Asuma stared at the Uchiha in front of him with a sinister gaze.
"Two-tomoe Sharingan... and you think you're qualified to lecture me?"
"You're clearly overestimating yourself."
"Let's see if your Sharingan can keep up with my movements!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he dashed forward at incredible speed, swinging his chakra-infused short blades toward Ryosuke's arm.
But Ryosuke clearly saw through the attack.
The Sharingan truly lived up to its name as an eye of insight.
He raised his kunai to block the strike.
With a clang, the weapons collided, sending sparks flying.
Asuma was a little surprised that his opponent managed to keep up.
It had to be the Sharingan—no wonder the Uchiha were so feared.
Still, what a pity... the Uchiha clan was a threat to the village and refused to be tamed.
However, Asuma noticed Ryosuke was struggling to block.
With a quick move, he lifted his right leg and kicked Ryosuke square in the chest.
Even though the Sharingan saw it coming, Ryosuke's body couldn't react fast enough.
His physical state just wasn't up to par.
He was sent flying by the kick.
Seeing this, Asuma sneered.
"So this is the Uchiha's so-called power?"
"Next time, stay out of your Sarutobi boss's business."
But Ryosuke wasn't paying attention to Asuma's taunts—
In his mind, a voice from the system rang out:
"Your body feels immense pain. Auto-cultivation rate has increased."
"Strength +2, Speed +2, Constitution +2."
A warm current surged through his abdomen, followed by a refreshing sensation.
The pain dissipated significantly, and his body suddenly felt much lighter.
He was stunned—this auto-cultivation system could even do this?!
Not only did it increase his strength, speed, and constitution, but it also accelerated healing.
He immediately felt his arms and legs were more powerful and agile.
Improved constitution must mean higher damage resistance and faster recovery.
A person with good constitution could survive more damage and heal quicker,
whereas someone with poor constitution would stay hurt for a long time.
This meant… taking a beating could make him stronger?!
For a moment, he even wanted to tell Asuma:
"Come on, hit me again if you dare."
But when he saw those glowing chakra blades again, he hesitated.
That last attack was aimed to slice off his arm.
Without the Sharingan, he'd probably be missing a limb by now.
Still, Ryosuke stood up slowly and rebuked Asuma sternly:
"Attacking people in public... You really think you're above the law?"
"Konoha won't tolerate someone as arrogant as you."
The onlookers were stunned.
This Uchiha kid really didn't fear death.
Sarutobi Asuma was known to fight—hard.
They all thought Ryosuke should've just backed off.
Asuma was a loose cannon; he'd do anything when angry.
Asuma gripped his chakra blades tightly, his face contorted with rage.
"You're saying Konoha can't tolerate me?"
He poured even more chakra into his blades—
The blue glow intensified.
This time, he wasn't holding back.
The Uchiha needed a painful lesson to understand who truly ruled Konoha.
Right now, his father was still the Hokage.
This village belonged to the Sarutobi clan.
Asuma bent his knees slightly, preparing to lunge.
He was determined to leave Ryosuke with a scar he'd never forget.
Ryosuke saw the ferocity on Asuma's face and realized he was truly going to attack again.
Thankfully, his physical attributes had just improved.
Even if he couldn't overpower Asuma, he should be able to defend himself better now.
But just as Asuma was about to move—
A woman stepped between them, blocking his path.
He halted his assault, frustrated.
"Kurenai, why are you stopping me?!"
Kurenai snapped back angrily.
"Do you even realize what you're doing right now?"
"You're seriously trying to injure someone?"
"Can't you see how the crowd is reacting?"
She was truly afraid he'd cross a line from which there'd be no return.
She didn't want Ryosuke, who stood up for her, to get hurt—it would weigh heavily on her conscience.
Asuma followed her gaze and looked around.
He saw fearful eyes staring at him from all sides.
A hint of unease appeared on his face.
He may have gone too far.
Yet Kurenai was still scolding him. That made it worse.
It felt like a heavy rock pressed on his chest.
Her disappointment hit harder than any physical blow.
He clenched his fists, still holding his blades, and didn't back down.
Kurenai yelled even louder.
"You jerk! You're even ignoring me now?"
If he continued like this, there would be no chance of a relationship.
Not even friendship.
She wouldn't associate with someone this reckless and impulsive.
Asuma's anger was boiling over.
Even if Kurenai had a point, she was supposed to be his girl.
Others could criticize him—not her.
His eyes hardened.
He ignored her, leapt past, and charged at Ryosuke with chakra blades in hand.
This time, his speed was even greater—explosive.
But to his utter shock—
Ryosuke blocked the attack again with his kunai.
Asuma's eyes widened in disbelief.
How was this possible?
His current speed was much faster than before.
Logically, the Uchiha shouldn't have been able to react.
"You bastard! You were hiding your strength?!"
That was the only explanation—as far as Asuma was concerned.
But Ryosuke didn't answer, which infuriated him further.
Was he too arrogant to even respond?
"Fine. I'll show you what I'm really capable of!"
He swung his blades faster—so fast they created gusts of wind.
But the Sharingan caught everything.
Ryosuke could barely block them.
He didn't even have time to talk—Asuma was fighting seriously now.
His current strength was at least that of an advanced chunin.
Even with enhanced stats, Ryosuke was just an ordinary chunin.
The fact that he was still standing was a miracle.
Kurenai watched with growing fury.
Was Asuma really willing to harm a fellow comrade like this?
This wasn't just reckless—it was unhinged.
He was no longer the wild but still likable boy she once knew.
Now, he was out of control.
Their battle was intense and dangerous.
Ryosuke was barely holding his ground, nearly having his face sliced open.
He was clearly fighting for real.
Kurenai was slightly surprised that this young Uchiha could keep up.
Even though Asuma was wild, his talent was undeniable.
Despite having the upper hand, Asuma couldn't land a hit.
That said a lot about Ryosuke's instincts and reflexes.
As a Konoha ninja, she couldn't stand by anymore.
She drew a kunai and leapt between them during a brief opening.
"Enough! If you attack again… I'll be your opponent."