Team 25

While Renjiro was still pondering about his new genin team, Hiro and Aiko came over and joined him.

Seeing them, he decided to take the initiative,

"It seems that we are now in the same genin cell,"

"Yes, it's good we already know each other so it makes things easier," Hiro replied with a grin evident on his face.

"Actually, I was dreading the thought of being on another team as that would mean being on a team with two new people," Aiko said while letting out a sigh of relief.

"Do you guys know anything about our new sensei, Senju Riku?" Renjiro asked. He wanted to know more about their new sensei so that he could gauge what type of genin life he would expect under Riku.

"No this is the first time I have heard of him," Aiko said while Hiro shook his head.

'There is no need to waste time worrying. Hopefully, he guides us well' Renjiro surmised.

While they were still talking, Renjiro sensed a couple of chakra signatures approaching the Academy grounds. From their intensities, he was very sure they were powerful. 

Immediately Renjiro sensed them, they appeared out of thin air. It was a group of around twenty men and women. Most of them were dressed in traditional blue jumpsuits and green flack jackets. The rest opted for different variations of their clan attire. They wore their different clan attires above chainmail, which Renjiro mistook for fishnets whenever he was cosplaying in his previous life.

'Was that just their speed or was it body flicker?' Renjiro wondered as the speed at which they appeared made him think that they teleported to the vicinity.

The new additions, which Renjiro identified as Jounins, approached the different groups that had formed on the grounds after the team announced just minutes ago.

'They have to be the Jounin Senseis.' Renjiro concluded as he scanned them with his eyes hoping to find a familiar face. Unfortunately, he did not.

One figure was approaching team 25. Senju Riku stood tall and imposing. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, his well-built physique spoke of years of rigorous training and battle-hardened experience. His strong shoulders and defined muscles were evident even beneath the standard-issue flak jacket.

Riku's eyes, a piercing shade of forest green, held a sense of wisdom and a keen understanding of the world. They scanned his surroundings with a calm intensity, a testament to the countless missions and challenges he had faced as a jounin. His hair, a dark chestnut brown, was neatly tied in a practical topknot, ensuring it didn't obstruct his vision during combat.

Dressed in the standard jounin attire of Konoha, Riku wore a dark green flak jacket over a blue long-sleeved shirt. His trousers matched the jacket, and sturdy ninja sandals protected his feet. A utility pouch adorned his waist, carrying the tools and supplies essential for a seasoned ninja. 

Riku's overall appearance exuded a sense of discipline, experience, and the unyielding spirit of a Konoha jounin. It was a vast contrast to his appearance back at Hiruzen's office.

"You must be Team 25," Riku began, his voice steady and commanding. "Tomorrow, we'll have an important meeting to discuss your upcoming missions and training. Be at training grounds 51 by 5 AM sharp. Don't be late; punctuality is a ninja's virtue."

"That Early?" Hiro asked since that was even before the crack of dawn.

He then directed his gaze to Hiro, "Yes, if it's too early for you you could always opt to go to the genin reserve."

Hiro shuddered at the thought. The Genin reserve was a scary place, no one wanted to willingly go there. It was where Shinobi careers used to die. At least this was what Hiro knew as his parents used it as a cautionary tale to force him to work harder.

In a real sense, it was more or less the same, just without the exaggerated dark end. The Genin reserve mainly consisted of genins who did not meet the criteria to be conscripted to genin cells and genins who failed to progress and become Chunins. 

It also had a unique group of individuals that were deemed unworthy by their Joun Senseis to serve under them and thus were sent to the Genin reserve corps. Of course, at the moment they were few, due to the volatile nature of the shinobi world where conflict could escalate to fully-fledged world wars, but in the future, their numbers would rise because of one copy ninja's high standards.

With that, Riku proceeded to take his leave but before he did so, "Oh, I suggest you have a good rest today because tomorrow will be a very long long day." 

Riku's overemphasis on the word long was not unnoticed by the three genins, especially with the sly grin he had on his face while saying it.

"Did they just come here to relay the information? Couldn't they just have sent the information through the academy?" Aiko remarked, seemingly thinking out loud, after seeing that the other jounins did the same and left in a similar fashion as they arrived.

'Well, that wasn't ominous at all. But it would be nice to have a Senju Sensei, I am sure they have ways to counter the Sharingan. I am sure Izuna and Kawarama would turn in their graves if they found out the current situation.' Renjiro thought as the group bid each other farewells and headed back home.

'Meditation should be fine for the rest of the day. After tomorrow I can resume my normal routine.'

=====

While Renjiro and the rest of team 25 were heading back home, Hiruzen was heading to one of the isolated parts of the village. His destination was the secluded quarters housing the village's Jinchuriki. 

The atmosphere shifted as he traversed through Konoha's more isolated sections, the ambient sounds dwindling to a hushed symphony of rustling leaves. The towering trees cast dappled shadows, creating a natural cocoon around the path to the jinchuriki's residence.

Security measures, intensified in the wake of a kidnapping incident a few years ago by shinobi from the hidden cloud, manifested in vigilant ANBU patrols that seamlessly blended into the surroundings. 

The masked enforcers kept watch, their presence shrouded in shadows, adding an extra layer of protection to this vital part of the village. ANBU stationed at key points maintained a poised readiness, exemplifying the village's commitment to safeguarding their Jinchuriki.

Arriving at the heavily fortified entrance, the imposing gates hinted at the seclusion that cocooned the Jinchuriki's dwelling. Hiruzen entered Kushina's dwelling, a space that blended simplicity with warmth. 

The Jinchuriki, her vibrant red hair framing determined black eyes, sat engrossed in a scroll. Clad in practical ninja attire, she radiated a mix of strength and approachability.

[A/N: Still find it weird that both Jinchurikis were treated differently with one of them being a former Hokage's son but lemme stop my rant.]

"Greetings, Lord Hokage," Kushina said after noticing the Hokage's arrival.

"I see that you are faring on well," Hiruzen replied.

Hiruzen cleared his throat, drawing Kushina's attention away from the scroll. "Kushina, I've been considering the idea of you taking on a student. Someone who can learn fuinjutsu under your guidance."

Kushina raised an eyebrow, setting aside the scroll. "A student? Why now?"

"We need more skilled fuinjutsu practitioners, and your expertise is unmatched," Hiruzen explained. 

"I believe you could pass on invaluable knowledge. Especially since the candidate is an Uzumaki."

Hearing the last statement, Kushina's eyes widened. There were survivors from the fall of uzushiogakure but very few of them opted to relocate to Konoha. In as much as the allied forces also kept Konoha busy hence they could not help uzushiogakure with military reinforcements, the survivors still resented Konoha. 

Konoha did help, albeit in a limited way, the provided food and other relief stuff. This was the major reason why the uzushiogakure siege took close to five years long.

[The Naruto timeline is murky, especially to events that occurred before the start of the series. So most of these are tweaks of mine to tailor a comprehensive timeline.]

"What's his name and how did he escape the destruction of the village?" Kushina asked.

"He is Renjiro Uzumaki, well was. The mother was an Uchiha hence a relative helped him escape. Although it was a close call, they did arrive at the village with their lives intact." The Hokage replied.

Kushina was very much interested in his Renjiro. The sense of camaraderie between Uzumakis was very strong. Other than Minato she did not really have someone she could call a friend in the village. 

That was the downside of becoming a jinchuriki. Since they were akin to modern-day nuclear power, they were regarded as weapons more than they were as people.

"Alright, but I don't want someone who isn't serious about it. Fuinjutsu demands dedication."

"I'll be sure to let him know," Hiruzen assured her. They proceeded to have unnecessary chitchat and after that, Hiruzen left since he still had too much paperwork to go over.

[Finally done with the debt feels good. What do you guys think of the story so far?]

[Let's hit our weekly target of 500 Powerstones and I will upload a bonus Chapter on Sunday]

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