CH30: Land of Grains (1)

The air inside the restaurant room was thick with the mingling scents of expensive sake and smoke from a small incense burner at the corner. 

Around a round table, the elite of Konoha, Team Tobirama- Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Kagami Uchiha, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane sat together, their voices blending into a hum of quiet conversation. 

The room was decorated with lacquered wooden panels and soft lantern light, giving it a sophisticated yet slightly somber atmosphere.

Kagami Uchiha leaned back in his chair, a small, knowing smile on his face, while Danzo sat stiffly at the far corner, his glass barely touched.

Hiruzen, as always, maintained a calm demeanor, watching his peers, though there was an unusual tightness to his gaze this evening.

It was Danzo who broke the lull, his tone cold and calculating.

"What do you think about the young generation you all have been training?"

The question caught everyone's attention. Kagami, sitting opposite him, was the first to respond with an air of genuine pride.

"They're unbelievable," Kagami said, his voice carrying a mix of warmth and regret. 

He swirled his sake in his glass as if contemplating his next words. "Their talent far surpasses what we ever had. Mio's control over chakra is already approaching jounin level. Sakumo... that boy is a prodigy with a blade. And Yuichi... well, I haven't met a kid with such a sharp mind in a long time. Lastly, Mio is diverse and as I see them, I feel the future of the village will be in capable hands."

Danzo scoffed slightly, his fingers tightening around his untouched glass. "Hah! Youthful optimism blinds you, Kagami. Betting on potential without discipline is the fastest route to the village's demise. They are far from ready."

Kagami's eyes narrowed, but he smirked instead of snapping back. "Discipline comes with trust, and the disciple that you taught needs to have a certain level of trust in relation. However, Danzo, you wouldn't understand that."

"Enough," Hiruzen interjected, raising a hand to keep the conversation from escalating. He turned toward Homura, his steady tone inviting input. "Homura, how about your students? You've been quiet tonight."

Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses before replying, his voice dry but thoughtful. "My team shows promise as well, though their growth is far more measured. I've been focusing on their teamwork rather than individual prowess. If nothing else, they will be reliable shinobi."

"And Koharu?" Hiruzen shifted his attention.

Koharu Utatane, who had been quietly sipping her drink, finally spoke up. "One of my girls can rival me in strategy already. The others still need work, but..." She paused, her sharp exterior momentarily softening. 

"...I see potential, even in their flaws. They're learning faster than we ever did."

Kagami raised his glass in agreement. "Exactly. The future is secure, whether Danzo likes it or not."

Danzo's voice cut through again, laced with disdain. "If they survive what lies ahead. You all forget the war has already bled us dry. The First Shinobi World War crippled the village both physically and mentally, The scars still remain."

The table fell silent, save for the faint crackle of the incense burner.

For the first time, Hiruzen looked weary, the weight of leadership evident on his face. "You're not wrong, Danzo. The war cost us dearly. It cost all villages dearly." He paused, his eyes distant. "I still hear the cries of those we failed to protect. The peace we cling to is fragile."

Kagami lowered his head, his fingers rubbing his temple. "Sacrifices... that's what we shinobi do. My sight is proof enough of that." His voice cracked for a moment, and he poured himself another drink. "But we can't let those sacrifices be in vain."

Homura, his stern demeanor softened by the drinks, muttered, "The next generation will need to be stronger. Stronger than us."

Koharu nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. "For the sake of the village."

The clinking of glasses filled the room as they toasted, each one lost in their thoughts. Only Danzo remained unmoved, his dark gaze fixed forward as though he were staring into an unseen future, one only he could envision.

*

The sun had barely begun to rise when Yuichi sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his half-packed bag. The faint sounds of birds echoed through the quiet morning, yet his mind lingered elsewhere- last night.

Yuichi ran a hand through his messy hair, the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. Tsunade. Her face, that shy smile she had when they walked through the festival, the way her violet-patterned dress danced under the lantern light—it all played in his mind like a vivid dream.

"What am I even feeling...?" Yuichi muttered to himself, shaking his head.

"Damn you… MANCHILD" he shouted trying to look angry albeit with a little smile on face.

The answer wasn't simple. He felt something deeper, like emotions melding together- Yuichi's current self and remnants of Kevin's past mind. A life he left behind, a life where warmth and moments like these were little but precious to him.

"It's probably because of this second chance," Yuichi whispered. "Or maybe... because it's her."

He shook the thoughts away, standing up. "Focus, Yuichi. Mission first."

He finished packing quickly- clothes, tools, a few food rations, and a couple of blank scrolls. His eyes fell on a small charm he won at the festival. Without thinking, he slipped it into his pocket.

The village gate was already bustling with activity when Yuichi arrived. Standing beneath the wooden arch, he took a deep breath. The smell of dew and earth, mixed with faint traces of fire from early morning shops, filled the air.

"Yo, Yuichi! You're early!" Sakumo's voice rang out as he jogged toward him with a grin, his white hair slightly damp from the morning mist.

"Good habit, I suppose," Yuichi replied, smirking. His eyes shifted as he spotted Mio approaching next, her calm demeanor in contrast to the large bag slung over her shoulder.

"Packed already? Guess I'm not the only over-prepared one," Mio remarked with a small chuckle.

"Everyone ready?" Kagami's voice broke through as their sensei finally appeared, his presence commanding as always. He glanced over the three of them and nodded in approval. "Good. We'll move at a steady pace toward the Land of Grains. Remember, this isn't a vacation. Stay alert."

The team exchanged determined nods, though Sakumo's excitement was palpable.

"Uzu's genin teams are joining us, right?" Mio asked, breaking the moment of silence.

Kagami raised an eyebrow. "Yes. This mission isn't just about solving the boar problem, it's about building relations between villages. Try not to embarrass me."

Sakumo threw an arm around Yuichi, grinning. "Did you hear that? Don't embarrass sensei."

"Speak for yourself, sword boy," Yuichi shot back, though there was no venom in his words.

"Yuichi you too use a sword, I am not the only one" Sakumo replied with an annoyed smile.

"Enough chit chat let's move" Kagami ordered and as the gates creaked open, the team began their journey eastward.