Shrine Secret Meeting

This time, under the enhancement of the Berserk buff, Ryosuke's speed increased significantly. Although he still couldn't keep up with Guy, he was now able to dodge his opponent's attacks.

Guy was also quite surprised, though in his Eight Inner Gates state, his reason was being replaced bit by bit by excitement.

Soon, Ryosuke was kicked from behind by Guy and sent flying.

He was then launched upward from below by Guy.

For the next while, Ryosuke didn't manage to land on the ground at all.

If it weren't for the fact that his physical functions were greatly enhanced in the Berserk state, coupled with High-Speed Regeneration repairing his body, he likely would have been knocked unconscious very quickly.

Ryosuke stubbornly withstood Guy's tidal wave of attacks.

It wasn't until half an hour later that Guy was the first to reach his limit.

Although the Eight Inner Gates did not consume chakra, it consumed physical stamina.

Guy was panting heavily by now, and the green steam around his body grew thinner and thinner until it finally vanished completely.

Ryosuke sat on the ground, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Teacher Guy, aren't you being a bit too serious?"

Guy panted as he gave a thumbs-up: "Your physique is truly excellent. That was a real thrill today; let's continue tomorrow."

"Again? I'm afraid I won't even recover from these injuries after resting in bed for a day."

Ryosuke said with a wry smile.

"That's nothing. I'll take you to the lounge now and teach you a Meditation Breathing Method."

Guy hoisted Ryosuke onto his shoulder and walked into the lounge.

Just like that, Ryosuke stayed at Guy's dojo for the entire day.

It wasn't until evening, when little Sasuke arrived at the dojo, that Ryosuke remembered there was an Uchiha clan gathering tonight.

He explained the situation to Guy, who felt a bit regretful.

However, he still let him leave.

Ryosuke had gained a lot throughout this day.

Needless to say, there were the taijutsu techniques, but the biggest gain was, of course, the Eight Inner Gates.

It was just that he couldn't unleash its full power yet, as that required him to improve his physical fitness.

At the same time, there was the Meditation Breathing Method that Guy had taught him.

It turned out that the reason Guy could maintain high-intensity training without harming his body was because he possessed a family-inherited rest technique.

Now that Ryosuke had also mastered this method, it could be considered a significant gain.

Ryosuke took little Sasuke back home.

He then had dinner at Sasuke's house, but he still didn't see a trace of Itachi.

After dinner, Fugaku took Ryosuke to the Uchiha clan's Ise Shrine.

Along the way, they encountered quite a few clansmen, all of whom were members of the Uchiha Police Force.

These people had stern expressions and only gave a slight nod to show respect when they saw Fugaku.

This caused a faint sense of unease to rise in Ryosuke's heart.

Soon, they arrived at the shrine.

The inside and outside of the shrine were brightly lit.

The Uchiha clansmen were all standing outside the shrine waiting for Fugaku.

"Are they all here?" Fugaku nodded at the crowd and then spoke to an old man.

"Reporting to the Clan Head, forty-one members of the Police Force are all present," the old man replied.

Fugaku nodded again: "Leave two people outside; everyone else, go inside."

He pulled Ryosuke through the crowd and walked at the very front.

Soon, Fugaku arrived inside the shrine.

He sat beneath the statue of Izanami.

The other Uchiha clansmen formed six rows in front of him, all with their heads bowed.

Fugaku picked up a file and began to read it.

Ryosuke glanced at it; it contained information on the younger generation of the Uchiha.

Among them were Sanhe and Miyuki.

"Only one clansman has awakened the Three-Tomoe this month? That is too slow."

After reading the file, Fugaku said sternly.

"Lord Clan Head, the conditions for awakening the eyes are too harsh, and it is even more difficult now that we are in a time of peace," the old man from before said first.

The others nodded in succession.

Fugaku said, "The Cloud Ninja have been acting frequently at the border lately, seemingly looking to stir up trouble. If a war were to truly break out between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning, it would be an opportunity for our Uchiha clan."

The crowd immediately grew restless, their faces filled with fanatical expressions.

Ryosuke frowned slightly; it seemed the Uchiha clan were indeed war fanatics.

At this moment, Fugaku glanced at Ryosuke and then said to the group, "This is Ryosuke. He has already awakened two tomoe and is currently Shisui's student. His talent is not much inferior to Itachi's, and I intend for him to join the Police Force once he becomes a Chunin."

The gazes of the crowd converged on Ryosuke once again.

There was surprise, confusion, and even jealousy.

It seemed that Itachi's reputation as a genius was very well-known, even within the Uchiha.

Just then, the old man spoke again.

"Clan Leader, I do not believe this is the best plan."

"Oh? Keita, do you have some high-minded opinion?" Fugaku's tone clearly carried dissatisfaction.

Yet, the elder Keita acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing, "Ryosuke is not even ten years old yet, is he?"

Hearing this, Ryosuke nodded. "I am eight this year."

Keita continued, "Konoha is becoming more guarded against us now. Although we have Shisui and Itachi providing us with intelligence, it is far from enough, especially since their attitudes toward Konoha worry us greatly."

"Worry about what? Itachi is my son; he would never do anything to betray the Uchiha."

Fugaku cut the old man Keita off directly.

"But how long has it been since Itachi provided us with any Anbu intelligence?" Keita pressed on.

This time, Fugaku fell silent.

Keita was right; furthermore, Itachi had been returning home less and less frequently lately.

"Then what is your meaning?"

Fugaku sighed and asked.

"I want Ryosuke to join the Anbu, just like Itachi. This way, on one hand, we gain an additional intelligence channel, and on the other, we can monitor Itachi."

Keita explained.

"But Ryosuke is also of the Uchiha clan, and Konoha..."

"The Clan Leader's concerns are valid, but Ryosuke is still a child; Konoha will not pay him special attention. Moreover, I can see that one point where Ryosuke is superior to Itachi is that he will not be influenced by the Third Hokage."

Keita said with great certainty.

His words gave Ryosuke a start. What was up with this guy? Did he have an ability similar to mind-reading? Was this the power of his Sharingan?

Fugaku fell silent.

"Ryosuke, what are your thoughts?"

"Me? I will follow the Clan Leader's arrangements."

Ryosuke said, bowing his head.

"Very well. Then I give you a goal: you must become a Chunin as soon as possible, and then apply to the Third Hokage to join the Anbu. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

Ryosuke replied with his head lowered.

"Everything is for the revival of the Uchiha clan."

"Uchiha!"

"Uchiha!"

A chorus of excited shouts rang out within the shrine.

Meanwhile, in a large tree not far from the shrine.

Itachi was leaning against the trunk, his Sharingan activated, staring in the direction of the shrine.

"So, Father has finally beaten me to it? Ryosuke, what will you decide to do in the end?"