The emerald phantom materialised in the space between Renjiro and Minato's Rasengan; its form coalesced from green flames, its outlines sharp and distinct, its eyes glowing with the same rotational sigil that marked Renjiro's EMS. The Rasengan struck the phantom's chest, its chakra swirling with destructive force, and then something impossible happened; the technique began to unravel.
Chakra streamed into the phantom's body, drawn into its spectral form like water into a void. The Rasengan shrank, its rotation slowing, its energy dissipating as it was consumed. Within seconds, the technique disappeared entirely; no explosion, no impact, just silence. The phantom stood where the Rasengan had been, its green flames flickering with the remnants of consumed chakra, its form seemingly unaffected by the attack it had just absorbed.
Minato's thoughts raced; he had expected the phantom to block or deflect the technique, to create an opening or a counterattack. He had not expected it to simply consume the Rasengan as if it were nothing. The implications were staggering; if the phantom could devour chakra attacks, then his most powerful techniques might be neutralised before they could even land.
Impossible… he thought, his internal voice sharp with surprise. It didn't defend. It consumed it.
Instead of retreating, Minato pressed forward. He wanted to discover the limit of this new ability, to understand its mechanics and weaknesses. He thought, Good. Let's see how much it can actually eat. The choreography began; Minato's speed increased, his attacks becoming more frequent, more varied, more intense.
He teleported, appearing behind Renjiro with a kunai aimed at his spine. Renjiro spun, the phantom intercepting the kunai's edge; it did not consume the physical blade, but it did absorb the chakra that Minato had channelled into the weapon. The Hokage followed with a Body Flicker, appearing to Renjiro's left, his fist aimed at his ribs. Renjiro blocked, his forearm intercepting the strike; the phantom flickered, responding to the attack but not consuming the physical impact.
Minato threw a marked kunai; Renjiro intercepted it, deflecting the blade. The Hokage teleported to the kunai's position, his hand already forming the seals for another Rasengan. Renjiro anticipated the attack, the phantom manifesting between them; the Rasengan struck the phantom's chest, and the technique was consumed once again. Minato feinted with another kunai, then teleported again; the phantom intercepted the attack, its green flames flickering with consumed chakra.
Renjiro began learning. He noticed that the phantom was not invincible; it had mechanics. It consumed chakra attacks but did not consume physical matter. It had a slight activation delay and a limited interception angle. The chakra cost, however, was extremely efficient; each consumption replenished his reserves, making the ability sustainable in prolonged combat. He thought, This isn't absolute defence. It's selective defence.
Minato also learned. He realized that physical attacks still worked; the phantom could not consume a punch or a kick. He deliberately switched his approach, mixing kicks, punches, kunai, chakra blades, fake Rasengan, and empty hands. He forced Renjiro to decide, to choose between defending against physical attacks and using the phantom to consume chakra-based techniques.
The exchange became a test of adaptation. Minato threw a kunai; Renjiro dodged. Minato teleported; Renjiro predicted the landing point. Minato launched a Rasengan; the phantom consumed it. Minato followed with a kick; Renjiro blocked. Minato appeared behind him; Renjiro spun, the phantom intercepting another chakra attack. The fight became a continuous cycle of attack and counter, each combatant pushing the other to their limits.
Renjiro began combining abilities; a physical exchange, then Minato teleported, then a kunai slash, then Renjiro dodged, then a Rasengan, then the phantom devoured, then a counter kick, then Minato used Flying Raijin, then a kunai barrage, then Renjiro intercepted, then the flame phantom devoured another chakra attack. Readers began realizing that the right eye was not simply absorption; it created opportunities. The ability was different from the Flying Raijin, but it had the same strategic value.
Both fighters began smiling; they were enjoying themselves. Minato internally acknowledged that Renjiro was adapting again and again, his evolution occurring in real-time. Renjiro thought that this was ridiculous; every exchange forced him to evolve, to find new ways to counter the Hokage's relentless assault. Neither dominated; every technique gained a counter, and every counter gained another counter. The fight naturally slowed, not because they were exhausted, but because they had gathered enough information.
They disengaged naturally. Silence fell, dust settled, and both breathed heavily. Neither was badly injured, but both had pushed themselves to their limits. Minato smiled, his expression carrying the particular warmth of someone who had just experienced something extraordinary.
"I think that's enough," he said. He paused, his blue eyes meeting Renjiro's. "What do you say… we call this one a draw?"
Renjiro answered immediately, his voice dry with the particular humour that had characterised their interactions throughout the spar.
"If that helps you sleep better at night… then so be it."
Minato's eye twitched; a small comedic beat that lightened the tension. He chose not to respond, instead letting the moment settle into a comfortable silence.
The tone shifted from combat to quiet conversation. Minato became serious, his expression carrying the weight of his thoughts. He looked at Renjiro, studying him with the particular intensity of someone who had just witnessed something extraordinary.
"I'm relieved," he said.
Renjiro looked confused, his expression shifting from satisfaction to curiosity.
"If anything ever happens to me," Minato continued, "…there's another shinobi capable of protecting Konoha."
Silence. Renjiro processed the words, their implications settling into his consciousness like stones in still water.
He deliberately pretended not to understand, his voice carrying the weight of deflection.
"I don't understand," he said. "Hiruzen-sama is still alive. He could probably remain Hokage another decade. We still have Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade, and many people stronger than me."
He listed them almost academically, as if presenting a logical argument rather than responding to a personal compliment.
Minato smiled, recognising the deflection for what it was.
"You know exactly what I meant," he said.
He paused, his expression becoming thoughtful.
"When I look at your power… I'm reminded of Madara."
Long pause. No accusation, pure observation.
Renjiro answered almost instantly, his voice carrying the weight of his immediate rejection.
"I don't want to become the next Madara."
This surprised Minato. He had expected pride, perhaps a deflection, but not this immediate and uncomfortable rejection. He thought that the answer was not what he had expected.
Renjiro did not elaborate. He simply looked away, his expression carrying the weight of his understanding. He saw Madara as isolated, feared, worshipped, and alone; he refused to become that. The comparison was not flattering; it was a warning.
Renjiro changed the topic, his voice carrying the particular weight of someone who wanted to move on from an uncomfortable conversation.
"We should head back."
Minato nodded, placing a hand on Renjiro's shoulder. The Flying Thunder God activated; space folded, and they disappeared.
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