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The storm raged on, lightning illuminating the battlefield in brief, blinding flashes. The air was thick with tension as Ronin and the leader of the rogue ninja faced off, their battle reaching its crescendo.
A Desperate Gambit
"This is impossible! How does this brat still have enough chakra to use such powerful techniques?!" The leader's face twisted in disbelief. From the start of the fight, Ronin's chakra reserves had been steadily depleting—yet here he stood, unleashing devastating jutsu after another. What kind of monster was this boy?
Kill him! the leader thought fiercely. If I don't kill him now, my time will come when he grows stronger!
With renewed determination, the leader directed his colossal Water Dragon toward Ronin. Even if it didn't kill him outright, the attack would surely sap what little remained of Ronin's stamina and chakra.
Ronin's resilience served as a grim reminder: someone like this—if left alive—would pose an existential threat in the future. Though two other minor ninjas had emerged from hiding, the leader paid them no mind. His sole focus was Ronin. Eliminate him, and everything else would fall into place.
"Go!"
Feeling his control over the Great Cutting technique waver, Ronin knew he was nearing his limit. The massive crescent-shaped blade surged forward like a laser, slicing through the descending Water Dragon.
*"BOOM!!!"*
The collision of the two overwhelming techniques triggered a series of explosive blasts that rocked the battlefield. Bent over, Ronin gasped for breath, his body wracked with exhaustion. The overuse of chakra, combined with the blood loss from his wounds, caused his complexion to grow increasingly pale.
*"HUMMM!!!"*
The razor-sharp Great Cutting bisected the Water Dragon, but the technique lost momentum shortly afterward, dissipating into a gentle breeze. While it hadn't completely neutralized the leader's attack, it had done enough to buy Ronin precious time.
Ronin couldn't guarantee whether the Great Cutting would fully stop the leader's assault, but he'd given it his all—and the technique hadn't disappointed.
"This jutsu... unless absolutely necessary, you shouldn't use it. Despite its fast hand seals and swift execution, the chakra consumption is disproportionate—it far exceeds that of most other techniques."
Tsunade's warning echoed in Ronin's mind. A faint smile crossed his pale lips as he acknowledged the drawbacks of the Great Cutting. Still, under these circumstances, it had proven invaluable. Fire Release techniques would have been severely weakened by the rain-soaked environment, making Wind Release infinitely more practical.
"Die!!"
Seeing Ronin falter, the leader seized the opportunity. This was his chance to end the boy who had pushed him to his limits. With a swift slash of his ninjato, the leader aimed to cleave Ronin in two.
"Your speed... it's too slow."
Before the blade could strike, a calm, indifferent voice sounded beside the leader, nearly startling him out of his skin. Someone had been lurking nearby without detection—an alarming realization. Cold sweat trickled down the leader's spine. If they had remained hidden this entire time, it meant their power vastly surpassed his own.
A flash of white light streaked past, and Sakumo Hatake—the legendary White Fang of Konoha—appeared before Ronin. His gaze was complex as he studied the battered youth.
"You seem to have strayed from your original plan," Sakumo remarked with a sigh.
"It felt right," Ronin replied hoarsely, despite being on the verge of collapse. He followed his instincts during the battle, abandoning his initial strategy—but he harbored no regrets.
"White Fang of Konoha!!!"
Sakumo's sudden appearance sent shockwaves through the remaining three rogue ninjas. Their faces turned ghostly white at the mere mention of his name. Sakumo's reputation extended far beyond Konoha; even the Sannin held him in high regard. His legend was built on countless victories and sacrifices.
"Run!!"
Without hesitation, the trio fled in terror, their panic palpable. They sprinted as though their very lives depended on it, desperate to escape the presence of the legendary shinobi.
"I didn't expect anyone here to recognize me," Sakumo muttered quietly before vanishing from sight.
*"AHHH!!!"*
A distant cry of agony pierced the night, quickly swallowed by the relentless rain.
"The mission is complete. Let's leave. This kid's wounds need immediate attention."
Within minutes, Sakumo returned to the campsite, scooping up the exhausted Ronin and retreating swiftly. Shimura Ei and Harusame Yu trailed behind silently, their earlier efforts limited to throwing kunai and shouting warnings—they hadn't been able to provide much direct assistance.
Recovery in the Cave
The rain showed no signs of stopping, but inside the cave, a roaring fire illuminated the dim space. Thanks to Ei's foresight the previous day, they had gathered extra wood, which now burned steadily despite the damp conditions. Finding dry timber in the Land of Rain was notoriously difficult.
Exhaustion.
That was the first sensation Ronin felt upon opening his eyes. His body felt heavy, devoid of strength, and a burning sensation lingered in his throat.
"Ah, Ronin, you're awake?"
Harusame Yu's voice rang out in surprise. Ronin glanced up to see her approaching. "Yeah… do you have any water?"
"Yes, yes, yes! Wait just a moment!" Excited, she handed him a canteen.
*"Glug, glug, glug..."*
Downing the water greedily, Ronin finally felt some relief. Sensing eyes on him, he turned to see Sakumo and Ei seated near the mouth of the cave. The cramped interior forced Ronin to rest closer to the fire, while Yu occupied the warmer spots. Poor Ei, meanwhile, endured the cold wind and rain outside alongside Sakumo.
"Eat something. Once you recover, we'll head back to the village." Sakumo offered Ronin a piece of charred meat, wrinkling his nose slightly at its pungent odor.
"It's from some small animal. Not great-tasting, but nutritious. You've lost a lot of blood, and your internal organs sustained some damage. You'll need proper rest to heal."
Sakumo sat beside Ronin, watching him intently.