The sheer power of the Great Fireball Technique stunned the surrounding Uchiha clansmen.
No one was surprised, though—after all, Itachi was known as the clan's top prodigy. A fire-style technique of this magnitude could only be performed by someone with an exceptional affinity for Fire Release.
Even Uchiha Fugaku, Itachi's father and the clan head, looked pleased at his son's performance. Still, a deep sigh escaped his lips.
He didn't know what was going through Itachi's mind anymore.
Lately, Itachi kept reporting to the clan that the village leadership had no intention of targeting the Uchiha and that the higher-ups weren't taking any action. He kept urging the clan not to misunderstand them.
But even Fugaku couldn't believe that anymore—so how could the average clan member?
Tensions were rising, and the illusion of peace was paper-thin.
Ryosuke, meanwhile, couldn't help but notice how even someone like Itachi was using the Great Fireball Technique.
Sure, it looked cool—but it wasn't all that practical in real combat.
Still, maybe that was why he liked it so much. It was flashy. It screamed "Uchiha."
So, Ryosuke decided to return the favor.
Gathering his chakra, he quickly formed the hand seals:
"Serpent–Ram–Monkey–Boar–Horse–Tiger!"
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball burst from his mouth—so enormous it rivaled a small house.
In sheer size, it even exceeded Itachi's.
Naturally, Ryosuke had more chakra than Itachi, so the technique's power was a notch higher.
The two fireballs collided mid-air, erupting in a fiery explosion that lit up the dark sky.
Scattered flames spread in all directions.
Some even drifted toward the spectators—but the experienced Uchiha dodged them with ease, some even dispersing the flames mid-air.
By the time the fire reached them, its power had already diminished.
For those who hadn't seen Ryosuke in action before, the scene was jaw-dropping.
Everyone knew how strong Itachi was. But Ryosuke?
To match Itachi's fire jutsu blow-for-blow was unthinkable. It was now undeniable: Ryosuke had a natural talent for Fire Release as well.
Uchiha Izumi stood with her mouth open in disbelief.
She had seen Itachi demonstrate his power before.
But to think Ryosuke—her "cool big brother" figure—had been hiding such strength this whole time?
And his fireball was even larger than Itachi's?
She couldn't help but feel conflicted.
Why did the clan's two brightest stars have to stand on opposite sides?
Ryosuke clearly stood for the Uchiha.
Why did Itachi have to oppose him?
If the two of them worked together, the Uchiha clan might have already reclaimed its former glory.
Back in the center of the field, Itachi was admittedly shocked by the power of Ryosuke's fireball.
But he didn't let it distract him. He charged forward without hesitation.
Taijutsu was where he held the advantage—or so he believed.
After all, when he was younger, even one of his clones could overpower kids his age.
So how strong could Ryosuke possibly be?
Seeing Itachi rush toward him, Ryosuke grinned.
When it came to shurikenjutsu, he wasn't as good.
When it came to Sharingan prowess? Hard to say—maybe they were equal.
But in taijutsu? There was no contest. Ryosuke was on another level entirely.
Itachi's movements were precise and fast—but Ryosuke dodged easily, countering with a strong punch.
Itachi barely managed to block—but the force of the blow sent pain rippling up his arm.
He immediately realized that Ryosuke had a much stronger physique than him.
Each exchange put more pressure on Itachi.
He was being forced back, bit by bit.
He couldn't keep up.
If this kept going, he'd be overwhelmed.
The Uchiha spectators were stunned.
Their clan wasn't famous for taijutsu, but they were still strong in it.
Yet here was Ryosuke dominating Itachi in a straight-up hand-to-hand battle.
Among them, some—like the Eighth Elder, Uchiha Inaho, and even Fugaku—weren't surprised.
They had seen Ryosuke's strength firsthand.
This wasn't even his full power—he hadn't activated the Eight Gates yet.
If he did, Itachi would be out cold in seconds.
This spectacle was also a big win for the pro-rebellion faction of the Uchiha.
Itachi and Shisui had long represented the "moderates"—those who sought compromise with Konoha's upper echelons, who had even supported relocating the Uchiha clan compound.
Shisui especially was so powerful that even the radicals had to admit his strength.
But until now, the radicals lacked a powerhouse of their own.
Ryosuke was changing that.
Itachi's combat instincts kicked in.
He couldn't win in taijutsu.
He had to create distance.
But Ryosuke wasn't about to let him.
He was faster. Stronger.
He closed the gap and sent a brutal punch straight into Itachi's chest.
Itachi couldn't dodge in time.
His face twisted in pain as his body flew through the air, crashing to the ground and skidding across the dirt.
Propping himself up on all fours, Itachi gritted his teeth.
He couldn't believe this was happening.
He was the clan's prodigy—and he was being utterly suppressed.
Ryosuke, though a few years older, was still someone Itachi thought he could control, even defeat.
But now? He'd just handed Ryosuke a public victory on a silver platter.
Ryosuke, on the other hand, was beaming.
He had already fulfilled part of his earliest dream—first kicking Obito, now punching Itachi.
These two traitors were no longer threats.
Even if they gained the Mangekyō Sharingan in the future, Ryosuke had something better:
Two overpowered systems.
With those, he didn't need to fear anyone.
Besides, the "Many Children, Much Fortune" System would reward him the more he reproduced.
And even the Auto-Cultivation System, which he had once thought of as passive, had proven its worth in real battle.
As long as he kept growing stronger, no one—Itachi, the village, or even destiny—could stop him.
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