Chapter 19: Chapter 19: If You Can't Win an Argument, Can You Win a Fight?
Ryun led Kushina to a secluded, sparsely populated open area, while the group of Uchiha kids followed and surrounded them.
A total of eight Uchihas!
These were all top students from the Ninja Academy, each ranked highly in their respective classes.
"Kushina, wait over there for now." Ryun gently pushed her aside.
"No! You know my strength. I can help you!" Kushina said urgently.
"No need. If I can't handle them, you can step in and save me then... Just listen to me!"
Ryun spoke with full confidence, leaving Kushina momentarily unsure.
"Fine... Be careful."
Kushina reluctantly stepped back, her fists clenched tightly in worry.
"Brat, we don't know why you've become like this now."
Uchiha Senya spoke first.
"But if you're willing to publicly apologize to all the clan members in the school and sincerely apologize to Kazuyo, we can still accept you back. Otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?" Ryun smiled faintly, prompting him to continue.
"Otherwise, we'll beat you up, every time we see you, until you're scared, until you submit!"
Uchiha En said sharply, disgusted by the smile on Ryun's face.
Just as Ryun was about to tell them to bring it on, Senya cut in again:
"You weren't like this before. We know you've been influenced by that wretched girl. If you can recognize your mistakes, I can spare you some pain..."
Ryun looked stunned, not even understanding what Senya was saying, and instinctively asked:
"What girl?"
"Her! That damn tomato!" One of the Uchihas pointed at Kushina.
"!!!"
Ryun froze for a moment, realizing that the Uchihas had overthought things.
"Why blame Kushina for my issues?"
"Why demand I apologize when it's Uchiha Kazuyo's fault?"
"Why can't you admit that you're ganging up on me, trying to humiliate me publicly, and only ruined the Uchiha clan's reputation when your lies were exposed?"
Ryun fired three questions in a row, instantly making all eight Uchiha kids pale.
"Bastard, I told you not to waste time reasoning with him. Just beat him up! If once isn't enough, do it a few more times..." Uchiha Yūta growled angrily.
They had no logical ground to stand on, so how could they answer Ryun's questions?
"Hah... Talking to a brick wall. Since you're so confident in your fists replacing reason, come at me!"
Ryun beckoned with his hand. He didn't expect to reason with these arrogant fools—fists would do the talking!
"You little bastard, you really don't know your place, do you?"
Faced with Ryun's provocation, Uchiha Yūta struck first.
Provoked by someone they once saw as weak and timid, he couldn't hold back.
Yūta rushed forward, closing the distance in a few steps, and swung his fist straight at Ryun's face.
Ryun stood firm, not dodging. He channeled chakra into his arm and met the punch head-on.
BAM!
Their fists collided with a dull thud, sending shivers down everyone's spines.
"Ah—!"
Yūta recoiled, howling in pain.
Before he could retreat, Ryun closed in like a ghost and delivered another punch to his jaw.
The scream cut off as Yūta was sent flying, blood splattering onto the dirt.
Two punches. KO.
Physically, Ryun was weaker, but in chakra control, he surpassed them all.
Chakra reinforcement—a technique only taught to chūnin—enhanced his strikes beyond their comprehension.
The Uchihas didn't understand how Yūta lost. Without the Sharingan, they couldn't see the chakra flow, only the result.
The sheer mismatch—a scrawny Ryun flattening the muscular Yūta—left them speechless.
Seizing their hesitation, Ryun lunged at another Uchiha, smashing a brutal forearm strike across his face.
The boy spun mid-air before crashing down.
"So... strong?!" Kushina gasped.
Ryun's speed and power were flawless. Her timid desk-mate had hidden this much skill?
Two down in seconds!
"Stop gawking! Rush him together!" Uchiha En shouted.
The remaining six snapped out of it and charged.
Ryun's eyes burned with fighting spirit. Even outnumbered, he remained calm.
No weapons—after the Kazuyo incident, the Uchihas had been barred from using blades. The Academy strictly controlled kunai and shuriken, forbidding their use outside training.
Ryun flooded his limbs with chakra. To a Byakugan or Sharingan user, his blue energy would've been a blazing storm.
Every punch and kick carried crushing force. Uchiha En, trading blows, staggered back, limbs numb and aching.
When a comrade took his place, he retreated, panting. His arms and legs were swollen, tender to the touch.
Watching Ryun hold off six attackers single-handedly, Kushina cheered, her earlier worry fading.
"Ryun, ganbatte! Beat these bullies into the ground!"
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