"Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!"
Several streams of water encircled Ren, beginning to swirl, slowly rising and expanding into a small water vortex. With Ren at its centre, it gradually stabilised.
"Attack!"
As Ren's Chakra surged, the water vortex poured down like water from the heavens. The nearby empty ground immediately became pitted and uneven under the powerful impact of the water.
Immediately, Ren began to slowly withdraw his Chakra, and the water vortex also began to disperse, finally shattering into a sky full of water splashes in mid-air, bringing a trace of solace to this empty ground that had been ravaged multiple times.
"Phew."
Ren calmed the surging Chakra within his body, a look of joy appearing on his face. Indeed, hard work pays off. After studying all day, without even eating lunch, he finally succeeded before dark.
"Very good, I didn't expect you to truly learn Water Colliding Wave in one day."
Maruboshi Kosuke walked forward, a smile appearing on his face, mixed with a hint of emotion.
He never thought that someone could truly learn an A-rank Ninjutsu in one day. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.
"Just luck."
Ren scratched his head, a sigh of relief in his heart. If he kept up this progress, after this training, Water Release would likely become his primary Chakra, with Wind Release and Lightning Release as secondary. This would also make up for his weakness in high-level Ninjutsu. Next, it would be a steady improvement in his strength.
"Gugugu."
A rumbling sound interrupted Ren's thoughts. He looked down and immediately realised, giving Kosuke an embarrassed smile.
"You're hungry, aren't you? Then let's stop here for today. Let's go eat."
Kosuke looked at Ren, who was covering his stomach with an embarrassed expression, and smiled. He turned around and gestured for Ren to leave.
It was already six in the evening, and the sky was starting to get dark. As the two walked out of the empty ground, preparing to return, Kosuke suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed on a shadowy part of the jungle.
"Come out."
"Hmm?"
Ren looked at the jungle, his hand reaching for the Ninja tool pouch at his waist, ready to act.
Suddenly, three figures darted out of the jungle, dressed identically to the Anbu. They stood close to Ren and Kosuke, their masked eyes scanning the two up and down.
Anbu? Why are they here? Is the Hokage looking for Kosuke?
Just as Ren was wondering, an Anbu wearing a fox mask stepped forward, his gaze passing over Kosuke and settling on Ren.
"Hoshimi Ren, Lord Danzo has an order. He wants to see you. Come with us."
The cold voice was like a machine, without any emotional fluctuation. The three men's chilling gazes made Ren feel a prickling sensation on his back.
Danzo?
Ren finally understood. What Anbu? These were clearly Danzo's Roots, coming to get him to join Root.
It seems he's still being targeted. Ryufeng has the Uchiha backing him, so that old dog Danzo can't provoke the Uchiha and is coming to squeeze me like a soft persimmon instead.
"I'm sorry, I don't know any Lord Danzo, so please go back."
After Ren refused, there was no emotional fluctuation in the three men's eyes. The next moment, the three suddenly vanished from their spots, simultaneously drawing their swords from three directions and attacking Ren, completely ignoring Kosuke who stood to the side. In their eyes, one was a Genin with some sensory ability, and the other was a brat whose evaluation report indicated only Chunin strength. With two Chunin and one Jonin, wouldn't it be an easy task?
"Hmph, so you want to fight."
Ren snorted coldly, quickly pulling out several Shuriken from his Ninja tool pouch. Lightning Release Chakra wrapped around them, carrying faint currents of electricity as they flew towards the fox-masked leader.
"Overestimating yourself."
The fox-masked leader raised his sword and deflected the Shuriken. Although he was momentarily paralysed by the Lightning Release Chakra on them, it was harmless. The other two Root Ninjas had already rushed to Ren's front, swinging their long swords, avoiding Ren's vital points and striking directly at his left and right arms. Danzo had only said to bring him back alive, and in their understanding, crippling Ren's mobility also counted as completing the mission.
The long swords easily pierced Ren's arms, but the two Root Ninja did not relax at all. The Ren in front of them exploded into a puff of white smoke. When the smoke cleared, the two long swords had only pierced a substitute log.
The real Ren had already appeared by the river several meters away, a mischievous smile on his face as he looked at the Root Ninja. He quickly formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Hearing the Ninjutsu Ren was about to activate, the three Root Ninja all showed disdain. Indeed, a Genin is still a Genin. At such close range, a Chunin's speed would get them there in less than two seconds. With your four-second activation of Water Dragon Bullet during the graduation exam, four seconds is enough for two Chunin to kill you twice!
The three turned their direction again and charged towards Ren. Suddenly, the fox-masked leader heard a spine-chilling voice in his ear.
"Committing such blatant acts of violence in Konoha Village, is that the confidence Lord Danzo gives you?"
What?
The fox mask struggled to turn his head. A flash of sword light cut through the darkness, instantly slashing towards his chest. In the face of mortal danger, he dodged to the right at the last moment, barely avoiding a vital point. Before he could relax, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his left arm, and blood immediately spurted out.
How is this possible!
The fox mask clutched his left arm, looking in disbelief at Kosuke, who stood with his sword. How could a mere Genin be so strong! Although his own underestimation was a factor, to cripple a Jonin's arm in one move, such strength would be more than enough to be an Anbu captain.
Before the fox mask could react, he heard two screams from nearby. He instinctively turned his head and was once again shocked by the scene before him.
The imagined scene of Ren being severely injured and then captured did not occur. Instead, the two Chunin were being beaten badly, dodging everywhere, with a water dragon hot on their heels. A moment of inattention would result in severe injury and defeat.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
The two seized the opportunity and simultaneously unleashed Fire Release. Two flames soared into the sky and collided with the water dragon, resulting in a stalemate. The area was immediately filled with steam, and everyone lost their vision. No one dared to make a move.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
The fox mask barely managed to form hand seals, and a gust of wind swept through, instantly clearing the steam from the field.
"Captain!"
The two Root Ninjas gathered around the fox mask, vigilantly staring at Ren, who had already reunited with Kosuke.
"Unexpected situation, mission failed, retreat!"
Before the two Root Ninjas could finish speaking, the fox mask had already used Instantaneous Body Technique to leave. The two exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and turned to follow their captain. Soon, only Ren and Kosuke were left on the field.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Senior Kosuke."
Ren shook his head, his gaze directed towards the direction the Root squad had left.
Kosuke turned and looked Ren up and down.
"What's wrong, Senior?"
Ren noticed and looked around, asking confusedly.
Kosuke averted his gaze, saying with a wavering tone.
"Nothing, it's just that you seem to have been targeted by a dangerous group of people."