Chapter 21: Sexy no Jutsu!
Naruto scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face, his cheeks flushed with a mix of pride and embarrassment. "Haha, Renji! It's not that big a deal! Didn't know you thought so highly of my jutsu! Kinda embarrassing."
"Show me," Renji said, crossing his arms with a playful smirk, his eyes glinting with anticipation.
Naruto's confidence skyrocketed under Renji's encouraging gaze. "You got it!" he declared, clapping his hands together with a flourish. "Sexy no Jutsu!"
Poof!
A thick cloud of smoke billowed outward, swirling around him. As it cleared, a stunning girl stood in Naruto's place, her long golden hair cascading like a waterfall. Her curves were graceful, her bright blue eyes sparkling in a delicate, heart-shaped face. The transformation was flawless, almost too perfect for the chaotic forest setting.
Jiraiya's jaw dropped, a torrent of blood gushing from his nose as his eyes widened in awe. He staggered, clutching his chest like a man struck by lightning.
Renji blinked, his expression blank. …Nope. I'm out.
In a flash, he vanished, leaving Jiraiya to grapple with the overwhelming vision of Harem Naruto. The forest seemed to hum with the absurdity of the moment, leaves rustling as if laughing at the scene.
Naruto dispelled the jutsu with a puff of smoke, his shoulders slumping as he scanned the empty clearing. Renji was gone, his silhouette nowhere in sight. His blue eyes dimmed, a pang of guilt twisting in his chest. I'm just a burden to him, aren't I? Always dragging him into my mess. The thought stung, his usual bravado faltering under the weight of self-doubt.
Jiraiya, sharp as ever despite his theatrics, crouched beside Naruto, his sly grin softening. "Hey, kid. If you can keep up that look from earlier, I might just take you on as a student."
Naruto puffed out his chest, indignation flaring. "You perv!" he snapped, pointing an accusing finger.
Jiraiya's face fell, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. "…"
He studied Naruto's defiant blue eyes, a flicker of nostalgia stirring deep within him—memories of another blond with the same fiery spirit. "You know, I can use the Rasengan too," Jiraiya said, his tone casual but laced with pride. "I created it with someone else."
Naruto's jaw dropped, skepticism etched across his face. "No way! You're totally lying!"
Jiraiya smirked, extending his hand. A swirling orb of chakra materialized in his palm, the Rasengan's hum vibrating through the air like a living force. Its blue glow cast flickering shadows on the forest floor.
"Whoa!" Naruto's eyes lit up like twin suns, and he lunged forward, grabbing Jiraiya's arm and bouncing with uncontainable excitement. "Ero-sennin! You gotta train me! Please!"
"Alright, alright," Jiraiya chuckled, folding his arms. "But you answer my questions first, deal?"
"No problem!" Naruto nodded so vigorously his whisker marks seemed to dance.
"First question: who was that kid just now?"
"Renji!" Naruto chirped, grinning ear to ear.
Jiraiya sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Full name, age, family, background. Can you answer a question properly, kid?"
Naruto squinted, his expression turning wary. "Why do you need all that? What if you're planning to mess with Renji?" He lowered his voice, muttering, "You're kinda a creepy old guy, after all."
Jiraiya froze, caught off guard by Naruto's protectiveness. This kid's got loyalty. Naruto's usual carefree demeanor had sharpened into a fierce guard over his friend. "Relax," Jiraiya said, raising his hands. "I only chase pretty girls. I'm a Konoha ninja—why would I hurt one of our own?"
"Tch, like I'd trust a perv like you!" Naruto snapped, eyes narrowing.
"Idiot!" Jiraiya barked, his patience fraying.
"Hey!" Naruto shot back, crossing his arms defiantly. "I'm not stupid! Renji says I'm super smart—just needed someone to teach me right!"
Jiraiya snorted, waving off the argument. "Whatever. Just answer the question, kid."
When it came to Renji, Naruto could ramble for days, his enthusiasm spilling over like a burst dam. "Renji's full name is Renji Mahito! He's on Team 7 with me, Sasuke, and Sakura. He's a total genius! Even Kakashi-sensei says he's incredible—way better than most!"
"Is that so?" Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, his curiosity piqued. A four-person team under Kakashi? With Naruto and Sasuke's unique backgrounds, that was… unusual. He kept his tone light, probing gently. "Sounds like a big deal."
"You don't believe me?" Naruto huffed, sensing the doubt. "Renji's mastered both the Rasengan and the Chidori! Sasuke's still working on the Chidori, but Renji? He's got it down!"
Jiraiya's eyebrows shot up, though he masked his surprise with a grin. "Sounds like a prodigy."
Naruto grinned, puffing out his chest. "Right? You get it!"
"But," Jiraiya added, his tone deliberately casual, "I've never heard of a 'Renji Mahito' at the Ninja Academy."
"Pfft, that's 'cause Renji trained at ROOT since he was a kid!" Naruto boasted, his voice brimming with pride. "It's way cooler than the Academy! He's, like, the son of some elder. Super awesome! Uh… Dan… Danzo, I think? Yeah, that's the guy! But who cares about that? Renji's saved us tons of times!"
Jiraiya stopped dead in his tracks, his face hardening for a split second. Danzo? ROOT? The name struck a nerve, stirring old suspicions. Naruto glanced back, confused. "Yo, Ero-sennin, what's wrong? You look kinda scary."
Jiraiya forced a grin, smoothly sidestepping. "Just thinking about some awesome ninjutsu I could show you…"
Before he could finish, Naruto latched onto his arm, eyes wide. "Teach me! Teach me, Ero-sennin!"
...
The Next Day, Konoha Forest
Soft sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting a golden curtain of light across the forest clearing. Renji stood poised, his waist-length blue hair swept into a high, neat ponytail that swayed gently in the breeze. He wore a sleek, black short-sleeved top that hugged his lean frame, paired with wristbands, gloves, and simple shorts reinforced with knee and ankle protectors. The outfit, meticulously prepared by Cat Mask, was tailored for taijutsu—flexible yet durable, designed to maximize mobility while shielding his joints during intense training.
"Alright, Renji!" a booming voice echoed through the trees.
Renji turned, his face lighting up as Might Guy strode into the clearing, his green jumpsuit practically glowing with infectious energy. "Good morning, Guy-sensei!" Renji called, his smile as radiant as the dawn.
Might Guy flashed his signature grin, teeth gleaming, and thrust a thumbs-up skyward. "Good morning, Renji! Let's ignite the flames of youth today and burn brighter than ever!"
"Yes!" Renji matched his enthusiasm, his eyes blazing with excitement. The thought of mastering techniques like Night Guy—moves so powerful they could shift the course of a war—set his heart pounding. Guy-sensei's as quirky as Kakashi, but when it matters, he's a rock. No wonder they're best friends.
Guy sized him up, his sharp eyes assessing every detail. Renji's physique was perfect for taijutsu—lean and toned, built for explosive speed and raw power without the bulk that could slow him down. This kid's a natural, Guy thought, his grin widening. In the Ninja world, true potential shone brightest in battle. Just like the bell test revealed a genin's teamwork, a spar was the fastest way for a jōnin to gauge raw ability.
"Renji! Let's forge our bond through combat!" Guy declared, striking a dynamic pose that radiated passion. His voice echoed, startling a flock of birds that scattered into the sky, their wings beating in a frantic exodus.
Renji's smile widened, Guy's energy infectious. Battle's my language—especially against a taijutsu legend like him! His blood thrummed with anticipation, every muscle primed for action.
He studied Guy's stance: balanced on his right foot, left leg tucked toward his abdomen, knees slightly bent, arms raised like an eagle poised to strike. The posture was deceptively simple, but the precision screamed power. Maintaining such balance required insane physical control, yet Guy stood as steady as a mountain, his aura a tidal wave that pressed against Renji's senses.
Taijutsu's a man's romance! Renji thought, his pulse racing. "Guy-sensei, please teach me!"
Renji's figure blurred, launching forward with the grace of a crane. His hand sliced toward Guy's neck like a chakra-forged blade, the air hissing with the force of the strike. The forest seemed to hold its breath, leaves trembling in the wake of his speed.
A centimeter from impact, Guy tilted his head with a confident grin, dodging effortlessly. Renji's instincts flared like a warning flare. He pivoted 180 degrees, aborting the attack and leaping back to create distance, his feet barely grazing the ground.
But Guy was faster. A fist rocketed from an impossible angle, aimed at Renji's chest with bone-crushing force. Renji's pupils contracted, time slowing in his mind. At the last second, he pressed his hand against Guy's iron-hard forearm, using it as leverage to spring into the air. His leg whipped toward Guy in a fluid counterattack, the motion seamless and precise.
Guy's eyes gleamed with approval. Turning defense into offense? Brilliant! Renji's speed, judgment, and strength were exceptional, even for a genin.
Guy vanished, his voice booming from behind. "Watch your back!"
Renji's muscles tensed like coiled springs. He swung his arm toward the sound, his instincts razor-sharp. "Don't attack blindly—you'll just leave yourself open!" Guy warned, seizing Renji's arm with a grip like steel. Had he not held back, Renji's arm would've been ripped clean off.
Thud!
Renji acted without hesitation, dislocating his own arm to slip free like a shadow, then snapping it back into place in a heartbeat. His fist shot toward Guy's cheek, a gust of wind trailing the strike like a comet's tail.
Guy leaped lightly, his toes delivering a kick with devastating force, the air rippling in its wake. To his surprise, it missed. Renji appeared behind him, seizing his wrist with a grip that belied his lean frame.
This kid learns in the thick of battle! Guy marveled, his heart swelling with pride. Renji's adaptability was unlike anything he'd seen.
A deep, drum-like thud echoed from Guy's body as he unleashed a burst of strength, shattering Renji's hold. In a flash, his fist materialized before Renji, the air vibrating with a deafening boom that shook the surrounding trees.
Too fast. Renji couldn't dodge or even track it. The punch connected with a force like a meteor, sending him flying through the air.
Thud!
Renji crashed into the grass, the impact kicking up a cloud of dirt. Bruises bloomed across his body, only to fade rapidly, like ink washed away by a tide. He lay sprawled, catching his breath, but his eyes burned with an unyielding fire, ready to rise again.