"Raijin-sama!"
The moment Igo Nagahisa saw Raijin, a look of surprise flashed across his face, and he quickly bowed to show respect.
"Raijin-sama!"
Not just Igo, but the students who had been eagerly watching Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Ryuri's match also stood up.
"Dad!"
The sudden change made Uchiha Ryuri pause, and she turned around in surprise.
"You two, keep going."
Raijin chuckled and spoke to Uchiha Ryuri.
"Everyone, please sit down."
Raijin looked at the students who had stood up and spoke to them.
At the same time, he casually sat down on the ground.
Seeing this, Igo also sat down next to him.
"Thanks for teaching Ryuri."
Raijin chuckled as he looked at Igo and said.
"You're too kind. Honestly, a kid like Ryuri would've reached this level even without my teaching."
Igo smiled awkwardly.
He knew very well that Ryuri's strength came from her mixed Senju and Uchiha bloodline.
It was thanks to Senju Tobirama's full guidance.
Not because of anything he had taught.
What could he even teach? Just some basic ninjutsu.
"By the way, why did you come here today…?"
Igo hesitated for a moment before finally asking.
To be honest, he didn't think Raijin had come just to watch this match.
After all, the outcome was obvious from the start.
In fact, the only reason Kakashi was chosen as Ryuri's opponent was because he was the only student in this class who could at least put up some resistance against her.
"Ah… I was meeting someone nearby and happened to see Kakashi and Ryuri's match. Since I was already here, I figured I'd watch for a bit."
Raijin answered vaguely.
There were some things that teachers at the ninja academy didn't need to know.
Their only job was to train the next generation properly.
And he didn't need Igo to look after Ryuri either.
It wasn't that he looked down on him—it was just that if Black Zetsu ever tried to lead Ryuri down a strange path, it didn't matter whether Igo wanted to stop it or not.
He wouldn't even notice it happening.
"I see…"
Igo let out a small sigh of relief.
After all, Raijin was technically his superior.
Just having someone like that sitting next to him, even if he didn't say or do anything, was enough to make him feel a little pressured.
Meanwhile, Ryuri and Kakashi's fight was still going on.
"You wanted to see the Three Tomoe, didn't you?"
Ryuri swung her long sword through the air, creating a dazzling arc.
"Well… it's not like I absolutely had to…"
Kakashi sighed, pressing his lips together as he responded.
"You don't get a choice."
Ryuri said calmly.
In the next moment, the Three Tomoe Sharingan appeared in her eyes.
"One move. That's all it'll take."
Ryuri never really cared how long a battle lasted.
She was cautious, calm, and never made a move unless she was confident.
The Senju blood in her gave her the patience to wait for the right moment.
But today was different.
Because today, one of the people she cared about the most was watching her.
She let out a slow breath, her Three Tomoe Sharingan locked onto Kakashi's every move.
Kakashi didn't even try using a substitution jutsu to escape.
It wouldn't work.
There was no way out now.
Under the Three Tomoe Sharingan's enhanced vision, he had no chance to form a single jutsu.
Besides…
She was just a little girl eager to prove herself in front of her father.
If you keep using Ninjutsu just to stall for time, it's pointless.
"Whoosh!"
A flash of bright blue lightning cut through the air, carrying a faint burnt smell.
Before Kakashi could even react, he felt a slight heat near his throat.
He knew it was because the lightning had passed over the blade, raising its temperature.
"So strong! Is this the power of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan?"
In the audience, Obito watched the scene, his voice filled with admiration.
"You can do it too, Obito!"
Rin, sitting beside him, encouraged him with a warm tone.
"Yeah! I'll definitely do it!"
Obito nodded firmly, his determination clear.
Thanks to the Uchiha clan's tradition passed down from Uchiha Motohide, Obito had already awakened his Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
That alone gave him plenty of confidence.
Even if she was Uchiha Raijin's daughter.
Even if she had awakened her Sharingan with three tomoe right from the start.
I will catch up to her! Surpass her! Defeat her!
I'll become the Uchiha clan's greatest genius and prove to Rin…
That I am good enough!
His voice wasn't too loud, but just enough for Raijin to hear.
Raijin glanced over and saw Obito and Rin talking.
A slight smile appeared on his lips.
There probably wouldn't be any major wars in the future.
He sincerely hoped that this devoted kid, Uchiha Obito, would end up with Rin.
"Dad."
Just then, Uchiha Ryuri's voice rang out.
Raijin turned to look at her, only to see her looking unhappy.
Wasn't my last move cool?
Why wasn't my dad watching me but instead paying attention to that idiot Uchiha Obito?
He's just an ordinary Uchiha.
If there's anything special about him, it's just that he awakened his Sharingan with two tomoe.
What's so interesting about that?
"That was amazing!"
Raijin spread his arms toward Ryuri.
Ryuri pursed her lips, but after a moment, she still leaned into his embrace.
"But Ryuri, why would you shout out the name of your move while fighting? If Kakashi had used Earth Release: Underground Submersion, how would you have countered it?"
Raijin ruffled her hair, half amused, half exasperated.
"Raijin-senpai has a good point."
Before Ryuri could respond, Kakashi's voice came from nearby.
As Hatake Sakumo's son, he knew Raijin.
"But that would only delay his defeat."
After a short pause, Kakashi continued,
"Well… not necessarily. If it were during a mission, using Earth Release to escape would be a valid option."
Raijin chuckled lightly.
"Back when our Team 7 was on a mission in the Land of Moon, we encountered a ninja who barely fought us before using Earth Release to escape. We couldn't even chase him down."
He gave an example for Kakashi.
"That makes sense. For a ninja, as long as you survive, you always have another chance."
Kakashi nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ryuri stayed in Raijin's arms, quietly listening to him.
Examples like this were valuable lessons.
Ryuri was also thinking about what she should do if her opponent chose to escape using Earth Release right in front of her.
"So, how do you feel? Any discomfort after losing to Ryuri?"
Raijin asked Kakashi softly.
"I wouldn't say discomfort, but I do feel a bit frustrated."
Kakashi lowered his head and, after some thought, decided to be honest.
After all, at this age, who would want to keep losing?
"The combination of Lightning Release Chakra Mode and the White Fang's sword techniques is quite good. Don't neglect your Senjutsu training either. If you keep at it, you'll definitely become a ninja who can stand on his own in Konohagakure."
Raijin chuckled as he spoke to Hatake Kakashi.
"But I feel like this path of growth might be too one-dimensional. Couldn't it be countered by some ninja?"
Kakashi asked Raijin.
This question had been on Kakashi's mind for a while.
He just never brought it up with Hatake Sakumo.
Kakashi wasn't stupid. Telling his father to his face that his sword techniques were too one-dimensional? That would be asking for trouble.
"What you're saying makes sense, but you need to understand that in the early stages, a ninja should focus on the path that suits them best and where they have the most talent.
This path determines your potential. Once you've gone far enough and clearly understand your weaknesses, you can start addressing them. Isn't that a better approach?"
Raijin explained to Kakashi, while Igo watched the scene with interest.
Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Ryuri.
Both were geniuses, but that also meant Igo's authority as their teacher wasn't very strong.
After all, Uchiha Ryuri aside, Hatake Kakashi's father was a renowned jonin who had made great contributions to the village on the battlefield.
He was one of Konohagakure's top fighters.
So, Igo often discussed things with Kakashi and Ryuri rather than dictating to them.
After all, if he confidently told them something was correct one day, the next day Uchiha Ryuri might show up with Senju Tobirama's explanation to challenge him.
How could Igo, of all people, question Senju Tobirama's explanations?
But now things were different. Uchiha Raijin wasn't like him.
Whether it was growth paths or ninjutsu principles, Raijin had the authority to speak.
And the best part was, it had nothing to do with Igo.
Plus, seeing Kakashi and Ryuri so obedient was quite entertaining for him.
"What you're saying makes a lot of sense."
Kakashi nodded.
"Everyone hits a plateau. The feeling of not making progress for a long time can be frustrating. Trying a different approach at that point can help you see things in a new light."
Raijin nodded, then seemed to remember something and added, "Shadow Clones can help with training, but you need to manage them based on your actual condition. The fatigue from Shadow Clones might not directly affect your body, but it puts a lot of strain on your mind. Use them carefully."
"I understand. So, where do you think my weaknesses lie now?"
Kakashi nodded and continued to ask Raijin.
He wasn't about to let this chance slip by. Even if Raijin wasn't known for teaching, his current strength and his experience in developing permanent Senjutsu were more than enough to earn respect.
He might not have trained any famous disciples, but his journey, filled with struggles, meant he had faced many tough opponents.
Kakashi knew very well.
The Chunin Exam that Raijin participated in was still something people looked up to even now.
The ones who ranked in the top ten back then had all become either famous Jonin, Jinchuriki of tailed beasts, or even village leaders.
"Taijutsu has an advantage when facing ninjas who specialize in Ninjutsu, but it's usually weaker against Genjutsu. You should keep that in mind."
Raijin said to Kakashi.
He still remembered how Kakashi was taken down in an instant by Uchiha Itachi.
But honestly, Tsukuyomi was a Genjutsu that could overwhelm most ordinary ninjas.
"I practice Taijutsu too, you know."
Ryuri, who was lying in Raijin's arms, suddenly spoke up.
"So far, no ninja in history has been able to surpass the Uchiha in Genjutsu. The only exception would be someone with a more advanced Sharingan."
Raijin let out a helpless laugh and looked at Ryuri.
"Oh~ I see~"
Ryuri dragged out her words and secretly glanced at Kakashi.
Seeing this, Kakashi pressed his lips together, looking a little frustrated.
So what if she was born into a good family?
If he had both Senju and Uchiha blood, he'd be the one beating her up.
"Hmph!"
Raijin sighed and patted Ryuri's back.
"Alright, you guys continue. I need to meet someone, so I'll be heading out."
He let go of Ryuri, stood up, and spoke to her.
"Is it Elder Madara?"
Ryuri was momentarily stunned and asked.
"Yeah, he just settled in Konoha, and there are still a lot of things to sort out."
Raijin replied.
He wasn't sure if Uchiha Madara knew what Black Zetsu had been up to.
But that wouldn't stop him from telling Madara about it.
In a not-so-friendly way.
The moment Uchiha Madara stepped into Konoha, it meant that their conflicts would no longer be settled through fights.
From now on, they would have to talk things out.
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