123-News and Prospects

When Renjiro flickered to the entrance of his house, he saw a figure standing there, waiting patiently. The person was Okita, a friend Renjiro had made during his time patrolling the village which now almost felt a longer time ago than it really was.

'But what is he doing here? It's been a while since we talked which the missions I have been on with the squad.'

Okita stood there with a calm demeanour, his lean, athletic build a testament to years of rigorous training and discipline. Standing at 5'10", Okita's physique was both impressive and intimidating, a healthy, toned body that spoke of countless hours spent honing his skills.

His spiky black hair reached down to his shoulders, framing a face that was both striking and intense. Piercing green eyes, framed by long, dark eyelashes, seemed to take in everything with a sharp, analytical gaze.

He wore the traditional Konohagakure ninja attire which was a green flak jacket over a fitted black shirt, and black pants that allowed for maximum mobility. His Konoha headband was tied securely around his forehead, the metal plate gleaming in the faint light.

"Okita," Renjiro greeted, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity. "What brings you here so early?"

He was clearly trying to gauge the urgency of his friend's visit. Dropping by unannounced was not an indication that everything was fine.

Okita's expression turned serious as he responded, "Renjiro, you're needed back at the base. It's important."

'The base? Has the squad returned? Miwa should also be back, I wanted to ask her a few things. But even if they did return, Okita wouldn't be here asking from my presence back in the base.' Renjiro thought, taken aback by the sudden news.

"Needed at the base? Is it an emergency? What's going on?"

Okita shook his head slightly, his piercing green eyes meeting Renjiro's with a look of calm resolve.

"I'm not sure about the specifics. All I know is that the higher-ups are requesting your presence."

Renjiro's mind raced with possibilities. The abrupt summons could mean any number of things, "Who exactly needs me at the base? Do you have any idea?"

'Why is he asking instead of just following me?' Okita wondered.

Okita's brow furrowed slightly, curious about Renjiro's questioning. "You know, Renjiro, we are usually expected not to ask too many questions about orders. But since you asked, it's Fujioka-sama who needs you back at the base."

Renjiro's initial tension eased somewhat at the mention of Fujioka, but a sliver of concern remained. "Ooh, so it's Fujioka-sama?"

'That's a relief from the way he was talking I thought it was someone else, but why would he Okita to come and get me instead of one of his squad members? Maybe they requested for a break after that mission in Ishigakure. It could be that Fujioka's just being considerate to them.'

Renjiro nodded, "Alright, give me a moment to gather my things. I'll be ready to leave shortly."

With a quick nod from Okita, Renjiro quickly got whatever he deemed useful. After hastily cleaning up the mess he had created in his backyard, Renjiro locked up his house.

"Let's go," Renjiro said after reappearing next to Okita in his front yard.

The two set off at a brisk pace. The village was beginning to stir, early risers going about their morning routines. They navigated the quiet streets, their footsteps barely making a sound.

As Renjiro and Okita approached the compound of the base, Renjiro felt something wrong.

"Why is the mood in the base so tense?" Renjiro muttered in an almost inaudible voice.

\

As they navigated the corridors and moved closer to Fujioka's office, Renjiro's sharp eyes caught sight of a scene that only added to the wierd feeling he was having.

Sinoda was engaged in a conversation with a middle-aged woman who had an air of quiet desperation about her. Beside her stood a young girl, who appeared to be around Renjiro's age, with a look of apprehension and tears in her eyes.

'While they are wearing the Uchiha clan symbol, they are definitely don't belong to the force. But why do they look familiar.'

Renjiro's mind raced as he tried to place where he had seen them before. There was something uncannily familiar about the pair, but the memories eluded him, slipping just out of reach.

His unease grew as he observed the interaction, noting the tension in the woman's posture and the concerned frown on Sinoda's face.

Okita noticed Renjiro's distraction and nudged him gently. "We should get inside. Fujioka-sama is waiting."

Reluctantly, Renjiro tore his gaze away from the scene and followed Okita.

When they reached Fujioka's office, Okita knocked and then opened the door, gesturing for Renjiro to enter.

Inside, Fujioka was seated behind his desk, his expression grave. He looked up as Renjiro stepped in, the weight of the situation apparent in his eyes.

"Renjiro, it is good to see that your eye has been healed. I guess you used your time well and learnt some medical fuinjutsu." Fujioka began, his voice steady but tinged with sorrow.

'Something happened.'

Renjiro immediately felt it, how he did it, he couldn't explain it. The uneasy feeling he felt only matured to a gut instinct once he started talking to his Squad leader.

Renjiro simply nodded at Fujioka's statement and stood opposite him.

"Yes, staying with one was getting uncomfortable. How was the mission against the Kurogane clan?" Renjiro said trying to veer the conversation towards the mission Miwa and Fujioka were in.

Fujioka took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. "Yes, we managed to complete the mission and just arrived in the village a couple f hours ago. However, I have some difficult news. It's about Toda and Tobe."

'I knew it!'

Renjiro bitterly thought as his heart sank, dread settling in the pit of his stomach. Ths was probably the reason he had been feeling uneasy lately.

"What about them?"

Fujioka's expression softened with sympathy. "They were killed in action. It happened during a mission. Their loss is a heavy blow to us all."

The words hit Renjiro like a physical blow, knocking the wind out of him. He struggled to process the information, a mix of grief and anger swirling within him.

The shock of Fujioka's words reverberated in his mind. In an odd sense, the thought of dying had never really crossed his mind as much as he thought it would when he arirved in this world.

The whole Ohashi incident had been a close call, yet Renjiro had innately believed that he would manage to get out of that vulnerable situation in one way or another.

Despite being a shinobi in one of the most dangerous and war-torn eras of the shinobi world, Renjiro found that this reality did not keep him on his toes as much as he had expected. Instead, it had fostered a kind of dangerous complacency.

He had always considered himself to be invincible, even if he didn't directly think about it, Renjiro felt that it slowly became etched in his subconcious.

His skills and progress gave him a confidence that bordered on arrogance. But now, hearing about the deaths of Toda and Tobe, he was jolted out of his delusion. The news was a stark reminder of the fragility of life, even for those as skilled and strong as his fallen comrades.

"How... how did it happen?"

Fujioka's gaze hardened slightly, his jaw tightening. "We don't know much but Tobe and another shinobi's bodies were found without their eyes while Toda's was already stored in a scroll."

"Were they targetted because of their eyes?"

Fujioka leaned back in his chair, "That we are not sure of, since they were the only ones who's Sharingana were taken, which is odd."

"Toda's body was already stored in a scroll, right? So he might have died earlier his brother?"

Fujioka nodded, his expression somber. "Yes, that is most likely what happened."

'Tobe might have witnessed that and maybe even awakend the Manyekyo. It would have been traumatic for him. But awakening the Mangekyo would give him a huge powerboost that would enable him to keep himself alive.' Renjiro thought.

'But the fact that another shinobi also lost his eyes like Tobe complicates this. They might have met a sadistic enemy who had a pervated joy in obtaining their eyes.'

Fujioka's voice broke through his thoughts, his expression still somber. "I understand. They were exceptional shinobi, and their loss is a heavy blow to us all. But this is the reality we live in. As shinobi, we are always walking the line between life and death."

With a knowing look in his eyes. "Besides, that's not what I called you here for."

Renjiro's brows furrowed, 'What could be more important than this?' He wondered.

Clearing his voice, Fujioka said, "Would you like to be a squad leader?"

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