Chapter 20 — Departure: A New Combat Mission
(This chapter is a bit calmer.)
"Lightning Release: Earth Walk!"
Blue currents surged from Gekkō Raiga's hands to Gekkō Ren's body for the third time. Yet the electricity that touched Ren's body flowed as smoothly as a small creek merging into the vast ocean—barely causing a ripple, leaving not a trace of effect, disappearing without a spark. Its impact was even less than scattering a handful of dust.
20 energy points.
Gekkō Ren closed his eyes, wearing an expression of pure enjoyment. Watching his energy reserves rise by twenty points, excitement surged in his chest.
Gekkō Raiga, a true elite among chūnin, had manifested a far stronger version of Lightning Release: Earth Walk than Ren himself could produce. The energy points gained from it were double what Ren could generate alone.
Nearby, watching Ren endure multiple D-rank Lightning Release techniques and three rounds of Earth Walk without harm, Gekkō Hoshino grew even more exhilarated. His breathing quickened, and the resolve he once held against Ren using Lightning Release for training transformed into a firm determination to fully support him with the entire clan.
Not just Hoshino—the gazes of Gekkō Raiga and Gekkō Shiden also burned with fervor.
After testing seven D-rank Lightning Release techniques and three C-rank Earth Walks, they had confirmed: Gekkō Ren was effectively immune to ordinary Lightning Release damage, even absorbing it to his benefit.
With such lethal potential coupled with the ability to resist and absorb Lightning Release, Ren's bloodline limit had instantly climbed to a whole new tier in their eyes. This was a bloodline limit comparable to the Sharingan or Byakugan—and it might even surpass them, approaching the level of Wood Release.
In their minds, if Ren could grow steadily into adulthood and work to expand the clan, the rise of the Gekkō family's power was inevitable. The three had even begun quietly scouting for young girls from within the clan or allied civilian ninja families.
"Lord Hoshino, we can start using Lightning Release to assist my training now, right?"
Ren's slightly mechanical, cold voice interrupted their excited daydreams. Yet, in this moment, the three were too exhilarated to notice that Ren's voice used to carry playful warmth, and liveliness.
"Of course!"
Gekkō Hoshino exclaimed, smiling with excitement. "But we still need to prioritize safety and secrecy. From now on, only Raiga and Shiden will assist you with Lightning Release training. Remember, no Lightning Release above C-rank can be used, and you must never train with Lightning Release in front of others."
"I understand, Lord Hoshino!"
Gekkō Raiga and Gekkō Shiden, standing to the side, were practically beaming. They were thrilled not only because the clan had produced a prodigy like Ren, but also because they were chosen to assist him in training. Ren's rise was a certainty, and this would be an enormous favor for them in the future.
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At dusk, the western sunlight streamed into the forest, bathing everything in a golden glow.
"Clan Leader, Ren, it's getting late. Shouldn't we head back?" Gekkō Raiga suggested, looking at the sinking sun. Exhausted after an entire afternoon of drawing chakra and casting nearly eighty Lightning Release: Earth Walks, both he and Shiden were physically drained and eager to rest.
"Let's head back."
Seeing their fatigue, Gekkō Hoshino nodded in agreement. "Thank you both for your hard work."
"Thank you," Gekkō Ren replied. After an afternoon of Lightning Release charging, combined with his previous reserves, his stored energy points had reached two thousand.
"That's what we're here for," Raiga and Shiden smiled. Assisting Ren was exhausting, but completely worth it.
Gekkō Hoshino then gathered the nearby clan members who had been on guard, and together, they headed back to camp.
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"Lord Gekkō Hoshino."
Just after returning to the Konoha camp and the Gekkō clan's encampment, a member of the ANBU appeared suddenly before Hoshino. "Lord Orochimaru has requested your presence at the command post."
"Understood. Let's go!"
Hoshino nodded and left under the ANBU's escort.
"Looks like we have a new combat mission! Sigh."
Watching Hoshino leave with the ANBU, Gekkō Raiga muttered helplessly.
"Sigh."
At his words, nearly everyone in the Gekkō clan echoed the sigh—except Ren. Every mission brought casualties, and none knew when this war would end. Since the war began, almost all chūnin and higher-ranking Gekkō ninja had been sent to the frontlines against the Suna shinobi. From the original fifty-plus, only thirty or so remained.
"Sigh."
Seeing everyone fall silent, Ren also exhaled, then entered Hoshino's tent early to rest. (To protect him, Hoshino had arranged for Ren to share his tent.)
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The next day, before sunrise, Hoshino woke Gekkō Ren.
After quickly packing, Ren followed Hoshino out of the tent. Other clan members had already begun emerging from their own tents in small groups.
"Move out."
Once everyone had assembled, Hoshino gave the order and led the way, running toward the edge of the camp.
"Follow."
Without hesitation, everyone ran after Hoshino, asking no questions.
Not long after leaving the camp, Hoshino and his group caught up with a Konoha ninja squad of about sixty. Without exchanging words, Hoshino and his clan members joined the group and continued onward.
These are all from the Mizuhara and Kuruma families!
As they traveled, Ren observed every member of the roughly sixty-person team carefully, making a note in his mind.
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As the sun rose, sunlight slanted through the forest. After covering twenty or thirty miles, the hundred-plus strong group finally halted in a valley.
"Our objective this time is to destroy a Suna outpost and hold it."
Gathering everyone, Gekkō Hoshino—commander of this mission—finally revealed the operation. He had waited until they left the main camp to prevent any enemy spies from discovering the mission details.
At his words, everyone's expressions turned serious. This was no ordinary outpost. For Suna, it was undoubtedly a critical stronghold, and its location was strategically important. Capturing it would have a significant impact on the overall battle. Otherwise, the mission wouldn't require sending the full force of Konoha's family ninja.
Everyone understood: the Suna would never allow them to seize the outpost so easily. After capturing it, they would inevitably face fierce counterattacks. This was certain to be an extremely difficult mission.