"Renji, heading to school? You ready?"
At the entrance of the clan compound, familiar clansmen waved and called out to him.
Uchiha Renji gave them a calm nod.
"Do your best, Renji! Don't let down the pride of the Uchiha clan!"
"Go get 'em, Renji! When you come back, I'll treat you to barbecue!"
Renji smiled politely, though in his heart he sighed. If only the Uchiha treated the rest of Konoha the same way they treated their own, maybe the clan wouldn't be doomed later on.
He took a deep breath and quickened his pace toward the testing grounds. The truth was, Renji wasn't originally from this world. He hadn't died in a car crash or fallen ill. He'd been an ordinary guy, single, working a boring nine-to-five life, until he woke up here in the world of Naruto.
When he realized he'd been born into the tragic Uchiha clan, his mood nearly collapsed. But after learning he was born just after the Second Ninja War, decades before the infamous massacre, he actually felt relieved.
At least he had time. At least he had a warm family. That was more than Sasuke ever got.
His father, Uchiha Takuma, was the younger brother of the current clan head, Uchiha Nobunaga. That meant his uncle was none other than Uchiha Fugaku's father. For a guy who'd randomly crossed into this world, it was one hell of a starting point.
Seven years went by in a flash. Renji had spent two of them at the Academy, always keeping excellent grades. His mature mind couldn't stand living like an elementary school kid again, and in this life, he swore he would change the Uchiha's fate.
"Uchiha Renji, begin the assessment!"
The examiner's words had barely landed when Renji moved. Three kunai flew in a sharp triangular pattern, followed by six shuriken strung with fine wire.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Flames roared from his mouth, cornering the examiner. The man dodged the kunai, blocked the shuriken, and threw up an Earth Wall against the fireball.
The examiner smirked. Typical cocky Uchiha kid.
But Renji tugged the hidden wires, redirecting the rebounded shuriken toward his blind spot.
"Puff!" The shuriken hit, only for the examiner to vanish in smoke. A substitution.
A cold blade touched Renji's neck. The examiner had appeared at his side.
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!" But Renji had already switched with a clone, ambushing from below. The examiner dissolved into a log.
"Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!" In a flash, Renji was trapped in a shimmering blue sphere.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire!" His real body had been disguised all along. Using Clone and Transformation, he'd turned into a shuriken on the ground. The instant his opponent attacked, Renji burst into flame.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall! That's enough. Uchiha Renji passes."
The test ended as Jiraiya himself appeared, intervening at the last second.
"Thank you, Lord Jiraiya," the examiner said with a bow.
"As expected of an Uchiha prodigy," someone muttered."That kid is scary strong.""Are kids these days all like this?"
Jiraiya looked Renji over. "Not bad, kid. Tomorrow, report to the Hokage's office." In the blink of an eye, he was gone.
Renji let out a long breath. It had been close. Surrounded by congratulating clansmen, he headed back toward the Police Force district.
At home, his father Takuma beamed. "Well done, son. You've honored the clan. Never forget, we are the strongest, the proud Uchiha!"
"Your mother's already prepared lunch. From today on, you're a genin. Stand proud like a man."
"When I was your age, I was still stuck in the clan school. Don't get cocky. Our clan is full of geniuses, but the Sharingan is our true foundation. That's what makes the Uchiha feared across the ninja world."
He laughed and added, "Tonight, your uncle and I are holding a little banquet. The youngest genin in Konoha deserves a celebration."
Renji couldn't help but think, Maybe every aloof Uchiha really does have a chatterbox father behind them.
His mother embraced him tightly, whispering, "Promise me you'll always be careful. Never show mercy to enemies. Your kindness could turn into a kunai aimed back at you. Stay cautious. Always."
Her Sharingan shimmered in the sunlight, three tomoe glowing beautifully red.
This home… this family… this was what Renji cherished most. And he swore to himself: no one would take it away from him. Not ever.
That night, relatives gathered. His serious cousin Fugaku, his playful cousin Rie… the Uchiha family always seemed caught between icy pride and silly banter.
His uncle Nobunaga leaned in seriously. "Renji, your father spoke to me about your future. Tell me your decision."
Renji lifted his head. "Uncle, I choose the Police Force. I want to protect both the clan and the village."
"Good. Report tomorrow afternoon."
Later, his father sighed over sake. "Why not join a regular squad? I even managed to get you that chance. You're smart, you know how to handle people. Can't you see how the villagers look at us?"
But his mother cut him off. "Better the Police Force. At least there, his own brothers can watch his back. Out there on missions, who knows when someone might stab him from behind."
Renji stood his ground. "Father, Mother, I have my own reasons. Please respect my choice."
Inwardly, he thought: Father is too kind. He thinks joining a normal squad will win us acceptance. But even if the whole clan bowed to Konoha, nothing would change. The only way to protect us is unity and absolute strength.
Konoha… I'll see you tomorrow.
The next day, in the Hokage's office:
"Lord Third, Uchiha Renji reporting."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, still in his prime, regarded him with a grandfatherly smile, though his aura was heavy.
"So, Renji. You choose the Police Force?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama. I will guard the village's peace with my life."
"Good. Remember, no matter what, you are part of Konoha. Where the leaves dance, the fire burns. The fire's light will shine upon the village, and the leaves will grow again. Now go. Report to the Police Force."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Renji bowed and left.
Soon he met his squad. Their leader was Uchiha Ming, a jonin with a three-tomoe Sharingan. His teammates:
Uchiha Yan, a foodie dreamer whose goal was to eat every dish in the world.
Uchiha Retsu, a sleepy, lazy type who just wanted a peaceful life.
And Renji himself: determined to become strong enough to protect his family.
Ming clapped his hands. "From today, Squad 10 of the Police Force's Third Division is born. Tomorrow, hellish training begins. Tonight, we eat barbecue. Enjoy it while you can!"
And so began Renji's new life as a Konoha genin.
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