Asserting Dominance

It has been a few weeks since Ryomaru moved to Konoha for a student exchange program, and he was already well liked in his class. He was often meeting with Hinata, Hanabi, and Temari for training, so they were really close. Sadly, Hanabi wasn't in their class. Since he was from Cloud, and had different techniques, he was often questioned by others. Ino was one of the most curious among them. She was lively, energetic. Ryo liked that about her.

One day, after class, Ino approached Ryo with sparkling eyes, her curiosity practically radiating from her.

"Ino," Ryo greeted, with his characteristic confident smile. "What's up?"

"Ryo," Ino exclaimed, her hands animatedly moving as she spoke. "Your techniques are so different! Can you teach me one of them? Please?"

Ryo chuckled. "Sure, why not? Let's make it a fun exchange. You show me one of your techniques, and I'll show you one of mine."

Ino's face brightened even further. "Deal!" she beamed.

Sakura, who had been observing from a distance, chose this moment to approach them, her focus unwavering. Since Uchiha Clan's survivors had relocated to Cloud after the massacre, Ryomaru spent a few years with them and was a friend with Sasuke, though not close. Sakura often wanted to know more about Sasuke.

"Ryomaru," she began, slightly hesitant, but her tone firm. "Do you know if Sasuke… if he's found any girlfriend in the Cloud? Or if he mentioned me?"

Her emerald eyes held a deep longing, and Ryomaru felt a pang of discomfort. Despite his amiable nature, he started to escape from the pinkette, as it was getting on his nerves.

"He's focused on his training," Ryomaru replied tactfully, not meeting Sakura's eyes, "I haven't heard him speak of any... relationships."

Just as the conversation threatened to become too awkward, Hinata and Temari appeared, as if on cue. Hinata, kind-hearted as ever, sensed the tension and decided to intervene.

"Ryomaru," Hinata said softly, her gentle demeanor easing the building pressure, "Would you like to come train with us? Temari has a new wind technique she wants to show us."

Temari, standing tall and confident beside Hinata, gave Ryomaru a knowing glance. "It'll be fun," she encouraged.

Averting Sakura, they returned to their routine. The next day, Iruka Sensei took them out to the field for a spar. Mizuki was next to him. It had already become clear that Ryomaru was stronger than the others, despite being of the same age. In two weeks, he established his dominance in friendly Taijutsu battles. But there were still some asking for a beating. Today as well, when they arrived, Kiba loudly challenged him.

"Again?" Ryomaru asked, already tired of fighting with the Inuzuka boy. He wasn't conceited or anything; it was just that A pushed him since he was 3 years old, and he was above his peers. That simple.

But Kiba's alpha ego didn't allow him to accept defeat, so once again, he punched his palm, "This time, I will beat you."

Ryomaru sighed softly, not wanting to fuel Kiba's stubbornness but also not wanting to back down. His ice-blue eyes met Kiba's determined gaze evenly. "Alright, if you insist," he said calmly.

"You bet I do!" Kiba replied, clearly fired up. "I won't lose to a Cloud ninja in my own village!"

At that moment, Hinata stepped forward, her tone soft yet stern. "Kiba, we are here to learn from each other," she reminded him gently. "This isn't about winning or losing."

Kiba grunted but seemed to take Hinata's words into consideration. "Fine," he huffed, "But I still won't hold back."

Ryomaru offered a small, reassuring smile to Hinata, appreciative of her intervention. Turning back to Kiba, he dropped into a ready stance, respectful but relaxed. "Then give me your best shot, Kiba."

As the spar began, it was immediately clear that Ryomaru's style was fluid and precise, each move calculated but appearing effortless. Kiba, on the other hand, fought with ferocity and determination, his every attack aggressive and fierce.

Iruka Sensei, observing closely, nodded in approval. "Excellent form, Ryomaru," he praised. Then, to Kiba, he called, "Remember your training, Kiba. Focus!"

Holding back in such a setting would be an insult, and Ryomaru honestly wanted Kiba to give up already. So, using his superior speed and strength, Ryomaru appeared next to Kiba, countering his descending claw by grabbing his wrist. He then moved swiftly and folded Kiba's arm to his back.

As Kiba instinctively tried to rotate and free himself, Ryomaru followed the spin, using Kiba's own momentum against him. Now, face-to-face, Ryomaru's unexpected shift left Kiba momentarily stunned. Seizing this opportunity, Ryomaru captured Kiba's other wrist. With Kiba's arms locked in an "X" shape and held firmly in Ryomaru's grasp, the Cloud ninja launched into a powerful leap, driving his knee into Kiba's chin. As Kiba was sent upward from the force, Ryomaru kept a tight hold on his arms, yanking him back to the ground and delivering a forceful headbutt. The impact, coupled with the release of his arms, sent Kiba sprawling backward.

The class was silent, every eye wide and locked onto the two boys in the clearing.

Hinata, although appreciative of Ryomaru's ability, wore a look of concern. She wouldn't want Ryomaru to be in trouble over a friendly spar.

Ino whispered to a nearby friend, "Wow, Ryomaru's really something else, isn't he?"

Temari, not easily impressed but clearly acknowledging the show of skill, smirked. "That's one way to settle things."

Iruka, trying to maintain order, stepped forward. "Enough!" he commanded, his voice echoing. "Ryomaru, that was an impressive display of control and skill."

Ryomaru, nodding in acknowledgment, extended a hand to Kiba, who was now trying to stand. "You okay?" he asked, genuine concern evident in his tone.

Kiba, pride wounded more than his body, brushed off Ryomaru's hand. "I'm fine," he snapped.

Shrugging, Ryomaru walked back to Hinata and Temari's side. His usual sparring partner was Temari, as she was already a Genin. But since Kiba had challenged him, she had to fight against someone else.

"Nice moves, Ryomaru," Temari commented casually, her teal eyes flickering with an unspoken respect.

"Thanks, Temari," he replied, offering a modest smile. His ice-blue eyes then shifted towards the two girls, who were now positioned facing each other. "Ready for your round?"

At that, Hinata offered a gentle smile, her lavender eyes filled with determination. "I've been learning a lot from you," she acknowledged warmly. "I hope to show you my progress, Ryo-kun."

Temari, taking her stance, smirked playfully at Hinata. "Bring it on, then."

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