Naruto : Crimson wood

Provocation.

A naked provocation.

Hikaru Saito's eyes were filled with undisguised contempt for Renji Takahashi.

He hated Renji.

A so-called double S-rank? Yet both of Renji's powers were dismissed as useless by the world. To Hikaru, Renji was a disgrace to their academy, to the Takahashi family name.

And now, in front of so many people, if he could humiliate Renji? Even better.

Plus, he could show off in front of Yuna Hoshizaki.

Kill two birds with one stone.

Hikaru Saito was rather proud of his cunning little plan.

But just as Renji was about to dismiss this childish provocation, something unexpected happened.

[Ding! Mission triggered: Accept Hikaru Saito's challenge and defeat the first-level monster.]

[Reward: 100 energy points. Lottery system unlocked!]

A new mission?

Not only energy points but... a lottery system?

A lottery meant chances. And chances meant life-changing rewards.

"Alright."

Renji smiled faintly and stepped forward calmly.

The system gave too much to refuse. Hesitating for even one second would be disrespectful.

"Good. Your courage is commendable."

Instructor Shizuka Sumiya nodded in approval and motioned for the three of them to step into the battle barrier.

The arena was forty meters long and twenty meters wide.

A ferocious two-headed fire ant, the size of an adult lion, waited beyond a transparent wall.

"Ready?"

"Ready!" Hikaru answered immediately.

Renji and Yuna both nodded silently.

"Begin!"

The moment the instructor gave the order, the barrier holding back the monster vanished.

The two-headed fire ant roared and charged without hesitation.

"Beast Manifestation: Bear Form!"

Hikaru shouted, his body bulking up and covered in thick brown fur.

As a beast-manifestation psychic, Hikaru gained a significant strength boost—but he was still only partially transformed, not a full bear.

He charged first.

At the same time, Yuna Hoshizaki calmly raised her slender hand.

"Chain of Holy Water!"

Crash!

Two shimmering water chains shot up from the ground, binding the fire ant's legs and halting its advance.

"Take this punch!"

Hikaru roared, slamming his fist into one of the ant's heads.

Bang!

The monster was knocked back several meters.

Cheers erupted from the audience.

Renji stood quietly.

He was support. A so-called useless support.

It didn't seem like he needed to act. Hikaru and Yuna looked capable enough.

"I thought this monster was supposed to be tough. Turns out it's nothing special." Hikaru smirked proudly.

But his smirk froze instantly.

The fire ant rolled and stood up as if nothing had happened.

"Raaahh!"

Both heads opened wide, spitting two blazing fireballs the size of basketballs.

Hikaru panicked, the heat forcing him to retreat.

"Divine Water Shield!"

Yuna acted fast, summoning a glowing blue shield in front of Hikaru.

Bang!

The fireballs struck the shield and fizzled out, saving him in the nick of time.

"Phew... that was close."

But the fire ant wasn't done.

Two more fireballs shot out immediately.

"Oh come on, again?!" Hikaru screamed, diving and rolling to dodge. One fireball nearly singed his—well, let's just say he rolled faster after that.

With Hikaru backing off, the fire ant turned its attention elsewhere.

It spat another pair of fireballs—one toward Yuna, one toward Renji.

"Divine Water Shield!"

Yuna summoned another barrier, blocking the attack aimed at her.

But she couldn't cover Renji.

Seeing the incoming fireball, Instructor Sumiya tensed, ready to intervene.

Everyone knew Renji's abilities.

Double S-rank in name, but basically useless in combat.

"Hmph, let's see what the so-called genius does now," Hikaru sneered.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, Renji calmly formed hand seals.

The movements were smooth, almost instinctual, despite it being his first time doing them.

"Mokuton: Wooden Barrier!"

With a low chant, thick wooden pillars burst from the ground, arching together to form a sturdy shield before him.

Boom!

The fireball smashed into the wooden wall, leaving behind only a scorch mark.

The whole field fell silent.

Even Instructor Sumiya's eyes widened in disbelief.

Wood element... could defend against fire?

"Yuna, bind it again. I'll finish this," Renji said in a low voice.

His eyes silently turned scarlet—the three tomoe of the Sharingan swirling into existence.

"Understood!"

Yuna didn't hesitate.

"Chain of Holy Water!"

The massive water chains erupted once more, pinning the two-headed fire ant tightly.

Renji rushed forward, his enhanced physique giving him powerful leaps.

Nearly two meters in the air, he locked eyes with the monster.

Its four eyes stared back.

Exactly what he wanted.

The Sharingan spun.

"Genjutsu: Illusion!"

The instant the illusion struck, Renji punched the creature squarely on the head.

Bang!

It wasn't a hard punch by beast-man standards. In fact, pain shot through Renji's fist, making him wince.

"Damn... forgot I'm not a beast-type," he muttered, grimacing.

But it didn't matter.

The Sharingan's illusion took effect.

The two-headed fire ant's eyes froze, its body locked in place... and then, to the shock of everyone watching, it collapsed to the ground.

To outsiders, it looked like Renji Takahashi had knocked it down with one punch.