Chapter 113 - 13

Chapter 13: Combat Training Class, Sasuke's Challenge!Naruto almost thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He blinked hard and looked again, focusing his gaze.That's right, 75.Not a negative number.So... in this Village filled with rejection and fear, in a corner where no one looks, there really is such a gaze, watching him so warmly and quietly?Naruto was stunned, staring blankly at Hinata."Mr. Naruto? Are... are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?"Seeing him silent for a long time, just staring at her blankly, Hinata became even more flustered. Her fair cheeks turned so red they looked like they were about to bleed, yet she couldn't help but look up, full of concern.Naruto came back to his senses and grinned, revealing a smile so bright and free of gloom that it seemed capable of melting all the coldness and barriers around him."I'm fine, Hinata."His voice carried a lightness he hadn't even noticed himself, "It's just... I suddenly thought of something very, very happy!"That smile was like a precise arrow, instantly striking Hinata.She stood there as if hit by a paralysis jutsu, staring blankly at Naruto. In her pure white eyes, the golden-haired boy's rare, bright smile was reflected. Her heart hammered like a drum, her mind went blank, leaving only one thought:Mr. Naruto... could he always smile so beautifully, so happily?Naruto stood up and naturally reached out, gently taking Hinata's small hand, which was slightly cool and sweaty from nervousness."Let's go, let's head to the training ground together!" His voice was hearty, and without waiting for an answer, he pulled her along and started walking out of the classroom."Ah...!"Hinata let out a low exclamation. She turned red from her head to the roots of her neck, like a boiled shrimp. The heat from his palm was scorching and firm, making her whole body stiffen, yet she couldn't bear to pull away.She quietly lowered her head, looking at their joined hands, feeling that unprecedented warmth. A huge, stolen joy quietly flooded over her.Taking advantage of Naruto seeming focused on leading the way and not paying attention, she carefully and ever so slightly curled her fingers, gripping that warm hand tighter in return.Heehee... Mr. Naruto's hand, so warm...Like a child who had stolen a candy, she pursed her lips, her mouth curling upwards, revealing a mischievous, shy, fox-like smile.[Current Favorability: 75 → 76]Like an apple, yet reluctant to let go of the warmth in Naruto's palm, she quietly gripped Naruto's hand back.She quietly looked up and, finding that Narutoseemed focused on the path and not paying attention, she revealed a mischievous smile, like a little fox that had stolen a chicken.Hee hee hee~So warm~ Mr. Naruto's hand~[Current Favorability: 75 → 76]The system prompt appeared quietly.Naruto ignored it; he simply tightened his grip on the soft little hand and walked forward, facing the sunlight spilling in from the corridor window.Hinata's appearance was like a ray of light, briefly but truly illuminating a corner of his heart that had always been empty.Until they arrived at Training Ground 1, stood on the flat yellow earth, and faced the gazes of Irukaand the other students, Naruto gently shook his hand and released their joined palms.The lingering warmth on his fingertips made his heart feel warm too.Iruka watched them walk up one after the other, and seeing Hinata's still-flushed cheeks, he shook his head inwardly, revealing a helpless yet emotional smile. Kids these days...He cleared his throat and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention."Alright, everyone is here. Let's start today's combat training class. I will first announce the sparring groups...""Iruka-sensei!"A clear voice interrupted him.Everyone looked towards the sound and saw Uchiha Sasuke walking out from the crowd.He was wearing a dark blue, high-collared short-sleeved shirt with the striking red-and-white fan clan emblem on his back. Beneath his black short hair was a well-defined, slightly cold face.At this moment, he was staring intently at Naruto."I want to request a duel with Uzumaki Naruto!"Sasuke's voice echoed clearly across the training ground.The whispers on the training ground vanished instantly, and everyone's eyes were focused on the two of them.Iruka frowned: "Sasuke, why the sudden request? The training groups have already been arranged.""Because he—"Sasuke pointed at Naruto and said, word for word, "insulted the emblem of our Uchiha Clan!"As soon as these words were spoken, low gasps echoed across the training ground.The pride of the Uchiha Clan was famous in Konoha; having the clan emblem insulted was no small matter."Is that so... Naruto, what do you think?"Iruka sighed inwardly. He knew that as a teacher, it was difficult to forcefully stop matters involving clan honor, so he had to ask for Naruto's opinion.Naruto's expression was calm. Meeting Sasuke's piercing gaze, he nodded indifferently: "I have no objection. Since he wants to fight, then we'll fight."His response was concise and straightforward, without excuse or retreat, which only made Sasuke's gaze sharper."Alright then. Since both parties agree, the request is approved. Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, please come to the center of the field."The two walked to the center of the training ground as instructed and stood opposite each other.The afternoon sun cast their shadows long and slanted. The wind swept through the woods by the training ground, bringing a rustling sound.Sasuke stared fixedly at Naruto, his hands slightly clenched at his sides, and Chakra began to flow faintly around his body.He spoke solemnly, his voice filled with unquestionable determination, "I will bet everything to defeat you and wash away the shame of the Uchiha Clan!"Naruto also raised his hands, adopting a simple starting stance, his expression becoming equally serious. "Then come on."Almost at the same time, a panel that only he could see appeared before Naruto:[Uchiha Sasuke][Current Favorability: 15]15?Positive?Naruto's heart stirred slightly.This meant that this aggressive Uchiha genius seemingly had no deep-seated hatred or fear towards him like the ordinary villagers; his hostility stemmed purely from the damage to his clan's honor..."3! 2! 1! Begin!"As soon as Iruka's command fell, Sasuke moved!His movements were as fast as a cheetah. Almost the instant the voice fell, within his eyes, the pitch-black pupils changed suddenly—on the blood-red background, a single black tomoe slowly rotated into shape!Single-Tomoe Sharingan!"Whoa—!"The watching students burst into exclamations.Sharingan! The powerful Bloodline Limit unique to the Uchiha Clan!Sasuke had heard the descriptions of the tragic state of his clansmen, but he didn't fully believe it.In his view, those three incompetent clansmen were mostly careless and underestimated the enemy, while he was a genius personally guided by his elder brother, Uchiha Itachi, and was already far beyond what they could compare to!In front of these eyes that could perceive movements and copy Ninjutsu, Uzumaki Naruto, your advantage in Taijutsu will be wiped out