With the Fourth Hokage taking office, Konoha had—at least on the surface—entered a new era.
To stabilize Namikaze Minato's position, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, "assisted" him in rolling out a series of policies. They were chosen carefully: popular with civilians, yet still acceptable to the major factions. Minato's prestige rose noticeably.
Of course—
whether by design or coincidence, Hiruzen's name appeared prominently alongside those policies, as if quietly reminding everyone:
The Third Hokage is still here.
And so, for a time, Konoha slipped into a relatively peaceful stretch.
…
Time passed.
Before long, it was Konoha Year 47, December 25.
With the year-end atmosphere settling in, the village felt even more prosperous and calm. After all, Konoha had secured final victory in the Third Shinobi World War, and its reputation in the shinobi world was soaring—almost arrogant in its confidence.
For a time, the other great villages—Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure—didn't dare challenge Konoha head-on.
But no one realized—
beneath that calm surface, the village was already brewing with undercurrents… like it had reached the peak right before a slow decline.
…
That evening, after another easy day at work, Uchiha Ren met up with Uzuki Yūgao and Kurenai Yūhi for dinner.
After his promotion to Elite Jōnin, Ren had become upper-tier combat power within the Konoha Military Police Force. Petty cases no longer needed him personally—most days, he only had to give a few orders and then leave the rest to his subordinates.
They ate at Ichiraku Ramen.
"Ahh…" Yūgao stepped out first, looking blissful. "I'm so full. That was amazing."
Kurenai's smile was just as satisfied. "Same."
Ren followed, relaxed and content.
These days had been unusually smooth.
The Uchiha Clan hadn't come looking for trouble—if anything, Clan Head Fugaku had increased Ren's resource support.
And on the village side, with Minato newly in office, the higher-ups were busy stabilizing Konoha, which—rarely—pushed the long-standing tension between the Uchiha and the village into a temporary ceasefire.
Ren's gaze drifted, and he sighed quietly.
If I remember right… the Uchiha's good days don't have much time left.
Next year would be Konoha Year 48.
And the Nine-Tails incident would drag the clan's fate straight into the mud—along with the village's entire political balance.
"Ren?" Kurenai noticed the shift. Her brows knit slightly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Ren brushed it off with an easy smile. "Come on. Let's go to the training ground."
"Mm."
"Okay."
Neither of them overthought it.
Lately, Ren had been drilling them regularly. In his words, they were "too soft"—and if war ever flared again, they wouldn't even have the basics to protect themselves.
…
A little over ten minutes later, the three arrived at one of Konoha's training grounds.
And as they stepped in—
they ran into Might Guy, Hatake Kakashi, and Asuma Sarutobi.
"Hahaha!" Guy grinned the second he saw Ren, bright as sunrise. "Ren ! You're training too?"
Then he puffed out his chest like he'd been waiting all day to say it.
"I just passed the Jōnin exam!" Guy announced proudly. "From today on, I'm a taijutsu specialist jōnin!"
He got so emotional he nearly teared up on the spot.
Kakashi and Asuma both looked… a little awkward.
Guy had dragged them here. They weren't really training—just tagging along because they had nothing better to do.
Kakashi took a breath and glanced at Ren. "Long time no see."
Ren gave a calm nod. "Yeah. Long time."
They'd crossed paths plenty lately.
After Minato's appointment, Kakashi—Minato's student—joined ANBU, trying to claw his way out of the darkness he'd been living in. With his new role, he inevitably dealt with the Police Force now and then.
Over time, familiarity formed—even if neither of them was the friendly type.
Asuma, meanwhile, looked irritated.
He noticed it immediately: Kurenai's attention kept drifting toward Ren.
With a quiet scowl, Asuma pulled out a cigarette, about to light it—anything to vent his mood.
Yūgao and Kurenai both frowned on instinct.
But… Asuma was the Hokage's son. They held back.
Then—
Ren's eyes flicked over.
"Smoking's not allowed here."
A faint blur.
Before Asuma could even process it, the cigarette was gone from between his fingers.
It was in Ren's hand.
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed slightly.
Even if he'd triggered his Sharingan for a heartbeat, he still wouldn't have clearly caught that movement.
So fast…
Guy's jaw dropped. "Ren, you got even stronger?! It hasn't been that long!"
Then his enthusiasm doubled like it always did.
"This is youth!" Guy roared. "Looks like I need extra training today!"
And right there—without warning—he dropped into push-ups like his life depended on it.
Ren didn't spare Asuma another glance.
He flicked the cigarette away, then reached out and took Yūgao's and Kurenai's hands, guiding them further into the training ground.
"A-ah…"
Even though it wasn't the first time, both girls still flushed instantly—cheeks warming in a heartbeat.
Asuma stood there, stunned, like his brain had short-circuited.
What the hell? I can't even smoke a cigarette?
But then reality hit him.
Ren's strength. Ren's speed.
Asuma exhaled, forced to swallow it down.
He could argue with his father—Hiruzen Sarutobi—because of who he was.
But against Ren?
He hesitated.
Retreated.
And that made the bitterness burn even hotter.
Asuma's eyes hardened.
Fine.
He clenched his jaw and made a decision in silence.
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