The long sword sliced swiftly through the air, aimed straight at Tatsuya. With a kunai produced in hand, Tatsuya expertly parried the blow. Uchiha Misuke fluidly redirected her sword, slashing horizontally. Tatsuya tapped his foot lightly, leaping backward to evade.
Clang!
The sharp ring of metal on metal and the thud of fists and feet echoed repeatedly as Tatsuya and Uchiha Misuke darted and weaved, their forms blurring in constant motion. In just one or two minutes, they had exchanged dozens of blows.
This brief clash was enough for Tatsuya to get a preliminary assessment of Misuke's abilities. She was an elite Uchiha, easily Jonin-level. Among the Uchiha clan's younger generation, excluding the deceased Uchiha Teru, perhaps only Shisui could definitively overpower her.
The Uchiha clan truly lived up to its reputation as one of Konoha's premier clans; their hidden depths and latent strength were truly remarkable. On this trip away from the village, Tatsuya had encountered both Uchiha Teru and Uchiha Misuke, both possessing considerable skill. And yet, in the original storyline, neither character had even warranted a minor background appearance. If the tragedy of the clan massacre could be averted and the Uchiha truly integrated into the village, Konoha's overall strength would increase significantly.
With this in mind, Tatsuya deliberately held back somewhat during their exchange. This wasn't out of any sudden attraction or misplaced kindness, but simply to avoid further complications. If he killed another elite Uchiha Jonin right here on Konoha's doorstep, his relationship with the clan would become irrevocably hostile. The current situation was different from his confrontation with Uchiha Teru; Teru had been a reckless fool bent on attack, capable of posing a genuine threat to Tatsuya's life. Misuke, on the other hand, clearly possessed more rationality, and her strength wasn't sufficient to truly endanger Tatsuya.
Their bout quickly transitioned from taijutsu to a ninjutsu duel.
Great Fireball Technique, Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, Great Dragon Fire Technique... Uchiha Misuke unleashed a series of Fire Style ninjutsu, the Uchiha clan's specialty. Tatsuya either dodged them with ease or countered with ninjutsu of his own.
In the ninjutsu exchange, Misuke was clearly at a disadvantage. After a dozen or so clashes, she voluntarily ceased her attacks.
"I can't kill you," she stated, standing atop a protruding rock. She regarded Tatsuya with complex emotions swirling in her eyes for a moment before declaring, "I will avenge my younger brother, Uchiha Teru, another time!" With that, she turned and leaped away.
She just... left? Tatsuya watched Misuke's retreating figure with considerable surprise. There are actually Uchiha who are this reasonable? Misuke's actions were somewhat unexpected.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully for a moment, Tatsuya also departed.
Along the way, he encountered two ANBU shinobi who had been drawn by the sounds of their battle and were coming to investigate.
"Jonin Akimichi Tatsuya! You've finally returned!" Seeing Tatsuya, the two ANBU members were visibly startled, then let out sighs of relief.
"What's wrong?" Tatsuya asked, his expression turning serious as he regarded the ANBU shinobi. Did something happen in the village while I was gone?
"Ah! Nothing, sir! It's just that the village has been very concerned about your safety during your absence," one of the ANBU members quickly explained, waving his hands dismissively. He couldn't exactly complain that many of them had been run ragged dealing with the fallout of Tatsuya's disappearance.
"Oh. Thank you for your hard work," Tatsuya replied, understanding dawning after a moment's thought. He gave them a polite nod before leaping away.
"Actually, Jonin Tatsuya seems quite easygoing," the ANBU shinobi who hadn't spoken before murmured, watching Tatsuya leave.
His partner shot him a sideways glance, thinking, That's because you didn't see him thrashing those Root shinobi.
The two quickly departed as well. They needed to report Tatsuya's return to the Hokage's Office as soon as possible. Lord Third Hokage had been paying close attention to this matter recently.
Konoha Village, Root Headquarters – Underground Base.
"Lord Danzo, Akimichi Tatsuya has just returned to the village," a Root operative reported, appearing before Danzo with a bow.
After hearing the report, Danzo waved dismissively. Once the operative had retreated, Danzo's eyes gleamed sharply as he murmured to himself, "Hiruzen, how will you handle this?"
Akimichi Clan Compound.
"Clan Head! Uncle Rou!" Tatsuya greeted warmly, spotting Akimichi Ryota and Akimichi Rou waiting for him at the main gate. He hurried over with a smile.
"You brat, you finally decided to come back!" Ryota and Rou beamed upon seeing Tatsuya return unharmed. Rou stepped forward and gave Tatsuya a hearty punch on the chest.
Tatsuya's departure from the village had put considerable pressure on the Akimichi clan. Especially after the rumor spread that Tatsuya had killed Uchiha Teru after Teru had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, some radical Uchiha members had even come looking for trouble with the Akimichi. But all that was insignificant compared to concerns about Tatsuya's own safety. Tatsuya had become incredibly important to the Akimichi clan.
The three chatted and laughed as they walked inside.
"Tatsuya, shortly after you left, a rumor started circulating in the village that you killed Uchiha Teru after he'd awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan. Is that true?" Rou asked impatiently as soon as they were seated inside Ryota's home. Both Ryota and Rou fixed their gazes intently on Tatsuya.
"Oh? The village is surprisingly quick on the uptake in that regard," Tatsuya replied, a mocking smile touching his lips. "They're correct. I did indeed kill Uchiha Teru after he had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan." He didn't need to think hard to guess who had deliberately spread that particular rumor. Trying to sit back and watch the tigers fight, are they? What a lovely thought these old men have.
Hearing Tatsuya's confirmation, both Ryota and Rou let out deep breaths. This news was both troublesome and astonishing for the Akimichi clan.
After a brief silence, Ryota spoke slowly, "Tatsuya, the village leadership will likely summon you soon to inquire about this matter. You need to be prepared."
Tatsuya nodded. "Don't worry, Clan Head. I anticipated complications."
They talked for a while longer before Tatsuya and Rou stood to leave. As they were parting, Ryota looked at Tatsuya intently and asked, "Tatsuya, after discussion within the clan, it has been decided that Choza will be confirmed as the next Clan Head next year. Do you have any objections?"
Tatsuya was slightly taken aback for a moment, then smiled freely. "Clan Head, I'm still young and don't wish to get too involved in clan affairs. I trust Brother Choza's strength and character completely. I have no objections whatsoever to him becoming Clan Head." He spoke with sincerity, his gaze earnest.
Seeing this, Ryota simply nodded and said, "Good."
Evening, Akimichi Clan Training Grounds.
Two figures moved rapidly, engaged in fierce combat. Both were clearly women, slender in build; one even wore fishnet armor underneath her attire.
Under the dim lights at the edge of the training ground, Tatsuya slowly entered. Watching the two women sparring intensely, a sense of warmth touched Tatsuya's heart.
The combatants were Kyoko and Mitarashi Anko.
This was the first time Tatsuya had seen Kyoko display such fierce determination. Before they parted ways earlier, Uncle Rou had told Tatsuya about Kyoko's recent changes and the reasons behind them. Tatsuya knew very well that Kyoko had undergone this transformation entirely for him.
On the field, the two clashed again and sprang apart.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Using the recoil, Kyoko leaped into the air, her hands rapidly forming seals even as she soared. A dragon made of water erupted from her mouth, surging towards Anko below.
Anko reacted just as quickly, spitting out a dragon of red flames that charged straight at the water dragon.
The water and fire dragons collided violently in mid-air, generating a massive wave of heat and steam. Water vapor quickly filled half the training ground.
Clang!Thud!
Within the mist-shrouded training ground, the sounds of metal clashing and fists connecting echoed repeatedly.
The intense battle continued for over ten minutes before the two figures sprang apart again, each standing on opposite sides of the field, panting heavily. After their spar, both had nearly exhausted their stamina and chakra.
Anko gasped for breath, eyeing Kyoko across the field with a serious expression, a hint of unwillingness in her gaze. The former 'good girl' is gone! In less than two months, Kyoko's combat prowess had improved at an astonishing rate. Now, Anko found it difficult to defeat Kyoko in a straightforward fight. Her only remaining advantage was her greater combat experience. Thanks to the effects of the Fujinhoin, Kyoko now slightly surpassed Anko in both taijutsu capability and chakra reserves.
Clap, clap~
Applause sounded from below the training field. Both women startled, turning simultaneously to look. Engrossed in their fight, neither had noticed someone watching.
"Tatsuya-san!" Kyoko's face lit up with joy upon seeing him. Ignoring the fatigue wracking her body, she launched herself towards him.
Anko's face also showed a flash of delight, and she started to rush towards Tatsuya as well. However, catching sight of Kyoko already flying towards him, Anko stopped in her tracks. Tilting her chin up proudly, she adopted a cool, aloof expression and began walking towards Tatsuya at a deliberately slow pace.
Catching Kyoko's warm body in his arms, Tatsuya felt a deep sense of affection welling up inside. This girl is just too endearing. Gently patting Kyoko's shoulder, he looked up at Anko, who had now reached them.
Meeting Tatsuya's gaze, Anko immediately averted her eyes, letting out a dismissive little scoff through her nose.
Seeing this, Tatsuya couldn't help but smile slightly. This girl is still so cute!