Naruto : Crimson wood

Whoosh!

Powerful winds rushed past as Renji Takahashi and Yuna Hoshizaki rode the second-level Storm Eagle, with over a dozen first-level Storm Eagles chasing them relentlessly from behind.

But a second-level beast was still a second-level—its strength was enough to outpace its weaker kin.

For the moment, those first-level Storm Eagles couldn't catch up.

Still, they clearly weren't willing to let their prey escape.

Why Are They Chasing Us?

On the ground, countless beasts thundered after them as well.

"They're all chasing us," Yuna said, narrowing her eyes at the scene unfolding below and in the sky.

"Really?" Renji frowned and looked down.

Sure enough, no matter where they flew, the horde of monsters followed.

Even the Corrupt Wolves, who should've been chasing the classmates who escaped earlier down the Golden Path, had changed course—and were now pursuing them.

From high above, Renji could clearly see Shun Hayashi and the others still running for their lives—but with no monsters behind them.

All the beasts had shifted their focus to Renji and Yuna.

"This is weird… Could it be because we stole their leader, and they're embarrassed and angry now?" Renji joked, forcing a smile.

Yuna shook her head, her pretty face tense. "No. I think we were their true targets from the start."

"Whatever. At least we've got this Storm Eagle—it'll take us straight back to Azure City."

Renji laid back, exhausted.

The effort of controlling the Storm Eagle with his Sharingan had drained his spirit energy nearly to zero.

But thanks to this beast, they'd escaped death—for now.

He deliberately directed the Storm Eagle toward Azure City, away from the direction Shun and the others had fled. That way, he could draw the monsters away and give his friends a chance to escape safely.

New Enemies on the Horizon

Just as everything seemed to be going smoothly, several new figures appeared ahead.

These weren't Storm Eagles.

They were second-level Flame Hawks, huge birds with fiery-red feathers and two heads.

"Flame Hawks? Second-level monsters?" Yuna's face paled.

And riding atop them… were human figures.

"Wait—people?!" Renji sat up, staring ahead. "Who are they?"

At first glance, their clothing blended into the Flame Hawks' fiery plumage, and in the dim night sky, it was hard to spot them.

"At first I thought they were from Azure Dragon Academy…" Renji sighed in relief.

But Yuna shook her head sharply.

"No, they're not! They're from the Crimson Flame Clan!"

"Crimson Flame Clan? Who the hell are they?" Renji had never heard of them.

The strangers didn't answer. Instead, they made their intentions clear.

One of them slowly raised a hand—and fired a thin beam of flame straight at them!

A Fierce Battle Begins

Yuna stepped forward without hesitation. Her hands glowed with holy golden light, forming a Sacred Shield etched with intricate runes.

Bang!

The flame beam struck her shield and splashed like molten lava, burning fiercely as it tried to erode through the defense.

Before she could recover, several others raised their hands, unleashing more beams of flame in rapid succession.

Fwoosh! Boom!

Despite the strength of Yuna's holy powers, the gap in rank was too great. These enemies were all at least second-level fighters. Yuna's shield began to crack under the pressure.

The holy shield finally shattered.

One last beam streaked toward them—too fast to dodge.

Yuna's golden eyes widened in horror.

But before the flame hit her—

Renji shoved her aside.

Whoosh!

The flame blast struck a nearby first-level Storm Eagle instead, vaporizing it in an instant.

"Hang on!" Renji shouted.

He slapped their Storm Eagle, forcing it to turn and flee in the opposite direction.

The Flame Hawks shrieked sharply and gave chase.

The riders remained silent the entire time, their cold expressions unchanged, raising their hands to fire another volley of burning lasers.

The Storm Eagle Falls

The Storm Eagle twisted and dodged, but one beam struck its wing.

Flames engulfed the creature's feathers, burning through its wing in seconds.

"Kreeee—!"

The Storm Eagle let out a cry of agony and began to fall.

"Damn it!" Renji cursed, grabbing Yuna tightly.

Before the bird could crash, he leapt, pulling her with him.

But Yuna was at her limit. Her repeated use of holy powers had drained her completely. Her face was pale, her body weak. She could barely stand, let alone run.

Renji wasn't much better. His Sharingan was burned out, and his spiritual energy was almost gone.

Still, he dragged her forward, forcing her to move.

Surrounded

Suddenly, fiery shadows dropped from the sky, surrounding them.

From the backs of the Flame Hawks, Renji finally saw his enemies up close.

Men and women, all with cold, emotionless faces.

And every one of them bore a faint flame-shaped red mark on their forehead.

"Who are you people?! Why are you attacking us?!" Renji demanded.

But their only answer was more raised fingers—more flame lasers.

Boom!

Suddenly, a massive bolt of lightning crashed down between Renji and the attackers, vaporizing the flame blasts instantly.

And then, a familiar, commanding voice thundered through the darkness:

"Who dares harm my son?"

Renji looked up, stunned.

Standing tall beneath the crackling sky was his father—Ryoji Takahashi, the Thunderstorm Guardian.

"Dad?!" Renji cried, overwhelmed with relief.

At the sight of Ryoji, the Flame Clan members hesitated, their cold expressions finally shifting.

"Ryoji Takahashi… Retreat!" one of them barked.

In the blink of an eye, they turned to flee.

But Ryoji simply sneered.

"You think you can hurt my family and just run away?"

He snapped his fingers.

BOOM!

Lightning rained down from the sky, striking the fleeing riders and their Flame Hawks. In a flash of light, they were reduced to smoking ash, falling like burned leaves.

The night fell silent once again.

-------------------------

For advance chapters visit patreon.com/Varnok