UCHIHA LIBERATOR (NARUTO X MALE UCHIHA OC)

Chapter 9

3RD POV

The next few days settled into a predictable and, frankly, monotonous routine for Ryuichi. With the academy postponing taijutsu lessons for a while, the focus had shifted entirely to theory—long, drawn-out lectures about strategy, history, and the founding of Konoha. Ryuichi found it tiresome. Most of what they were taught seemed irrelevant, particularly when the urgency of war hung over them. The academy's slow pace grated on his nerves. While other students dutifully scribbled notes and memorized historical figures, Ryuichi found himself daydreaming, waiting for the few moments of practical lessons or the end of the day when he could return home.

At least in the evenings, he had the routine of calligraphy practice with Kushina. Yet even there, the constant comparison to Fuyumi gnawed at him. The Uzumaki girl had a natural talent for calligraphy that made his progress seem sluggish in comparison. Each night, Fuyumi would glide through lessons that had taken him weeks to master. Kushina praised her endlessly, and though she always encouraged Ryuichi as well, the words never felt quite as sincere. It hurt, though Ryuichi never admitted it openly. He would nod politely at Kushina's compliments and hide his frustration behind a calm facade, but inside, it stung.

But today, things were going to be different. Today, the academy was finally moving away from the endless theory sessions and into something far more exciting: chakra control training. The instructor announced that the class would be learning the Leaf Meditation technique, a foundational exercise for controlling chakra. The very mention of it brought a spark of excitement to Ryuichi's otherwise mundane day.

The Leaf Meditation was something Ryuichi had already mastered. His father, Uchiha Fugaku, believed in the importance of early mastery of chakra control and had personally trained him in the technique long before the academy even considered teaching it. Ryuichi remembered spending hours in the courtyard with his father, focusing his chakra while balancing a leaf on his forehead, feeling the slight vibrations of chakra moving steadily through his body. It had been tough at first, but over time, it became second nature.

As the students gathered outside in the academy's training yard, the instructor handed out leaves to each of them. "This exercise is crucial for your growth as shinobi," he explained. "It will help you control your chakra flow with precision, a skill you'll need for every ninjutsu, genjutsu, or even taijutsu technique. Place the leaf on your forehead and use your chakra to keep it there. It's about control, not power."

Ryuichi placed the leaf on his forehead with the confidence of someone who had done it a hundred times before. The familiar sensation of his chakra flowing through his body calmed him, and the leaf stayed in place without so much as a tremble. It was easy for him—effortless, even. While the rest of the class struggled to focus and keep the leaves from falling, Ryuichi felt a quiet sense of pride. He knew he was ahead here. This was where he excelled, and the feeling was exhilarating.

He glanced around, his eyes falling on the other students. Many of them were furrowing their brows in deep concentration, trying to keep the leaves from slipping off their foreheads. Kakashi, of course, was doing just fine, balancing his leaf with the same lazy ease he brought to every task. It didn't surprise Ryuichi. Kakashi had always been ahead of the class in almost every aspect, but Ryuichi didn't mind competing with him. In fact, Kakashi's skill made him the perfect rival.

Then Ryuichi's eyes landed on Fuyumi.

Fuyumi, who had so easily surpassed him in calligraphy, was struggling with the Leaf Meditation. Her leaf kept slipping off her forehead, and every time it did, a flicker of frustration crossed her face. Her control wasn't bad, but it was clear that chakra control wasn't as instinctive for her as it was for Ryuichi. He watched as she picked up the leaf again, her face tightening in determination. But even with all her effort, the leaf wouldn't stay in place for long.