499...
The time was 6 in the morning.
Ryuku, after an hour of running, was now doing pull-ups at home. Not just simple ones—but alternating single-arm pull-ups.
The physique of people in this world, even civilians, was far superior to that on Earth. That was one of the many things he had confirmed early on. Which is why he saw no reason to keep doing basic exercises. And since he had the Mystical Palm Technique, he could treat torn muscles or unexpected injuries himself.
Just like how he healed his dislocated shoulder a few days ago.
It was one of the major perks of becoming a Medical Ninja—once injured, he could fix himself, as long as he had enough chakra. Not quite like Tsunade's instant healing or Hashirama's regeneration, but still effective—manual and gradual.
Pulling himself up one last time using his switched right hand—
500...
Ryuku completed his daily morning training, beads of sweat rolling down his toned body.
After taking a brief rest, he carefully applied the Mystical Palm Technique to his entire body—just to be safe.
A familiar voice reached his ears.
"Breakfast's ready."
Ryuku glanced to the side and saw his clone leaning against the wall, staring blankly.
"Thanks?"
Hearing that from his original self, the clone made a weird face and replied, "I'm undoing the jutsu... You need to rest." With that, he dispelled in a puff of smoke.
The memories of cooking and cleaning returned instantly to the main body.
Ryuku took a few silent breaths and closed his violet eyes.
I overdid it last night...
Hours of continuous study—even from shadow clones—had pushed his mind to its limits.
Yesterday, he'd repeatedly created three clones after each hour of rest, and together they'd studied the Four Symbols Seal and Flying Thunder God Technique obsessively until nightfall. Naturally, it had taken both a physical and mental toll.
That's why he made sure to sleep early and get proper rest.
Half an hour later~
Ryuku left his house and headed toward the Ninja Academy. He had already bathed and eaten breakfast. Since today was Orientation Day, he didn't need to report to the hospital—he'd sorted that out with Hosho beforehand.
As for leaving a Shadow Clone behind to study? He was simply too mentally exhausted for that.
Still, he left one behind to train in Kenjutsu and Taijutsu. While the Academy already covered the basics of Konoha-style Taijutsu, it never hurt to reinforce the fundamentals. Kenjutsu, however, was another story—he'd need a proper instructor for that. Mastery came only through real battles and experience. Of course, rigorous training laid the groundwork.
Strolling at a steady pace while enjoying the crisp morning air, Ryuku's thoughts wandered to the minor success he had achieved the night before.
Four Symbol Seals' basics were completed!
From what I've learned about Fūinjutsu, Four Symbol Seals turned out to be much more advanced and versatile than I initially assumed. They cover storing, sealing, offense, defense, enhancement, disruption, sensory, and barrier disciplines... Simply marvellous—to the point of terrifying.
The more Ryuku thought about it, the higher his admiration for the Uzumaki Clan seemed to grow.
In terms of Fūinjutsu and sealing-based tech, the Uzumaki village was simply on a different level compared to other shinobi villages.
However, what troubled him the most was the fall of Uzushiogakure.
From the history scrolls he'd read, Uzushiogakure was already in the middle of a civil war when it was cornered by allied forces. Konoha named Kumo and Kiri as the major perpetrators, but it was believed that other villages had also contributed to Uzushio's annihilation.
Smells like a conspiracy to me...
Given the dark side and dirty schemes of the Shinobi Villages—including Konoha—Ryuku found it hard to trust what might very well be fabricated history. He was convinced there was far more to the truth than what had been written or portrayed in the scrolls.
Uzumaki Mito should have still been alive at that time. So why did Hiruzen hold back and let their closest and most powerful ally fall into the hands of enemy villages?
Was Kushina entrusted to Konoha by Uzushio to become the next Jinchūriki?
Or was she rescued by Konoha in the midst of the battle?
Questions only seemed to breed more questions.
"It's not like any of that matters... It's all in the past now," he muttered to himself, catching a drifting leaf in front of him.
Hm... should I try that?
Staring at the leaf for a few moments, Ryuku made up his mind.
Gripping it tightly in his right hand, he began channeling chakra into the leaf. His sole intention: to cut it into pieces. The image of a raging storm filled his thoughts—wild, slicing wind, all-powerful and destructive. Since chakra could transform into any nature affinity with a clear image and natural compatibility, he focused every memory he had of powerful winds while letting his chakra flow through the leaf.
He waited a few seconds.
But a satisfied grin was already playing across his lips.
Being a Sensory Ninja, if he couldn't even perceive the condition of a leaf in his own palm—while his chakra actively coursed through it—then his skills were nothing short of a joke.
Opening his hand, he didn't even glance at the result as he continued walking.
Behind him, several tiny pieces of green quietly drifted down the street.
----
Konoha Ninja Academy
It was still early—half an hour before orientation officially began—so Ryuku had assumed he'd be the first to arrive.
Yet… someone was already there.
Navy blue shirt. High collar. Black hair. That same ever-stoic face.
Naturally, it was Sasuke—the lone survivor of the Uchiha Massacre.
The black-haired boy noticed Ryuku looking his way and, with a hint of unreasonable annoyance, raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Amused, Ryuku smiled faintly.
"Just checking if Uchiha Sasuke, the top scorer, had awakened his Sharingan yet."
Shaking his head slightly, he took the seat closest to the door without sparing him another glance.
"…Guess not."
Sasuke's eyes widened. He hadn't expected some worthless bastard to joke about his clan's Kekkei Genkai. Gritting his teeth, he was about to stand up and challenge him when the same voice spoke again—
"Try flowing chakra into your eyes…"
For a moment, Sasuke thought that bastard was mocking him again. But this time, instead of flaring up, he scoffed.
"What do you know about the Uchiha Clan, you loser?"
Feeling proud of that response, he added with growing confidence,
"The Sharingan rarely awakens—even among talented members. Only those worthy of it can manifest it… Don't talk like you know everything about the Uchiha."
Ryuku went quiet. Then, without a word, he nodded and leaned back into his seat.
"Tch… coward," Sasuke muttered, still irritated. But even so… he couldn't help thinking about what Ryuku had said.
Near the entrance at the back of the classroom, Ryuku sat with his eyes closed, seemingly at ease.
I guess I'll have to use Naruto, after all, to extract this ignorant's blood…