Chapter 24: Renji… Mahito?
"Ero-sennin! Ero-sennin! Ero-sennin!" Naruto's voice echoed relentlessly, a mischievous grin plastered across his face.
Renji winced, covering his ears. Jiraiya, equally exasperated, threw his hands up. "Alright, alright, let's go already!" he bellowed, his patience fraying like a worn rope.
...
Hot Spring Bath
Steam curled lazily around Renji as he sank into the warm embrace of the hot spring, a towel draped over his head, leaving only his chin above the water. After the grueling training with Might Guy, the soothing heat melted away the tension in his muscles, his pores opening as if exhaling the day's exhaustion. He had no intention of leaving this blissful haven anytime soon.
He glided through the water like a silent fish, stopping beside Jiraiya. The Toad Sage squinted at him, his mood sour. "What do you want, kid?"
Jiraiya's irritation wasn't hard to understand. Before entering the hot spring, a group of young women heading to the women's bath had spotted Renji and showered him with attention, inviting him to join them while completely ignoring Jiraiya. The sting of being overlooked had left him grumpy, and Renji Mahito was currently his least favorite person.
"Lord Jiraiya," Renji began, his tone polite but direct, "do you know where Lady Tsunade is?"
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, his fingers pausing mid-scratch on his chin. "No clue. Why're you looking for her?"
"It's about Lee," Renji explained, his voice steady. "Gaara shattered his left arm and leg during the Chunin Exams. The medical-nin say he'll never be a ninja again. But Lady Tsunade, the greatest medical-nin in the world, might have a way to fix him."
Jiraiya studied him for a long moment, stroking his chin. "Tsunade's the best, no question," he admitted, "but I don't know where she is."
Renji didn't buy it. He knew Jiraiya would eventually track down Tsunade with Naruto in the original timeline. This evasiveness was just Jiraiya dodging responsibility—for now. Once the Third Hokage falls, he'll have no choice, Renji thought, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. He swam to the edge of the pool, leaning his shoulders against the smooth stone.
"Giving up?" Jiraiya asked, raising an eyebrow.
Renji turned, his smile unwavering. "Nope. I'll find Lady Tsunade after the Chunin Exams."
Jiraiya said nothing, his expression unreadable.
A sudden deluge of water crashed over them, soaking both Renji and Jiraiya. "Hahaha! Got you, idiot Renji! Idiot Ero-sennin!" Naruto cackled, splashing wildly before darting away through the steaming pool.
Renji's eyes glinted with mischief. "You're done for, Naruto!" He lunged, sending waves crashing as the two erupted into a full-blown water fight, laughter echoing off the stone walls.
Jiraiya stared, dumbfounded. These childish brats! But even the Toad Sage couldn't resist. "You think you can out-splash me?" he roared, diving into the fray with a massive wave. In a water fight, nobody outdid Jiraiya, the Toad Sage.
...
Late at Night, Konoha Rooftops
Jiraiya perched on the edge of a rooftop, the cool night breeze ruffling his white hair. Below, Naruto's small apartment glowed faintly, the boy fast asleep under his covers, his sleeping cap slightly askew. Jiraiya's gaze softened, a rare tenderness flickering in his eyes.
Footsteps approached, and Kakashi appeared beside him, his single visible eye scanning Naruto's peaceful form before settling on Jiraiya. "Looks like Naruto had a good day," Kakashi said, his voice calm but warm.
Jiraiya smirked, crossing his arms. "Kid's got grit, even if he's not the sharpest tool in the shed."
Kakashi chuckled softly, not surprised when Jiraiya's next question came. "What's the deal with Renji Mahito?"
"He's Danzo's kid," Kakashi replied, his tone even. "When Naruto and the others graduated, Danzo placed him on Team 7."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"
Kakashi's expression grew serious, his voice firm. "He's a good kid."
Jiraiya said nothing, his thoughts hidden behind a neutral mask. "Alright, it's late. I'm off." His figure melted into the evening breeze, leaving only the whisper of his departure.
...
The moon hung high, bathing Konoha in silver light. The streets lay quiet, the village wrapped in the hush of dreams. Renji, refreshed from the hot spring, strolled leisurely toward ROOT's headquarters, his steps light. Too far from the central district, he mused. I need to talk to Danzo about getting a place closer.
A shadow loomed over his, larger and more menacing. Renji glanced up to see Gaara standing on a rooftop, his silhouette stark against the moonlight. Not sleeping and playing midnight ghost instead? Renji thought, raising an eyebrow.
He took a few steps, his mind flashing to the timeline. Gekkō Hayate… poor guy's about to meet his end. He shrugged mentally. Hayate's fate wasn't his problem. Wearing a good-guy mask didn't make him a saint.
Rustle, rustle…
The night wind stirred the treetops, leaves whispering secrets. Gaara moved, his figure a blur as he appeared behind Renji, sand swirling around him like a living storm, poised to strike. The tranquil night shattered, replaced by a crackling tension.
Renji spun around, his voice dripping with mockery. "What's this? A monster playing deep and brooding instead of sleeping?"
His words were sharp, cutting through the silence. Cursed Energy surged within him.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1000!]
[Chakra (40,130 / 100,000,000)]
"I'll kill you!" Gaara snarled, provoked by Renji's taunt. Sand surged toward him, a tidal wave of malice.
If he's itching for a fight, I'll oblige, Renji thought, a smirk curling his lips. Gaara had come to him, after all—why waste the opportunity?
Boom!
Renji's fist shot forward as he opened the Gate of Opening and Gate of Healing in rapid succession. His figure flickered, reappearing behind Gaara. Lightning seemed to crackle around his fist as it smashed into Gaara's Absolute Defense, a hairline fracture splintering the sand.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1000!]
[Chakra (41,130 / 100,000,000)]
Renji didn't pause, his speed unrelenting. Punches and kicks rained down, the Gate of Life flaring open. A violent gust swirled around him, his fist carrying a storm of dust that battered Gaara's shield, cracking it inch by inch. The impact sent Gaara crashing into a wall, the stone crumbling around him.
Gaara staggered out of the rubble, unharmed within his shattered Absolute Defense. His eyes glinted with sinister intent, the sand now reeking of blood. Rock Lee's face flashed in his mind, fueling his rage.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +2000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +2000!]
[Chakra (43,130 / 100,000,000)]
Gaara's composure unraveled, his body trembling with fury. Time to calm him down, Renji thought, his eyes narrowing.
Fourth Gate—Gate of Pain! Open!
Renji unleashed the gate he'd held back during training with Might Guy. His muscles and bones thrummed with explosive power, his chakra doubling in intensity. His body became a taut bow, his figure flashing toward Gaara like an arrow loosed from the string.
Gaara couldn't track him.
Bang!
Renji's fist pierced the Absolute Defense like lightning, blood trickling from Gaara's mouth. The sand, frantic to keep up, flailed uselessly against Renji's blinding speed.
Gaara's arm began to mutate, the Tailed Beast stirring within. Not on my watch, Renji thought. A full transformation would wake half the village.
Fifth Gate—Gate of Limit! Open!
Renji stepped back, his right foot grounding him as his strength surged, converging into a single point. His movements were thunderous, air currents rippling from his strikes. Gaara's pupils dilated as Renji's whip-like leg sent him soaring, blood spraying from his mouth. The ground beneath cracked into a spiderweb, Gaara's body sinking into the indentation, ribs shattered.
For the first time in his life, Gaara felt true pain, his body broken under Renji's onslaught. He stared at the night sky, his consciousness fading as the Tailed Beast's will surged, seizing control. Half his face morphed into a monstrous visage, blood-red eyes glowing. With a roar, he lunged, a massive claw tearing through the air with a piercing whistle.
Bang!
Renji met the claw with a fist, standing like an unshakable mountain. His arm stung briefly, but the pain vanished as his body healed. He spun, flashing behind Gaara, and delivered a crushing kick to his neck.
Bang!
Gaara stumbled, a feral roar escaping his fanged mouth. Renji took a deep breath, his resolve ironclad.
Sixth Gate—Gate of View! Open!
The ground cracked beneath his feet, splitting like a turtle's shell. His muscles and bones resonated, power surging from his toes to his shoulders. His arm bent, and an elbow strike rocketed toward Gaara's chest, the force seismic. Gaara flew back dozens of meters, but Renji was already behind him, his steel-like arm bursting through the claw's defense to slam into Gaara's neck.
Thud!
Gaara collapsed, unconscious, his transformation halted. Renji panted, his meridians taut, muscles strained. But within moments, his injuries healed, his body as good as new.
He stepped over to Gaara, smirking. "Pretty weak for a midnight stalker. Good kids stay in bed, not out playing monster." He paused, his tone mocking. "Oh, right. Forgot you don't have a mom to tuck you in."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5000!]
[Chakra (48,130 / 100,000,000)]
Renji turned, strolling away calmly. Hope the ants don't carry him off as a snack.
...
A hundred meters away, Gekkō Hayate lay sprawled on the rooftop, blood pooling from his mouth. His fingers twitched, reaching for the sword he could no longer grasp. Two figures loomed over him—Kabuto Yakushi and Baki, the jōnin leader of the Hidden Sand Village, their eyes cold as steel.
Hayate knew this was his end. His only regret was failing to warn the Hokage of the Sound and Sand Villages' conspiracy. His crushed windpipe, courtesy of Baki, silenced any cry for help.
Kabuto's eyes flicked to the side, sensing a presence. "Looks like we have company," he said, his tone laced with intrigue.
Hayate's fading gaze flickered with desperate hope. But no sound escaped his lips.
Kabuto slipped behind a pillar, his movements silent. A figure stepped into view, unafraid.
Kabuto's eyes widened slightly, a rare hint of surprise crossing his face. "Renji… Mahito?"
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