The passage of time was unforgiving, and in the years following Renzo and Taji's departure from Konoha, the world steadily marched toward conflict. The era of fragile peace between the newly founded villages was eroding, giving way to tension and skirmishes that would soon escalate into a full-blown war.
The five great villages—Konohagakure, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure—grew in strength, each vying for dominance, resources, and security. Though the initial goal of the village system was unity and order, the differing ideologies among the villages led to suspicion and competition.
Iwagakure, under the reign of the First Tsuchikage, remained steadfast in its ambition to solidify itself as an unyielding force, hoarding resources and maintaining a strict military structure. Sunagakure, struggling with its harsh desert environment, sought ways to ensure its survival, often clashing with its neighbors over trade routes and fertile land. Kumogakure, always aggressive, expanded its influence through shows of force, while Kirigakure remained shrouded in secrecy, its internal struggles mirroring the growing external conflicts.
As Konoha prospered under Hashirama Senju's leadership, its strength became both a symbol of hope and a cause for fear. The other villages saw Konoha as the mightiest of the five, possessing abundant resources and housing powerful clans like the Uchiha and Senju. To maintain balance, Hashirama sought to distribute the tailed beasts, believing it would create mutual deterrence and ensure peace. However, this act only increased tensions, as the other villages used the beasts as weapons rather than safeguards.
Hashirama's health continued to deteriorate, a lingering consequence of his battle against Madara Uchiha. Eventually, he succumbed to illness, passing leadership to his brother, Tobirama Senju. Unlike his idealistic brother, Tobirama ruled with pragmatism, implementing policies that would ensure Konoha's survival, even if it meant taking a firmer stance against potential threats.
Despite his best efforts to maintain stability, Tobirama's leadership could not prevent what was inevitable. Small conflicts between villages began erupting into full-scale battles. Assassinations of key figures, territorial disputes, and betrayals became common. The treaty lines drawn by the first generation of Kage blurred as war drums sounded across the nations.
It was during this time that Renzo and Taji, still wandering, became distant observers. The two had witnessed firsthand how each village functioned, and now, they saw them descend into warfare. To them, war was not a matter of right or wrong—it was simply another phase of human existence. Taji, now older and more perceptive, questioned whether peace was ever truly possible, while Renzo, ever unshaken, merely watched and continued forward.
By the time the war had reached its peak, countless lives had been lost. Clans that had once been mercenaries fighting for personal gain were now official soldiers of their respective villages. The first generation of shinobi leaders had begun to fall, paving the way for a new era of warriors.
The world was changing, and as the First Shinobi World War unfolded, Renzo and Taji found themselves witnessing history—not as participants, but as silent wanderers who understood that this conflict was merely another cycle of humanity's endless pursuit of power and stability.