Sora turned slightly, her eyes meeting Renjiro's as he approached. Renjiro, too, was taken aback by her presence, not expecting to find anyone waiting for him.

Renjiro reflected on the past, remembering the time when Sora and her brother Kaito were his classmates back at the academy. The trio had shared the journey of aspiring shinobi, attending classes, and sometimes training together.

However, circumstances led Renjiro to graduate early, and as a result, they gradually fell out of touch. Life in the shinobi world often propelled individuals on divergent paths, with each pursuing their own goals and responsibilities.

"Renjiro," Sora greeted, "I thought that you were not at home. I have been checking daily for the last three days."

Renjiro replied, "I just arrived from a mission." He opened up his house and gestured for Sora to get in.

"So, what brings you here?" Renjiro inquired.

Sora took a moment before answering, "Well, some of us were thinking of having a small get-together. You know, to celebrate our graduation from the academy. Since you, Aiko and Hiro are already genins maybe you could come and give us pointers?"

'Ooh, they've already graduated? I've been too busy to keep track of time. It has already been half a year since I became a ninja.'

Renjiro nodded, "That sounds like a great idea. I'd love to join."

Sora's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Fantastic! We're planning to have a meal tomorrow evening. Oh, and I almost forgot, we'd really like Hiro and Aiko to be there too."

'A meal? Count me in!!'

Renjiro's expression turned thoughtful. "Hiro and Aiko, huh? I'll make sure to pass on the invitation. I'm sure they would appreciate it."

As Sora prepared to take her leave, she couldn't help but express her genuine joy at the prospect of their gathering. "Renjiro, it's good to see you again. I'll see you tomorrow."

Renjiro smiled, appreciating the sentiment. "Indeed, Sora. I will also see you tomorrow."

With that, Sora bid Renjiro farewell.

'Perfect, I need something to distract me from my last mission. Plus, it would be great to see how much those guys have grown.'

Closing his eyes, Renjiro took a moment to acknowledge the emotions swirling within him. Pride for their successful mission and growth in power, regret for the collateral damage, and a resolute commitment to learn from the experience.

'Let me make a few seals before calling it a night.'

Renjiro made a few seals before sleeping. After all, he was still saving up for his weapon.

The following morning, the team engaged in a light training session to maintain their combat readiness.

As the training session concluded, Riku, satisfied with their progress, gathered the team for a brief debriefing.

"You are all showing great improvement," he remarked, "Keep it up and remember, each mission is a chance to refine your skills and learn from the challenges you face."

With a nod of acknowledgement, the team dispersed. Later that day, the team gathered at a designated spot for the meet-up Sora had talked about.

Renjiro had earlier informed Aiko and Hiro about it before they began their training and they both accepted.

They would usually use their afternoons for personal training, but considering the fact that they just completed a mission the previous day, they choose to use this meet-up to unwind. It had been a busy couple of months with nonstop training and missions in between.

The barbecue joint they were to meet was nestled in a cosy corner of the village and welcomed Renjiro, Hiro, and Aiko with a tantalizing aroma that wafted through the air.

Upon stepping inside, the trio found themselves in a vibrant and bustling space. The interior was adorned with wooden accents, giving the place a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Tables equipped with built-in grills stood ready for patrons to embark on their culinary adventure.

The familiar faces of their former classmates greeted the genins. Laughter and camaraderie filled the air as they spotted Kenta and Haori Hyuga, Sora and Kaito Uchiha, Makoto Inuzuka, and Eri Yamanaka gathered around a table.

"Renjiro! Hiro! Aiko!" Haori called out, waving them over. They immediately joined them and enjoyed the ambience.

Sora remarked, "I am glad you guys showed up!"

Renjiro chuckled, "Well, why would we pass a chance to meet friends? Plus, I heard there's good food involved."

Makoto chimed in, "Speaking of food, have you guys decided what you want to grill?"

Hiro nodded, "I'm thinking bulgogi for starters. What about you, Aiko?"

Aiko considered the options, "I'll go for some pork belly."

As they settled into their seats, the conversations flowed effortlessly. Kenta shared stories from the Academy, while Eri inquired about their experiences as a new team.

"So, have you guys had any interesting missions lately?" Sora asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Hiro leaned back, "Well, we just got back from the Land of Mountains. Where we dealt with some rogue Shinobis."

Kaito raised an eyebrow, "Rogue shinobis? That sounds intense. How did it go?"

Aiko chimed in, "It had its moments, but we managed. Riku-sensei was there to guide us."

Makoto, ever eager for action, grinned, "I wish we had some rogue ninja to deal with."

Haori added, "At least it's peaceful. I heard Hayate couldn't make it. Said it would be a 'drag' in his words."

Eri giggled, "Classic Hayate. Always finding an excuse."

As the grilling commenced, the group shared stories of their academy days, reminisced about shared experiences, and discussed their aspirations as newly graduated shinobi.

Renjiro raised an eyebrow in surprise when Kaito casually mentioned that he had graduated as the top student.

'Kaito as the top student? Did he awaken his Sharingan? Well, that's a surprise. I always thought Kenta would automatically be the top student once I graduated. But then again, it wouldn't be surprising if Kaito got a bit serious during their final year. Plus he's more social and welcoming to me than he was in the past. Maybe he did change.'

"Top of the class, huh?" Renjiro grinned, genuinely impressed. "Well done, Kaito."

Kaito shrugged modestly, "It wasn't much since you performed even better at the promotion exam."

The group chuckled, and Kenta added, "Don't let him fool you. Kaito worked hard for it."

With the revelation about Kaito's achievement, the conversation naturally shifted to their genin promotions exams. Renjiro listened as they shared their experiences, and it became evident that their journey closely mirrored his own, without the unexpected genjutsu incident.

As the discussion unfolded, Sora, Kaito, and the others turned their attention to the genins, seeking advice on navigating the challenges of becoming genins.

"Well, first things first," Renjiro began, "be ready for a variety of missions. Some will be routine, others might surprise you. Always stay adaptable."

Hiro chimed in, "And teamwork is key. Your teammates will become like family, and you'll rely on each other more than you think."

Aiko nodded, "Exactly. Communication is crucial, both in and out of battle. Always keep your team informed, and don't be afraid to ask for help."

Renjiro added, "Also, embrace continuous learning. Train regularly, explore new jutsus, and seek guidance from your superiors. The village has a wealth of knowledge to offer."

Sora, ever inquisitive, asked, "What about facing tougher opponents? Any advice on that?"

Renjiro smirked, recalling his own encounters, "Face challenges head-on, but know your limits. It's okay to retreat and regroup if needed. And learn from every defeat. That's how you grow stronger."

The conversation soon touched on their genin lives so far and after hearing their encounters, the rest could only think that it was quite underwhelming.

Renjiro chimed in, "You know, genin life isn't always about constant action. Sometimes, the lulls in between missions are a chance to train and learn new techniques. Like what I've been doing."

Makoto raised an eyebrow, "But you've been on only two missions in the last six months. It feels like you're not doing much at all."

Renjiro nodded, "True, missions are the lifeblood of a shinobi, but they're not the only aspect. Training and preparation are equally vital. It's about being ready for anything, even if it means facing periods of apparent inactivity. Plus I feel like Riku-sensei is prioritising our learning so that we become more combat effective on the field."

Aiko added, "And let's not forget that missions can be dangerous. It's not just about the thrill; it's about being cautious and making sure we're well-prepared. Anything can go wrong, and it's better to be safe than sorry."

Kaito sighed, "I thought being a genin would be more... eventful, you know?"

Sora nudged him, "Well, Kaito, not every day is going to be a dangerous mission."

Renjiro agreed, "Exactly. Cherish the times of peace, but stay vigilant."

As the night drew to a close, Renjiro and his genin teammates bid farewell to their friends. The group disbanded, each member heading home with the promise of another day.

Renjiro felt a sense of contentment in the connections he had forged, knowing that in the unpredictable world of shinobi, having trustworthy allies was invaluable.

Hiro broke the silence. "Well, that was a pleasant surprise."

Sora nodded, "Yeah, it was nice. We should do that more often."

They reached their respective homes, each genin bidding the others goodnight. Renjiro, entering his house, closed the door behind him. It had been a long day and his social batteries had already been depleted.

=====

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