"Who is this new squad captain? Anyone know?" one Uchiha asked lazily, sitting on the ground.
Another leaned against a tree. "I know him. We used to play together as kids."
"My mom said it's Aunt Lan's son, the one who graduated early. Uchiha Renji," a boy leaning on his blade added.
"Oh, so it's him. The so called strongest genin?"
"No, wasn't he called the youngest genin?"
"So our squad is really that bad? A genin as captain?"
"I heard he pulled strings. The clan head is his uncle. He traded a jutsu to get the rank."
"Yeah, my uncle said the same. He used his grandfather's jutsu and peddled it around everywhere…"
The gossip grew louder as more people gathered. Soon it was time to assemble. Three figures appeared in the distance. It was the trio from the old Fourth Division: Renji, Yan, and Retsu.
Everyone knew Yan and Retsu well. Their squads patrolled adjacent sectors and their captains often worked together. The boy leading them needed no introduction, everyone had heard the rumors. Renji raised a hand. His two teammates immediately understood and called their squads into line.
Four squads stood without leaders, their members drifting closer, unconsciously forming up behind Renji. He chuckled.
"My name is Uchiha Renji. I just returned from training abroad. You've all heard the talk that I got this rank and title by trading my grandfather's jutsu. That's true. I did ride my grandfather's legacy."
Faces darkened. Some scoffed, some looked angry. The boy with the sword laughed outright.
"That's the right reaction. If I were you I'd want to challenge me too. That's the Uchiha way. So I won't waste words." He held up a single finger.
"As long as one of you, yes, just one, can beat me, the captain's seat is yours. No hesitation. Whoever wins takes it."
He pulled out a scroll and handed it to Retsu. "This is the appointment letter. The name slot is blank. Whoever wins writes their name."
He grinned. "We're Uchiha. We call ourselves the strongest clan. If the strongest can't be captain, what's the point? Let's begin."
Renji stepped to the center, closed his eyes, and stood waiting. He had no time to win them over slowly. He would beat them all at once. That was Uchiha spirit. That was youth.
A squad leader stepped forward. "I'm Uchiha Cha. I've heard of you, but hearing isn't seeing. You've been gone for years. Now you come back and sit above me. No one would like it. But the way you're handling this proves you're a true Uchiha. Win or lose, I'll acknowledge you. Let's fight."
They sealed for combat.
Cha rushed in. "Fire Style, Phoenix Sage Fire!"
Renji countered instantly. "Earth Style, Mud Wall. Fire Style, Great Dragon Flame."
Cha threw up his own wall, preparing another move, only to hear behind him, "Earth Style, Headhunter Jutsu."
He was dragged underground. Yan stepped forward. "This round goes to Renji."
Cha's teammates pulled him free. He bowed to Renji, then moved his squad to stand behind him, not too close but close enough to show respect.
Another boy came forward, sword in hand. "I'm Uchiha Hualuo, but my friends call me Big Hua. Let's agree first, if I lose, no running to Aunt Lan to scold my mom. Okay?" He laughed and sealed for combat.
He flicked three shuriken in a triangular spread and followed with sword forms. "Uchiha Sword Style, Flame Leap. Uchiha Sword Style, Swift Combo."
Renji's blade flashed. "Draw Cut, Sky Rend. One Blade Style, Godspeed."
The shuriken were batted away. His combo shattered. Renji's strike drove straight in, stopping with the tip before Hualuo's eye. The wind from the cut ruffled his hair.
Defeat was clear.
"As expected. My mother always said your grandfather drilled you hard. Only upper rank swordsmen can compare now." Hualuo sheathed his blade and smiled. "Our mothers are close. Let's be brothers too. But I'll keep challenging you."
Renji nodded. "Then visit often. Sparring partners sharpen each other. A move is dead on its own. It only lives in real exchanges."
Hualuo muttered, "So that's what I was missing." He grinned. "I'll drop by, Renji." Then he went to stand near Cha.
A broad shouldered youth strode out. "I'm Uchiha Xingye. Enough of this sword nonsense. Our clan's real power is elsewhere. Time to show you."
He activated his double tomoe Sharingan. "Shadow Clone Jutsu." Three figures appeared, all hurling shuriken while charging.
Renji smiled faintly. Sharingan illusions?
He leapt back. "One Blade Style, Swallow Return."
The two charging clones vanished. The shuriken shattered. One of them turned back into Xingye's real body.
Renji pointed at him. "You used Transformation first, then cast genjutsu to mask the decoys. Clever."
He looked around at the others still hesitating. "Anyone else?" Silence.
"Then let's raise the stakes. From now on I'll take two challengers at once. If I win, then three. I'll keep going until no one stands."
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Every shinobi carries a destiny, but only a few dare to peek behind the veil of fate. Renji's next steps are already etched in shadow, waiting for those who have the will to see beyond the surface. If your spirit burns strong enough, follow the trail into the unseen: patreon.com/PurgatorialPoet