Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 21 21 : The First Battle Against Ninjas

Although Shikamaru, Chōji, and Kiba were suspicious of Riku, they didn't press him with questions.

After school, unlike before, Riku didn't hurry ho.

Kakashi had a mission today.

Just as Riku stepped out of the academy gates, Hinata and Ino caught up with him.

Ino was bold, walking right beside Riku. "Why aren't you in a rush today? Is it because we figured you out, and now you're scared to sneak off?"

Hinata walked quietly on Riku's other side, whispering, "Ino, don't talk nonsense."

Riku, however, remained calm and chuckled. "You know you're kind of loud, right?"

Ino pouted. "Tch, so I was right, wasn't I?"

Riku ignored her, smiling faintly.

This ti, he didn't go to the training grounds to watch the older shinobi. What they were demonstrating wasn't enough to help Riku progress anymore.

The three walked along the road—Riku and Hinata remained mostly silent, while Ino kept chattering non-stop.

Riku couldn't help feeling a little overwheld. He hadn't expected Ino to be this persistent... and talkative.

After more than ten minutes of walking, they passed a small forest. Suddenly, Riku grabbed Hinata's hand.

"Wait a second."

Ino, still rambling, walked a few more steps before realizing the two had stopped.

"What's wrong?" she asked suspiciously.

Riku's expression had grown more serious. "There are people in the woods. I think they're the ones those kids from yesterday called for help. Hinata, stay alert."

Hinata's face flushed pink—Riku was still holding her hand.

"Mm," she nodded quietly.

Ino was bewildered. "People? Who?"

She glanced toward the trees, but didn't see anything.

"There's no one there," she said, frowning. "And what's so weird about people being in the woods? We're still inside the village."

It was a public forest path in Konoha, after all. Seeing people there wasn't exactly rare.

But Riku had sensed a strange chakra signature.

And it definitely didn't belong to any of the academy students.

The only explanation that made sense was that they were connected to the students who had tried to pick a fight with him yesterday.

Just as Ino started to walk back toward Riku, there was a sudden rustling sound from the trees.

She didn't notice.

But Riku had already stepped forward in front of her, his body moving instantly.

He pulled a kunai from his pouch and deflected a small, fast-moving stone.

Ding—

The tallic clang snapped Ino back to awareness.

"What was that?!"

She hadn't even seen how Riku had moved in front of her so quickly.

Riku called out, "Hinata! Use your Byakugan—scan the forest!"

Hinata nodded imdiately. "Right—Byakugan!"

As her dojutsu activated, she instantly spotted the threat.

"There are two people hiding in the woods," she reported. "Judging by their chakra flow, they're at least Genin."

Ino froze, stunned. "What... Genin?!"

"How could there be real shinobi attacking us?" she demanded, clearly shaken.

Riku stood in front of her, eyes focused. "They're probably hired by those punks I dealt with yesterday. Stay sharp. I don't know if I can take on both of them yet."

Ino looked panicked. "We just started at the academy! There's no way we can fight real ninja! Riku, let's run—let the village security forces deal with it!"

But Riku's voice was calm and resolute. "Even if I run today, do I plan to run every day? I want to end this now."

Ino was shocked by his words. "Riku... don't be reckless. They're actual shinobi!"

Riku slid the kunai back into his pouch. "So am I."

With that, he charged into the woods.

Ino was too stunned to react, while Hinata, after a mont of hesitation, rushed in after him.

Ino stomped her foot. "You two are seriously the worst—ugh!"

Even so, she followed them into the trees.

Inside the woods, Riku had already pinpointed the two enemy ninja.

They were hiding behind a pair of large trees.

Riku dashed toward one of them. "You two were sent by those four idiots from yesterday, right? I'm honestly curious—you're actual ninja, and yet you're out here harassing kids who haven't even graduated from the academy. What do you think will happen if I report this to the Hokage? Will you still be allowed to wear that forehead protector?"

The two Genin who had planned to scare Riku stiffened.

Their expressions darkened, and they exchanged glances.

They had already decided—they'd beat him senseless and scare him into keeping quiet.

They stepped out from behind the trees, facing Riku, Hinata, and Ino.

One of them sneered. "So you figured us out and lured your little friends here as witnesses. Think that's gonna scare us?"

"Don't get cocky, brat. If you report this, we'll make your life hell."

Both of them drew kunai, clearly trying to intimidate him.

At fifteen or sixteen years old, they didn't dare go so far as to kill anyone. If they did, they'd either be arrested or labeled as rogue ninja.

All they wanted was to frighten Riku into silence.

But Riku was disgusted.

"Oh? Make miserable, huh? I'd love to see how you plan to do that."

"You're both what—fifteen? Sixteen? At that age, you should at least be Chūnin. And you're still Genin? Honestly, I'm embarrassed for you."

Their expressions twisted in anger. No one had ever mocked them for being stuck at Genin level before.

Sure, most average shinobi reached Genin by their age, and only talented ones beca Chūnin—but being mocked by an academy student?

"You little punk—are you looking to die?!"

Riku didn't bother answering.

"I want to see the difference in power between and a real ninja. You two... are perfect test subjects."

With those words, Riku vanished in a blur of motion.

The Genin were stunned.

"Shit—he's fast!"

Too fast for them to react in ti.

Boom!

One of the Genin was struck hard in the stomach by Riku's kick and collapsed, groaning on the ground.

The second one lunged with his kunai, stabbing toward Riku.

Shk—

Ino and Hinata gasped in horror. "Riku!"

It looked like he had been stabbed.

But before the Genin could celebrate, Riku's body burst into a cloud of smoke.

Poof!

A Shadow Clone.

Ino and Hinata were shocked, not quite understanding what had just happened—but the Genin certainly did.

"Shadow Clone?! What the hell—how does this brat know the Shadow Clone Jutsu?!"