Here @riojiyo131, your trusted writer.
You can now get early access to chapter 60 on my Patreon. You can also read up to chapter 10 of my other story, Naruto: Satoru Senju.
patreon.com/riojiyo131
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Asuma Sarutobi descended into the combat arena and looked at Ino, unconscious on the ground, with a mix of sadness and resignation.
He lifted her carefully, in silence, and withdrew without saying a word.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Sakura returned to her team with a triumphant smile.
Her gaze, almost immediately, went directly to Sasuke.
"I-I won..." she murmured shyly, seeking his approval.
Sasuke glanced at her and nodded in her direction.
"Well done."
It was only two words, but for Sakura they meant everything. She felt her heart race, and her smile widened uncontrollably, biting her lip to hold back the emotion.
"Sakuraaa~!" Karin shouted, throwing herself at her with an energetic hug. "You were amazing! That last technique was awesome!"
Sakura laughed in embarrassment, a slight blush on her cheeks at her friend's overflowing enthusiasm.
"Thanks, Karin."
"Did you see everyone's faces? If they didn't close their mouths in time, a fly could've flown in!"
They both laughed. From the first day, they had clicked effortlessly, and their friendship had strengthened in record time.
Naruto, watching them from the side, smiled to himself: he was happy to see that Karin finally had a true friend.
But when Sakura turned toward him, her expression changed.
Her eyes sparkled, full of hope. She had trained tirelessly for that moment, wishing to surprise him. She longed for his recognition too... maybe not as much as Sasuke's, but close.
Naruto crossed his arms and looked at her intently.
"I'm not going to congratulate you," he said bluntly. Sakura blinked, confused. "Winning was the least expected of you. After all, you trained with me."
Everyone looked at him in annoyance, except Karin, who burst into laughter.
"Sakura, you should thank your great master!" she said, pointing at Naruto dramatically.
Naruto puffed out his chest with pride, patiently waiting for Sakura's "thank you."
"Idiots... both of you..." Sakura muttered, turning around with a grimace of annoyance.
Both Uzumakis sighed in defeat. Sakura was a tough opponent when it came to dodging their jokes.
[Mito Uzumaki: I love seeing how well they get along, but I still don't understand how Naruto influenced Karin so much in just a few days.]
[Tobirama Senju: The girl was probably always like that. She just needed a safe environment where she could show it.]
[Kushina Uzumaki: Stop blaming my Naruto! He's just a little mischievous! And if Karin-chan is too, even better! They're still kids!]
All of the group's attention shifted when Naruto approached Kakashi.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei... can I ask you a question?"
Kakashi nodded without lifting his eyes from his book.
"What does it feel like to be the only Jōnin in the village who accomplished something so incredible like... training Sakura?"
Sakura glared at him.
Kakashi turned a page, unfazed. "What do you mean by that?"
Naruto climbed onto the railing and raised his voice theatrically, as if he were speaking to the entire village.
"Think about this, citizens of Konoha! The famous Copy Ninja! The one who's copied over a thousand techniques... but only uses one! The laziest sensei in history, who trains his students with a pervy book in his hand! That man... managed to make Sakura improve!"
Kakashi was already preparing to hit Naruto, but Sakura got there first.
Sakura appeared behind him and gave him a direct punch to the head, making him stagger.
This time, Naruto didn't complain. He knew he deserved it.
[Tobirama Senju: A little mischievous, you said...? Ha. You must be delusional.]
[Kushina Uzumaki: …]
...
Tenten vs. Temari
Two new names appeared on the screen.
Seeing this, neither of them reacted. They both walked confidently toward the combat arena with firm steps.
[Pakura: She must be Rasa's daughter... Please, Sage of the Six Paths, let that other girl give her a good beating.]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Don't blame the children for the sins of their father.]
[Pakura: …]
[Tobirama Senju: That's the most sensible thing I've heard you say since this Group Chat started, brat.]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Yeah, well, it's not like you've said anything sensible so far.]
[Tobirama Senju: …]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Oh? Cat got your tongue?]
[Tobirama Senju: JUST shut up and watch the fight!]
Naruto didn't look directly at the arena. His attention turned to the other side of the stands, where Might Guy was with Rock Lee and Neji Hyūga.
Unlike in the original story, Team 7 had not met with Team 3.
Lee bounced excitedly, shouting Tenten's name, while Neji watched in silence, arms crossed, with a serious expression.
Might Guy observed the fight seriously, though he occasionally smiled at his student's determination.
As for Neji...
As expected of the Hyūga genius, he had an air similar to the Uchiha genius. Both shared an intense personality: one obsessed with destiny, the other with revenge.
When Hayate announced the start of the fight, Naruto's gaze returned to the arena.
Meanwhile, behind him, Ino—already recovered—approached, determined to congratulate Sakura on her victory.
Naruto didn't pay much attention. To be honest, he couldn't give less of a damn.
The only thing he caught—and only because they were yelling, not because he was eavesdropping—was that both of them still planned to fight over Sasuke in the future.
Neither seemed willing to give up.
Naruto couldn't wait to see their faces when they found out that Sasuke was actually a girl.
Maybe they'd surprise everyone... and both turn into lesbians?
Now that would be a plot twist for the ages...
Though he doubted it. Sasuke didn't seem interested in either of them... or in any other girl.
Naruto glanced at her and caught her looking at him. She quickly turned her gaze back to the arena.
"Well, strike me down if I don't realize what Sasuke really feels."