Chapter 113: I Like Strong Girls
Inside the Allied Forces medical camp, the atmosphere was at a breaking point.
Outside the tents, bodies were laid out on the ground—all ninja assassinated by White Zetsu.
"Don't move! Nobody move!"
A medical-nin shouted, his voice cracking. He gripped a kunai, his eyes darting nervously between the people around him. In his sight, everyone had become a potential enemy.
Cold sweat covered his forehead. The exhaustion from non-stop treatment and the extreme paranoia had filled his eyes with bloodshot veins. He was a string stretched to its limit, ready to snap.
The other ninja were not much better. They stared at the bodies of their fallen comrades, their hearts filled with a cold fear. Though they stood still, their pupils scanned their neighbors, wary of a sudden attack.
A tense cloud of suspicion had enveloped the entire Medical Division, bringing it to a standstill. How could they treat a patient when they couldn't be sure that patient wasn't an enemy in disguise?
"We can't tell who is who!" the panicked medic shouted again. "It's best if everyone just stays still!"
Sakura stood at the front, watching as the medic, clearly suffering a mental breakdown, waved his weapon. If this continued, they would self-destruct without the enemy even trying.
"Whoever moves is the enemy! Don't say I didn't warn you!" he shrieked.
The tent flap behind him opened.
Renji walked out.
The movement sent the medic over the edge. "Aaaah!" he screamed, charging at Renji with his kunai.
It was a foolish, desperate move.
Renji caught the man's wrist with one hand. In that single point of contact, he felt the man's perfectly normal, terrified soul. With his other hand, Renji delivered a precise chop to the back of his neck, knocking him unconscious.
"He's under too much pressure," Renji explained calmly to the stunned medics. "Let him sleep." He signaled to two nearby patrol ninja to carry the man away.
As the patrol ninja approached, Renji spoke. "You may have heard of my Bloodline Limit. By making physical contact, I can touch your souls. I can distinguish who is a White Zetsu and who is an ally."
Sakura's eyes lit up. Why hadn't she thought of that?
"He's right!" Sakura immediately echoed, her voice carrying over the tense crowd. "Everyone, line up for inspection! We can find the enemies mixed in with us!"
A wave of agreement passed through the medics.
"Good!"
"No problem!"
"Everyone, line up!"
Unwilling to endure the crushing paranoia any longer, most of the ninja quickly formed a long line. However, a considerable number remained rooted to the spot, unmoving.
Renji knew they were either White Zetsu, or highly vigilant ninja who were wary of letting him expose their souls.
"What are you still hesitating for?" one of the patrol guards shouted. "Is there a better way than this right now?"
The change happened in an instant.
"Ah!"
A scream kicked off the chaos. The group of ninja who had remained still suddenly drew their weapons, stabbing the person nearest to them.
"Yuki, what are you doing? It's me!"
"Yota! Ah!"
"You're not Tanei! You're a White Zetsu!"
The entire Medical Division descended into pandemonium. Comrades began fighting each other, all trust evaporating in an instant.
Sakura kicked away an attacker, who reverted to a White Zetsu as he hit the ground. She spun, gathering strength in her fist, and slammed it into a ninja ambushing her from behind.
The ninja fell, spat out a mouthful of blood, and... remained human.
Sakura's lips trembled. She clenched her fists. This was a disaster.
"Renji...!"
She didn't know why she called his name, only that she believed he could fix this.
Renji looked at the chaotic battlefield and formed a hand seal.
"Ice Release: Thousand Years' Ice Prison!"
Giant snowflakes bloomed beneath his feet, and a thick layer of ice instantly spread, flash-freezing the entire camp. It covered everyone's bodies, leaving only their heads exposed.
The camp fell utterly silent.
"Sorry," Renji said. "This was the only way to stop you."
His face turned cold. "I will now forcibly touch your souls. For those who pass, I will release the ice."
His figure blurred, moving rapidly through the frozen crowd. He touched one head after another, and the ice around the cleared ninja melted away.
Those who were freed looked at their comrades, and a collective sigh of relief went up. No one doubted the screening. When his hand touched their heads, they had all felt it—the bizarre, invasive sensation of their soul being held and examined.
It wasn't a good feeling, but it was infinitely better than the paranoia.
Renji returned to the front. In the camp, at least forty more ninja remained sealed in ice.
"Are they all... White Zetsu?" Sakura asked, her expression grim.
Renji nodded. The ice permeating their bodies had frozen their life systems. Having lost their chakra, they reverted to their original, grotesque forms.
"So many!"
"No wonder so many medics were assassinated!"
"It's terrifying... Good thing we have Renji-sama!"
The medics, having all shared the experience of being "exposed," felt a strange new bond.
Sakura looked at Renji, who was now surrounded by grateful ninja, and couldn't help but smile. No matter what trouble arose, she never worried when he was near.
But despite his strength, he wasn't arrogant. Surrounded by the crowd, his smile carried a hint of shyness, as if he was flustered by the attention.
"He's the one Sakura-san likes, isn't he...?"
A voice came from beside her. Sakura's eyes widened. It was the young ninja who had confessed to her earlier.
She blinked, opening her mouth to explain, but then said powerlessly, "No, you misunderstood." She didn't like Renji... it was Sasuke...
The young ninja gave her an encouraging smile. "Sakura-san, don't be shy. Jonin Renji-san is excellent, but so are you. You two are a very good match..."
Sakura's throat moved. She wanted to deny it, but that one sentence echoed in her mind.
You two are a very good match...
She was always surrounded by people teasing her and Renji. Her parents, her classmates... and now, a ninja she barely knew.
Sakura noticed Renji's gaze lingering on her from within the crowd. She immediately walked over, using the moment as an excuse to rescue him.
"Alright, everyone can continue their work now. There are still many patients waiting for us!"
With Renji's tacit approval, she dismissed the crowd. There were many young, pretty female ninja in the Medical Division, and Sakura found herself observing Renji, worried he would spend too much time looking at them.
Before, she told herself she was just worried an excellent Konoha ninja would be charmed away by another village.
But now... she couldn't find a justifiable excuse.
"Sakura-san, be brave and express your feelings," the young male ninja blessed her. "I hope you can be happy." He smiled and walked away.
Sakura walked back into the tent. Renji was already treating another patient. She felt a little frustrated. Renji wasn't like Naruto. His mind seemed to contain no emotions other than those for his comrades.
She could feel that Renji treated her specially, but it wasn't love. It was the affection of a close friend.
"Sakura?"
Renji noticed her staring. He looked at her in surprise.
Sakura immediately averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing.
An hour later, the last of the wounded were stable. Renji finally sat on a chair, catching his breath.
"Have some water," Sakura said, bringing him a glass.
"Thank you." He took a sip, holding the glass and looking up at the hanging lamp.
Sakura stood in front of him, staring at his eyes, lost in thought. She had always thought his heterochromia was beautiful.
"Renji..."
Sakura was never timid about her emotions. Once she realized her feelings, she wouldn't hide them. She also didn't want him to misunderstand... to think she still liked Sasuke.
Recalling Sasuke, she suddenly realized she hadn't thought of him in a long time.
Her world was now filled with the name Renji.
"What's wrong?" Renji retracted his gaze, his eyes lingering on her.
He was sensitive to emotions. He keenly sensed that the atmosphere between them had subtly shifted.
Was this... ambiguity?
The previous warmth between them was something he had deliberately cultivated. But now, dueto Sakura's own changes, that atmosphere had altered. The warmth remained, but within it was a hint of exploratory tension.
"I've never asked... what kind of girl do you like?" Sakura asked, feigning naturalness. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her green eyes fixed on his knees, avoiding his gaze.
Looking at her flushed cheeks, Renji understood.
Did he have other feelings for Sakura? The answer was unequivocally no.
He was a cursed spirit, currently taking a male form. Before his transmigration, he might have been a man, but now he had become something beyond gender—and over time, he came to accept that.
That was why he had never considered Sakura, or anyone else, as a partner. He simply didn't need one.
But he couldn't say that.
He hadn't considered Sakura as a partner, but he had considered her as a potential Malicemine. He knew exactly how to fan the flames of affection. And he knew how astonishing a woman's hatred could be when that love was shattered.
That would be a fortune in malice points.
Perhaps it was despicable. But he was Renji. And Sakura was stronger than anyone. Failed love would not destroy her. He believed she could withstand the blow. Probably.
"I like strong girls," Renji said, taking a sip of water, a smile in his eyes.
Sakura's heart stirred. She looked up, meeting his gaze.
"Are you... teasing me?" she asked, flustered.
Renji smiled and shook his head, his expression turning serious. "If it wasn't you who asked, Sakura, I really wouldn't have thought about it. But for me, the kind of girl who can attract me is a strong and brave girl... like you, Sakura."
His sincerity was so frank that Sakura was overwhelmed. She coughed, frantically averted her gaze, and her cheeks began to burn.
"Sakura..." Yugao Uzuki lifted the tent flap. She paused, taking in the scene, and immediately retreated. "Never mind, carry on."
She was experienced. The atmosphere was obvious.
Sakura's face turned completely red as she quickly chased after Yugao.
Left alone in the tent, the sincerity drained from Renji's face, leaving only a faint, indifferent smile.
Outside, Sakura caught up with Yugao, who was grinning. "Do you like Renji?"
Sakura just gave her a helpless look.
Yugao chuckled softly. "What's to be embarrassed about? There are girls in this camp shouting it from the rooftops."
Sakura pursed her lips. "That's different."
"It is different," Yugao agreed. She paused, then said, "After all, Renji likes you, too."
Sakura's eyes widened. "He didn't say he liked me..."
Yugao snorted. "He didn't say it, but his attitude is obvious. Haven't you noticed? Renji maintains a polite distance from all the other female ninja. But with you, he doesn't. He's more relaxed, more himself. That uniqueness explains everything."
"He's a very charming man," Yugao said truthfully. "Whether as a boyfriend or a husband, he's the best choice. If you don't make a move soon, be careful... he might get snatched away."
...
Meanwhile, on the coast, a clone of Renji stood with the First, Fifth, and Fourth Divisions.
The captains were being examined first. Darui stepped up.
"Why did you close your eyes?" Renji asked in confusion.
Darui awkwardly opened them. "I... thought I was supposed to."
Renji smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, it won't hurt."
Shikamaru, standing behind Darui, frowned. Why did those words sound so strange?
Renji's hand lightly brushed Darui's shoulder. Countless memories flashed before Renji's eyes. He nodded. "Next."
Darui frowned. "That fast?"
Shikamaru stepped forward, his eyes on Darui. Darui moved aside.
Renji's hand rested on Shikamaru's shoulder, then quickly retracted. He nodded.
Next were Tenten, Choza, Kiba, and Shino.
"This efficiency is too low," the Renji clone said, looking at Shikamaru. "I have a ninjutsu that can examine everyone over a large area simultaneously."
Shikamaru nodded without hesitation. "Alright."
"Okay," Darui agreed. Wasting time was wasting lives.
Renji stepped forward, facing the sprawling expanse of tens of thousands of allied ninja. He extended both hands.
"Domain Expansion..."
"—Self-Embodiement of Perfection."
A pitch-black shadow spread out beneath Renji's feet, instantly covering the ground beneath every ninja. At the same time, countless large hands appeared from all directions—above, below, left, right.
A bizarre, flipping sensation rolled through every ninja's mind.
The next second, the feeling vanished. The hands were gone.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The sound of bodies falling to the ground echoed across the shore. Ninja looked and saw their former comrades had reverted to White Zetsu, a large, fatal hole in their chests. Renji had killed them directly within his Domain.
After acquiring hundreds of millions of chakra, Renji had finally developed his Domain to encompass tens of thousands of people. Of course, the chakra consumption was astronomical.
To show his "weakness," Renji's face instantly turned pale, and his body swayed.
Shikamaru immediately stepped forward to support him, his expression filled with worry. "Can you hold on?"
Renji nodded. "Don't worry. This is a clone."
"A clone's consumption still comes from your main body's chakra!" Shikamaru's tone was stern, angered by Renji's disregard for himself.
Renji just smiled at him.
Shikamaru sighed and turned. "Ino..."
He was about to ask for Military Rations Pills, but when he turned back, Renji was already surrounded.
"He solved all the hidden Zetsu in an instant! Amazing!" Tenten gave him a thumbs-up.
"Eat more! These are the best-tasting ones!" Ino was stuffing pills into Renji's mouth.
"When you looked at my soul, did you see me bathing naked?" Samui of the Cloud asked, her red lips curving into a smile. "Actually, it's okay if you did! You can always come to our Hidden Cloud Village to see it."
Darui: "..."
"He's Konoha's! You wish!" Ino and Tenten shot back, resolutely defending him.
Shikamaru: "..."
He didn't need to worry about Renji at all.
Once this war ended, Shikamaru figured Renji would become the most desired ninja in the entire world.
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