Uchiha Fugaku was a man of his word. He immediately spoke with the Konoha Military Police Force, ensuring Ryūjin wouldn't have to report for duty for the next few days. Naturally, Ryūjin didn't decline. Not working meant he could devote all his time to Taijutsu training, a prospect he welcomed fully.
Even though he wasn't afraid of any possible repercussions, Ryūjin respected the Clan Head's intentions. The matter had stirred whispers and pointed fingers, and he didn't want to be the center of attention the moment he stepped outside. For a full week, he kept a very low profile within the Uchiha Compound, only returning to the Village's training grounds when it was safe.
The Uchiha Clan rarely valued Taijutsu, and no proper training grounds existed within the compound for such discipline. To train seriously, Ryūjin still needed the facilities of the Village.
"Ryūjin, you Guy, you're finally out!" Might Guy shouted, pausing mid-training, sweat dripping from his body.
"Watch your words. What do you mean 'out'? You make it sound like I was locked in a dungeon," Ryūjin rolled his eyes.
"Haha, as long as you're fine! But you've got guts, kid. Daring to hit Asuma… I was worried about you for days." Might Guy's admiration was tinged with self-deprecation and a heavy sense of inadequacy.
Might Guy had been ridiculed daily in Konoha. His father, Might Duy, had suffered the same fate, mocked and bullied despite his efforts. To Ryūjin, the feat of defeating Asuma was ordinary, but to Guy, it was astonishing.
"You worried about me? Don't. Asuma made the first move. I was just defending myself. The Village won't interfere," Ryūjin said casually.
"That's true… but Ryūjin, you used Taijutsu to defeat a Special Jonin. Is your skill really that powerful?" Guy asked, his voice laced with discouragement.
Unlike Ryūjin, who trained rigorously only a few hours after work, Might Guy devoted all his time to Taijutsu. Even so, Ryūjin's abilities far surpassed his own. Currently still at Genin level, Guy struggled to even match a regular Genin, let alone a Special Jonin.
"Guy, don't belittle yourself. You'll become a remarkable Ninja!" Ryūjin said sincerely, patting his friend's shoulder.
Guy was stunned. Rarely had anyone affirmed him, let alone praised him so earnestly. He could feel Ryūjin's sincerity, and it touched him deeply.
"Actually, you are a genius!" Ryūjin added meaningfully.
"A genius… what kind of genius am I?" Guy asked, self-deprecating.
"You're a genius of hard work. While others practice once, you practice ten times. Your iron will surpasses any lack of innate talent. Guy, your achievements will surpass Asuma's in the future!"
"Hey, hey… why is a grown man crying? Whoa, and snot too, disgusting…" Guy sobbed. "Ryūjin, no one's ever said these things to me, and no one's ever thought so highly of me!"
"Alright, alright, train. If Kurenai sees this, she'll think I did something to you," Ryūjin waved his hand, pretending disgust.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The two trained with unrelenting fervor. After three hours, Ryūjin bid Guy farewell and headed home.
Shua! Shua!
However, on a deserted path, two masked ninjas appeared, blocking his way. They could have been from Anbu or Root, though Ryūjin suspected the latter. Danzo and the Hokage had long ruled Konoha together—one in the light, the other in the shadows. A blatant move against the Uchiha fit Danzo's methods, not Hiruzen's.
"Uchiha Ryūjin, Lord Danzo requests your presence," one of the boar-masked ninjas said, expressionless.
Ryūjin had guessed correctly. Root had come.
"Go back and tell Danzo I don't want to go. And don't bother me again!" Ryūjin said coldly.
Root, officially part of Anbu, was in reality Danzo's private organization. Its methods were ruthless, feared by all. His strength allowed him to disregard them entirely.
"Outrageous! You dare defy Lord Danzo's orders?" The Root members exclaimed, anger and shock evident.
Root was absolute in Konoha. No one disobeyed their orders. Yet here stood a teenager, flaunting defiance.
"Truly laughable. The Hokage can order me, the Military Police Captain can order me, but Danzo? What right does he have? What kind of authority is that?" Ryūjin sneered, disdain written across his face.
The masked ninjas stiffened, realizing the audacity of the Uchiha Genin before them.
Ryūjin, with his confidence, power, and absolute disregard for fear.