In a dark corner of the hall...
Uchiha Madara, leaning on his cane, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow after hearing Ren's speech.
"Assassinating the Mizukage, sparking a coup, controlling the Daimyo, starting a war..." Madara let out a short laugh. "Hmph, quite the big-talking brat."
For a moment, Madara saw a shadow of his younger self in the boy's face. But his expression quickly returned to its usual indifference. "However, empty words are meaningless. Power is different from will; it is the interaction of physical matter. If he doesn't understand that, all these extra thoughts will only lead to more pain."
Beside him, White Zetsu let out a weird cackle. "Madara-sama, it's been a long time since you've been interested in someone. Should we put him on the observation list?"
Madara activated his Sharingan, sizing up Ren Uchiha. He frowned. "We'll see..."
In all the years since the Warring States period, Madara had never seen such a contradictory expression. The boy was clearly terrified of dying, yet his eyes and body craved a battle to the death. Cowardice and a death wish coexisting so intensely in one person—all in a "trash" with only two tomoe. Madara couldn't quite pin this kid down.
In the hall, standing in the rising water, Mei Terumī stared at Ren's back.
The indoor rain splattered like jade beads on a plate. She knew Ren was just a victim dragged into this Mist infighting. Yet here he was, standing before her, declaring with absolute certainty that he would fight to the end to save her.
He's just an insincere idiot! Mei thought, a smile finally blooming on her face. Her eyes turned cold and sharp as she scanned Mangetsu and the five Hunter-nin. She was young, but she was no fool.
"Ren," Mei whispered urgently. "I have four chakra natures. I'm not great at Lightning Style, but I have a few tricks. I'll keep Mangetsu busy. You must stop their Kirisame technique, or the fight will only get harder. It's a gamble—if we flood the place too much and Mangetsu uses Tate Eboshi, we're finished."
"Got it," Ren nodded, his eyes locked on the five Hunter-nin.
Mei wove signs instantly: Ox - Snake - Ram.
Water Style: Hidden Mist Technique!
A thick fog filled the hall. Using the cover, she grabbed a kunai from Ren's pouch and launched a Water Fang Blade at Mangetsu, immediately following up with a massive wave.
Water Style: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!
Mangetsu didn't flinch; he just sneered. The distant Hunter-nin laughed. "Mei, have you lost your mind? Attacking Mangetsu with Water Style is suicide!"
"Oh? How about this?" Mei wove more signs, pouring massive chakra into her hands despite the rain's weakening effect.
Lightning Style: Ground Flicker!
Electrical sparks surged through the water wave toward Mangetsu.
BOOM! The tsunami-like wave surged in all directions, splitting the battlefield. Through the white mist, a pair of crimson eyes flashed. Ren Uchiha was already moving, surfing the wave using chakra on his feet—a makeshift Water Surface Strike.
Ren leaped into the air, raining shuriken down on the Hunter-nin, followed by a "brute-force" sword throw. He then used wire-kunai to swing around a pillar, closing the distance from a different angle.
"Watch out! The kid is coming from the le—"
The older Hunter-nin couldn't finish. A sword tore through the mist and pierced his throat.
[DING! You bravely clashed with a Hunter-nin Chunin who thought you were arrogant!]
[Heart Upgrade: Water (100%). You have mastered Water Nature Transformation.]
[Learned: Water Style: Water Surface Slice (Entry, C-Rank).]
The remaining four Hunter-nin froze in confusion as Ren charged from the left.
"I'll keep the barrier up! You deal with him!" one roared. Three Hunter-nin drew chakra whips.
Crack!
Three Water Flow Whips lashed out, sealing Ren's escape.
Ren didn't dodge. He wove signs at lightning speed: Rabbit - Ram - Snake!
Water Style: Water Fang Blade!
With his new mastery of Water Nature, the blade was sharper and more condensed. The water within the blade spiraled at a terrifying speed, letting out a high-pitched screech.
Ren swung the blade in a moon-shaped arc!