Uchiha Ruri glanced at Asuma, whose face was flushed with anger, and couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
Triggered already?
Well, when you think about it, it's understandable.
After all, Asuma clearly had feelings for Kurenai. If it were Uchiha Obito, he probably would have activated his Sharingan by now.
"Kurenai," Uchiha Ruri raised his voice slightly, "If you're interested, how about we train together sometime?"
Kurenai, who had been organizing her ninja tools, suddenly froze. Her ears turned bright red almost instantly.
Before she could respond, Asuma angrily shouted, "Uchiha's dead last!"
Asuma kicked a stone on the ground in frustration, angrily saying, "That was just Kurenai being careless! Now, let me show you what real ninjutsu is!"
"Asuma!" Kurenai exclaimed, her face filled with impatience.
Uchiha Ruri spread his hands, smirking. "Fine, fine, you're so impressive. Six million times stronger than Lord Hokage, huh?"
Asuma yelled, his voice rising in anger, "Bastard! What's with that attitude?!"
Uchiha Ruri replied coolly, "I can't even agree with you now? Are you sick or something?"
Miyagi Shunsuke cleared his throat a few times, cutting off the pre-match banter.
"The match starts!"
Asuma suddenly sprang into action, hurling three shuriken in a triangular formation.
Uchiha Ruri's eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his wrist, he sent several shuriken flying. The sharp sound of metal rang out as they expertly knocked Asuma's shuriken from the air.
Asuma roared and charged forward, but Uchiha Ruri stood still, his right palm quietly sprouting a spiral-shaped wooden spike.
When they were only three meters apart, the wooden spike suddenly shot forward, its sharp tip stopping just a fraction of an inch from Asuma's Adam's apple.
"What... is this... Mokuton...?"
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock as he fixed his gaze on the sharp wooden spike.
Cold sweat dripped from Asuma's chin onto the wooden spike. "That was close… just a little more…"
Just as Asuma sighed in relief, he suddenly realized that Uchiha Ruri's figure had vanished.
In the next instant, Uchiha Ruri appeared right in front of Asuma.
"Wait..."
A heavy punch charged with chakra smashed into Asuma's cheek. The impact was so intense that the sound of his bones cracking was audible to everyone.
Asuma was sent flying like a broken kite, crashing into the wall about ten meters away, leaving a spiderweb of cracks behind.
"All done, we're finished."
Uchiha Ruri cast a glance at Miyagi Junpei, who stood frozen in shock.
"Sensei Miyagi, should we stop here?"
Miyagi Junpei swallowed nervously and assessed Asuma's injuries.
He realized the guy had completely passed out.
What the hell, knocked Asuma out with a single punch?
Miyagi Junpei was baffled. In just a few days, how had Uchiha Ruri gotten this strong?
Just moments ago, when Uchiha Ruri threw his punch, he distinctly felt a massive surge of chakra from him.
The scale of it...
It had far surpassed the level of an average Chūnin.
Miyagi Junpei thought for a moment before deciding to report Uchiha Ruri's situation to the Hokage.
The Wooden Spike from earlier, along with the vines he had used during his fight with Kurenai, reminded him of Mokuton—the technique only the First Hokage could wield.
Then, when he remembered that Uchiha Ruri carried half of the Senju bloodline... everything began to add up.
"Medical team!"
As the medical team carried Asuma away, the match finally came to an end.
Once Kakashi had helped restore order, he turned his attention back to Uchiha Ruri.
In both battles, Ruri had resolved them with a speed that was overwhelming.
In the second match against Asuma, he refused to use any flashy moves.
He knocked Asuma out with a single punch, swiftly securing the win.
Unless something unexpected happens, Asuma will likely be in bed for at least ten days to two weeks.
"This kind of incredible strength, I've only seen Lady Tsunade display…"
"But she's one of the Legendary Three Ninjas! What could Uchiha Ruri possibly have to compare with her…"
Kakashi felt somewhat uneasy.
Based on past experience, Asuma was undoubtedly one of the top among his peers.
He had fought Asuma before, and even when Kakashi gave his all, he hadn't won so decisively.
Thinking about this, Kakashi's mood soured.
Even though he never said it aloud, he had always seen himself as the village's prodigy.
Not only should there be no one his age who could challenge him, but even ninjas a few years older than him should have been easily beaten by him.
Then, a thought crossed Kakashi's mind—Uchiha Ruri might be even stronger than he had imagined.
While Kakashi was lost in thought, Uchiha Ruri had already quietly slipped away from the training field.
Just as he was about to head back for a break, a figure in a bright green jumpsuit came running toward him.
"Ruri! Was that Taijutsu you just used?!"
Uchiha Ruri nodded. "Yes, Guy. It's a Taijutsu style my mother left me. I only learned it recently."
Might Guy's eyes lit up with excitement.
As everyone knew, both Might Guy and his father, Might Duy, were not skilled in ninjutsu.
So the two of them trained day and night, dedicating themselves solely to Taijutsu.
And for that same reason, Might Guy was always deeply interested in the Taijutsu styles of others.
That's why he had come over to ask Ruri.
"Ruri! Next time, I want to have a thrilling and intense showdown with you!"
Seeing Might Guy's toothy grin, Uchiha Ruri's mood suddenly lifted.
As long as it wasn't the move he was saving for Kakashi, sparring with Guy sounded like fun.
"Sure, Guy!"
"It's a deal! Now I've got to do my thousand push-ups for the day — see you!"
Tap tap tap—Soon, Might Guy's figure disappeared around the corner.
Uchiha Ruri hummed a tune as he walked toward the Uchiha clan district.
As expected, today's incident would soon reach the ears of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.
The only thing left to do now was wait — wait for them to come looking for him.
Hashirama Senju had been quietly watching the battle from a distance and couldn't help but feel impressed by Uchiha Ruri's performance.
"That was a great punch, Ruri. Very impressive."
Hashirama sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes filled with admiration.
If he wasn't mistaken, Ruri had already shown an impressive level of control over the Wood Release technique.
And as far as Hashirama recalled, no one else in the entire Senju clan could use this jutsu.
Not even his younger brother, Tobirama, could do it.
Tobirama had even asked Hashirama to document the Wood Release techniques, so that he could study them in secret late at night in his room.
In the end, however, Tobirama gave up on that idea and turned his attention to studying Water Release techniques specifically designed to counter the Uchiha clan.
"You're too kind, Lord Hashirama. I've only scratched the surface," Ruri replied modestly.
And it wasn't false modesty. Compared to Hashirama, who could summon colossal wooden dragons reaching hundreds of meters in height, Ruri still had a long way to go.
Moreover, Ruri's ambitions extended far beyond just mastering Wood Release.
Something grander, more daring was already taking shape in his mind — Susano'o-clad Buddha, for instance.
Hashirama, of course, wouldn't think such things. Hearing Ruri's humble words, he burst into hearty laughter.
Could it be that Tobirama had summoned him into this space for the sole purpose of guiding this child?
Lost in thought, Ruri had already arrived at the gates of the Uchiha district.
Just as he was about to head back for a rest, a figure came running up behind him.
Running while calling his name.
"Ruri-nii, wait a moment!"
Ruri turned around, a smile forming on his face.
"So it's you, Shisui."
The story of Ruri ends here for today!
From the fateful encounter at the training ground, to Guy's spirited challenge, and finally Shisui chasing after him — Uchiha Ruri's world is only just beginning to unfold.
Every battle, every conversation, leaves a small but important mark on his path of growth.
He may not be strong enough yet, and he still has many unanswered questions hidden deep inside, but just like Shisui's heartfelt "Ruri-nii!" as he ran after him, and just like Guy's eager invitation to duel —knowing there's someone waiting, someone who cares, makes his journey as a ninja a little less lonely.
Mokuton, Susano'o, or adventures yet unknown — Ruri's tale still has a long way to go.
If you're curious about this quiet yet extraordinary Uchiha boy, please show your support and leave me a comment! Whether you want to discuss the plot, share wild theories, or suggest new characters to interact with Ruri, your every message will become the fuel that keeps me writing!
Please follow, bookmark, and stay tuned —I look forward to your continued support, and I'll see you next time! 🌸✨