Rukawa didn't spare Fugaku a glance. With a flick of the wrist, he tossed the charred, smoking wreckage that used to be Uchiha Sōjin aside and turned to leave.
This time, not a single person dared to stand in his way.
If even an elite jōnin like Sōjin got insta-clapped, the rest of them knew better than to throw themselves into the meat grinder. Uchiha may be proud—but they weren't stupid.
It wasn't until Rukawa's figure completely disappeared into the distance that someone finally snapped.
"Clan head! You're just going to let him walk away after that?!"
Fugaku looked at the man like he was an idiot. "Oh? Then why didn't you stop him?"
"I… well… because…" the man stammered, unable to get a single full sentence out.
Another Uchiha approached, face grim. "Clan head… that boy's eye—was that the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan?!"
Most of them had been too focused on Rukawa to even notice Fugaku activate his own.
"That's a clan matter. I'll look into it myself," Fugaku said evenly. "You lot don't need to worry."
His gaze dropped to the two twitching bodies still smoldering on the floor.
"For now, our priority is getting Sōjin and Fuhō medical attention."
Rukawa walked out of the Uchiha assembly grounds feeling slightly annoyed.
He'd come to discuss serious matters with the clan. Somehow… it had all devolved into a beatdown session.
Weird.
He replayed the whole situation in his head.
Yup. Not his fault. They struck first. He was just defending himself.
Glancing up at the sky—it was still early. No rush to head home.
He decided to find a quiet place to test his powers more thoroughly. Getting strong was one thing. Mastering that strength? That took work.
He headed for the forest behind the village—a dense, secluded area rarely visited. Perfect for training.
Two hours later…
Rukawa had finished testing his ocular abilities. Now it was time to transform—go full beast mode and see just how strong his body had become.
But just as he was about to start—
"Uchiha Rukawa! Finally found you!"
A voice rang through the trees. Stepping into view was Hyūga Juki—flanked by another boy, wearing a Konoha forehead protector.
"Cousin! That's him! The guy who sucker-punched me during training this morning!" the boy whined, clutching his swollen face. "My jaw still hurts! And I lost a tooth!"
Hyūga Daisuke frowned, arms crossed, glaring down at Rukawa.
"So you're the punk who blindsided my cousin?"
"Scram," Rukawa said, flatly.
"Oh-ho! Got some bite, huh? Typical Uchiha."
Daisuke smirked, undeterred.
"Listen up, brat. I'm a genin. That's right. A real ninja. Not some academy dropout."
He jabbed at his forehead protector, proud as a peacock.
"You mess with the Hyūga, you mess with all of us. When my cousin came to me for help, I couldn't just let it slide."
Rukawa stared blankly. Was this guy seriously flexing being a genin?
He was too tired to even be mad. Might as well treat this as a warm-down exercise.
"So… what do you want? An apology?"
"Now we're talking!" Daisuke looked pleased.
"But breaking my cousin's face isn't something an apology can fix."
"Oh? You want me to pay for medical bills? I'm broke."
"No need. Just let him knock your teeth out. You know—eye for an eye."
"…That's… not ideal."
Rukawa began to take a step back, frowning.
"Not willing? That's fine. I'll knock your teeth out myself," Daisuke cracked his knuckles, swaggering closer.
"Okay, okay. I'll let him hit me. Just don't step in."
Rukawa looked hesitant—like he was really worried.
"Smart kid," Daisuke said smugly. He turned to his cousin.
"Go ahead. Let loose. He won't dare fight back while I'm here."
"Awesome! Thanks, cousin!"
Juki strutted up to Rukawa, face full of smug satisfaction.
"Well, well, Rukawa… bet you didn't see this coming when you sucker-punched me this morning!"
He raised his hand dramatically, chakra gathering.
"I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"
SLAP!
A crisp smack echoed through the trees.
To Rukawa, it felt like a gentle breeze. To Juki?
"OWWWW! M-MY HAND! What the hell is your face made of?!"
His palm throbbed, fingers swollen. It felt like he'd just slapped a steel wall.
"Put your back into it," Rukawa said calmly, stepping forward and offering his face again.
"Ugh!" Juki backed off two steps, fear creeping in.
"Cousin, help! He's got an iron face!"
What a joke.
Daisuke frowned. "Useless."
He stepped forward and swung—
Smack!
Except his hand didn't land. Rukawa had caught his wrist mid-air.
"I didn't agree to let you hit me."
"You little punk! Let go!"
Daisuke tried to yank free. Nothing happened.
"What kind of grip strength is this?!"
"Right. You're Hyūga Daisuke, right?" Rukawa asked casually.
"Y-Yeah, so what?"
For some reason, a chill ran down his spine.
"Just wanted to say—I like your name."
Rukawa grinned at Juki.
The next moment—
Sharingan.