Hey guys, Zeenon here.

Hope you enjoyed this arc? season? saga? anime filler arc that somehow became canon?

Whatever you want to call it.

Anyway, a few announcements before I vanish into the academic void.

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Exams Arc Incoming

The fic will be on a month-long break because my exams are staging their coup. They're mostly in the first half of September, but I'm taking a little time both before and after to de-stress and reboot my brain from the chaos of writing.

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Pat-reon Shenanigans

I'll be pausing Pat-reon payments on Sunday, August 25, 2025 (Already done)

The pause ends on September 25, 2025, when I'll drop the next chapter on Patreon.

During this time, the Pat-reon page stays up, but no new chapters will appear.

New people can join, but they won't be charged until billing resumes (though honestly, I'd suggest waiting until after the break as Pat-reon's system confuses me too).

Current patrons: you'll stay members (unless you cancel), but you won't be charged for the month. Any leftover days on your sub will roll over fine, so you lose nothing.

One request: try not to mass-cancel memberships unless you absolutely want to, because Pat-reon punishes creators when cancellation waves hit (algorithm go brr, growth go dead). But hey, it's your call.

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Reflections From Your Fanfic Goblin

Since my last exam break, things have shifted a lot. Not just the fic's growth, but me too.

It might be a cringe moment, but I have to tell you guys. Before writing this fic, I was in a pretty bad place mentally (yes, meds were involved). But writing this has been insanely healing and confidence-boosting, especially these last two months.

We peaked in popularity: top 5 in every tag.

Crossed 500,000 words (actually creeping toward 600k!) in 238 chapters, so no, this isn't a "quick read."

So yeah, I'm gonna flex, I wrote a damn good fanfic.

Also hit my first $1000 on Patreon (which in my currency is chef's kiss for a student).

So yeah, thank you. You guys made this possible.

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Story Stuff

Yes, I know some of the recent Senju arc felt like "politics filler." But I had to do it. This is a fanfic of my favorite anime, and part of that means world-building, clan drama, and lore expansion.

Boring at times? Sure. Skippable? No. And I can't promise we won't have more clan deep-dives later. Sorry (not sorry).

But! When I return, we dive straight into action as Kakuzu is going after Juichi. Which means one of the Worst Dads in Fanfic History makes his comeback.

It took him 100+ chapters and two hiatuses, but hey, he's back to ruin Ren's day. Will he succeed? Who knows~~

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Character Notes

Yakumo: yes, she was always meant to be that Yakumo (I fumbled her name earlier, sorry). I tweaked her age up 4–5 years, so she's now 12, a few months older than Ren.

She's not really planned as the female lead as it's just an idea for now, but nothing is locked in. There would be no forced romance, I'll just keep writing, if it happens, it happens naturally.

Also, there would be no immediate Ren-Yakumo content after the break. First we finish the Shadow's War arc, then move to some slice-of-life goodness.

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Support + Life Stuff

Ko-Fi link: H T T P S: / / K O - F I . C O M / Z E E N O N

If you want to support me one-time before the break, that's the place, I would have used Pat-reon but that bitch doesn't do single payments.

Serious note: suicide isn't the answer. I learned this the hard way, and I hope you all keep that in mind too.

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Alright, that's all.

Wish me luck, if I pass these exams, the fic lives. If not… I enter the dreaded Job Hunting Arc, and none of us want filler like that.

Stay safe, stay unhinged, and I'll see you all after a month.

Byeeeeeeee,

Zeenon.

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Forgot writing the comeback date for WN- 28 September 2025

{Forgot