Chapter 67: The Inevitable Clash

With Ren’s identity confirmed, a torrent of questions erupted, each one probing the boy they had thought they knew.

“Will you answer some questions for me?” Kakashi asked, tone weary yet measured.

“Hmph. For Ino’s sake, I’ll indulge your curiosity. Make it quick,” Ren replied, arms crossed, his demeanor unshakable.

“The night you disappeared from Konoha… was it as Ino suspected? Did Sasuke take you with him?”

“You could say I left Konoha alongside Sasuke,” Ren confirmed, technically true. He had used the chaos of Sasuke’s defection as his cover.

“Then why aren’t you with him now?”

“I said I left with him. I never said I was following him.”

Kakashi’s single eye narrowed. “So the truth is, you had already recovered your faculties while still in Konoha. You were never the incapacitated boy everyone believed you to be. Yet you told no one. Even your own brother. Why?”

“To leave Konoha, of course,” Ren replied casually, as if the answer were self-evident. “If anyone had known, my departure would have been far more difficult.”

“To leave Konoha?” Kakashi pressed. “Was it to seek revenge on Itachi Uchiha?”

Ren’s expression darkened slightly, but he did not answer.

“Then why impersonate Sasuke? Why carry out attacks under his name? Was it to conceal your own identity?”

“I never once claimed to be Sasuke,” Ren retorted, dismissively waving a hand. “You all assumed it. I simply couldn’t be bothered to correct you. It suited my purposes.”

A frustratingly valid point. He had never verbally claimed the identity—just allowed their preconceptions to do the work.

“…I see,” Kakashi said, the pieces clicking together.

Ren’s patience thinned. “So, are we done with the questions?”

“For now. Any further discussion can wait until Konoha.”

“Back in Konoha?” Ren scoffed, laughter cold and sharp. “You misunderstand. I never agreed to return.”

“Hmph. While Sasuke was convicted, you committed the crimes in Hoshigakure. Sasuke took the blame. Now that the truth is clear, you will return with us and face the judgment of the Fifth Hokage.”

“Ha! You want me to go back? Stop joking. Not happening.” Ren’s voice was icy, final.

“Ren?” Ino’s voice trembled, small and pleading. “Why won’t you come back? Are you… afraid Lady Tsunade will punish you?”

“No, it’s not that,” Ren said softly, his tone almost gentle as he looked at her.

“Then why? What is the reason? Tell me!”

“I’m sorry, Ino,” he said, eyes holding genuine regret. “For reasons I can’t share, I cannot return—not until I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. Revealing it could put you in danger. Please… do not ask again. Once it’s done, I will come find you.”

“But—” Ino began, but Kakashi’s voice cut sharply through her protest.

“Enough,” he said, shifting from interrogator to combatant. “Do you honestly believe I will allow you to walk away so easily?”

Ren’s smirk returned, sharp, dangerous. “Really? And what do you plan to do about it?”

“If you will not come willingly, I have no choice but to subdue you by force and bring you back to Konoha.” Kakashi’s tone was calm, but his body tense, every nerve alert.

“Really? Let’s see if you have what it takes!” Ren’s grin widened, Sharingan flaring with anticipation.

“Naruto, do not intervene. Stay back, but watch him. If he tries to flee, stop him. Understood? Ino, you too. Step back and follow orders.” Kakashi’s voice was calm but firm.

“Mr. Kakashi, you can’t fight him!” Ino cried, fear for Ren eclipsing everything else.

“Yeah! Ren, you should just come back! You’re no match for Kakashi-sensei!” Naruto added, genuine concern in his voice.

“Ren, please,” Ino begged, clutching his arm. “Whatever you need to do, we can help! Together!”

Ren’s tone was gentle but firm. “Ino, don’t argue. Just follow Kakashi’s instructions.”

“No! If I leave, you’ll fight! I won’t let you!” she refused, tightening her grip.

“Uchiha Ren,” Kakashi’s voice hardened. “Come willingly. I do not wish to hurt you.”

“Oh? You have no desire to hurt me?” Ren’s expression chilled. “Are you confident you even can?” he thought privately, amused at Kakashi’s presumption. “I have no wish to harm you either. But if you persist, I’ll apologize to Ino later.”

“This is your last warning. Ino, step back!” Kakashi commanded.

Ren echoed softly, attempting to pry her off gently. “Ino, step back now.”

“No!” she insisted, clinging with desperate strength.

“Fine. Look at me,” Ren said, voice compelling, commanding.

“What?” she asked, instinctively meeting his gaze.

The moment their eyes locked, the tomoe in Ren’s Sharingan spun, unleashing a simple yet potent genjutsu. Ino’s eyes fluttered, body going limp as she fell unconscious into his arms.

“Sleep for now,” he murmured, catching her carefully. “When you wake, it will all be over.”

Ren created a Shadow Clone, which took Ino into its care.

“Take her to Shikamaru. They’ll look after her.”

“Understood,” the clone replied, tone bordering on arrogant, before dispensing itself into smoke, leaving the group with their hearts heavy.

Shikamaru muttered under his breath. “Even as a clone, he’s insufferably cocky.”

Ren, back with his original body, felt relief wash over him, knowing Ino was safe.

“Now,” he said, turning to Kakashi, Sharingan blazing. “It’s just the two of us. Let’s see what the legendary Copy Ninja is truly capable of.”

“Is that what you want?” Kakashi’s hand moved to his headband, ready to unveil his own Sharingan. “Then allow me to show you.”

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