The Weight of a Name

Year 10 After Konoha's Founding

The golden afternoon sun bathed the Senju compound in warm light, casting long shadows across the training field. The air smelled of fresh earth and sweat, the sounds of heavy breathing and wooden clashing filling the space.

In the center of the field, five children stood, their faces glistening with sweat. They had been training since early morning, and exhaustion weighed on their limbs, but none of them dared to call for a break. Not when Tetsuma was still standing.

Senju Renji, the eldest among them at thirteen, leaned against a wooden post, smirking. His long black hair clung to his face as he crossed his arms. "Tetsuma, if you miss again, you owe me your dessert tonight."

Senju Jiro, stockier and broader than the rest, let out a low chuckle. "If he misses, he won't have the strength to eat."

Ignoring them, Tetsuma exhaled slowly, his mind razor-sharp. His dark eyes focused on the wooden training post ahead. Sparks crackled at his fingertips as blue lightning danced along his palm. The air hummed with power, making the hairs on the others' arms stand on end.

He stepped forward. His feet barely touched the ground before—

Chidori!

A high-pitched screech echoed across the compound, like the sound of a thousand birds crying out at once. Tetsuma's body blurred, his speed inhuman. In the blink of an eye, his hand pierced the wooden target, the sheer force causing splinters to explode outward.

Silence followed.

The other children stared in stunned disbelief.

Senju Satomi, the only girl in the group, brushed strands of her dark hair behind her ear, arms crossed. "It's still unstable," she noted, her sharp gaze analyzing the technique. "You lack the ability to track high-speed movement properly. If you used that in real combat, you'd leave yourself open."

Tetsuma pulled his hand back, shaking off the tingling sensation in his fingers. He already knew that. The Chidori was powerful—devastating, even—but without an advanced visual ability, its speed made it difficult to control. Even the slightest miscalculation could result in disaster.

But he had time.

At eight years old, he had invented the technique. Now, at ten, he had mastered it to an extent. The real test would come in battle.

Before he could respond, a shadow fell over them. The group turned as heavy footsteps echoed across the courtyard. A tall woman with deep red eyes and long brown hair strode toward them, her expression unreadable.

Senju Toka, the Anbu Commander.

Tetsuma straightened immediately.

The other children shifted uncomfortably. It wasn't often that the leader of Konoha's most elite forces appeared before them. And if she was here, it wasn't for a social visit.

Toka's sharp gaze swept over the destroyed target before landing on her son. "Tetsuma."

"Yes, Mother," he responded without hesitation.

She studied him for a long moment before speaking. "Report to the Anbu headquarters tomorrow morning."

The words sent a jolt through the air. The others stiffened, eyes darting between mother and son.

Anbu?

At ten years old?

Senju Keta, the quietest of the group, finally spoke. "That's… early."

Anbu recruitment was always kept secret. Even within the Senju clan, not everyone knew who among them had been chosen. But for someone this young to be selected—it was nearly unheard of.

Tetsuma merely nodded. He had expected this. He had been preparing for it.

Toka turned, her crimson eyes glinting in the afternoon light. She took a few steps before pausing. Without looking back, she spoke again.

"Pack lightly."

The unspoken meaning was clear.

You won't be coming back for a long time.

As her footsteps faded into the distance, the tension in the air lingered.

Renji let out a low whistle. "Well, shit. Guess that means we won't be seeing much of you anymore."

Satomi frowned, her brows furrowed. "Be careful," she said simply.

Tetsuma glanced at them all, noting the concern beneath their expressions. They wouldn't say it aloud, but they understood. The Anbu weren't normal shinobi. Once you entered, you became a shadow. You existed outside the village, outside normal ranks. And you never truly left.

He met each of their gazes and gave a small nod. "I'll be back."

No one responded.

Because they all knew the truth.

Once you entered the darkness, you were never really the same again.