Location: The Mountain Range of Kumogakure – Skies of the Storm Fortress
The clouds above Kumogakure rumbled, bolts of lightning flashing like the roar of gods. Wind howled across the peaks, warning all intruders to turn back.
Ren didn't.
He stood at the edge of the cliff, arms crossed, his dark cloak billowing behind him. At his back stood Hinata and Haku, while further off, Mei watched silently, her expression unreadable.
"They'll see us as enemies," Hinata warned, her Byakugan already active.
"They'll see us as what we are," Ren replied coolly. "The new rulers of this age."
He raised a hand.
A swirling black portal opened in the air—a tear from the Pocket Hunting Dimension. Shadow soldiers began to pour out, their steps silent, their armor humming with shadowfire.
The thunder rumbled again—but it wasn't natural.
Chakra was gathering in the sky.
A challenger was coming.
Location: Kumogakure – Outer Watch Tower
"Unknown chakra signatures approaching the northwest ridge!" barked the shinobi at the outpost. "And… a breach in space-time. Multiple readings. It's not summoning—it's something else."
"Let me guess," came a sultry voice from the back, "a man in black, looks like he owns the world?"
All heads turned as Samui, captain of the elite Kumo kunoichi squad, adjusted her gloves and cracked her neck.
"I'll handle it," she said simply.
"And if he tries something?"
She smirked. "Then I'll show him how Kumo women say no."
Location: Ridge Overlooking the Hidden Cloud
Samui appeared in a flash of lightning, flanked by two elite jonin. She stared at the figure standing at the edge of her homeland's domain.
"Ren Uchiha," she said, eyes narrowed. "So the rumors are true. You're recruiting across nations, stirring shadows, and seducing leaders."
Ren chuckled. "Flattering. But I don't seduce. I reveal truth."
Samui crossed her arms. "And what truth is that?"
"That power is freedom. That the old ways are broken. That I offer strength, protection, and unity… to those worthy."
Her brow arched. "And you think I'm one of them?"
"No," he said, stepping forward, his Sharingan glowing. "I know you are."
For a moment, silence. Then, Samui blurred—vanishing in a burst of speed.
Ren didn't flinch.
Her fist met his palm, and the air cracked with lightning.
"Good," Ren said, smirking. "I hoped you'd test me."
Location: Hidden Valley – Hours Later
The battle was brief, but meaningful. She challenged his resolve, his ideals, his strength. And when the storm passed, she lay beside him—gazing into the swirling void of the dimension they now shared.
Samui was calm, but her eyes no longer cold.
"I thought you were just another arrogant Uchiha," she murmured.
"I am," he admitted. "But I'm also something new. Something bigger."
She smirked, then placed her hand on his chest.
"Fine. I'll walk your path… but I'm not kneeling."
He grinned. "Never asked you to."
[Samui: Claimed – "Thunder Vein Bride"][Ren Unlocks: "Storm Pressure – Speed Pulse Amplification"][Land of Lightning: Chakra Balance Disrupted – Rumors Begin]
Location: Raikage Tower – Next Day
Ay, the Fourth Raikage, stood staring at the storm reports, his jaw tense.
"He took Samui?" he muttered.
"Yes, sir," said Darui, frowning. "No signs of conflict after the initial encounter. But… she's not resisting."
The Raikage clenched his fists. "This Ren is building an empire… one queen at a time."
Darui nodded. "What do we do?"
"We prepare."
End of Chapter 34