"The timing is perfect. I have already learned that ninjutsu," said Uchiha Renji with a smile.
"Learn an A-rank ninjutsu in three days?" muttered Kagetsu Masaru, stunned. He then patted Renji on the shoulder with a laugh: "You're something else, joking at a time like this."
"But it's good — lightens the mood. According to the report from the sentry thirty minutes ago, the main force of the Kumo-nin has appeared five kilometers away. You're the captain, give the order."
Renji didn't reply immediately. He frowned slightly and asked, "Thirty minutes ago? Didn't I make it clear that wartime intelligence should be updated every fifteen minutes?"
Kagetsu Masaru's expression changed instantly.
Caught up in reorganizing the team and buried under the weight of looming death, they had neglected this basic protocol.
"Renji! Something's wrong. Yamanaka Hayate and Aburame Tōken are missing!" A Genin named Ishida Noboru, who had been on guard duty, ran over in panic.
The moment those words were spoken, everyone's nerves tightened.
At first glance, these two incidents seemed unrelated.
But upon closer thought, if their hidden sentries had been taken out silently—without even sounding an alarm—then something was very wrong.
"Everyone, fall back to the cave immediately!" Uchiha Renji ordered.
Everyone's expressions turned grim.
"Haha! So you've only just figured it out." A loud voice echoed from above. "I thought Konoha would send someone strong to block our Kumo-nin advance... but it turns out, they sent a naïve little brat."
Figures flickered into view from all directions — dozens, no, hundreds of them.
At the forefront, standing on a hilltop, was the infamous A-B Combo, feared across nations: Raijin Ayato and Killer Bee.
"We're surrounded," muttered Inuzuka Kenta, his face pale.
Just looking at the Cloud-nin encircling them was enough — even a fool would know they had fallen into a trap.
"There are hundreds of them, including the elite A and B teams. This is an ambush... we're doomed."
"Uzuki-senpai, what should we do?"
"It must be Yamanaka Hayate and Aburame Tōken who leaked our position. Otherwise, our defense grid and sentries wouldn't have been compromised like this."
Panic spread. Everyone knew: against Ayato, soon-to-be Raikage, and Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, this was a nightmare.
"Calm yourselves," said Kagetsu Masaru, his voice trembling. But when he turned to look at Renji, he was stunned.
Renji's face was calm, composed — as if this encirclement didn't matter at all.
Was he frozen in fear?
"Your fear is amusing!" Ayato laughed from the hilltop. "So, what now? Will you surrender, or should I kill you myself?"
"Kill! Kill!"
"Surrender or die!"
Hundreds of voices roared together. The Konoha ninja's faces drained of color — even the most battle-hardened among them were on edge.
Kumo had the upper hand — the initiative was theirs.
"Renji!" cried Shizune, pale and trembling as she looked toward Uchiha Renji.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine," Renji said gently, patting her head. "Kagetsu-senpai, take the others and fall back to the cave. Activate the barrier. Leave the rest to me."
Renji had already foreseen this.
In the shadows of Konoha, Danzo's Root would stop at nothing to eliminate threats or manipulate battle outcomes.
Now, with Yamanaka Hayate and Aburame Tōken mysteriously absent — likely turned traitor — the enemy had exposed a major gap in their defense.
But that suited Renji perfectly. It gave him a reason — and permission — to act without holding back.
"Alone? Are you out of your mind?" Kagetsu Masaru's eyes widened.
Even faced with hundreds of Kumo-nin and the infamous A-B Combo, they couldn't let Renji fight alone.
"Don't shoulder it all yourself," Shizune pleaded. "We'll fight together — we'll find a way!"
"You don't need to protect us. We chose to stand here," added Inuzuka Kenta.
"We are shinobi of Konoha. We no longer fear death."
To them, Renji was sacrificing himself out of guilt — guilt for leading them into this.
"Sacrificing myself?" Renji chuckled and shook his head. "Don't worry. I'm not about to die today."
"Stay in the barrier. I'm just worried I'll have to save you again."
"I'm the captain you chose. This is an order."
Though softly spoken, the authority in his voice was unquestionable.
"Kagetsu-senpai, what should we do?" asked Shizune.
Kagetsu's face twisted with indecision, then firmed. "Everyone, fall back to the cave and prepare to support Renji. Don't forget — he's stronger than I am."
Everyone, both friend and foe, was taken aback by that.
But then they remembered — Renji had instantly killed Hayate and Tōken with only a Genjutsu.
Still nervous, they began a tactical retreat.
In the Kumo ranks, a squad captain whispered, "Lord Ayato, should we stop them? Once they're in the barrier, we may be at a disadvantage."
"Tch, what disadvantage?" Ayato scoffed. "They're just a rabble. I thought we'd face someone like Shisui of the Uchiha, but instead we get this unknown loser."
"According to intel, he's just a Chūnin. And the others? Pathetic."
"A Chūnin commanding Konoha troops? Either they've gone mad, or they're completely out of options."
The captain nodded quickly, laughing. "Yes, Lord Ayato. With them trapped, the Land of Fire will soon fall to the Lightning Country."
Excitement filled the Kumo ranks. Konoha was overextended on three fronts and failing to win — this ambush could be the tipping point.
But then—
"Are you finished?" Renji's voice rang out.
"Now, I give you two choices:"
"One — leave now."
"Two — I kill every last one of you."