Main Gate of Konoha — Dawn
The sky above Konoha was still painted in soft purple and gold when Izuna arrived at the massive wooden gates. The air was cool and smelled of damp earth and pine.
He adjusted the strap of his mission pack, feeling the weight of new kunai tapping against his hip. Today was his first real step as a shinobi — and he was ready for it.
Standing by the gate were his teammates: Taro, a civilian-born kid with short black hair and sharp eyes that always looked annoyed, and Kenji, a quiet boy from a small clan with sandy brown hair and a scar across his eyebrow. They both glanced at Izuna but said nothing — the tension between them hadn't gone away.
Their Jonin sensei, Jiro-sensei, stood leaning against the gatepost with his arms folded. His flak jacket was open at the collar, and he had an old scar running along his jaw. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, but his eyes were clear and alert.
"You're early," Jiro said. He gave Izuna a nod of approval. "Good. Punctuality is a shinobi's best armor."
Taro muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Izuna to hear. "Or maybe it's just another way to show off."
Izuna ignored him. He stared straight at the gates instead, at the road winding out into the forest and all the danger it promised.
One mission at a time, he thought. One step closer.
Just then, there was a sudden lazy voice behind him.
"Yo, Izuna!"
He turned and found Kakashi walking up, his hands in his pockets, a half-bored grin on his face.
Kakashi stopped a few paces away, glanced at Jiro and the two Genin, then smirked at Izuna.
"So… the genius Uchiha finally gets to leave the village for real, huh? Try not to get lost."
Izuna narrowed his eyes. "Jealous already?"
Kakashi clicked his tongue. "Nah. Just making sure you don't embarrass the rest of us when you trip over your fancy new kunai."
Kenji and Taro exchanged glances — they'd never seen Kakashi, the prodigy Chunin, talk like that to anyone.
Jiro cleared his throat. "If you're done bragging, Hatake, we have a mission briefing."
Kakashi leaned in closer to Izuna, ignoring Jiro.
"Don't get yourself killed. If you do, I'll be bored without my rival."
Izuna smirked. "Try not to cry when I come back stronger than you."
They bumped fists — just for a second — and Kakashi turned to leave, giving Taro and Kenji a sharp glance on his way out.
"You two — keep up with him if you can."
⸻
The Mission Briefing
Jiro stepped forward, voice flat but firm. "Listen up. We're escorting a merchant caravan halfway to Tanzaku Town. Standard C-Rank — but we treat every mission like an A-Rank until proven otherwise. Eyes sharp. Hands ready."
Taro scoffed. "What's so dangerous about a few wagons and old men?"
Jiro's eyes narrowed. "Bandits don't care how young you are, Taro. Or how special you think you are. Keep your guard up."
Izuna felt the weight of his pack settle more firmly on his shoulders. He glanced at the massive gates, slowly opening with a groan that echoed through the cool morning air.
Beyond the Gates
As the morning sun spilled onto the dirt road, the world beyond Konoha seemed both familiar and terrifying. Tall trees swayed gently, birds sang somewhere in the distance — but beneath it all lurked shadows that could swallow you whole if you weren't ready.
Jiro signaled with a curt wave.
"Stay in formation. Watch each other's backs. No heroics."
Taro let out a soft, annoyed sigh but fell into step behind Izuna. Kenji walked silently on Izuna's other side, glancing at him once before looking away.
First real mission, Izuna thought. First real test.
And in the back of his mind, just for a second, Danzo's shadowy grin flickered — a reminder that the true enemies were never just bandits on the road.
As the village walls disappeared behind them, Izuna adjusted the straps on his pack for the third time. The kunai pouches felt heavier than usual, clinking softly with every step. The birdsong overhead did little to calm the steady drum of his heartbeat.
Last night… he thought, almost rolling his eyes.
His father, Raizen, had sat him down for what was supposed to be "a quick talk" about his first long mission. It turned into a two-hour lecture, full of checklists and reminders.
"Did you pack enough rations? What about the antidote pills? You never know when bandits might poison you — always carry neutralizing herbs!"
Raizen had repeated it three times, making Izuna unpack and repack his gear twice. By the end, his mother brought him tea just to keep him awake.
I bet Kakashi didn't have to listen to a two-hour survival lesson, Izuna thought, glancing at the faint trail where Kakashi had disappeared earlier. That idiot's probably napping on a rooftop right now.
He shifted his eyes forward, focusing on the dirt road winding ahead. Taro was grumbling again — something about how he should've been the team leader, not "some Uchiha genius." Kenji ignored him, eyes darting to the tree line every few seconds. Jiro walked at the front, his posture casual, but his eyes sharp as ever.
They don't like me, Izuna thought. Not really. They think I didn't earn this spot. They think I'm just Raizen's son.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the calluses on his palm. I'll prove them wrong. And when I do…
His thoughts flicked back to Raizen's voice again: "Even the best plan can fail if you forget the small things. Your enemy can poison your food, and your wounds can rot if you don't clean them. The powers can't save you from carelessness, Izuna."
Yeah, yeah, old man, Izuna thought. I heard you the first twenty times.
The Road Ahead
The forest canopy stretched overhead, sunlight slicing through the leaves like shards of glass, casting restless shadows on the dirt path. Every rustle of the wind, every snap of a twig, felt like a warning. Somewhere just ahead, the soft clatter of wagon wheels echoed — the caravan they'd sworn to protect was close.
Jiro's voice broke the quiet, sharp and calm. "Izuna, you're with me up front. Kenji, cover the rear. Taro, stick close to the merchant — and keep your mouth shut."
Taro grumbled, "Why do I always end up with the old man?"
"Because," Jiro said dryly without missing a step, "he's the only one who won't punch you in the face."
Kenji stifled a laugh, and Izuna cracked a brief smile, the familiar teasing cutting some tension.
But the smile faded as Izuna's eyes flicked over the dark shapes beneath the trees. Stay alert. Every step counted. No slip-ups. Not here. Not now.
His thoughts drifted — If Danzo's lurking nearby… if Root's watching us from the shadows…
His fingers wrapped tightly around the kunai at his belt. The cold steel was a small comfort, a steady reminder: he was ready.
This is just the beginning, he told himself. One mission at a time. I'll keep everyone safe — no matter what it takes.
A soft breeze whispered through the branches, carrying the scent of dust and fallen leaves. For a heartbeat, Izuna let his shoulders loosen, his breath steady.
"Caravan's in sight," Jiro called, eyes sharp as ever. "Stay sharp."