The world slowed.
Blood dripped down Ren's face. Warm. Sticky. Not his.
Daichi stood frozen—the blade still buried in his side. His eyes were wide. His mouth open. No sound came out.
He's not moving.
Why isn't he moving?
---
The enemy pulled his blade free.
Daichi staggered. One step. Two. His sword slipped from his fingers.
Clang.
He fell to his knees.
"Daichi—!" Sora screamed.
Kaito turned. His hands moved—Dog → Boar → Ram.
"Beast Style: Claw Rend!"
His claws glowed with chakra. He tore through two enemies. But his eyes flickered—something unreadable. Then he went back to fighting.
He's not helping Daichi.
No one is helping.
---
The enemy leader raised his blade again. Aimed at Daichi's neck.
No. No, no, no—
Ren's legs wouldn't move.
Same as the dream. Frozen.
Again.
The blade came down—
Then something changed.
---
The warmth in Ren's chest exploded.
Not like before. This time—different. Hotter. Angrier. Alive.
His hands moved on their own—Tiger → Snake. He didn't know the seals. But his body remembered.
"Fire Style: Ember—!"
A spark. A wisp of smoke. Not enough. Not nearly enough.
The blade kept falling.
Ren's hand shot out—caught it.
Bare-handed.
Metal bit into his palm. Blood dripped. But he didn't feel it.
The enemy's eyes widened. "What—"
Ren pushed.
The enemy flew back. Hit a tree. Didn't move.
---
A flicker at the edge of his vision.
0.5% → Power Surge Detected.
Condition: ???
Ren stared at his hand. Blood. But no pain.
What's happening to me?
The warmth faded. His legs wobbled. His vision blurred.
Not now. Not here.
---
Daichi lay on the ground. Blood pooled around him. His chest still moved—barely.
His eyes found Ren's. His lips moved—no sound. But Ren read the word:
"Live."
Then Daichi's eyes went still.
"Ren..." Sora's voice cracked. "Run."
No. I won't—
"RUN!"
The enemy leader rose from the ground. His mask cracked. His eyes burned.
"After him. Don't let him escape."
More enemies poured from the trees. Ten. Twelve. Surrounding them.
Ren's hands formed Tiger. Chakra surged through his legs.
"Wind Style: Burst!"
Not a real jutsu. Just raw chakra. But it pushed him forward.
Fast. Too fast.
The forest warped around him.
---
END OF CHAPTER 3
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Author's Note:
I know the chapters are a bit short right now—sorry about that.
I'm focusing on keeping the pacing fast and intense, so every chapter hits harder.
What do you think about what just happened?
Did you expect Daichi's fate… and what's starting to awaken inside Ren?
I really want to hear your theories.
Don't forget to drop your Power Stones , add the story to your Library , and share your thoughts in the comments.
See you in the next chapter.