The Uchiha Residence was peaceful and harmonious. Sunlight streamed through the windows and fell across the kitchen floor, bathing it in gold.
At that moment, Uchiha Ruri stood in the kitchen, wholly absorbed in preparing a meal.
Ruri's chakra flowed slowly. Her Two-Tomoe Sharingan was slightly open, giving her a mysterious, profound air.
Those eyes seemed able to see through everything in the world, to peer into the deepest secrets of people's hearts.
Yet at that moment, they gazed tenderly at the ingredients in the pot, as if cherishing something precious.
Her movements were practiced and graceful, every step just right. Chopping vegetables, stir-frying, simmering soup...
In her hands, these simple ingredients seemed to come alive, releasing an enticing aroma.
Ruri's thoughts drifted into the distance. She thought of Sasuke, the boy working hard at his training outside.
Ruri couldn't help but marvel. Compared with the many years she had spent struggling in society in her previous life, she had never possessed such formidable strength of mind.
In the Naruto World, even children only a few years old had astonishing mental fortitude and abilities.
She thought of Sasuke, a genius ninja who had already displayed extraordinary strength and decisiveness among children his age.
And someone like Itachi had gone to the battlefield at a very young age, showing maturity and courage beyond his years.
Ruri had just bought a popular cookbook of modern home-style recipes from the System Store. It had cost only five points.
She had found the cookbook in the system. Thanks to the Sharingan's ability to speed-read, she could quickly grasp the whole book and master the methods and techniques for making its popular dishes.
For Ruri, this cookbook was more than a way to satisfy her appetite. It was also a means of learning and improving herself.
She realized that in the Naruto World, she needed more than powerful combat skills. She also needed all kinds of life skills and knowledge to handle different situations and challenges.
The cookbook would help her adapt to this world, and it was another step on her path to growth.
Ruri quickly finished making lunch and carried the dishes into the main room. Their delicious aroma drifted all the way outside to Sasuke, who was training.
"Sasuke, stop training and come eat! Hurry up!" Like an ordinary housewife, Ruri called for the child to come home for a meal.
Ruri knew how diligent and determined Sasuke was, but he still had to eat if he wanted the strength to keep training.
Sasuke, however, seemed so focused that he didn't hear her call.
Ruri had no choice but to go over herself. When she saw him still training, drenched in sweat, she couldn't help feeling sorry for him.
"Sasuke, it's time to eat," she said softly, trying not to disturb him. At her words, Sasuke stopped what he was doing, turned around, and followed her.
"Okay, I'm coming," Sasuke replied.
Ruri had already prepared the meal in the main room. It was simple, but nutritionally balanced.
Ruri knew that for Sasuke, eating wasn't only about satisfying his appetite. He needed to replenish his energy so he could keep training.
The two sat across from each other and began to eat. Ruri occasionally put food in Sasuke's bowl and reminded him to eat more.
Sasuke obediently ate, a satisfied expression on his face. In that moment, they seemed like an ordinary pair of siblings, enjoying a simple, warm family meal.
"Sasuke, I'm planning to apply for a job at Konoha Elementary School and become a teacher." Sitting across from him at the table, Ruri spoke calmly. "My Elite Chunin skills are more than enough to teach you all."
Sasuke was shoveling down his food at top speed. He paused, his little face going blank when he heard her.
He looked up and stared at Ruri in disbelief, his dark eyes full of confusion and surprise.
Seeing his reaction, Ruri smiled gently and explained, "That's right, you heard me. I think that instead of staying home doing nothing, I might as well go to school and teach children. Besides, I like being around kids. Watching them grow and improve would make me feel fulfilled."
"I'll also go to the village's leadership to deal with some of the problems left behind after the Uchiha Clan's demise. The Third Hokage has already talked to me about it in private."
After hearing Ruri's explanation, Sasuke fell silent for a moment. He lowered his head and absently prodded his food with his chopsticks, as if deep in thought.
Then he looked up at Ruri and asked hesitantly, "Will you teach us?"
Looking into Sasuke's hopeful eyes, Ruri's heart softened. She smiled and nodded, replying gently, "Of course I'll teach you. I'll do my best to teach you everything I can."
She knew Sasuke was asking because he was uncertain and worried about his future.
Ruri's answer seemed to put Sasuke at ease. He nodded slightly, then lowered his head and went back to eating.
He knew that with Big Sister Ruri there, he didn't have to worry so much anymore.
But Ruri wasn't done talking. Looking at Sasuke, she said seriously, "Sasuke, you know what the villagers here are like. They might point fingers at you over something and say nasty things. But remember, no matter what anyone says, don't let it undermine your confidence in yourself. You're a descendant of the Uchiha Clan, with unparalleled talent and potential. As long as you work hard at your training, you'll become an excellent ninja."
Ruri's words surprised Sasuke. He looked up into her resolute eyes, seeming to understand.
He knew Big Sister Ruri was telling him not to give up on himself, no matter what difficulties he faced.
Uchiha Ruri's original self had taught Sasuke when he was little. Now, with her "identity" changed, she continued to play that role and sincerely guide him.
Sasuke took a deep breath and nodded firmly. "I understand, Big Sister Ruri. I'll train hard and won't let you down."
"Keep eating. Afterward, I'll teach you Fire Style."
"Okay." Sasuke lowered his head and continued to shovel down his food.
At the training ground outside the Uchiha compound, Sasuke and Uchiha Ruri sat beneath a large tree. Their conversation broke the quiet around them.
"Big Sister Ruri, are Elite Chunin really strong in Konoha?" Sasuke asked curiously, his eyes shining with determination. He knew he needed to get stronger quickly. He could never let his family be hurt again.
Uchiha Ruri froze slightly and touched her cheek with her index finger, looking a little awkward.
The question wasn't difficult to answer, but she didn't know how to put it.
A Chunin's strength could be judged by different standards in different circumstances.
But seeing the resolve in Sasuke's eyes, she knew that the answer mattered a great deal to him.
"Sasuke, Elite Chunin are indeed quite strong in Konoha," Uchiha Ruri finally replied, her voice gentle but firm.
"They're stronger than ordinary Chunin and can even match some Jonin."
"But strength is relative. There are many powerful ninja in Konoha, each with their own specialties and advantages."
Sasuke nodded silently, his heart filled with determination. He knew that if he wanted to become truly strong, he still had to work harder and sweat more.
But he also believed that as long as he didn't give up and kept working hard, he could become stronger than an Elite Chunin.
"Big Sister Ruri, I understand." Sasuke looked up at her, his gaze resolute.
"Actually, I'm not that strong. I'm a little on the weak side," Ruri said.
"But I can teach you how to make your Fire Style Great Fireball bigger, more thrilling, and cooler."
As soon as Ruri finished speaking, she quickly walked to an open space nearby and began forming Hand Seals. Her fingers moved nimbly through the sequence: Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger. Each seal was precise. After completing the last one, she took a deep breath and spat out a gigantic fireball.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!" Ruri shouted. The fireball instantly became a dragon of flame, roaring as it surged into the sky.
The scorching flames lit up half the sky, their overwhelming force awe-inspiring.
Sasuke stared, dumbfounded. He hadn't expected Big Sister Ruri's Fire Style to be so powerful.
But just as he was reeling in shock, the fire dragon suddenly wheeled around and charged straight at him.
Oh crap! My little brother's gone... No, the protagonist's about to die... This fireball... Ruri was stunned. She almost switched to Six Paths Sasuke to save little Sasuke.
"Waaah!" Sasuke cried in fright and hurriedly leaped aside.
The fire dragon skimmed past him, bringing a wave of heat. Sasuke tumbled to the ground and stared at Ruri in terror.
"Hahaha, what do you think, Sasuke? Did my Fire Style live up to your expectations?"
Ruri couldn't help laughing awkwardly. She hadn't expected her first attempt at releasing a jutsu to turn out like that.
Sasuke got up from the ground and brushed the dust off himself, a wry smile on his face. He looked at Ruri and said helplessly, "Big Sister Ruri, your Fire Style is so powerful. But could you give me a warning next time? You nearly scared me to death."
Looking at Sasuke's shaken expression, Ruri couldn't help feeling a little apologetic. She truly hadn't expected her joke to frighten him so badly, and she felt a little awkward. She nodded and said sheepishly, "It's my fault for not paying attention. Sorry about that, Sasuke."
Sasuke waved it off, showing that he didn't mind. He knew Big Sister Ruri hadn't meant any harm; it was only a little joke. Still, he couldn't help admitting, a little shaken, "It's okay, Big Sister Ruri. But your Fire Style really is powerful. I'd only heard that the Uchiha Clan's Fire Style was impressive. Seeing it with my own eyes today, I finally understand its true power."
Ruri felt a little proud at Sasuke's words. She knew his praise wasn't just politeness; he truly meant it.
But she didn't let it go to her head. Instead, she said modestly, "My Fire Style still has plenty of flaws. I need to keep practicing and improving. Besides, a true powerhouse can't dominate with just one or two jutsu. You need all-around strength and plenty of battle experience."
Sasuke nodded with deep understanding. He knew Big Sister Ruri was right.
Although he had already learned some basic ninjutsu and Taijutsu, he still had a long way to go before becoming truly strong.
He needed to train even harder and keep improving his strength and experience.
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