Chapter 52: You're Just So Awesome, Renji!
Nestled between the lush Land of Fire and the stormy Land of Rain lay the Land of Rivers, a small nation without a shinobi village. Reliant on greater powers for protection during wartime, its waterways and barren mountains offered little in resources compared to its prosperous neighbor.
Beneath a jagged red rock jutting from the river, a massive boulder sealing a hidden cave began to rise. Light spilled into the cavern, illuminating its vast, hollowed interior.
A colorful phantom stood waiting, its eerie presence dominating the space. It fixed its gaze on the figures emerging at the cave's entrance.
Deidara and Sasori stepped inside, laying Gaara's unconscious form on the ground. Their eyes flicked to the phantom, its ripple-patterned Rinnegan gleaming with an otherworldly chill.
The phantom glanced at Gaara and gave a slight nod.
Suddenly, a hand passed through its translucent form. Hasumi Maki, grinning curiously, waved his fingers through the projection, his own heterochromatic eyes glinting with mischief.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1000!]
[Chakra (30,041,000 / 100,000,000)]
"How cool is this, Leader? What kind of Ninjutsu makes you like this?" Maki poked at the Rinnegan on the phantom's face, his finger slipping through as if through mist. The figure was nothing but a projection.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1000!]
[Chakra (30,042,000 / 100,000,000)]
Deidara, leaning against the cave wall, muttered to Sasori, "This guy's such a pain. How does the Leader deal with him, un?"
Sasori's voice was flat, his eyes cold. "His abilities are valuable to the Akatsuki. The Leader tolerates him for that."
In an organization of misfits, strength earned you the right to be a nuisance.
The phantom ignored Maki's antics, its expression unchanging as it formed hand signs for a Summoning Jutsu. White smoke billowed, and a grotesque demonic statue emerged, its monstrous form looming in the cavern.
"Assemble," the Leader commanded.
Phantoms flickered into existence on the ten massive fingers of the demonic statue. Deidara and Sasori leaped onto the two empty ones.
Deidara shot a glance at Maki, still standing below, and looked to the Leader. "What about him, un?"
The Leader's Rinnegan swept downward. Maki waved back, his smile infuriatingly carefree. "Leave him be," the Leader said.
Deidara's mouth twitched. Why didn't I get to skip out?
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +500!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +500!]
[Chakra (30,042,500 / 100,000,000)]
"Sealing Jutsu: Phantom Dragon Nine Consuming Seals!"
...
"I'm sorry about what happened in Sunagakure," Renji began, his voice soft.
Naruto cut him off, leaping forward and jabbing a finger at the Sunagakure shinobi glaring at Renji. "We told you! We're Konoha shinobi here to help! And you're accusing us?!"
"That guy just looks like Renji! Doesn't mean they're the same!"
"You think you're the only ones hurt by him?"
"Renji's a victim too!"
"Why should he apologize?!"
"His actions have nothing to do with Renji!"
Naruto grabbed Renji's shoulder, his voice booming with fierce loyalty. He wouldn't let Renji take the blame for that monster's crimes. Hadn't Maki nearly killed Renji too? The injustice burned hotter than any fire.
Sakura stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "You've seen the Hokage's scroll. We're not lying."
Seeing their stubborn suspicion, she pressed on. "The shinobi who attacked your village is Hasumi Maki, Renji's biological brother—a rogue ninja. You wouldn't blame an innocent person for a rogue's crimes, would you? Sunagakure has its own rogue ninja, like Sasori, who was part of this attack. Do you blame his family?"
The Sunagakure shinobi fell silent, their arguments crumbling. They studied Renji closely. The attacker had longer hair, a taller frame, and a sneering arrogance. Renji's youthful features and gentle eyes were worlds apart. Reluctantly, they stepped aside.
Naruto snorted as they passed, his anger simmering. Seeing Renji wronged felt worse than being targeted himself.
Kakashi let it slide. Naruto's just venting. Sunagakure took their anger out on our kid back in Konoha, didn't they?
They headed to the infirmary, where Kankuro lay poisoned, teetering on the edge of death.
"Konoha's White Fang!"
A gust of wind surged toward Kakashi as they entered. His usually lazy eyes sharpened.
Renji reacted instantly, stepping in front of Kakashi and neutralizing the attack with a flick of his wrist.
An aged voice cut through. "Old woman, you're seeing things! That's not the White Fang!"
Chiyo lowered her hand, glaring at Kakashi behind Renji.
Kakashi offered an awkward smile.
Chiyo snorted. "Not the White Fang, but he's tied to him!"
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Naruto exploded. "We're here to help Sunagakure! First, you slander Renji at the gate, now you're attacking Kakashi-sensei? What's wrong with you people?!"
Ebizo, the calmest in the room, spoke up. "Please forgive their rashness. Your companion resembles the shinobi who attacked us, and my sister has… history with Konoha's White Fang." He paused. "But we're allies now."
Naruto huffed, unconvinced.
"Oh no! Elder Chiyo! Kankuro's getting worse!" Temari burst out, grabbing Chiyo's arm.
Sakura glanced at Renji, who met her eyes. "Sakura, your Medical Ninjutsu is top-notch. You've got this, right?"
Sakura hesitated. Renji's skills surpassed hers, but his nod gave her confidence. "Mm!" She tied her short hair back and followed Chiyo, Temari, and Ebizo into the treatment room.
Renji, Naruto, and Kakashi settled on the corridor's benches.
"Uh, Kakashi-sensei, who's this 'Konoha's White Fang' the old lady mentioned?" Naruto asked, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.
Kakashi froze, caught off guard. His eyes curved into a smile. "He was my father—"
Renji cut in, turning Naruto's head away. "Kakashi-sensei's father, Sakumo Hatake, was an incredible Konoha Jōnin! On the battlefield, they called him Konoha's White Fang. He was even a top candidate for Fourth Hokage! Pretty cool, huh?" Renji ruffled Naruto's hair.
Naruto squinted, nodding eagerly. "So cool! So cool!"
Kakashi sighed, resting his head on his hand. He'd meant to tell Naruto the truth—about facing his reanimated father three years ago—but Renji had stopped him. Always protecting everyone, aren't you, Renji?
"Lady Chiyo!" A Sunagakure shinobi rushed in, panic etched on his face.
"Wait!" Naruto blocked him. "They're treating Kankuro! You'll mess Sakura up!"
"But more shinobi need treatment!" the shinobi snapped.
Renji stood, smiling warmly. "I'll go. I'm a disciple of the Fifth Hokage and a Medical-Nin."
"You… but…" The shinobi faltered, unnerved by Renji's familiar face.
Naruto's temper flared. "Renji's offering to help, and you're giving him attitude?!"
Renji patted Naruto's head, calming him. "Saving lives comes first. Want to waste time arguing?" he asked the shinobi.
The shinobi gritted his teeth. "Fine… come with me. Thanks." His gratitude was barely a whisper.
Naruto stuck close to Renji. "I'm going too! So they don't mess with you!"
Outside, injured shinobi lay on stretchers scattered across the sand, with only three overworked Medical-Nin struggling to keep up. Their skills were basic at best.
"Don't come near me!" An injured shinobi thrashed, eyes wide with terror as Renji approached.
"He's not the one who attacked you!" Naruto pinned the man down.
Renji's Mystical Palm Technique glowed, healing the shinobi's wounds at a staggering pace. The man's trembling eased, his fear replaced by cautious awe.
Renji's presence transformed the makeshift hospital. He saved shinobi deemed hopeless by the local medics, even guiding the three Medical-Nin with expert tips. Their admiration was palpable, their initial distrust melting away.
After treating most of the injured, Renji wiped his brow and turned to check on Sakura.
"Hey…" A weak voice stopped him. The shinobi he'd healed looked up, eyes hesitant. "Thank you."
Renji paused, then smiled. "No problem. Glad I could help."
The man felt a warmth spread through him, Naruto's words echoing in his mind. How could we mix them up? They're nothing alike.
On the way back, Naruto's gaze never left Renji.
"What's with the staring, Naruto?" Renji asked, chuckling.
Naruto scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. "You're just so awesome, Renji! Strong, kind, and super cool! The coolest guy I know!"
Renji's charisma was magnetic, disarming even the most skeptical. Naruto couldn't find enough words to describe him.
"Really?" Renji grinned, patting Naruto's shoulder. "You're pretty awesome yourself, Naruto. The way you stood up for me? Total hero vibes."
Kakashi watched Naruto practically float with pride. "Renji, you praised him again, didn't you?" he said, half-amused, half-exasperated.
Renji: "…"
He tugged Naruto back to earth.
"Renji! Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura emerged, her hair still tied back, radiating confidence. She nodded at Renji, eyes bright with anticipation. "I got all the poison out of Kankuro!"
Renji patted her head. "Nice work, Sakura! As expected of Tsunade's disciple—and my junior!"
Sakura beamed, basking in the praise. "Of course! I'm not letting you outshine me!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. Does she even remember Sasuke?
"With Kankuro stable, we need to move to rescue Gaara," Kakashi said.
"I'm coming," Chiyo said, stepping forward. Her voice was heavy. "One of the Akatsuki who took Gaara… is my grandson. I know him best."
Ebizo's eyes flickered with worry. "Sister…"
He knew this might be her final mission, a bittersweet farewell.
Chiyo's smile held pride and sorrow. "He's an exceptional puppeteer. Only I can face him."
Temari handed Kakashi a scrap of cloth. "Kankuro grabbed this from the Akatsuki puppeteer."
Kakashi nodded. "This'll help us track him."
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Pakkun appeared in a puff of smoke, tail wagging. He sniffed the cloth and gave Kakashi a nod.
"Let's move!" Kakashi ordered.
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