"Captain Kakashi…!"
Seeing the situation collapse—
The entire ANBU squad on the verge of annihilation—
Tenzo shouted urgently:
"Forget the captured members!"
"Wood Release drains chakra rapidly—we have to target the caster directly!"
They weren't facing a mortal enemy.
Akira Ren was clearly holding back.
No one would die.
And those rescued—
Had already lost most of their chakra.
They were out of the fight anyway.
So—
There was only one option.
Defeat Akira Ren.
Otherwise—
An entire ANBU squad being wiped out by a ten-year-old…
Would be a disgrace.
"Got it!"
"CRACKLE—!!"
Lightning exploded in Kakashi's palm.
In truth—
He had already reached the same conclusion.
His Sharingan locked onto Akira Ren.
"Raikiri!!!"
He surged forward.
Like lightning itself.
"BANG! BANG!"
Trees lashed out—
But were instantly shredded.
Cut apart.
"Go, Captain!"
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
A nearby ANBU shouted.
Seals flashed.
"WHOOSH—!!"
A violent gale erupted.
Blasting forward—
Tearing through the forest.
Crushing trees.
Carving a massive trench—
Straight toward Akira Ren.
"SWISH—!"
A towering tree erupted before Akira Ren—
Blocking the attack.
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter!"
Another ANBU leapt forward—
Ignoring the vines.
Abandoning defense.
A massive blade of wind—
Sliced through everything.
Clearing the path.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
Two more slammed their hands down.
"RUMBLE—!!"
Walls rose on both sides—
Holding back the vines.
Perfect coordination.
Flawless teamwork.
They were—
Clearing the way.
For Kakashi.
"BANG! BANG!"
Meanwhile—
Tenzo moved.
"Wood Release: Four Pillar Prison!"
A wooden cage erupted—
Shielding him.
Barely holding back the vines.
But cracks already spread.
He didn't stop.
"Wood Release: Tree Barrier!"
More wood surged—
Reinforcing the trench.
Buying time.
Just enough.
"CRACKLE—!!!"
Kakashi burst through.
Lightning blazing.
Cleaving everything.
"Akira Ren, be careful—!"
Yugao Uzuki cried out.
Even bound—
She couldn't help it.
Too late.
Kakashi had already arrived.
"Forgive me!"
"RAIKIRI!"
He thrust forward—
Avoiding fatal points.
"SHHK—!"
It pierced through Akira Ren's shoulder.
Clean.
"…This is your Raikiri?"
Akira Ren's voice remained calm.
"…Not bad."
No blood.
No reaction.
Kakashi's eyes widened.
Something was wrong.
Before he could react—
Akira Ren grabbed his wrist.
Vines surged.
Wrapped around him instantly.
At the same time—
"SWISH! SWISH!"
More vines erupted.
From all directions.
Tenzo—
Other ANBU—
All captured.
Bound.
Lifted into the air.
Total defeat.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Staring—
At the pierced Akira Ren.
No injury.
No blood.
Kakashi's mind raced.
A clone?
But—
It didn't disappear.
"Surprised?"
A voice came from behind.
Another Akira Ren—
Emerging from the tree.
Smiling.
"My wood clones aren't like others."
He stepped forward.
Patting Kakashi's shoulder.
"Your technique is good."
"…You're just lacking."
"…"
Kakashi went silent.
The ANBU—
Also silent.
Strong.
But—
His mouth was unbearable.
"Not convinced?"
Akira Ren smirked.
Raised his right hand.
"Watch closely."
"Your 'uncle' will teach you—"
"How Raikiri is really used."
"CRACKLE—!!!"
The sound of a thousand birds screaming filled the air.
Everyone's faces changed.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Akira Ren's fingers—
Transformed.
Into green vines.
And at the tip of each vine—
Lightning gathered.
Blazing.
Multiple—
Raikiri.
"…What!?"
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