Chapter 104: The Improvised Hero

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Kurara was on the verge of losing her balance, her fingers slipping further along the chain of her Kurasagima. Tokinaga approached with determined steps, Shibuki poised to explode with the next strike. The tension was palpable, the sound of rippling water accompanying every held breath from the spectators.

Suddenly, a kunai with an explosive tag flew between Tokinaga and Kurara. The ensuing explosion was powerful, raising a dense cloud of smoke and water fragments. A shadow moved swiftly within the cloud, further confusing the onlookers.

Yukiko, observing the scene from nearby, widened her eyes. "Kurara!" she shouted, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Even Shinji, engaged in his fight with Hiroshi, was distracted, turning his gaze toward the explosion. Other students stopped, captivated and bewildered, watching the spectacle.

As the smoke began to clear, silence fell over the field. All eyes were on Ren Mizutani, who held Kurara in his arms, just in time to stop her from falling into the water. It was clear: Ren had thrown the kunai and used the explosion to save his teammate.

Fujimoto-sensei observed the scene with a mix of astonishment and approval. Well played, Mizutani, he thought, shifting his gaze toward the ANBU. They, too, seemed surprised by the young man's quick thinking and ingenuity.

Tokinaga, meanwhile, glared at Ren with a mocking grin. "Another insect to add to the list," he began, but he didn't get the chance to finish. Another set of explosive kunai flew toward him. With a skilled motion, Tokinaga wielded Shibuki, intercepting them mid-air and detonating the tags at a distance. But while he was distracted, a water clone of Ren suddenly emerged from the water, grabbing Tokinaga's legs with a firm grip.

Before Tokinaga could react, a second clone of Ren took advantage of the confusion and delivered a solid kick to his side. Tokinaga lost his balance and fell into the water with a resounding splash.

"Thank you," murmured Kurara, her cheeks slightly flushed, as Ren helped her regain her footing on the water. He responded with a faint smile. "Don't mention it, but move away. This isn't over yet."

The students, unable to fully follow the rapid sequence of events, began murmuring among themselves. For most of them, Tokinaga was now disqualified, having fallen into the water. Even Fujimoto-sensei seemed convinced of this outcome, but his astonishment grew when he saw Tokinaga emerge from the water with a violent explosion.

Fujimoto's expression tightened as his gaze returned to the ANBU. He's not disqualified, he realized immediately. What are they thinking? The tension on the field escalated as Tokinaga, furious and determined, prepared his next attack.

Meanwhile, Ren's underwater clone dissipated, while the surface clone quickly moved toward Yukiko.

Ren observed the ANBU with an inscrutable expression. So, you want the show to go on? he thought, noticing their gazes fixed on him. This is Kirigakure, after all.

Tokinaga, with a furious grin, shifted his focus to Ren. "Coward! Using such underhanded tactics!" he shouted.

Ren stared at him impassively. "I'm not the one wielding one of the Seven Swords against mere students."

The remark made Tokinaga lose his composure completely. He charged at Ren in a blind rage. "Jun'ko, Aoi, take care of Kurara," Ren ordered his teammates, allowing him to focus entirely on the fight.

"Yukiko, keep trying to freeze his feet whenever you can," Ren's clone said to Yukiko before returning to the attack. While the clone kept Tokinaga busy, Ren grabbed his tanto and prepared for a direct confrontation.

Suddenly, Ren sensed chakra coming from underwater. With a leap, he fired a volley of rock bullets directly below him, neutralizing Tokinaga's attempt to surprise him with the same tactic. Ren's water clone continued to hinder Tokinaga, while Yukiko further slowed him with her ice attacks.

"Wasn't that a cowardly tactic?" Ren said calmly, further provoking Tokinaga.

Between the clones and jutsu, I've already used up 30% of my chakra, Ren thought. I didn't want to draw too much attention, but it doesn't matter now. I need to end this quickly.

The mist began to envelop the battlefield as Ren calculated his next move. I can't get too close without being sure I can take him out, or the blast radius of his explosions will reach me.

Despite the difficulties, Tokinaga finally managed to free himself from Ren's clone. "It's useless," he yelled, detonating explosions to dissipate the mist around him. However, a figure appeared as the haze cleared: an ANBU stood before Tokinaga.

"You've lost. Surrender," the ANBU said firmly.

Tokinaga froze for a moment, glaring with eyes full of rage. Then he screamed, swinging Shibuki at the ANBU. "I decide when I surrender!" A colossal explosion engulfed the area, but the ANBU was merely an illusion created by Jun'ko.

Before Tokinaga could react, a kunai flew toward his hand, striking the one holding Shibuki. At that moment, Ren delivered another strike with his tanto, further injuring Tokinaga's hand and causing him to lose his grip on the sword. Shibuki was seized by Ren, who quickly retreated.

The mist dissipated, revealing Tokinaga kneeling on the water, his hand injured and no longer holding Shibuki. The sword was now in Ren's possession.

[ Hi there! Ito-kun here ^.^ 

Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63 , BagusPardana, akari_000, Acnol, Overlord_Of_KARMA,Cordell_Clinton, Ian_Clark_6978, DaoistAZmi17, Kay_smiles101, Strandarn, AKIB19, DarkGambit, and Miguel_024!

 Sincerely Thanks and remember about the Power Stones, these are the motivation for my work :) ]