The moment Tejima Shinichi finished speaking, the training ground fell into a brief silence.
Apart from Uzumaki Naruto, who was still staring blankly into the air, his little face flushed, the rest of the group wore thoughtful expressions.
Uchiha Sasuke pressed his lips together, shifting his gaze from Shinichi's calm face to the ground.
The hands at his sides slowly unclenched, and the tension in his shoulders eased a fraction.
"So… it's like that, huh."
He murmured something, so softly no one could hear.
But Sasuke understood: between him and Tejima Shinichi there wasn't just a gap in strength —there was a terrifying chasm in Ninjutsu comprehension, tactical application, even in reading people's hearts.
That realization sent his heart sinking and filled him with helplessness.
The idea of challenging Shinichi evaporated in that instant.
Victory without battle —complete submission!!!
Kobayashi Takeshi nodded vigorously, admiration shining in his eyes. "Shinichi, you're incredible! To think of using that Jutsu in such a way!"
Satō Yū nodded as well, awe on her face. "As expected of Shinichi-kun—always seeing angles no one else considers."
Haruno Sakura snapped out of her embarrassment. She glanced at Shinichi, then at the still-grinning Naruto, and finally at Sasuke, who seemed to have given up the challenge.
She felt a pang of discomfort, yet she couldn't deny that Shinichi's words had made sense.
"Hmph, even if it made sense, you shouldn't just go using someone's appearance like that!"
She couldn't help muttering, though her tone lacked its earlier fury.
By now Naruto had fully returned to his senses. Rubbing the back of his head, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anticipation, he stepped up to Shinichi.
"Um… Shinichi," he fidgeted, "could you… use that Jutsu one more time? Just once!"
Shinichi shot him a glance —flat, wordless, the message clear: 'You're getting addicted?!'
Before Shinichi could answer, Haruno Sakura found her outlet for pent-up rage.
"Naruto!!!"
She roared, a cross-vein throbbing on her forehead, fists clenched so hard they cracked.
"What the heck are you thinking, you idiot?!"
She dashed forward, fists raining down on Naruto's head and body like a storm.
"Still bringing it up, you pervert! Moron! Dead-last!"
"Ow! That hurts! Why're you hitting me again, Sakura?!"
Crouching and shielding his head, Naruto yelped and dodged.
"You're exactly who I'm hitting!"
With a final heavy punch Sakura slammed him to the ground, a huge lump sprouting on his head.
"Hmph!"
She huffed, flicked her wrist, and turned away.
Ignoring the commotion behind him, Shinichi faced his two teammates.
"Since Yamato-sensei specially gave us the afternoon off, he must be preparing the next stage." He looked at Kobayashi and Satō. "After months of intensive training we do need to reset. Take it easy this afternoon —no extra practice."
The two exchanged glances and breathed sighs of relief.
"Sounds good," Satō agreed. "A break now and then is fine."
Kobayashi grinned. "Then we won't stand on ceremony! See you tomorrow, Shinichi!"
"Tomorrow, Shinichi-kun."
Clearly with plans of their own, they chatted and laughed as they hurried off round a corner and disappeared.
Watching them go, Shinichi's mouth twitched.
He'd sensed something off about those two —looked like they were practically a couple now.
He put it out of mind and turned to leave.
After a few steps he sensed movement behind him.
Uchiha Sasuke stood rooted, eyes locked on Shinichi's back. His feet moved of their own accord, as though to follow.
"Sasuke-kun!"
Haruno Sakura's voice froze him mid-step.
He turned to see her jogging up, cheeks faintly pink, fingers nervously twined together.
"Um… since we've got the afternoon off," she said softly, hopeful, "want to train together? Work on our teamwork…"
Her intent was obvious —she wanted time alone with him.
But Sasuke's mind was elsewhere. He glanced toward where Shinichi had gone, then back at Sakura, brows knitting.
"Right now you're not even a match for that dead-last Naruto," he said coldly. "Find your own way to get stronger first."
Without waiting for her reply he spun away, striding after Shinichi.
Sakura stood frozen, the color draining from her face.
Her lips parted, but no words came; she only lowered her head… Shinichi walked at an unhurried pace, aware of the follower yet never looking back.
Only at a street corner did he stop.
"You've trailed me this far and won't speak up —what exactly do you want, Sasuke!"
Uchiha Sasuke stepped from the shadows to face him.
Lips tight, fists clenched, he seemed locked in fierce inner turmoil.
Shinichi simply watched, offering no pressure.
At last Sasuke drew a deep breath, made his decision, and dipped his head—a gesture rare for someone so proud.
"Shinichi, please… teach me to become stronger."
Shinichi lifted a brow, surprised by the request.
"Why ask this all of a sudden? Don't you have Kakashi-sensei? He's a powerful Jonin."
At Kakashi's name Sasuke's brows snapped together.
"Kakashi-sensei is strong," he retorted, "but aside from tree-climbing and water-walking he's never taught us any Ninjutsu —just endless D-Rank missions. I've had enough!!!"
His voice rose, growing heated:
"Shinichi, you're stronger than all of us. I want to know how you train; I want to walk the path you've walked. I can't stand still any longer…"
Sasuke clenched his fists, voice dropping:
"You've already pulled far ahead… even the Hokage has taken you as a student. I… I don't know what to do!!"
He paused, as though shedding every last shred of pride, and bowed deeply:
"Please —teach me to become stronger."
With those words Uchiha Sasuke bent formally at the waist, offering Tejima Shinichi a deep bow.