Ryuma Side Story- 1

One month before heading to the Chunin Exams.

Ryuma had just finished training with his team. He was going to head home when Kazuki said, "Hey Ryuma, we are heading to Ichiraku, why don't you join us?"

Ryuma said, "Sorry, but I have to be somewhere. Maybe some other time."

"See you tomorrow then," Kazuki said, and waved his hand.

Ryuma waved back as he headed towards the Konoha hospital.

He walked inside the hospital and stopped at the reception desk. The lady at the counter smiled after seeing Ryuma. She said, "Hey Ryuma, here to see your friend again?"

"Yeah," Ryuma said. "Can I get the card?"

The receptionist gave him a card with a room number written on it. She said, "She's lucky to have a friend like you. Even her family doesn't visit her every day."

Ryuma said thanks and headed towards Keiko's room. He showed the nurse the card and she let him in. As he opened the door, he saw her lying on the hospital bed.

He sat on the chair beside her and smiled. "Hey Keiko, we're going to participate in the Chunin Exams soon. It's in one month from now. But I'm not strong enough. I'm the weakest in our team. But just you wait, because I'm going to get much stronger. Stronger than everyone."

Ryuma talked with her for a few minutes before leaving. He then headed to the Hatake clan compound.

He went to the outskirts of the clan and knocked on a small, old house. A woman in her thirties opened the door.

"I'm back, Mom," Ryuma said.

"You're back early today," Yuna replied.

"Yeah, Sensei said that we can train on our own in the evening, since we'll be having the Chunin Exams next month," Ryuma replied.

Yuna's eyes widened in surprise. "The Chunin Exams? Already? But you just became a genin! Isn't it too dangerous?"

Ryuma smiled and said. "Don't worry, Mom. Akari Sensei thinks we are ready. Kazuki and Yuki are incredibly strong, I just need to train hard to catch up to them. We will be fine."

Yuna sighed, still looking worried, but she nodded. She served him food, and Ryuma ate quickly before packing his gear and leaving for training.

He then went to look for an empty training ground. On his way, Ryuma saw some children his age. Ryuma tried to avoid eye contact with them, but one of the kids recognized him and called out.

"Hey Ryuma, it's been a while. Come here for a second."

Ryuma looked at him and said, "Maybe some other time. I have training to do."

The kid replied with a smirk, "Oh right, you have become a genin now. Is that the reason your mom doesn't come to my house to clean anymore?"

The other kids started laughing at him loudly.

Ryuma simply ignored them, like he was used to this, and moved on to the training ground. Once he reached there, he started swinging his sword and practiced his chakra flow. After a bit, he thought, 'I won't get any stronger like this. Should I go to the clan to ask for any clan techniques?'

Ryuma stood up and started walking towards the clan hall. The Hatake clan wasn't ruled by a single leader; it was ruled by a group of elders. The last leader of the Hatake clan was Sakumo Hatake.

Ryuma reached the clan hall in a few minutes. The shinobi guards at the front raised their eyebrows after seeing him. Ryuma said, "I want to meet the elders."

One of the guards replied, "Why? Do you have an appointment?"

Ryuma said, "I want to learn the Hatake clan's techniques."

The guards couldn't help but laugh at what Ryuma had said. "The Hatake clan's techniques? A child like you? Forget it, kid, you're better off catching stray cats at your age."

Before Ryuma could say anything, a voice came from behind.

"I'll take this kid with me. I have an appointment."

Ryuma looked behind and saw a figure he recognized.

The guards' eyes widened. "Ka-Kakashi the Copy Ninja! Yes, we were informed by the elders that you would be coming. Please, enter." They stood aside.

"Let's go, kid. Follow me," Kakashi said as he opened the door and entered the hallway.

Ryuma followed Kakashi, and they reached the elders' room.

Upon entering, the elders welcomed him. One of them said, "Kakashi, we've been waiting for you. Come sit. And who's that kid behind you?"

"Oh, him? Future of Konoha, I guess." Kakashi took a seat, opened his book, and started reading. "Now, why did you call me?"

The elder thought, 'This bastard, how dare he read something this indecent here.' But the words that came out of his mouth were completely different. "Kakashi, you are a wonderful shinobi, so we all have decided that you will be the next leader of the Hatake clan. What do you think? You can follow your father's legacy."

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