Chapter 3 Squad 8

Konoha, Third Training Ground

Thud! Thud!

Renzo jogged through the familiar training ground, his footsteps barely disturbing the peaceful morning air. The third training ground was as scenic as ever, with a gentle river running through its center and lush forests on either side.

In the distance, the towering mountains stretched across the horizon, their peaks basking in the golden glow of the rising sun. The clear blue sky made everything feel even more serene.

At the center of the clearing, three wooden stumps stood in a neat row, and beside them stood three figures—two around his age and one significantly older.

"Good morning! I didn't keep you waiting too long, did I?" Renzo greeted as he approached, his tone carrying a slight hint of apology.

"Nah, we just got here ourselves," responded a silver-haired boy with dark, calm eyes and a gentle smile. "Though it's rare for you to be the last one to show up. Couldn't sleep because of Lord First's passing?"

The boy's name was Hatake Sakumo, his sharp yet kind demeanor making him stand out. He wore a full black training outfit, his short blade strapped securely to his back, always ready for use.

Before Renzo could answer, their squad leader cut in, his curious gaze locked onto him.

"Maybe that's the case," the man mused. "I mean, if you didn't have deep admiration for Lord First, you wouldn't stand before his grave for that long, right?"

The man questioning him was Akimichi Torifu, their Jonin instructor. Unlike the towering bulk of his clan's more famous members, Torifu had a more compact but sturdy build. His face bore the red markings of the Akimichi, with dark circles around his eyes.

His short, spiky brown hair gave him a rougher look, and his attire—a standard black shinobi suit layered with a gray breastplate and faulds—was designed for both mobility and defense. His forehead protector, uniquely shaped like a small hat, made him instantly recognizable.

Renzo hesitated for the briefest moment before nodding.

"It was just a momentary thought," he admitted, keeping his voice neutral. "After everything Lord First did for the village, I couldn't help but stay a little longer."

Of course, that wasn't the real reason—he was busy copying Tobirama's abilities. But there was no way he could say that.

Standing quietly nearby was the fourth member of their squad, a girl with an icy expression and unreadable eyes.

She was fair-skinned with long, straight black hair cascading down her back. A high-collared, form-fitting blue combat outfit with subtle red and black accents adorned her frame, its design both stylish and practical. Fingerless gloves covered her hands, and a kunai holster was strapped securely to her right upper thigh.

But what stood out the most was the unmistakable Uchiha fan emblem displayed on the back of her outfit.

Uchiha Reika.

She wasn't just any Uchiha—she was the niece of Uchiha Setsuna, one of the clan's influential elders.

For nearly a year now, the four of them had been working together as Squad 8, successfully completing missions. They were known as one of the village's most promising Genin teams.

Renzo turned back to Torifu, his tone casual but confident.

"So, Sensei, what's the plan for today? Training or a mission?"

Torifu's expression turned serious.

"We'll be taking on missions for a while," he said firmly. "Lord First's death has caused a lot of unrest. The number of requests flooding in from across the Land of Fire and even neighboring allied nations has increased dramatically."

His words cast a shadow over the peaceful morning.

Sakumo's expression shifted, a hint of concern flickering in his eyes. Meanwhile, Renzo simply exhaled, his face unreadable—but internally, he wasn't surprised in the slightest.

With his knowledge of what was to come, he already knew that Hashirama's death was just the beginning.

The balance of power that had kept the shinobi world in check was now gone. What followed would be border skirmishes, internal power struggles, and eventually... war.

The looming chaos wasn't a question of 'if'—it was a matter of 'when.'

Without wasting any more time, Squad 8 left the training ground and made their way toward the Hokage Building, located right beneath the great stone faces of the Hokage Monument.

As always, Torifu was in charge of picking their missions. After carefully going through the available options, he selected one he deemed the most suitable for his team.

With their new assignment in hand, Squad 8 soon arrived at Konoha's massive entrance gate.

Their destination?

Tanzaku Town, near the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass—a place known for its bustling markets, gambling dens, and frequent trouble.

Their mission had officially begun.