The morning sun cast golden light over Konoha as Renzo walked through the village streets, his steps unhurried, his expression unreadable. The people bustled around him, some sparing him curious glances, others too engrossed in their daily routines to notice the towering sage in their midst. Despite his seemingly aimless wandering, Renzo was fully aware of the eyes watching him from the shadows.
Perched discreetly atop a nearby rooftop, a group of young shinobi observed his every movement. These were no ordinary villagers—they were the students of Tobirama Senju, personally trained under his strict and disciplined teachings. Each of them had been assigned to keep an eye on Renzo, though none dared to engage him.
Among them was Kagami Uchiha, a prodigious young member of the Uchiha Clan. Unlike many of his kin, Kagami was known for his unwavering loyalty to Konoha above clan politics. His keen eyes followed Renzo carefully, attempting to decipher the mystery of the man who moved with the stillness of a forgotten legend.
Beside him crouched Homura Mitokado, an intelligent strategist-in-the-making from a respected civilian family. Though not from a powerful bloodline, Homura's quick mind and loyalty to Tobirama made him a valuable student. He adjusted his glasses, whispering to his comrade, "He's not reacting to our presence at all. Does he not sense us?"
"No," replied a sharp voice—Danzo Shimura. The young shinobi had an intense air about him, even among his peers. His family was not of noble lineage, but his ambition burned fiercely. "He knows we're here. He simply doesn't care."
On Danzo's other side was Koharu Utatane, a kunoichi with a sharp intellect and a strong sense of duty. She studied Renzo with narrowed eyes, arms folded. "Then what is he doing? He doesn't seem to have a purpose."
Torifu Akimichi, the largest of the group, let out a low sigh. His round face and imposing size made him seem less serious, but those who underestimated him quickly learned the strength of the Akimichi Clan. "Maybe he's just sightseeing? Not everyone walks around with some deep purpose, you know."
Danzo frowned. "That's naïve. A man like him is never just sightseeing."
Kagami, who had been silent for some time, finally spoke. "He reminds me of Lord First."
The group turned to him, surprised by the comment.
"How so?" Koharu asked.
Kagami's Sharingan flickered to life for a brief moment before he deactivated it. "It's the way he carries himself. It's not just power—it's something else. Like he belongs to the world, but the world doesn't belong to him."
"Interesting observation," came a new voice. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the most promising of Tobirama's students, had been silently watching the entire time. Unlike the others, he exuded a calm, composed demeanor, studying Renzo not just with his eyes but with his instincts. "I feel the same way. He's not just a shinobi; he's something… different."
Homura exhaled, deep in thought. "So what do we do?"
Danzo clenched his fists. "We wait. Lord Tobirama will decide what must be done."
Just then, Renzo, who had given no sign of acknowledging them, paused mid-step. Without turning his head, his golden eyes briefly flicked in their direction, and for a fleeting moment, the air around him shifted. A vast, invisible weight pressed down upon them—a presence so immense it stole the breath from their lungs. It was not killing intent, nor hostility, but something deeper, something primal. Their bodies instinctively tensed, a cold sweat forming on their skin.
And just as quickly as it came, it was gone. Renzo resumed his walk as if nothing had happened, his expression unchanged. The students exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier confidence shaken.
"What… was that?" Koharu whispered.
Torifu swallowed hard. "That was not normal."
Danzo clenched his jaw, his fists trembling slightly before he forced them to still. "He's dangerous."
Kagami, however, simply exhaled, eyes still locked on Renzo. "He's beyond us."
Hiruzen remained silent, his sharp mind processing what had just happened. He had felt something similar once before—when he was a child standing before Hashirama Senju himself.
As they spoke in hushed voices, Renzo continued his leisurely stroll, seemingly unfazed by their presence. If he had any thoughts about their silent observation, he did not reveal them. The day had just begun, and the village still had much to show him.