[This story takes place in an alternate universe, so there may be some differences in the timeline of events.]
Two years passed quickly. In a clearing hidden in the jungle, two teenagers were facing each other.
They were Uchiha Ryufeng and Hoshimi Ren, two years later.
A coin was tossed, and as it landed, both of them charged forward simultaneously.
It was the familiar Shuriken opening the way. This time, Ren skillfully threw three Shuriken to counter Uchiha Ryufeng's projectiles, and they collided in mid-air before falling.
The two, having closed the distance, began close-quarters combat. Uchiha Ryufeng lunged with a whip kick, targeting the latter's chest. While Ren blocked with his left hand, his right hand's Kunai slashed out, aiming directly for his opponent's throat. Uchiha Ryufeng's expression changed, and his left hand's Kunai spun, intertwining, touching, and then separating instantly.
Ren reinserted his Kunai into the Ninja tool pouch at his waist and began to form hand signs.
Once the signs were complete, the Jutsu was ready!
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter"
Blade-like wind blades condensed all around, attacking Uchiha Ryufeng from various angles.
With a low shout, Uchiha Ryufeng also began to form hand signs quickly.
Snake - Ram - Monkey - Boar - Horse - Tiger
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu"
Uchiha Ryufeng gathered Chakra in his throat and spewed forth a scorching fireball, over 3 meters in diameter, that spun forward. The grass in its path was scorched yellow and withered by the high temperature.
The wind blades and fireball collided, consuming each other and emitting explosive sounds. The grass at the centre was devoured, and the ground cracked. A one-meter-diameter pit, emitting black smoke, appeared in their line of sight.
Flames occasionally hissed. Uchiha Ryufeng looked into the black smoke, not letting down his guard, but continued to grip his Kunai and observe his surroundings.
Suddenly, a Kunai shot out of the black smoke, heading for Uchiha Ryufeng's face.
His heart tightened, and he swung the Kunai in his hand, knocking down the Kunai instantly. At the same time, there was movement from within the black smoke.
"Lightning Release: Earth Corridor"
Ren, using the Kunai as a diversion, had already completed his hand signs as he approached Uchiha Ryufeng. He released lightning through both hands, which spread rapidly across the ground. Uchiha Ryufeng, unable to dodge in time, was immediately paralysed.
The next moment, a Kunai was pressed against Uchiha Ryufeng's throat.
Suddenly, the Uchiha Ryufeng in front of him turned into white mist and dissipated. A Kunai pierced Ren's back from behind.
It struck, but there was no sensation of a blade entering flesh.
Uchiha Ryufeng's expression changed. He tried to turn, but a Kunai was already pressed against his neck again.
"Do you give up, RyuFeng?"
Ren looked at Uchiha Ryufeng with a smile.
"Hmph, next time I'll win." Uchiha Ryufeng crossed his arms, looking annoyed, and turned his head away.
"It's mealtime. Let's go eat ramen. My treat."
Uchiha Ryufeng nodded, and the two walked out.
They soon passed the Seventh Training Ground and arrived on the main street.
"Have you heard? Lord Sakumo failed a crucial mission because he saved his comrades, causing significant losses to the Village."
"I heard that a long time ago. Does such a person even deserve to be called a hero? If it were me, I would prioritise the Village's interests."
Ren paused, glancing at two middle-aged women nearby who were gossiping behind their backs. They were whispering, but a Ninja's hearing was not something ordinary people could understand. Every word of their whispers was heard clearly by Ren and Uchiha Ryufeng.
The two continued walking, and Ren spoke first.
"RyuFeng, what do you think about this?"
Uchiha Ryufeng looked left and right, lowering his voice as he said, "I heard my father say that the waters are very deep in this matter, and he told me not to ask or speak carelessly."
Ren nodded knowingly, no longer asking further questions.
It seemed the Uchiha had also keenly sensed the trickery involved. It was just a mission; no matter how serious, could it not be offset by Konoha White Fang's decades of contributions? Now, the matter was widely known, and overwhelming public opinion flooded the streets. It seemed these high-ranking officials did not want another strong contender for the Hokage position.
Most likely, it was the Third Hokage's tacit approval, carried out by Danzo Shimura, the Shadow of the Ninja World. As the Ninja World's Shadow, he was already well-versed in such matters. How could a failed classified mission cause such a commotion now? Only a fool would not believe that someone was manipulating things behind the scenes.
However, for me, it might be an opportunity. If I can save White Fang and change the tragedy of his suicide in the original story, I would have another Kage-level powerhouse as a backer. But then I would likely be targeted by that old schemer, Danzo Shimura, and might be surrounded and killed by Root during a mission one day. I still need to come up with a foolproof plan. But how can I save White Fang and divert Danzo's attention at the same time?
He ate his ramen distractedly, chatting idly with Uchiha Ryufeng. Since the first day they met and had a fight, their relationship had grown much closer. They often trained and sparred together, and now they were good friends who could talk about anything.
After finishing their ramen, the two parted ways. After waving goodbye to Uchiha Ryufeng, Ren returned home. He sat in his bedroom, frantically thinking about how to save White Fang.
For now, he could only do his best. He would find an opportunity to talk to him alone. As for whether he would commit suicide later or give up, that would depend on fate.
Alas, his strength still wasn't enough.
Ren sighed inwardly. This further strengthened his determination to become stronger.
"Bloodline Limit?"
He extended his right hand, and a deep blue energy appeared before his eyes. It constantly shifted its form, with electric arcs flickering on its surface.
That's right! After two years of continuous experimentation, and countless failures, Ren finally succeeded in mastering the nature transformation of Water and Lightning attributes, and on this basis, he fused them to create Storm Release!
Ren, who had kept a low profile, already possessed Chakra and strength comparable to a Chunin. Fearing that the exposure of his Bloodline Limit would attract Danzo's covetousness, he had continuously hidden his strength, preparing for the Third Shinobi World War.
Ren firmly believed that a prominent tree in the forest would be destroyed by the wind.
Exposing oneself before having the means to protect oneself was simply seeking death without cause. Other Ninja Villages certainly did not want to see an enemy with another Bloodline Limit user, and they would surely attempt assassinations frantically.
What he needed to do now was to become stronger! To find every possible way to become stronger! In this world where strength was revered, not climbing higher meant becoming a stepping stone for others to become stronger.
"Ren, are you home? Let's have a showdown with our youth on the line!"
A passionate voice interrupted Ren's thoughts.
He shook his head, walked to the door, and opened it. Sure enough, it was Might Guy in his green jumpsuit.
Through two years of effort, Ren had successfully joined the training of Maito Dai and Might Guy, the father and son. Now, a large part of Ren's robust physique was thanks to the insane training regimen of this father-son duo.
Occasional sparring with Might Guy also made Ren a genius in Taijutsu among his peers.
"No, Might Guy, I have something to do today. Maybe next time."
Ren shook his head, refusing. He was not in the mood to spar with Might Guy right now.
"Alright, Ren, but as one of my only two eternal rivals, you must not neglect your training! Youth is meant for effort and struggle!"
After speaking, Might Guy turned and ran off at full speed.
...
Watching Might Guy run off, Ren shook his head helplessly, closed the door, and prepared to rest early to get ready for his plan in a few days.