---
Chapter 7: The Clash of Uchiha Youths
The young members of the Uchiha Clan—Uchiha Ryo and his companions—still carried a high sense of pride.
They generally looked down on commoners, and even the children of their own clan were treated with a sense of superiority.
Since the decline of the Senju Clan, they had begun to claim the title of Konoha's primary Great Clan.
However, after the entrance test, they were bewildered by Uchiha Tatsumi. They tried to accelerate, but soon ran out of strength and were surpassed by many others.
This affected their average grades, leaving their expressions full of frustration.
After all, they had always thought of themselves as the three geniuses of the Uchiha Clan and had boasted among other clan children.
Now, the one in first place was Uchiha Tatsumi—the very boy they had once looked down upon.
Although Tatsumi was more mature now, he had been unable to surpass these three when he was three or four years old before starting his training.
Moreover, he had been sidelined within the clan, with few to support him.
So the three approached, seething with anger, ready to teach him a lesson.
"You think you can leave while in the spotlight? There's no such easy thing in this world!"
The three each assumed a stance. Uchiha Ryo gestured, and his younger companion, Uchiha Shigeru, immediately understood and stepped forward.
"Uchiha Tatsumi, come here!" Shigeru commanded.
"Hey, what's going on?" Tatsumi asked lazily.
"What's wrong with you? You were very popular just now!"
Tatsumi curled his lip. "If you're losing, don't get red-eyed. Instead, train properly and find your shortcomings. And yet, here you are, coming at me to cause trouble."
"Seems like you're quite confident in your strength. Is it because you want to awaken the Sharingan early and show off? Go ahead then," he added calmly.
From his previous life, Tatsumi had learned not to be easily provoked.
Faced with the provocation, a few gentle words from him were enough to make the three Uchiha youths fume.
"Enough, you three!" Mikoto intervened, glaring at them. It was clear that the three were there to pick a fight.
Tatsumi had no intention of continuing the argument, but Mikoto, standing beside him, couldn't allow it to continue. In her eyes, the three were too strong for Tatsumi alone.
"Uchiha Tatsumi, if you're truly capable, don't hide behind Mikoto!" Ryo shouted, wanting to show that Tatsumi was a coward in front of her.
Tatsumi sighed internally, worried about the clan's future with such flawed social behavior.
Seeing Mikoto's concerned expression, the three eventually spat out their frustration and left.
Before leaving, Ryo shot a fierce glare at Tatsumi. "I'm waiting for you to strike me."
Ignoring their provocations, Tatsumi lazily waved and walked back toward Mikoto.
"Come on, Mikoto, let's go back," he said.
Mikoto still looked a little worried, as if he might collapse from exhaustion.
Tatsumi smiled. "It's okay. They're not my opponents."
After escorting Mikoto back to the clan residence, Tatsumi returned to his small courtyard.
Even with his current strength, he couldn't relax. Constant training was necessary.
No one is born an expert. Even if one is a genius, true mastery comes only from dedicated practice.
After tidying up and grabbing some food, Tatsumi ran toward the forest near Hokage Rock.
Konoha took good care of war orphans, providing monthly relief funds, but luxury facilities like a training stadium were out of reach for him.
The Uchiha Clan did have a training stadium, but Tatsumi had been sidelined and bullied there as a child. He disliked returning.
Thus, the forest behind Hokage Rock became his private training ground. Simple exercises were sufficient.
The Uchiha Clan's land remained central in the village, a core location.
He ran swiftly toward Hokage Rock. This time, there were no system notifications—he intentionally slowed, as he hadn't been training seriously.
A few points here and there still mattered—points were everything.
After stopping his run, he noticed three figures following him.
"They followed me out of the clan?" Tatsumi murmured, adjusting his Uchiha windbreaker.
Three silhouettes leapt from behind a large tree.
"I suppose you'll try running away again this time," Ryo said, arms crossed arrogantly. "No Mikoto is here to protect you now."
"Thanks for the effort, my foolish clansmen," Tatsumi said, expressionless, his gaze focused on the three.
"Who's foolish? You scoundrel! We Uchiha care about our own! Are you ready?" Shigeru shouted, clearly eager to fight.
"So, you want to fight?" Tatsumi asked, ready to test his current strength.
"Don't treat the sacred showdown between ninjas as child's play!" Ryo yelled.
"I've learned a new trick recently. It's outside of Taijutsu, but don't think you can act recklessly just because you topped the physical test. If I win, you must promise me one thing. Deal?" Ryo declared confidently.
"I don't plan to fight together," Tatsumi replied calmly.
The three Uchiha seemed a little agitated; they needed to be taught a lesson.
"What if I win?" Tatsumi asked, prompting Shigeru to stubbornly trust in Ryo's strength.
"How is that possible? Didn't we teach you before?" Shigeru scoffed.
"Then hurry up. Don't waste time," Tatsumi said, preparing to move.
Ryo's two companions cheered him on.
"Boss, hit him hard!"
"Destroy him, humiliate him!"
Tatsumi merely snorted. Facing him, he was indifferent. To him, the three were just foolish brats, unaware of true power.
"You arrogant fools. You don't know the meaning of real strength. I'm not the same as before!"
---