Naruto: The Scarlet Ronin

Chapter 20: The Relentless Hunt

The dense forests of the Land of Tea blurred past Shinji as he sprinted at full speed, his sword Yamato gleaming ominously in the filtered sunlight. The cool wind rushed through his hood, but his sharp eyes darted around, alert for any signs of pursuit. He could already sense them closing in-powerful chakra signatures converging on him like a pack of wolves.

Then, as if on cue, a blur of motion streaked toward him. A kunai whistled past his cheek, embedding itself in the bark of a tree ahead. Before he could react, Minato Namikaze appeared in a flash of gold, kunai in hand, his expression calm but focused.

"You can't outrun us, Shinji," Minato said, his voice level but laced with authority. "Surrender now. This doesn't have to end with you hurt."

Shinji's lips curled into a grim smirk. "If I

stopped running every time someone told me to surrender, I'd have died years ago."

With a flick of his wrist, Shinji unleashed a Wind Style jutsu.

"Wind Style: Gale Vortex!"

A spiraling mass of wind erupted from his palm, cutting through the trees like a spinning blade. Minato flickered away just as the vortex tore through the area he had been standing in, reducing everything in its path to splinters.

But Shinji had no time to celebrate. The

ground beneath him cracked and surged upward as Sakumo Hatake appeared, his White Light Chakra Sabre slicing toward Shinji in a dazzling arc. Shinji barely had time to raise Yamato, sparks flying as the blades clashed.

"You're skilled," Sakumo admitted, his tone cool and measured. "But you're outnumbered and outmatched."

"Funny," Shinji said, pushing Sakumo back with a burst of chakra. "I was just thinking the same about you."

Shinji spun on his heel, swinging Yamato with deadly precision. Sakumo ducked, narrowly avoiding the slash.

Behind him, Minato reappeared, hurling

another kunai toward Shinji's flank.

"Flying Raijin: Triple Slash Formation!"

Minato teleported between kunai

placements, his movements a blur. Shinji activated his Shunpo to counter, matching Minato's speed and avoiding the rapid strikes. The air crackled with energy as the two shinobi clashed in a dazzling exchange of speed and precision.

Suddenly, a shadow darted across the ground. Shinji's instincts screamed at him to move, but it was too late. The shadow connected with his own, locking him in place.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu... success,"

Shikaku Nara muttered lazily, his hands in the signature seal.

Before Shinji could retaliate, a massive

figure loomed behind him. Chōza Akimichi, in his Partial Expansion form, swung a colossal fist toward Shinji.

"Human Boulder Strike!"

Thinking quickly, Shinji summoned his chakra chains.

"Chains of Binding Spiral!"

Golden chains spiraled outward, wrapping around Chōza's arm and halting the attack just inches from Shinji's body. At the same time, the chains coiled defensively, forming a rotating barrier that deflected incoming projectiles from other shinobi.

But the Ino-Shika-Chō combo wasn't done.

Inoichi Yamanaka clasped his hands together.

"Mind-Body Disturbance Jutsu!"

Shinji felt a sudden tug in his mind, his

control slipping for a fraction of a second. That moment was enough for Sakumo to close the distance.

Lightning crackled along Sakumo's blade as he swung it downward.

"Lightning Blade Slash!"

Shinji twisted Yamato to parry, the force of the impact jolting through his arms. He skidded backward, breathing heavily, his dark hood now torn and blood seeping from shallow cuts across his body.

But Shinji wasn't done. Slamming his palm to the ground, he unleashed another sealing technique.

"Hundred Chains Burial!"

Chains erupted from the earth, writhing like serpents as they surged toward the Konoha team. They attacked from all angles, seeking to bind and crush.

Kushina stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "Don't underestimate the Uzumaki!"

Her own Adamantine Sealing Chains sprang forth, intercepting Shinji's attack. The two sets of chains clashed in mid-air, the force of their collision shaking the ground.

Meanwhile, Hiashi Hyūga charged forward, his Byakugan active. His strikes were precise and relentless.

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"

A concentrated blast of chakra struck

Shinji square in the chest, sending him flying into a tree. He coughed blood but forced himself back to his feet, his crimson eyes blazing with fury.

"You won't break me!" Shinji roared, his chakra flaring violently.

Sakumo and Minato exchanged a glance, nodding in silent agreement. Minato teleported again, appearing behind Shinji in a flash.

"Give up, Shinji. This is your last chance!" Minato said, his tone firm but not unkind.

Shinji growled, spinning to slash at Minato. But Minato anticipated the move, teleporting behind him once more. This time, he didn't hesitate.

"Rasengan!"

The swirling sphere of chakra slammed

into Shinji's back with devastating force. The impact sent him hurtling through three trees, each one splintering on contact. He finally crashed to the ground, groaning in pain, his arm bent at an unnatural angle.

Minato landed softly nearby, breathing heavily. The Konoha team surrounded Shinji, their weapons ready but their expressions wary.

Despite his injuries, Shinji pushed himself to his knees, blood dripping from his lips. His body trembled, but his eyes still burned with defiance.

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(A/N): want to know what happens next? Then give more power stones.