"Training is one thing, but why do they have to live and eat together too? They only get one day home a week. I'm going to your uncle. That Kenshi isn't reliable at all. Ever since he was a boy, it's been nothing but swords. He even sleeps with one in his arms.
And I heard from Sister Aoko that on his wedding night, he brought his sword into bed! Who does that? That's insane! We should get another teacher. My brother-in-law would be better. Renji, tomorrow you're not going. I'll tell your uncle myself."
Ran stroked Renji's hair lovingly, but her eyes shot daggers at Takuma, the chatterbox father.
"Don't be ridiculous. Everyone in the clan knows this squad was handpicked. You think we can just change it? Kenshi is one of our top fighters. Even the Great Elder and the Third Elder didn't object. Don't make trouble. Worst case, I'll swallow my pride and beg him to give Renji an extra rest day." Takuma sighed.
"Top fighter? Please. He's been getting beaten up by his wife since the day they married. Aoko spends her life raising the kids while he struts around with a sword. I should go expose him right now!" Ran stood, ready to storm out.
"Mother, don't. Kenshi-sensei said this will only last half a month before we return to normal training. His methods are harsh, but effective. Don't worry, when it's over I'll come straight home to you."
Ran's anger softened at Renji's words, and the family finally sat down to a warm meal together.
At the training ground, Kenshi greeted them with a calm smile. "Everyone's here? Good. Your next training is survival. Half a month in the forest behind me. Each of you may take three shuriken, two soldier pills, and one explosive tag.
When this is over, we'll return to regular practice. I'll tailor training based on your results. Now run, boys."
His gentle tone couldn't mask the cruelty in his words.
Renji, Yan, and Retsu exchanged uneasy glances and entered the forest. They found a cave near a stream, cleared out the bear inside, and made it their shelter. Yan began cooking meat, Retsu laid traps, and Renji fetched water. For a moment, it felt like summer camp.
But Kenshi smirked from the shadows. Play while you can, kids. Tonight will be different.
That night, the boys put out the fire and kept watch in turns. In the middle of the night, one of Retsu's traps was triggered. Renji woke the others, and they crouched with their backs against the cave wall.
A howl broke the silence. Wolves. A whole pack.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!""Earth Style: Earth Wall!""Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
Their jutsu lit the night. Retsu blasted a trap overhead with flames, Yan raised an earthen wall on the left, and Renji scattered fire across the right and front.
Then came the clash of steel and fang. They fought until sunrise, exhausted and bloodied.
"Didn't think the first night would be this brutal," Yan gasped.
"Yeah… and it's only the start…" Renji muttered, nearly collapsing.
Day one: wolves.Day two: ninja wasps and a raging boar herd.Day three: chained traps in every direction.Day four and on: Kenshi himself. Ambushes. Silent strikes. Each time, he stripped them of all supplies, left them with only three shuriken each, then disappeared without a word.
Fifteen days. Fifteen days of hell.
When they finally staggered out of the forest, they felt reborn. Gone was the illusion that ninja life was a game. They had survived with nothing but grit, their brothers, and the steel in their hands. They had learned: a shinobi is someone who dances on the edge of life and death.
"Rest for three days. Go home. Meet me here afterward." Kenshi vanished in a blur.
"Home, brothers. Let's go.""Feels unreal… actually going home.""Better hurry. My mom's probably lost her mind. And looking like this, the guards might not even let me in."
Laughing and groaning, the three limped back together.
This training, more than any bell test or speech about the Will of Fire, had forged them into a true team.
From the forest shadows, Kenshi emerged with seven other Uchiha shinobi.
"We counted three waves. Nine in total. Three jonin, six chunin. Six were Root. The rest ANBU. Root were eliminated. ANBU pulled back once they spotted us, but they're still watching."
"Danzo never changes, does he?" one scoffed.
"Not just him. The Hokage himself came twice. That's more attention than I expected," another muttered, sarcasm dripping.
Kenshi's eyes hardened. "This was the point. Lord Nobunaga wanted Takuma to see with his own eyes how the village views an Uchiha prodigy. So he can stop clinging to false hopes."
Meanwhile, Takuma dragged himself home. "I'm beat. If Renji comes home and I'm not there, he'll be heartbroken…" he muttered.
"He still hopes the elders will accept us," one Uchiha whispered. "He plays the fool, but he sees plenty."
"Enough talk. Let's get a drink."
"Your treat? Ha, I don't believe it."
"Forget it. I miss home too. Let's go."
The group split into the night.
At home, Ran was waiting. "You're back? You look worn out. Did the Hokage give our son his coming-of-age gift, or did you collect it for him?" she asked coolly.
"It wasn't like that," Takuma said quickly. "Danzo tried something, but the ANBU were just monitoring."
"Monitoring? With guards? Please. Danzo's men weren't out there for a picnic." She turned for the door.
"Where are you going?" Takuma asked, confused.
Ran's Sharingan gleamed, three tomoe spinning as she pulled on her battle gear. "Meeting some sisters. We're buying food and drinks. Our boy's grown now. Tonight, he can have his first cup." And with that, she was gone.
"Unbelievable… only now she remembers to prepare something," Takuma muttered, but Ran only hissed "Idiot" under her breath as she walked away.
Her comrades were already waiting. "You're late, Ran."
"Where's my gear? Targets set?"
"Here. Tsubaki and Sora marked the locations," one replied.
"Good. Ten minutes. Drop the food at Keiko's house so I can grab it on the way back." Ran strapped on her gear, a warrior reborn.
Ten minutes later, Ran returned home with bags of food.
"Son! You're home! I missed you so much. Look at you, all skinny! I bought you all your favorites. Dinner will be ready soon. Wait just a bit," she chirped, complaining about stingy market vendors as she bustled inside.
Renji stared at her back in silence.
That smell… it wasn't from the marketplace.
It was blood. Human blood.
.
.
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