As Uchiha youths, Ryo and his group held themselves in high esteem.
They looked down on civilians and even other clan children.
Since the Senju's decline, the Uchiha had claimed the title of Konoha's top clan.
But in the test, Tatsu's pace had thrown them off. They tried to keep up, only to exhaust themselves and get overtaken by others.
Their scores were mediocre, a blow to their pride.
They'd boasted to other clans about being the Uchiha's top three geniuses!
How could they show their faces now?
Worse, the one who took first was Uchiha Tatsu, the kid they used to bully.
Though Tatsu was mature, at three or four, before training, he couldn't fend off their numbers.
Ostracized by the clan, few adults stood up for him.
So, the trio stormed over, itching to teach him a lesson.
Think you can steal the spotlight and walk away?
No way it's that easy!
They struck poses, and Ryo gave a look to Toyo, who stepped forward.
"Uchiha Tatsu, get over here!" Toyo barked.
"Hey, what's up?" Tatsu asked lazily.
"You know what's up! Showing off in the test, huh?"
Tatsu smirked. "Sore losers? Instead of training to improve, you come picking a fight. Confident in your skills, or did you stuff your brains into your eyes trying to awaken the Sharingan?"
Tatsu's past-life habit of sharp-tongued retorts surfaced.
To him, these kids' provocations were laughable. A few words were enough to make the trio fume.
"Enough, you three!" Mikoto snapped. She couldn't stand by as they ganged up on Tatsu, knowing he couldn't take on three at once, no matter how strong.
Before Tatsu could respond, Ryo sneered, "Uchiha Tatsu, if you're a real man, don't hide behind Mikoto!"
What a way to doom yourself to singledom!
With that emotional intelligence, how would they ever find a sweet, cute girl?
Tatsu sighed, worrying about the Uchiha's future marriage rates.
Out of respect for Mikoto, the trio didn't escalate into a street brawl.
They needed to save face.
They threw down a threat and left, Ryo glaring at Tatsu as they went.
"I'll be waiting for you to come at me," Tatsu called lazily, unbothered, before turning to Mikoto. "Come on, let's go."
Mikoto looked worried, as if Tatsu were already bedridden.
"No worries, they're no match for me," Tatsu said with a smile.
...
After escorting Mikoto home, Tatsu returned to his small courtyard.
His strength had improved, but he couldn't slack off.
Constant training was essential.
No one was born strong.
Even with points making him a genius, genius wasn't enough—he aimed to be a powerhouse.
Packing some food, he headed to the forest near Hokage Rock.
Konoha was kind to war orphans, providing enough relief funds to live.
But luxuries like training grounds were out of reach for orphans.
The Uchiha clan had training facilities, but Tatsu's ostracism meant he faced harassment there as a child, so he avoided them.
The forest behind Hokage Rock became his training ground.
Simple exercises could be done there.
The Uchiha clan's grounds were still central in the village, not yet relegated to the outskirts as in later years.
He reached Hokage Rock quickly.
This time, no system prompt came.
He'd deliberately slowed down, not training earnestly.
It stung a bit—every point counted!
Points were art!
But oh well, he had other things to do.
Tatsu stopped, sensing three followers.
He shook his Uchiha coat. "Come out. You've been tailing me since I left the clan."
Three figures leaped from behind a tree.
"Thought you'd run again," Ryo said, arms crossed, exuding childish arrogance that made you want to punch his smug face. "No Mikoto to protect you now."
"Well done, my foolish clansmen," Tatsu said, expressionless, uninterested in bantering with these extras.
"Who's foolish, you jerk? This is the Uchiha's concern for their kin! Ready or not?" Toyo retorted, finding an excuse.
"So, what do you want? A fight?"
Tatsu, ninja bag in hand, was eager to test his strength. These three had bullied him before, and now was his chance to teach them a lesson.
"Don't call a sacred ninja duel a childish game!" Ryo shouted.
"I've learned a new move. It's not just about taijutsu. Don't think being first in the test makes you untouchable. If I win, you owe me a favor. Deal?" Ryo said confidently.
"Oh, not ganging up?"
Tatsu nodded. They were a bit cocky—time to knock them down a peg. "And if I win?"
Toyo, ever the loyal lackey, scoffed, "As if! Remember how we used to school you?"
"Let's get on with it," Tatsu said, stretching.
Ryo's lackeys cheered.
"Boss, hit him hard!"
"Crush him, humiliate him!"
...
"Hmph."
Ryo sneered at Tatsu's nonchalance, thinking him a fool ignorant of true power.
"You arrogant idiot, you know nothing of real strength. I'm not the same as before!"