"Kaguya Ren… the Third-sama sent you to kill us?" Inoue's voice shook as he stared at their dead comrades, then at Ren—who looked untouched.
His heart sank deeper than it had even when he watched that Uchiha monster slaughter people like livestock.
"No choice," Ren said with a helpless shrug. "You chose to defect."
"Even if I can understand part of why… defection is defection."
"In any village, the Kage won't show mercy."
"And especially not when you know information that should never be public…"
"And you're planning to use it to throw the entire shinobi world into chaos."
"Don't hide behind pretty words, Ren!" Honda roared, rage snapping through terror.
He glared at Ren's mask, veins bulging on his forehead.
"You're just a hypocrite hiding behind a mask for your own ambition!"
"You took this mission because you're afraid we'll ruin your plan!"
"Don't use the Third as a shield—he and you aren't even the same kind of person!"
Ren was silent for a moment.
Then he laughed quietly—tired, bitter.
"I thought your 'plan' earlier was just you venting fear," Ren said. "Did destroying Uzushio wake up your shinobi brain again, Honda-senpai?"
Honda drew his sword.
Inoue followed, hands shaking but stance set.
"Come," Honda snarled. "Kill me. Because if you don't…"
"I'll do everything I can to destroy your plan!"
Ren sighed.
"Then there's nothing left to say."
Bone slid from his palm—two white blades forming as smoothly as breath.
But before he moved—
A third voice rang out.
"Oh? Looks like we found the targets, Shadowmaru…"
"Woof—AROO!"
A figure in an animal mask stepped into view—beside a massive ninken.
An Inuzuka.
A Konoha ANBU.
Honda's eyes narrowed.
A variable… has entered the board.
Ren, meanwhile, simply shifted his gaze—unbothered.
He'd expected Konoha ANBU.
What he needed now was simple:
Draw them all out.
Then erase them.
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