"Ah… this…"
Rin hesitated.
Her gaze drifted downward, and a faint blush crept across her cheeks. Even the tips of her ears turned red as she fidgeted, her fingers nervously twisting together behind her back.
"For now… there's only one," she said softly. "I didn't have time to make more yet… but later, I might make them for everyone…"
Her voice grew quieter toward the end, almost as if she regretted saying too much.
Ren paused for a moment.
Then—
He understood.
It wasn't hard to figure out. The way she avoided his eyes, the shy hope hidden in her expression—it all made sense.
Without teasing her or making things awkward, Ren carefully accepted the amulet. His movements were gentle, deliberate, as though he instinctively understood that what he held wasn't just a simple charm.
"It's really well made," he said with a small, sincere smile. "I'll keep it with me."
"Thank you, Rin."
"Mm!"
Rin finally let out the breath she had been holding.
Her shoulders relaxed instantly, and her face brightened as she looked up at him, unable to hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
"Then… you should go prepare your ninja tools," she said quickly, regaining some composure. "From what Minato-sensei said… this mission might be dangerous."
She hesitated for just a second before adding,
"We're leaving tomorrow morning."
"Got it."
---
The Next Day
Early morning.
The sky was still dim, painted in pale shades of blue as Konoha slowly stirred awake.
Inside his room, Ren stood in silence, performing a final check.
Kunai—secured.
Shuriken—packed.
Explosive tags—counted and sealed.
Nothing missing.
He tightened the straps of his ninja tool pouch, making sure everything sat firmly against his waist. Then, reaching behind him, he drew out the short sword Kakashi had given him.
Shing—
The blade slid out smoothly.
Its surface reflected the faint morning light, clean and sharp.
Ren gave it a few light swings.
Balanced.
Responsive.
It felt right.
After a brief moment, he sheathed it again, a quiet sense of confidence settling in his chest.
Satisfied, he stepped outside.
"Be careful," his mother, Mikami Aoi, said from the doorway.
Her voice was steady, but the worry in her eyes was impossible to hide.
"I will."
Ren gave a small nod.
There were no long goodbyes, no dramatic promises—just a simple exchange of trust.
Then he turned and left.
---
Rin was already waiting outside.
The two of them exchanged a brief glance before falling into step beside each other.
No unnecessary words.
They walked together toward the village gate.
The morning mist still lingered along the roads, wrapping the village in a soft, quiet calm.
By the time they arrived—
Minato and Kakashi were already there.
And they weren't alone.
A carriage stood nearby, loaded with crates and bundles, all tightly secured with ropes. Several medical ninja wearing dark green flak jackets moved around it, checking supplies and organizing equipment with practiced efficiency.
Ren's eyes swept across the group—
And suddenly stopped.
"…Senior Jaci?"
The woman he called out to turned in surprise.
"Ah… Ren? Rin?"
It was indeed Jaci—the instructor from their medical training class.
Her expression softened into a warm smile.
"I didn't expect to see you two here," she said. "Looks like we'll be traveling together."
"Are you heading out too?" Rin asked.
Jaci nodded.
"Yes. I've been assigned to Wildfire City, on the western border of the Land of Fire."
She didn't elaborate further.
Ren noticed that immediately.
A sensitive assignment.
There was no need to ask more.
Rin seemed to understand as well, choosing to remain silent.
---
Time passed.
Minato checked the time once.
Then again.
And again.
Kakashi, standing beside him, looked increasingly impatient.
Just as the atmosphere began to tighten—
"Sorry! I'm late!!"
A familiar voice echoed from down the road.
Obito came sprinting toward them, panting heavily. His goggles sat crooked on his face as he tried to fix them mid-run.
"My grandma made me drink another bowl of soup—!"
Minato sighed, a helpless smile forming on his face.
"Next time, manage your time better, Obito."
Then he clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright. Everyone's here."
"Let's move out."
---
They passed through the gates of Konoha—
And stepped into the forest beyond.
For the first time since becoming official ninja—
They were leaving the village.
---
The journey began smoothly.
As they traveled, Minato didn't waste the opportunity to teach.
"Pay attention to the ground," he said calmly.
"The depth of footprints, disturbed moss—these can tell you how many people passed through, and in which direction."
Kakashi added from the side,
"And how recently."
Minato nodded in agreement.
"When moving through forests, choose harder ground whenever possible. It reduces the traces you leave behind."
He pointed ahead.
"And when selecting a campsite, prioritize water sources and visibility. Avoid unstable terrain… and animal dens."
These were lessons they had heard before in the academy.
But now—
They carried real weight.
Rin even pulled out a small notebook, quickly jotting down everything she could.
Ren didn't write.
He memorized.
Because in the field—
Knowledge like this could mean the difference between life and death.
---
That evening, they stopped to rest.
As the others settled down, Ren walked over to Kakashi.
"Kakashi."
"…Mm?"
"Want to train?"
Kakashi opened his eye immediately.
"…Sure."
---
Moments later—
Clack! Clack! Clack!
The sharp sound of wooden blades echoed through a nearby clearing.
Their sparring had become routine.
Every opportunity they had—
They fought.
And every time—
Ren improved.
But also—
Every time—
He was pushed to his limits.
---
Inside his mind, a familiar voice echoed.
---
[Hatake Sword Style]: "Hmph. After all this practice, still this immature? With such a mindset, how can you carry my will? Again!"
[Hatake Sword Style]: "Your form is scattered. Your intent is chaotic. Like a leaf caught in a storm!"
[Hatake Sword Style]: "That strike… barely acceptable. But still like a firefly trying to rival the moon. Remember this—true swordsmanship is like lightning. Decided in an instant!"
---
Ren twitched slightly.
Annoying.
Extremely annoying.
But—
Not wrong.
Every word held meaning.
He steadied his breathing.
Focused.
Adjusted.
His stance became firmer.
His movements cleaner.
His strikes sharper.
---
Meanwhile—
Rin approached Minato and Obito quietly.
In her hands were two more amulets.
They were slightly rougher than the one she had given Ren earlier.
But still—
Made with care.
"Minato-sensei… Obito…"
She held them out shyly.
"These are… good luck charms."
Minato blinked in surprise.
Then smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Rin."
He accepted it with both hands.
"I'll treasure it."
---
Obito, however—
Exploded.
"WHAT?! You made this for me?!"
His eyes widened dramatically.
"This is amazing!! Rin—you really care about me!!"
He clutched the amulet tightly, as if it were the most valuable thing in the world.
Then—
He turned his head.
And shot a smug look toward Ren in the distance.
See that?!
Special treatment!!
---
Rin opened her mouth.
"…Um…"
But in the end—
She said nothing.
---
Three Days Later
The journey continued.
One day.
Two days.
Three.
No enemy ninja.
No ambushes.
Only occasional wild animals—
Which were quickly dealt with.
Sometimes—
They even became dinner.
---
During these days—
Ren improved.
Significantly.
Under Kakashi's pressure—
And the relentless guidance of Hatake Sword Style—
His swordsmanship began to evolve.
His stance stabilized.
His movements sharpened.
His strikes—
Became decisive.
For the first time—
His blade carried intent.
---
Until—
That moment.
As they moved through a dense mountain forest—
Kakashi suddenly appeared from ahead.
His expression was serious.
"Minato-sensei."
"There are people ahead."
He paused.
"A lot of them."
"Bandits, most likely."
"They're closing in fast."
---
Minato's expression changed instantly.
He raised his hand.
"Stop."
The entire team halted.
The atmosphere tightened in an instant.
"Everyone—on alert."
His voice remained calm—
But firm.
"Obito, Rin—protect the medical team and supplies."
"Kakashi, Ren—take the flanks."
"Understood!"
They moved immediately.
Formation shifted.
The medical team gathered at the center.
Protected on all sides.
Ren stepped to the right flank.
His hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
Calm.
Focused.
Ready.
---
Then—
Footsteps.
Many of them.
Fast.
The bushes ahead shook violently—
And burst open.
A group of rough-looking men emerged, weapons in hand, eyes filled with greed and hostility.
Bandits.
They had arrived.
---
The first real battle of their mission… had begun.