NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: Am I Weak?
Sasuke Uchiha was walking down the quiet streets of Konoha. However, his peaceful stroll was suddenly interrupted by the buzzing of his phone. He pulled it out, squinting at the screen to see a familiar name lighting up his display.
It was Sakura Haruno, his wife. Sasuke clicked to accept the call, bringing the phone to his ear.
"Sasuke-kun, are you busy?" she asked, her voice light and almost teasing.
Sasuke replied simply, "No."
On the other end of the line, Sakura smiled, although Sasuke couldn't see it. Her voice became softer, more playful as she spoke again, "Sarada is at a sleepover. She won't be back until tomorrow morning…"
"Uh-huh." Sasuke replied, his tone as unbothered as ever.
Sakura's voice dropped, taking on an edge of coyness. "So, you know… I'm home alone." Her words carried a suggestive undertone that could probably melt ice caps and glaciers.
"Okay," Sasuke said, as unaffected as if she'd just told him she was out buying groceries.
But Sakura was undeterred. Her tone grew more daring and seductive. "I was thinking," she said, almost whispering now, "maybe it's time we give Sarada a sibling…"
"No." Sasuke's response was immediate and utterly blunt.
But Sakura was nothing if not persistent. She wasn't about to give up so quickly. She mused, dropping her voice to a near-whisper and said with an even more alluring and seductive voice. "I was thinking of… cosplaying as Naruto tonig-"
"I'll be there in a minute," Sasuke replied, without letting her finish her sentence before hanging up.
***
"GAAAH!!"
Ryuuji shot up in bed, gasping as if he'd been drowning in his dreams. He gripped his blanket tightly, catching his breath as he tried to calm down.
"Another one of these strange dreams?" he muttered to himself, running a hand over his face. "Why is my brain torturing me like this?"
He sat up in bed, a fierce determination settling on his face. "Well, in real life, there's no way I'm letting something like that happen. I'll make sure I'm the one they all admire!" He clenched his fist dramatically, his gaze fierce with ambition. "Whether it's Sakura, Hinata, Ino, Kurenai, Tsunade, Hanabi, Mei, Kurotsuchi, Yugito, Samui, Konan, Haku… wait… Haku? Isn't Haku a guy?" He groaned, realization hitting him hard. "Damn it, Kishimoto-san! Why did you have to make him so… ambiguous?"
As he grumbled, he glanced at his alarm clock. It was already morning. With a stretch and a yawn, he mumbled, "Guess I should get up. Grandpa said my match starts at 7:30… plenty of time." He rubbed his eyes and then addressed the air, "Hey, System, you there?"
[Yes,] a mechanical voice responded in his mind.
"I've got some questions," Ryuuji said, the curiosity plain in his voice.
[Proceed.]
"So… if I raise my Energy Cultivation way above my Body Cultivation, you said I'd… you know, explode, right?"
[That is correct,] the system confirmed without hesitation.
"Then why doesn't Naruto explode?" Ryuuji asked, perplexed. "He's got so much chakra; he's basically a walking time bomb!"
[This is fanfiction. Please suspend disbelief.] The system's tone was as dry as a desert.
Ryuuji blinked, confused. "What was that?"
[What I meant,] the system clarified, [is that he has the Nine-Tails inside him. If Naruto were to explode, the Nine-Tails would go down with him, which it certainly doesn't want. So, it helps Naruto maintain balance without his knowledge.]
"But, isn't the Nine-Tails sealed? How would it even do anything?" Ryuuji asked.[Over the years, the seal on the Nine-Tails has significantly weakened. Hence, it can at least do that.] The System explained.
"Souka." Ryuuji scratched his chin.
'I thought it was plot armor.' He shrugged and got up, feeling every sore muscle in his body.
Training with Grandpa had been intense. Despite his soreness, Ryuuji felt a thrill at his progress. "But it was worth it," he muttered to himself. "Now, I've reached the Elite-level Genin stage in Energy Cultivation. Tough training, but the results are showing." With a grin, he got up and headed to the bathroom.
"Well then," Ryuuji started making hand seals before saying."Body Transformation Jutsu!"
*Poof!*
In an instant, a puff of smoke enveloped him, and when it cleared, he looked like his younger, six-year-old self.
Although, Ryuuji does not have to worry about not using it in front of his Grandfather, Uchiha Jima. The same does not apply to outsiders, who, if they knew wouldn't stop bugging him with questions.
"Hey, System?"
[Yes?]
"The quest requirements were to defeat a Genin using just Taijutsu right?"
[Yes.]
"Then, if I keep the Body Transformation Jutsu active and win, would the win still be counted?"
[Affirmative.]
He let out a sigh of relief. "Alright, then. Let's do this!"
***
At the Uchiha Clan's training grounds, a sizable crowd had gathered to witness the much-anticipated match. The battlefield was a large, slightly elevated arena, and in its center stood two figures: one was Ryuuji, the other, the strongest Genin of the Uchiha Clan.
Seventeen chairs lined a platform overlooking the grounds, and the clan leader and elders occupied all but two.
"Where are Shisui and Itachi?" Elder Taiji asked, casting a glance at the two empty seats.
"They're on a mission from the Hokage," Fugaku replied, his gaze shifting to Elder Jima, Ryuuji's grandfather. He couldn't help but notice how relaxed Jima seemed. "Elder Jima, aren't you even a little worried?"
The other elders also turned their attention to Jima, curious about his answer. But Jima simply smirked. "Worried? Why would I be?"
"Ryuuji's opponent is the clan's strongest Genin, who graduated from the Academy at the age of 10," said Elder Arata, sounding mildly concerned. "If it were my grandson out there, I'd be worried."
"My friends, am I weak?" Elder Jima asked, his tone carefree, but the Elders who knew him for a long time knew he was pissed.
After all, ask anyone not just in the Uchiha Clan, but also the higher-ups of Konoha and they would say: Are you crazy? Uchiha Jima is weak? If he is weak then we are less than garbage.
Heck, even Fugaku the Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan and a possessor of the Mangekyou Sharingan wouldn't dare to say he is stronger than Uchiha Jima.
The faces of Fugaku and the Elders darkened as they looked at Elder Arata with a look that said: Fix this mess! Now!!
Elder Arata his face filled with panic said stutteringly.
"N-no, El-Elder Jima, I-I didn't mean that. I was just-"
"Hohoho... I was kidding! What got you so scared?" Uchiha Jima just laughed it off.
Then, his expression turned serious as he looked out at the battlefield, his eyes narrowing with pride. "Am I worried? No. And it's not just because he's my grandson or he is Shisui's brother. It's because my grandson… is a genius."
On the field, Ryuuji noticed his grandfather watching him, and he nodded confidently. This match was his, and he was ready to show everyone just what he'd learned.
***
Shoutout to:
MRE_NABO
Vegeta_light
greyrolph
floper
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