Shin and Shinji ran toward Ren, their faces serious as they assessed the situation. "This time we made it in time," said Shinji, unusually alert as he stopped next to him.
Ren turned toward them, his gaze steady. "Good. You two handle the other third-year students. I'll take care of her," he said, pointing at Ameyuri.
Shin nodded, a faint smile on his face. "Got it. Time to show off the Super Karachi style." The two moved swiftly toward the group, leaving Ren and Ameyuri alone in the spotlight.
Ameyuri observed Ren with a curious gaze, her expression a mix of amusement and challenge. "You're brave, Mizutani," she said, spinning one of her wooden swords between her fingers. "I like your attitude."
Ren stared at the girl in front of him, his body relaxed but ready. How much I've changed over these months, he thought. If before I tried to hide, to avoid being influenced by events in pursuit of my goal, now I feel I can truly make a difference.
His thoughts were interrupted by Ameyuri's voice. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Maybe I was wrong about you."
Before she could finish her sentence, Ameyuri darted forward with a lightning-fast dash, her sword aimed at Ren.
As Ren raised his sword to block the blow, a thought emerged in his mind like an epiphany. Now I understand. All those thoughts, all those fears, stemmed from my past ego.
A smile formed on his lips as he countered Ameyuri's strike, his weighted sword precisely blocking her attack.
"So you know how to wield a sword," said Ameyuri, slightly surprised by his technique.
Ren remained silent, his gaze focused. The difference between me and them is that they don't see the bigger picture. They waste time on trivialities, he thought, calmly parrying another strike.
Ameyuri, increasingly irritated by his composure, pressed him. "Is blocking all you can do? Show me what you've got, Mizutani."
This time, Ren responded. "And why should I? Is this a contest? We have nothing to prove to anyone." His voice was calm but determined as he deflected another blow from Ameyuri's second sword.
Ameyuri, puzzled and irritated by his words, snapped. "We are Mist ninjas; it's our destiny!"
Ren dodged a direct strike, his face unperturbed. How cliché, he thought. I didn't know her before, but she's like so many other ninjas. After all, this is a world created by Masashi Kishimoto to be just that... sorry, Masashi, but I'll change it in ways you wouldn't expect.
With a swift move, Ren swept Ameyuri's legs, making her stagger. "First: we're not ninjas yet, just students. And we should try to enjoy this moment with more lightheartedness while we can," he said, his tone light but cutting.
As she fell, Ameyuri attempted a reverse strike with her sword, but Ren dodged effortlessly. "Second," Ren continued, moving aside, "a ninja isn't a tool of war but a bearer of peace for their village."
Ameyuri quickly got up, her eyes glowing with a mix of anger and respect. After a moment's pause, her expression softened into a cold smile. "So, you're a philosopher, Mizutani? Know that philosophers live short lives."
As she spoke, a faint electrical crackling formed in her hands, flowing into her swords.
Ren observed the phenomenon with interest as he parried her next attack, noticing the electrical dispersion upon contact with his weighted sword. Interesting... so she knew how to use electrical techniques even before obtaining the Kiba. Although these are nowhere near real Lightning jutsu, he thought, keeping calm.
As he blocked another strike, the dull sound of the sword clash intrigued Ren. The dispersion is almost immediate. Could it be because it's not a powerful jutsu?
"You really get on my nerves, Mizutani. You're officially my prey now," declared Ameyuri, her smile turning unsettling.
Ren, without losing control, playfully replied, "Do animals talk about prey? Are you one, perhaps?"
The provocation hit its mark. Ameyuri lost her temper, quickly forming hand seals. The air around her seemed to tense.
But before she could launch an attack, an authoritative voice interrupted the scene. "What's going on here?"
Ameyuri froze, turning to the source of the voice. Fujimoto-sensei was advancing with a stern expression, his eyes scanning the courtyard rapidly, moving from Ameyuri to Ren, and then to the rest of the scene.
The courtyard was chaotic: Zabuza, battered, nearly held hostage; many students, some almost entirely KO, scattered on the ground; Shin and Shinji skillfully repelling the third-year students.
"Does anyone want to explain to me what's happening here?"
Ameyuri, surprised by Fujimoto-sensei's sudden arrival, stopped the jutsu she was preparing. Her excitement was still palpable, but the sensei's authority forced her to pause. Before she could respond, Ren spoke calmly, his tone respectful but filled with intent.
"Nothing, Sensei. We were just practicing the guerrilla lessons you taught us some time ago, and the third-year students were giving us a hand," said Ren, maintaining a serious and composed expression.
A silence fell over the courtyard, broken only by the rustle of the wind. Ameyuri stared at him, her eyes widening briefly, incredulous that Ren had covered not only for her but also for the other students involved.
Ameyuri, stunned by Ren's response, couldn't hide her disbelief. But within seconds, her astonishment shifted to her usual defiant grin. "Well, the fun's over," she muttered almost inaudibly, before disappearing swiftly among the nearby trees like a fleeting shadow.
Ren lowered his training sword, observing the scene without saying a word. There was no need to add anything; the moment spoke for itself.
Fujimoto-sensei approached Ren, his gaze firm and inquisitive. "Mizutani," he began, his tone low but loaded with implication, "it's not my job to teach you how to lie... but you need to learn how to do it more convincingly."
Ren suppressed a smile. "I wasn't trying to lie, Sensei. Just to prevent someone from being punished for something that was becoming meaningless."
Fujimoto scrutinized the boy for a moment, then nodded slowly, adding, "Remember, Mizutani, ninjas are not only protectors of others; they must also know when to let people face the consequences of their actions."
Ren nodded silently, still holding his weighted sword tightly. Fujimoto's words echoed in his mind, leaving him to ponder as he made his way home.
While walking back, Ren let his thoughts wander over the day's events. To think that in just a few months I'd come to know even Ameyuri… what strange developments. But I can't forget what happened during the fight. That realization...
His gaze dropped momentarily as a deeper thought surfaced. It's as if, finally, after my father's death, I've developed a certainty within me… perhaps I don't need to rely on the Edo...
The idea grew stronger within him, leaving him with a sense of clarity he had never felt before. But before he could delve deeper into that thought, a metallic sound interrupted his musings.
Turning quickly, Ren caught a kusarigama heading toward him, the chains still rattling.
"Your reflexes haven't dulled," said a familiar voice.
Ren lowered the kusarigama, recognizing Kurara approaching with her usual impassive demeanor.
"Why would they have dulled?" Ren asked, slightly irritated, his tone deliberately neutral.
Kurara shrugged, spinning a kunai between her fingers with impressive speed. "Well, we're not training in the evenings anymore," she replied nonchalantly.
"Kurara, it's only been a day," Ren said, trying to keep his irritation in check.
Ignoring the comment, Kurara asked, "What was going on earlier? I heard sounds of a fight." The kunai slowed its motion as she fixed her gaze on him.
"Nothing. Just some practice," Ren replied, attempting to sound casual.
Kurara didn't press further, continuing to walk silently.
Ren watched her, waiting fruitlessly for a response. She's such an enigma, this girl. I don't know if she does it on purpose or if she's really like this, he thought, as they approached Yuki's shop.
At the door, Kurara paused for a moment before entering. "See you later," she said simply, without looking back.
Later??? Ren thought, slightly puzzled, as he watched her disappear into the shop.
---
In the Mizukage's office, dimly lit by the soft glow of torches, Yagura sat at the center, his gaze calm but inscrutable. Before him stood Council Member Fujino, speaking in a low and measured voice.
The door opened, and Ao entered the room with determined steps. Fujino paused and turned toward him, scrutinizing him with an indecipherable expression. After a moment, he bowed slightly to Yagura before taking his leave.
"Council Member," Ao said formally as Fujino passed him.
But as the advisor exited the room, Ao felt a fleeting sensation. Something strange, like a passing shadow, struck him for an instant but was quickly interrupted by Yagura's commanding voice.
"Ao, I've read the report," the Mizukage said, observing him intently. "Do you know why I summoned you?"
Ao straightened, his face impassive. "No, Mizukage-sama."
Yagura paused briefly, his gaze seemingly delving into Ao's mind. Then he continued, "I suspect that someone from within the village is behind this group of bandits."
The room fell into a tense silence, Ao's face remaining motionless as he absorbed the implications of those words.
[ Hi there! Ito-kun here ^.^
Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63 , Braden_T, Cordell_Clinton, Ian_Clark_6978, BagusPardana, DarkGambit,Diegoa, Desert_Dust0 , Daoist0thxiB, and Miguel_024!
Sincerely Thanks and remember about the Power Stones, these are the motivation for my work :) ]