After completing his sign in at the Memorial Stone, Ryūjin resumed his routine patrol around the village. Nothing unusual occurred, and before he knew it, the day's duties had come to an end.
As usual, he planned to stop by Ichiraku Ramen for dinner before heading to the training ground. Food first, training second. Simple.
However, halfway down the street, someone called out to him.
It was Kurenai Yuhi.
"Ryūjin, are you alright?"
She stepped closer, studying him from head to toe as if expecting to find hidden injuries.
Ryūjin immediately understood what she was referring to. He shrugged casually, hands in his pockets, looking completely unbothered.
"Why is everyone acting like I barely survived? Are you all underestimating me that much? It is not like Asuma could actually do anything to me."
"That's a relief. You really do look fine."
"Of course I am. Haven't you heard the rumors? I beat him like a stray dog."
He grinned, deliberately provoking.
Kurenai blinked, still unconvinced.
"That's exactly why it's hard to believe. Ryūjin, you haven't awakened your Sharingan, have you? Otherwise, how is it that my genjutsu never affects you?"
Her suspicion mirrored that of the Hokage.
Ryūjin answered with a straight face, sounding almost academic.
"Do you know what the Sharingan represents for the Uchiha? At its core, it is the ultimate expression of Yin Release."
He continued calmly.
"Yin Release governs spiritual power. Even without awakening the Sharingan, Uchiha naturally possess stronger spiritual energy than ordinary people. Genjutsu relies on disrupting the target's chakra flow and mental state. If the foundation is strong, it is naturally harder to influence."
He delivered the explanation with such confidence that Kurenai found herself momentarily stunned.
It sounded convincing.
"Then why the sunglasses?" she pressed.
Ryūjin did not hesitate.
"You might laugh, but the first time I stepped onto the battlefield, I was terrified. My eyes gave it away. And the more afraid you look, the more enemies pick you as their first target."
He adjusted his sunglasses slightly.
"So I put these on. Hard to read fear if you cannot see it."
He smirked faintly.
"Plus, they make me look mysterious. Like some unfathomable master. Admit it, it works."
Kurenai covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh.
"You really are strange, even for an Uchiha."
They exchanged a few more light remarks before Kurenai's expression turned serious.
"Ryūjin, I'm sorry. I did not expect things to escalate like that."
Her brows furrowed, irritation flickering in her eyes.
"Asuma was completely out of line. Picking a fight like that… he acted like a street thug."
Ryūjin found her reaction unexpectedly amusing.
Seeing her so openly criticize Asuma Sarutobi was almost entertaining. For a brief moment, a ridiculous thought crossed his mind.
Did I just accidentally ruin something?
He dismissed it just as quickly.
Yeah right. Not my problem.
"If you really feel bad, then treat me to yakiniku," he said lazily. "Feed me well and I'll consider forgiving you."
Kurenai's eyes brightened instantly.
"That's easy. You helped me refine my genjutsu anyway. I already planned to treat you."
"Good. Let's call Guy too."
"No objections."
Soon, they found Might Guy and headed together to the yakiniku restaurant.
The three of them ordered grilled meat and drinks. Charcoal crackled beneath the iron grate, thin slices of meat sizzling as fat dripped and flared. Laughter mixed with the sound of cooking.
For Ryūjin, the atmosphere felt oddly nostalgic. It reminded him of casual dinners from another life, sitting with friends and wasting time without pressure.
Might Guy devoured the meat enthusiastically.
"This is amazing. I have not had yakiniku in over a year."
He spoke with his mouth full, not caring in the slightest about appearances.
It was not an exaggeration. His father, Might Duy, was still a Genin with few missions and even fewer rewards. Luxury meals were rare.
"Then eat more," Ryūjin said generously, tapping the table. "Order another plate. It is not my money."
Kurenai shot him an incredulous look.
"You are not even pretending to be polite."
He simply grinned.
They continued eating, drinking, and joking until they were completely satisfied. When it was time to leave, Kurenai paid the bill without hesitation.
Stepping outside, they prepared to head toward the training ground for some additional practice.
That was when they noticed it.
The street was shrouded in thick fog.
"When did it get so misty?" Kurenai murmured.
"It is pretty dense," Guy added, though he did not sound concerned.
Fog was not unheard of in the village. Rare, perhaps, but not impossible.
At first, Ryūjin thought nothing of it either.
But as they walked toward the corner, something felt off.
The fog was thickening too quickly.
Only a few minutes had passed, yet visibility had already shrunk to just a few meters. Buildings blurred into pale shadows. Footsteps sounded unnaturally loud against the dampened silence.
Ryūjin slowed slightly, his expression sharpening behind the dark lenses.
"This fog feels strange."
Guy waved a hand dismissively.
"It is just weather."
Ryūjin tilted his head slightly.
"Yeah. Hopefully."
But the unease in his chest did not fade.
…
Far from the village, beneath the ruins of Kannabi Bridge, within a hidden underground base, the air echoed with the sounds of combat training.
A White Zetsu with a foolish expression sparred energetically with a young boy of similar age to Ryūjin.
If Ryūjin were present, he would immediately recognize the masked figure as Tobi, one of the White Zetsu clones, notorious for his absurd personality.
The boy facing him was Obito Uchiha.
After being rescued by Madara Uchiha, Obito had spent half a year recovering and training. Though his body had once been crushed, he now moved with growing strength.
"I need to recover fully. I have to return to Kakashi and Rin."
That determination fueled every strike he threw.
He trained relentlessly, driven by hope.
In the shadows, Madara observed quietly. His aged body seemed frail, yet his gaze remained sharp.
"Obito still clings to Konoha. To Kakashi. To Rin."
His thoughts were cold.
"He cannot be shaped yet."
But Madara had prepared for this.
"Once he witnesses the death of the one he treasures most, at the hands of his closest friend, he will change."
His plan was already in motion.
"Contact the Mizukage. Proceed as arranged. Attack Konoha and capture Rin Nohara. She must be taken alive."
A White Zetsu emerged briefly, acknowledged the order, then disappeared into the ground once more.
Obito continued training, unaware of the storm being orchestrated around him.
At this moment, he was still filled with hope.
…
Back in Konoha, the fog grew denser.
Ryūjin's steps slowed further.
From the restaurant to the next intersection had taken only minutes, yet visibility had already reduced to almost nothing.
Something was wrong.
He did not know what yet, but instinct told him this was no ordinary weather.
His posture remained relaxed, but his senses sharpened.
If this was natural, fine.
If not, then whoever was responsible had chosen a very inconvenient night.
===
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