The scale and size of a building reflect social hierarchy and status, a symbolism particularly evident in the world of Naruto, given that it is a rigid old society.
Ryosuke, being of low standing, lived in a small house.
Mikoto, on the other hand, came from a prominent family, so her house was naturally much larger.
A traditional Japanese compound, with walls stretching over a hundred meters, dominated the entire street.
Ryosuke, of course, wouldn’t be “humble.” He casually followed Mikoto through the main gate and into the courtyard.
The courtyard, needless to say, was vast, filled with strange rocks, rare flowers, and famous plants.
Ryosuke paid no attention to any of it, following Mikoto through the outer corridor and into a side hall.
Behind a low table in the center of the hall, an elderly man with white hair, sat cross-legged in a kimono, his hands hidden in his wide sleeves, dozing with his head bowed.
Mikoto approached the old man, calling out twice, “Grandpa, Grandpa, wake up.” “Hmm?
Oh.” The old man groggily awoke.
When he looked up and saw his granddaughter, his wrinkles immediately spread, forming a brilliant smile.
He said, “Mikoto, you’re home from school.
Did you learn anything today?” “No, I don’t have class today.” Mikoto pointed at Ryosuke by the door.
“Didn’t you want to meet Ryosuke?
I’ve brought him for you.” Ryosuke bowed and greeted him, “Elder, I am Ryosuke.” “Oh, Ryosuke…
Who is Ryosuke?
What does he do?
Is he your new kitten, Mikoto?” The elder was confused and asked with a bewildered expression.
Mikoto smiled and said, “No, he’s the Ryosuke I told you about yesterday, Ryosuke of our Uchiha Clan, my classmate.
He’s been to our house before, you’ve seen him several times.” Her grandfather made a fist with his right hand and pounded it into his left palm, as if suddenly enlightened.
“Ah, I remember now.
He’s that kid who often comes to eat with us.” “Uh…” Ryosuke was embarrassed, but he could only bow again and express his gratitude.
“That’s me.
Thank you for your and Mikoto’s care these past few days.” The Elder smiled.
“It’s nothing, nothing, don’t worry about it.
Mikoto, go make a pot of tea.
I want to chat with Ryosuke for a while.” “Okay.” Mikoto exited, closing the door behind her.
“Sit down, don’t be so formal.” The Elder invited Ryosuke to sit opposite him.
He half-closed his eyes, scrutinizing Ryosuke with a meaningful smile on his face.
Ryosuke felt inexplicably uneasy under his gaze, and just as he was about to ask him, the Elder spoke first, saying, “I hear you’ve awakened the Sharingan?” “Yes.” “Show it to me.” Ryosuke focused his gaze and activated his One Tomoe Sharingan.
Upon seeing it, the Elder’s smile immediately vanished, and his brows furrowed.
He stared intently for two or three seconds before saying, “Your eyes are very good.
They contain astonishing oppressive power even with just one tomoe.
No wonder you can activate Sharingan Genjutsu.” He sat upright and said, “Come, perform your Genjutsu.
Let me witness the power of your eyes.” “This… this isn’t appropriate, is it?” Ryosuke felt somewhat awkward.
Using Eye of Pregnancy on a sixty-year-old man seemed a bit too unkind.
“What?
You don’t think I can break your Genjutsu?” The Elder laughed.
“Kid, you underestimate me too much.
I’m an old man who survived the chaos of the Sengoku era.
Even if Madara-sama himself came, I could contend with him for a bit.” “Alright, then please excuse my rudeness.” Ryosuke immediately activated Eye of Pregnancy, glaring at the Elder, and even increasing his Chakra output.
When he fought Nawaki, he used 10 units of Chakra.
Now he used 25 units, increasing his ability fivefold.
There was no other way.
The Elder was an elite ninja, wouldn’t it be effective if he wasn’t ruthless enough?
Ryosuke immediately noticed something was wrong—the Elder was trembling.
His face turned red and his pupils flickered.
His fists were clenched tightly and his body swayed.
He was fighting with all his might and reason, resisting a certain instinct—maternal love.
The Elder clearly realized he was caught in a Genjutsu, but found he couldn’t break free.
Finally, out of desperation, he squeezed out most of his Chakra and activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, forcefully breaking through the Genjutsu.
The Elder feigned calmness, silently deactivating his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and pretended to speak casually, “Not bad, your Genjutsu is very good.
Even I almost fell into it.
It’s more than enough to deal with ordinary ninjas.” The beads of sweat on his forehead and his hand unconsciously resting on his stomach, however, clearly exposed his embarrassment and awkwardness.
Fortunately, Ryosuke didn’t realize it, only thinking that his Chakra output wasn’t enough, which was why it failed against a Jonin, and secretly decided to increase the Chakra amount next time.
The Elder was still a bit breathless, but he suppressed his breathing and said forcefully, “Awakening the Sharingan at such an age and even creating a powerful Genjutsu earns you the title of genius.
Our Uchiha Clan is never stingy with capable clansmen.
Is there any Ninjutsu you wish to learn?
I can teach you a few as a reward.” Ryosuke didn’t stand on ceremony and said directly, “I’ve been practicing Lightning Release Ninjutsu recently.
It would be best if I could get a few Lightning Release Ninjutsu.” “Lightning Release Ninjutsu?
Then you’ve come to the right place and found the right person.
When it comes to mastery of Lightning Release Ninjutsu, I’m the best in the Uchiha Clan.
How about this, I’ll give you some of my insights from when I practiced Lightning Release Ninjutsu in my youth, along with two or three basic Ninjutsu.” “Really?” Ryosuke was overjoyed.
“Naturally.” The Elder propped himself up on the table with both hands and struggled to walk out the side door.
Once out of Ryosuke’s sight, he gasped for air and wiped away sweat.
It took more than ten seconds to alleviate the after-effects of “pregnancy.” ‘This kid…
how did he come up with such a rogue Genjutsu?’ He grumbled inwardly.
Then he went to the secret room, retrieving a Ninjutsu scroll, and returning to the side hall to hand it to Ryosuke.
“Thank you, Elder.” Ryosuke received it with both hands, expressing his gratitude.
The Elder waved his hand dismissively.
“It’s nothing.
Helping the younger generation grow is the responsibility of us old folks.
Unlike Sarutobi…” He stopped the topic at the right time, just as Mikoto came in with tea, and then changed the subject, saying enthusiastically, “Come, drink some tea.” The three then drank tea, chatted, and laughed.
“Kid, what do you think of the Uchiha Clan, and what do you think of Konoha?” The Elder suddenly asked this question, bringing the cheerful atmosphere to an abrupt end.
Ryosuke put down his teacup and began a story, “I once kept a very ugly goldfish.
It swam in its tank, constantly circling.
I would feed it on time, and it would actively come to eat when it saw me.
After eating, it would go back to circling in the tank.
After an unknown number of days, that goldfish, after finishing its food, suddenly said something to me, then jumped out of the tank and ran away.
Do you know what it said?” “What did it say?” Mikoto asked curiously.
“Don’t live in a small box anymore.” Ryosuke replied.
“Don’t live in a small box anymore?” Mikoto didn’t fully understand, but she seemed to grasp something, a very vague feeling emerging.
The Elder was startled for a moment, then narrowed his eyes and asked, “Is that your thought, the path you’ve chosen?” Ryosuke grinned.
“Who knows?
But I definitely don’t want to be trapped.” “Hahaha…” The Elder laughed heartily, looking up.
“It’s been a long time since I met such an interesting kid.” He stood up, looking down at Ryosuke, and added, “Then you must become strong quickly and let me witness the path you’ve chosen.” “I will.” Ryosuke replied with great confidence.
“Just survive for now, kid.
War is coming soon.”