270-Just A Little Injury

Early morning rays cast a soft glow across the village as Renjiro rose, his movements slow and deliberate. He'd risen with purpose, his mind set on acquiring a new defensive jutsu.

He stared at the faint glimmer of dawn filtering through the thin paper of the sliding window, letting the dim light focus his thoughts. Today's goal was clear: he would learn a jutsu that could change the balance of his defensive capabilities, something less chakra-consuming than the barriers of his adamantine chains.

Crossing to the mirror in his room, he regarded the bandage covering his right eye, the fabric wound tightly around the empty socket. The pain had faded somewhat, leaving a dull ache.

But the eye itself, and what it meant, was still at the forefront of his thoughts. He grimaced slightly, hand hovering over the bandages. There was no hiding this injury, not if he wanted to avoid questions from curious clan members or well-meaning medics. He would need to disguise it for now.

Renjiro raised his hands, forming a quick series of seals, and spoke in a low voice. "Henge no Jutsu."

In a flash, the bandages disappeared from sight, replaced by the illusion of his old, uninjured eye. His reflection blinked back at him, calm and composed. The drain on his chakra would be significant, and it wasn't an ideal solution for long-term concealment. But for now, it would serve.

A slight smirk crossed his face. Today, he would push his limits, even if it took every ounce of chakra he had.

Renjiro slipped out of his home and onto the silent streets of the Uchiha compound, his footsteps echoing lightly as he moved with purpose. The streets were mostly empty, the early morning quiet only occasionally interrupted by the call of a bird or the shuffle of someone preparing their shop for the day.

Renjiro felt a sense of peace in the stillness. Here in these early hours, there was no one to bother him, no one to question why he was up so early or why he seemed so intense.

As he neared the Uchiha clan library, he was met with the usual sight of clan members going about their morning routines. The air was filled with an undercurrent of tension as if even this close-knit community was feeling the weight of the times.

He kept his gaze low, walking straight past familiar faces with a curt nod. The single-eyed vision was challenging; depth perception was slightly altered, and he found himself misjudging steps, catching his foot more than once. But he adapted quickly, training his remaining eye to compensate as best it could.

Entering the library, he was greeted by rows of ancient scrolls and volumes—many filled with powerful jutsu and clan secrets carefully preserved across generations. Renjiro's eyes moved swiftly along the shelves until he spotted the scroll he was searching for, one that was tucked near the back, its leather edges worn and slightly faded. Rashomon.

He reached out, plucking the scroll from its place and tucking it under his arm, a slight thrill running through him. This was no ordinary jutsu; it was one of the most formidable defences available, and with his level of chakra control, it would become a powerful addition to his arsenal.

On his way back, he kept his head low, carefully navigating the compound's streets, his senses heightened to compensate for his altered sight.

Back at his home, Renjiro closed the door and took a quick survey of his surroundings. Nothing seemed out of place. He set the scroll on a small table and, after a pause, formed a series of hand seals to create a shadow clone.

The clone materialized in a puff of smoke, wearing an identical expression of calm. Without a word, it took a seat in the centre of the room, crossing its legs in a meditative posture, ready to serve as a sentinel.

Renjiro nodded approvingly. "Stay alert. If anything happens, dispel yourself. I'm not expecting much, but… better to be prepared."

The clone inclined its head slightly, acknowledging the instruction before closing its eyes, and sinking into a deep meditation. Renjiro's chakra reserves had taken a hit, but it was a small price for the assurance of a second pair of eyes.

If anything happened while he was away, he would know instantly. With the clone settled, he performed a series of seals and, in an instant, vanished in a shroud of smoke.

When he reappeared on one of the Floating Islands, the altitude struck him with a biting chill that cut through the fabric of his clothes. The landscape around him stretched out like a serene canvas—a tranquil, untouched realm hovering high above the chaos below.

He took a deep breath, releasing the transformation jutsu and letting his bandaged eye show once more. Here, he could train in isolation, uninterrupted by the concerns of village life or the watchful eyes of his clan.

Renjiro took a seat on the rocky ground, closing his remaining eye and drawing in a series of deep, calming breaths. In the silence, he let himself enter a meditative state, feeling his chakra flow back into him, steadying and strengthening with each passing moment. It was essential to be at his best, to be fully prepared for the training he intended.

As he finished, Renjiro sensed the familiar presence of his summon approaching. He opened his eye just in time to see Tenjin, his massive wings casting a shadow over the ground as he landed in a gust of wind.

The powerful eagle alighted gracefully, his amber eyes locking onto Renjiro with sharp precision. Tenjin studied him in silence for a moment, his gaze lingering on the bandage wrapped around Renjiro's eye.

"What happened to your eye, Renjiro?" Tenjin's voice was steady, low, carrying a hint of concern.

Renjiro's expression remained unchanged. He'd expected the question, but he wasn't about to reveal the full extent of his plans. "Just a little injury from a recent mission," he replied smoothly, his tone dismissive.

Tenjin's piercing gaze held a hint of scepticism, but he didn't press the issue. As a creature deeply attuned to natural energy, he could sense something different in Renjiro's chakra.

But he also understood that if Renjiro wasn't revealing everything, it was for a reason. Still, Tenjin felt a pang of concern, and he let a gentle silence settle between them before speaking.

"Have you made any progress on your Senjutsu solution?" Tenjin inquired, his voice laced with subtle encouragement.

Renjiro's face hardened slightly, and he shook his head. "Not yet."

Tenjin let out a quiet caw, tilting his head slightly. "Remember, you can call upon us whenever you need support. Momo and I will always be here for you."

A small, rare smile crossed Renjiro's lips as he nodded. "I appreciate that, Tenjin."

The eagle gave a thoughtful nod, shifting slightly before folding his wings. "So, why have you come here today?"

Renjiro raised the scroll with a faint smirk. "I need to train on a new jutsu. Somewhere private."

"Then I'll let you have your space," Tenjin replied, taking a few steps back, preparing to take off.

"Remember, though—we're just a call away."

With a final nod, Tenjin took to the sky, his wings flapping powerfully and sending gusts of wind around Renjiro as he ascended. Renjiro shielded his face, squinting against the force before watching Tenjin disappear into the distant mountains, leaving him alone in the silence of the Floating Islands.

Once Tenjin was gone, Renjiro focused his attention on the scroll. With reverence, he unfurled it, revealing the symbols and incantations necessary for the Rashomon Gates. His fingers traced the intricate script, a shiver of anticipation coursing through him. This jutsu was one of the most powerful defences known, an unbreakable wall that could stand against even the most ferocious attacks.

Renjiro knew it would be a challenge, but that was precisely why he'd chosen it. With a steadying breath, he committed the seals to memory, his hand hovering over the scroll. The time had come to push himself to his limits once again.

The Jutsu itself was the Rashamon Gates.

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