Naruto: Reborn With An AI Chip

Without realizing it, the number of shinobi gathered around Renjiro's squad had grown to over twenty.

That was the upper limit of what he could realistically help. His Observation Haki had already stretched to its limits—barely able to encompass the entire group—so he had stopped actively seeking others to join them.

Of course, if they came across Konoha shinobi in danger, they wouldn't turn a blind eye. They would do everything they could to help. But unless that happened, Renjiro saw no point in enlarging a group he could no longer fully safeguard.

Still, their growing numbers had an unintended effect—it made enemies cautious. Many Mist shinobi, upon spotting the size of Renjiro's squad, chose to avoid them entirely. There were plenty of isolated targets scattered across the battlefield; there was no need to break their teeth on what looked like a wall of steel.

But not everyone turned away. There would always be those who sought to test themselves against the unbreakable—those who chased glory in madness.

A long period of calm followed. The Mist forces, it seemed, had no interest in engaging such a large and coordinated unit. Taking advantage of the situation, Renjiro finally allowed himself a moment of rest and deactivated his Observation Haki.

Just then, a sudden shout cut through the stillness.

"There's something wrong ahead!"

Suddenly, a wounded Chunin in their group shouted from the front, warning Renjiro and the others.

"What's wrong, Uncle Asaki?"

Renjiro and the others quickly gathered around the injured Chunin, who was barely able to move without assistance, but insisted on continuing.

Asaki Chihiro—a war-weathered Chunin and one of the few civilian-born shinobi in Konoha to survive this long. A veteran of the Second Great Ninja War, his only remarkable trait was that he had lived through it, so he had rich experience in all aspects.

"Our numbers... they've gone down," Asaki said with a serious expression, his brow furrowed in concern.

"What?!" Renjiro's heart turned cold instantly.

"Check the situation up front." Though skeptical, he immediately ordered a headcount.

Moments later, a Genin returned, pale-faced and said in worried and confused voice: "Akira and Raily... they're gone, both of them are missing."

The result sent a chill through the group: two members were missing. And they weren't seriously wounded or disoriented—both were fully combat-capable. This wasn't a case of falling behind or getting lost. What truly frightened them was that no one noticed—not even Renjiro.

"How did they disappear?" Renjiro asked in a serious voice.

"They were right here... but now they're not. There's no blood, no sound, no signs of a fight... they just—vanished."

Renjiro's face darkened: "It must've happened after I turned off Observation Haki…"

He clenched his fists, then raised his voice to the group: "The enemy must be lurking nearby! Everyone follow my instructions and move carefully!"

"Arkain! Activate Observation Haki, now!" Renjiro ordered inwardly.

Renjiro reignited his own as well. If there truly was an enemy nearby, then they were facing something far more dangerous than anticipated—someone capable of picking off trained shinobi in the midst of a large unit, without being noticed.

If it weren't for Asaki's war-hardened instincts, they might not have realized the threat until more had disappeared.

---

Somewhere deep within the mist.

"Tch. They noticed."

A low voice clicked with annoyance—but not fear. Hidden in the dense fog, the Mist-nin licked his lips, his eyes were gleaming with anticipation.

Even with Renjiro's group now on high alert, the Mist-nin showed no intention of backing off. Fearless, skilled, and exuding a quiet malice, he didn't see this ragtag band as a true threat. In his eyes, they were a scattered bunch of wounded and Genin, with only a few capable Chunin among them.

Renjiro's sharpened vigilance hadn't gone unnoticed, but it didn't matter to him: "Alert or not... they're prey. It's time these weaklings witness the true art of the Hidden Mist's silent killing."

With a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes, the Mist-nin faded back into the fog like a shadow returning home.

---

Within Renjiro's formation, tension crackled in the air.

Renjiro's senses were razor-sharp, his Observation Haki sweeping across the surroundings with relentless precision. Every shift in the air, every unnatural echo, he analyzed with extreme focus.

The enemy dared to attack them despite their large numbers—and more importantly, had succeeded—which proved just how terrifying this enemy was.

They were exposed, illuminated targets in an enemy's hunting ground of swirling mist. Even with Observation Haki, Renjiro couldn't see everything. How many were they facing? One? Two? More?

He didn't know, and that was the most dangerous part. In the face of such uncertainty, Renjiro's mind operated at full capacity.

"Hm? This is—?"

Renjiro suddenly detected a strange sign.

There was a subtle disturbance near one of the ninjas positioned on the right flank. Something was off in the mist around him—it was very faint, but Renjiro caught it.

Although it was only a small change, it didn't escape Renjiro's Observation Haki.

The fog there shifted unnaturally. There was no wind. The rest of the mist remained still—only that one spot wavered.

Just as Renjiro focused his Observation Haki on that area, he finally caught the enemy's shadow.

There was only one figure in the haze. He was wearing a mask and had a headband slanted across his forehead. Although he was much younger and didn't yet possess the giant longsword, Renjiro almost instantly recognized him.

"So, it was him?!!" Renjiro thought to himself.

The one targeting them was none other than the future rebel ninja of the Hidden Mist Village—the master of silent killing techniques.

One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the Demon of Mist: Zabuza Momochi.

"The third one…"

Zabuza was unaware that his hidden location had been exposed. He appeared silently behind the Konoha shinobi stationed on the right flank, his sword aimed directly at the man's throat.

"He's fast!" Renjiro was shocked. Although he had discovered Zabuza's position in advance, he hadn't expected him to move so quickly.

"Damn it!"

Renjiro's mind raced. Even with Observation Haki, Zabuza's speed was overwhelming. Renjiro could predict—but not physically keep up.

His thoughts were faster than Zabuza's, but his body wasn't.

"Be careful! Enemy on the right!"

Renjiro suddenly shouted to alert his team.

He couldn't let his comrade die. There wasn't enough time to react properly, so the only option was to warn them.

Whoosh!

Without hesitation, Renjiro exploded forward with a burst of chakra and full-body strength, closing the distance like a thunderbolt.

He barely managed to get behind Zabuza before the sword reached his comrade's aorta. Without a second thought, he drew his blade and slashed at Zabuza's back in a clean, horizontal arc.

Renjiro wasn't sure whether his surprise attack would succeed, but at the very least, it would force Zabuza to abandon his kill. If Zabuza insisted on finishing the attack, he would be struck by his blade.

"Damn it! How did he find me?!" Zabuza was both shocked and confused.

Of course, he wouldn't allow himself to be killed for the sake of an enemy's life. Yet he couldn't help but be surprised that someone in this group had not only sensed him but also made such a decisive move in such a short time.

Clang!

Zabuza wasn't foolish. He immediately pulled back, withdrawing the sword and lashing out with a powerful kick instead.

Renjiro raised his blade to block, catching the full force of the impact.

Whoosh!

Zabuza flipped back into the mist, vanishing once again.

It all happened in the blink of an eye. Even the targeted Genin had no idea he'd just brushed past death's doorstep.

"Renjiro!"

Meri arrived at his side to support him.

Maemon followed close behind. Seeing that Renjiro was unharmed, he sighed in relief and asked: "You found the enemy?"

"Are you okay?" Meri asked worriedly, her eyes was scanning his body to see if he was injured.

"I'm fine." Renjiro shook his head.

But inwardly, he was screaming: That was Zabuza Momochi! The Demon of the Mist!

The boy who killed his entire graduating class. The one who would one day attempt a coup. A true monster and a gifted shinobi.

"Is he strong?" Maemon asked in a serious tone, adjusting his glasses gently.

Renjiro nodded solemnly: "Very strong. His speed and strength are exceptional, but more importantly, his sense of timing and decisiveness in assassination are terrifying. This one is a master assassin."

Everyone's expression turned grim.

Being hunted by someone like that—especially in this kind of terrain—felt like a curse.

Then, a voice echoed from the mist—deep, cold, and mocking: "You're not bad yourself. What's your name, Konoha ninja?"

They couldn't pinpoint where it came from. The voice twisted and bounced eerily through the fog.

"There's definitely something wrong with this guy's head." Renjiro muttered, raising an eyebrow.

In his opinion, Zabuza was absurdly arrogant. Despite being exposed and outnumbered, instead of retreating or staying hidden, he actually asked for Renjiro's name.

Renjiro narrowed his eyes. He wasn't going to be intimidated. He replied calmly: "Konoha Genin—Takane Renjiro."

"Hm… Renjiro..."

The voice repeated the name slowly, as if committing it to memory.

"Remember mine as well. I am Zabuza Momochi."

"It is really him…"

Renjiro's heart sank slightly. At this point, it was clear—they were facing a very dangerous enemy, especially under their current circumstances.

"I'm the man destined to kill you all." Zabuza's voice echoed once more from the fog.

"Tch!" Renjiro clicked his tongue in annoyance. He hated people who tried to act cool in front of him.