Afterwards, Orochimaru performed a full-body examination on Riku, and, as expected, drew a vial of his blood.
For Riku, these procedures were entirely anticipated, so he didn't raise any objections. Aside from that, there was nothing unusual—Orochimaru seemed to have taken his previous words to heart.
When he walked out of the underground base, Riku's face was only slightly pale, but otherwise healthy. Sunlight spilled over him, his fingers tightly clutching the scroll Orochimaru had entrusted to him. The air felt sweeter, fresher, as if it acknowledged his small victories.
Despite being only five years old, Riku's cheerful expression made him irresistibly cute, and his innocent smile often caught the attention of young Ninja World girls passing by.
The curious stares continued until Riku entered the Hyuga Clan's territory. For a moment, it seemed the world had grown a bit calmer, though fate had other plans. He ran into someone particularly troublesome.
Hyuga Sōtai was the same age as Riku, yet entirely different. Sōtai belonged to the Main Family, a status that carried both pride and expectation. Today, Sōtai was in a sour mood, scolded once again by his grandfather after finishing his training. He had hoped for a peaceful moment in the clan territory, but seeing a Branch Family child walking around with a bright, unrestrained smile irritated him deeply.
"Hey, you! Come here!" Sōtai called out, his voice sharp and commanding.
Though Riku disliked the abrupt summons, he approached cautiously, understanding the rigid hierarchy between the Main and Branch families.
"What were you laughing about just now?" Sōtai demanded, his words leaving no room for explanation.
Riku glanced at Sōtai's smooth forehead and hesitated before replying, "Nothing… I just made some progress in my cultivation."
The words hit Sōtai's pride. "Progress in cultivation?" he repeated, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. Was this child mocking him, flaunting talent he himself struggled to master despite all the advantages he had?
Sōtai felt a surge of irritation. This Branch Family kid needed to be taught a lesson about knowing his place.
"Oh? Progress in cultivation? Let's spar, then. I want to see your ability firsthand!" Without a second thought, Sōtai demanded a fight.
Riku's heart sank. He wasn't concerned about losing—he knew he could easily handle Sōtai—but any display of real strength in front of the Main Family could attract unwelcome attention. The Hyuga Main Family were notorious for keeping promising Branch Family members under surveillance. If he accidentally defeated Sōtai, his information would be scrutinized by the clan's elders the very next day. Every moment of his life could come under intense observation.
Riku had no choice. Outwardly obedient, he replied, "Sōtai-sama, I will respectfully comply."
Sōtai sneered, disregarding the formalities of etiquette.
Riku adopted a deliberately clumsy stance, rushing forward like an untrained child. He avoided using the Byakugan or any of his techniques, leaving Sōtai to throw a series of precise, controlled strikes. As expected, Sōtai easily blocked Riku's wild punches and tapped several pressure points, sending him sprawling to the ground.
[Taijutsu: Hyuga Gentle Fist experience +1]
[Free experience +1]
Lying there, Riku couldn't help but inwardly sigh. Sōtai had only recently refined his chakra, so despite the graceful movements, his strikes carried almost no real force. But Riku's intentionally uncoordinated performance satisfied Sōtai completely.
"What kind of progress is this? You're so weak! I could beat ten of you at once!" Sōtai taunted, hands on his hips, looking down at him with a mix of superiority and curiosity.
Riku weakly countered, "I really did make progress! I refined my chakra today, and soon I'll be a proper ninja!"
The claim startled Sōtai. For a Branch Family child without guidance or resources, even minor achievements in chakra refinement seemed extraordinary. He compared their ages and realized that despite having all the advantages, he had only refined chakra slightly earlier than Riku. Could this child's progress truly be considered remarkable?
Sōtai's eyes reflected a grudging acknowledgment. "Alright, that's enough. But your strength is still too weak. Train harder in the future!"
He struck a pose of a solemn, lonely master imparting wisdom, leaving Riku speechless. This kid had the audacity to act confident, yet beneath it, Riku knew the danger was very real. If Sōtai had chosen to fight seriously, Riku would have been defeated in an instant.
Riku struggled to rise, bowing deeply. "Yes, sir. I will continue my cultivation diligently!" His words were polite, his posture feigned strength, all part of the act.
Satisfied, Sōtai finally left, casting Riku an approving glance as if bestowing a blessing upon him. Only when Sōtai disappeared completely did Riku relax. He allowed a small, calculating smile to reappear on his face, tempered by caution.
"Even a child has a formidable guard silently watching over him? What a powerful Main Family!" he thought. "At least a Chunin… perhaps even a Jonin. One wrong move, and I could be killed."
Despite the slight exhaustion from putting on a performance, Riku felt a sense of accomplishment. The careful balance of humility and deception had kept him safe, and the day's lessons were not wasted. He brushed the dust from his clothes and began the walk home, the sunlight warming his back, and a quiet determination settling in his young heart.
Every step reminded him that survival in this world required more than strength—it required cunning, patience, and the ability to read the intentions of others. And Riku, even at five years old, was already learning this truth.