"Is that so."
Sora remembered that Might Duy, when he was a Genin, took on tasks like catching cats and accompanying wealthy women shopping and carrying bags. He figured Duy's income had likely increased quite a bit after becoming a Chunin.
Looking at the heavy weights in his hand, then at Might Duy's sincere and enthusiastic smile, a warm feeling surged in Sora's heart.
"Thank you, Duy-senpai. This gift is very practical."
Sora thanked him earnestly. Without any affectation, he directly put the weights on his wrists and ankles.
As soon as he put them on, he felt his body become noticeably heavier, and his movements became somewhat sluggish.
"Oh. Very motivated, Sora. Then let us burn with double the youth while carrying double the weight."
Seeing Sora put them on without hesitation, the appreciation in Might Duy's eyes grew even stronger as he loudly proposed this.
"Yes." Sora and Guy responded in unison, their enthusiasm for training burning even higher.
...
"Guy. Sora. Five hundred more frog jumps. The steps of youth cannot stop."
"Yes. Father. This is truly the burning heat of youth."
"Yes. Duy-senpai."
On the open ground by the river, Sora and the other two were sweating profusely as they continuously performed various exercises.
High knees, push-ups, frog jumps. One high-intensity physical training after another without pause.
"Huff. Huff."
Sora wiped the sweat from his face. Just as he was about to adjust his breathing, he caught sight of a familiar figure at the edge of the training ground from the corner of his eye.
'He is finally here.'
The newcomer was wearing the Uchiha clan's signature high-collared short-sleeved shirt and had a Konoha forehead protector on his arm. It was Uchiha Takumi.
His expression was not as full of provocation as last time, but his eyes were still sharp, and his gaze was directly locked onto Sora.
Might Duy recognized Uchiha Takumi. He frowned slightly and, just like last time, blocked Sora's front. "Uchiha boy, what are you here for again. Challenges in youth should know when to stop."
Guy also looked at Uchiha Takumi warily, adopting a defensive posture.
Uchiha Takumi did not speak insolently like last time. He just looked at Sora and spoke. "I am not here to cause trouble. At least not entirely."
Sora had long been mentally prepared for this brother-obsessed Uchiha Takumi to come looking for him. Seeing the situation, he patted Might Duy's arm to signal him not to worry, then stepped forward. "Takumi-senpai, what is the matter."
Because Uchiha Takumi had taught Sora the Fireball Jutsu last time without holding back, Sora still used respectful language.
Uchiha Takumi crossed his arms and said flatly, "Ryota's condition has not been good since he returned. Losing to you was a big blow to him."
Sora was not surprised by this. With Uchiha Ryota's personality, proud yet fragile, losing twice in a row to an orphan like him with no Kekkei Genkai, it would be strange if his mentality did not collapse.
However, Uchiha Takumi's tone was very calm, as if stating a fact, without much accusatory hostility.
Sora thought for a moment and responded, "In assessment spars, winning and losing are common. Ryota has very good talent. If he could focus more on the training itself and not on other things, he would improve quickly."
He said this relatively tactfully, but the meaning was clear. Your brother lost because of a poor mentality, only thinking about competing and winning.
Uchiha Takumi snorted. It was unclear whether it was agreement or disapproval.
He stared at Sora, his crimson single tomoe Sharingan slowly rotating.
"I know it is not entirely your fault. That kid really needs more training. But, as his older brother, I cannot watch him remain this dejected."
'So you came to fight me again, to let your brother vent or regain some face. Are all you Uchiha this brother-obsessed.'
As if seeing through Sora's thoughts, Uchiha Takumi continued.
"I am not here to take revenge for him. I just want to fight you again. A serious match."
"If I win, you have to go tell Ryota that you acknowledge he is very strong, and it was just bad luck this time."
Sora raised an eyebrow. This request was a bit childish, but it really fit the Uchiha clan's contradictory personality.
"What if you lose."
"I will not lose."
Uchiha Takumi answered firmly. But after a pause, he still added.
"If I lose, if Ryota comes to trouble you again over something like this, I will personally discipline him. And. I can teach you another Fire Release jutsu. The C-ranked Phoenix Flower Jutsu."
Sora's heart stirred. Although the Phoenix Flower Jutsu was also C-rank, its attack method was more flexible, with multiple fireballs attacking from different directions. But Sora did not need Fire Release anymore. One Fireball Jutsu was enough to disguise his Boro Breath ability.
Therefore, he spoke directly. "Do you know any Lightning Release jutsu. I will fight you if you swap for a Lightning Release one."
Hearing Sora say this, Uchiha Takumi stroked his chin. "I do not know Lightning Release. How about Earth Release."
'Earth Release.'
Sora was not surprised by Uchiha Takumi's answer. Lightning Release was not a specialty of the Uchiha clan. The only famous one later was Sasuke.
He wanted Lightning Release because the Azure Dragon Fruit also had lightning abilities. He wanted to get another benefit from Uchiha Takumi. Unfortunately.
After thinking, Sora nodded. "Then it will be the Phoenix Flower Jutsu. I agree."
Although Sora himself might not use the Phoenix Flower Jutsu, he could give it to others at the orphanage. Moreover, it was still an Uchiha Fire Release jutsu.
Seeing this, Uchiha Takumi also nodded directly in agreement. "Fine."
That straightforward manner was typical of someone not caring about spending family resources.
Seeing him agree, Sora directly took off the weights he had just put on not long ago and gently placed them on the ground.
It made a dull "thud" sound.
Uchiha Takumi's gaze lingered on the pair of weights for a moment, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
'Was this guy training with these on just now.'
Might Duy did not stop it this time. He just reminded in a deep voice. "Sora, stop at the appropriate point. Be careful."
He could see that this time, Uchiha Takumi did not seem to have much malice. It was more like a kind of. Uchiha-style communication method.
Guy was on the side loudly cheering. "Sora. Go. Let him see the youth of us taijutsu ninja."
Sora moved his suddenly much lighter hands and feet, feeling his body full of power. He walked to the center of the open ground and looked at Uchiha Takumi, speaking calmly.
"Takumi-senpai, please guide me."
Uchiha Takumi also walked to the opposite side of Sora. His Sharingan slowly rotated, and his expression became serious.
"This time, I will not hold back. Let me see how much you, the top scorer in the practical exam, are really worth."
In the air, fighting intent slowly condensed.
Sora took a deep breath. Chakra within his body began to flow quietly. Although the Eight Gates were not opened, his spirit was highly focused.
This would be a more difficult battle than during the exam. After all, the opponent was a serious Chunin Uchiha with a Sharingan. Unlike Hyuga Hikaru, a genius who had not fully grown, as a Chunin, Uchiha Takumi had undoubtedly carried out many missions.
'Good timing. Let me test my current taijutsu, combined with the reaction and recovery brought by the Azure Dragon Fruit, and see how far I can go.' Sora thought to himself, adopting an offensive starting stance.
The fight is about to begin.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📖 Like the story? Read 120 chapters ahead!
🔗 patreon.com/atomelectron
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━