Retsu laughed loudly. "Now this is the Renji I remember. Come on, bring in more people. Today we throw my brother a proper welcome party."
Yan smiled as well, pleased at heart. This was not just a return. Renji was making a statement, crushing an entire generation with sheer strength. If he succeeded, momentum would be his.
Around them, the Uchiha whispered to one another. Many thought Renji was far too arrogant, but others felt that only men like this could rise to be true legends and lead the clan back to glory.
"Too arrogant, Renji," shouted one of the clansmen opposite him, his Sharingan flaring to life.
More and more eyes bled red. Everyone felt insulted. They were Uchiha too, proud and fierce. This cocky brat had to be put in his place.
Four stepped forward. Three already had their Sharingan awakened. The fourth, a young single tomoe, hesitated, but Renji's voice rang out.
"No need to hold back. All four of you together. It has to happen sooner or later anyway."
"You little brat. I'll smash that smirk right off your face!" one growled and lunged first.
The other three surged after him.
Renji did not underestimate them. His Sharingan snapped open and his blade flashed. Steel clashed against steel. In only a few exchanges the four realized the truth.
This lunatic was strong. His strikes were heavy, his movements crisp.
It was not even close. After two brief clashes, the one without Sharingan was kicked flying. Another's blade was knocked from his hand. A third was caught in the gut, then dragged into the ground by Renji's Earth Release, Headhunter Jutsu.
The last man with two tomoe stood frozen as it dawned on him.
Renji had baited them, riling their pride, forcing them into reckless taijutsu with no coordination, no ninjutsu, no teamwork. He had cut them down one by one.
Renji gave him no time to think. "One Sword Style, Godspeed." The blade stopped at his chest.
"You lost."
He sheathed the sword and gestured for him to free his trapped teammate. Then Renji turned, Sharingan spinning.
"Next. I am not tired yet. Five challengers this time."
The clansmen exchanged wary looks. Someone had regained his calm. "He forced them into chaos. It was not really four against one."
A squad captain finally stepped forward with his entire four man unit. Another joined them to make five. "You are strong," the captain admitted. "I cannot match you alone. But we are not alone."
The five made the Seal of Confrontation. Four moved in tight formation, covering each other with shuriken, genjutsu feints, and ninjutsu blasts. The fifth pressed Renji directly.
By now the training ground was packed. More Uchiha youth poured in, even little kids skipping class just to watch.
Renji's lips curled into a grin. The audience was ready. Time to dance.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu." Two clones split off instantly, hurling Fire Release Phoenix Fire and Wind Release Great Breakthrough, then finishing with a joint Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.
The squad scrambled to defend. "Earth Release Earth Wall. Fire Release Fire Dragon."
But their walls shattered under the onslaught. Flames tore through, forcing them to scatter in panic.
In that moment Renji cut down the lone forward. His sword style overwhelmed him, knocking him flat.
"One Sword Style, Godspeed." He streaked across the ground, dropping the squad captain in a single strike.
The clones swept up the stragglers. One dragged a boy into the dirt with Headhunter Jutsu, the other trapped another in Illusion, Hell Viewing. Only one remained, already wounded. When Renji strode toward him, the boy lifted his hands in surrender.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even the cocky ones who wanted to jump in thought twice.
Renji looked them over. "More have arrived. Let us save time. I will take you all together." His eyes glimmered. "I am coming."
He charged. Eight stepped forward, but the result was the same. Illusions, flames, swordplay. The stronger ones had already been beaten one on one. These were leftovers. They went down in pairs, in trios, stumbling over one another.
Soon the ground was littered with groaning Uchiha. Renji waved to Tea and Hualuo, signaling them to escort the fallen away.
With the field cleared, he faced the newcomers who had gathered.
"Forgive the spectacle. We were only choosing a squad captain, and I may have bullied them too much. Many had not even awakened their eyes. But surely among my clansmen there are those eager to test themselves."
He bowed lightly. "I only wish to learn from you. I just returned from years of training. I want to see the brilliance of my clan's many geniuses. Who will teach me?"
All eyes turned to a single young man. Renji recognized him. He had once delivered a message to their squad.
The youth stepped forward with an elegant bow.
"I am Uchiha Duantian. Our teacher Zhe once told me we were brothers in learning and should spar one day. At last you have returned, and fate grants us this chance. Let us grow closer today."
Renji blinked at the word brother, then chuckled.
"So it was Teacher Zhe's will. Then I cannot let him down. Brothers indeed should cross blades." He returned the bow.
They charged together. "Draw Technique, Sky Slash." "Uchiha Sword Style, Tempest Strike."
Their blades rang. Renji's power forced Duantian back several steps.
Renji pressed harder, strikes flowing like a storm. Duantian's Sharingan whirled, but eyes could not move the body faster. He faltered, back to the edge.
Snarling, Duantian unleashed his best. "Uchiha Sword Style, Sword Leap Flame. Tempest Strike. Combined art, Blazing Tempest."
Flame roared with wind, a sweeping inferno blade.
Renji smiled faintly. "Secret Sword. First Cut."
It was what he had found in months of chopping wood and training blindfolded. Strength, skill, and spirit aligned. A cut that merged with heaven and earth.
The blazing strike shattered. Duantian was flung aside, his blade split with a crack.
Renji sheathed his sword and bowed. "Thank you, senior brother, for the lesson."
Then he swept his gaze across the hushed crowd, smiling faintly.
"Who else? Which of my brothers will be next?"
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This chapter closes, yet the flames of the journey do not fade. They burn brighter, hidden within the Forbidden Scrolles, where tomorrow is already written and the battles of legends await. If your resolve is sharp, step across the threshold and claim your place among the chosen: patreon.com/PurgatorialPoet