After skipping stones, Mei Terumi turned to look at Hayato Ren, a triumphant expression on her face.
However, Hayato Ren didn't show the surprise or admiration she had expected.
Instead, he wore a somewhat disdainful expression, as if saying, "Is that all?"
Before Mei could speak, Hayato Ren leisurely stood up, picked up a stone, and threw it toward the lake surface.
The small stone skipped continuously across the water, as if supported by some unknown force, refusing to sink into the lake.
After numerous skips, the small stone actually managed to reach the opposite shore before finally stopping.
Mei Terumi pinched her thigh hard and let out a pained cry.
Since she felt pain, this wasn't a dream - that guy Hayato Ren had actually skipped a stone all the way to the opposite shore.
With such exquisite skill, no wonder he had shown that disdainful expression earlier. Mei Terumi had been like a novice trying to teach a master in front of him.
Looking at Mei Terumi whose mouth was still wide open in shock, Hayato Ren walked up to her with a bright smile.
"Want to learn?"
Mei instinctively nodded, but Hayato Ren's next words instantly ignited her fury.
"I won't teach you. Haha, you little brat, if you want to surpass me, you'll need another hundred years of practice."
Hearing this, the slight respect Mei had developed for Hayato Ren instantly transformed into intense hatred.
She let out a loud cry and charged at Hayato Ren while swinging her Turtle Fists.
At that moment, Hayato Ren extended his right hand and pressed it against Mei Terumi's forehead.
This way, Mei's attacks couldn't reach him at all.
After swinging her fists a few times, Mei realized her predicament.
She couldn't use Kunai or Ninjutsu to attack Hayato Ren, since he was just an ordinary person.
Moreover, Hayato Ren still had the video of Mei's mischief.
If her mother saw this video, Mei would definitely get her bottom spanked when she returned home that evening.
Even though Mei's mother was just an ordinary person, the suppression by blood relation wasn't something so simple.
Seeing Mei wanting to hit him but having reservations, the smile on Hayato Ren's face grew even wider.
"Nyah nyah nyah, that's just how I am. What can you do about it? You short-limbed little brat, if you've got the guts, come hit me!"
Hearing this, Mei finally snapped.
She decided that no matter what, she had to teach Hayato Ren a profound lesson. This was truly beyond endurance.
So, Mei Terumi formed hand signs and used the Clone Technique, creating three clones.
Then, they attacked Hayato Ren from four different directions.
Facing Mei Terumi's attacks, Hayato Ren dodged and weaved as if strolling through a garden.
For a while, Mei couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes.
After the chase, Hayato Ren didn't even break a sweat.
Meanwhile, Mei had already dispelled her Clone Technique and was lying on the ground, drenched in sweat and panting heavily.
Hayato Ren slowly walked to Mei's side, then bent down to look at her flushed face from overexertion, saying triumphantly:
"I told you, you'd need another hundred years to get to me. I really like that look in your eyes - wanting to take me down but completely helpless against me."
However, instead of showing the angry expression Hayato Ren expected, Mei revealed a sly smile of someone whose plan had succeeded.
No one knew where she found the strength, but using her core muscles, she performed a kip-up and latched onto Hayato Ren.
Then, Mei opened her mouth, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth.
"Are you some kind of puppy? Let go now!!!"
In the end, this round went to Mei by a narrow margin, leaving a neat row of tooth marks on Hayato Ren.
After the playful scuffle, Hayato Ren and Mei sat side by side by the lake, watching the crystal-clear waters.
Suddenly, Mei spoke without context.
"Uncle, why do you think ninja exist in this world?"
"Because the development of the times requires ninja as tools of violence. Even if the ninja profession didn't exist, other professions would fill this vacancy, like samurai."
"No wonder you're a writer, your words are so profound. Speaking of samurai, it reminds me of the Land of Iron. Have you been there, Uncle?"
"No, I've only been to four countries so far. Besides the Land of Water, I've visited the Land of Fire, Land of Wind, and Rain Country."
"That's nice. I've never even left the village. By the way, where are you from, Uncle?"
"That's a secret."
Mei puffed up her cheeks like a hamster, glaring angrily at Hayato Ren.
Then, she fell silent.
So the two sat by the lake all morning.
It wasn't until Mei's stomach protested with a growl that they slowly headed toward town.
At noon, they found a noodle shop for a simple lunch.
Afterward, they planned to return to the inn.
Just then, the people on the street suddenly became strange.
Everyone wore expressions of fear, as if something formidable was approaching.
Just as Hayato Ren grew curious, Mei beside him suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him into a nearby alley.
Soon after, a gloomy-looking man with a hunched back and heavy dark circles under his eyes appeared, walking slowly down the road.
Strangely, when the villagers saw this hunchbacked man, they acted as if they'd seen a ghost.
Everyone avoided him as if he were some kind of plague incarnate.
The originally lively street instantly fell silent with the hunchbacked man's arrival.
All eyes focused on him, as if everyone was worried about something.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the hunchbacked man continued walking forward at his unhurried pace.
Only after his figure finally disappeared did the street regain its previous liveliness.
"What bad luck, how did we run into that monster?"
"Exactly. I'm going to bathe with pomelo leaves when I get home today to wash away the bad luck."
"That makes sense. I'll do the same as you."
Hayato Ren pricked up his ears, listening to the villagers' conversation, yet the confusion in his heart didn't diminish in the slightest.
Logically speaking, such a plague god-like figure should have been recorded in the original work.
However, Hayato Ren had no impression of him at all.