"Can you perform the three kowtows and nine bows ceremony?"
Seeing that Sarutobi Asuma still hadn't replied, Uchiha Ryu raised his voice and asked again.
"I… I can do it!"
Asuma answered almost instinctively.
Deep down, he understood very clearly—
If he refused, the only thing waiting for him would be death.
And he didn't want to die.
"Then begin."
After hearing Asuma's response, Uchiha Ryu released his grip.
Sarutobi Asuma slowly stood up.
He took a deep breath, then bent forward.
He bowed once toward the Uchiha clan.
Then he straightened his body and bowed a second time.
After the third bow—
Asuma's knees gradually bent.
Kneeling on the ground, he leaned forward, lowering his head until his forehead gently touched the stone.
Bang.
A dull sound echoed faintly.
Then Asuma stood up again.
He repeated the same ritual two more times toward the Uchiha clan.
Only after Sarutobi Asuma completed the three kowtows and nine bows did Uchiha Ryu allow him to straighten his body.
"Lord Hokage,"Ryu said calmly,"this matter is concluded."
"We will take our leave."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was livid with rage.
Yet he had no choice but to nod.
"Go. Everyone, return home and rest."
Because—
Uchiha Ryu was completely in the right.
The timing, the situation, and the people—
Everything favored him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Uchiha Ryu with a dark, gloomy gaze.
It was clear—
The Third Hokage had firmly remembered everything that happened today.
An obedient Uchiha—
Was an Uchiha who could survive in Konoha.
A disobedient Uchiha…
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes—
Was no different from a second Uchiha Madara.
And Uchiha Ryu's forceful performance today had planted new, dangerous thoughts in his mind.
With the Hokage's signal, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Yet one name was etched deeply into everyone's memory that day—
Uchiha Ryu.
A man who dared to slap the Hokage's son in public—
And force the Hokage himself to make that son kneel and apologize.
Those who secretly resented the Hokage couldn't help but admire Uchiha Ryu.
After thanking Yūhi Kurenai and Might Guy, Ryu followed the Uchiha shinobi back to their clan district.
Along the way, many clan members expressed their heartfelt gratitude to him.
Uchiha Ryu did not become arrogant.
Instead, he repeatedly explained that everything happened because of the clan itself—
Not because of him personally.
But in their hearts, the Uchiha truly admired him.
Humble within the clan—
Yet terrifyingly dominant when facing outsiders.
Before long, they arrived back at the Uchiha clan grounds.
"Why didn't Big Brother lead the team to attend Konoha's victory ceremony?"
"Why did he secretly bring everyone back here instead?"
Ryu asked the person beside him.
"Captain Ryu, you know this already,"the man replied.
"The clan leader doesn't like seeing the Third Hokage."
"So he brought everyone straight back."
"So Big Brother really hates the Third Hokage that much…"
Ryu couldn't help but sigh.
At that moment, several figures appeared in the distance, moving quickly toward them.
They were Uchiha Fugaku and several attendants.
"Little brother!"
"Big Brother!"
The two exchanged brief greetings.
"Brother, did you really beat Sarutobi Asuma?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"We still have people stationed in Konoha,"Fugaku replied calmly.
"With so many witnesses, news travels fast. Someone reported it before you returned."
"I see."
"You did well," Fugaku said, smiling as he gave Ryu a thumbs-up."You sought justice for the Uchiha clan. We're proud of you."
Afterward, Fugaku spoke a few comforting words to the clan.
He instructed the returning shinobi to go home and recuperate.
At the upcoming commendation meeting, everyone's merits would be calculated fairly.
They didn't need to worry—just rest and recover.
After the crowd dispersed, Ryu prepared to leave as well.
But Uchiha Fugaku stopped him.
He insisted on dragging Ryu to his home for dinner.
Unable to refuse, Ryu followed him.
Uchiha Mikoto prepared a lavish meal.
Ryu ate heartily.
After dinner, despite Fugaku's repeated attempts to make him stay, Ryu insisted on returning to his empty residence.
That night, he fell into a peaceful sleep.
Today had been a joyous day for the Uchiha clan.
The Hokage's son had publicly performed the three kowtows and nine bows before them.
And the name of the man who made it happen—
Uchiha Ryu—
Was carved deeply into every clan member's heart.
The next morning—
Ryu stepped out of his large, solitary mansion.
"Am I signing in there again today?"
Walking along the streets of the Uchiha district, he stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Hm?"
His gaze softened as he looked ahead.
Beneath a cherry tree stood a black-haired boy with lifeless eyes.
Uchiha Ryu slowly approached.
The boy didn't notice anyone nearing.
"Itachi."
Ryu gently placed his palm on the boy's thin shoulder and spoke softly.
"Oh… Uncle."
Uchiha Itachi wasn't startled.
He turned his head and replied quietly.
Seeing Itachi's calm, empty expression, Ryu understood.
It seemed—
What was meant to happen had still happened.
Uchiha Fugaku had taken Itachi to the battlefield.
And Itachi had begun to ponder a question—
One that would follow him for the rest of his life.
What is the meaning of life?