Chapter 145: Vengeance

The air was thick with humidity and tension, the sound of footsteps barely perceptible on the damp ground.

Shin led the group, the hunting sack slung over his shoulder, his body taut like a blade ready to strike.

Behind him, Shinji sighed lightly, running a hand through his hair.

"We were lucky to find supplies so quickly," he said in a relaxed tone.

"Tsk. There's nothing exciting about hunting a couple of animals."

Shinji smirked, well aware of his companion's nature.

"You'd rather fight an opponent, wouldn't you?"

Shin didn't answer, but the spark in his eyes spoke for him.

Behind them, Ren's clone closed the formation, silent and watchful.

Then—

A sound.

Light.

Controlled.

It wasn't an animal.

Shin stopped abruptly.

Shinji's smile faded.

The air around them shifted.

Someone was there.

Someone was waiting.

And they knew it.

- - -

BOOM!

An explosion shook the forest, followed by another.

And another.

The trees trembled, the ground vibrated under the force of the detonations.

Aoi jumped to his feet, eyes wide.

Yukiko clenched her fists, her breathing quickening.

Jun'ko searched for the source, but the smoke obscured her vision.

Ren remained still.

Analyzing.

It's not Shinji and Shin… if it were them, my clone would have dispersed.

Then why aren't they attacking us directly? We're out in the open… we're an easy target.

Did they sense the seals? No… impossible.

A shiver of frustration and anger ran through his body.

Then, without the slightest hesitation, he pronounced the verdict.

"Fine."

His voice was a low whisper, laden with tension.

Then, louder—

"If that's what you want…"

His eyes gleamed.

"The hunt begins now."

He turned to Yukiko, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

"Create an ice barrier around the four of you."

Yukiko didn't ask questions.

Her hands moved in swift, precise seals.

"Ice Release: Frozen Citadel!"

A ring of ice began to form around the group, solidifying into a thick, sturdy dome.

Ren turned to Aoi and Jun'ko.

"Protect Kurara. Don't do anything reckless."

Jun'ko nodded, while Aoi gritted his teeth but complied.

Ren created a clone.

Then, without another word—

He vanished.

- - -

Ren appeared among the trees like a shadow, blurred by his speed.

The first attack came from the left.

A sharp gust of air whistled toward him.

Ren spun on himself and, with a fluid motion, unsheathed his tanto.

SHING!

The slash destroyed the blood projectile, dissipating it into nothing.

He didn't slow down.

A movement.

Another attack.

Three figures emerged from the mist.

Misaki.

Sora.

The masked man.

Ren dashed forward.

Sora hurled an ice spear.

Ren lowered his body at the last second, brushing the ground with his hand, then exploded forward.

CRACK!

A precisely aimed punch struck Sora's chest, shattering his guard. Too Fast.

His body flew backward, crashing into a tree with a dull thud.

The masked man attacked from behind, his blade sharp and precise.

But he was too slow.

Ren disappeared in a flash of mist, reappearing behind him.

His hand shot forward, gripping the masked man's neck.

"Static Shock Strike!"

Electric energy burst from his fingers, surging through the enemy's body.

The adversary convulsed violently before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

Misaki watched in horror as Ren effortlessly took down her allies.

Blood dripped from her wounds, but there was no time to think.

He was there.

She felt him everywhere.

Misaki raised her hand, the blood seeping from her cuts solidifying into razor-sharp projectiles.

With a swift, precise movement, she launched them all at Ren.

But—

Behind the water barrier… there was no one.

Misaki clenched her teeth.

"Where are you?!"

Then—

His voice.

"Despair."

The echo resounded through the trees.

Misaki tensed.

"Come out!"

Terror was starting to take hold.

"The same despair you felt…"

The air grew heavy.

"When you attacked Kurara point-blank."

Meanwhile, the masked man, who seemed unconscious, rose.

Ren paused for a moment.

Something was off.

Then—

A sudden spasm in his chest.

Memories.

From his clone.

Shin.

Shinji.

A surprise attack.

Mori Mizuchi.

His clone had been destroyed in seconds.

Ren's face paled.

I don't remember Mizuchi being this strong.

His breath quickened.

His instincts screamed inside him.

Damn it.

Better finish here quickly.

Ren created a thick mist, enveloping the entire area.

Misaki hurled crystalline blood blades in every direction, but it was useless.

Ren struck.

A clean blow to the neck.

Misaki collapsed to the ground.

The masked man moved skillfully through the mist.

But Ren was better.

"Zabuza."

His voice cut through the silence.

The masked man stiffened for a moment.

Then he attacked.

And fell straight into a Fuinjutsu trap.

Ren smirked.

"Good. Now I can go to Shinji and Shin."

[Hi There! Ito-kun here ^.^ Sorry for the delay, i'll update one more chapter too as a gift :)

Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63 ,Sami_Alfoheday, BagusPardana, thefarmerboy007_7, Daoist9Qy0Nv, Darkosiris_Lopez, Alexx_Sejas, Werty_9247, RyuB201, shadowborn, Yasmin_Silva_3876, RyuB201, DaoistVVm1Vi,Saryman, DaoistDW5XU4, Acnol,DaoistSEsItM,bndr, RyuB201, VanHellsing6969, Daoist710883, WertyTribola,GuyWithSomeInteres, LevinCloth, Daoist0thxiB, bndr, AKIB19,LevinCloth, DaoistAZmi17,Alexx_Sejas, Morgoph, Strandarn, Gothrog, Ikaro_Rodrigues, Radical_Hamburger1, Misteriboi, AKIB19, Syndulyr, Wolfy1212,averious, Storm2010, Henrique_Aaa, SAGAR11, sip_Yo,Natan_Santana_1549, Zayah, Saryman, NathanBESH, Geisterlos, Daoist9Sa84q, Gothrog, shadowborn, DarkGambit, Miguel_024 and Meltis_Pach!

Sorry if i forgot someone ^.^

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