Although Riku felt a faint sense of nostalgia, there was nothing he could do about it. After all, he wasn't the kind of person who liked meddling in other people's affairs.
As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't provoke him, why should he care what others were doing?
To be honest, Riku didn't have any strong opinions about Hiruzen Sarutobi. If someone else were in his position, they might not even have done as well as he had.
As for things that hadn't yet happened, Riku wasn't one to make comments—he preferred to judge people by their present selves.
As a clan leader, Hiruzen Sarutobi was certainly competent. Under his careful management, the Sarutobi Clan had grown stronger with each passing year.
But as Hokage, he was rather careless. At least, he hadn't achieved any remarkable accomplishments worth mentioning.
Still, as a politician, he was undeniably brilliant. Otherwise, he wouldn't have earned such immense prestige within Konoha.
Riku's attitude was simple: Hiruzen could walk his broad road while Riku crossed his narrow bridge. As long as their paths didn't collide, there was no problem.
But if they ever did clash, Riku wouldn't hold back. He wasn't the kind of "respectful and virtuous" person who turned the other cheek just because someone was older.
The day's classes passed uneventfully. Yet after school, Riku couldn't help but feel excited—because his generous friend from the Uchiha Clan was about to give him another "gift package."
At Uchiha Itachi's enthusiastic invitation, Riku followed him to the same place where they'd last dueled: Training Ground Seventeen.
As he looked at the familiar scenery, Riku couldn't resist teasing, "Itachi, here again? I remember last time, you didn't even last a full minute. How long do you think you can hold out today?"
"Hmph! You arrogant fool," Itachi replied with uncharacteristic pride. "Do you think you're the only one who's improved? This past month, I've had a Jōnin from the clan training me personally. My progress is beyond what you can imagine!"
Riku raised an eyebrow, lips curling slightly. "A Jōnin sparring partner? No wonder you're so confident."
But inwardly, he felt nothing special. Even if Itachi had brought that Jōnin to fight in his place, Riku doubted it would make any difference.
Still, Itachi was his "big client." If he crushed the boy too badly, it might damage Itachi's pride and keep him from returning. And if that happened—well, who would Riku "farm experience" from next time?
So this time, he had to carefully decide how much strength to show—to make Young Master Itachi's loss satisfying but not humiliating.
As Riku pondered, his brow furrowed unconsciously.
But to Uchiha Itachi, that small frown looked like a serious, nervous expression. It immediately inflated his confidence.
Hah! So he's nervous too! Itachi thought triumphantly. That means his strength hasn't improved much this month. I heard he's been training Taijutsu with a Genin lately—so the rumors were true! But I've been training with a Jōnin and have mastered several Ninjutsu as well. Ninja battles are contests of Ninjutsu after all. This time, I'll make him taste defeat, that smug Hyuga brat!
Feeling his fighting spirit ignite, Itachi extended his right hand and hooked his index finger in a clear gesture of provocation.
Riku blinked, then sighed with a small, amused smile. "So that's how it is, huh? Little Itachi wants another beating."
Typical Uchiha, he thought. Always the same flavor.
The two small figures clashed in an instant—darting, striking, weaving through the fading light like twin shadows. Their movements were sharp and fluid, creating the lively rhythm of a true shinobi duel.
Riku's goal wasn't just to teach Itachi a lesson. He needed to let him experience a believable, thrilling fight. So, he restrained ninety-five percent of his strength, using only a fraction of his true ability.
Even so, his displayed power rivaled that of a peak Genin.
What he hadn't expected was that Itachi, barely five years old, could actually hold his own. From time to time, the boy even seized openings to release one or two Great Fireball Jutsu as counterattacks.
Riku was genuinely surprised—but only for a moment. His perfectly controlled speed and strength always stayed just a notch above Itachi's. He dodged every Ninjutsu smoothly, making each exchange look effortless.
Patiently, he waited until Itachi's chakra was nearly drained. Then, with a well-timed punch, he sent him sprawling to the ground.
The whole match unfolded as smoothly as flowing water—full of motion, tension, and rhythm. Anyone watching would have thought it an evenly matched, exhilarating duel.
In the end, Itachi still lost. But it was clear he was far from convinced. In his mind, he hadn't truly been outclassed; he had simply misplayed his tactics, relying too much on Ninjutsu. If they fought again, he was sure he could win.
To that, Riku simply thought, As long as you keep paying, everything you say is correct.
Panting and pale, Itachi pushed himself off the ground, clutching his stomach. His dark eyes burned with indignation.
"You hateful guy… you won this time. Tell me—what Ninjutsu do you want?"
At the mention of rewards, Riku perked up instantly, feigning thoughtfulness though he already knew his answer.
"Hmm… I've decided. I want the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
"The Shadow Clone Jutsu?" Itachi repeated, frowning slightly. He didn't seem surprised, though. This was one of the most commonly used B-Rank techniques in Konoha. Nearly every Jōnin knew it.
The reason was simple—it was incredibly practical.
The Shadow Clone Jutsu could create copies nearly identical to the original. They could move, think, and act independently. Aside from being fragile and dispersing when hit, they could perform almost any task the original could—including training.
In the original timeline, Naruto Uzumaki was famous for abusing Shadow Clones to "cheat" during training. Of course, Naruto had learned the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu—a Forbidden Technique recorded in the Scroll of Seals. But Riku only wanted the standard version.
In essence, both produced the same kind of clones; the only difference was the number that could be created at once.
For Riku, the ordinary version was more than enough.
And he had an intriguing theory: if the clones truly replicated the original perfectly, then wouldn't their training results be added to his own?
If that were true, he could multiply his progress several times over!
Just imagining the possibility made Riku's pulse quicken. Even with his calm temperament, the idea of exponential growth was intoxicating.
Of course, he would still need to test it.
Itachi, meanwhile, nodded decisively. The Ninjutsu Riku requested was within the bounds of their deal, so he couldn't refuse.
"Fine. I'll give you the Jutsu tomorrow! But Riku—remember this. This is the last time. Next time, I'll definitely win back everything—with interest!"
"Yes, yes, Young Master Itachi, you're incredible," Riku said cheerfully. "The future God of the Ninja World is you!"
For some reason, hearing that praise made Itachi's pale face flush red. He glared at Riku one last time, then turned and ran off in embarrassment.
Riku watched his small figure disappear into the distance, his expression softening.
"Seriously," he murmured, "if I didn't already know how the story ends, I'd never believe that this adorable brat would grow into the tragic man who slaughters his clan and bears the weight of his entire village."
He sighed quietly. "But that's just the original plot—events that only happen in a world without me. Now that I, this little butterfly, exist… who can say what the future will hold?"
The thought lingered as he tilted his head toward the horizon. The sun was already dipping low, the sky ablaze in crimson light that bled across the clouds like spilled blood.
"Fate?" he whispered, half-laughing. "What a ridiculous concept. It's merely a cage woven by the strong to imprison the weak."
His eyes narrowed, gleaming faintly in the dying light. "But in the end, even the ones who weave the cage are trapped inside it. I wonder—are the so-called Immortals just as foolish?"
He let the thought fade, shaking his head with a wry smile. There was no point in overthinking it. Stretching his arms, Riku turned toward the village, the orange glow of sunset following him home.
The shadows lengthened across the training ground, and the last traces of their duel vanished into the coming night.
(End of Chapter 55 — Shadow Clone Technique)
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