After Uchiha Ryun defeated Uchiha Kiyoshi, the way the Uchiha clan members looked at him changed. No longer were their gazes filled with mockery and disdain, but instead with fervor and respect.
Uchiha Kiyoshi's strength was acknowledged by everyone present as being among the elite of the jōnin. And Uchiha Ryun, who had defeated him, was only eighteen years old. What did this mean?
It meant Uchiha Ryun's talent far surpassed Uchiha Kiyoshi's. The Uchiha clan revered the strong. Even though Uchiha Madara had left Konoha, the pride rooted in their bloodline still made them worship strength.
"Did you all hear me? The Five-Kill Ban is to be strictly enforced, no matter who you are or which clan you belong to. If anyone dares to challenge Lady Tsunade's authority, you won't need to go to the battlefield—I'll send you to your death right here." Uchiha Ryun's words were not just directed at the Uchiha clan but at all shinobi present.
The shinobi all responded loudly, "Yes!" Especially the Uchiha clan, who strictly adhered to the order.
Seeing this, Uchiha Ryun nodded in satisfaction. Then he called out, "Nawaki, step forward!"
"Here!" A boy around ten years old stepped forward. His face was earnest, and he looked at Uchiha Ryun with admiration.
He had just witnessed the entire battle between Uchiha Ryun and Uchiha Kiyoshi. A ninjutsu without hand seals! Only his grandfather and his grandfather's rivals could do that.
And this man could too—didn't that mean he was a shinobi who could rival his grandfather?
Being called out by him now, Nawaki was so excited he could barely contain himself. Still, he maintained his composure because everyone present was watching him. He couldn't embarrass his grandfather or the Senju clan.
Uchiha Ryun glanced at him and then smiled. "Come with me." He gestured for Nawaki to follow and then addressed the troops, "All of you, dismissed! Rest and prepare yourselves. There's still a tough battle ahead."
With that, he led Nawaki to the office. Inside, the future Sannin were discussing their next move. Jiraiya believed they should strike directly at the heart and confront Hanzo the Salamander head-on.
Orochimaru, however, looked exasperated. How am I teammates with this guy? Hanzo the Salamander was a shinobi even their teacher might not be able to defeat. Beyond his masterful swordsmanship, there was also his poisonous physique and his summon, the Salamander.
In terms of power, the Salamander could rival a tailed beast. If they fought Hanzo directly, even if the three of them might have a chance at victory, what about the vanguard troops? Were they just supposed to die?
These were elites from various clans. If they were allowed to be slaughtered, upon returning to the village, Danzō Shimura would surely pin a charge of "improper command" on them.
And once that label was attached, any chance at becoming Hokage would be gone!
"Lady Tsunade, Uchiha Ryun and Nawaki request permission to join the meeting." Uchiha Ryun's voice was steady and serious.
Orochimaru's train of thought was abruptly cut off. Uchiha Ryun… Didn't Tsunade mention him earlier? This kid seems to have some tricks up his sleeve, like that ability to let troops sense danger in advance.
Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade, and Jiraiya did the same. Since they were technically here as allies, Tsunade was the host.
Tsunade nodded and said loudly, "Enter."
"Yes!" Uchiha Ryun stepped inside with Nawaki after the guards opened the door.
"Nawaki! You brat! Are you hurt?" Tsunade's face was full of concern as she checked Nawaki's body, worried he might be injured somewhere.
"Big sis, I'm fine. And during this mission, I took down three, no, four Rain-nin!" Nawaki scratched his head and grinned.
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, then turned to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, thank you. With you looking after Nawaki, I can rest easy."
Orochimaru waved his hand. "Nawaki is clever and sensible. His progress is thanks to his own efforts." As he spoke, Orochimaru glanced at Nawaki, the corners of his lips curling upward.
Nawaki was his student. It was only natural for him to take care of him.
Tsunade said, "Orochimaru, don't praise him too much. I know exactly what my little brother is like." Hearing this, Orochimaru burst into laughter.
At this point in time, Orochimaru wasn't yet the gloomy, immortality-seeking figure he would later become. Like most, his goal was to become Hokage.
Jiraiya, meanwhile, grinned and pulled Nawaki aside. "Ahem, did you finish those books I gave you? When we get back to the village, I'll give you a few more!"
Nawaki's eyes instantly lit up. "Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei!"
Uchiha Ryun watched this scene, the corners of his lips rising. The bonds between the Sannin and Nawaki's smile—originally, he had only seen these in the anime. Now, experiencing it firsthand filled him with joy.
Tsunade walked up to Uchiha Ryun and waved a hand in front of his face.
"Ryun? Ryun? What are you thinking about?" Tsunade looked puzzled.
Uchiha Ryun snapped out of his thoughts. Seeing Tsunade so close, his face flushed red, and he immediately dropped to one knee. "Lady Tsunade, my apologies."
Tsunade blinked, then rubbed her forehead and helped him up. "I just saw you staring at everyone with that smile and wondered what was on your mind."
Uchiha Ryun said shyly, "Seeing Nawaki, Lady Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru, and Lord Jiraiya getting along so well… I couldn't help but feel envious."
Orochimaru now approached as well. He said to Uchiha Ryun, "Ryun, Tsunade mentioned you have a ninjutsu that can predict danger. Would you mind showing me?"
Orochimaru was very curious about Uchiha Ryun. What kind of ninjutsu could allow the Senju troops to achieve nearly zero casualties?
At this, even Jiraiya and Nawaki stopped their banter and turned their attention to them.
Uchiha Ryun first glanced at Tsunade for confirmation. Tsunade smiled and nodded. "Everyone here is trustworthy."
Only then did Uchiha Ryun nod. Though his glance at Tsunade might have seemed unnecessary, it was a subtle display of social awareness.
Then, Uchiha Ryun covered his left eye. Dust particles in the air began to gather, forming an eyeball that floated in the air. It circled the office once, then again.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "This is a detection-type Magnet Release ninjutsu, isn't it? It allows you to share vision and gather intel while minimizing casualties. What's its range? And if the technique is broken, what effect does it have on the user?"
Orochimaru was still Orochimaru. Even though he hadn't yet begun his experiments, his observational skills were among the sharpest.
"The range is ten kilometers. Even if this eye is destroyed, the only consequence is that I can't use this technique again for three hours. As for the effect on the user, it's just a bit of stimulation." Uchiha Ryun answered honestly.
Orochimaru nodded. No wonder Tsunade's troops suffered almost no losses. With a detection skill like this, as long as you avoid danger, you're practically guaranteed safety.
He looked at Tsunade and couldn't help but marvel. Lady Mito's judgment is as sharp as ever, choosing such a genius to be Tsunade's right-hand man.