UCHIHA LIBERATOR (NARUTO X MALE UCHIHA OC)

Chapter 22

3RD POV

The gentle morning sunlight filtered through the leaves of Konoha's training grounds, creating a mosaic of light and shadow on the earth. Ryuichi Uchiha stood at the edge of the clearing, hands clasped behind his back. His left hand, still bandaged, hung slightly at his side. Today was important—not just because he would begin learning the art of the bo-staff, but because his instructor was none other than the Hokage himself.

"Good morning, Ryuichi," came Hiruzen Sarutobi's calm, authoritative voice as he stepped out from the tree line. In one hand, he carried a polished bo-staff, its dark wood gleaming like liquid shadow in the sunlight. Despite his age, Hiruzen's movements carried the precision and confidence of a battle-hardened warrior.

"Good morning, Hokage-sama," Ryuichi said, bowing deeply.

Hiruzen smiled, the lines around his eyes softening. "No need to be so formal. Today, I am your instructor. Call me Sensei."

"Yes, Sensei," Ryuichi replied, a small grin breaking through his usual stoic expression.

Hiruzen chuckled, planting his staff lightly into the ground. "The bo-staff is one of the simplest yet most versatile weapons in a shinobi's arsenal. It can counter swords, kunai, and even ninjutsu when wielded skillfully. However, simplicity does not mean it's easy to master. Are you ready for the effort this demands?"

Ryuichi's dark eyes shone with determination. "I am."

"Good," Hiruzen said with approval. He reached behind him and brought out another staff—a lighter, shorter one. "This is for you. It's a practice staff, weighted to build your strength and precision."

Ryuichi accepted it with both hands. As he twirled it lightly to test its balance, the staff wobbled slightly in his grip.

"The first lesson," Hiruzen began, his tone firm yet patient, "is how to hold the staff. A poor grip weakens your strikes and slows your defense. Place one hand below the center and the other near the base. Like this."

He demonstrated, his hands moving fluidly. Ryuichi copied the motion, adjusting his grip. Hiruzen stepped closer, correcting the position of Ryuichi's upper hand.

"Good," Hiruzen said. "The grip should feel natural but firm. Your lower hand anchors the staff, and your upper hand guides it. Now, rotate it with small, controlled movements."

Ryuichi tried, the staff trembling at first as he rotated it awkwardly. But after a few moments, he found a rhythm. The wood spun smoothly, the faint hum of its movement punctuating the quiet.

"Now, your stance," Hiruzen said, his voice shifting to an instructional tone. "A solid stance is the foundation of all techniques. Without it, even the strongest strike will leave you vulnerable."

Hiruzen moved into a forward stance—one foot ahead of the other, knees slightly bent, the staff held diagonally across his body. The movement was deliberate, precise, like a dance frozen mid-step.

"This is the neutral stance, used for both attack and defense. Try it."

Ryuichi mirrored the stance, his bandaged hand tightening its grip instinctively.

Hiruzen tapped Ryuichi's staff gently with his own, applying light pressure. Ryuichi shifted his weight to counter the force, his feet planting more firmly into the earth.

"Impressive," Hiruzen said, nodding. "You're quick to adapt. Let's move on to basic strikes."

For the next hour, the clearing echoed with the sharp crack of wood on wood. Hiruzen demonstrated each strike—overhead, side swipes, and jabs—paired with corresponding blocks. Ryuichi followed, his movements clumsy at first but steadily improving. The sweat on his brow mingled with the determination in his eyes.