These words indeed struck the duo's weakness.
Thinking back on their history of repeated defeats, they hesitated for a moment before following him, half-believing and half-doubting.
Ryoko let out a secret sigh of relief.
As expected, as long as he used "becoming stronger" as bait, these two Uchiha would definitely bite the hook.
After all, for pure Uchihas, the pursuit of power was their greatest desire.
Before long, the three arrived at the forest by the banks of the Naka River.
This place was adjacent to the Uchiha clan territory; the trees were lush, resources were abundant, and wild animals and birds passed through from time to time, presenting a scene of natural, primitive beauty.
Ryoko directed the two brothers to set traps in the forest to catch small game, while he himself went down to the river to catch fish.
Although Tekka grumbled, his hands were precise as he set the traps; Inaho kept watch on the surroundings while using a Kunai to sharpen wooden sticks into simple hunting tools.
The three had a clear division of labor, making their efficiency far higher than acting alone, and they soon reaped a bountiful harvest.
"Hahaha, my trap caught a rabbit!" Inaho pointed excitedly at a gray rabbit struggling in a pit, his face brimming with the joy of the catch.
Tekka leaned over to look, a flash of envy crossing his eyes.
But soon he also cheered, as the snare trap he set had successfully caught a plump pheasant.
Looking at their trophies, a sense of accomplishment welled up in them.
This kind of field combat was far more interesting than tedious training, and the immediate results made them temporarily forget the frustration of losing to Ryoko twice.
By the river, Ryoko heard the cheers from afar and couldn't help but chuckle softly: "As expected of Uchiha who are masters of hidden weapons; their skill at setting traps is indeed impressive."
The more they caught, the happier Ryoko became; after all, that was all food for his dinner.
However, in the water, it was his home turf.
He used the Partial Multi-Size Technique to enlarge his palm and then slammed it into the water, precisely scooping up a fat river fish.
Amidst the splashing water, he curled his lips proudly: "When it comes to fishing, I won't lose to you guys."
Half an hour later, all three had gained quite a lot.
The forest resources of this era were rich, and combined with their skills as Ninja trainees, catching prey was not difficult.
Looking at the abundance of prey, Ryoko marveled in his heart: Ninjas really are the strongest labor force in this world.
It was just a pity that people who should have been tools to drive the development of the era were instead used specifically as tools for killing, instigating turmoil and war.
Truly tragic and lamentable!
Carrying their heavy harvest, the three returned to the Akimichi Clan compound under the curious gazes of passersby.
Looking at the freshly processed meat, Ryoko satisfiedly took command of the subsequent preparation work.
Although Tekka and Inaho were still muttering about "treating us like coolies again," their hands were already skillfully processing the ingredients according to Ryoko's instructions.
Watching the stew bubbling and steaming in the pot, Ryoko contentedly picked up a spoon to taste the broth.
The rich aroma of meat mixed with the sweetness of the cabbage made him praise: "The flavor is so full; it's absolutely perfect!"
He was just about to "invite" the two Uchiha to leave like yesterday, but turning around, he saw that although they were trying to act calm, their eyes were glued to the pot, and his heart stirred slightly.
After all, they really did help a lot today, and he might have to rely on these two free laborers in the future.
If he wanted them to work hard for him, he should give them a little taste of sweetness.
"Ahem." Ryoko cleared his throat and took out two small bowls. "Since this great one is in a good mood today, I'll reward you with a taste."
Tekka immediately turned his face away, saying with a tsundere expression: "Hmph, this great one doesn't care for it, but since you've invited me so sincerely, I'll reluctantly take a bite."
Inaho, on the other hand, took the bowl righteously: "We contributed to this, so it's only right that we eat."
Before he could even finish speaking, the two had already quickly filled their bowls with rice and couldn't wait to ladle the stew over it.
The moment the rice coated in broth entered their mouths, both of them froze simultaneously.
The rich gravy exploded on their tongues, the cabbage had soaked up the soup and become soft and sweet, and the vermicelli was springy and smooth; every bite was an unprecedented impact of deliciousness.
Tekka's eyes widened instantly, and the speed at which he shoveled rice into his mouth unconsciously quickened; although Inaho tried to remain calm, his slightly trembling hands and shining eyes had already betrayed him.
"This... how is this possible..."
Tekka mumbled indistinctly as the rice in his bowl disappeared at a visible rate.
Inaho silently filled a second bowl, this time specifically ladling several pieces of meat that had been stewed until tender.
Seeing the two of them devouring the food, Ryoko curled his lips in pride.
Little guys, I've got you right where I want you.
Chinese cuisine is profound and extensive; manipulating these two fellows was a piece of cake.
Judging by the way these two were eating, they probably hadn't eaten anything truly good before.
The two had just finished shoveling the food into their bowls and wanted to add more, but Ryoko had already quickly closed the pot lid, muttering: "Eat again tomorrow; today's is gone. If I give more to you, I won't have enough for myself."
Before the two could react, Ryoko grabbed them by their back collars, one in each hand, and unceremoniously pushed them out the door.
With a "bang," the door slammed shut in front of them.
The two Uchiha brothers sat on the ground stunned for a good while before realizing they had actually been thrown out for the sake of a bite of food.
"This is outrageous! Akimichi Ryoko, I'm not done with you!" Tekka pounded the ground in anger.
Inaho also gritted his teeth: "Just you wait. One day, I will completely defeat you and make you my exclusive chef, cooking for me every day while you stand aside and watch!"
Just as they were making their threats, they suddenly noticed several Akimichi Clan members surrounding them at some point.
Although these men were burly and tall, they were all staring expectantly at the closed door, clearly drawn by the aroma from just now.
Looking at this group of foodies from the clan, the two brothers were momentarily speechless.
Time flew by, and a week passed.
During this time, some sharp-eyed people noticed that The two Uchiha brothers would leave with Ryoko after school.
As it happened more often, people became curious.
Under the questioning of classmates and friends, Uchiha Tekka and Inaho were too embarrassed to say they had been defeated and agreed to work for Ryoko, so they claimed they were battling after school to wash away their disgrace.
Once this news spread, it caused many people to be shocked and marvel; as expected of the Uchiha, they truly were bellicose.
To fight an enemy who had defeated them every single day until they won—such a spirit was truly awe-inspiring.
Meanwhile, Hyuga Aoki, who had been buried in diligent study and training, gave a disdainful smile upon hearing this news.
"Truly foolish fellows. So what if they battle every day? They still haven't beaten the other guy; otherwise, why would they leave with Akimichi Ryoko every day?"
"I have been training hard in the clan for a long time and have accumulated enough strength. Now is the time for revenge."
He had prepared for a long time and felt his strength had improved by leaps and bounds, enough to challenge Akimichi Ryoko.
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