Naruto: The Mist Within-Chapter 117 - 116: Harusame?

The sun had yet to rise when Ren completed his final lap around the lake.

After a brief moment to recover, he moved to the lake's edge and began his push-ups, keeping his back straight and controlling his breath.

Once finished, he stood up and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Not bad," he muttered to himself. After a quick preparation, he returned to his workshop. On the table lay a scroll filled with complex diagrams—a study on a Lightning Release-based jutsu.

Ren created a shadow clone and handed it the scroll. "Study this while I'm away," he ordered. "I want you to understand every detail and report back when I return."

The clone nodded, taking the scroll and immediately immersing itself in the study. Ren observed it for a moment before heading out—it was time to meet Ganryu for their daily training.

While I take care of daily tasks, the clone can study Static Shock Strike. It's nothing extraordinary, but a solid D-rank jutsu to further understand the Lightning element.

Arriving at their meeting spot, Ren realized Ganryu was absent. He waited for a few minutes, scanning the area, but there was no sign of his mentor.

"Strange," Ren thought. "Lately, I haven't been able to find anyone—first Utakata, now Ganryu." He shook his head, deciding not to waste time. "Fine, I'll use this chance to train alone."

He focused on a series of drills with the tanto his father had given him. A bitter smile crossed his lips.

I wonder how things would be if Tou-san was still here.

Later, Ren headed to the academy. Fujimoto-sensei's lessons began with the usual rigor, alternating between theory and practice.

"Let's move on to sparring," Fujimoto announced, breaking Ren's train of thought. The students formed a circle, awaiting their names to be called.

"Mizutani Ren versus Kurushimi Misaki," the sensei declared.

Ren stepped into the courtyard, eyeing his opponent. Misaki's expression was resolute, almost fierce, as she watched him with the intensity of someone eager to test his every skill. Ren adopted a defensive stance.

I should only reveal what's necessary, he reminded himself.

Misaki attacked swiftly, using her blood-based jutsu to control the battlefield. Ren moved with agility, dodging her strikes effortlessly. However, each of Misaki's moves was accompanied by a provocation.

"Is that all, Mizutani?" she taunted with a smirk. "I thought you'd be more interesting."

Ren ignored her words, maintaining his calculated approach.

Strange... she seemed calmer after the last exams, he thought.

But when Misaki increased her intensity, Ren decided to take things more seriously. In a quick motion, he blocked her attack and countered with a strike that barely grazed her, forcing her to step back.

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Misaki was unfazed. She took a step back and began forming a jutsu. Ren watched her movements closely, ready to react. But just as he prepared to strike, a sudden jolt of pain shot through his mind. A flood of images and information overwhelmed him, as if a wave had crashed into his consciousness.

The clone! He realized. It dispersed!

The sheer amount of memories and details from the clone's attempt to master the Lightning jutsu destabilized him, breaking his focus.

It was just a moment—but enough. Misaki's jutsu struck Ren, a blood dart embedding itself into his left shoulder. He managed to shift slightly, avoiding a deeper wound, but the impact made him stagger.

A murmur ran through the class. Many students cast disapproving looks at Misaki.

"Was that necessary?" someone muttered. "She's too violent."

Misaki stiffened, her expression shifting from confident to uncertain. But before the situation could escalate, Ren stood back up, gripping his injured shoulder.

"It's not her fault," he said firmly, drawing everyone's attention. "I got distracted. That was my mistake."

Fujimoto quickly stepped in, ending the match. "Sparring is over. Mizutani, get that wound treated."

Ren nodded and left the circle, feeling the weight of all the stares on him. As he walked to the infirmary, he absorbed the memories of the clone.

That technique consumed too much chakra. The clone dispersed before completing it. I'll need to reduce the strain in future attempts.

Despite the throbbing pain in his shoulder, a subtle smile formed on his lips.

Another mistake to correct. But at least, it's one I can learn from.

That afternoon, as had become his habit, Ren made his way to Tatsumi's shop-workshop. The air was cooler, and the mist was lighter, making the walk almost pleasant. When he arrived, he found the old Sealmaster cleaning brushes and preparing new scrolls.

"You're a few minutes late, Ren," Tatsumi greeted him without looking up. "What happened to your shoulder?"

Ren gave a faint smile. "Just a distraction, nothing serious."

Tatsumi nodded, but his eyes studied the young shinobi carefully, as if trying to read his thoughts. "Good. There's a new order, on the lower right shelf."

Ren took the order slips and immediately got to work.

The clone's review paid off. There were seals I hadn't practiced in a while, and I almost forgot them.

Tatsumi watched Ren's work in silence for a moment before nodding slightly. "You know, Ren, I have to admit—I didn't expect you to reach this level so soon."

The old man paused, continuing to observe as Ren completed the seal. "But something's distracting you," he finally said. "I know you well enough to tell when something's on your mind."

Ren stopped, brush hovering over the parchment.

Should I try the Shame no Jutsu? he wondered.

He hesitated for a moment before sighing. "I'm looking for someone," he admitted without meeting Tatsumi's gaze.

"Someone important, I assume," the master commented, raising an eyebrow. "Do you have any idea where to find them?"

"Not really," Ren admitted, pausing from his seal work. "But as I was thinking about it... it occurred to me that you might know him. His name is Harusame."

Tatsumi froze. For a moment, his hand stopped moving, and his gaze seemed lost in distant memories. When he spoke, his tone was more serious, almost solemn. "I know Harusame. He's one of the best, if not the best, Sealmaster in the village."

Ren noticed the change in the old man's expression. It was as if a shadow had fallen over him, as if the name evoked complicated memories. "Did you work with him?" Ren asked cautiously.

"A long time ago," Tatsumi replied gravely. "Harusame always had an innate talent for fuinjutsu. His ability to understand and create seals is something I've never seen in anyone else. But..." he stopped, tightening his grip on the brush. "Anyway, why are you looking for him?"

Ren remained silent, noticing how a melancholic expression flickered across Tatsumi's face. There was something unspoken, something the old master seemed reluctant to share.

"I'm looking for his student, Utakata. I haven't heard from him in a long time."

Eventually, Tatsumi exhaled and took on a more practical tone. "I understand. I can tell you where to find him." He began sketching a simple map of the neighborhood where Harusame could be found. The address was in one of the quieter areas of Kirigakure, far from the more frequented spots.

"Here," Tatsumi said, handing the map to Ren.

Ren took the parchment and studied it carefully. "Thank you, Tatsumi-sensei. This will help a lot."

The old man nodded, but as Ren prepared to leave, his voice stopped him.

"Ren," he said, looking at him with an intensity the boy had never seen before. "Harusame is a genius—but genius often carries a heavy burden. Don't lose sight of who you are while trying to understand who he is."

Those words echoed in Ren's mind as he left the shop.

Ren made his way through the mist-covered streets of Kirigakure, the quiet hum of the village in the late evening surrounded him. The map Tatsumi had given him was simple yet precise. Harusame's residence was in one of the less-traveled areas, a district that, while not abandoned, carried an air of isolation.

The deeper he went, the thicker the mist became, not unusual for Kirigakure, but something about this fog felt different. The streets grew quieter, the usual murmur of villagers fading into the distance. He soon arrived at his destination—a worn, dark-stone building standing solitary at the edge of the district. The structure bore signs of age, ivy creeping up its sides, and dust-covered windows suggesting long periods without visitors.

Ren paused, studying the scene. This is the place, he thought, gripping the map tightly. But something feels... off.

To confirm his suspicion, he activated his chakra perception, an ability he had been refining over time. Closing his eyes, he expanded his senses outward, allowing the flow of chakra in the surroundings to register in his mind.

And there they were.

Seals. Intricate, concealed, and layered. Not immediately visible to the naked eye, but woven seamlessly into the very structure of the building. They weren't offensive traps—at least, not obviously so—but their complexity suggested they served as detection barriers.

Ren narrowed his eyes. A seal for every possibility... He admired the craftsmanship. Harusame truly is a master of his craft. No ordinary shinobi could approach this place unnoticed.

He took a slow step forward, scanning the seals more closely. They weren't the standard perimeter traps used by the village's security forces. These were personal—custom-made, delicate, and designed for a specific purpose.

Do they track movement? Chakra signatures? Are they designed to react if tampered with? Ren's mind worked rapidly. One wrong move, and he could trigger something he wasn't prepared to handle.

He exhaled, focusing. I need to find the right approach. If I act recklessly, I might not get another chance.

Carefully, he traced the chakra flow of the seals, looking for a pattern—an entry point, a weak spot, or even a passkey embedded in their structure. Most Fuinjutsu masters left a way in, a subtle mechanism that allowed them or select individuals to bypass their own defenses. It was just a matter of finding it.

The wind shifted slightly, carrying the scent of damp stone and ink—ink? Ren frowned. There was freshly applied Fuinjutsu nearby. The seals had been modified recently.

This isn't just a precautionary barrier left unattended; someone has been here, actively maintaining or changing the defenses.

That meant one of two things—either Harusame was still inside, or someone else had taken an interest in his home.

Ren took a deep breath. No turning back now.

He placed his hand against the nearest surface, allowing a small, controlled pulse of chakra to interact with the seals, just enough to test their response. A faint shimmer passed through the markings—an acknowledgment of his presence.

Then, a subtle shift.

A portion of the seals dimmed momentarily, just for a fraction of a second. It wasn't much, but enough to confirm something crucial—there was a way in.

He smirked. Found it.

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