Uchiha: Strongest Shura

Not long after, an apologetic old woman sat across from Uchiha Kagami. Her voice, though aged, carried a calming tone. "I apologize for not greeting you personally. This is poor hospitality on my part, and I kept you waiting."

Uchiha Kagami responded politely, "Not at all. I should apologize for my sudden visit. I appreciate your understanding."

Sensing Kagami's disinterest in prolonged formalities, the old woman motioned for a servant to guide the younger team through the estate. This gave the group a perfect opportunity to investigate. Renji meticulously observed everything as they moved through the sprawling mansion, noting the subtle details that might reveal more about the Amamiya family's true allegiances.

Their exploration was interrupted when the servant leading them stopped suddenly, bowing deeply. "Miss, these are guests visiting the family. I am escorting them through the mansion."

Renji's attention shifted to the figure standing in their path. A young ninja, dressed in an ornate uniform, exuded both confidence and arrogance. At a glance, one might mistake her for a man due to her attire and demeanor, but the servant's deferential address clarified her identity.

With a sneer, the girl ignored the servant and addressed the group directly. "So, you're Uchiha, one of the two most feared clans in the ninja world? I don't see what's so special about you."

Naoki Inuzuka opened his mouth to retort, but Renji placed a firm hand on his shoulder, silencing him. Without so much as a glance at the young woman, Renji spoke to the servant. "The tour isn't over. Please continue."

His dismissive tone immediately enraged the girl, her face flushing with anger. "How dare you look down on me!" she snapped. "I am Amamiya Ishida, heir to the Amamiya family and wielder of the Crystal Release bloodline!"

Renji, unbothered, smirked. "It's not that I look down on you—I simply don't consider you worth looking at."

Her pride wounded, Ishida's temper flared. Without a word, she formed a rapid sequence of hand seals, summoning several crimson crystal shurikens. They shot through the air toward Renji.

The Crystal Release was a unique and versatile kekkei genkai. It allowed the user to crystallize surrounding materials into solid, malleable structures. Depending on the user's will, the crystals could be as fragile as glass or as strong as steel. It was a formidable tool for both offense and defense.

As the shurikens sped toward him, Renji didn't move, his stance relaxed. He sneered again. "Is this the best the Amamiya family has to offer?"

The shurikens whizzed past him, missing by mere inches, and embedded themselves into the pillar behind him. The sound of impact echoed through the room.

While Renji's composure remained intact, his taunt only fueled Ishida's fury. Furious, she prepared for a full-scale assault, forming seals once more. Sensing the tension escalating, Marina quickly pulled Naoki and the servant out of the line of fire.

"Crystal Release: Crystal Pentagram Path!" Ishida roared.

Bright crimson spikes erupted from the ground, surging toward Renji like a deadly wave.

Renji's response was deceptively simple: he tossed a kunai into the air.

The motion confused Ishida. Is he mocking me? she wondered, her focus briefly shifting to the kunai. In that split second, Renji disappeared from view.

Substitution? No... there's no object nearby he could have switched with. Illusion? Ishida's mind raced. The Uchiha are known for their Sharingan, but I didn't see him activate it!

Her hesitation was her downfall. Renji appeared above her in a blur of movement, landing a powerful kick to her chin and sending her flying into the air.

Ishida struggled to recover mid-air, but Renji's speed was overwhelming. Before she could form another jutsu, he appeared above her, his fist crackling with electricity.

"Lightning Style: Thunder Barrage!"

The blows landed with precision, and Ishida was sent hurtling downward. As she braced for impact, a voice called out:

"Water Release: Cushioning Jellyfish!"

A large, water-formed jellyfish appeared beneath her, softening her landing. Though uninjured, Ishida lay motionless, overwhelmed by humiliation.

As Ishida tried to stand, determined to reclaim her dignity, a kunai flew toward her, its tip mere moments from her face. Her eyes widened in panic, but before it could strike, Kagami's hand shot out, catching the kunai effortlessly.

"That's enough, Renji," Kagami said sternly.

Renji stepped back, his expression unreadable. "Understood," he replied coolly, lowering his stance.

Ishida scowled but couldn't bring herself to look at Kagami or Renji. Her frustration boiled beneath the surface, but she knew she had lost.

The old woman entered the room, her voice calm but authoritative. "Enough, all of you. This was an unfortunate misunderstanding, and it ends here." She turned to Kagami with a faint smile. "Please forgive my granddaughter's rash behavior. No harm was done, so let us put this behind us."

Kagami nodded, though his gaze remained sharp. "Thank you for your understanding. However, discipline must be maintained, especially during such tense times."

The old woman's smile didn't falter, but Renji could sense her calculating gaze. She was testing them, using the younger generation to gauge their strength and reactions. She's not as frail as she appears, Renji thought.

Satisfied that the situation was defused, Kagami dismissed Renji with a subtle gesture. Renji silently stepped back, leaving Ishida to stew in her defeat.

As the group exited the room, Marina whispered to Naoki, "Did you see that? Renji didn't even give her a chance to counter. He's scary when he fights seriously."

Naoki nodded, still stunned by the speed and precision of Renji's attacks. "Yeah, I'm glad he's on our side."

Renji, walking a few steps ahead, smirked to himself. Despite Kagami's reprimand, he couldn't deny the satisfaction of putting the arrogant Ishida in her place. This mission just got a lot more interesting.

End of the Chapter.