marriage? You are of age, after all."
The room fell into a dead silence.
(End of Chapter)
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