BOOM!
Renji Takahashi(BloodMoon) was slammed into the cliffside, his ears ringing.
Jagged rocks scraped across his skin, leaving him bruised and battered. Fortunately, his healing technique quickly repaired the physical damage.
But the pain? That part was very real.
The Blood-soaked Bat King, growing more agitated, dove straight into the abyss below.
A massive river roared beneath them. The monster and Renji plunged into its icy depths—the water's bite felt like countless needles stabbing at once.
Without warning, the Bat King launched itself upward again like a possessed beast.
Renji felt like he was trapped on a demonic roller coaster.
"Damn it! This thing's a total nightmare!"
His body screamed in protest. Just when the Blood-soaked Bat King was about to slam him into a jagged outcropping, a shout echoed from above.
"Renji!"
Renji turned his head. Soaring down to him was Red Wind, with wind wings beating furiously.
Without hesitation, Renji leapt off the beast.
Red Wind caught him in a princess carry, her flight smooth and graceful.
"Thanks."
"Let's get out of here first!"
Holding Renji close, Red Wind poured on the speed, wind wings propelling them forward like a jet.
But the Bat King wasn't giving up. Its crimson eyes locked onto the pair.
They had disturbed its rest, killed its spawn.
There would be blood.
Squeeeee!
The massive wings surged, and the monster soared after them.
With Renji no longer obstructing it, its speed surged—and it was closing the distance fast.
"It's catching up!" Red Wind cried.
"We won't outrun it in open air. Dive into the forest!"
Without hesitation, Red Wind veered into the thick jungle. Towering trees offered some hope of cover.
The Bat King tried to follow—but its sheer size made maneuvering difficult.
WHOOSH!
Flapping furiously, the Bat King unleashed a wind blast, snapping trees like twigs.
"Crap!" Renji grabbed Red Wind and twisted midair, using his back to shield her from the impact.
BOOM!
The forest flattened in a wave of destruction. Renji and Red Wind crashed to the forest floor.
Renji groaned. Blood poured from his back, soaking his clothes.
"Renji!"
Red Wind panicked, rushing to him. Soft blue wind energy gathered in her hands—ready to heal.
But a bloodied hand caught her wrist.
"I'm okay… don't worry."
Renji forced himself upright. His healing ability was already kicking in—white mist steamed from his wounds as they rapidly closed.
Red Wind froze.
That regeneration… was terrifying.
Was this truly the power of an S-rank auxiliary Wood-user?
Squeeeee!
The Bat King descended again, unhindered now. It unleashed sonic waves from its mouth—sharp and invisible.
The sound shattered a tree into splinters as Renji and Red Wind narrowly dodged.
"No more running. Looks like we're doing this."
Renji's three-tomoe Sharingan began spinning—then merged into a six-pointed star.
Mangekyō Sharingan.
Renji couldn't afford to hold back against a Fourth-tier Beast.
"Wood Style: Wooden Spear!"
He clapped his hands, and trees nearby twisted into spears—launching at the Bat King.
Whoosh!
The monster flapped its wings. A net of wind shredded the spears into dust.
"Divine Wind Technique!"
Red Wind acted. Dozens of massive wind blades took shape and fired off like missiles.
The Bat King snarled—and wrapped its flesh wings around itself.
Even without powers, its monstrous body could tank the hits.
"It's tanking everything with raw defense…" Red Wind narrowed her eyes.
The monster spread its wings again, its face curled into an eerie smile.
CLANG!
A kunai flew toward it—and in the blink of an eye, Renji appeared in front of the Bat King, his fist smashing into its tiny bat face.
BOOM!
Enhanced by Sage Mode, the punch sent the beast flying like a missile.
But it caught itself mid-air—wings flapping weirdly to absorb the impact just before hitting the ground.
Then, it suddenly veered, charging straight at Red Wind!
"What the—?"
Red Wind instinctively tried to retreat—but the Bat King was too fast.
Squeeee!
Its wings split to reveal twin spikes, aimed like lances at her heart.
SPLURCH!
She winced… but felt no pain.
Renji stood before her—his body impaled by the two spikes. One through each side of his torso.
"God—! That hurts!"
Blood poured from his mouth, but he didn't move.
The Bat King hesitated—surprised Renji took the blow.
That moment was all Renji needed.
He took a step forward, forcing the spikes in deeper—bringing himself close to its head.
Eyes wide, his Mangekyō Sharingan flared.
"Genjutsu!"
BOOM!
The Bat King thrashed—but within three seconds, it was trapped.
Its flapping slowed.
Its eyes glazed.
It was completely caught in Renji's illusion.
"Damn… You were a nightmare to deal with," Renji muttered through gritted teeth. "Guess I've got no choice but to make you… My summoning beast."
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