Scene 1: The Unexpected Mission
The last day of the Academy semester had passed. The graduation exam loomed on the horizon.
Renji was walking alongside Naruto and Hinata, all three still clad in their uniforms, slurping popsicles from a street cart.
"I can't believe Iruka-sensei signed us up for a C-rank mission," Naruto grinned, excited. "He must really think we're ready!"
Renji frowned slightly. "He said it was a 'field observation' mission with anbu following us. We're not supposed to fight unless necessary."
Hinata nodded. "But… I have a strange feeling about it…"
Naruto laughed. "C'mon, what could go wrong?"
They should have known those were dangerous words.
Scene 2: Escort Turned Trap
Their mission was simple: escort a caravan of herbalists from the Konoha outskirts to a trade station bordering the Land of Frost. The path wound through forested hills, mostly peaceful.
Until twilight.
Renji suddenly halted mid-step.
His head snapped to the left. "Did you feel that?"
Hinata activated her Byakugan immediately. Her breath hitched. "Six chakra signatures… surrounding us."
Renji's hand reached into his scroll pouch.
The caravan leader stammered, "W-what's going on?"
Naruto cracked his knuckles. "Time to kick some butt!"
A barrage of kunai whistled from the shadows. Renji stepped forward, chakra surging into his palm.
"Fūin: Chikara Kekkai!" (Sealing Style: Power Barrier)
A thin shimmer of golden chakra formed a wall in front of them. The kunai clanged harmlessly against it.
From the trees emerged masked attackers—bandits? No… their formation was too disciplined.
Renji narrowed his eyes. "These guys aren't random thugs."
The leader growled, "Take the girl. Kill the others."
Hinata stiffened.
Naruto growled. "Over my dead body!"
Scene 3: Crimson Threads
The battle exploded.
Naruto dove in first, using a clone to distract while he attacked from the side.
Hinata moved fluidly, her Byakugan giving her precise targets. Her Gentle Fist sent one attacker flying into a tree.
But it was Renji who became the center of the storm.
As one enemy charged him with a short sword, Renji slammed his hands together.
"Fūinjutsu: Jōtai Enko—Crimson State Bind!"
Chains of glowing red erupted from his back like living serpents, wrapping around the attacker mid-leap and slamming him into the earth.
Naruto skidded to a halt, eyes wide.
"What—What the hell was that?!"
Renji didn't answer. He was focused—too focused. Something primal stirred in his chakra. The chains flickered again, and his irises briefly shimmered silver.
Hinata noticed it. Her heart skipped.
And then—
A second attacker slashed toward her from behind.
"Hinata—!"
Renji threw himself between them, taking the blade across his side.
"R-Renji!"
He winced but didn't fall. "Tch… flesh wound. Stay behind me."
Hinata's eyes welled with tears. "Why would you do that…?"
Even Naruto hesitated.
Renji turned to her, a slow smile forming. "Because you matter."
Anbu step up from hiding kills all the enemies before than can blink stare at renji for a minute then hides away
Scene 4: Under Fire, First Kiss
They fought off the attackers, watch anbu in action. The mission was completed—but the cost lingered.
Renji was slumped under a tree, clutching his side. The cut wasn't deep, but it bled more than he liked.
Hinata knelt beside him, hands glowing with pale chakra. "Hold still…"
He did. Her hands pressed to his wound, warm and precise.
"Your chakra feels nice," he mumbled, groggy.
Hinata's blush was fierce. "D-don't talk…"
But her hands trembled.
"You were amazing today," she whispered. "You saved me."
"You've saved me before, too," Renji whispered. "I still remember the day you found me in the rain… in the garden."
Hinata looked into his eyes.
"I think… I've always been falling for you."
She leaned closer.
Their lips brushed—light, soft, almost uncertain.
And then—she kissed him.
Real. Honest. A moment of shared heartbeats and blooming feelings.
Not rushed.
Not perfect.
But true.
Scene 5: The Watchers in the Trees
Far above them, hidden in the canopy, two Root agents crouched, masked and silent.
"Confirmed. Subject Renji deployed chakra chains of Uzumaki lineage. No known familial connection."
"Should we extract?"
"Negative. Too risky near Anbu and Jinchūriki proximity. Continue observation."
In the shadows, Danzo watched through a mirror seal.
"Uzumaki… and sealing mastery by instinct?"
He turned away.
"I'll have him one way or another."
Scene 6: Back in Konoha
Iruka-sensei was furious—but proud.
"You three survived an ambush that was beyond your rank. You protected the clients. You kept your heads. You're not just students anymore."
Naruto beamed.
Hinata bowed deeply.
Renji smiled—quiet, tired, but… fulfilled.
As they walked home, Naruto threw an arm around both of them.
"We're gonna be the strongest genin ever."
Hinata glanced at Renji shyly.
Renji took her hand again—this time without hesitation.
End of Chapter 16