The expressions of the three individuals suddenly changed.
Itachi Uchiha?!
They all wore solemn expressions as they gazed at the devastated surrounding and the narrow mountain peaks, a hint of dread creeping into their eyes.
"It's Uchiha Itachi."
"That explains it, but when did he master such terrifying ninjutsu?"
"Such power rivals even S-rank Jutsu."
"It's swordsmanship."
Uchiha Itachi, the mastermind behind the Uchiha clan massacre, a wanted S-rank missing-nin by the village.
None of them understood why Itachi would slaughter his own clan, but in their minds, he was an extremely dangerous individual.
Only the Third Hokage and Danzo knew about Itachi's relationship with the higher-ups in Konoha.
"Asuma, report the situation here to the Third Hokage."
"Guy, scout the surroundings for any other presence. I'll take this kid, Ryujiro, back to the village."
Kakashi said earnestly.
Asuma and Guy had no objections.
Guy was responsible for scouting for any other enemies nearby, while Asuma was already on his way to meet the Third Hokage.
As Kakashi and Ryujiro walked, they remained silent.
The atmosphere was tense, but after glancing at the sword hanging from Ryujiro's waist, Kakashi spoke up.
"Was that commotion caused by Itachi?"
Kakashi had always been wary of the kid beside him.
Perhaps Asuma and Guy couldn't sense it, but Kakashi, a veteran of the Third Great Ninja War, felt a sense of danger emanating from the boy.
It wasn't often that an elite Jonin felt threatened.
"Kakashi-san."
"If I told you that the commotion was caused by me, would you believe it?"
Ryujiro flashed a mischievous smile at Kakashi, and in the next moment, his figure disappeared from Kakashi's sight.
Kakashi stood frozen in shock.
That terrain-altering ninjutsu was because of Ryujiro?
Itachi was a dangerous individual. If Ryujiro had truly encountered him, there was no way he would come out unscathed.
The only explanation was that this kid harbored some undisclosed secrets.
And if Itachi indeed possessed such terrifying ninjutsu, the village would have some knowledge of it, even if limited.
They couldn't be completely clueless.
The split mountain peak, the cracks spreading hundreds of meters across the ground—these were the work of this kid.
It was hard for Kakashi to believe at first.
Was it swordsmanship?
Whether it was the previously severed mountain peak or the cracks he had just witnessed, they resembled the work of a blade, leaving behind similar traces.
Even his father, as skilled as he was in swordsmanship, probably couldn't wield such terrifying power.
What secrets did this kid conceal?
---
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen frowned at Kakashi.
"Kakashi, are you saying that all the previous disturbances were caused by Ryujiro?"
"Ryujiro hasn't even reached in full potential right now and even S-rank ninjutsu might not be capable of the environmental changes we've witnessed."
"Are you sure about this?"
Facing the Third Hokage's questioning, Kakashi was momentarily speechless because he lacked direct evidence to prove that all those destruction were caused by Ryujiro.
But combining Ryujiro's words with his own gut feeling, Kakashi was certain that the severed mountain peaks and the changes in the Valley of the End were definitely linked to Ryujiro.
"Although I lack evidence, I felt a sense of threat from Ryujiro when I was with him."
"A sense of threat?"
Hiruzen's expression shifted.
"To make an elite Jonin like you feel threatened is indeed concerning."
Hiruzen gazed out at the scenery of Konoha, lost in thought.
"Alright, I understand."
"You may leave."
Kakashi exited the Hokage's office.
"Yamato, try to test that kid for me."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
At night, after training with Hinata, Ryujiro left the Hyuga compound.
The streets of Konoha were quiet at night, but Ryujiro seemed to sense something.
"Shoo, shoo, shoo!"
Several kunai flew towards Ryujiro.
Armament Haki!
Instead of drawing his sword, Ryujiro covered his hands with Armament Haki and deflected the kunai.
"That mask."
Ryujiro's expression shifted slightly.
"It's Yamato."
It seemed the Third Hokage already knew. Kakashi was suspicious after all.
Now, Ryujiro no longer needed to hide his strength. The reason he concealed his power before was that he hadn't reached the level of a Kage.
But now that he had attained that level, he had no worries.
The collision between Yamato's kunai and Ryujiro's Armament Haki-covered fist produced a metallic clashing sound.
"Ding, ding, ding—"
As Yamato continued to fight, he became increasingly wary.
This kid's taijutsu had reached such a level.
What was the black substance on his hands? Was it ninjutsu or a Kekkei Genkai?
This kid under the Third Hokage was truly extraordinary.
"It was the Third Hokage who sent you, right? There's no need for further tests. Take me to see him."
The Armament Haki on Ryujiro's hands had disappeared as he looked calmly at Yamato.
This maturity...
Yamato gained another impression of Ryujiro.
"Follow me."
Yamato said coldly.
It was already late at night, but the lights in the Hokage's office were still on. As the Hokage, there was no rest until all the village's affairs were settled.
"Hokage-sama, Ryujiro, is here."
From outside the door, Yamato's voice echoed. Hiruzen paused his work and looked at the incoming Ryujiro with some surprise.
Raising his hand, Hiruzen saw Yamato's figure disappear from the Hokage's office.
Previously, Hiruzen had heard of Ryujiro's various exploits but had never truly seen him in person.
Now, up close, the aura emanating from this kid was undeniable.
Konoha had produced another genius on par with Kakashi. Perhaps in a few years, another master of swordsmanship like Sakumo would emerge.
"Ryujiro, this should be our first meeting."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Since Yamato brought you here, you must have fought with him."
Ryujiro nodded lightly.
"You should know my purpose in having Yamato test you."
Hiruzen's cloudy eyes suddenly sharpened.
Facing Hiruzen's sharp gaze, Ryujiro stared back without any hint of fear.
"Hokage-sama, you just want to know if what Kakashi said is true."
Ryujiro laid his cards on the table. Concealing his strength blindly was useless; only by truly showing his power could he inspire fear.
"The incidents at the Valley of the End were indeed caused by me."
"But just the day before, I fought with Itachi Uchiha."
What!
He fought Itachi too?!
---------------
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