Chapter 4: You're Not Bad

After class, a curious Naruto came over and greeted Ryujiro.

"Hey, green eyes."

"Since you're a transfer student, you should be very strong, right? How about sparring with me, the strongest in the class, Naruto-sama!"

"Pfft!"

Naruto's words made everyone in the class unable to hold back their laughter.

"Hahaha, Naruto is bragging again!"

"He's obviously a loser. The strongest in the class is obviously Sasuke!"

Other classmates mercilessly mocked Naruto.

But two sharp gazes fell on Ryujiro, one from Neji, and the other from Sasuke.

They were both curious about Ryujiro's strength. This person is Lady Hinata's friend, so he's my enemy.

He stole my spotlight. Next time we spar, I'll make sure this guy feels my power.

Neji and Sasuke had different thoughts, but they both saw Ryujiro as a thorn in their side.

"Argh! You guys are so annoying!"

"I'm not a loser!"

Naruto's face flushed red as he glared at them angrily.

Ryujiro couldn't help but chuckle. "Right now, you're no match for me."

"You're too weak."

"Damn it, don't underestimate me."

"I'll show you how strong I am!"

Transformation Jutsu!

With a "poof," smoke billowed, and Naruto transformed into Iruka, pointing at Ryujiro and laughing, "How about that! I'm amazing, right?"

Ryujiro couldn't help but facepalm. Naruto at this time was still just a child. It would be difficult to communicate with him normally.

"Tch, it's just Transformation Jutsu."

Sasuke looked at Naruto with disdain and clicked his tongue.

Ryujiro sighed helplessly and formed hand seals.

"Poof!"

Another puff of smoke, and another Ryujiro appeared beside the first one.

"What's this?!"

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

"Is he really the same age as us?!"

The appearance of Ryujiro's shadow clones caused a commotion in the classroom. The kids were amazed at Ryujiro's skill.

The Shadow Clone Jutsu that Ryujiro displayed was something even Sasuke and Neji hadn't mastered yet.

But Ryujiro had already mastered it proficiently.

"Ryujiro-kun, you're amazing."

Hinata's small eyes widened in admiration as she looked at Ryujiro.

"Damn it! It's just Clones!"

"I can do it too!"

Unwilling to admit defeat, Naruto dispelled his transformation jutsu.

Clone Jutsu!

"Poof!"

A clone of Naruto appeared next to him, instantly causing the whole class to burst into laughter.

"Although you're a loser, Naruto, you're good at entertaining everyone!"

"If you can't become a ninja, you should join the circus as an actor. That would suit you well!"

"And Shadow Clones are not the same as Clones. Shadow Clones are a higher-level jutsu than Clones!"

Mockery, ridicule, disdain. Ryujiro looked at the dejected Naruto and couldn't help but sigh.

This was the treatment Naruto received now. In fact, Naruto's talent was not bad; he was not inferior to geniuses like Sasuke.

The reason he couldn't use ninjutsu at this time was because his chakra needed to suppress the Nine-Tails to stabilize the seal.

Ryujiro glanced at Hinata again.

Did my arrival change the story?

It seemed that Hinata in this period didn't have any admiration for Naruto. Instead, she mostly felt more pity and sympathy for him.

"Naruto, you're not strong enough yet. Come challenge me when you've improved."

Ryujiro was taller than everyone in the classroom. Although he was the same age as them, he seemed more like an adult.

"You're not bad."

Naruto's body trembled, his eyes turning red as he looked at Ryujiro.

"Ryujiro, you...!"

Naruto forcibly held back his tears. Neglected for so long and subjected to everyone's malice, Naruto was moved by Ryujiro's simple words.

He wiped away the tears at the corner of his eyes and said proudly, "I don't need you to tell me that. I'm gonna be the Hokage, Believe it!

Yes!

The future Seventh Hokage.

With the chakra of Asura, you're practically a child of destiny. If Ryujiro hadn't awakened the system, he might have to rely on Naruto to live out his remaining years.

The others didn't understand why Ryujiro would express kindness to Naruto when he was clearly a loser.

This loser sometimes even caused the whole class to be punished, which was extremely annoying.

Then it was time for class. Iruka walked in and frowned when he saw Naruto's red eyes.

"Naruto, what's wrong with you? Did something happen?"

"It's okay."

Naruto quickly returned to his seat.

Iruka was puzzled.

Was this kid being bullied?

A day passed like this, and ninja school's lessons left Ryujiro feeling bored.

Some lessons were about the history of the Shinobi World War, the history of Konoha's development, and the greatness of the Hokage through the ages, which were all nonsense to Ryujiro, who was familiar with the history of the Konoha.

After leaving the school gates, Ryujiro bid farewell to Hinata and planned to continue training.

But on the way, a figure blocked his path. Ryujiro looked with interest at the expressionless boy in front of him.

"Neji, what's the matter with you?"

Ryujiro grinned.

It was obvious to Ryujiro that it must have been something related to Hinata with why he was stopped by Neji. 

Neji hated Hinata and hated everyone from the main family. Anyone who had contact with Hinata at school were also hated by Neji.

He was a genius, a rare genius of the Hyuga clan, but because of the division between the main family and the branch family, geniuses like him were meant to serve the main family.

The caged bird cursed seal on his forehead was the branch family's shackles to the main family. 

If it weren't for this cursed seal, his father might not have been killed by the main family.

"Stop associating with Lady Hinata, she's not someone a commoner like you has the right to be friends with."

Neji looked coldly at Ryujiro, his white eyes particularly cold.

"Who Hinata chooses to associate with isn't something a member of the branch family like you can dictate."

Ryujiro said calmly.

"Besides, as a member of the branch family, you don't have the authority to interfere in Hinata's friendships."

Veins bulged on Neji's forehead, and chakra surged from his body. Clearly, Ryujiro's words had provoked Neji.

"Hmph!"

In the end, Neji just snorted coldly, suppressing his emotions.

Is rationality above hatred?

Ryujiro smiled faintly as he watched Neji's back.

He wasn't afraid of Neji. Although his talent might not be as good as Neji's, he had put in much more effort than these geniuses.

At this time, Neji's strength surpassed that of most people his age. Even the current Sasuke might not be able to easily handle Neji.

Ryujiro had been increasing his chakra reserves since he was a child. Now, his chakra was no less than that of a mid level Jonin.

Moreover, he had techniques like Rasengan, an A-rank ninjutsu, and a physique surpassing his peers.

He might have the strength to fight Neji. But what he lacked now was a good sword. 

Ryujiro was a swordsman, and only with a sword in hand could he fully unleash his complete strength.