After the graduation exam ended, Lucien was awarded the Genin forehead protector. Tying it across his brow, it covered the faint ridges from his bloodline's awakening.
"Wow! Brother Shigure, you really became a ninja?!" Xiaoxing cried out happily, eyes shining.
Lucien chuckled. "With this forehead protector on, no one will think otherwise—even if I tried to fool them."
"Then let me treat you to ramen!" Before he could refuse, Xiaoxing grabbed his hand and dragged him across the village until they stopped in front of a familiar storefront.
"Ichiraku Ramen…" Lucien's throat tightened. The very name brought back memories from his past life. Without hesitation, Xiaoxing pulled him inside.
Behind the counter stood a much younger, energetic Teuchi, hardly resembling the kind uncle Lucien once knew.
"Big Brother Shigure! Big Sister Xiaoxing!" little Ayame squealed with joy. Chubby-cheeked and adorable, she waved her short arms at them.
Lucien smiled softly at the sight. Despite the small age difference, he and Xiaoxing always looked older beside her—life had forced them to.
"What'll you two have today?" Teuchi asked with a grin.
"One deluxe tonkotsu! And one regular udon," Xiaoxing ordered quickly.
But Lucien shook his head. "Switch it. Give me the regular tonkotsu and make her ramen deluxe." He knew Xiaoxing had little money and had wanted to treat him anyway. His chest warmed at her thoughtfulness.
"Hahaha, no worries! I'll make yours both deluxe today!" Teuchi laughed, bustling to prepare their bowls.
But just as the two lifted their chopsticks—
Bang!
The door slammed open.
Lucien's gaze sharpened immediately as Xiaoxing stiffened.
"Uchiha Mamoru… What are you doing here?" she asked in a trembling voice.
Mamoru smirked, flashing his ever-present arrogant grin. "Shigure, congratulations on passing the exam. Truly… unexpected." His tone dripped with malice.
Lucien didn't bother replying to him at first. Instead, he turned to Xiaoxing. "Did he take your necklace?"
Xiaoxing whispered, "…Yes."
Mamoru pulled out the necklace carelessly. "If you want this back, come and get it. Outside the village grove. Unless you're too much of a coward."
Xiaoxing gripped Lucien's sleeve. "Brother Shigure, be careful… please."
Lucien's calm eyes met hers. "Trust me."
The Ambush at the Grove
The forest outside Konoha soon became their battlefield.
Mamoru sneered. "Uchiha Shigure. Parentless, talentless, worthless. And yet you dare defy me? Passing one little exam has made you cocky, hasn't it?"
At his signal, five boys leapt from the trees—his thugs, ready to swarm Lucien.
Lucien's hair fluttered slightly as he opened his eyes. "My White Sharingan," he whispered. The tomoe spun, locking onto every detail.
The five charged at once. In his vision, their movements slowed to a crawl. Adjusting his body a fraction of an inch with each strike, Lucien let their fists pass harmlessly through the air.
"What the…!?" Mamoru's composure cracked. "How the hell… is he dodging all of them!?"
Lucien's lips curled faintly. "Children pretending to be bullies. Pathetic."
"Shadow Clone Technique."
With a puff of smoke, five perfect clones appeared, circling the thugs. In seconds, coordinated punches and kicks knocked them flat, groaning in pain.
"AAHH—it hurts—!"
"Th-this kid's too strong!"
"Help!"
"Cowards!" Mamoru spat as his lackeys scrambled away in defeat. His hands clenched in trembling rage. "Shadow clones… A B-rank ninjutsu. How could trash like you know it!?"
Lucien stood calm, eyes glowing with the three-tomoe, unwavering.
Grinding his teeth, Mamoru forced himself to smirk. "So that's your trump card then? Shadow clones? Fine. Let me show you real Uchiha power!"
He spread his stance, weaving through seals rapidly.
"Si! Wei! Shen! Hai! Wu! Yin!—Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Chakra roared as he expelled an enormous fireball, scorching the grove. Lucien's clones evaporated instantly in clouds of smoke.
Lucien's eyebrows lifted slightly. "So he really can use the Great Fireball? Impressive for an Academy brat… but sloppy."
Through his Sharingan, every detail of the technique had been laid bare—the rushed seals, the unstable chakra flow, the desperate drain of energy. Mamoru was already nearly spent.
Lucien stepped back, hands beginning his own precise seals. His smile was faint, mocking.
"As a mere Academy student, being able to use a C-rank Fire Jutsu is fairly admirable," he said coolly. "But now… let me show you what a true Great Fireball looks like."
P.S. This chapter builds up Lucien's first real clash with the Uchiha clan's arrogance. By publicly revealing his Shadow Clone mastery and facing Mamoru's Great Fireball, he stakes his claim as something far beyond the Academy level.