Dance

Looking at the no fewer than fifty Root ninjas surrounding them, along with this barrier.

How could Ren fail to guess Danzo's intentions? Kill everyone except Naruto. Then, not only would he obtain the Nine-Tails jinchuriki he had coveted for so long.

At the same time, he could use the jinchuriki's disappearance as an excuse to directly attack the Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha, who had only just begun to recover, would likely be plunged back into the abyss in an instant.

It had to be said, the plan was quite brilliant.

But Danzo, who had spent too long lurking in the shadows, had forgotten that no matter how good a scheme was, it still needed sufficient strength to back it up.

Shisui had already moved back-to-back with Ren, ready to fight at any moment.

"Ren, do you remember the battlefield in Kirigakure?"

What Shisui meant was to remind Ren of the tactics they had used when fighting Kirigakure.

Ren recalled the days when the two had fought side by side, but he still shook his head. "Shisui, it's not just you who has grown. So have I!"

"Uchiha Shisui, listen to my orders!"

"Your mission is to protect Naruto and those two Anbu. Naruto takes priority over the Anbu. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Chief."

Although Shisui had officially debuted and become a beloved idol in the Hidden Leaf Village, he had never forgotten that he was a ninja—a ninja of the Konoha Military Police Force.

Upon hearing this, the higher-ranking of the two injured Anbu said, "Uchiha Clan Head, the two of us and Uchiha Shisui can hold the enemy off for as long as possible. You should take the jinchuriki and run. Don't waste—"

"Shut up!" Ren cut him off. "His name is Naruto. And wipe that look of despair off your face. You won't meet your end here either."

Then Ren looked at Naruto. "Naruto, now that you've entered the Ninja Academy, you can be considered a reserve ninja. So no matter what you see next, don't scream, and don't wet your pants in fright. Understand?"

"Mm, Brother Ren, I guarantee I'll complete the mission." Naruto nodded heavily.

Ren then turned to the many Root ninjas. He tore off his robe and casually tossed it behind him, where it landed accurately in Naruto's hands.

"Naruto, watch my coat. Don't get it dirty."

Ren spoke with his back to Naruto.

Without bothering to hide his hand seals to conceal his unique Fire Release.

Ren directly transformed into Human Torch form and leaped into the air. As he rose, a pair of flaming wings condensed behind his back.

That eye-catching appearance instantly became the focus of the entire scene.

Naruto's eyes widened, his mouth slightly open. "Brother Ren, you're really so—"

Suddenly recalling the task Ren had given him, Naruto immediately stopped himself from making a sound, though his slightly open mouth remained that way.

Brother Ren is so cool. Even cooler than Brother Shisui when he dances.

But Ren, in midair, frowned. In less than two breaths, he felt that the flames he had consumed already matched those of an ordinary battle.

"Does the barrier come with the ability to seal flames?"

The Root ninjas stationed at the barrier's sixteen corners were already drenched in sweat. A massive amount of chakra had been instantly drained from their bodies, and even Root ninjas tempered by brutal training felt uncomfortable.

"Is this really a Fire Release that a human can wield?"

That was the shared thought of the Root ninjas maintaining the barrier.

Ren sensed the situation briefly. If he kept at it, he should be able to break the barrier directly.

But he ultimately chose not to. The barrier had trapped them, but it had also trapped the Root ninjas.

So Ren extinguished his flames and descended from the air. Shisui had apparently sensed the issue with the barrier as well.

Shisui said worriedly, "Ren, how about I take over?"

"No need." Ren refused outright.

He knew Shisui's abilities well. Aside from the Body Flicker Technique, there was only that razor-sharp Flame Sword Leap.

At least Ren could still produce some flames with his cheat. Shisui's Flame Sword Leap probably could not even spark under these conditions. A Flame Sword Leap that could not unleash Fire Release was inferior to ordinary swordsmanship.

As for using Susanoo against these ninjas, there was no need for that.

Ren's refusal did not surprise Shisui. Shisui lightly stroked his eye, and his gaze turned resolute.

If Ren cannot defeat them, I can only use that technique.

Ren looked at the Root ninjas around him. "You prepared thoroughly, but do you think this alone is enough for you to dance?"

As Ren spread open his right hand, a thick chain slowly emerged. Covered in Hellfire, the chain transformed into the longsword Ren used most often.

That was why Ren had refused Shisui. Flames from hell were clearly beyond the range of this barrier's interference.

Having obtained this template nearly ten days ago, Ren was no longer the clueless beginner he had been on the first day.

Although "Immortal Body" and "Dimensional Teleportation" could not be used because the amount and quality of Hellfire did not meet the requirements.

He had already mastered "Judgment Eye" and "Chain Technique."

With his longsword in his right hand, Ren charged straight toward the Root ninjas. His Sharingan had already activated, but strangely, flames also burned within his eye sockets.

Ren darted left and right among the Root ninjas, his longsword wreathed in Hellfire occasionally slicing across a ninja's throat or chest.

At the same time, his Sharingan constantly spun as he watched every movement around him.

Ren weaved among the ninjas, nimbly dodging every attack.

And every time he struck, another ninja died.

At the same time, every ninja's death fed more Hellfire and ocular power back to him through the Hellfire.

As time passed, Ren's attacks grew ever more elusive and fluid.

Occasionally, a ninja would accidentally meet his gaze. In the next instant, the ninja who had looked into his eyes would let out a shrill scream as Hellfire burst from his body.

Naruto stared wide-eyed, carefully tracking Ren's figure.

Naruto did not feel sick at the sight of the Root ninjas dying, nor was he afraid.

All that filled Naruto's eyes and mind was Ren's figure, dancing gracefully among the crowd. Every attack and every dodge was free of hesitation or abruptness.

The flaming longsword that swept up and down around him complemented Ren's movements perfectly. Apart from the occasional scream of some unlucky fellow struck by Judgment Eye.

The entire battle resembled a silent grand stage performance. Not even the sound of weapons clashing could be heard.

The two Anbu ninjas watching the battlefield were dumbfounded. Feeling that they might actually survive today, the two began chatting.

"Captain, I heard that this Uchiha Clan Head is nicknamed 'Vermilion Bird,' and that his strongest ability is Fire Release. Is that intelligence accurate?"

The Anbu squad captain looked at the Hellfire on the longsword and answered uncertainly, "That should count as Fire Release, right?"

The two Anbu were not the only ones shocked. Shisui was equally stunned, and he could not help recalling the days when the two had fought side by side.

"Shisui, I'm not good at taijutsu. I'll provide long-range support and suppression for you. You go kill the enemy."

"Alright."

After the battle, Shisui, covered in blood and grime, came to Ren's side. As expected of "Body Flicker" Shisui, he had dealt with the enemy so quickly.

"Ren, the battlefield environment you created was the greatest help."

"Ah! Shisui, I only know a few Fire Release ninjutsu. You know I have no talent for taijutsu."

Ren, back then, you really just didn't want to dirty your clothes.

I hope you haven't lied to me about anything else.

With only single-digit enemies remaining, they clearly posed no further threat. The four lucky spectators continued watching this astonishing dance, one they might never witness again.