Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess

Sasuke had finally learned the truth behind Kakashi’s Sharingan.

But Kakashi turned to Riku and said, "Riku, I’m a bit concerned. Sasuke, wait here—I need to take Riku to handle something."

They left the offering hall, and Kakashi spoke again once they were out of earshot.

Sasuke, recalling how Kurenai and Asuma had rushed off earlier, frowned. "What happened?"

Kakashi nodded slightly. "Nothing major. I just have a bad feeling. You go ahead and check what the Uchiha clan needs for the offerings. Riku and I will take care of the rest."

He glanced at Riku, who gave a subtle nod. Riku already had a good idea what Kakashi intended.

Sasuke watched as the two disappeared from view and clenched his fists. It seems I’m still too weak. Kakashi doesn’t even trust me enough to let me help.

But this time, Sasuke didn’t feel any resentment toward Riku. He knew full well that Riku was even stronger than Kakashi. No matter how hard Sasuke pushed himself, even with the Sharingan, he couldn’t yet catch up to Riku.

Meanwhile, Riku and Kakashi arrived at a lake within the borders of Konoha.

As they approached, Hoshigaki Kisame launched a sudden Water Style ninjutsu at Asuma.

Riku’s brow furrowed. "Kakashi-sensei—"

Kakashi nodded. "Yeah. Let’s move."

Kisame formed seals swiftly and roared, "Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu!"

A roaring jet of water surged from the lake, forming into a massive shark that hurtled toward Asuma. One of Asuma’s arms had already been severed, leaving him unable to perform hand seals.

His affinities—Fire Style and Wind Style—were both naturally countered by Water Style.

Just as the shark was about to strike, Riku appeared beside Asuma, moving with blinding speed. With a single hand, he executed the seals: "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

Only three seals—executed in a flash. A deafening roar erupted from the lake as a massive water dragon formed and collided head-on with the incoming shark.

The two techniques clashed violently—BOOM!

But Riku’s Water Dragon was overpowering. It swallowed the Water Shark and still surged forward toward Kisame with unstoppable force.

Kisame’s lips curled into a grin. "Interesting... this kid."

For a moment, he actually felt that Riku’s Water Style was on par with his own.

Just before the dragon could crash into him, Kisame raised Samehada and cleaved downward, splitting the raging beast apart with brute force.

Even after halting the technique, Kisame looked at Riku with growing interest.

"Not bad, brat. You can handle the Water Dragon Jutsu, and it’s stronger than mine. Itachi, your village sure has some gifted monsters."

Uchiha Itachi stood silently in the lake nearby, Kakashi facing him. He glanced at Riku, vaguely recognizing him. Though he’d seen Riku once or twice while dropping Sasuke off at the Academy, he’d never paid attention.

But now, that unremarkable child had become something else entirely.

The Water Dragon Jutsu was a B-rank technique. To master it at just twelve years old said a lot about Riku’s real talents—definitely far beyond average.

Itachi spoke softly, "Hatake Kakashi... this boy—is he your student?"

Kakashi gave a slow nod. "I never expected you to dare show your face in Konoha again, Itachi."

Itachi’s Sharingan had been active from the start. His expression didn’t change. "I’ve come to retrieve something."

Kakashi narrowed his eye. He understood immediately—it was provocation.

Kisame, too, saw it for what it was.

They were here for the Nine Tails Jinchūriki.

Itachi offered no explanation. He stepped forward slightly. "Kakashi... that eye of yours must be a burden."

"But this," he continued, his Mangekyō Sharingan now fully revealed, "is the true power of the Uchiha."

At the same time, Kisame hefted Samehada and charged toward Riku. "Killing this kid will be fun."

He admired Riku’s Water Style—and thought the best way to honor that was to kill him.

As Kisame lunged, Riku raised his hand—and in a blink, a short sword appeared, the one Kakashi had given him.

It was no ordinary weapon—crafted from special materials, it was an experimental chakra blade.

Riku said calmly, "Asuma-sensei, stay back. You’re injured and can’t form seals properly. Let me handle this."

Asuma and Kurenai still didn’t fully understand Riku’s capabilities, but they knew he had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique—clearly, he was no ordinary Genin. At the very least, he was at Jonin level.

Asuma nodded and leapt aside.

Riku gripped the short sword and charged Kisame head-on.

Clang!

BOOM!

With one powerful strike, Riku sheared several scales from Samehada. The force of the blow even cracked the earth beneath Kisame’s feet.

An explosive shockwave blasted outward, forcing Kisame to stagger back, eyes wide.

What the hell...? How does this brat have that kind of strength?!

Kisame had overwhelmed Asuma with ease just minutes ago. And yet now—now he was being physically pushed back.

Even Asuma, watching from the sidelines, could hardly believe what he was seeing. "Riku’s... stronger than Kisame? That can’t be."

But Riku didn’t stop. He pressed forward relentlessly, engaging Kisame in close-quarters sword combat.

Kisame had strength, chakra reserves, and top-tier Water Style—but his kenjutsu was merely average.

After just a few exchanges, Riku’s blade found its mark—slashing a deep gash across Kisame’s abdomen. Blood gushed out.

Samehada shuddered in Riku’s presence, unable to fully absorb his chakra. Several more scales were cleaved off by Riku’s strikes.

Despite being tougher than steel, Samehada couldn’t withstand Riku’s raw power.

Even worse, the sword itself—Samehada—felt pain.

It was alive, after all.

And for the first time... it couldn’t consume the opponent’s chakra.

That terrified it.

And terrified Kisame too.

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