Naruto: The White Spider of the Leaf

The first light of dawn cast a soft, golden hue over Konoha as I strolled through the village, enjoying the peaceful morning. The air was cool and crisp, a welcome relief after the intense training sessions with Might Dai. Even now, I was on my way to find Dai for another day of training, eager to continue pushing my limits.

As I walked, the village slowly came to life around me. Shopkeepers were opening their stalls, and a few early risers were beginning their daily routines. I took a deep breath, savoring the tranquility of the moment. It was these quiet mornings that I cherished the most, a brief respite before the day's challenges began.

Suddenly, an all too familiar and annoying voice pierced the calm. "Hey, Shirokumo! Out for a morning stroll?"

I sighed inwardly, recognizing the voice immediately. Uchiha Shinichi. I kept walking, hoping to avoid a confrontation. "Not now, Shinichi," I muttered, trying to ignore him.

But Shinichi wasn't one to be easily dismissed. He fell into step beside me, his tone mocking. "What's the rush, Shirokumo? Got somewhere important to be?"

I quickened my pace, hoping he'd take the hint. "I'm busy, Shinichi. Just leave me alone."

Shinichi smirked, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief. "Busy? You? Come on, Shirokumo, don't be like that. We've got unfinished business, you and I."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my temper in check. "I don't have time for your games, Shinichi. I've got training to do."

"Oh, training," Shinichi drawled, rolling his eyes. "With that eternal genin, right? What a joke. I seriously can't believe he's still nothing but a Genin at his age!"

I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him. "What do you want, Shinichi?"

He grinned, sensing he had my attention. "I want to settle our beef, once and for all."

"I believe I already did that last time. It ended with you and your face stuffed in dog poo." 

"Y-You!" He turned beet red, it seems that one struck a chord. He scoffed and continued. "I know you won't come willingly, so I guess I'll just have to follow you around all day until you agree."

I stared at him, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. Shinichi was relentless, and I knew he wouldn't back down. Sure, I could probably outrun him normally, but not with my weights on. I didn't want to leave them behind, the things cost a fortune for me. And that aside, honestly, I was sort of intrigued by what this idiot had planned. 

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "Let's get this over with. But know this—if this is some kind of trap, you'll regret it."

Shinichi's grin widened, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Wouldn't dream of it, Shirokumo. Let's go."

With a heavy sigh, I followed Shinichi as he led the way. The sense of foreboding gnawed at me, but I couldn't back out now. Whatever Shinichi had planned, I had to face it head-on.

Eventually, we arrived at a clearing in the park, under a tall tree that cast a wide shadow over the grassy area.

There, standing with an air of casual confidence, was a slightly taller kid, maybe a few years older than us and around my original age from before I died. He wore a headband protector with the symbol of Konoha, marking him as a bonafide genin. I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. Shinichi had brought his older brother, like he'd said he would. 

What a sore loser!

"Here we are," Shinichi announced, his voice dripping with pride. "Meet my brother, Uchiha Ryuji. A real genin."

Ryuji looked at me with a bored expression, barely acknowledging my presence. I could feel the pressure mounting. Facing off against Shinichi was one thing, but his older brother was an entirely different challenge.

"Ryuji-nii, this is the guy I've been telling you about," Shinichi said, puffing out his chest. 

Ryuji raised an eyebrow, glancing at his younger brother. "This kid? Really, Shinichi?" He laughed, a mocking tone in his voice. "How could you lose so badly to a kid as weak looking as him? Just look at him. He's too scared facing me to even speak."

I remained silent, feeling the weight of his words. My fists clenched involuntarily as I fought to keep my composure. Shinichi, seeing my silence, grinned triumphantly.

"See, Shirokumo? You're out of your league," Shinichi taunted. "You don't stand a chance against someone like Ryuji-nii."

I still stayed silent, analyzing both of them. 

Ryuji smirked, shaking his head. "Pathetic. I can't believe you lost to this guy, Shinichi. Maybe you're not cut out to be a shinobi if you can't handle someone like him."

His words must've stung, as I saw Shinichi's bravado falter. He started having a hard time keeping eye contact with either of us. 

I reached down, starting to undo the weights strapped to my limbs. I could see the panic flash across Shinichi's face.

"Wait, wait!" Shinichi exclaimed, turning to his brother. "Take him on before he undoes the weights! He's too dangerous with them off!"

Ryuji scoffed, crossing his arms. "I'll do no such thing. Why should I play dirty to solve a scuffle between two kids? If you can't handle your own battles, Shinichi, then you don't deserve to win. Maybe I ought to teach you both a lesson while I'm here!"

"B-Brother!"

The first of the heavy 100kg bands fell to the ground with a dull thud, a cloud of dust rising at my feet as it dug into the earth. This made the older Uchiha kid wince, but he kept his composure. 

"Hoh? That's interesting." 

All my weights were off now, each digging into the ground and causing dust clouds to appear around me. I could feel the surge of energy coursing through me as I finally felt light at my feet again.

I looked at Ryuji, my resolve hardening. "I'm not afraid of you, Uchiha Ryuji. Or anyone else, for that matter."

Ryuji's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of interest in his eyes. "We'll see about that," he said coolly. "Blame your own terrible luck that you happened to cross MY kid brother."

The air around us crackled with anticipation as Shinichi's frustration boiled over, his face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. I could feel the weight of Ryuji's gaze, the challenge in his eyes daring me to prove my worth.

Shinichi, desperate to salvage his pride, clenched his fists and stepped forward, his stance aggressive. "Come on, Ryuji-nii! Show Shirokumo who's boss!"

"Shut it, Shin. I'm waiting on the little guy." Uchiha Ryuji grinned. "He won't even make me take a single step back, you'll see." 

The challenge was clear, and I knew it was time to put my training to the test. I squared my shoulders, taking a deep breath to center myself. The clearing seemed to close in around us as I focused, the tranquil morning transformed into the stage for a confrontation I had not anticipated. I was ready to show them that I was more than just a weak-looking kid. Without wasting another moment, I launched forward, closing the distance between us in a blur of motion. Even I was surprised by my speed at that moment.

Ryuji's eyes widened slightly as I reached him, but his reflexes were quick. He barely had time to react as I threw a powerful right hook, aiming directly at his jaw. Ryuji dodged with a strained sidestep. He countered with a swift kick aimed at my side, but I was ready, flipping right over his foot and into the air above him. From there, I put a hand in my pouch and threw out several shuriken at Ryuji with as much accuracy as I could muster. It still wasn't my forte, but I'd gotten good enough to hit a target at this range. Faced with the spinning steel stars, Ryuji grimaced and jumped away.

When I landed, I took on a fighting stance and chuckled at him. "What happened to not taking even a step backwards?"

Ryuji's smirk faltered for a moment, and I saw a flicker of frustration cross his face. His eyes narrowed as he prepared for the next round. But I wasn't finished. The brief hesitation was all I needed to press my advantage.

I surged forward with renewed vigor, my movements becoming a blur of controlled aggression. I threw a series of quick jabs and low kicks, forcing Ryuji to continuously block and evade. Each attack was calculated to test his defenses and create openings. I could see Shinichi's smug smile waver as he watched his brother being pushed back, his eyes wide with a mix of surprise and growing concern.

"B-Brother? This can't be real!" Shinichi cried out. "You're a genin, how is that dumbass Shirokumo pushing you back?!"

"S-Shut it, Shin!" Ryuji struggled to even speak under my assault. I'd practiced these strikes so many times I could hardly count to that number if I tried, and I'd tested them against both Minato and Dai! This guy was nothing compared to those two!

Feeling the momentum shift in my favor, I gathered my chakra into my legs and prepared to unleash a powerful finishing move. "Leaf Hurricane!" I shouted, executing a spinning roundhouse kick with all the force and speed I could muster. The air seemed to crackle with energy as I shot towards Ryuji, my leg extended in a perfect arc. 

Just before the kick landed, I heard the faint rustling of leaves above me. 

Ryuji's eyes widened in shock as my kick connected with a satisfying thud, squarely impacting his forehead. Shinichi's eyes widened in horror as he watched his brother being sent tumbling backward, crashing into the ground with a thud. I stood there, panting and grinning, my heart racing with the thrill of success.

But then, Ryuji vanished in a puff of smoke, and my grin faltered. "I knew it," I thought, my stomach dropping as I realized it had been a mere clone.

Before I could react, I felt a sharp pain as something heavy and fast struck me from above. I was sent sprawling to the ground, my vision blurring as I crashed onto the grass. I looked up to see Ryuji, still very much in one piece, landing gracefully from the tree above.

Ryuji's expression was a mix of irritation and amusement as he straightened up, his eyes cold and calculating. "You were doing well for a moment, but you're still far too predictable, scrub."

I groaned, my vision dimming as the force of the blow left me dazed. 

At least that's what I saw myself doing. 

Ryuji's eyes widened in confusion as the Shirokumo on the ground vanished in a puff of smoke. 

"I've fallen for this trick way too many times now not to recognize it." I spoke from behind the Uchiha. 

Before he could react, the real me tackled him from behind, driving him into the ground. I quickly locked him in place by tying him up with steel wire from my ninja tool bag.

"You underestimated me, Ryuji," I said, tightening the wire. "That was your mistake."

Ryuji roared, spit flying as his lips quivered. "Let me go! Let me go, you little freak!" 

In the same breath, his eyes blazed with the crimson light of the Sharingan. I didn't dare to look directly at his scarlet eyes out of fear of him casting a genjutsu on me. I was unsure of exactly how many tomoe his eyes held, but I assumed it was just one considering his age and rank. Still, even a single tomoe was more than enough to completely demolish me in a normal encounter. If he had started off with his Sharingan, of course.

Now though? Now he was screwed. 

That Uchiha pride of his got him in one hell of a pickle!

Keeping my eyes closed, I threw a punch at Ryuji's face. I heard him bobbing his head to the side, evading it effortlessly. "What are you doing?" he shouted, frustration evident in his voice.

"I… missed," I mumbled, raising my iron fist and trying again. I could feel the heat of his Sharingan as he tracked my movements, evading each strike with uncanny precision.

My fists flew in a flurry of attempts, each one narrowly missing its mark. The Sharingan no doubt assisted Ryuji in reading my moves, allowing him to dodge with ease. But I continued relentlessly, my determination unyielding.

Ryuji's breaths grew heavier with each evasion, his frustration palpable. "Just give up already!" he snarled.

But no matter how he struggled, I knew it was only a matter of time before my fist connected with his head. On the twelfth attempt, as Ryuji moved to dodge again, my iron fist finally made contact, crashing into his nose with a resounding thud. Without hesitation, I followed up with another punch, then another, each one landing with brutal precision. Ryuji's defiance turned to desperation as he tried to shield himself from the relentless assault. But he was still tied up with the steel wire and I was over him, it was a fruitless struggle that ended almost as soon as it started. He kept losing teeth as I kept hitting him, breaking his face. 

"Stop! Please, stop!" Ryuji begged, his voice breaking with each plea.

But I knew better. If I didn't thoroughly instill fear into his heart, this genin would no doubt hunt me down later, seeking vengeance. At that time, if he came at me with his sharingan on, I'd have no way of beating him. This whole situation only presented itself because of his cocky attitude. Hey, maybe it'll be a good lesson for his future. Yup, I'll tell myself that when I sleep tonight. 

Anyway. Time to beat him some more. 

My strikes continued, each blow driven by the determination to protect myself and end this confrontation once and for all.

Nearby, Shinichi trembled, his face a mask of disbelief and fear. "This can't be happening… Ryuji-nii was supposed to beat him up… How is Shirokumo doing this?"

I paused briefly, my gaze shifting to Shinichi. "What did you expect, Shinichi? You dragged me here, thinking you could win with your brother's help. Now you see what happens when you bite off more than you can chew."

Ryuji's pleas grew more frantic, his body shaking as he realized the severity of his situation. "Please… I'm sorry… Just stop…"

The sharingan in his eyes had already long since deactivated. 

I leaned in close, my voice cold and menacing as I stared into his blank, dark eyes. "Those are a pretty pair of eyes, Ryuji. It'd be a shame if something happened to them."

He regained some spite. "Y-you wouldn't dare!" 

"Care to try me?" I asked as I put my fingers to his pupil. "Do you?"

"No! NO! Please no! I'll leave you alone, I swear, I promise you!" Ryuji struggled like a worm under me, unwilling to part with his eyes. They were the pride of his lineage, after all. 

I grabbed him by the mouth to shut him up. "If you ever come after me again, I'll make sure you regret it." The fear in Ryuji's eyes was palpable, and I knew I had to drive the point home. "Understand?"

Ryuji's body went rigid, and a dark stain spread across his pants as he lost control, fear overwhelming him. Under my tightening palm, his remaining teeth started cracking as he barely mustered the strength to nod at me. His face was so swollen and disfigured I could barely tell that he tilted for the nod.

Satisfied that the message was clear, I delivered a final punch, knocking Ryuji out cold. His body went limp, and I stood up, breathing heavily, adrenaline still coursing through my veins.

"Leave him alone!" Shinichi's voice was a desperate cry as he charged at me, fists raised in a feeble attempt to protect his brother. "You've done enough! Just leave Ryuji-nii alone!"

I turned to face Shinichi, my stance ready to fend off his attack, but there was no mistaking the trembling in his steps and the fear in his eyes. He wasn't even acting like a shinobi would anymore. Just a kid acting childish and throwing a temper tantrum.

Grabbing Ryuji's limp body with one hand, I hoisted him up and threw him at Shinichi with all my strength. The impact sent them both crashing into the tree trunk, a dull thud echoing through the clearing as they crumpled to the ground.

Stepping forward, I planted my foot on Ryuji's chest, pinning him down and keeping Shinichi in place under him. The younger Uchiha stared up at me, tears streaming down his face, his fear palpable.

"This is your last warning, Shinichi," I said, my voice low and menacing. "Leave me alone. If you ever try to mess with me again, I won't be so lenient."

Shinichi's eyes widened, and he nodded frantically through his tears. "O-Okay! I promise! Just please, stop!"

I stared at him for a moment, letting the weight of my words sink in. This ought to be enough, right? Well… Just to be sure.

Without warning, I slapped him across the face, back and forth, until his cheeks were swollen and red. Each slap echoed with a finality, marking the end of this confrontation.

Leaving the two Uchiha in a pathetic heap under the tree, I turned and walked away, my mind racing. 

Did I really just do that? I did, didn't I? 

As the adrenaline faded, it dawned on me how far I'd taken things. Jesus christ, maybe I was a little too ruthless? Hopefully, I didn't traumatize them.

Though to be fair they wanted to beat me up for no good reason. Some trauma might be a good punishment for such injustice. 

And hey! I totally did it for their sake, too! You know, the Uchiha clansmen grow stronger with trauma, so… I guess I'm justified? Yup, I definitely helped them.

I'll tell myself that when I sleep tonight too. 

The fear I had instilled in them would hopefully keep them from targeting me ever again. That much I'm sure of, so I can breathe a sigh of relief now. 

This should be the end of it. If they knew what was good for them, they'd leave me alone from now on. With a deep breath, I continued on my way, the morning sun rising higher in the sky, casting long shadows behind me.