Renji stepped into the cave. He immediately sensed a barrier. That meant the warding seals had been disturbed. Guards would already be alerted, either reporting to their leaders or rushing here. Maybe both. Time was short.
"Lord Taki Kage, the sentries report the barrier has been triggered," a Taki-nin relayed.
"Send the guard squad immediately. Everyone else to full readiness. Tell the villagers this is a war drill," ordered the Taki Kage's advisor, Suren Chou.
"Chou, you take command outside. I'll see for myself," replied the Taki Kage, Rantei Shinryu, before hurrying away.
"Light Release: Light-Linked Step. Konoha-ryū Sword Style: Crescent Moon Dance."
Renji struck down the guards with ruthless efficiency.
Beside him, dual-blade warrior Uchiha Kirito was already clashing with three opponents at once, on the verge of cutting one down.
"Light Release: Refracted Flash Assault." Golden light connected the enemies into a chain. In an instant, a streak of light sped through them, and three bodies fell lifeless.
"Renji, that technique is incredible. The more enemies there are, the faster you move." Kirito marveled.
"It's not that I'm faster because there are more enemies. I accelerate along the light's trajectory. The longer the chain, the higher my speed builds." Renji explained.
"So you can keep getting faster?" Kirito pressed.
"Not indefinitely. My body has limits. And without the Sharingan, anyone else would be blind at such speeds. Let's find the Tailed Beast before more arrive." Renji smirked.
Black Claw barked and ran left. The two Uchiha chased after him.
They reached a shrine-like altar. On it sat a gourd covered in sealing talismans. Renji stepped forward, but a voice rang out.
"Breaking into the forbidden ground, slaughtering our shinobi, stealing our Tailed Beast. Any one of these is a capital crime. No need to report to your Hokage. You'll die here."
A Taki-nin commander stood with a squad of ten. His men attacked immediately.
"Light Release: Refracted Flash Assault."
"Lightning Release: Raikiri."
Golden streaks and blue lightning tore through the cavern. Moments later, only the commander remained alive, staggering.
"You can still stand? Strong will. No wonder you talk big. Hokage? As if. Even your Taki Kage wouldn't dare such words. And stealing a Tailed Beast? It was never yours. You stole it from us. Don't cry thief while clutching loot." Renji mocked, stepping toward the gourd.
As his hand touched it, his mind was pulled into a dank space. A massive beast lay chained in the corner, seals burning across its body.
The Seven Tails, Chōmei.
"Hello there. I'm Uchiha Renji. I came to free you. I'm not here to enslave or seal you inside me. I'm here to return your freedom."
"Brat, I've heard this a thousand times. Save your words," Chōmei growled.
"Then I'll show you. I'll start by breaking these seals." Renji's Sharingan spun as he worked through the layers of fūinjutsu.
With a roar, the Seven Tails burst free.
"Hah. Bold little brat. You're not afraid I'll ignore you?" Chōmei laughed, feeling a surge of goodwill.
"Trust and loyalty are the foundation of partnership. Every being deserves freedom, not chains. That's why I freed you, no matter what comes next." Renji declared.
"Good answer. You've earned my respect. Let's wreak some havoc." Chōmei stretched its wings.
The mountain split apart with an explosion. The Seven Tails soared skyward.
"Notify the sealing corps immediately!" Suren Chou barked.
"You fools! Releasing a Tailed Beast is a disaster!" cried Rantei Shinryu, arriving too late.
"Hah, so you're the Taki Kage. Lording it over this isolated village. You think you own the Beast? If I caged you for decades, how would you feel?" Renji taunted.
Chōmei growled in agreement, rage ignited. A Tailed Beast Bomb formed at its maw.
The Taki Kage charged to stop it, but Kirito intercepted.
"Finally, a Kage-level fight. Let's see how I measure up!" the dual-blade berserker roared.
"Chōmei, to the right my comrades are fighting. To the left is the Hero Water tree. Avoid them if you can." Renji called.
The Beast Bomb detonated like a missile, erasing the land ahead. Renji marveled. No wonder villages fight to control them. This power is overwhelming.
"Sealing Corps, forward!" Suren Chou ordered. Shinobi downed Hero Water, their chakra surging. "For Taki!" they cried, charging.
"Pointless sacrifice. Brother Chōmei, I'll fight with you!" Renji shouted, striking with Light Release. Instead of the empowered soldiers, his golden strike pierced the sealing unit behind them. Lightning flared, impaling hearts. None survived.
Renji then turned on Suren Chou.
"You brat, I'll kill you!" Chou snarled, drinking Hero Water himself. His chakra swelled monstrously.
Renji laughed. Idiot. Hero Water eats its drinkers alive. Why should I bother clashing head-on?
Meanwhile, fire erupted at the giant tree, and explosions boomed along the escape route. Yan and Retsu had done their part.
Renji grinned. "Now it's my turn. Fighting a Kage, how thrilling."
"Light Release: Light-Linked Step."
"Rasengan."
He flashed behind the Taki Kage, striking with Rasengan. The Kage barely dodged, the blast tearing the ground. Suren Chou lunged in pursuit.
"Perfect timing."
"Light Release: Refracted Flash Assault."
"Uchiha-ryū Sword Style: Blinding Consecutive Slash."
Renji blurred between the Kage and Chou, golden blades flashing. When he stopped, Chou lay dying, his body broken by both slashes and Hero Water's backlash. The Taki Kage, though bloodied, had survived with only shallow wounds.
The Seven Tails was rampaging freely, only a handful of "chakra berserkers" still resisting.
Renji's comrades, watching from afar, saw him and Kirito pressing the Kage. Their blood surged.
Hunting a Kage together. Too exhilarating. We're family, we fight as one.
They all charged in, their coordinated formation igniting.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bullet."
"Genjutsu: Sharingan."
"Uchiha-ryū Sword Style: Flame Tempest Slash."
"Light Release: Laser."
"Two-Blade Style: Twin Dragon Strike."
A perfect mix, bombardment, illusions, ranged fire, dual assaults.
But their foe was no small fry. This was a true Kage of the Warring Era.
The Taki Kage bit down on a vial, swallowing blood and liquid. His chakra exploded, his presence crushing.
"I, Rantei Shinryu, swear to kill every intruder, even if it costs me my life!" His eyes burned with resolve.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall."
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet."
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall."
Three techniques fired in a breath, shattering the squad's attack. Yet he underestimated the Uchiha's ferocity.
Renji's golden laser pierced his shoulder. Kirito's blades nearly took his head. Only a desperate twist saved him from decapitation.
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