Chapter 80: The Perfect Sacrifice
"No!"
Ino lunged forward, clutching Shikamaru's wrist as tears streamed down her cheeks. The sealing scroll quivered between his trembling fingers.
"Shikamaru, stop! This was Renji's plan—his alone! You'll die if you do it!"
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +3,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +3,000,000]
[Chakra (128,329,002 / 200,000,000)]
"RENJI!"
A roar split the heavens. "GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
A blinding flash burst across the horizon—pure, merciless light racing toward them. Wind howled like a thousand blades tearing through the sky.
"Wind Release: RASEN-SHURIKEN!"
Naruto's voice thundered with fury. The massive vortex of chakra screamed forward, its violent radiance swallowing the battlefield as it hurtled straight toward Hasumi Maki—still locked in a brutal struggle with Renji.
And amid the chaos, Renji smiled.
'Get out of the way?' he thought calmly. 'Why would I? This is perfect. A clean slate.'
He drove his hand toward Maki's heart, locking them together in a death embrace just as the Rasen-Shuriken descended.
The world vanished in white.
Time shattered.
Within that endless brilliance, Renji turned his head. His eyes met Naruto's wide, horrified stare.
"Goodbye, Naruto," he whispered.
Then both brothers were devoured by light.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000,000]
[Chakra (138,329,0002 / 200,000,000)]
The explosion tore reality apart.
Wind and chakra collided, throwing everyone skyward. Naruto tumbled through the air, stunned.
His jutsu—his first true test—had struck Renji.
Blood, the faint smile, the quiet acceptance replayed in his mind. Why hadn't Renji dodged?
Then understanding hit like a blade.
Hasumi Maki!
Renji couldn't break free. To kill the immortal, he had to die with him.
It was a sacrifice.
The glare faded. Silence returned—and with it, the unbearable sight that awaited them.
Sakura's scream pierced the ruins. "No… NO!"
She stumbled into the crater carved by the jutsu. At its center lay two motionless bodies, faces eerily peaceful, features so alike they might have been reflections.
Sakura's legs gave out. She crawled to Renji, gathering him into her arms. Emerald light flared from her palms as she poured every drop of chakra into his chest.
"It can't be! It can't be!"
The wound didn't close. No heartbeat answered her desperate healing.
Tears splashed onto his skin. "You can't die!" she cried. "Renji, stop pretending! You're so annoying—wake up!"
She pressed his head to her chest, sobbing as his warmth faded away.
"Sakura…" Ino's voice was hollow. She could only watch as her friend slipped into denial.
"He's asleep!" Sakura insisted, shaking him gently. "We shouldn't wake him yet, right?"
Ino stared at Renji's pale face—and something in her broke. It was her fault. If she hadn't let him come… She buried her face in her hands, weeping silently.
...
"You're kidding… right?"
Hidan knelt beside Hasumi Maki's corpse, poking the cheek. No response. No grin. No insult.
He blinked, genuinely confused. "He's dead. Hasumi Maki… is actually dead."
Kakuzu smacked the back of his head. "I can see that, idiot."
"So what now?" Hidan rubbed his skull, strangely empty. For some reason the urge to fight had drained away. Maybe he even envied Maki—no, ridiculous! The guy should've died by his hand!
Kakuzu's eyes hardened. "Then we kill them. Call it revenge."
"Fine." Hidan rose, his scythe whistling—
—and froze. A black shadow wrapped around his feet.
"Damn it—!"
The world flipped. Shikamaru's voice echoed coldly as a blade of chakra extended from the shadow.
"Checkmate."
Hidan's head separated from his body.
"Kakuzu! Help me sew it back on!" he howled.
But Kakuzu was already fighting for his life. Across the field, the Nine-Tails' red chakra flared, monstrous and wild.
"I know you can't die," Shikamaru said, sealing tags flying through his hands. "That's why I'll bury you alive instead."
Darkness swallowed Hidan's vision as his body and head were sealed apart—forever.
Now only Kakuzu remained.
He fought like a cornered beast, facing Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and a Kakashi clone in a relentless assault. Shikamaru's shadow lurked beneath him, waiting.
Blood spilled from Kakuzu's mouth. His last mask—his final heart—had been destroyed.
Instinct screamed 'run'. Memories flickered—his failed attempt on the First Hokage, his century of survival, his greed for life and wealth. He knew retreat was the smart choice.
And yet… he didn't want to run.
'Let's finish this.'
Lightning crackled. Shadows surged.
The jutsu struck.
Thump.
He felt the earth against his back, the sky stretching endlessly above. So bright, so blue. He almost laughed.
'Maki was right—they never did get to play that soccer game.'
Then everything faded.
Shikamaru knelt, staring at his shaking hands. They'd won—but lost everything that mattered.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered as tears darkened the dirt.
...
Konoha
The sky was cloudless, yet grief blanketed the village. Black-clad shinobi stood in silence before the memorial stone.
At the front, Tsunade stared blankly at the coffin, Renji's smiling photograph resting atop it.
Kakashi's clone, Jiraiya, and Sakura stood nearest. Lee's eyes were swollen red.
"Where's Naruto?" Ino murmured.
"Still in the hospital," Sakura said softly.
The Rasen-Shuriken, combined with the trauma of killing his friend, had triggered his Tailed-Beast form. His body was ruined. He'd survive… but hadn't woken up. Maybe that was mercy.
...
Hospital Ward
Naruto's eyes snapped open. Pain stabbed through every nerve. The room was empty.
A nurse entered quietly. "You're awake? Time to change your bandages."
Naruto scowled. "Renji usually did that…" He looked up. "Where's Renji?"
The nurse froze. "I—I don't know."
'Liar.'
A deep, hateful voice reverberated inside his skull.
"Because he's dead."
"You killed him, Uzumaki Naruto."
...
Funeral Grounds
Danzo approached, Sai trailing behind. Jiraiya stiffened as the Tsunade clone turned to face him.
"Explain yourself!" Danzo barked. "Why did you authorize this mission? Acting out of emotion to avenge Asuma—was that your Hokage's judgment?"
The clone stayed silent.
Danzo's tone cut like steel. "Your impulsiveness cost Konoha a prodigy's life. You are unfit to lead."
He turned and left, the crowd dispersing in heavy silence.
Later, in the Hokage's office, Jiraiya stood by the window, eyes on the rain-streaked village. "I'm going to the Hidden Rain," he said quietly. "I'll find out what Akatsuki is planning."
"I forbid it," the clone snapped.
"Tsunade, you know it's necessary," Jiraiya sighed. "I can't let Renji's sacrifice mean nothing."
And with that, he was gone.
Not long after, Homura and Koharu came bearing more condemnation. The Fire Daimyo had begun to question her authority. They had lost Renji Mahito—the village's brightest candidate for Hokage.
...
ROOT Headquarters
Deep underground, Danzo returned to the candle-lit chamber, Sai at his heel.
The old man's expression was one of quiet triumph.
"This time," he said, "you performed admirably."
Sai glanced toward the figure standing in the shadows.
A low chuckle answered him.
"Welcome back, Renji."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000]
[Chakra (138,339,002 / 200,000,000)]
'Welcoming me with Malice Value… typical Sai.'
The masked man stepped forward and removed his hood, revealing the same gentle smile that had graced the funeral photo.
"Once Jiraiya is gone," Renji said coolly, "the moderates backing Tsunade will crumble. When you take the Hokage seat, no one will oppose you."
Danzo nodded, satisfied. Everything had unfolded exactly as planned. His finest investment had returned from the grave.
As Renji left the room, Sai waited in the corridor.
"Renji," he said cheerfully, "Lord Danzo assigned us as partners again. Happy?"
Renji didn't answer. Sai leaned closer until their noses nearly touched.
"I'm happy," he whispered. "No one else between us this time."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000]
[Chakra (138,349,002 / 200,000,000)]
Renji sighed inwardly. 'Sai really is a walking Malice-Value generator.'
'Happy or angry—it made no difference. Maybe he was born to be a cursed spirit.'