Kapitel 323: 322-Again?

Renjiro moved cautiously along the rugged path, the wind carrying the salty tang of the nearby sea. Kumogakure was unlike any other shinobi village, its location a natural fortress.

While Konoha had to manage its defences against eight neighbouring villages, many of them minor, Kumo was nestled securely, bordering only the Land of Frost to the southwest and the vast ocean everywhere else.

This strategic positioning made Kumo one of the most impenetrable villages in the shinobi world, a fortress both by design and by nature.

Its mountain peaks stood as sentinels, jagged and foreboding, while the crashing waves along its shoreline acted as an ever-present deterrent to any naval incursion.

Renjiro had read reports about Kumo's defensive advantages. The Land of Frost, though a potential weak spot, was covered in dense, snowy terrain that naturally slowed any invasion. And the sea? A vast, unpredictable expanse that was nearly impossible to traverse undetected. For someone on a covert mission like Renjiro, the thought of sneaking through the water filled him with dread.

He wasn't equipped for prolonged underwater travel or for fending off Kumo's highly skilled shinobi who patrolled their shores. It left him with only one option: an isolated mountain route that skirted the snowy regions of the Land of Frost.

"This path better be worth it," Renjiro muttered, adjusting his pack as he climbed higher along the rocky trail. The air grew colder with every step, his breath misting in front of him. The path was narrow, bordered by sharp cliffs that plunged into shadowy depths on one side and towering rock walls on the other. Renjiro's sharp eyes scanned his surroundings, his senses on high alert for any sign of movement.

Despite its isolation, the route was not entirely as unpopular as he would have greatly hoped. And soon enough, he found out why.

A faint sound reached his ears—the clash of steel against steel, the unmistakable clang echoing through the mountains. Renjiro froze, crouching low as his gaze darted ahead. The narrow trail curved around a bend, and from the other side, he could see flashes of movement.

Two groups of shinobi were locked in battle just a few meters away, their movements a blur of speed and precision. One group wore dark brown attire, their chakra signatures unmistakably belonging to Kumo. The other group sported grey uniforms, their mist-like chakra and fluid movements identifying them as shinobi from Kirigakure.

'I should have used another route,' Renjiro thought bitterly, his hand tightening around the hilt of his kunai.

He pressed himself against the rocky wall, careful not to draw attention. The fight was intense, with kunai and shuriken slicing through the air, their metallic whir punctuated by the occasional explosion of ninjutsu. Sparks flew as blades clashed, the sheer force of each blow shaking loose small rocks from the cliffside.

"What's Kiri doing here?" Renjiro wondered, his crimson Sharingan activating instinctively as he analyzed the battlefield. Kirigakure attacking Kumogakure on land was not unusual.

Given their proximity, Kiri would have had the advantage by launching an assault from their shores. But then, Renjiro realized the cleverness of their strategy.

"Kumo's probably fortified their coastline," he reasoned. "They wouldn't expect Kiri to go for a land-based assault instead." It was a bold move, and judging by the fierce battle unfolding, it had caught Kumo off guard. Still, the Kumo shinobi had the upper hand in numbers, surrounding the smaller group of Kiri shinobi with relentless precision. Despite this, the Kiri shinobi fought back fiercely, their movements calculated and efficient. One kunoichi in particular caught Renjiro's attention.

She was young, her pale grey hair a stark contrast to her dark eyes, which burned with an intensity that made even the seasoned Kumo shinobi hesitate.

Her attire was minimal, exposing much of her alabaster skin, which seemed reckless at first glance. But as Renjiro's gaze sharpened, he understood why.

"Crack!"

Her arm twisted unnaturally, and sharp, bone-like protrusions burst from her flesh. She wielded them effortlessly, slashing through her opponents with precision and speed.

'The Kaguya clan,' Renjiro thought, his expression darkening. The clan's Shikotsumyaku, the ability to manipulate their bones as deadly weapons, was a rare and terrifying kekkei genkai both in Kirigakure and the shinobi world in general.

This kunoichi was no exception, her attacks feral yet controlled, her every movement a dance of death. Renjiro's muscles tensed as he watched her cut down a Kumo shinobi with a fluid strike, her bone blade glinting in the dim light.

But Kumo's numbers were overwhelming, pressing down on the Kiri shinobi like an unrelenting tide. Still, the kunoichi moved with a grace that Renjiro couldn't help but admire. She darted between her opponents like a shadow, her movements fluid and precise, every step purposeful. Her strikes were swift yet controlled, the sharp crack of bone blades meeting steel punctuating the chaos around her. Despite the intensity of the fight, her expression remained focused, her dark eyes glinting with calculated intent.

Renjiro watched as she performed a seamless backflip to avoid a volley of shuriken, her body arching like a dancer's mid-leap. Landing lightly on her toes, she spun with deadly elegance, the bone weapon in her hand carving an arc of destruction through two Kumo shinobi who had underestimated her reach. The faint whistle of her blade cutting through the air was followed by the dull thud of bodies hitting the ground. She exuded a lethal beauty that made her stand out even amid the chaos of battle.

Then came the signal. The kunoichi snarled something sharp and commanding to her comrades, and Renjiro caught the subtle hand gesture that followed—a retreat. Without hesitation, the Kiri shinobi broke away from the fight, their movements coordinated despite the overwhelming odds. The kunoichi lingered a moment longer, her gaze sweeping across the battlefield as if memorizing every detail. Her expression was unreadable, but there was a fire in her eyes, a fierce determination that suggested this skirmish was far from over.

Finally, she turned and vanished into the shadows, her retreat as smooth as her attacks. Renjiro released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, the image of her deadly grace etched into his mind. "Smart move," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the distant clash of steel.

The last thing he needed was to get caught in their crossfire. He silently backtracked, his movements careful and deliberate. Blending into the jagged terrain, he put as much distance as possible between himself and the outpost.

'I need to find another way into Kumogakure,' he thought grimly, the encounter leaving him uneasy. The presence of Kiri shinobi near Kumo's borders was a complication he hadn't anticipated. If they were conducting coordinated attacks, it meant the Land of Lightning's defences would be even tighter than usual.

As Renjiro moved through the rocky landscape, his senses prickled. The air seemed to shift, a subtle but distinct change that sent a shiver down his spine. His Sharingan flared to life, scanning the area for any signs of movement. A faint whistle reached his ears, and his instincts screamed at him to move.

In a split second, Renjiro leapt into action, forming a shadow clone with a quick hand sign. The clone propelled him upward, its hands gripping his feet and launching him higher into the air. Another clone appeared above him, pulling him to the peak of a nearby ridge. Below, the ground he had been standing on was riddled with sharp, bone-like protrusions that jutted out violently from the earth.

Renjiro's eyes narrowed as he landed gracefully on the ridge, his gaze locking onto a figure emerging from the shadows. The kunoichi from earlier stepped forward, her grey hair billowing in the wind.

Her dark eyes bore into his, a sinister smile curling her lips. The remnants of her bone weapons gleamed in the dim light, a chilling reminder of her deadly power.

"We've been waiting for you, Uzumaki Renjiro," she said, her voice cold and confident.

Renjiro's jaw tightened, his mind racing. The fact that she knew his name meant this was no coincidence. "Oh, come on," he muttered under his breath, his expression darkening. "Again?"

=====

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Kapitel 324: 323-You want a fight?

Jei Kaguya's eyes narrowed as she gazed at the masked figure perched high atop the ridge, silhouetted against the dim glow of the moonlight. Below him, countless bone protrusions jutted out from the rocky terrain, forming a jagged, grotesque forest.

Each one gleamed like ivory under the faint light, a chilling testament to her kekkei genkai. The air was thick with tension, the faint rustle of the wind the only sound amidst the stillness.

Her lips curled into a smirk as she let her gaze linger on the intruder. "So, you're Uzumaki Renjiro," she murmured, the words meant more for herself than for him.

The name carried weight—whispers of potential and a growing reputation, enough to catch the attention of her superiors. And now, here he was, the prize she had been tasked to kill or capture, standing right before her.

'He is more of a threat to Suna and Kumo with his chakra natures, I wonder why they wanted me to kill him.' Je could not help but think.

Her squad's attack on the Kumo outpost had been a diversion, a calculated risk to flush out their true target. Their orders had been clear: if Renjiro appeared, they were to abandon the outpost and focus entirely on capturing him.

If he didn't, they would continue the assault and retreat after inflicting as much damage as possible. It had been a gamble, and when Jei first sensed the foreign chakra signature encroaching on their location, she had decided to play her hand.

She wasn't entirely sure it was him at first—it could have been a returning Kumo shinobi or reinforcements sent to flank them—but something about the way his chakra felt, sharp and controlled, made her decide to take the chance.

Jei's smirk deepened as she adjusted her stance, her grey hair whipping around her face in the wind. 'He's a bit shorter than I thought,' she thought as she sized up the figure before her.

His build was lean but not frail, and the black mask obscured most of his features. 'Well, he is quite young, so that makes sense. But didn't they say his hair was red, not black?' she wondered, her sharp gaze locking onto the short strands that peeked out from beneath his hood.

Renjiro seemed to hesitate for a moment, his crimson Sharingan glinting faintly as he assessed her. Then, with a flicker of movement, he attempted to leave, vanishing into the shadows.

Jei's smirk turned into a grin as she matched his speed, her form blurring as she gave chase. "What's the matter?" she called out, her voice laced with mockery. "Running away already? I thought the great Uzumaki Renjiro would put up more of a fight!"

Renjiro's eyes darted to her, annoyance flashing across his features. 'She's fast,' he thought, his muscles tensing as he pushed himself to move faster. 'But I need to get out of here. Fighting this close to Kumo won't serve the mission well.'

Jei's laughter echoed behind him as she closed the distance between them, matching Renjiro's speed. "What's the rush? The bounty on your head is too tempting to let you slip away!" she taunted, her voice carrying an edge of amusement.

Renjiro gritted his teeth, considering his options.

The terrain was rough, the jagged peaks offering little cover. If he wanted to escape, he needed to create some distance. Summoning his chakra, he began to open the gates. The first two burst open within him, flooding his body with energy and propelling him forward at an incredible speed.

Jei's eyes widened slightly as she felt the sudden surge of power radiating from him. "Interesting," she muttered, her grin never wavering. Her own chakra flared as she activated Dance of the Willow, her movements becoming smoother and faster as she manipulated her bones to form long, blade-like extensions from her forearms. The sharp edges gleamed as she swung them effortlessly, her strikes aimed at cutting off Renjiro's escape.

Renjiro glanced back, his Sharingan catching the fluid grace of her movements. She wasn't just fast—she was precise, every strike calculated to corner him.

"Fine," he muttered under his breath, skidding to a halt. "You want a fight? Then I'll give you one."

The Sharingan in his eyes spun ominously as he turned to face her, his chakra coiling like a spring ready to unleash.

Jei's grin widened as she noticed the change in his stance. "Finally," she said, her voice dripping with anticipation. "Let's see what all the fuss is about."

Their clash was instantaneous. Renjiro darted forward, his speed enhanced by the opened gates, while Jei met him head-on, her Dance of the Camellia creating a flurry of bone blades that clashed against his kunai with sharp, metallic clangs. Sparks flew as their weapons collided, the sound reverberating through the rocky terrain.

Renjiro's strength was undeniable. Each strike he delivered carried the force of his enhanced chakra, his blows creating shockwaves that echoed across the ridge. Jei, however, was unfazed. Her bones, hardened to an almost indestructible level, absorbed the impact with ease. "Is that all you've got?" she teased, ducking under a swing and retaliating with a bone blade aimed at his side.

Renjiro twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the strike. His Sharingan flared as he read her next move, countering with a spinning kick that Jei blocked with her forearm. The force sent her skidding back slightly, but she recovered effortlessly, her grin never faltering.

"You're strong," she admitted, lunging forward with another series of attacks. "But strength alone won't save you."

Renjiro growled in frustration as he attempted the Front Lotus, wrapping Jei in a tight hold and spinning her toward the ground with incredible speed. At the last moment, Jei activated Dance of the Larch, her body sprouting sharp bone spikes that forced Renjiro to release her. She landed gracefully, her bones retracting as she prepared her next move.

"Nice try," she said, brushing a strand of grey hair from her face. "But my defences are a bit tougher than that."

Renjiro's eyes narrowed as he landed, his mind racing. 'I need to find a way through her defences,' he thought, summoning his adamantine chains to assist him. The silver chains shot forward, wrapping around Jei's limbs and pulling her toward him. Jei gritted her teeth as she activated Dance of the Clematis: Vine, using her bones to form a whip-like appendage that severed the chains with a sharp crack.

Their battle continued, a blur of speed and precision. Renjiro's Sharingan gave him an edge, allowing him to predict Jei's movements and counter her attacks. Yet her resilience and adaptability kept her in the fight, her bones shifting and reshaping with every clash.

Suddenly, Jei noticed a swirling ball of chakra forming in Renjiro's hand. Her eyes widened slightly, but she trusted her defences. 'Whatever that is, it won't work,' she thought, her bones forming a shield in front of her as Renjiro lunged forward with the Rasengan.

The moment the Rasengan connected, Jei's confidence shattered. The swirling chakra drilled through her bone shield, the force sending her flying backwards and slamming her into the rocky ground. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as pain shot through her body.

"What…what kind of jutsu is that?" she thought, panic flashing across her features.

Renjiro didn't let up. Impressed by the Rasengan's effectiveness, he formed another and charged at her. Jei scrambled to her feet, creating distance between them as she activated Dance of the Seedling Fern, summoning a forest of bone spikes that erupted from the ground. Renjiro weaved through them with ease, his silver chains snaking around her and pulling her toward him once more.

"You're persistent," Jei hissed, slashing at the chains with her bone blades. But Renjiro was relentless, his Sharingan glowing as he calculated his next move. Summoning his chakra, he formed the Chidori, the sound of crackling lightning filling the air.

Jei's eyes widened in horror as the Chidori pierced through her bone defences like a hot knife through butter. The force of the attack sent her crashing to the ground, her body limp and battered and bleeding from the chest. Renjiro stood over her, his breathing heavy as he deactivated his Sharingan.

Without a word, he sealed Jei's corpseinto a storage scroll, his movements quick and efficient. Then, with a flicker, he vanished into the shadows, leaving behind the eerie forest of bones and the faint echoes of their battle.