Chapter 26: Burning with the Flames of Youth
The dim glow of lanterns flickered within the ROOT headquarters, casting long, jagged shadows across the stone walls. Renji slipped into Danzō Shimura's chamber, his movements silent as a specter. As expected, the old schemer was wide awake, seated on a low stool, his piercing gaze fixed on the door as a familiar blue head peeked through.
Danzō's expression remained stone-cold, his single visible eye narrowing.
"…"
That shifty look could only belong to one person bold enough to disturb him at this hour—Renji.
"What do you want?" Danzō's voice was gruff, cutting through the stillness like a blade.
Renji darted forward, his face a mask of seriousness. "I just stumbled onto something huge," he said, his tone brimming with genuine surprise, the sharp, metallic scent of blood on him heightening the curiosity even more.
Danzō's gaze darkened, scanning Renji from head to toe. No wounds, no signs of injury. Whose blood is that? His interest piqued, he leaned forward slightly. "Speak."
Renji said with a serious expression. "The Kazekage visiting Konoha? It's not him. It's Orochimaru in disguise."
Danzō's eye glinted with skepticism, his voice low and measured. "Where did you hear this?"
Renji launched into a carefully crafted recounting of his night—his clash with Gaara, his encounter with Kabuto Yakushi and Baki. But in his version, Baki was the one who drove the kunai into Gekkō Hayate's chest. A little slip, that's all. The kunai just… fell. Nothing to do with me. He painted himself as a bystander, caught in the wrong place at the right time, claiming Kabuto had spotted him as he tried to slip away. The blood on him was from Baki, who tried to stop him as he escaped, splattering Renji when he overpowered the Sand jōnin.
Renji smirked inwardly as he spun the tale. If Orochimaru scraps the plan, Danzō will think it's because Kabuto noticed me—perfect cover, he thought, grinning to himself. He was curious to see how this would play out, but he bet Orochimaru wouldn't let such meticulous scheming go to waste.
Renji's gamble in telling Danzō was calculated. He knew Danzō would do nothing. Hiruzen Sarutobi's death would only strengthen Danzō's grip on Konoha, paving his path to power. No downsides, only gains.
Danzō's lips twitched into a rare, approving smile, his mind already savoring the irony. Sarutobi, you let Orochimaru slip through your fingers years ago. Now he's coming for your throat. Poetic. He was pleased—not just with the news of Hiruzen's impending doom, but with Renji's loyalty in reporting it immediately. "Go back to sleep. I'll handle it," he said, his tone dismissive but satisfied.
Renji nodded, knowing full well Danzō would sit on the intel like a dragon hoarding gold. He might even spread whispers to tarnish Hiruzen's reputation or pull ROOT operatives from village missions to minimize losses during the attack. Classic Danzō, Renji thought, stifling a chuckle as he left. He slept like a baby that night, the weight of his schemes as light as a feather.
...
Early the next morning, Renji headed to the forest to train with Might Guy, his mind set on a single goal: mastering the Morning Peacock. Today's the day, he vowed, his blood thrumming with anticipation.
"Guy-sensei!" he called, spotting the unmistakable green jumpsuit standing out against the trees.
"Yosh! Renji, you're up so early, burning with the flames of youth!" Might Guy's grin was radiant, his fists clenched with enthusiasm as the sky shifted from dim light to bright daylight.
Renji dove into training, sweat drenching his body, his muscles screaming with exertion. Guy's voice rang out, detailing the Morning Peacock's key points—high-speed straight punches that ignited the air, shockwaves and flames forming a peacock-like display capable of evaporating an entire lake. Renji committed every word to memory, his focus razor-sharp.
In front of Guy, Renji opened the First Gate, then the Second, all the way to the Sixth Gate—Gate of View. His body trembled, then steadied, as chakra surged with overwhelming force. A dense blue light enveloped him, the air crackling with visible energy. His cells felt alive, his physical abilities pushed to a terrifying new limit. Blue steam rose from his body, the pressure startling.
Guy watched, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and nerves. This kid… In less than a month, Renji had surpassed Lee's decade of relentless effort. Talent was undeniable, but Guy saw the sweat-soaked determination in Renji's stance. It's his hard work too.
Renji crouched slightly, assuming the Morning Peacock's starting stance. Guy, knowing the technique's power, stepped back to a safe distance. The moment he moved, an immense force erupted from Renji's hands.
Blazing fire enveloped a ten-meter radius, the red light around Renji shifting into a giant, lifelike peacock.
Caw!
Shockwaves and flames roared outward, snapping trees in half and evaporating the forest's moisture. A section of the woods caught fire, the air shimmering with intense heat.
Renji's eyes widened at the devastation. Not good. He quickly formed hand signs. "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!" A giant water ball burst in the air, extinguishing the flames with a steamy hiss. Renji breathed a sigh of relief, the charred trees standing as proof of his power.
His clothes bore high-temperature burn marks, his skin scalded and bruised from ruptured capillaries—the backlash of the Sixth Gate and imperfect Morning Peacock. But in a blink, his Kekkei Genkai healed every injury, his skin returning to smooth, unmarred fairness.
Guy's expression froze, his jaw dropping. Renji noticed his gaze and smiled. "Guy-sensei! This is my Kekkei Genkai. As long as it's not fatal, I heal right up!"
Guy's face broke into a wide smile. "Good! That means I can ramp up the training without worry! Get ready, Renji! Starting tomorrow, the intensity will increase dramatically!"
Renji couldn't ask for more. "Yes!"
The training ended there, but Renji's clothes were a charred mess. He rushed back to ROOT like the wind, wary of being seen shirtless. I'm already too charming fully clothed, he thought with a smirk. If the village girls catch me like this, I'm done for. Gotta protect my virtue!
After a shower and fresh clothes, Renji stretched and headed to Ichiraku Ramen, the warm scent of broth drawing him in. He spotted Naruto and Jiraiya at the counter, Naruto waving eagerly.
"Renji! Sit here!" Naruto's grin was infectious as he scooted over, ordering a pile of ramen with gleaming eyes.
Renji raised an eyebrow, amused. "No training today, Naruto? Just eating like it's a mission?"
Naruto chuckled, rubbing his hands. "Ero-sennin says this is training, dattebayo! Gotta fuel up for the big stuff!"
Jiraiya's gaze flicked between the two, heavy with intent. Renji felt a prickle of unease—a bad vibe. What's this old toad planning?
Naruto plowed through ten bowls of ramen, chopsticks a blur, before stopping with a satisfied sigh. He turned to Jiraiya, hand outstretched. "Alright, Ero-sennin, pay up!"
Jiraiya had vanished without a trace. Naruto's jaw dropped.
"Ah!" He emptied his frog wallet, revealing not a single coin.
Renji stifled a laugh, watching Naruto's face fall. Poor guy's broke.
Naruto turned to him, eyes pleading. "Renji, you done with training today?"
"Yes," Renji nodded, leaning back casually.
Naruto's eyes sparkled. "Renji, you're amazing! No matter how tough the jutsu, you learn it right away!"
Renji couldn't argue, only offered, "You can do it too, Naruto."
Naruto's confidence flared. "Yeah, Ero-sennin's training is weird today, but I'll work hard, dattebayo!"
The next second, Jiraiya reappeared, grabbing both boys by the collars and hauling them toward a cliff. Renji's eyes narrowed. "Lord Jiraiya, does Naruto's training need me now?"
Jiraiya, carrying the two, nodded, his voice calm but firm. "Yes."
Naruto laughed loudly. "Alright!" Then he was thrown off the cliff, his laughter turning into a startled yelp as he plummeted.
Renji was set down, watching Naruto fly through the air. Jiraiya said beside him, "Naruto needs a life-or-death situation to activate his power. If he doesn't succeed, there'll be nothing left to do…"
Renji's lips curled into a faint smirk, sensing the opportunity. Like the wind, he leaped after Naruto, his body slicing through the air with reckless confidence. Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, surprised by the boy's boldness.
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As I promised, here's the extra chapter.
100 Stones = +1 Chapter
200 Stones = +2 Chapters
300 Stones = +3 Chapters
...