Naruto : Crimson wood

"I believe everyone is aware—many of the squads who went on missions this time were attacked by the beast tide."

Professor Shizuka Sumiya stood at the front of the classroom, her tone grim.

"The worst hit was Special Team 1—20 students dead, 15 seriously injured, only 10 survivors."

"Next was Elemental Team 1—18 deaths, 13 seriously injured, 14 remaining."

"Special Team 3 lost 17, had 13 injured, and just 15 students made it back alive..."

As she continued reading the casualty report, the atmosphere in the classroom grew heavier and heavier.

The battle between humans and monsters was endless. Everyone knew that on paper.

But now, after personally experiencing the beast tide, the reality hit much harder.

Death wasn't some distant possibility anymore—it was right in front of them.

Some of the classmates they laughed with yesterday... were gone today.

"Our Auxiliary Class also lost eleven students."

At that announcement, silence fell.

Renji Takahashi looked around at the now-empty seats.

He hadn't even noticed. So many from their class were gone...

Of course, it made sense.

The auxiliary team—their class—was inherently the weakest in terms of combat strength.

If danger came and everyone had to flee, the auxiliary students would be the first to fall behind...

While not all auxiliary abilities were defenseless, most simply weren't fighters—not like Renji, Yuna Hoshizaki, or Shun Hayashi .

Even they had barely survived. What chance did the others have?

"I know it's cruel," Professor Sumiya continued, voice firm, "but the enemy won't give us time to mourn. Remember—this is a war of extinction between humanity and monsters. A war of life and death!"

Her sharp gaze swept over the quiet room.

"I won't comfort you. If you want to live—get stronger."

"Starting today, take one day of rest. The missions resume the day after."

She turned to leave.

But just before exiting, she stopped and glanced back.

"Yuna Hoshizaki. Renji Takahashi. Come with me."

Renji, who was quietly whispering to Shun, looked up immediately.

"Uh… yes, Professor."

Yuna, seated across from him, also stood and followed without hesitation.

The two trailed Professor Sumiya closely—about a meter behind, step in sync.

"How's your recovery?" Renji asked in a low voice.

"I'm alright. I actually recovered a day earlier than you." Yuna smiled softly.

"Figures. The Saint-type system is amazing."

Renji understood a bit about the Holy (Saint) System. It could dramatically accelerate spiritual recovery.

Yuna's system had played a crucial role during the beast tide. He still remembered how she had saved the group—twice—when everything seemed hopeless.

They walked up to the Principal's Office on the fifth floor.

"Come in," Professor Sumiya said, opening the door.

Renji and Yuna stepped inside—and immediately spotted two familiar faces.

Principal Daisuke Watanabe sat behind his desk.

Across from him, sipping tea with legs casually crossed…

"Dad?! What are you doing here?" Renji exclaimed.

"What, can't I come? Your principal asked me to stop by—said he wanted to praise you personally." Ryoji Takahashi replied, relaxed as ever.

"Hey now, I am the principal," Watanabe grumbled, then smiled at the two students. "Renji Takahashi. Yuna Hoshizaki. You both performed exceptionally during the beast tide. You even rescued multiple students from Special Class 3. The Academy has decided to reward you."

"We were just doing what classmates should." Yuna bowed politely.

"Still, you were outstanding. You've proven yourselves worthy of your Double S-Rank status," Watanabe said with pride.

He turned to Renji.

"I've also heard that you developed a brand-new wood-based ability, useful in both offense and defense—and that you even taught it to your teammate, Shun Hayashi. That's impressive."

Renji stood a little straighter, smiling modestly. "Just lucky, I guess."

"Hah! Don't say 'luck.' This is what it means to be an S-Rank psychic." Ryoji slapped his knee. "Be proud of your strength, son!"

He turned to Watanabe.

"Alright, Old Watanabe, enough of the flattery. Let's see the reward!"

"I'm the principal, you know. Am I not allowed to say a few encouraging words to my students?" Watanabe protested.

"Cut the chatter. Hand it over."

The two top-tier psychics of Azure Dragon Academy bickering like old friends made Yuna and Renji stifle laughter.

Professor Sumiya pushed her glasses up, clearly trying to remain professional despite the silliness.

"Fine, fine! You're impossible." Watanabe gave in and reached into his desk drawer, pulling out two glowing, thumb-sized stones that looked like polished jade.

"Here you go. Two Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. One for each of you."

Spirit Stones were divided into low, mid, high, and supreme tiers.

Even the mid-grade was extremely rare. It could boost a first-tier psychic to a higher level instantly.

They were energy-rich, usable for cultivation and powering advanced weapons—much like demon cores.

And here Watanabe was, giving them away freely?

"Thank you, Principal!" Renji's eyes sparkled as he took the stone.

But Watanabe held up a finger.

"Don't thank me just yet. While your performance during the beast tide was commendable, it alone doesn't warrant a spirit stone of this grade."

"This reward also comes with… a task."

Ah.

So that was it.

Renji nodded knowingly. "Understood."

Yuna's eyes lit up. "Please, tell us more, Principal."

"This beast tide wasn't normal," Watanabe said, his expression serious now. "It appears that a group of expelled traitors may have been behind it. We need someone to investigate this abnormality."

"Of course, you won't be going alone. A senior from the Executive Division will accompany you. Consider this a field-training mission."

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