Chapter 125: The Reflection of Power

THWACK!

Ren barely managed to twist his body in time, dodging the attack by mere inches. Yagura's staff slammed into the ground with brutal force, shattering the stone beneath his feet.

No time to think.

No time to breathe.

Yagura was relentless.

The Mizukage's crimson eyes gleamed with an impenetrable coldness as he advanced, striking with precision—no wasted movement, no hesitation.

Why is he attacking me?!

Ren tried to block a kick aimed at his ribs, but the impact sent him skidding backward.

A desperate situation.

A test?

Or an execution?

Hours Earlier – At the Academy

The classroom buzzed with the usual morning chatter as Fujimoto-sensei wrote something on the board with his characteristic precision.

"Alright," he said, turning to face the students, "today we continue our study on elemental chakra applications. As you all know, Kirigakure's strength lies in its mastery of the Water Element. However, true mastery isn't just about power—it's about control."

At the word control, Aoi immediately raised his hand.

"Sensei! Does that mean we'll finally learn the Water Release: Water Dragon Shot today?"

Fujimoto sighed. "Kaito."

Aoi adjusted his glasses. "Yes, sensei?"

"You are correct that it is an advanced form of water manipulation, but no, we will not be learning it today. It requires chakra molding beyond your current level."

"But theoretically—"

"Don't start."

Aoi slumped in his seat, disappointed.

Jun'ko chuckled. "Nice try, professor."

"One day," Aoi muttered, flipping through his notes, "I'll catch him off guard."

"You'll manage it when you finish memorizing that medical encyclopedia you always carry around," Kurara quipped, twirling a kunai between her fingers with an amused smirk.

Aoi's eyes widened. "How do you know about that?!"

Kurara gave him an expressionless stare. "Because you never stop talking about it."

Laughter filled the classroom until Fujimoto cleared his throat, instantly restoring order.

"Enough. Let's begin."

As the students gathered their materials, Fujimoto approached Ren, his gaze more intense than usual.

"Mizutani," he said in a low voice, ensuring only Ren could hear.

Ren looked up. "Yes, sensei?"

"The Mizukage has summoned you."

Ren blinked. "...What?"

"He wishes to see you immediately. He wants to assess how much you've understood from the hints he left you about the Water Release: Small Mirror Technique."

Well, I didn't expect him to call me personally.

A thin smile crept onto Ren's lips.

So, that time was really a test.

- - -

Ren had never been to the Northern Training Grounds before. Unlike the others, this place felt more rural, less structured—almost abandoned.

It looks neglected compared to the East and West grounds. Those areas are more controlled, but here… it feels wilder.

As he entered, he expected to find at least a few ANBU present, but to his surprise, there was only Yagura.

He wasn't wearing the Mizukage's robes.

He stood motionless, his back turned, his staff planted in the ground beside him.

Ren approached cautiously, then cleared his throat.

"Good afternoon, Mizukage-sama—"

BAM!

A direct strike!

Ren instinctively bent backward, barely dodging the staff that would have shattered his jaw.

No greeting. No words.

Just a relentless assault.

Is there even such a thing as a normal kage?! Ren thought, barely parrying the next blow.

There was no hatred in Yagura's eyes, only unyielding determination.

This was a test.

A cruel and merciless one.

After several exchanges, Ren realized that Yagura wasn't even being serious. He was simply overwhelming him, not allowing him a moment's respite.

Then, suddenly—

A single-handed seal.

Water Release: Great Gunshot!

An enormous sphere of water surged toward Ren.

Too powerful to block head-on.

I can't stop it!

Ren swiftly raised a Water Wave, using the pressure as a distraction. Then, taking advantage of the cover, he used the Mist Body Flicker to reposition himself out of the attack's trajectory.

But Yagura gave him no time to react.

With fluid precision, he formed another seal.

Water Release: Droplet Spear!

A lance of water shot toward him.

Ren attempted to create a water clone as a decoy, but he was too late.

The spear pierced through the clone before it was fully formed.

Damn… he's too fast!

At that moment, as Ren unsheathed his tanto, Yagura's staff struck violently.

The blow sent him flying.

While still airborne, he saw Yagura already preparing his next move.

He wouldn't give him any respite.

In a flash of clarity, Ren directed a Water Wave at the ground, using the water pressure to slow his fall and change his trajectory.

Ingenious.

That was the first thought that crossed Yagura's mind as he prepared for his next strike.

This time, he threw his staff at the exact spot where Ren would land.

And simultaneously—

Water Release: Gatling!

A barrage of water bullets shot from his fingertips.

Ren, now fully alert, raised a Water Barrier, knowing it wouldn't hold for long.

He braced to block the staff with his tanto.

But just as the staff and the bullets were about to hit him—

PUFF.

They vanished in a cloud of mist.

Yagura had withdrawn his jutsu.

Silence.

The test was over.

Ren lay on the ground, breath ragged, his body pulsing with pain from the fight. Despite everything, he hadn't managed to keep up with Yagura—but at least he had survived.

Before him, the Mizukage approached with a calm stride, his staff resting on his shoulder. His usually expressionless face bore a smile—half satisfied, half intrigued.

With an unexpectedly gentle gesture, Yagura extended a hand toward Ren.

"Well done, Mizutani."

Ren looked up, still slightly disoriented. Well done, my ass! he thought, forcing a smile to mask his frustration.

Just as he was about to accept the help and stand—

BAM!

With the same hand he had offered, Yagura grabbed him and hurled him into the air as if he were nothing more than a weight to be thrown.

"A real ninja should never trust their opponent."

Damn you, Yagura!

Ren cursed inwardly, twisting mid-air to regain his balance before landing smoothly, sliding one hand against the ground to dissipate the impact.

He clenched his teeth, lifting his gaze.

Maybe now the test was really over.

Ren remained crouched, muscles tense, watching Yagura with sharp eyes. The Mizukage studied him for a moment, his usual unreadable expression giving nothing away. But there was something in his gaze—a flicker of curiosity.

So it's true that he's been training with Ganryu…

Yagura thought, noting how the young student had refined his control and techniques. It wasn't just raw talent—Ren had honed his skills with methodical and rigorous training.

After a few seconds of silence, Yagura finally spoke.

"Why do you want to become stronger?"

The question caught Ren off guard. He remained still for a moment, his mind racing to find the right answer.

Then, with his characteristic defiance, he lifted his gaze and replied with unwavering confidence:

"To protect our village."

For a moment, Yagura said nothing, merely scrutinizing him, as if searching for any trace of falsehood.

A student this determined… Kirigakure hasn't had someone like this in a long time.

Then, with a subtle nod of approval, he spoke again.

"Good."

Yagura took a few steps back and crossed his arms.

"Now show me what you've learned about the Water Release: Mirror Veil Technique."

Ren straightened up, regaining his composure. He closed his eyes briefly, recalling everything he had analyzed and deciphered from the hints the Mizukage had left him.

With fluid movements, he formed the necessary hand seals.

The water around him began to swirl, thickening into a transparent veil that rose like a shimmering liquid mirror. His reflection appeared on the surface—yet it wasn't just a reflection.

It moved with a slight delay, almost as if it had a will of its own.

A subtle illusion. A visual echo of the ninja who created it.

Yagura observed carefully, noting Ren's precision in execution.

Impressive. Even with only a few clues, he managed to decipher most of the technique.

The watery barrier wavered for a few seconds before dissolving into mist, and Ren exhaled lightly, reassessing his balance.

"Hm."

Yagura crossed his arms again, studying the boy.

Precision, quick analysis, technique, determination… he looks like a seasoned ninja in a child's body.

The Mizukage lowered his gaze slightly.

The death of his father must have had a massive impact on him.

There was something unusual about Ren. An emotional control too mature for his age.

After a brief pause, Yagura finally spoke.

"You're different from the other students, Mizutani."

Ren merely smirked slightly. "I'll take that as a compliment, Mizukage-sama."

Yagura observed Ren for a final moment before reaching into his cloak and pulling out a sealed scroll bearing the symbol of Kirigakure.

With a calm motion, he handed it to the young student.

Ren accepted it with a slight sense of uncertainty. A scroll?

"This will be useful to you," Yagura explained. "It's the next step in mastering the Small Mirror Technique."

Ren looked down at the parchment in his hands, the seal glowing faintly in the dimming light of the setting sun.

Yagura fixed his gaze on him once more, then let a small, almost imperceptible smile cross his lips.

"Keep improving. Kirigakure needs ninjas like you."

Ren nodded, feeling the weight of those words.

Without Obito's interference, I think Yagura wouldn't have been such a bad Mizukage after all, Ren thought.

Yagura turned, walking away with his usual confident stride.

This wasn't just a test.

It was a recognition.

And yet, as Ren watched the Mizukage's figure disappear into the mist, a thought crept into his mind.

Why do I feel like this was just the beginning?

[Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63 ,Sami_Alfoheday, BagusPardana, thefarmerboy007_7, Darkosiris_Lopez, Alexx_Sejas, Yasmin_Silva_3876, RyuB201, DaoistVVm1Vi, DaoistDW5XU4, Acnol,DaoistSEsItM,bndr, RyuB201, VanHellsing6969, Daoist710883, LevinCloth, Daoist0thxiB, bndr, AKIB19,LevinCloth, DaoistAZmi17,Alexx_Sejas, Morgoph, Strandarn, AKIB19, Abdul_Salam_FASAMI, shadowborn, DarkGambit, and Miguel_024!

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