Morning came quietly.
The air was cool, the sky still tinged with the last shades of dawn when Raizen stepped out onto the porch.
The Uchiha compound was waking slowly—clan members moving through the narrow paths, low conversations murmuring between houses.
Somewhere in the distance, a sparring session had already begun, the sharp clack of wood on wood ringing through the air.
He adjusted his forehead protector, its metal cool against his skin. Today, he would meet his team.
Training Ground Three wasn't far, nestled at the edge of the village where the trees thickened into forest.
He took the long way, moving through Konoha's streets as vendors set up stalls and shinobi gathered in small clusters, discussing missions over steaming cups of tea.
By the time he arrived, the sun had lifted higher, spilling golden light over the training grounds.
A clearing stretched before him, edged by tall trees, their branches casting shifting patterns across the dirt.
Yumi Inuzuka was already there, crouched beside her small gray pup, scratching behind its ears. She glanced up when she heard him approach, offering a quick, sharp grin.
"Uchiha," she said. "You're early."
Raizen shrugged. "So are you."
"Habit." She stood, brushing off her pants. "Kenji should be here soon."
As if on cue, Kenji Hyūga emerged from the trees, his pale eyes calm, hands tucked neatly behind his back. He gave them a small nod. "Morning."
Raizen studied his teammates for a moment. Yumi was wiry and quick, her movements restless even when she stood still. Kenji, in contrast, was composed. He was deliberate in every step, his gaze unreadable.
A solid team. At least, on paper.
They didn't wait long. A rustling in the trees made them turn, and a man stepped into the clearing.
Kuroda Senju.
Their new sensei stood with an easy stance, arms crossed over his chest. His dark brown hair was tied back loosely, a few strands falling across a sharp-featured face. He was tall, broad-shouldered, but not imposing—his presence carried a quiet weight rather than open intimidation.
His gaze swept over them, unreadable. Then, with no preamble, he spoke.
"You're Team Nine?"
Raizen nodded.
Kuroda exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright. First things first—I don't care about your clan names." His eyes flickered between them. "Uchiha, Hyūga, Inuzuka. Doesn't mean anything to me. What matters is what you do."
Raizen felt Yumi shift beside him, her grin fading into something more cautious. Even Kenji straightened slightly.
Kuroda lifted a hand. "Let's start with introductions. Keep it short. Name, strengths, weaknesses. Go."
Yumi jumped in first. "Yumi Inuzuka. Good at tracking, fast on my feet. Weakness? Not great at sitting still."
Kenji followed, voice measured. "Kenji Hyūga. Close combat and perception. Weakness—" He paused, considering. "Not as skilled in mid-range battles."
Raizen spoke last. "Raizen Uchiha. Fire jutsu, shurikenjutsu. Weakness… I guess I don't know yet."
Kuroda raised a brow but didn't push. "Fair enough." He let his arms drop. "Here's the deal. We're not doing some dumb bell test. You're not kids anymore. Tomorrow, we start real training. But before that—"
He suddenly crouched, grabbing a fistful of dirt. He tossed it lightly between his fingers.
"Fight me."
Yumi blinked. "What?"
Kuroda smiled, easy and sharp. "All three of you. Right now."
Raizen tensed. Kenji's posture shifted slightly, and Yumi's pup let out a low growl.
Kuroda straightened, brushing his hands off. "Simple rules—try to land a hit on me. That's it." His stance remained relaxed, but there was something unreadable in his expression, something that sent a quiet pulse of tension through Raizen's chest.
Yumi cracked her knuckles. "Heh. You're gonna regret that."
Kenji exhaled. "This isn't a test?"
Kuroda shrugged. "Sure. Let's call it that."
Raizen's fingers curled slightly. He didn't know much about Kuroda Senju—only that he carried the name of a clan built on sheer endurance, a legacy that stood equal to the Uchiha.
This wasn't just training.
This was the start of something else.
Kuroda tilted his head. "Well?"
The three of them moved at once.