Hakushi countered with a question
"Above me."
"What's the specific gap?"
"If it were a fight to the death, I'd most likely die, and Teacher Sakumo would be heavily injured."
Ruri wasn't being modest with this statement.
This was simply the level her strength had reached now.
Sakumo's entire strength lay in his swordsmanship, paired with an incredibly fast Instantaneous Body Jutsu, combined with exquisite sword skills that made him invincible.
But because of this focus on swordsmanship, Sakumo lacked many strategies to deal with opponents.
Ruri might be the type most difficult for Sakumo to handle.
A ninja with flawless body, illusion, and ninja techniques—an all-around perfect type.
With her Taijutsu Instant Body and Three-Tomoe Sharingan, she could match Sakumo's speed and reflexes, but due to the advantage of his swordsmanship, Ruri felt she would be at a disadvantage in close combat.
However, she also had advantages Sakumo didn't possess, such as wide-ranging Fire Style techniques and mysterious illusions that could restrict Sakumo's movements.
Upon hearing this, Hakushi nodded and shared his thoughts:
"The Chakra that that Sharingan exhibits, and the immense pressure it gives me, surpasses Teacher Sakumo. And this is merely a measure of Sharingan's Donjutsu; he is already far superior to you in this regard, and in other aspects, he is likely not weaker but stronger than you."
"Is that so? Indeed, there's no such master in the current Uchiha Race, but isn't it too rash to conclude that this person isn't in Konoha?"
"Well, think about it differently. If such a master really existed within the Uchiha Race in our village, our secrets would likely have been exposed long ago, and not possibly still remain unnoticed. After all, they would have powerful subordinates capable of infiltration, making it impossible to conceal our secrets."
"..."
Ruri frowned.
"Since that white creature can be sensed by Natural Energy, it means they weren't monitoring us before my research on Natural Energy. Our first encounter was detected by accident over at the Akatsuki side. Immediately, this white, strange creature entered Konoha, infiltrating the Uchiha Clan Land... the mastermind targeting Konoha, perhaps to monitor the Uchiha Race, just recently began their actions. As for Akatsuki's side..."
It was only about a month ago that he sent the Insect Man and the others to make contact with Akatsuki.
It's unknown when the mastermind began to monitor Akatsuki, but determining these points is enough.
It's an Uchiha ninja not in Konoha.
Related to Tailed Beasts, Wood Style, with Sharingan Donjutsu surpassing Ruri, dispatching subordinates to infiltrate the Uchiha Clan Land to gather intelligence.
These are key pieces of information for interpreting the correct intel.
Ruri apparently understood this as well.
But even with so much vital information, Ruri still found it difficult to determine which Uchiha ninja was the actual mastermind.
"Speaking of which, in the past, were there Uchihas that defected or left Konoha?"
"In the last thirty or so years, only Uchiha Madara."
Ruri provided an answer that seemed like a fairy tale.
"This answer is ridiculous. After the battle at the Valley of the End, Uchiha Madara had already died at the hands of the First Hokage, which is common knowledge..."
Hakushi's face broke into a smile and he shook his head.
But what he truly thought inside, only he knew.
After all, isn't there a probability of this existing?
Wood Style, Tailed Beasts, Sharingan.
These are either ninja techniques Uchiha Madara fought against, targets he controlled, or powers he himself possessed.
Haven't all the conditions been met?
Seeing Ruri also drift into contemplation, he guessed she was also doubting whether that ancestor of the Uchiha Race had really died.
Hakushi reopened his thermos, took a sip of hot water, and smiled, "Alright, don't have such a gloomy expression, whether he's dead or alive, as long as we don't get involved with him, it's fine. Like you said, instead of guessing these useless matters, isn't it better to spend all your time and energy on strengthening yourself?"
"No, I was thinking, if he's really still alive... I would love to witness that legendary power capable of splitting heavens and earth."
Ruri clenched her fist.
In the past, when mentioning the Uchiha Race, the first thing people thought of was not the Sharingan, but the name Uchiha Madara.
Because that was a symbol of power far more pure than the Sharingan.
Nowadays, when ninjas mention the Uchiha, they think not of a particular Uchiha but of the Sharingan.
Ruri considered this her future goal to surpass.
"That's exactly like you, I guess I was worried for nothing just now."
"Are you underestimating me? Besides, even if that old relic is alive, he'd be too old to move now."
"I didn't say that. Besides, it's all just speculation, it can't be considered conclusive evidence."
Seeing Ruri acting a bit sulky, Hakushi explained with a smile.
"Hmph."
Ruri turned her head away, indicating she didn't want to talk to him.
The sky gradually darkened, and the beautiful sunset was slowly sinking at the edge of the western forest.
Hakushi and Ruri strolled together along a path by a river.
The weather in May had warmed up, and the gentle breeze brought a sense of ease while also dispelling restlessness within.
The streetlights on both sides of the path were already on. Looking further from here led to the center of the village, where the bustling night market was starting to come alive as lights turned on one after another.