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Chapter 83 - Chapter 83: Assault

At Ichiraku Ramen, Uchiha Ryosuke sat leisurely, enjoying several bowls of miso chashu ramen. With the rich aroma of broth wafting through the air, he indulged himself more than usual today. After months of continuous training and breakthroughs, including unlocking the Fifth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates, today felt like a well-earned break.

He planned to return to his secluded training spot—the familiar grove just outside the village—after this meal, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of peace. For the first time in a long while, he could feel the difference in how people looked at him.

Ever since Uchiha Fugaku had publicized the truth behind the failed peace talks between Konoha and Kumogakure, much of the hostility directed at the Uchiha clan had subsided. Although some villagers still clung to their prejudice, many had come to understand that it wasn't the Uchiha who sabotaged peace—it was Kumogakure's treacherous act of attempting to kidnap the Hyuga heiress that sparked the conflict.

Not everyone in the village was a coward or a bigot. Ryosuke took heart in the fact that some had a conscience. Still, the gossiping tongues of cowards weren't worth his attention. He was here to enjoy his ramen, not be distracted by fools.

Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Ryosuke left a generous tip on the counter and stood up to leave. "Thanks for the meal," he said to Teuchi, who waved back with a warm grin. Ayame, covered in a bit of broth, smiled as well.

As Ryosuke stepped out onto the street, his relaxed demeanor masked the sharp instincts always lurking beneath his calm surface. He had long learned that peace in Konoha was always a fragile thing, especially for someone with power and status like him.

Unbeknownst to him, watching from a nearby rooftop was Sarutobi Asuma—recently returned from serving as the personal bodyguard to the Fire Daimyō. The past few months had matured him, but that growth crumbled the moment he learned that his long-time crush, Yūhi Kurenai, had fallen in love with someone else.

Not just anyone, but with Ryosuke—the rising star of the Uchiha clan.

Asuma had already confirmed it through personal investigation. Witnesses reported seeing Ryosuke and Kurenai together on numerous occasions, even entering inns late at night. The implication was clear.

Jealousy and rage flared in Asuma's chest. In his eyes, Ryosuke had taken what was his.

Gripping two chakra-enhanced trench knives tightly in his fists, Asuma silently executed a Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique), instantly closing the distance behind Ryosuke.

His strike was fast, fueled by hatred—but it wasn't fast enough.

Ryosuke, sensing the murderous intent behind him, tilted his body just enough for the attack to miss. With the smoothness of a trained fighter, he twisted on one foot and delivered a precise spinning kick to Asuma's side, sending the older ninja flying into a nearby vendor's stand.

Crash!

Wood splintered. Bowls shattered. The vendor screamed and fled the scene, barely escaping injury.

Ryosuke calmly turned to see his attacker more clearly. His smirk widened in recognition.

"So… Asuma's back."

He didn't need to ask why the man attacked him. The answer was written all over his face. Ryosuke's expression remained calm—almost mocking.

Onlookers gasped. A few villagers ducked into shops or behind carts, whispering in alarm.

"Is that… Sarutobi Asuma?"

"Did he just try to kill someone in broad daylight?!"

"Someone call the police!"

"Wait… isn't that Ryosuke from the Uchiha? The guy in the Police Force?!"

"...This is going to get ugly."

Struggling to his feet, Asuma wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. That kick had done serious damage. His pride burned more than his injuries.

"I won't let you go, Ryosuke," he spat through clenched teeth, raising his chakra blades once again.

Ryosuke's eyes sharpened. With a blink, the crimson glow of his fully matured Sharingan flared to life—three tomoe spinning hypnotically.

If Asuma wanted to fight, so be it. Ryosuke would make him understand the gap between them.

As Asuma lunged, slashing with both chakra blades, Ryosuke calmly sidestepped each blow with minimal effort. Every motion of his opponent was telegraphed in advance by the Sharingan. A subtle shift in Asuma's wrist. A twist of the shoulder. Predictable.

Ryosuke delivered another clean kick—this time to the chest—sending Asuma crashing across the cobbled street.

This time, Asuma couldn't rise quickly. His trench knives clattered to the ground. Blood trickled from his mouth, and his chest heaved with pain. Internal damage, for sure.

The gathered crowd murmured louder now.

"Did you see that? He didn't even use ninjutsu!"

"That Uchiha guy… he's insanely strong…"

"Isn't Asuma the Third Hokage's son? He just got floored like a genin!"

Asuma lay in humiliation, struggling to understand what had happened. How had Ryosuke gotten so powerful in such a short time?

Just months ago, this brat wouldn't have stood a chance.

Now? He was terrifying.

His thoughts were interrupted by Ryosuke's cold voice.

"Running away already, Asuma? I've gotta say… Kurenai tastes amazing."

The words hit Asuma like a kunai to the heart.

"You bastard!!"

Fury took control. Forget his wounds. Forget the crowd. Forget logic.

He drew on his chakra and exhaled a dense stream of ash toward Ryosuke—his signature technique, Hiding Ash Cloud Jutsu. This cloud wasn't just suffocating—it was explosive.

At the exact moment the black smoke enveloped Ryosuke's area, Asuma bit down on the flint hidden in his tooth.

Snap!

A spark ignited the ash.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion erupted in the middle of the marketplace. Shockwaves blasted through the street. Buildings on both sides were scorched and damaged. Screams echoed as civilians were knocked back or injured by flying debris.

Even Ichiraku Ramen wasn't spared. Half of the little shop was reduced to rubble.

Teuchi and Ayame crawled out from under broken beams, covered in dust and fear.

"What in the world…?!"

Ryosuke landed a few meters away, singed but not seriously harmed. He had sensed the fire chakra buildup and leapt out of the explosion radius at the last moment.

He turned toward the ruined street, his expression darkening.

Asuma had just used a large-scale area-of-effect jutsu… in a densely populated civilian zone.

Ryosuke clenched his fists.

If he had the Mangekyō Sharingan… if he had access to the Susanoo, he could've shielded the entire area from damage. But he wasn't there yet.

Still, that didn't mean Asuma would walk away from this.

Not after endangering innocents.

Not after hurting the people of Ichiraku.

And especially not after threatening Kurenai.

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