Ryu cut the cutlet saying "How was school today?" Naruto slapped the table and swallowed a cutlet whole, saying "I graduated!"
Sasuke snorted "Finally, eh?" Naruto pointed at him, shouting "You wanna fight, Idiot?!"
Ryu cleared his throat and scooped up cutlet pieces, stuffing them in his mouth as he said with a muffled voice "You shouldn't fight like that, you're basically brothers, you know?"
Sasuke retorted, "Brothers? With him? We aren't eve-" Ryu paused and looked up at Sasuke, making him freeze. Naruto fell silent and Sasuke looked down, saying slowly "Sorry, I didn't mean to-" Ryu wiped his mouth and said "No. You're right. We're not. It doesn't matter anyway."
Sasuke opened his mouth before shutting it and eating silently.
Naruto pursed his lips and smiled "So what? Who cares?"
Ryu looked at him and smiled silently, not commenting.
The next day came.
Ryu was woken up by Anko, he raised his head from the desk in a daze, a piece of paper sticking to his face. Anko looked at his dazed appearance and laughed, pulling the paper off his face and shaking a bag in front of him.
Ryu sniffed and muttered absentmindedly "Mochi Dango?" Anko curled her lips happily, "Extra sweet." Ryu smiled innocently with closed eyes, "My favorite." Anko felt her heart beat at his smile and sat on his lap, leaning on him as she opened the bag and fed him.
Ryu hummed and ate happily, even licking Anko's fingers, making her giggle. She leaned her head on his shoulder and touched her lips with her finger, smiling gently "I love you."
Ryu kissed her with stuffed cheeks before chewing, replying in a muffled voice "Me too." Anko pouted childishly "Mm~ I wanna hear it~" Ryu rubbed his head on hers and chuckled "I love yoooou~"
Anko giggled and closed her eyes, yawning as she slowly drifted to sleep.
Ryu hugged her waist and yawned, eating more Mochi Dango. He looked at the bag and suddenly thought about Sasuke and Naruto.
He got up and laid Anko down on the bed, taking off her jacket and sandals before covering her with the blanket. She smiled like a lazy cat and curled up, snorting "Mmm~" Ryu smiled gently and grabbed the bag, walking out of the apartment.
He was wearing the usual oversized white t-shirt with cut pants and no shoes or sandals.
His forehead protector was around his neck like a necklace and he scratched his head, looking at the apartment behind him.
He sighed and muttered "Maybe it's time to buy a house?" before forgetting it and flickering, leaving a puff of smoke without a sound.
Ryu flew through the air, his long hair fluttering behind him as he yawned, scouring the village for the little brats.
He finally found Naruto in a forest with another little boy.
A man was watching them and looked at Naruto with disgust. Ryu stepped on his head and said happily "Naruto~ I brought you Mochi Dangooo~" before falling to the ground, creating a cloud of smoke.
Ryu appeared behind Naruto, who said "Not this guy!" Ryu punched his head and said "That's not very nice." Naruto rubbed his head and pointed at Ryu, shouting "I'll beat you one day! I bet my Hokage position on it!"
As he winked furiously at Ryu, gesturing at the other boy secretly.
Ryu pretended not to understand, asking "Hm? Why are you twitching so much? Is it a disease?" Naruto almost died, shouting "It's not a disease! You damn grinning bastard!" Ryu laughed and looked at the boy, asking "And who are you?"
The boy puffed his chest and said "Konohamaru!" Ryu pretended not to know and said "Oh, wow. Nice to meet you, kid." as he ruffled Konohamaru's tuft of hair that came out of his strange helmet.
Naruto suddenly said excitedly "Ryu! You're not gonna believe this! Konohamaru knows Flame Breathing! He also knows 6 Powers! It's incredible!"
Ryu's eyes flashed and he smiled "Oh? He does?" Konohamaru patted his chest triumphantly, saying "Of course! These are secret techniques of my Sarutobi clan! I can teach you if you want, but you have to call me boss!"
Ryu laughed and rubbed his head, saying "Alright, boss. Teach me some other time." Naruto said happily "I didn't expect you to get Sun Breathing and the 6 powers from Grandpa Hokage for me. Thank you, Ryu!"
Ryu squinted his eyes and his devil smile surfaced as he replied "Don't mention it." he handed Naruto and Konohamaru some Mochi Dango before smiling, "Don't be late, Anko will get mad."
Naruto shuddered and nodded frantically, "I won't!" Ryu patted his head and disappeared in an instant. Konohamaru gasped, "So fast!" Naruto puffed his chest and said proudly, "I want to be a ninja like him when I grow up! The Strongest Hokage there ever was!"
Ryu flew through the trees and stopped when he saw Might Guy.
Guy was teaching his students and one of them was wearing a green jumpsuit just like him. Ryu let out a breath and sat on the branch, eating a few more Dango as he reminisced when he got a green jumpsuit.
It was still framed in his house.
A little boy with Byakugan looked up and said "An enemy?" Guy and the two other kids looked up and saw Ryu sitting on a branch, eating Mochi Dango. Guy laughed excitedly and shouted "Ryu! Ryu!"
Ryu looked at him and smiled "Guy. Been a long time." Guy laughed and waved over, saying "Come meet my students." Ryu jumped down and walked over.
Guy introduced them enthusiastically, "This guy is Neji Hyuga! Very talented in Taijutsu and Gentle Palm Fist! This is Tenten, she's good at weapons! And this is my personal disciple, Rock Lee! Look at him!"
Guy had his hands on his hips and laughed to the sky "They're filled with YOUTH! I couldn't be more proud!"
Ryu smiled happily and looked at the trio, nodding as he gave them a Mochi Dango each, saying "I'm Ryu. Nice to meet you all."
Neji and Tenten looked at the Dango in their hands with confusion.
Rock Lee ate the dango and said excitedly "You know my teacher, Mr. Ryu?!" Ryu laughed softly and smiled, "I used to train with your teacher." Lee, Tenten, and Neji were stunned, saying in shock "What?!"
Guy patted Ryu's shoulder and flashed a grin, giving out a thumbs up with special effects as he explained "Ryu is one of my rivals! He and Kakashi are the two strongest people I've ever seen! Ryu is a Taijutsu expert too! He's also my friend, so if you have any questions you can go to him too."
Ryu complained "This is your purpose, right?" Guy just chuckled and didn't deny it, saying "You're one of the smartest people I know." Ryu made a bad joke, "You don't know a lot of people."
Guy laughed happily and Neji looked at Ryu, asking "You know Taijutsu? What about 6 Powers?" Ryu curled his lips and Guy said "Neji-boy! Ryu created the 6 Powers!"
Neji was blown away and stared at Ryu in shock, frozen stiff.
Lee's eyes exploded with stars and he shouted "WHAT?! REALLY?!" Guy added, "He also created the Breathing Method I showed you all…" then he scratched his head and chuckled "I don't know where the rest went."
Ryu's eyes flashed and he smiled "I have extra copies…" he was going to say something else but decided to forget it. Guy clasped Ryu's shoulder, saying emotionally, "You're really the best, Ryu!"
Ryu smiled gently and looked at Lee, asking "Rock Breathing is good for you?" Lee nodded and smiled "Just like my name, ahaha!" Ryu looked at Neji and Tenten, smiling "And not for you both, right?"
The duo nodded, already admiring Ryu in their hearts.
This guy created insane techniques, how could they not admire him?
Neji asked in confusion "Sensei, I have a question." Ryu replied slowly, "I have an answer." Neji asked, "Why do we seem to be the only ones who know these techniques?"
Ryu suddenly laughed and asked back, "Why do only the Branch Family get branded with the Caged Bird?" Neji's eyes widened and he looked at Ryu incredulously, then he swallowed Ryu's words and his pupils constricted.
He shook a bit, staring at Ryu in shock.
Guy added on with confusion "I remember you handed everything to the Village, shouldn't everyone have them? That was when Minato-sensei was around." Ryu nodded and continued "Then Minato-sensei saved the village and died."
He glanced at Neji out of the corner of his eye before turning to Tenten, smiling "Do you have a question too, little lady?"
Neji was sweating profusely, he felt as though he had heard something he wasn't supposed to hear. It wasn't a good feeling…
Tenten had her hands on her hips and pouted "Why are they so hard to master!" Ryu laughed and rubbed her head, saying "First of all, there is more than 1 Breathing Method. Nearly a dozen of them actually. Every person is different. It so happens that Guy can use Rock Breathing. I can also only use Flame Breathing."
He gestured to Neji, smiling, "Neji will probably be proficient in Water Breathing. However that doesn't mean that he can only do water breathing. Everyone has one method that they feel the most comfortable using."
Tenten pouted "Then why is Neji good at water breathing?" Ryu explained patiently, "Water breathing is gentle and flows like water. It matches very well with Hyuga's Gentle Palm Fist. I think you would be more suited for Flower Breathing."
He paused for a moment before continuing "As for the 6 Powers. These are Taijutsu Techniques that attack as well as strengthen the body. If your body isn't strong enough to exercise the techniques, then your tendons, veins, and muscles will burst."
Tenten was shocked and Ryu smiled gently "Don't worry. Your teacher knows them very well, if he sees that you're not ready, he won't take chances."
Guy patted his chest in confirmation.
Ryu looked at the sky and smiled at Guy, "I'll bring you the extras tomorrow, okay? I have to find Sasuke before this Dango get cold." Tenten asked excitedly, "Sasuke-kun likes Dango!?"
Everyone looked at her and she blushed in embarrassment.
Ryu laughed and replied "Actually, he hates sweet things. I make him eat them because I like seeing the funny faces he makes." The wind blew Ryu's hair gently and his lips were curved into a gentle arc.
Tenten was stunned, thinking, 'Ryu-sama is so handsome and gentle…'
Ryu turned to Guy, who nodded and smiled "Get it whenever, you don't have to rush." Ryu smiled and laughed "Are we friends or not? I'll get them to you first thing tomorrow." Guy teared up and hugged Ryu abruptly, Ryu patted his back with a helpless smile.
When they separated, Ryu smiled at the four of them, saying "See you all tomorrow~" before disappearing instantly.
Lee looked at the spot he disappeared and sucked in a cold breath of air, "So strong!" Guy laughed and said "Of course! That's my rival! Alright, everyone! 3000 Push-ups in celebration!"
Lee cheered while Neji and Tenten groaned, but they all still did them…