Capítulo 84: Chapter 82: A Jerk from a forgotten clan
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Uchiha compound. A group of children stood in a rigid formation, their faces a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. The day's gruelling entrance exam still fresh in their minds, they awaited the words of their clan leader, Fugaku Uchiha.
The air was thick with tension, a palpable mix of exhaustion and anticipation. The gentle rustle of leaves in the evening breeze did little to soothe the nerves of the young Uchihas. Each child stood tall, their backs straight and chins held high, embodying the pride of their illustrious clan.
Fugaku's sharp eyes scanned the line of young Uchihas, his gaze lingering on one particular face. Saya Uchiha stood among her peers, her usually mischievous expression replaced by one of nervous anticipation. Fugaku couldn't hide his surprise at her presence.
"Saya," he thought, his brow furrowing slightly. "Ranked 7th? I never expected such a result from her." His mind raced, recalling the countless reports of her pranks and carefree attitude. This sudden change was... intriguing.
The leader's mind wandered to the past few months. He, like many others in the clan, had noticed a significant change in Saya's behaviour. Gone were the days of her endless pranks and carefree antics around the compound. Instead, she had become more focused and determined. It was a transformation that had caught many off guard.
Fugaku's eyes narrowed imperceptibly as he recalled the whispers among the clan members. "Saya's been training non-stop," they'd said. "She's out before dawn and doesn't return until after dark." The change had been so drastic that some had even suggested genjutsu might be at play. But Fugaku knew better. This was the result of sheer determination.
Saya felt Fugaku's eyes on her, and a wave of nervousness washed over her. She straightened her posture, trying to appear as composed as her cousins and clanmates. The weight of expectation pressed down on her shoulders, heavier than she had ever felt before.
The memory of countless hours of training flashed through her mind—the bruises, the exhaustion, the moments of doubt. But she had persevered, and now, standing here among the top performers, she felt a glimmer of pride.
Clearing his throat, Fugaku addressed the group. "Congratulations to all of you for achieving top scores among the participants," he said, his voice carrying across the quiet compound. "You have brought honour to the Uchiha name. Your performance today is a testament to the strength and skill that run through our blood."
A ripple of pride moved through the children. Some beamed with satisfaction, while others maintained their stoic expressions, though their eyes shone with quiet pleasure. However, one boy at the end of the line seemed less than thrilled. His face was twisted into a scowl, eyes burning with frustration.
Fugaku noticed the boy's demeanour and raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem, Kenji?" he asked, his tone sharp.
The boy, Kenji Uchiha, stepped forward. His fists were clenched at his sides as he spoke, looking like he'd just bitten into a particularly sour lemon. "Fugaku-sama, there was this boy at the exam... He was... He was mocking us!" Kenji's voice trembled with a mix of anger and embarrassment.
"Mocking you?" Fugaku's interest piqued. "Explain in detail. What exactly happened?"
Kenji's words came out in a rush, like a dam bursting. "During the race, he kept running just behind us. When we tried to pass him, he'd speed up, but he always stayed a few steps behind. It was like he was playing with us! And then, in the last lap, he just let everyone pass him. It wasn't just the race, either. In weapon throwing, he also ended up in 15th place. It's like he was aiming to be perfectly average!"
As Kenji spoke, Saya's mind raced. She recalled glimpses of the race, flashes of a boy with an easy stride, always present but never quite in the lead. At the time, she had been too focused on her own performance to pay much attention. Now, she wished she had been more observant.
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying he was holding back? Deliberately aiming for a lower rank?"
Kenji nodded vigorously. "Yes, Fugaku-sama. He was clearly better than all of us in terms of physical ability. If he hadn't held back, he would have beaten everyone easily. I... I hate to admit it, but he was toying with us. Making fools of us."
The clan leader pondered this information. It was unusual for a child to show such restraint, especially in a competitive setting like the entrance exam. Most children would jump at the chance to prove their superiority.
"What could be his motive?" Fugaku mused silently. "Does he not value winning, or is there another reason for holding back? To consistently place 15th in every test... that requires an extraordinary level of control and awareness." His mind whirred with possibilities, each more intriguing than the last.
Aloud, he asked, "What is this boy's name?"
Kenji's response sent a jolt through Fugaku. "Ryu Hamura, sir."
Saya, her curiosity overcoming her nervousness, spoke up. "Fugaku-sama, is something wrong with that name? Do you know about him?"
Fugaku quickly composed himself. "No, I don't know him personally," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "There was a Shinobi with that name in the past, that's all. It's... an interesting coincidence."
The children exchanged glances, sensing there was more to the story. Fugaku, noting their interest, decided to elaborate.
"The Hamura clan," he began, his voice taking on a lecturer's tone, "was once known for their exceptional skill in crafting weapons. They were builders, primarily, though they did produce a few notable ninja. Their weapons were said to be of unparalleled quality, which made them highly sought after. They were our enemies more than 100 years ago."
He paused, his gaze distant as if recalling a long-forgotten memory. "However, the clan is now extinct. They disappeared during the turbulent wars after the founding of Konoha. The elderly man is the only survivor; tragically, the rest of his family had passed away a few years ago, or so I believed. I was unaware that someone survived from that clan."
The words 'extinct clan' sent a shiver down Saya's spine. She tried to imagine what it would be like to be the last of her kind, carrying the weight of an entire clan's legacy. The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.
The young Uchihas listened intently, fascinated by this piece of hidden history. Saya, in particular, found herself captured. She had never heard of the Hamura clan before, and the idea of an extinct clan of weapon crafters sparked her imagination.
"An extinct clan," she mused, her earlier nervousness forgotten in the wake of this new intrigue. "And Ryu... he's strong enough to outperform even our best. Who is he really? What was this clan?" The questions tumbled through her mind, each more exciting than the last.
Kenji, still bristling from his encounter with Ryu, spoke up again. "But Fugaku-sama, what should we do about this Ryu? He made fools of us during the exam. We can't let that stand!"
His voice was thick with indignation, a sentiment echoed in the mutters and nods of several other children. Saya, however, felt a twinge of disagreement. Was it really Ryu's fault if he was simply more skilled?
Fugaku's eyes sharpened, fixing Kenji with a stern look. "You will do nothing rash," he said, his voice indicating no argument. "Instead, I want you all to keep a close eye on this Ryu Hamura. Observe him carefully and report anything unusual to me. Pay attention to his skills, his habits, and the people he associates with. But do not confront him or draw unnecessary attention to yourselves. Is that understood?"
The command was clear, leaving no room for misinterpretation. Saya felt a mixture of relief and excitement. This was a chance to solve the mystery of Ryu Hamura and uncover the secrets of an extinct clan. It was far more intriguing than any prank she had ever pulled. "Looks like I've got a new project," she thought, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.
A chorus of "Yes, sir!" rang out from the children, though Kenji's response was noticeably less enthusiastic than the others.
As Fugaku dismissed them, the young Uchihas began to disperse, their minds buzzing with the day's events and the mysterious Ryu Hamura. Saya lingered for a moment, her thoughts a whirlwind of questions and possibilities.
"An extinct clan, a boy who can control his performance so precisely," she thought, a mix of excitement and anxiety churning in her stomach. "The academy is going to be far more interesting than I ever imagined."
"I need to find out more about that jerk," she decided, her steps quickening with newfound purpose. "Maybe... maybe if I can even befriend him, I can learn from him. If he's as skilled as Kenji says, it will help me a lot."
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