"I came here to eat, not to listen to your lectures."
Uchiha Ryun's blunt words left several elders stunned. Uchiha Fourth Elder's expression changed drastically, his face instantly flushing red.
This old man—Ryun didn't even know which elder he specifically was—had the audacity to lecture him the moment they met, acting as if he had the right to dictate Ryun's decisions.
Keeping his abilities hidden was his own private matter. Since when did the clan have the authority to decide that for him? Whether to conceal his strength or not wasn't something the clan had any say in. This old man was clearly overstepping his bounds.
These elders had neither trained him nor genuinely helped him. Now, they dared to lecture him as soon as they met? Ryun had no intention of humoring them.
In the past, he hadn't needed to rely on these elders, and now, he certainly didn't need them either.
On the contrary, the reason they were so eager to host this celebration banquet for him was purely because of his current reputation and the political influence of the Sannin behind him.
Since Uchiha Madara's departure, the Uchiha clan had seemed to lose its soul. The clan desperately needed a heroic figure, both internally and externally.
Right now, it was the clan that needed him, not the other way around. Some people clearly still didn't understand the situation. Either they were too used to their high positions, or they thought Ryun was just a young, easily controlled brat who could be manipulated to seize the initiative in the conversation.
"You—"
Ahem.
Uchiha Fourth Elder had just begun to reprimand Ryun when Uchiha First Elder abruptly coughed, cutting him off.
"Let's not forget that the main purpose of tonight is the celebration banquet. Ryun-kun is the star of this event. Let's not discuss unpleasant matters in this setting."
Uchiha First Elder's words silenced the Fourth Elder, though his expression remained sour.
Soon, the banquet officially began. Many prominent figures within the Uchiha clan attended the event.
"Everyone, let me introduce a young hero tonight..."
Uchiha First Elder walked over to Ryun's side, smiling warmly as he patted his shoulder.
"Uchiha Ryun, renowned across the ninja world, one of the few who earned first-class merits in the Rain-Fire War, actively participated in defeating and capturing the Demigod, the youngest and fastest-promoted jonin in Konoha's history..."
"Ryun-kun eliminated over a hundred enemies on the Rain Country battlefield, completed one dangerous S-rank mission after another, achieving great military exploits for both Konoha and our clan. Tonight's banquet is held specifically in his honor, giving everyone a chance to meet our little hero."
As Uchiha First Elder finished speaking, the guests erupted in applause and cheers. Every gaze directed at Ryun was filled with admiration and amazement.
Reputation paled in comparison to seeing him in person. Ryun's strength and achievements were outstanding in every way. The most shocking part was that such a renowned figure was only twelve years old.
If given another ten or twenty years to grow, no one could even imagine how far he would go. Such a prodigy was absolutely worth knowing, befriending, and even following!
Ryun stood up, holding a cup of sake.
The moment he rose, all the guests and elders stood as well.
"Thank you to the clan for hosting this celebration banquet. I don't deserve the title of hero—I'm just an ordinary ninja who was lucky enough to survive the battlefield..."
"Thanks to the elders for their recognition and to all my clansmen for your enthusiastic support. Tonight, with this cup of sake, I'll toast everyone first."
Ryun raised his cup, briefly scanning the clansmen present. Everyone immediately raised their glasses in response. He drank first, and the others followed suit, downing their sake as a sign of respect.
Those attending the banquet were all elite jonin of the clan, each exuding a powerful aura. Yet, Ryun's presence alone was enough to command their attention.
This presence had nothing to do with reputation or status—it stemmed from the confidence brought by his formidable strength.
Moreover, he carried the sharpness unique to youth, combined with the ruthless edge honed through bloody battles on the battlefield. His piercing gaze inadvertently inspired awe.
The other elite jonin could sense his extraordinary nature. The pressure Ryun exuded was overwhelming, even without him doing anything.
For jonin, judging someone's strength didn't require explanations. Just by standing before them and letting them feel his extraordinary oppressive aura, Ryun had already proven his reputation was well-deserved.
"Ryun-kun rose from a genin to a jonin in just over half a year, and through battlefield merits at that... Figures like you are rare even across the entire ninja world..."
Many elite jonin approached Ryun to chat and toast him.
Ryun was accommodating, accepting most toasts from unfamiliar clansmen. His approachable demeanor won him the goodwill of many clan jonin. Overall, the banquet was a success.
Notably, almost none of the Uchiha clan's younger generation attended the event, including Uchiha First Elder's grandson, Uchiha Fugaku.
The reason was simple: insufficient status or strength. Only those with both power and standing within the clan were invited. These individuals essentially represented the entire Uchiha clan.
They all wanted to connect with Ryun and had high hopes for his future.
The elders had to accommodate the wishes of these representative jonin, hence tonight's celebration banquet.
After the banquet, Ryun intended to leave—he wasn't fond of such social gatherings—but Uchiha First Elder privately stopped him.
"Ryun-kun, I kept you behind to discuss Fugaku's matter..."
Ryun raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"My unruly grandson offended you last time. I've already reprimanded him severely. Please, for my sake, forgive him this once..."
Uchiha First Elder's humble attitude shocked Ryun.
"First Elder, you're too kind. I never held Fugaku's actions against me in the first place. Besides, I was also at fault in that situation. Let's just leave it in the past..."
Last time, Uchiha Fugaku was the one who suffered and got beaten up. Ryun hadn't lost anything, so he naturally didn't dwell on it.
Moreover, neither Uchiha Fugaku nor Uchiha First Elder sought revenge or accountability afterward, showing at least some measure of magnanimity. Ryun had no reason to hold a grudge. As long as Fugaku didn't provoke him again, that was enough.
"Even so, as an apology, please accept this gift..."
Uchiha First Elder ordered someone to bring over a scroll.
"This contains some ancestral insights on the use of the Three Tomoe Sharingan. Ryun-kun, you can take it home and study it."
Ryun's eyes lit up. He briefly skimmed the scroll's contents before smiling and accepting the gift.
"Thank you for the gift, First Elder. These valuable insights will be very useful to me!"
Uchiha First Elder's goodwill had been successfully conveyed.
"Good, good. As long as it helps. If you need anything in the future, just let me know..."
Uchiha First Elder was far more straightforward than Uchiha Third Elder. He didn't resort to empty promises—he offered tangible benefits right away, leaving Ryun with no room for complaints.
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