Dream: Standing in the Heavens

"I am Matsumoto Ryūichi, and starting today, I will serve as the jōnin instructor for Team Seven." Matsumoto Ryūichi's voice was calm.

"In my squad, I do not care what bloodline limits you possess or what background you come from.

I only look at three things: discipline, fundamentals, and execution."

He paused, his gaze lingering on Uchiha Ryūha's face for a deliberate second:

"Especially those who think they are something special just because they have a few unique abilities—in my presence, you had best put that attitude away.

Ninjas are meant for the battlefield, not to be performers in a circus."

Haruno Kazuya and Fujiwara Itsuki instinctively straightened their backs: "Yes, sir!"

Uchiha Ryūha adjusted his glasses and said nothing.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Matsumoto Ryūichi's eyes, but he did not lash out, merely saying coldly: "Now, self-introductions.

Name, likes, dislikes, and dreams. Starting with you." He pointed at Haruno Kazuya.

"Yes! My name is Haruno Kazuya. I like reading and researching ninjutsu theory.

I dislike bugs, and my dream is to become an elite jōnin who fights with intelligence, just like Lord Nara Shikaku!"

"I am Fujiwara Itsuki. I like eating rice balls and training in taijutsu.

I dislike long-winded people, and my dream is to become a taijutsu master and protect the people who are important to me!"

The two introduced themselves earnestly, carrying the unique vitality of youth.

Matsumoto Ryūichi's expression softened slightly, and he nodded before looking at Uchiha Ryūha, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

"Your turn, Uchiha Ryūha."

Uchiha Ryūha raised his eyes, meeting Matsumoto Ryūichi's gaze with a calm expression.

Silence stretched for two seconds.

Just as Matsumoto Ryūichi was about to impatiently urge him on, Uchiha Ryūha spoke, his voice soft yet clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Uchiha Ryūha."

"I have no particular likes."

"As for things I dislike... I suppose it would be boredom."

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly behind his lenses as he looked toward the distant sky, his tone as indifferent as if he were saying "I'm having ramen today":

"My dream... is probably to stand in the heavens."

The training ground fell silent for a moment.

Haruno Kazuya and Fujiwara Itsuki gaped, their faces filled with confusion.

Stand in... the heavens?

What did that mean?

Matsumoto Ryūichi's expression darkened completely.

Stand in the heavens?

What an arrogant claim!

What kind of dream is that? Arrogant! Conceited! Ignorant of the heights of the world!

As expected, all Uchiha are cut from the same cloth!

With their noses in the air, thinking that just because they have a bit of talent, they can look down on all living beings?

Matsumoto Ryūichi's chest heaved as he suppressed the urge to lecture him, but his eyes were already as cold as ice.

"Very well." He squeezed the words through his teeth. "Uchiha Ryūha, I have noted your 'dream'."

He stopped looking at Uchiha Ryūha and turned to Haruno Kazuya and Fujiwara Itsuki, his tone softening slightly:

"Starting tomorrow, we begin missions.

I will decide based on your performance whether you are qualified to remain my students."

"For now, dismissed."

With that, Matsumoto Ryūichi vanished using the Body Flicker Technique, not wanting to stay for even a second longer.

Haruno Kazuya and Fujiwara Itsuki looked at each other, then glanced cautiously at Uchiha Ryūha.

Uchiha Ryūha had already taken out a scroll again and began reading as if no one else were around, as if the earth-shattering words from moments ago hadn't come from him.

"Um... Ryūha-kun," Haruno Kazuya hesitated before asking in a low voice.

"What does 'stand in the heavens' mean?"

Uchiha Ryūha lifted his eyes from the scroll, glanced at him, and suddenly gave a faint smile:

"It means exactly what it sounds like."

He closed the scroll and turned to leave, leaving his two teammates even more bewildered.

This performance today should be enough to put the Third Hokage at ease.

An arrogant and conceited Uchiha genius is always better than an insidious and deep-scheming one.

Of course, this is also the most genuine thought in the heart of Uchiha Ryūha.

Evening, Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, puffed on his pipe while watching the training ground scene displayed in his crystal ball—it was the exact moment Uchiha Ryūha said, "Stand above the heavens."

"Heh, it's good to be young." The Third chuckled, exhaling a ring of smoke.

"Arrogant and conceited, lacking a basic understanding of what it means to be a ninja," Mitokado Homura said coldly, pushing up his glasses.

"Hiruzen, is it really appropriate to entrust such a dangerous element to Matsumoto Ryūichi? Although Matsumoto is steady, his strength is limited. If something were to happen..."

"It is precisely because his strength is limited that he is suitable," Utatane Koharu interjected, her voice rigid.

"Uchiha Ryūha's abilities are too bizarre and require observation. Matsumoto values fundamentals and can temper his temperament. As for the danger... the Anbu will keep an eye on him."

The Third remained noncommittal, merely watching the back of Uchiha Ryūha as he left the training ground in the crystal ball.

Stand above the heavens, huh...

What an interesting dream.

However, while it is good for young people to have ambition, they must also know how to keep their feet on the ground.

"By the way," the Third suddenly remembered something, "how has Hatake Sakumo been lately? Is his emotional state alright?"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged glances, and the latter shook her head.

"Still the same. He locks himself at home and refuses to see anyone. The impact of the failed mission is still fermenting, and there is some talk in the village... it's not very pleasant."

The Third sighed, the smoke blurring his expression.

"Have the Anbu keep a closer watch. Hatake Sakumo is a hero of the village; we cannot let him... do anything foolish."

"Understood."

Uchiha clan grounds, back mountain training field.

Uchiha Ryūha finished his day of training and sat on a rock to rest.

In his mind, the system panel unfolded automatically:

[Host: Uchiha Ryūha]
[Current Energy: Reiatsu (automatically converted from chakra)]
[Zanpakutō: Kyōka Suigetsu (Shikai) Compatibility 15%]
[Mastered Skills: Shunpo (Novice), Red Fire Cannon (Initial Mastery)]
[Reputation: 600 (Slightly famous in Konoha)]
[Karma Points: 300]
[Current Side Quest: White Fang's Swan Song (Remaining time: three months)]

"Starting missions tomorrow..." Uchiha Ryūha muttered to himself.

Matsumoto Ryūichi's attitude was obvious; he wanted to use missions to "temper" him.

He wanted to make him embarrass himself and recognize "reality."

And the first mission, by convention, should be D-rank—finding cats, finding dogs, weeding, babysitting, and the like.

It was boring and a waste of time.

But...

Uchiha Ryūha pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun.

Perhaps this was also an opportunity.

A reasonable opportunity to move around the village without arousing suspicion.

There was still plenty of time, and he had to find a moment to avoid the eyes of Root and the Anbu.

As for Matsumoto Ryūichi's contempt?

Uchiha Ryūha smiled, a faint smile carrying a trace of disdain.

What kind of gaze would an ant cast upon a giant, and would the giant even care?

Of course, the current Uchiha Ryūha could not yet be considered a giant.

He stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes.

It was time to go back and prepare.

Tomorrow will be a very interesting day.

Meanwhile, in the shadows at the corner of the training ground where Team Seven gathered.

A masked figure emerged silently, watching the direction Liuyu had left in, and wrote on a recording scroll:

"Subject possesses a calm personality, with a composure beyond his years.

Attitude toward the team leader is indifferent, with no obvious signs of defiance. Interaction with teammates is minimal."

"Preliminary assessment: Danger level B, requires continued observation."

After finishing, the figure merged into the shadows and vanished.

It was none other than the Konoha Anbu.