Naruto: The Shadow of Uchiha

Uchiha Inaho had more than one reason for visiting Ryosuke this time. Beyond curiosity, he also wanted to personally test whether the Eight Gates technique was truly as legendary as people claimed.

It was said that fully opening all Eight Gates could grant power dozens of times beyond even a Kage-level shinobi. If that were true, even if it killed him, Inaho would consider it worth it—so long as it meant revitalizing the Uchiha clan.

Of course, the Eighth Elder had already told him to give up on that dream—the technique was incredibly difficult to learn, let alone master. But still, Inaho couldn't help but itch with curiosity. He had to try for himself.

Unfortunately, the clan didn't possess the training method for the Eight Gates. He knew only two people who could teach it: Might Guy, and Uchiha Ryosuke.

Though he no longer looked down on Guy, Inaho instinctively leaned toward asking a fellow clansman. So he came to Ryosuke.

He found him training alone in the forest near the compound, performing rapid-fire push-ups with incredible precision and speed. Just watching a few minutes left Inaho stunned.

The technique itself wasn't complex, but the speed and stamina Ryosuke demonstrated were far beyond what Inaho could match. Clearly, Ryosuke's strength had risen again.

After completing 200 push-ups, Ryosuke stood and eyed Inaho coolly.

"What do you want?"

Originally, Inaho had only intended to observe. But now a sudden idea struck him.

"Ryosuke, would you spar with me again?"

Ryosuke's eyes gleamed. This was perfect—Inaho could serve as a living benchmark to measure how far he had come. Inaho was no weakling either; he was a top-tier jōnin of the Uchiha clan.

With a smirk, Ryosuke waved him forward.

"Come on, then."

Inaho didn't take offense to Ryosuke's casual gesture. On the contrary, his face turned serious.

His Sharingan activated—both eyes spinning into a full three-tomoe form.

Ryosuke returned the gesture, activating his own three-tomoe Sharingan, though he didn't bother opening any of the Eight Gates.

He didn't need to. Not for someone like Inaho.

Suddenly, Ryosuke launched forward, fist aimed directly at Inaho's torso.

Inaho's eyes widened—the speed was unreal. Rather than risk a direct clash, he dodged sideways.

Even so, the punch stirred a sharp gust of wind that grazed his face. The sheer force of the attack was staggering.

That punch would've done serious damage if it landed.

Before he could counter, Ryosuke's left fist came flying again.

Inaho raised his arm to block—and winced. The force rattled his bones, numbing his arm.

What followed was a brutal flurry of close-quarters combat.

Inaho could barely defend, let alone retaliate. It was all he could do to avoid being knocked out immediately.

Eventually, his defense slipped. Ryosuke's punch connected squarely and launched him backward, tumbling through the underbrush.

Ryosuke stood tall, satisfied.

Seems like I've really grown stronger. Even without using the Eight Gates, Inaho doesn't stand a chance.

Inaho groaned, struggling to his feet. He was in disbelief. Just two months ago, their taijutsu had been evenly matched.

But now, he'd been completely overwhelmed—and Ryosuke hadn't even used his trump card.

He really is one of the clan's three top prodigies. A taijutsu genius beyond doubt.

Still, he wasn't ready to concede. If brute strength didn't work, then he'd fall back on Uchiha ninjutsu.

With swift hand seals—"Serpent → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger"—he inhaled deeply and launched a blazing Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu (Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu) straight at Ryosuke.

Ryosuke didn't flinch.

With his speed, dodging it would be child's play—but he suspected Inaho might try to use the jutsu to mask his movements.

Still, Ryosuke wasn't falling for that.

What if… I cut this fireball in half with my hand?

He paused at the thought. Fire could burn, of course. But what if he wrapped his hand in chakra? That should protect it.

Thanks to his cultivation system, his chakra reserves had grown massively. While he and Kurenai hadn't been "intimate" every day, their time together had still steadily boosted his chakra output.

With that, he resolved to try it.

He focused chakra into his right hand, forming a sharp, dense, blue aura around his palm.

In a flash, he charged toward the fireball and sliced through it with a single strike.

WHOOSH! The great fireball split in half, breaking apart into embers and falling harmlessly to the ground.

Ryosuke stared at his hand, slightly tingling but otherwise unharmed. It only felt warm—something he could easily ignore.

I actually did it. Incredible…

Inaho, meanwhile, was completely dumbfounded.

He had never seen anyone split a Fireball Jutsu bare-handed. Most opponents would dodge or counter it with another ninjutsu. Ryosuke's move was reckless—but it proved his raw strength.

Before he could recover, Ryosuke quickly formed hand seals.

Poof! With a burst of smoke, a shadow clone appeared beside him and lunged at Inaho.

Ryosuke had considered that the Inaho he'd been fighting might have been a clone all along—so he sent his own clone forward just to be safe. With his abundant chakra, he could afford to make powerful clones that retained most of his strength.

Even if it's just a clone, mine will definitely be stronger.

Inaho watched in disbelief. This guy… really is on a whole different level.

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