The Sun Rose from the West?

Night. Training Ground.

The shadow of Renye's blade split the damp air, moonlight refracting a cold silver gleam along the curve of the samurai sword.

Sweat-soaked black sleeves clung to his arms; every swing the boy made was utterly earnest.

He recalled the principles Tobirama Senju had taught him—a slight flick of the wrist, the edge cutting through the silence, drawing a sharp whistle from the air.

"Drop your shoulders, sink your elbows, drive the force to the tip of the blade." Tobirama Senju's words echoed in his ears; each strike was precise to a fault.

Renye shifted through forms without pause, from basic chops to complex combos, his movements flowing like water.

Occasionally, he would halt abruptly, replaying the last motion in his mind, pondering where he could improve.

Three years ago, Renye had realized that physical training alone wasn't enough—he needed to learn weaponry.

In battle, the one with a weapon often held the advantage.

So he'd taken the initiative to ask Tobirama Senju to teach him swordsmanship.

After three years of grueling practice, his blade work had reached a modest level of mastery.

Training over, Renye sheathed his sword.

This blade he'd bought at a high price from a ninja tool shop.

Though the material wasn't anything special, for Renye's current needs, it sufficed.

As for better weapons, he'd wait until he became a ninja and earned enough money.

Today, they'd applied to Tobirama Senju for early graduation, and he'd agreed.

Tomorrow would be their first day as ninja!

Renye found himself looking forward to the life of a shinobi from now on.

"I wonder who my team leader teacher will be?"

From what he remembered, freshly graduated genin teams were led by chunin or jonin.

New genin had no experience; on missions, problems could easily arise.

That was when seasoned chunin and jonin were needed to lead the team, ensuring mission success rates and survival.

The next day, Konoha Training Ground.

Tobirama Senju arrived with the team assignment list and announced:

"Kagami Uchiha, Homura Mitokado, Hiruzen Sarutobi."

"Koharu Utatane, Danzō Shimura, Uchiha Renye."

"Wait here. A jonin team leader will come to take you away shortly."

With that, Tobirama Senju turned and left.

He was a busy man—when did he have time to lead a team?

He left the six of them standing in the training ground, staring at each other.

Danzō's face darkened.

Damn it. How unlucky could he get?

"Heh, Danzō, never thought we'd end up on the same team."

Just thinking about bullying Danzō during future missions made Renye's grin stretch nearly to his ears.

To Danzō, Renye's smile was no different from a demon's.

"Danzō, we're teammates from now on," Koharu Utatane said.

"Mm." Danzō nodded.

Though he looked down on Koharu Utatane, she was still better than Uchiha Renye.

Before long, two middle-aged men in jonin vests arrived at the training ground.

"Little ones, I'm Tanaka Senju, and this is Yusuke Senju. We're your team leader teachers."

Tanaka Senju had a cheerful personality, while Yusuke Senju was more stern and rigid.

That the team leader jonin were Senju clan ninja didn't surprise Renye much.

If Tobirama Senju wanted someone to monitor their performance, of course he'd choose clansmen he trusted.

"From now on, I'm your team leader jonin." Yusuke Senju came before Renye and the others and spoke.

"Hello, teacher." The three bowed respectfully.

Yusuke Senju looked at their conduct and nodded in satisfaction.

"Follow me."

Soon, Yusuke Senju led Renye and the others to a riverside spot.

"This will be our assembly point from now on."

"Now then, let me see what you're capable of." He paused, then added, "The three of you work together and last half an incense stick's time against me."

At this, Renye's expression turned grave as he slowly drew his blade.

Danzō Shimura and Koharu Utatane moved to Renye's side.

The three exchanged glances, and Danzō struck first.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!"

Countless wind blades shot forth like arrows from a bowstring, hurtling toward Yusuke Senju.

Yusuke dodged them with ease, the Wind Style kicking up dust as it struck the ground.

At the same time, Renye, Samurai Sword in hand, used the dust cloud for cover and circled to the right.

The moment he spotted Yusuke Senju, he didn't hesitate—his blade slashed diagonally downward.

The sword wind grazed past the other's ear, shearing off a few strands of black hair.

"Too slow." Yusuke Senju flickered and appeared behind Renye.

In the nick of time, Koharu Utatane's chain wrapped around Yusuke's ankle. "Sensei, don't underestimate us!"

But before the words faded, Yusuke Senju whipped a Shuriken backhand, precisely severing the chain. The sharp Shuriken skimmed past Koharu's cheek, startling her into a half-step retreat.

Danzō seized the moment to form hand signs. "Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!"

Yusuke Senju leaped onto a treetop, evading the attack, and sneered down at them. "Decent coordination, but too many openings."

With that, three Shuriken flew toward the trio.

Renye parried with his blade, sparks flying.

Koharu Utatane rolled sideways, narrowly dodging the strike.

Danzō, mid-hand sign, couldn't evade in time. The Shuriken struck his shoulder, and his face instantly turned pale.

"Danzō, are you alright?" Koharu Utatane rushed to his side, about to use Medical Ninjutsu to treat him, but Danzō snapped, "Don't worry about me—go help Uchiha Renye."

Hearing this, Koharu Utatane immediately went to assist Renye.

Danzō Shimura clutched his shoulder, gritting his teeth as he rejoined the fight.

He knew his injury was holding the team back.

Yusuke Senju looked at Danzō with a hint of approval, then kicked him flying.

"If you're hurt, stay down like a good boy!"

Danzō: "???"

The battle reached its climax, the boys' gasps and the clang of weapons interweaving.

When Yusuke Senju used Earth Style to trap the three in the ground, the hourglass in his hand had just run out.

Staring at the trio with only their heads above the earth, he curled his lips. "Half an incense stick's time—barely passing."

He suddenly tossed three forehead protectors into the air. "Next time, I won't let you off so easily."

"Ah!"

One of the forehead protectors smacked squarely into Danzō Shimura's face, making his already pale complexion even whiter.

Only then did Yusuke Senju remember the three were still trapped in the ground.

"Haha, sorry about that." He quickly freed them.

After telling them to gather here tomorrow morning, he left.

Once freed, Koharu Utatane hurried to Danzō's side to treat him.

Renye picked up the forehead protectors from the ground and handed them to the other two.

"Sorry. I was the one holding us back just now," Danzō said quietly.

If not for his injury, they wouldn't have completed the task so barely.

Renye was a little surprised.

He never thought words like that would come out of Danzō's mouth.

He'd been planning to badmouth him.

But since Danzō apologized, he'd let it slide.

"It's fine. Just watch yourself next time." Renye waved a hand.

Danzō looked up in astonishment, his face a mask of disbelief.

Was he dreaming?

That bastard Uchiha Renye actually didn't badmouth him?

Had the sun started rising from the west?!

Koharu Utatane watched the two with a gentle smile.