Chapter 127: A Test of Blades

Under Sasuke's lead, the small group departed Otogakure and moved with swift purpose through the dense forests bordering the Land of Sound. Their pace was relentless, a testament to the power each member now possessed.

"Boss," Suigetsu ventured, his voice cutting through the rhythm of their travel. "Are we really hunting for Orochimaru? After all this time preparing, is this how we start?"

Ren didn't break his stride. "The preparation is over. The game begins now. And I have questions for the snake that only he can answer. If your nerve is failing you, you are welcome to wait elsewhere."

"N-No! That's not it!" Suigetsu quickly backtracked.

"Then cease your prattling and keep up," Ren commanded, his tone leaving no room for further discussion.

They traveled in silence until Sasuke brought them to a halt before a cleverly concealed entrance in a rocky hillside. Inside, they found a sprawling, empty stronghold. The air was still and stale, indicating recent abandonment.

Ren surveyed the cavernous interior, a faint, knowing smile touching his lips. The layout was familiar, reminiscent of the base from his memories where a fateful reunion had once taken place.

"Is there a problem?" Sasuke asked, noting his brother's expression.

"Nothing of consequence," Ren replied. "Merely an amusing thought. Since Orochimaru isn't here, we'll use this place as a temporary base. It's more extensive than I imagined."

"I have trained here for the past three years," Sasuke stated. "I returned to the main village upon receiving your message. Orochimaru and Kabuto departed after intercepting intelligence about a meeting with an Akatsuki member."

"The Red Sand Scorpion, I assume?" Ren guessed, his smirk widening.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of surprise breaking through his stoicism. "That was the name. How did you know?"

"Konoha's puppet master," Ren mused, ignoring the question. "So, the incident at the Tenchi Bridge is imminent. It won't be long before Konoha's hounds pick up the trail and find this very place."

"That is not our concern," Sasuke said coldly. "If we are waiting, we should secure our position. I know this base. Follow me."

"Stay close," Ren ordered the others. "The passages are a labyrinth. Getting lost would be an embarrassment."

Suigetsu opened his mouth to complain but thought better of it, swallowing his words and falling in line.

They settled into the deserted base for the night. The following day passed with no sign of Orochimaru's return. Restless and brimming with the power he had cultivated, Sasuke sought out his brother in the stronghold's main training cavern—a vast, echoing space lit by glowing chakra crystals embedded in the ceiling.

"I challenge you," Sasuke stated, his voice flat but his eyes burning with intensity. "I want to measure my progress."

Ren regarded him for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "Very well. Let's see what three years under the snake's tutelage have wrought." His demeanor was relaxed, almost dismissive, which only served to stoke the fire in Sasuke's gaze.

Suigetsu, Karin, and Jūgo followed, taking positions at the edge of the training ground to observe.

The two brothers faced each other across the stone floor. Sasuke was a coiled spring of tension and focus. Ren stood with an infuriating calm, his hands resting casually at his sides.

"Show me your growth," Ren said.

"You will see it firsthand," Sasuke retorted, his hand flashing to the hilt of his chokutō. In a burst of speed, he closed the distance, the blade slicing through the air toward Ren's neck in a ruthless, horizontal arc.

*Shiiing!*

A blade of brilliant crimson met Sasuke's strike in a shower of sparks. Ren had drawn his own sword in a motion too fast to see. The weapon was stunning—a long, sleek katana that seemed to hold a inner fire. The moment chakra flowed into it, the blade glowed with a hot, red light, and waves of dry heat radiated from its surface. This was *Ryūkō Seiun* (Flowing Light, Passing Cloud), a legendary blade Ren had acquired at great cost. It enhanced fire-nature chakra and possessed abilities he had yet to fully reveal.

Sasuke felt the searing heat wash over him but didn't falter. With his sword locked, his left hand snapped forward, blue-white lightning screeching to life—Chidori, aimed directly for Ren's heart.

"Boss!" Suigetsu cried out, starting forward.

Jūgo's large hand clamped down on his shoulder. "Wait," he said calmly. "Look."

As the Lightning Cutter connected, a strange smile spread across Ren's face. His body dissolved not into a gory mess, but into a flock of cawing, dispersing crows. The illusion shattered, and Ren reappeared several yards away, completely unharmed.

"An illusion?!" Suigetsu gasped. "But... the Sharingan! How could Sasuke not see through it?"

Sasuke's face was a mask of cold fury. He discarded subtlety, his hands flying through a sequence of hand seals with practiced speed. "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" Discover more novels at NoveI-Fire.ɴet

A massive fireball roared from his lips, filling the cavern with heat and light.

Almost simultaneously, Ren's own hands moved in a blur, completing a different set. "Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu!"

A colossal dragon of water erupted to meet the fireball. The two jutsu collided in a cataclysmic explosion of steam, hissing and boiling as they canceled each other out, shrouding the chamber in a thick, hot mist.

When the vapor cleared, both brothers stood unharmed, their gazes locked. A silent understanding passed between them. This was a test of fundamentals—taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu. The Mangekyō, their ultimate trump cards, would remain sheathed.

For now.

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