Naruto : The Bloodied Spider

The Academy was no longer just a place of learning for Renkai—it had become his testing ground.

Every lesson, every sparring match, every assignment—each one was another piece of data he used to refine himself. He didn't just want to learn; he wanted to master.

But more than that…

He wanted to evolve.

And that meant pushing his limits—again and again—until he became something far beyond what this village had ever seen.

Renkai's improvements were beginning to show.

His kunai-throwing ability had already set him apart, and after weeks of training with chakra threads, he could now move two kunai independently with some level of control in his private training sessions. It still required intense focus, and he couldn't maneuver them quickly in live combat yet, but he was progressing.

During one of their standard sparring drills, Takeda Genji decided to mix things up.

"We've spent weeks working on basic engagement," Genji announced. "Today, we test your ability to handle a real fight."

Renkai's interest sharpened.

"These spars will be one-on-one, but with no restrictions on weapons this time. I will be watching closely to prevent serious injuries. The match ends when I say so."

A ripple of excitement ran through the students. Most spars had been limited to basic movements and controlled strikes, but this time, they could go all out.

A real fight.

Genji scanned the students, his gaze settling on two in particular.

"Renkai. Sarutobi Shigeru."

The class stirred.

Shigeru smirked as he stepped forward.

Renkai remained silent, but his mind was already calculating.

The moment Genji gave the signal, Shigeru moved.

Fast. Aggressive. Direct.

His foot slammed into the ground as he launched forward, closing the distance in an instant.

Renkai barely had time to dodge as Shigeru's fist cut through the air—a powerful strike that would have sent most students reeling.

But Renkai had seen it coming.

He sidestepped, letting the attack slide past him, and countered with a kunai slash—only for Shigeru to block it with his forearm.

Fast reactions.

Shigeru grinned.

"Thought you were better at keeping your distance."

Then he attacked again.

Shigeru was a powerhouse, his strikes fast and relentless. His attacks flowed like water—punches, elbows, knee strikes, each one transitioning into the next seamlessly.

But Renkai wasn't trying to match his strength.

Instead, he focused on efficiency.

He dodged—but not wildly like most students would. His movements were small, controlled, and efficient.

A slight step back. A tilt of his body. A shift in weight.

Every action minimized effort while maximizing evasion.

And then, when the moment was right—

He struck.

A kunai slash aimed for Shigeru's ribs.

Shigeru blocked it just in time, but Renkai wasn't finished.

Instead of pulling back, he pivoted on his heel, twisting his body into a sudden low sweep.

Shigeru barely managed to jump over the leg sweep—but in that split second of airborne movement, he was off balance.

Renkai's hand flicked forward.

A kunai whipped toward Shigeru's chest.

Shigeru's eyes widened—caught mid-air with no footing to dodge.

But instead of panicking—

He twisted.

The kunai skimmed his side, cutting fabric but missing flesh.

Then—he landed.

And immediately, he retaliated.

Renkai had barely changed position from his last attack when Shigeru's moved with a speed that doesn't fit a child, appearing in front of Renkai in a moment, then his foot slammed into Renkai's guard.

He had managed to block, but the sheer force sent him sliding back.

Shigeru wasn't just powerful—he was adaptable.

A direct fight wasn't in Renkai's favor. He needed to change the flow.

That meant it was time to use his chakra threads.

Shigeru dashed in again, aiming to keep up the pressure.

But this time, Renkai had a plan.

His hand flicked behind him, a kunai dropping from his sleeve—

And suddenly stopping midair.

A faint glow pulsed around it—chakra threads.

The instructor's eyes widened in disbelief.

He's already using chakra threads at this level? At his age? Unbelievable… this boy is a monster.

Shigeru's instincts screamed at him to dodge, but it was too late.

The kunai whipped forward, its speed unnatural, aimed directly for Shigeru's shoulder.

Shigeru twisted his body, barely avoiding a deep cut yet suffering a shallow one—but he hesitated after he was injured, that slight moment of hesitation was all Renkai needed.

He closed the distance, driving a second kunai toward Shigeru's torso.

Shigeru evaded with inhuman speed again, closing the gap—and landing a punch.

Renkai blocked, but instead of resisting, he moved with the force.

He let the impact drive him into a spin, using the momentum to whip his chakra-threaded kunai behind him.

Shigeru, mid-charge, barely had time to register the attack before—

A sharp pain bloomed across his other arm injuring it as well.

The kunai had grazed him—deeper this time.

Enough to make wince in pain.

That single moment—

Was the end.

Before Shigeru could regain his footing, Renkai's hand pressed against his back with a kunai.

"Match over," Takeda Genji's voice rang out.

Silence.

Then—murmurs.

The class had been watching, and now, they were stunned.

Shigeru, the Sarutobi clan member, had been pushed back.

And Renkai—the quiet, calculating student—had won.

Shigeru exhaled, rolling his shoulder as he walked over.

He held out his hand.

"…That was a good fight," he admitted. "I'll win next time."

Renkai hesitated for a fraction of a second before accepting the handshake.

"Maybe."

Shigeru grinned.

"No, definitely."

The tension broke.

And just like that, a friendly rivalry was born.

Unnoticed by Renkai, Takeda Genji was watching him closely, his expression unreadable.

There's no hesitation in his movements. This isn't a child's instinct—this is learned. But from where?

That night, Renkai trained harder than ever.

The fight had taught him something valuable.

His chakra threads weren't just weapons.

They were extensions of himself.

And if he could control them perfectly—

Then soon…

He wouldn't need to fight up close at all.

He would control the battlefield from afar.

Like a predator weaving its web.