Chapter 150: The Silent Verdict?

The air was still charged with residual lightning, the ground scarred by destruction.

Among the craters and smoke, a shadow stood.

The Anbu with the fish mask surveyed the scene, his eyes hidden yet unrelenting.

His voice was cold, devoid of hesitation.

"Explain what you're doing."

The Anbu who had taken Mori Mizuchi's identity remained silent for a long moment.

He didn't move. He didn't react immediately.

But behind the mask, his eyes flickered—searching for a way out.

Lantern lowered his stance slightly, analyzing the signs of battle.

Craters.Clean slashes.Blood.

And then—

Ren.

Lying motionless on the ground.

Blood stained his uniform, his breath barely perceptible.

He was still alive…

But not for long.

The Anbu with the fish mask turned his gaze back to the other Anbu.

"Why are you interfering with the exam?"

The fake Mizuchi remained still, his breathing calm, yet slightly deeper than normal.

He was calculating.

He had to choose his words carefully.

Then he spoke.

"I found him about to kill two students."

A moment of silence.

The Anbu with the fish mask didn't respond immediately.

"You're saying you had to stop him?"

"Exactly."

The Mizuchi impostor raised his hands slightly in a gesture of controlled frustration.

"You know we were ordered to let them fight, but if someone tries to kill—"

His tone was measured, almost annoyed.

"Aren't we here to ensure the exam stays under control?"

The fish-masked Anbu didn't move an inch.

But behind the mask, his gaze turned even colder.

Then he spoke.

"Interesting."

The fake Mizuchi didn't relax.

He knew he hadn't convinced him.

Lantern had seen the signs of battle.

And he wasn't a fool.

He had to act.

FLASH!

Without warning, the fake Mizuchi lunged forward, a kunai aimed at the throat of the other Anbu.

But the fish-masked Anbu was no rookie.

BLINK.

A flicker of movement.

CRACK!

A precise kick to the wrist deflected the attack.

A second blow, aimed at the base of the neck, made him stagger.

The fake Mizuchi wavered but didn't fall.

He stopped for a moment, his breathing heavier.

Then—

A venomous whisper.

"Always too sharp... Lantern."

The fish-masked Anbu didn't react to the codename.

He simply raised his guard.

But he wasn't fast enough.

A swift motion.

A seal, carefully etched into the fake Mizuchi's neck, lit up.

Lantern sprang forward to stop him—

Too late.

The seal flashed for an instant.

Then it went dark.

The fake Mizuchi collapsed without a sound.

Dead.

A suicide.

He would never reveal anything.

Lantern remained still for a few moments.

The wind carried the dust stirred by battle.

Then, he turned.

His eyes fell on Ren.

Bleeding.

Broken.

But still alive.

Lantern stepped closer, crouching beside him.

He observed him for a long moment.

Then, slowly, he raised a hand.

His fingers brushed against Ren's shoulder, assessing his condition with expert precision.

A faint glow flickered beneath Lantern's mask.

A blue vein ran through his right eye.

A Byakugan.

Lantern didn't speak.

But behind the mask…

His gaze softened.

Despite everything, he hoped.

He hoped that boy would make it.

Ao sighed deeply, casting one last glance at the enemy's body.

But there were no answers left to obtain.

He turned again, his eyes locking onto Ren.

He stood motionless for an instant.

He knew he wasn't supposed to show favoritism.

He knew he had to remain neutral.

But that boy… had something special.

And for the first time in years, Ao hoped.

Hoped that he would survive.

With practiced movements, he applied first aid.

"Don't die on me, Ren."

- - -

Meanwhile, the group surrounding Kurara had fallen into a tense silence.

Aoi continued channeling medical chakra, but frustration creased his face.

"It's not working…"

His voice was a tense whisper.

Yukiko clenched her fists.

"What do you mean?"

Aoi wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"The problem isn't just the wound."

He turned to Shinji.

"She's developing an infection… the blood in her lungs is clotting abnormally."

Kurara's breathing grew more labored, shorter.

Jun'ko bit her lip.

Then—

A voice.

"Maybe I can help her."

Everyone spun around instantly.

Misaki approached slowly, her body marked by battle.

But in her eyes—

There was something new.

Not determination.

Not coldness.

But something that resembled regret.

"Why should we trust you?" Jun'ko spat, her hostility unfiltered.

Misaki lowered her gaze for a moment.

"Because I realized I was being used."

A long silence followed.

Then—

Misaki raised her hand, blood floating around her like a living liquid.

"My power can hurt… but it can also heal."

She remembered the words Ren had once told her during the Academy.

°°° Your power can destroy… but it can also save.°°°

Misaki closed her eyes.

Then she knelt beside Aoi.

"Tell me what to do."

Aoi stared at her for a long moment.

Then, he nodded.

"Control the blood clotting. I'll stabilize her breathing."

Misaki focused.

The blood began to move, slowly, guided with an unnatural precision.

Kurara trembled slightly, her body wracked by chills.

Misaki felt the tension rise.

The chakra had to be exact.

Too much, and she would make it worse.

Too little, and it would be useless.

Aoi's hand clenched into a fist as he intensified his medical jutsu.

And then—

Kurara exhaled softly.

Still too weak to speak.

But her breathing had stabilized.

Misaki opened her eyes.

In her heart, she didn't yet know if she had succeeded.

But at least…

She had tried.

[ Hi There! Ito-kun hereo ^.^ We are reaching the end of First Volume, tomorrow will be the last chapter then i'll take one week break :) hope you enjoyed this novel so far!

Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63 ,getepet, 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, Storm2010, joko_clas, shadowborn, KingBelserion, julii_garcia, DarkGambit, Miguel_024, Fn6, Asfort and Meltis_Pach!

Sorry if i forgot someone ^.^

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