Seeing a giant ball of flesh blocking his path, a hint of panic flashed in Uchiha Inabi's eyes. He couldn't stop his momentum in time and slammed hard into the elastic ball of flesh with a "thud."
A massive reactionary force surged back. He felt an irresistible power launch him backward, tumbling clumsily through the air several times before landing pathetically.
Meanwhile, his clone dissipated into the air with a "poof" due to the disruption of his Chakra and the shock to his mind.
Only then did Ryoko slowly stretch out his body. He patted his clothes, which hadn't really gathered much dust, and mocked with a tone full of ridicule:
"Tsk tsk, kid, you want to defeat this great one with just this much skill? Go back and train for another hundred thousand years. You can't even break my defense; you're going to lose the Uchiha name at this rate."
This merciless mockery was like a poisonous needle, stabbing deep into Uchiha Inabi's sensitive pride.
"Damn it—!" Inaho scrambled up from the ground, trembling with rage. He pointed at Ryoko and roared, "You despicable fatty! How dare you use such a rogue tactic? What kind of skill is shrinking into a ball!"
Just a little more, just a little more, and he could have defeated this annoying Little Fatty.
But the other's rogue behavior of turning into a ball left him just short of victory, making his face flush red with anger.
At the same time, he felt deep regret in his heart.
If only his speed had been a bit faster, he could have definitely knocked the opponent down before he had time to react.
Then, he would have been able to stand proudly before the other and look down upon that annoying fellow with utter contempt.
And his conclusion played right into Ryoko's hands.
Ryoko chuckled inwardly, but his face wore an expression of "you're too weak for me to care," as he wagged a chubby finger.
"Say whatever you want; losers always have plenty of excuses."
"Don't forget our agreement. Starting tomorrow, for one consecutive month, deliver a Luxury Bento to me on time every day. If you dare to back out..."
He intentionally squeezed his fist, making his knuckles crack loudly with a clear sense of threat.
Uchiha Inabi's face turned pale and then flushed, but Uchiha pride wouldn't allow him to go back on his word. He gritted his teeth and left a parting threat.
"Hmph, it's just a bento. I, Uchiha Inabi, am as good as my word. But you just wait; I will definitely come back to challenge you again."
"When that time comes, I'll flatten you, you fat ball, and show you the power of the Uchiha Clan."
After saying that, with a heart full of frustration and the determination to fight again, he pulled the eager Tekka along and quickly left the place that had brought him such humiliation.
Ryoko watched their departing figures and rubbed his chin with satisfaction.
Excellent, the two Lucky Boys have taken the bait. His meal tickets for the foreseeable future were secured.
Given the Uchiha Clan's obsession and stubbornness, they would definitely come to challenge him often.
As long as he managed the frequency correctly, he could continuously get bentos and food from them.
He could already see the happy life of the coming months, with delicious bentos being delivered to his door every day.
Although the fight had been easy, the energy consumption still made Ryoko feel a familiar hunger.
He rubbed his growling stomach and decided to head out for food again, targeting the resource-rich area around the Naka River.
This time, however, he had wised up and first went to a general store on the street to do some shopping.
When he came out, he had a sturdy Bamboo Basket, a polished Steel Fork, and several other small tools in his hands.
"Hehe, with this professional equipment, efficiency will definitely be higher, and I can keep the noise down to avoid attracting the Patrol Ninja again."
He weighed the newly bought Steel Fork and headed toward the river with confidence.
Sure enough, the improvement brought by the tools was immense.
Relying on his strength and a bit of speed and technique, Ryoko's harvest this time far exceeded the last.
The Bamboo Basket was soon filled with lively, plump fish. He even used brute force to set up a few simple traps and unexpectedly caught a clueless Wild Rabbit.
Despite his great harvest, he didn't have the luck to run into the training Uchiha Fugaku this time.
Thus, he found a clearing in the forest, skillfully gathered dry firewood, built a stove, and began to slowly roast the fish and rabbit.
Although it wasn't as convenient as Uchiha Fire Release, the original charcoal roasting had its own unique flavor.
The sizzling sound of fat dripping onto the fire, accompanied by the rich aroma of meat, made his mouth water.
What Ryoko didn't know was that his perfect free barbecue tool-man, Uchiha Fugaku, was currently being tied up by two other people.
The ones pestering him were none other than the brothers Uchiha Tekka and Inaho, who had just returned in defeat from his doorstep.
Carrying their disheveled appearances and hearts full of frustration, they went straight to the standout of the clan's younger generation, Uchiha Fugaku.
Inaho straightened his chest and said with a voice full of frustration and determination, "Big Brother Fugaku, please teach us how to get stronger! I must personally wash away today's humiliation and restore the glory of the Uchiha Clan!"
Although Tekka didn't shout like Inaho, his tightly clenched fists and the burning fighting spirit in his eyes said it all.
"Big Brother Fugaku, that guy from the Akimichi Clan is too arrogant. If we don't defeat him fairly, we won't be satisfied!"
As members of the Uchiha Clan, being defeated was simply a disgrace, something their high pride would never allow.
To wash away the shame, they had to defeat the opponent fairly once again.
Fugaku looked at his two younger clansmen, who were panting with eyes full of frustration and a strong will to fight, and a hint of curiosity rose in his heart.
Tekka and Inaho's talent was considered good among their peers in the clan. What kind of opponent could have caused them to suffer setbacks one after another, even driving them to seek help from him?
"Akimichi Clan..."
He pondered, and the image of the little fat boy by the river, holding a fish and asking him with a silly grin to help start a fire, instantly flashed through his mind.
"Could it be him?" But the thought was dismissed as soon as it appeared.
That child named Ryoko looked even younger and didn't even know how to start a fire; he shouldn't be capable of making Tekka and Inaho look so pathetic. Perhaps it was some other older child from the Akimichi Clan.
Besides, it couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?
Seeing the stubborn eyes of his two younger clansmen, who were determined not to give up until they defeated their opponent, Fugaku understood that Uchiha pride would not allow them to admit defeat easily.
Even if he didn't teach them, they would find ways to seek out others or even act recklessly.
Rather than that, it would be better for him to guide them.
"Alright." Fugaku finally nodded. "I can find time to guide you, but the training will be very hard. You must be mentally prepared."
"We're not afraid of hard work!" Inaho and Tekka said in unison, their eyes lighting up with hope.
Thus, at a Training Ground within the Uchiha Clan, Fugaku began to specifically guide these two younger clansmen who were eager for victory.
And one of the key projects they focused on was the Fire Release Ninjutsu that the Uchiha Clan excelled at.
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