Three days later, inside the Hokage's office.
"Break time is over. It's time for you to head to the battlefield," Senju Tobirama said to the three—Renya, Shimura Danzō, and Koharu Utatane.
The war between Iwagakure and Kirigakure had lessened the pressure on Konoha in the Shinobi War.
Even with two allies gone, Kumogakure's aggression toward Konoha never ceased.
On the northeastern front, battles between Konoha shinobi and Kumogakure ninja continued without pause.
The Land of Lightning was second only to the Land of Fire among the Five Great Nations—its strength could not be underestimated.
Lately, the Raikage had increased the number of troops, seemingly dead-set on defeating Konoha.
The situation on the battlefield had grown increasingly tense, and casualties were mounting on both sides.
With other Konoha shinobi fighting bravely on the front lines, Tobirama could not allow Renya and the others to remain resting in the village.
Tobirama was not someone prone to hesitation, nor would he ever play favorites.
Even if they were his students...
The fact that Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others were still on the northeastern front was proof of that.
"Kumo-nin specialize in taijutsu and Lightning Release techniques. Be extra careful on the battlefield," Tobirama reminded them.
These three were the future of the village—he didn't want them dying in the war.
"Got it," Renya nodded lightly.
Shimura Danzō and Koharu Utatane both answered solemnly.
"Understood, sensei!"
They could hear the concern in their teacher's voice and felt deeply moved.
Tobirama gave them a long, meaningful look, then waved his hand.
"Since that's the case, head to the northeastern front immediately to provide support."
"Understood!" The three turned and left.
Tobirama stood at the window, watching as Renya and the others left the village.
"When do you think the war will end?"
An ANBU wearing an animal mask appeared in the office and said in a low voice,
"Hokage-sama, I believe the war will end soon."
"Maybe..." Tobirama murmured softly, lost in thought.
Seeing that the Hokage had no further questions, the ANBU vanished once more into the shadows.
...
"Kumo-nin have always excelled in Lightning Release and close-quarters combat. Their attacks are incredibly fast—we'll have to be very cautious," Renya advised the other two as they traveled.
"And they're great at coordinated team tactics, working in perfect sync."
Hearing this, both of them instinctively nodded.
"Renya-kun is right. When we encounter them on the battlefield, we'll have to disrupt their rhythm—that's the only way to defeat them effectively," Koharu Utatane agreed.
Shimura Danzō said nothing. He was focused solely on reaching the battlefield and killing enemies.
As long as Kumogakure was defeated, the war would come to an end.
And when that time came, there would no longer be a way to earn military merit.
While the war still raged, he had to slay as many enemies as possible and rack up achievements.
With Renya around, Danzō had already abandoned any thoughts of becoming the Third Hokage.
His goal now... was to become the Fourth Hokage.
His only real competition for the Hokage position was his friend, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Of course, there was also that guy Mitokado Homura.
But Danzō didn't consider Homura a serious contender—not someone who could rival him or Hiruzen.
If he could just surpass Hiruzen, the Hokage's seat would be his!
Thinking of this, a trace of anticipation flashed through Danzō's eyes, as if he could already see the day he'd become Hokage.
"I wonder how Hiruzen is performing on the battlefield?"
Koharu Utatane heard Danzō muttering to himself but remained silent.
She knew how much Danzō yearned to become Hokage. His desperate efforts on the battlefield were all in preparation for that future.
But... Koharu looked ahead at Renya, feeling a bit of worry.
With Renya here, could Danzō really become Hokage?
She didn't know... that Danzō's aim wasn't to become the Third Hokage—but the Fourth.
If she had known, she wouldn't be thinking this way.
...
Suddenly, Renya remembered something.
If he recalled correctly, the Uchiha clan was the main force stationed on the northeastern front.
His conflict with Uchiha Tanaka was still fresh in his memory...
Renya had never tolerated Uchiha Tanaka's arrogance.
The two had ended up clashing—and almost came to blows.
If Senju Tobirama hadn't stepped in in time, Uchiha Tanaka would've been dead!
After that incident, the Uchiha clan had completely distanced themselves from Renya.
Renya didn't really care. As long as they didn't actively cause trouble, he was fine with that.
"Hopefully they won't stir up any nonsense..."
If they did, he didn't mind killing one to make an example of them.
...
Northeastern front, Land of Fire.
One of the front-line battlefields.
Konoha and Kumogakure ninja were engaged in a fierce melee.
Kumo-nin's Lightning Release chakra exploded through the air with a piercing hum. Several ninja cloaked in arcs of lightning charged into the Konoha defense lines at breakneck speed.
A leading jōnin stomped down hard, hurling the lightning spear he'd formed straight at the Konoha shinobi ahead.
The chūnin in the front lines couldn't dodge in time. With a grunt, he was blasted backward, the spear piercing his chest—lifeless.
"Scatter the formation! Don't let them get close!" the Konoha squad leader roared, flinging shuriken wrapped in Wind Release chakra in a fan-shaped arc.
Suddenly, two Kumo-nin burst forth, palms filled with Lightning Release chakra, effortlessly swatting the shuriken aside.
Just then, three more Kumo-nin appeared in the distance.
"Orders from the First-sama—end this battle before Konoha reinforcements arrive!"
A rugged, dark-skinned middle-aged man with a long beard and topknot shouted out.
He stared at the Konoha ninja ahead, lightning chakra crackling around him. With a roar, he charged into the crowd at lightning speed.
"Lightning Release: Liger Bomb!"
Seeing the large man storm into the battlefield, the other two Kumo-nin clicked their tongues.
"Let this guy tire them out. We'll jump in later."
"Alright!"
Clearly, they had no intention of joining the fray just yet.
...
"Damn it, it's that guy again!"
The Konoha ninja's faces twisted in horror as they saw the hulking man charging toward them.
Kumo-nin, reinvigorated by the man's arrival, fought with renewed ferocity.
In no time, the Konoha forces were being driven back, unable to hold their ground.
Just as they were on the brink of collapse, reinforcements finally arrived.
"Uchiha! The Uchiha clan is here!"
Seeing the support was from the Uchiha clan, the Konoha ninja breathed a sigh of relief.
With the Uchiha joining the fray, surely they could withstand the Kumo-nin assault.
As expected, once the Uchiha reinforcements entered the battlefield, Konoha's retreat came to a halt.
The burly Kumo warrior saw the reinforcements but had no intention of retreating.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
He roared as he charged forward, with the rest of the Kumo-nin launching attacks behind him.
"Tch tch, that guy's a total brute."
"You're right. He really is a brute."
"Hmph, well then, let's join the fun too."
"Okay!"
If Renya had been present, he would've immediately recognized the two as the infamous culprits responsible for Senju Tobirama's future death—
Kumogakure's Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
And that brute who had charged into battle earlier—
Was none other than Kumogakure's future Second Raikage.