Chapter 55: Amaterasu!
Sakura's heart swelled with an overwhelming warmth, a tender ache that caught her off guard. Renji's words, so simple yet profound, never failed to stir her. She knew he was kind, his gentleness woven into every action, but his unwavering support for Naruto always left her in awe. To see through the village's prejudice at such a young age—Renji's clarity was something special.
Naruto must feel it too, she thought. Even when the world turned its back on him, branding him a monster for the Nine-Tails sealed within, Renji stood firm, a steadfast ally. Sakura's lips curved into a soft smile. They all stood with Naruto now. He wasn't alone anymore, not with Team 7 by his side.
But the village's blindness lingered. Even now, many couldn't see past the Nine-Tails incident, their fear and hatred unfairly heaped onto a child who'd done nothing wrong. Kakashi's gaze darkened, a pang of helplessness settling in. He couldn't fully blame those scarred by that tragic night, but it pained him to see Naruto bear their burden.
Something felt off. Naruto was too quiet, not his usual boisterous self. Kakashi glanced sideways and caught him discreetly wiping tears from his eyes, his face turned away as if hiding his vulnerability.
"Wow!" Naruto suddenly lunged at Renji, arms wide. Renji, quick on his feet, caught him just in time, steadying them both with a chuckle.
"Careful, Naruto!" Sakura's forehead vein throbbed as she delivered a sharp punch to Naruto's head, her irritation flaring.
"Ow!" Naruto yelped, clutching his head and shooting Renji an aggrieved look. "That hurt!"
Renji patted his head with mock sympathy. "There, there. All better now."
Naruto nodded earnestly, his pout fading. "Mm-hmm, doesn't hurt anymore."
Sakura's eye twitched: "…"
Damn it, Naruto!
Chiyo watched the trio's antics, her expression a tangle of emotions. "Not every Jinchuriki finds someone who truly understands them," she said softly. "The Nine-Tails boy is lucky."
Kakashi shook his head, his voice low. "Before Renji, Naruto's life was hell."
Chiyo's lips quirked into a rare smile. "But look at him now. He's happy." Her gaze softened. "Only when a Jinchuriki knows love can they learn to protect—and tap into the Tailed Beast's true power."
"Everyone, stop!" Kakashi's sharp command halted the group, his body tensing as a figure emerged ahead.
Uchiha Itachi stood in their path, his crimson Sharingan glinting under the Akatsuki cloak. The air grew heavy, charged with menace.
"Who's that?" Sakura's voice wavered, her instincts screaming danger as she registered the Sharingan's glow.
"Uchiha Itachi," Naruto growled, his eyes locked on the figure, brows furrowed with a mix of anger and resolve.
"Itachi?" Chiyo's tone sharpened with recognition. "The kid who wiped out the Uchiha clan."
"Long time no see, Kakashi-san, Naruto-kun," Itachi said, his voice calm and polite, pointedly ignoring Sakura and Renji.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1,000!]
[Chakra (42,083,000 / 100,000,000)]
Renji hadn't even spoken, yet Itachi's presence alone fueled a surge of Malice Value. A faint smirk tugged at Renji's lips—easy pickings.
Kakashi's senses were on high alert, his Sharingan uncovered beneath his headband. "Don't look into his eyes!" he warned, swiftly covering Naruto's gaze with his hand. "Itachi's genjutsu is vision-based. Avoid his stare, and you'll be safe."
Renji's smirk faltered: "…"
As if that's enough. Itachi could trap someone in genjutsu with a mere finger twitch. Renji's curiosity piqued—what kind of illusion would the Uchiha weave for him?
"Little brother…" A soft voice came from behind.
"Don't look!" Kakashi's warning was sharp, but Renji turned anyway.
Hasumi Maki stood there, his heterochromatic eyes gleaming with a deceptively kind smile. Renji glanced around—Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Chiyo had vanished. He was alone with Maki in a silent, empty void.
So this was Itachi's genjutsu. Renji's lips curled into a mischievous grin. If Itachi wanted to play mind games, Renji could turn this illusion into a nightmare for him.
"Why're you here?" Renji asked, slinging an arm around Maki's shoulder with a familiarity that belied their enmity, acting as if they were true brothers sharing a casual moment.
"To see you," Maki replied, his eyes narrowing as he studied Renji.
Renji's hand brushed Maki's cheek, his tone soft but laced with intent. "Don't forget our goal. Only two pairs of Sharingan left, right? I want Sasuke's eyes. Help me, brother."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1,000,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1,000,000!]
[Chakra (43,083,000 / 100,000,000)]
Got him. Itachi's protective instincts for Sasuke were a glaring weakness. Mention his brother's Sharingan, and his defenses crumbled like paper. Renji's grin widened.
Slap!
Renji's hand cracked across Maki's face, the impact sharp. He grabbed the collar of the illusion, his voice low and venomous. "You think I wouldn't recognize my own brother, Uchiha Itachi?"
Maki's form shimmered, morphing into Itachi's true appearance, his Sharingan blazing with barely restrained fury.
Renji leaned close, whispering into Itachi's ear. "Sasuke doesn't know the truth about the Uchiha massacre, does he? What if I tell him? Will he join the Akatsuki and burn Konoha to the ground? You chose Konoha over your clan, but you spared Sasuke. So, between Sasuke and Konoha, who'll you pick, Itachi? I'm dying to find out."
The killing intent in Itachi's eyes was palpable, a cold fire that promised death.
Renji's mind flickered to Shisui's Sharingan—one with Itachi, one with Danzo. A perfect opportunity to claim both.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000!]
[Chakra (48,083,000 / 100,000,000)]
Itachi's resolve hardened—he was ready to end Renji here. Exactly as Renji wanted.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +2,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +2,000!]
[Chakra (48,085,000 / 100,000,000)]
A kunai plunged into Renji's chest. His expression didn't falter as he stared into Itachi's eyes, the wound sealing shut in seconds, leaving no trace.
Renji reached for Itachi, knowing that in genjutsu, the body was an illusion, but the spirit was real—a perfect playground for his abilities.
Itachi, ever sharp, sensed the danger. He dodged Renji's grasp with fluid precision, his instincts honed by years of survival.
Whoosh!
Itachi vanished, only to reappear behind Renji, his fist crashing forward with lethal force. Renji didn't dodge, meeting the blow with his own punch.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +2,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +2,000!]
[Chakra (48,087,000 / 100,000,000)]
The impact shook them both, a shockwave rippling through the genjutsu's void. Itachi glanced at his hand—fractured bones, torn skin, and a faint tremor in his organs. Renji's Black Flash, infused with Tsunade's monstrous strength and the Eight Gates' raw power, was unlike anything he'd faced. Only the genjutsu's nature spared him worse injury.
Renji's lips curved into a cold smile. He was happy to toy with Itachi a bit longer in this dreamscape.
Itachi struck again, relentless. "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson!"
Phoenix-like flames roared toward Renji, laced with hidden shuriken, their heat scorching the air with a wild rush of wind.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +2,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +2,000!]
[Chakra (48,089,000 / 100,000,000)]
"Water Release: Water Trumpet!" Renji countered, summoning a spinning torrent that swallowed the flames and shuriken, transforming into a raging hurricane. His chakra reserves were vast, and he poured them freely into the jutsu, the water swelling like an ocean.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!" Two massive water dragons erupted behind him, their eyes flashing like lightning as they lunged at Itachi, their roars shaking the illusion.
The genjutsu shattered. Itachi's form vanished with the water, and Renji's eyes snapped open. Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and Chiyo stood before him, the forest unchanged. In mere seconds, he and Itachi had traded blows in a battle of minds.
Renji glanced at Naruto, who stood frozen, his face pale and eyes trembling with residual terror. He'd been caught in a genjutsu too.
Kakashi and Itachi were already locked in combat, their movements a blur of steel and chakra.
Naruto jolted awake, his breathing ragged, his pupils still wide with fear.
"Naruto, you okay?" Renji started, but before he could finish, Naruto tackled him in a bone-crushing hug, his grip so tight it squeezed the air from Renji's lungs.
Renji patted Naruto's back, bewildered. "What's wrong? Did Itachi's genjutsu get you? It's not real…"
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1,000!]
[Chakra (48,090,000 / 100,000,000)]
"I know… I know…" Naruto's voice trembled, his fear palpable despite his words. The genjutsu had shaken him, planting seeds of doubt about the Renji standing before him.
"You'll never leave us, right?" Naruto pulled back, gripping Renji's shoulders, his blue eyes fierce with desperation.
Renji met his gaze, his smile steady. "Of course."
"You'd never lie to me, right?" Naruto pressed, his voice almost pleading.
Renji nodded, sensing the genjutsu's lingering poison. Itachi had shown Naruto something dark, something that rattled his trust. "Mm."
No illusion could undo the bond Renji had built with Naruto over years.
"I knew it!" Naruto's face broke into a sunny grin, his fear melting away.
But then—
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000!]
[Chakra (48,100,000 / 100,000,000)]
"If you ever do something wrong, I'll break your legs and lock you up!" Naruto's grin held an edge, his words jarring against his usual warmth.
Renji froze, his mind reeling. What? Naruto, of all people, saying something so dark? The Nine-Tails' influence, years of village scorn, the genjutsu's manipulation—had they unearthed a shadow in Naruto's heart? Or was this just a fleeting crack in his usual optimism?
"Huh? What's wrong?" Naruto blinked, his eyes sparkling with innocence, as if he hadn't just uttered something so out of character. He turned, locking onto Itachi. "I'm gonna take him down!" His voice burned with resolve as he charged, a massive Rasengan spinning in his hand. "Massive Rasengan!"
Itachi's chakra was nearly spent. This body, a mere vessel created by a special Ninjutsu, held only thirty percent of his usual power. Failing to kill Renji gnawed at him, a rare misstep.
Facing the Rasengan hurtling toward him, Itachi made a final stand, his Mangekyō Sharingan flaring. "Amaterasu!"
Bang!
A deafening explosion rocked the forest, leaving a deep crater where Itachi had stood. But the body that collapsed wasn't his—it was Yōra, a Sunagakure Jonin.
"This is Yōra, one of our village's Jonin!" Chiyo's face twisted with shock and grief, recognizing the corpse.
Renji's body erupted in black flames, his face contorting in agony as he let out a piercing scream. The sound cut through the air, chilling Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura to the bone.
"Renji!" Naruto's heart clenched, and he sprinted toward him without a second thought.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!" Sakura's hands flew through seals, summoning a torrential cascade from the sky. The water crashed over Renji, hissing against the Amaterasu flames, but the black fire refused to yield.
"Stay back!" Renji shouted, stumbling away as Naruto approached, his voice strained with pain.
"I'll handle this!" Determination flashed in Renji's eyes, his mind racing despite the flames searing his flesh, turning his skin an angry red.
Naruto ignored him, charging forward fearlessly. He bit his thumb, unfurling a scroll. "Sealing Jutsu!" The black flames were sucked into the scroll, vanishing in an instant.
Renji collapsed, caught by Naruto's steady arms. When did Naruto learn Sealing Jutsu? Renji's mind spun. Naruto himself seemed unsure, acting on instinct, mimicking Jiraiya's technique from years ago. As an Uzumaki, sealing was in his blood, Renji reasoned.
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