While everyone was chatting, the teachers began urging the students back to their seats.
Nagi returned to class as well.
What he didn't expect was this: the students who normally sat next to him had been kicked out—one by Sakura and the other by Ino.
Now the class top student Sakura and the Yamanaka heiress Ino were sitting on either side of him.
That scene alone was enough to make plenty of students jealous beyond belief.
"When will I ever get to be like Nagi...?"
Naruto stared at him with envy so intense it felt almost physical.
"Why do I have to sit next to stupid Sasuke?!"
He glanced at Sasuke's poker face, then at the bright, energetic girls beside Nagi.
The contrast hit like a brick to the face.
And the worst part? Sasuke wasn't even as handsome as Nagi.
"Quit bothering me."
Sasuke looked at Naruto with irritation, already fed up with whatever nonsense was going on in his head.
He had a feeling Naruto's expression was somehow an indirect jab at him.
"Tch, arrogant Sasuke—what's there to be proud of? Nagi's not nearly as cold and stuck-up as you are."
That one line nearly shattered Sasuke's mental defenses.
Sometimes lies don't hurt—but the truth cuts like a blade.
Sasuke didn't normally care much about appearance.
But being compared so bluntly? That hit hard.
He glanced at Nagi, caught between Ino and Sakura, and a strange wave of emotion flickered in his chest.
"Tch. So what if he's good-looking? We're ninja. Strength is the only thing that defines a true shinobi."
That thought finally straightened his back.
As the top student at the academy, Sasuke felt like he had the right to say that.
"Ugh, I really can't talk to this guy…"
Naruto was so mad he wanted to slap the desk.
Sure, he envied how popular Nagi was with the girls, but when it came to strength…
He wasn't about to let Sasuke talk down to him—his fellow outcast and rival.
"Interesting."
Nagi overheard the argument between Naruto and Sasuke.
Back when he didn't bother showing off at school, Naruto had assumed they were both bottom-tier nobodies.
"Let's hope what happens next doesn't crush Naruto's confidence too hard."
Nagi had always been on good terms with Naruto.
Before the system awakened, most of the class avoided Naruto because of the whole "fox demon" label.
But Nagi, knowing the truth from the story, understood it was just a lie cooked up by the Third Hokage to cover things up.
So he treated Naruto like he treated everyone else.
And for Naruto, that alone made Nagi one of his few real friends.
"Ahem, everyone quiet down."
The classroom door slid open and Iruka walked in.
He had clearly taken the time to tidy himself up today and looked extra sharp.
Once he reached the podium, the students who had been chatting instantly turned their attention toward him.
"Today we'll be holding an important practical training exam. I want everyone to take this seriously!"
Iruka's expression was stern as he looked around the classroom.
He knew that this practical exam would directly impact the upcoming team assignments.
It was a big deal.
The Hokage had already informed him that several elite jōnin team leaders would be observing the matches in secret.
As their teacher, Iruka genuinely hoped his students would get good placements.
Then his eyes landed on Nagi, seated between Sakura and Ino.
He couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret.
Such a humble, bright student… yet his ninjutsu grades were stuck at a C.
Nagi noticed Iruka's gaze and met it calmly.
That only made Iruka feel more conflicted.
In his heart, Nagi seemed like someone with the potential to become a Hokage.
His kindness, his confidence, his easygoing charm—Iruka couldn't help but be reminded of someone else.
Someone with yellow hair and the same warm smile.
The Fourth Hokage.
"Alright, I'll lead everyone to the training field now."
The moment Iruka finished speaking, the class erupted into chaos.
"Whoa! It's really a practical exam! I can't believe what Iruka-sensei said yesterday was true!"
"What do we do?! I wasn't prepared at all!"
Students sitting behind Naruto and Sasuke began to panic.
"What's there to prepare? Sasuke's just going to be first place again anyway."
As they chatted, all eyes naturally drifted toward Sasuke.
He'd ranked first in every previous combat exam, after all.
"Excuse me?! Are you saying Nagi can't take first place?!"
The girls in class immediately objected, rallying to defend Nagi.
"Nagi?"
The rest of the students suddenly paused.
Come to think of it… Nagi and Sasuke had never actually faced off before.
And when they thought about it, Nagi had always forfeited his practice matches.
Even when Iruka tried to convince him to participate.
Honestly, no one knew what Nagi was truly capable of.
"Still, it's unlikely. Sasuke has held first place for a long time now."
In the end, most of the class still believed Sasuke would come out on top.
[End of Chapter]