Chapter 87: Why Would Renji Do This ?
It was an ordinary morning in Konoha.
As always, the patrol squad finished its dawn sweep and found nothing unusual. One of them glanced up at the clear blue sky. "Perfect weather today."
Inside the village, everything looked just as calm.
"Grandma, hurry, hurry," a little girl chirped, tugging toward the toy shop.
"Wait, don't be so impatient. Watch your step," her grandmother said with a smile.
Nearby, Konohamaru and his teammates sat with skewers of dango. Ise Udon took a huge bite and sighed. "Post-mission dango is the only thing that gets me through the day." Moegi only pouted.
Everything was peaceful and in order.
"Since it's quiet, let's write our reports," one patrol ninja said.
"Got it," the others answered, turning toward the patrol room.
A figure appeared in front of them.
Squelch.
The sound of something sharp tearing into flesh split the quiet morning.
The ninja in Pain's path never had a chance to react. A Chakra Black Rod drove straight through his chest. Blood filled his mouth. He collapsed and did not rise.
"It's Akatsuki," the others cried, recognizing the black cloak with red clouds.
"Alert the Hokage, now."
Even Lord Jiraiya and Asuma Sarutobi had fallen to Akatsuki. Charging in would be suicide.
The front rank braced to stall Pain while the rear moved to pull back. The moment they shifted, an unseen pull dragged them forward, drawing them straight toward Pain.
Squelch. Squelch.
Body after body was lifted off its feet and skewered through the heart by cold, gleaming black rods. The smell of blood spread on the wind.
"It begins," Pain said as he stood among the dead, eyes set on Konoha's high red wall.
The Six Paths of Pain lined up with Konan: Asura, Human, Animal, Preta, and Naraka, all staring at the same wall.
Pain laid out the plan. "We split into two groups, a feint and a reconnaissance unit. Asura, Animal, and Preta will feint." Their abilities fit direct combat.
"I will lead reconnaissance with the Human and Naraka Paths." Their skills suited extraction and search. The goal was simple. Find Uzumaki Naruto.
"As commander, I cannot waste chakra at the start. Capturing the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is paramount," Pain said. "Konan, you join reconnaissance."
"I understand," Konan answered.
A face crossed Pain's mind. "Renji Mahito, our agent inside Konoha, will assist."
He turned his sight upward. "Konoha has a spherical barrier that flags any intrusion at once." Under the Rinnegan, it held no secrets.
"According to plan, the Animal Path will enter from above Konoha to mislead the enemy and create disorder. Then we wait for Summoning Jutsu."
Pain raised a hand. "From this moment, the world will know Pain."
Asura and Preta cupped their hands. The Animal Path stepped on and was launched high, plunging down through Konoha's defenses from above.
…
In a modest apartment, Renji smiled behind a mask, his body wrapped in an ANBU cloak. He had already felt Pain's operation begin.
He would not miss a chance to reap Malice Value. This was the protagonist's village. It would be far more interesting than Sunagakure.
…
In the Barrier Team headquarters, a sensor's eyes snapped open. "Intruder. Single target. Location, West Gate B."
The room's easy mood vanished. Everyone stood and moved, faces set, rushing to respond.
BOOM.
A blast shook the ground. A giant centipede burst onto a busy street. Its hideous legs scythed through homes with ease. Before people could react, thick white smoke billowed across the boulevard.
Shapes loomed inside the haze. Summoned beasts charged out. A many-headed dog split and split again as it ran wild. A massive crustacean snapped down with razor pincers and cut shinobi clean in two. The Chameleon slid unseen. The Rhinoceros thundered past. Monsters tore through the district.
Peace turned to chaos in an instant.
"They're everywhere. What is going on," a Barrier ninja shouted from a rooftop. "I thought there was only one intruder."
"Confirm with the Byakugan," another ordered.
Hyūga Tokuma nodded and opened his Byakugan.
"The Barrier Team cannot handle this alone. Call the other units. Request immediate support," a third snapped.
…
In a narrow alley, the Human Path pressed a large hand to a kneeling ninja's head. No useful intel.
The smile on that face cooled. The hand lifted and a purple soul streamed from the victim's crown. The body fell limp, dead in an instant.
…
In a shattered clinic, debris covered the floor. The Naraka Path gripped two shinobi by their throats.
"Where is Uzumaki Naruto," he asked.
The pressure crushed down. Pupils dilated. "I… I don't know…"
Tongues were torn free and fed to the King of Hell. Both men died on the spot.
…
Explosions drove civilians into the streets. A little girl fell in the panic and no one stopped. She looked back at the giant centipede, eyes brimming, then squeezed them shut.
BANG.
The centipede slammed into a wall and stuck there, stunned.
Sakura dropped to a knee and lifted the girl. "Are you hurt," she asked, scanning for injury. Green chakra wrapped the leg and knit the skin.
Footsteps hit the roofline. Sakura looked back. An ANBU stood above her.
"What is happening," Sakura asked.
"Akatsuki infiltrated the village," the ANBU said.
Explosions sounded again. The ANBU moved away. Sakura's expression shifted. That voice felt familiar. Too familiar.
The girl, calmer now, squeezed her hand. "Onee-san, you're shaking. What's wrong."
Sakura drew a breath and forced a smile. "I'm fine. Let's get you to the shelter." She held the child close and ran.
…
Hokage Office.
Tsunade stared out the window at the devastation. Anger and worry roiled in her chest.
An ANBU knelt. "Barrier Team report. The intruder breached from above. We detected one target first, then confirmed multiple attackers."
Another ANBU arrived. "Analysis Team report. Enemy combat power is estimated at three platoons."
Tsunade's face hardened. "Issue an emergency alert. Recall Naruto at once."
"Yes, Lady Hokage."
…
In the Elders' Office, a tremor rattled the tea set.
"What is this ruckus," Homura Mitokado asked, peering out at the smoke.
Utatane Koharu stepped to the window. A familiar voice came from behind them. "The Akatsuki attack has begun."
"Danzō," Homura said, turning.
"An Akatsuki raid? Are you certain," Koharu asked, frowning.
"Yes. The intruder is Pain, their leader," Danzō said. Everything followed Renji Mahito's forecast.
"Then their target is…" Koharu began, dread rising.
"The Fourth Hokage's legacy. The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Naruto," Danzō said.
He paused. "And at this critical moment, the Fifth Hokage recalls Naruto to the village."
"That is pouring oil on the fire," Homura snapped.
"If we follow the Fifth's orders as is, Konoha will be ruined," Danzō added.
…
The village looked like the end of the world. Fire and smoke swallowed streets and rooftops.
Kurenai Yūhi had just left the hospital when the panicked crowd surged by. Her belly was far along now, and her steps were slow. She touched it on reflex and felt the small kick within. Her heart pounded.
She spotted Shikamaru hurrying past. "Shikamaru, what is happening," she called.
His face was grim. "Akatsuki infiltrated. The whole village is chaos."
Another deep blast rolled through and shook the homes.
"Kurenai-san, use the underground passage to the shelter," Shikamaru said. "I'll escort you. If anything happens to you or the baby, I could never face Asuma' memory."
Kurenai nodded and pushed down her fear, following close.
Everywhere they looked there were ruins, flames, and bodies.
ROAR.
A monstrous bellow shook the street. A huge figure blocked their path. Shikamaru frowned and readied himself, but Kurenai clutched his arm.
She stared hard at the monster. On its chest, vivid red cloth bore the kanji for "Fire." It was Asuma Sarutobi.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1,000,000]
[Chakra (175,955,002 / 200,000,000)]
Tears slid down Kurenai's face. "Asuma," she cried, stumbling forward.
"Kurenai-san," Shikamaru blocked her.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000]
[Chakra (180,955,002 / 200,000,000)]
Shikamaru's pupils tightened and his eyes swept the street. He understood. Hasumi Maki had come. After killing Asuma, now he would go after Kurenai. Shikamaru would protect her even at the cost of his life.
A figure appeared beside the Modified Human that wore Asuma's body. He patted the creature's cheek. "Go on. Reunite with your student, your wife, and your child."
The monster roared and charged.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000]
[Chakra (185,955,002 / 200,000,000)]
No matter how strong someone had been, once transformed, their fighting power dropped. With Kurenai sobbing behind him, Shikamaru ended the thing that wore Asuma's face.
The body went still. Kurenai fell across it, tears pattering the cloth.
Renji watched them. "You could go with him, you know. Don't you love him."
He started toward her.
"Kurenai-san," Shikamaru pulled her back.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000]
[Chakra (190,955,002 / 200,000,000)]
Even before Renji moved, Shikamaru's Malice Value peaked. So he truly hated him.
Renji had not planned to alter Kurenai, but Shikamaru cared too much.
His figure blurred forward. Shikamaru's face set. A one-on-one with Hasumi Maki meant death. He looked back at Kurenai. His eyes pleaded for her to run.
Kurenai stayed put. She knew Shikamaru could not win. If the enemy wanted her, then staying might spare him.
She set her hand on his shoulder. "Shikamaru, you go. You're still young."
Tears filled his eyes at once. He was young, but what about Kurenai. What about Asuma.
"Kurenai-san, please go. If I live after this, it would be no different from dying."
Renji clapped. "How touching. Why not die together. Go keep Asuma company."
Shikamaru stared. "Why are you wearing a mask." Hasumi Maki liked to flaunt himself. Mask and cloak did not fit.
Details he had missed in his rage returned. "You're not Hasumi Maki," he said, certain.
"Then who am I," the voice asked from behind the mask, perfectly matching Hasumi Maki's.
A name flashed in Shikamaru's mind, and he crushed it. Impossible.
"Who else in this world can reshape a soul but me," Renji asked, voice light with a smile.
Shikamaru's pupils shrank. The figure vanished.
His heart lurched. He spun.
A strange hand rested on Kurenai's face. Behind her, Renji's familiar features slipped into view as he removed his mask.
He gave Shikamaru a familiar smile.
"Long time no see, Shikamaru."
He began to activate his power.
"No," Shikamaru screamed. "Kurenai-san."
Tears streamed down his face. He tried to hurl himself forward, but his feet would not move.
Kurenai looked strangely calm. One hand rested on her swollen belly. Her eyes held endless tenderness. At the same time, her body began to change in a horrible way.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000,000]
[Chakra (200,955,002 / 400,000,000)]
[Chakra amount has reached the 200,000,000 limit. The comparison limit has been updated to 400,000,000 (Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's total Chakra absorbed from the Ninja World).]
Renji tucked the transformed Kurenai into his tool pouch, waved to Shikamaru, and disappeared. He had to hurry to the next harvest. The system never let him rest. He had only just reached the Ten-Tails level, and now his gauge compared him to Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. The grind never ended.
…
The hospital overflowed.
"Sakura, there are more and more patients."
Sakura was swamped, sweat rolling down her face. Stretchers kept coming.
She held herself together, but chakra overuse hit. Dizziness washed over her. She gritted her teeth and steadied herself on a table.
In a crowded corner, a familiar figure flashed by.
Sakura's eyes locked in place. That face had filled her dreams over and over.
"Sakura." The voice sounded distant.
"Sakura," a medic shook her arm, urgent.
She did not hear it. Her gaze clung to the retreating figure. As it neared the turn and began to vanish, a sudden strength flooded her. She tore free and sprinted.
"Renji," Sakura called, her voice shaking. "Renji, wait."
She had to catch up.
"Renji," she called again as she reached the corridor's end. Only empty air waited for her.
Despair crashed down. She turned back, and her face went blank.
The hall behind her was packed with Modified Humans, wild and mindless. They hurled themselves at her with feral eyes.
Every patient had become a Modified Human at once. The girl who had just held her hand and whispered she did not want to leave was gone. Nothing human remained.
Sakura knew she had been tricked.
Down the corridor, Renji stood among the altered crowd and gave her a gentle smile.
"Don't worry. We will meet again. The condition is that you kill these people."
"They are your patients. They are shinobi who protect Konoha. Send them off."
His voice carried a quiet expectation.
No. They were more than patients. They were husbands and wives and parents and children. They had families. They had hope a moment ago. Now they were monsters without reason.
Sakura bit her lip until it bled.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000]
[Chakra (205,955,002 / 400,000,000)]
Why. Why would Renji do this.
No. He was not Renji. Renji would never do this.
He must be Hasumi Maki. He had to be.
Beastlike roars filled her ears and left only despair.
----
HAND OVER YOUR GODDAMN INFINITY STONES!! 💎
Every 100 stones = +1 extra chapter!
If you want to read chapters early and show some support, check out my Patreon!
Just search "Demonic_Fiction" on "P4trƐon" (link in the synopsis)