Naruto: The Mist Within-Chapter 118 - 117: Meeting with a Grand Seal Master

Kneeling before the seemingly abandoned structure, Ren carefully examined the seals surrounding its perimeter. The intricate lines and symbols etched into the ground and walls told a story of mastery and complexity.

It would be easier to throw something at the building to trigger the seals and attract his attention, Ren thought. But it's not every day that I get the chance to study seals like these.

With silent determination, he set to work. The first seal was a mosaic of chakra and symbols, and it took Ren several minutes just to analyze it. The details were fascinating—each layer seemed to serve a different purpose. Protection, barrier, tracking, concealment... and then he noticed something unexpected.

A storage seal? He frowned. What could it be storig? A kunai? Shaking his head, he refocused on disarming the seal.

As he decoded the first layer, Harusame, inside the building, sensed a fluctuation in his chakra field. One of the seals was being tampered with. With a quick activation of his sensory field, he detected a familiar signature. This chakra... it seems familiar.

Determined to learn more, Harusame silently stepped outside, observing with curiosity the figure kneeling before the seal. When he saw Ren working to decode it, he immediately recognized him.

That's the kid from the incident, Harusame thought, arms crossed over his chest. To think that, at such a young age, he is already this skilled with seals.

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He didn't interrupt. Instead, he decided to watch, curious to see how Ren would handle the intricate layers of protection.

Unaware of Harusame's presence, Ren continued working. But as he moved on to the second seal, a sensation crept over him. He felt watched. He lifted his gaze and saw a tall, imposing man calmly observing him.

"Harusame?" Ren asked, slowly rising to his feet.

Harusame nodded. "And you must be Utakata's friend," he said, his tone a mix of cordiality and authority.

Ren nodded. "Yes, I came to ask if you had any news about him."

Harusame scrutinized him for a moment before answering. "He's undergoing special training. He'll be back soon."

The vague response left Ren only partially satisfied. But before he could ask anything else, Harusame changed the subject. "Tell me, kid, where did you learn fuinjutsu?"

"From Tatsumi," Ren replied. "He was my fuinjutsu master."

A flash of surprise crossed Harusame's gaze. To think Tatsumi had a student so young yet this skilled.

"You disarmed a seal, but you made a mistake," he finally said.

Ren frowned. "A mistake? I don't think I made any." His voice was respectful but intrigued.

Harusame smirked slightly.

"There was an additional tracking seal linked to all the perimeter seals. When you disabled one, the tracking activated, immediately notifying me that someone was tampering with my seals."

Ren was taken aback, mentally reviewing every step of his work. He hadn't noticed any trace of a secondary seal.

"It wasn't visible," Harusame admitted, sensing his doubt. "A Grand Sealmaster doesn't reveal these details, but I decided to let you know. Consider it a gift for your efforts."

Ren looked at him with a mix of respect and gratitude. "Thank you, Harusame-sama. I'll make sure not to make the same mistake again."

Harusame nodded, his expression turning serious again. "Don't worry about Utakata. He'll be back soon. In the meantime, keep working on your seals. You have talent."

With those words, Harusame turned away, leaving Ren standing in front of the building, now more aware of his limitations and with a renewed sense of determination.

Ren returned home, his mind filled with thoughts. Harusame's words still echoed in his head: "Don't worry about Utakata. He'll be back soon." However, he knew he couldn't let his guard down. In his world, tranquility was often a prelude to chaos.

Entering his laboratory, the memory of the information received from his dispersed clone surfaced. He took the scroll describing the lightning technique, Static Shock Strike, and studied it carefully, comparing the data stored by the clone with his notes.

Damn... he thought, examining his notes. The problem isn't the concept but the execution. The clone wasted too much chakra trying to power the technique. I need to regulate the flow better.

Focusing, Ren began practicing the technique again. Static Shock Strike was a D-rank jutsu, seemingly simple, but requiring precision in chakra control to produce a sufficient electric discharge to stun an enemy. Positioning himself in the center of the lab, he executed the seals calmly, trying to minimize energy waste.

The first attempt was weak—a barely visible spark flickered from his hand. Too little chakra, he noted mentally. The second time, a more evident discharge formed, but it dissipated before reaching the intended distance.

Still unstable.

Days of intense training followed, during which Ren created clones to replicate the technique and gather data. Each attempt provided new information—small improvements that, step by step, brought him closer to mastering the jutsu.

Finally, at the end of a long day, Ren faced a target. Executing the seals smoothly, he concentrated chakra into his hand, transforming it into a precise and powerful electric discharge. He launched the strike, and a blue spark flickered in the air before hitting the target, leaving it slightly charred.

Ren observed the result with a satisfied smile. "Static Shock Strike... mastered."

I wonder what would happen if I infused the Lightning element into my tanto...

- - -

The next day, the third-year academy students were abuzz with excitement for a special event. Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, would be giving a lecture to the third-year students.

This is a great opportunity to observe him up close, Ren thought.

The class gathered in the academy's main courtyard, where a small stage had been set up. The students stood in orderly rows, all silent as they awaited Yagura's arrival. The air was thick with anticipation, and even the most restless students seemed to restrain their energy.

When Yagura appeared, accompanied by several ANBU, an undeniable sense of authority spread among those present. The Mizukage was a man of small stature, yet his presence was imposing. His eyes were cold and penetrating, and every movement seemed calculated to convey control and power.

Ren observed him carefully, trying to capture every detail.

He doesn't seem to be under Obito's control yet... but I still lack too much experience to be sure, Ren thought.

"The Village of the Hidden Mist," Yagura began, his voice calm yet authoritative, "as you all know, has endured turbulent times. The past has tested us, pushed us to the limits of survival and glory. But Kirigakure is not a village that surrenders. Kirigakure is a force. Kirigakure is the mist that envelops and confuses, but also protects and strengthens. And today, more than ever, we need the utmost commitment from all of you to restore the Mist to the greatness it deserves."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle on the students' shoulders.

"You are the future of this village. Every day, in your hands, in your decisions, in your sacrifices, lies the destiny of the Hidden Mist. A ninja of Kirigakure is not just a warrior. He is a shield for his comrades. He is a blade for his village. He is the silence in the storm and the thunder in the shadows."

His gaze became even more intense.

"Now, prove it."

A tense silence fell over the crowd, like the moment before a storm.

Then, a voice rose. Then another. Then a chorus.

"Yes!"

Yagura nodded slowly, his gaze scanning each of them, as if measuring the sincerity of their words.

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