Genryu didn't move when Roen stepped in. His weight stayed set, eyes on him.
Itachi stood a step behind, quiet, watching.
"…you?"
Roen didn't take his eyes off Genryu.
Genryu's mouth shifted, almost a smile. "You said you were graduating early. I had you put on my team."
Roen shifted his footing. "Didn't see that coming."
The line held a moment longer, then Roen's attention moved past him.
"Itachi."
Itachi's eyes met his properly this time.
"It's been a while."
Roen's hand moved once at his side, then stilled. "I heard about what happened."
A small pause. Wind moved through the trees behind them, leaves shifting once and settling.
"Sorry I didn't come by," Roen added. "Thought you'd want space."
"You didn't need to."
Roen nodded once.
A short silence sat between them, not awkward, just there.
Roen stepped half a pace to the side. "Genryu."
Itachi didn't look away.
"My eldest brother."
Itachi's gaze shifted once to Genryu, measuring, then back to Roen. "I can see it."
Genryu huffed lightly through his nose. "That supposed to mean something?"
"It means I can see the resemblance," Itachi said.
Genryu's mouth pulled faintly to one side, not quite amused. "Hn."
Roen didn't look at either of them. His shoulders settled.
"Enough." Genryu said.
Then he moved.
He reached into his pouch and pulled out two small bells, tied to a short cord. They caught the light as they swung once before he stilled them between his fingers.
"Three hours," Genryu said. "Take these off me."
Roen's eyes dropped to the bells, then lifted.
Genryu stepped back once, widening the distance.
"Show no mercy."
Roen's hand moved to his pouch, pulling the forehead protector free in one motion. The cloth ran once through his fingers before he tied it around his left arm, knot pulling tight. He adjusted it once.
Then he stepped in.
Across from him, Genryu didn't shift.
The bells stayed still.
Roen's hands came up.
"Alright let's get started."
The distance disappeared.