"…"
Silence.
Kakashi Hatake was quiet.
Completely quiet.
Not just him—
The entire ANBU squad had fallen into a dazed silence.
Their pride—
Crushed.
They had been wiped out.
Effortlessly.
Even Kakashi's signature S-rank technique—Raikiri—
The move that once "cut lightning"—
Was casually replicated.
Without hand seals.
It was absurd.
Unbelievable.
"Gulp…"
"…What is this?"
"This… is the Third Training Ground?"
"Is that… the legendary Wood Release!?"
"Don't get close! These trees attack—and drain chakra if they catch you!"
"What!?"
"Who did this!?"
Outside the training ground—
Figures gathered one after another.
Jonin.
Chunin.
Even academy teachers.
All stunned.
Before them—
A forest.
Massive.
Alien.
Nothing like the original training ground.
Some tried to approach—
Only to be instantly caught by vines.
Bound.
Their chakra drained.
Even after rescue—
They couldn't stand.
That alone—
Was enough to make everyone hesitate.
No one dared enter.
"Shikaku…"
"Inoichi, Choza—you're here too!"
"Asuma, Guy…"
The elite of Konoha arrived.
Among them—
Shikaku Nara
Inoichi Yamanaka
Choza Akimichi
And others like Asuma Sarutobi and Might Guy.
All of them—
Shocked.
"Shikaku…"
Inoichi spoke first.
"Ino, are you sure?"
"That attacker used Wood Release?"
On his back—
Ino Yamanaka clutched his clothes nervously.
"Uncle Shikaku… I'm sure those trees on the Hokage Rock came from him!"
"But… I don't know if it's Wood Release…"
Then—
Her voice trembled.
"Dad… will Akira Ren be okay?"
"He'll be fine."
Inoichi reassured her.
Then—
He formed a seal.
Closed his eyes.
Sensing.
A moment later—
Cold sweat ran down his face.
"…What is it?"
Shikaku frowned.
"…It's Akira Ren."
Inoichi opened his eyes slowly.
"His chakra… it's massive."
"Far beyond what it was two years ago."
"…Even greater than the Third Hokage's."
Silence.
"And…"
He stared at the forest.
"…It's the same chakra as these trees."
"…WHAT!?"
Everyone froze.
"So… this forest…"
"…was created by Akira Ren?"
Someone muttered in disbelief.
"He has Wood Release!?"
"I've encountered Tenzo before."
Asuma spoke seriously.
"His Wood Release isn't anywhere near this level."
"…I see."
Shikaku narrowed his eyes.
His mind—
Racing.
Calculating.
"A forest of this scale requires enormous chakra."
"If Inoichi's sensing is correct…"
"Then yes—"
"This is Akira Ren's doing."
Then—
Something clicked.
A memory.
"…So that's why."
He muttered.
Years ago—
Akira Ren's grandmother—
Had urgently asked him to contact Tsunade.
At the time—
He thought it was just about talent.
But now—
"…She already knew."
"She knew Akira Ren had Wood Release."
"And she was afraid…"
"…of the higher-ups."
Shikaku's eyes deepened.
The darkness of Konoha—
Wasn't unknown to him.
"…That makes sense."
Inoichi nodded.
"Akira Ren has Senju blood."
"High chakra. Excellent control."
"If anyone could awaken Wood Release…"
"It would be him."
And more importantly—
He could sense it clearly.
The ANBU inside—
Were drained—
But alive.
Akira Ren had held back.
"Wait… so…"
Ino suddenly lit up.
Her eyes sparkled.
"…This is all Akira Ren did!?"
Excitement replaced fear.
Admiration filled her face.
"He's amazing…!"
At that moment—
"WHOOSH—"
Three figures arrived.
At the front—
Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Lord Hokage!"
Everyone bowed.
Hiruzen looked at the forest.
Eyes burning.
"…You're right."
"This wasn't Tenzo."
"…It was Akira Ren."
His voice—
Trembled slightly.
"With the First Hokage gone…"
"Wood Release has finally returned to Konoha."
This—
Was no imitation.
No "half-baked" version.
This was real.
Overwhelming.
In his mind—
A thought formed.
In a few years…
He might even suppress tailed beasts.
"S-rank classified information."
Hiruzen spoke firmly.
"Everyone here—"
"You saw nothing."
His gaze sharpened.
"This must remain secret."
At his signal—
His son Shinnosuke Sarutobi and daughter-in-law Mieko Sarutobi moved immediately.
ANBU dispersed.
The area was sealed.
No witnesses.
No leaks.
Because everyone present understood—
What this meant.
Konoha—
Had gained a weapon.
A pillar.
And his name—
Was Akira Ren.
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